School's Out!

Harvey Primary School is a wonderful school.  As parents, we are pleased that it provided such an excellent school year for our boys.  Below are two reasons why - on the left is Mrs. Duff, Caleb's year 1 teacher and on the right is Mrs. Bayliss, Jackson's kindy teacher.

The last day of school for the year was Wednesday, 12th December and this school year was a most memorable one.  We have a few more blog entries before we close out on our exchange, so please keep looking us up for a few more weeks yet.  [Note: This entry is also a work in progress, so come back again to see a final product.]

Every day and several times a day, Mr. Walker would see skinks in the school yard sunning themselves.  Just one of many things that will provide lasting memories of Harvey and of Western Australia.

The second last day at Harvey Senior High School for the year 8's and 9's was an activity day.  Students rotated through three activities is the morning - Wii Competition, Sumo Wrestling, and a Quiz Show.  Lunch was an Aussie essential - the sausage sizzle.

Then off to the outdoor pool for a swim, games, and inflatable obstacle course for the rest of the afternoon.  Students had to fight off some teachers to get their turns on the obstacle course.

The year 10's finished regular classes in week 4 of term four and then had opportunity to continue learning by take some excellent endorsed programs.  Students were intensly instructed durings periods 1 to 4, Monday to Thursday.  Some options included first aid, skipper's ticket, driver's education, O H & S and others.  In period 5, year 10's signed up for some  less structured activity based programs, such as movie making.  Below is the product of 3 weeks of Mr. Newton and students's hard work - a zombie film with a cameo appreance of an imported actor from Canada.  Enjoy!

If you can't watch the youtube video above, then click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBk447iuZho&list=UUqenJT9CRHvdiKWVMOQzCeg&index=1&feature=plcp

Rewarding Days of Summer

The last weekend in Harvey before we board our flight home to Canada was spent at Binningup Beach.  The Indian Ocean coastline is only about 20 km from town and is used quite frequently by locals for fishing, swimming, surfing/ bodyboarding, and soaking up the sun.  One thing we have noticed on the Aussie beach is that if guys weren't in boardies (surf shorts) they were wearing short shorts instead.  As you can see wee Jackson joined in with his wee speedos.  The Newton family had a going away bbq for us and brought out the fishing rods to have a go.  Caleb caught the first fish within the first few minutes of throwing in the hook.  Unfortunately, it was a small puffer fish and they're poisonous.  But, the look of satisfaction on his face after catching that fish was worth all the fish in the sea. 

In the hour that we went fishing we didn't catch any keepers, but 6 fish (3 pufferfish, 2 yellow fin bream, 1 whiting) was still pretty fun.  Plus, Collin was glad to have finally gone beach fishing in Australia.  Pretty good way to spend your birthday - on the beach with +30 degrees temps.  Better than some birthday parties in his youth when invited guests had to spend the night because of terrible blizzards!

Our Children had a fantastic year at Harvey Primary School.  Both boys enjoyed their year groups, loved their teachers, made good friendships, and learned copius amounts of the Australian curriculum.  At the last school assembly of the year, Caleb was awarded an Endevour Award for  'demostrating the virtues of persistence, determination, patience and commitment'.  Two very proud parents were in the crowd thinking to themselves - which side does he take after? 

Jackson also was given going away gifts and a 100% attendance certificate for his days at Kindy.  After going to school 3 days a week here in Harvey, he might become a little bored with only 1 afternoon a week playschool back in Lloydminster.  Oh well, Becky will have to put on her Mrs. Walker, Kindy Teacher hat a little more often.

Bunbury Santa Claus Parade

Last Sunday might of been one our last times to go to the beach.  We sure have enjoyed living near the coast and it's endless supply of beaches. This picture was taken in Bunbury at Hungry Hallow, an excellent swimming beach nestled between two reefs.   In Australia, the first day of summer starts on 1 December; and we wanted to make the most the summer heat before heading home to much colder climes.  And no better way to do that than attend a Christmas parade and see how the folks down under celebrate the festive season!

There was a street festival with market stalls, music, kids activities, a small side show alley, kite flying and a grand stand showcasing local talent singing, dancing, carolling, and joking the afternoon away. 

To the right are gingerbread stars to be decorated and later eaten.  Below is a game of chance - drop a ball in the clown's mouth to win a prize.  We didn't stop there as it would be just another thing to pack.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me... three musicians playing jingle bells, two little boys wanting lots of presents, and a silly Christmas tree. 

The main event and what every little girl and boy was waiting for... the Santa Claus parade. 

First the police, then Girls in Utes to lead the charge down main street.

Dolphy from the Dolphin Discovery Centre joined in as well.  Earlier in the day we saw three of his wild cousins close to shore while we're swimming.

And only a fleeting glimpse of old St. Nick riding in a convertible.  Still not sure if Santa was wearing shorts during his Australian appearance or not?

Note:  If you look back three blog entries you may notice a new one titled, Signs That You Are Not In Canada.  We started it awhile ago, but only had it saved as a draft.  We recently published it, but the original creation date remained.