What's on at the Museum

Lots of things happening over these holidays, but the most exciting thing has got to be the Dinosaur Eggs and Babies exhibition!

DINOSAUR EGGS AND BABIES NOW OPEN!

Discover dinosaurs through their eggs, nests and embryos in our summer exhibition, Dinosaur Eggs and Babies. This hands-on exhibition features an astounding array of authentic casts of dinosaur eggs and nests collected from all over the globe.

Special Exhibitions Gallery, Level 1
Admission charges apply

SPECIAL EGG-STRAS
Dino Tours
Explore millions of years of dinosaur evolution, existence and extinction!
An introduction to the prehistoric world of these wondrous reptiles...
DAILY, 2.30pm, FREE with your exhibition admission

Digging Deeper Gallery Talk
Join us as we dig a little deeper into the stories connected to Dinosaur Eggs and Babies.
DAILY, 4.30pm, FREE with your exhibition admission

Cretaceous Create-us Activities
Roll up your reptilian sleeves and sink your teeth into a creative children’s activity exploring the world of dinosaurs.
EVERY Saturday and Sunday, DAILY during the school holidays
11.30am, FREE all holidays with your exhibition admission

Click here to see all the other great things on at the Otago Museum this summer!
(Including a Victorian-style Santa, Butterflies in your Backyard, Southern Children's Choir performance, Origami...)

End of year photos - rain plans

Regarding our End-of-Year photos and picnic - please let Kathrin know if you are planning to come tomorrow, so she can keep you up-to-date with rain plans.

Not that it will rain, fingers crossed!

Reading Eggs programme

from Sarah -

This is a reading programme which my daughter is finding very enjoyable and effective:

www.readingeggs.com

It comes with a 14 day free trial and includes a test to make sure you start at the right level.

cheers
Sarah

Chemistry Course enrolments - closing soon!!

We got this email the other day... Do contact Nathalie soon if you're interested!

Hi to all home educators in Dunedin and surrounding areas,

I am running a chemistry course for home educated children aged 11+ years on 10 and 11 February 2010 in Dunedin. The course is run at Otago university in one of their laboratories. This is a great opportunity to experience practical hands-on chemistry in a fully set up lab. There is no prior knowledge or skill required.

I am a home educating mum myself and a trained secondary school science teacher with a degree in chemistry.

The closing date for enrolments is Friday 18 December. So far we have received 12 enrolments and I will need a minimum of 32 children for the two courses to be able to go ahead (16 children per course).

So if you are considering enrolling your child(ren), please get back to me soon. It would be a shame to cancel this course as this is such a unique learning opportunity.

Best regards,
Nathalie Thomas, MSc, DipT
Science for Home Educators
PO Box 179
Katikati 3166
Bay of Plenty

Ph (07) 5490383

www.science-for-home-educators.co.nz

Diary Dates - Nov 29

Note an amendment to our Wednesday meet-up for 9 December. We had listed the activity for that day would be one of the Intriguing Dunedin Street Walks. Due to unforeseen circumstances, this will be postponed until next year, and in its place, we will be meeting at Chingford Park, on North Rd, 12.30 - 3.00pm. See you there!

Diary Dates

Swimming at Moana Pool - each Monday during term-time.. Lessons 11.00 - 12.00, casual play (all welcome to join us!) 12.00 onwards. Contact Swimsation at Moana Pool to book lessons.

Wednesday 2 December - Otago Museum Workshop - Plants at our place
Do you think plants are just boring layabouts? Think again! Discover the incredible life of plants; what plants need to survive, reproduce, grow and flower and how we manipulate them and use them in our lives. 1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per school-ages child. Nicola

Wednesday 2 December - end-of-year dinner. Nova cafe, The Octagon. Kathrin

Wednesday 9 December - Wednesday meet-up, Chingford Park, North Rd. 12.30 - 3.00pm. Bring your lunch.

Wednesday 16 December - final meet-up, and group photo!! Woodhaugh Gardens, near the paddling pool. Closest entry George St. 12.30 - 3.00. Bring your lunch.

Article on Qualifications on NCHENZ site

from NCHENZ, via Nicola -

Good Evening Fellow Home Educators

Rosalind Peterson has recently revised her very helpful article on the topic of qualifications which I have updated on the website. If you are thinking about what you will do with high-school and qualifications there are lots of resources on the NCHENZ website
http://www.nchenz.org.nz/resources/qualifications/
and also
http://www.nchenz.org.nz/resources/after-home-education/
If you know of someone who would be willing to share their journey "after home education" on the NCHENZ website, please give me an email.
Regards
Tarnya Burge

Tarore and Her Book

The following email came through the hefnet list. I'm happy to act as a local ordering person for Dunedin, if anyone else would like this book. In order to keep postage down, the Bible Society would prefer group orders, rather than individual ones. Apparently supplies are diminishing, so if anyone wants the book, please let me know by Monday Dec 7th, and I'll send in an order that evening. This is a free book about a small slice of New Zealand's history.

cheers, Stacey

-------------------------------
I am contacting you to ... let homeschoolers across New Zealand know about a free resource being offered to all primary-aged students by Bible Society New Zealand. It is a small storybook entitled "Tarore And Her Book", written by well-loved author Joy Cowley, which tells the story of young Maori girl Tarore who lived in the 1830s near Matamata, whose Christian witness changed the lives of her people throughout Aotearoa as her copy of the Gospel of Luke moved around the country. It is an inspiring story and an important part of our national history.
I am a home educator myself, and would like to inform as many homeschoolers as possible about the availability of this book for their children... Bible Society are happy to post out the books to groups of families within the regions, but are unable to post individual copies to homes due to the costs involved...
Please check out the website www.tarorebook. org.nz if you need further information. Finally, the response to this offer by primary schools has been enormous and the number of copies available is rapidly diminishing, so time is of the essence!
Thanks, and God bless.
Louise Brown
(member of Wellington Home Education Network)

Diary Dates - Nov 24

Note an amendment to our Wednesday meet-up for 9 December. We had listed the activity for that day would be one of the Intriguing Dunedin Street Walks. Due to unforeseen circumstances, this will be postponed until next year, and in its place, we will be meeting at Chingford Park, on North Rd, 12.30 - 3.00pm. See you there!

Swimming at Moana Pool - each Monday during term-time.. Lessons 11.00 - 12.00, casual play (all welcome to join us!) 12.00 onwards. Contact Swimsation at Moana Pool to book lessons.

Wednesday 25 November - Meet-up at Carli's house, 12.00 - 2.45. Bring lunch and suitable footwear/clothing for a bushwalk. Carli

Wednesday 2 December - Otago Museum Workshop - Plants at our place
Do you think plants are just boring layabouts? Think again! Discover the incredible life of plants; what plants need to survive, reproduce, grow and flower and how we manipulate them and use them in our lives. 1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per school-ages child. Nicola

Wednesday 2 December - end-of-year dinner. Nova cafe, The Octagon. Kathrin

Wednesday 9 December - see above

Wednesday 16 December - final meet-up, and group photo!! Woodhaugh Gardens, near the paddling pool. Closest entry George St. 12.30 - 3.00. Bring your lunch.

Interest in One Day School for Gifted kids?

And from Lynn -

A friend contacted me recently to say that she wants to set up another One Day School for Gifted children in Dunedin. There used to be such a facility here but it died out a few years ago and she is hoping to resurrect it. She asked if I could inform the home school community in case there are any families who maybe interested.She needs to get 10 children to make the project viable, and needs to know within the next 3 weeks in order to take her plans forward to the Gifted Association. If any one wishes to contact her, ring Susan on 4727707.

Directions to Carli's house

Hi all,

This wednesday's meeting is at Carli's. No, I'm not going to put the directions on the internet :) But it can be difficult to find your way there, apparently - if you didn't get the email newsletter with directions, contact Carli before you leave!

Final meet up and group photo for 2009

Join us for our final week-day get together for 2009!

We'll take group photos (bring your camera), and have a picnic (bring your lunch)

Wednesday 16 December
Woodhaugh Gardens, near the paddling pool.
(Closest gardens entry is at the north end of George St)
12.30 - 3.00.

Diary Dates - 22 Nov '09

Swimming at Moana Pool - each Monday during term-time.. Lessons 11.00 - 12.00, casual play (all welcome to join us!) 12.00 onwards. Contact Swimsation at Moana Pool to book lessons.

Wednesday 25 November - Meet-up at Carli's house, 12.00 - 2.45. Bring lunch and suitable footwear/clothing for a bushwalk. Carli

Wednesday 2 December - Otago Museum Workshop - Plants at our place
Do you think plants are just boring layabouts? Think again! Discover the incredible life of plants; what plants need to survive, reproduce, grow and flower and how we manipulate them and use them in our lives. 1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per school-ages child. Nicola

Wednesday 2 December - end-of-year dinner. Nova cafe, The Octagon. Kathrin

Wednesday 9 December - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk.
Cable Cars and Churches, Big Drops and Long Drops
1pm, Wednesday 9 December (raindate 16 December).
From blue book, walk 1, pp.8-20.
Meet near 155 Glenpark Ave, Maryhill.
Approx. 1.5 - 2 hrs.
Nicola

Wednesday 16 December - final meet-up, and group photo!! Woodhaugh Gardens, near the paddling pool. Closest entry George St. 12.30 - 3.00. Bring your lunch.

End of Year Evening Dinner

Hi everyone

I am going to book a table at Nova cafe in the next day or so, so I need numbers on who will definately be coming to dinner, on Wednesday 2 December, which was the day that suited most people. Even if you have already indicated you would like that day, please email me to confirm.

Kathrin

Diary Dates - 16 Nov

Swimming at Moana Pool - each Monday during term-time.. Lessons 11.00 - 12.00, casual play (all welcome to join us!) 12.00 onwards. Contact Swimsation at Moana Pool to book lessons.

Wednesday 18 November - Meet-up at Nicola's house, 12.30 - 3.00pm.
Contact Nicola

Wednesday 25 November - Meet-up at Carli's house, 12.00 - 2.45. Bring lunch and suitable footwear/clothing for a bushwalk.
Contact Carli

Wednesday 2 December - Otago Museum Workshop - Plants at our place
Do you think plants are just boring layabouts? Think again! Discover the incredible life of plants; what plants need to survive, reproduce, grow and flower and how we manipulate them and use them in our lives. 1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per school-ages child.
Contact Nicola

Wednesday 9 December - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk.
Cable Cars and Churches, Big Drops and Long Drops
1pm, Wednesday 9 December (raindate 16 December).
From blue book, walk 1, pp.8-20.
Meet near 155 Glenpark Ave, Maryhill.
Approx. 1.5 - 2 hrs.
Contact Nicola

Wednesday 16 December - final meet-up, and group photo!! Woodhaugh Gardens, near the paddling pool. Closest entry George St. 12.30 - 3.00. Bring your lunch.
Contact Kathrin

Saturday Morning Music Classes

The Saturday Morning Music Classes are having their open morning on Saturday 14 November for people who might be interested in enrolling for 2010. Classes are held at George St School, Macandrew Intermediate or Elmgrove School in Mosgiel, as well as Cromwell and Alexandra. Tuition fees for most instruments are $80 for the year (for children aged 12 or Year 8 and under - anyone aged 13 or over, including adults, can also enroll but they are not subsidised by the MOE so fees are a bit more). Most instruments are available for hire as well. Classes are offered in recorder, violin (traditional and Suzuki), guitar, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, percussion, singing, musicianship theory, with various orchestras and ensembles, and Let Make Music classes for 5-7 year olds.

Enrolments will be taken on the morning of Saturday 21 November, and again in February. Check www.smmcotago.com for more information, or call Stephanie Hobbs 477 2296.

End of Year Dinner

It has been proposed we have a dinner at Nova Cafe, either on Wednesday 25 Nov, or Wed 2 Dec. If you would like to attend, please let Kathrin know which date suits, within the next few days.

Diary Dates - 3 November

Wednesday 4 November - Otago Museum Workshop -
Mini beasts Trainee entomologists are needed; so bring your students now! BUT BEWARE. There are more insects in the world than any other type of animal and new insects are being discovered all the time. Students will learn how to recognise an insect from imposters, so expect to get up close and personal with real insects. 1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per school-aged child. Nicola

Wednesday 11 November - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk -
Just a Wee Slice of Caversham 1pm, Wednesday 11 November (raindate 18 November). From yellow book, walk 6, pp.57-64. Meet at Elgin Rd/Warwick Rd junction, near top of Lindsay Steps. Approx. 1.5 hours.

Friday 13 November - Anatomy Museum tour -
2nd floor,Lindo Ferguson Building, Great King St (opposite main entrance to Dunedin Hospital). 10.00am. Carli

Wednesday 25 November - Meet-up at Carli's house -
12.00 - 2.45. Bring lunch and suitable footwear/clothing for a bushwalk. Carli

Wednesday 2 December - Otago Museum Workshop -
Plants at our place Do you think plants are just boring layabouts? Think again! Discover the incredible life of plants; what plants need to survive, reproduce, grow and flower and how we manipulate them and use them in our lives. 1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per school-ages child. Nicola

Wednesday 9 December - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk -
Cable Cars and Churches, Big Drops and Long Drops 1pm, Wednesday 9 December (raindate 16 December). From blue book, walk 1, pp.8-20. Meet near 155 Glenpark Ave, Maryhill. Approx. 1.5 - 2 hrs.

Wednesday 16 December - final meet-up and group photo!!
Woodhaugh Gardens, near the paddling pool. Closest entry George St. 12.30 - 3.00. Bring your lunch.

Chemistry for Families course for home educators

We are running two chemistry courses for home educating families at Otago University on 11 and 12 February 2010.

Each course runs for two 3-hour sessions on these two days (either two mornings or two afternoons). The focus is on practical work and using equipment and chemicals in the laboratory.

Basic Chemistry for Families
Topics covered: safety in the lab, science laboratory equipment, food testing, separation techniques, chemical reactions, preparation of gases, gas tests, acids and bases, indicators, the pH scale.
Suitable for children 11-17 years, a parent needs to attend with their child/ren.
Cost: $65 for an adult attending with one child, $110 for an adult attending with two children (the third child from the same family can attend for free).

Courses are run by Nathalie Thomas, a fully qualified science teacher (and home educating mum) with a degree in chemistry. If you would like more information or a booking form, please email us: info@science-for-home-educators.co.nz.

Best regards,
Nathalie Thomas, MSc, DipT
Science for Home Educators PO Box 179 Katikati 3166 Bay of Plenty

Otago Museum

There is plenty of activity this term at the Otago Museum, including classes with a Master Weaver from West Africa and a Rajasthani Puppet Performance see their website for more details:
http://www.otagomuseum.govt.nz/whats_on_calendar.php

Diary Dates - 20 October

Wednesday 21 October - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk.
If raining, Nicola's house (raindate 28 October).
Tasty Crumbs of Dalmore, Woodhaugh, The Gardens and Opoho 1pm,
From yellow book, walk 5, pp. 47-56. Meet near 34 Clifford St (off Orbell St), Dalmore.
Approx. 2 hours.

Wednesday 28 October - Cafe evening.
Nova Cafe, the Octagon, 7.30 onwards.

Wednesday 4 November - Otago Museum Workshop - Mini beasts
1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per school-aged child. See earlier post for details. Book with Nicola.

Wednesday 11 November - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk
Just a Wee Slice of Caversham 1pm, (raindate 18 November).
From yellow book, walk 6, pp.57-64. Meet at Elgin Rd/Warwick Rd junction, near top of Lindsay Steps. Approx. 1.5 hours.

Friday 13 November - Anatomy Museum tour, 2nd floor,Lindo Ferguson Building, Great King St (opposite main entrance to Dunedin Hospital). 10.00am. Book with Carli.

Wednesday 2 December - Otago Museum Workshop - Plants at our place
1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per school-ages child. See earlier post for details. Book with Nicola.

Wednesday 9 December - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk.
Cable Cars and Churches, Big Drops and Long Drops 1pm, (raindate 16 December).
From blue book, walk 1, pp.8-20. Meet near 155 Glenpark Ave, Maryhill.
Approx. 1.5 - 2 hrs.

Anatomy Museum Tour

Friday 13th November, 10 am
For anyone interested please reply by Monday 2 November to Carli. Those who attended the last tour are welcome, please let me know if there is something specific you would like to see/learn this time as Chris may be able to cover topics per our requests. For those who haven't been yet, the museum is on the second floor of one of the main University of Otago Medical School buildings on Great King St., the Lindo Ferguson Building. This is opposite the main entrance to the hospital.
We will meet on the second floor landing just before 10 am. Carli

Clay Creations

painting ceramics

Cup $15
Dinner Plate $25
Pudding Plate $15

Date ... Friday 6th November 1-4pm
Friday 20th November 1-4pm

A great gift for Christmas or just to have your own.
Lisa will help the children with the pictures if they want or they can go for gold and paint whatever they want.
Prices above but I need to know what you would like to do and how many .....and when you would like to join us as limited numbers however I could arrange other times.
Looking to confirm please by or b4 the 30th October. Tania

NZ association for gifted children

We are currently still organising the exact dates for the Dunedin lab courses. They will be run in the second week of February 2010 at Otago University. The course runs over 2 days for 3 hours a day and is suitable for students aged 11+. Parents attend with their children. It is aimed at home educated children, however that is not a requirement. It is during the school term so it would mean they would miss two days of school.

Best Regards

Nathalie Thomas, MSc, DipT

Science for Home Educators
PO Box 179
Katikati 3166
Bay of Plenty

Ph (07) 5490383

www.science-for-home-educators.co.nz

Museum Trips

$3 per child, email Nicola to book

1 - 2:30pm, Wed 4 Nov: Mini beasts
Trainee entomologists are needed; so bring your students now! BUT BEWARE. There are more insects in the world than any other type of animal and new insects are being discovered all the time. Students will learn how to recognise an insect from imposters, so expect to get up close and personal with real insects.

1 - 2:30pm, Wed 2 Dec: Plants at our place
Do you think plants are just boring layabouts? Think again! Discover the incredible life of plants; what plants need to survive, reproduce, grow and flower and how we manipulate them and use them in our lives.

Ellen McHenry's Basement Workshop

Some really useful, fun and FREE downloads covering a wide range of subjects. Storm the Castle and Digging up Greece History games, paper model of a four-stroke engine(!), chicken/egg development wheel, glow in the dark deep sea fish art project etc...
Ellen is a homeschooler and science teacher.
http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/id1.html

Free Circus Show

Highly Flammable, in association with Circulation Festival, are proud to present a free public circus show in Dunedin. Last year over 400 people came, and the talent on show was outstanding. This year it’s even better. The show will include a wealth of talent from Australia and New Zealand as well as homegrown talent from the OUSA Fire and Juggling Club.

With the internationally recognized performer and comedian Vinyl Burns being master of ceremonies, you are sure to be tickled pink by a wide variety of bedazzling circus skills and fire arts.

All are welcome to this family friendly event at Sammy’s Entertainment Centre on Saturday 14th November 7pm (doors open 6:30pm).

http://www.circulation.co.nz/publicshow.php

Diary Dates - 7 October

Swimming at Moana Pool
Each Monday during term-time. Lessons 11.00 - 12.00, casual play (all welcome to join us!) 12.00 onwards.
Contact Swimsation at Moana Pool to book lessons.

Wednesday 14 October - Wednesday Meet-up.
Claire Latta's house, 12.30 - 3.00. Claire

Wednesday 21 October - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk.
If raining, Nicola's house. Nicola
Tasty Crumbs of Dalmore, Woodhaugh, The Gardens and Opoho
1pm, Wednesday 21 October (raindate 28 October).
From yellow book, walk 5, pp. 47-56. Meet near 34 Clifford St (off Orbell St), Dalmore.
Approx. 2 hours.

Wednesday 28 October - Cafe evening.
Nova Cafe, the Octagon, 7.30 onwards. Kathrin


Wednesday 11 November - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk
Just a Wee Slice of Caversham
1pm, Wednesday 11 November (raindate 18 November).
From yellow book, walk 6, pp.57-64. Meet at Elgin Rd/Warwick Rd junction, near top of Lindsay Steps. Approx. 1.5 hours.


Wednesday 9 December - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk
Cable Cars and Churches, Big Drops and Long Drops
1pm, Wednesday 9 December (raindate 16 December).
From blue book, walk 1, pp.8-20. Meet near 155 Glenpark Ave, Maryhill.
Approx. 1.5 - 2 hrs.

Refresh Conference

Note: This conference is not organised by SHEAF - we are passing along an invitation that reached us through the grapevine.

You are invited to our day conference, "Refresh" in Nelson on the 31 October.
You can go to our website to find out more about it. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/newzealand/733591/

We are so looking forward to seeing you there. This is a conference for mothers only, but if you are breastfeeding, you are welcome to come with your baby. This will be a day for you to be encouraged in your homeschooling journey. Looking forward to seeing you. With love from The Refresh Team

Hello from Nelson,
I would like to invite all home educating mums in your area to a conference we are having locally. We would love to meet others who are walking on a similar road. Please be so kind as to circulate this invitation to all your members. Perhaps by car pooling it would cut costs and make it possible. Billets are available. Look forward to hearing from other S Island home schooling mums.
Kind regards,
Karen Dawson
PS please forward this on to any other groups you know of in the S Island. Many thanks.

Cycle Safety Event

For children 5 and over on Saturday 26th September from 10am to 12pm. Aimed at teaching children to cycle safely it will be held at the Fulton Hogan Cycle Smart Park next to the Dinosaur Park. 5 bikes and safety packages to be won! (Cancellation date Sunday 27th, listen to More FM for details)

Southern Gymnastics Acadamy

There is a programme for children aged 5 - 11 years on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the school holidays (29th September , 1st, 6th, and 8th October). The programme runs from 9:00 to 10:30 or 11:30 to 1:00 each day. It is $7 a session or $20 for all four. Bookings are essential, see their website for more information: http://www.southerngymnastics.co.nz/shp.php

Hot Science

HotScience is a New Zealand Online Science channel for students and people interested in science and technology. HotScience features short, medium and long duration videos, produced by e-cast, covering many areas of Science and Technology including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture, Medicine, Mathematics, Engineering, Computing and Psychology.

http://www.hotscience.co.nz/

Diary Dates - 21 September

Tuesday 22 September - Cafe evening, Nova Cafe, The Octagon. 7.30 pm onwards.

Wednesday 23 September 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Quick St Clair Snack" Corner Forbury Rd and Wilson Ave. (Raindate 28 October) Contact Nicola if you would like a copy of the route of the walk.

Thursday 24 September - Life Education Trust visit. Topics - "Brainy Bunch" and "Air to Breathe" Tomahawk School. $3.40 per child. See earlier posts for more information or contact Nicola.

Fish Tales at the Aquarium

Following is some information about the holiday programme at the Aquarium.

26 September - 11 October 2009
Every creature has a story to tell ... Hear tales of daring deeds, find out why the spotty lost its spot, why the Aquarium's octopus has only 7 arms, and how the sea cucumber got its name. Be thrilled by a spine-chilling story from the deep, and be inspired to craft a tale of your own.

Storytelling - Join “Kat Anna Fiddle” (professional story-telling team, Kaitrin McMullan & Anna Bowen) for an hour of marine-theme dramatic tales, tunes and activities on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, 2-3pm.

Food for Thought - Find out what treats are prepared in Neptune’s Kitchen and help to feed the fish - Wednesday & Saturday from 2-3pm. The Aquarium is also home to 400 hungry salmon that need to be fed daily.

Fishy Arts and Crafts - Create a visual fishy tale of your own - we will supply the materials, you supply the imagination!

SPECIAL WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS - Storytelling Outside the Classroom - Monday 12th October, 9.30am to 3pm - A workshop for guides, interpreters and educators interested in basic story telling techniques and how to craft educational stories. $20 per person. Bookings essential. See www.marine.ac.nz for details.

If you require an A4 flier/poster for either the holiday programme or the workshop, there is a pdf file on the Aquarium web site:

For the Holiday Programme: http://www.otago.ac.nz/marinestudies/Fish%20Tales.pdf
For the Story Telling Workshop: http://www.otago.ac.nz/marinestudies/storyworkshop.pdf

Contact details:
University of Otago's NZ Marine Studies Centre & Westpac Aquarium
Hatchery Road, Portobello, Dunedin
Phone 03 479 5826 Email marine-studies@otago.ac.nz
Open 10am-4.30pm Adult: $12, Child: $6, Family: $24
Guided Tour at 10.30am Adult: $21, Child: $11, Family: $48

Anatomy Museum Tour

Thanks to everyone attending the tour of the Anatomy Museum. It was great to see everyone's enthusiasm, I think Chris really appreciated it.
I was hoping to get a bit of feedback on how many would be interested in another tour next term, and if so, are there any specific topics that people would like to be covered. For example, neuroanatomy (brain, spinal cord, nerves, etc), or musculoskeletal (bones, muscles and joints), or
circulation/heart, or any other body system you can think of!
Please ring or e-mail Carli, if you are interested.

Science Roadshow

This is for students in yrs 5-9 (8-13yrs old)
Where: Taieri College , Green St, Mosgiel
When: Thursday 12th November
Time: 10:25 - 11: 45am
Cost: $6.00 per child
Please arrive with cash at 10:15am
This session is limited to 15 students, please contact Tania Barnes if you are interested.

Diana Waring Conference

The Living, Laughing and Learning conference with Diana Waring is being held this weekend in Christchurch. See earlier posts for details of venue and times.

Life Education Trust Visit

Air to Live is aimed at Years 1- 3 (approx. aged 5 – 7 years)

Brainy Bunch is aimed at Years 4 – 6 (approx. aged 8 – 10 years)

Cost is now $3.40 per child, and we can have a maximum of 15 junior and 15 senior kids.

From Jacki Allison and Harold Giraffe: You will see there are 2 sessions for Air to Live (for the juniors) and 2 for Brainy Bunch (for the seniors). The juniors come to both Air to Live sessions and seniors to both Brainy Bunch sessions, as there is a part 1 and a part 2!

Last year we did the whole group with the progamme and I was teaching 25 plus people from 3 to 14 years and it was far too difficult so we decided to split the group.

Tomahawk school is going to set aside the library for you to use when the children are not in the mobile classroom or people can choose to come and go to suit, as long as they keep to the session times.

This is a trial to mix you with another school so hopefully there is no teething problems but Tomahawk is very keen so I know that is such a bonus.

9.15 – 10.15 Brainy Bunch Part 1
10.15 - 10.35 Interval
10.35 – 11.15 Air to Live Part 1
11.20 – 12.20 Brainy Bunch Part 2
12.20 – 1.15 Lunch
1.15 – 2.00 Air to Live Part 2

Please email Nicola to book.

Swimsation - Swimming Lessons

Swimsation at Moana Pool have asked Nicola for definite numbers of those wishing to attend classes next term. The classes go for 1 hour, with 30 minutes of intensive lessons, and 30 minutes of survival skills or structured play. This term the lessons are on Mondays, from 11.00 - 12.00, and are expected to be the same next term. Please email Nicola if you wish to book.

If you already have children attending, please also email her, to confirm if your children will be returning or not.

Also on swimming, some of the families stay after the lessons for free play, so you are most welcome to come just for that part too.

Diary Dates - 8 September

Wednesday 9 September - 1.00 - 2.30 - Otago Museum workshop - "Lotions and Potions". Come to the Otago Museum laboratory and learn all about the science of lotions and potions. Students will learn all about actions, reactions, and unexpected chemical changes in this exciting new hands-on programme examining the nature and applications of lotions and potions." Nicola

This replaces our usual Wednesday meet-up.

Tuesday 22 September - Cafe evening, Nova Cafe, The Octagon. 7.30 pm onwards.

Wednesday 23 September 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Quick St Clair Snack" Corner Forbury Rd and Wilson Ave. (Raindate 28 October) Nicola

Thursday 24 September - Life Education Trust visit. Topics - "Brainy Bunch" and "Air to Breathe" Tomahawk School. $3.40 per child. Nicola

Diary Dates - 26 August

Wednesday 26 August - Otago Museum workshop - "Africa!" http://www.otagomuseum.govt.nz/west_africa_rhythm_spirit.html 1.00 - 2.30pm. Nicola

Friday 28 August - Anatomy Museum tour - Otago University Medical School, Great King St. 10.00 - approx 11.00am. Carli

Wednesday 9 September 1.00 - 2.30 - Otago Museum workshop - "Lotions and Potions - Come to the Otago Museum laboratory and learn all about the science of lotions and potions. Students will learn all about actions, reactions, and unexpected chemical changes in this exciting new hands-on programme examining the nature and applications of lotions and potions." Nicola

Wednesday 23 September 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Quick St Clair Snack" Corner Forbury Rd and Wilson Ave. (Raindate 28 October) Nicola

Thursday 24 September - time t.b.a. - Life Education Trust visit. Topics - "Brainy Bunch" and "Air to Breathe" Tomahawk School. $3 per child. Nicola

Student ID for high-school aged kids?

From NCHENZ

Hello All
Would there be any interest among your members for in a Student Identification Card?
For a small additional fee, your child can apply for a bona fide photo ID card. Use it for public transport and cinema concessions, truancy officer approaches, etc. An intangible benefit is the sense of belonging to a wider a group that a child can feel when owning or carrying a card. I know AHE offers this but I am not sure about other regional groups, I have had a few enquiries from outside Auckland.
Perhaps most teens are enrolled at other learning institutions eg correspondence school so there is no interest?
We would open this to all home educators

Would there be any interest in a home ed T-shirt?

Please let me know OFF LIST
tarnya@slingshot.co.nz
if there is any interest or not
Regards
Tarnya

Life Education Trust visit

Life Education Trust visit

Thursday 24 September, time to be confirmed, Tomahawk school
Topics: Brainy Bunch, Air to Live
Cost $3 per child

Email Nicola to book

Thanks to Annemieke for organising this trip!

Southern Children's Choir

From Nicola:

The Southern Children's Choir is actively seeking new members.

Who: Children who love to sing. Girls from 8 to 18. Boys 8 and over with unbroken voices.
When: Wednesday evenings from 7 pm - 8.15 pm
Where: Marama Hall, University of Otago

The choir sings in a variety of styles (classical, folk, popular) and languages, and gives a thorough education in choral technique. The ability to read music is an advantage. The ability to sing in tune is essential.

Informal auditions will be held on Wednesday Sept 2 and Wednesday Sept 9 between 6pm and 7pm. Phone Sandy Garner or Anthony Ritchie 4762541 for further information or to book an audition.

Diary Dates - 17 August

Wednesday 19 August 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Double Helping of Carisbrook" Corner Burns St and South Rd. (Raindate 2 Sept) Nicola

Tuesday 25 August - Cafe evening, Cafe Nova, The Octagon. 7.30 onwards.

Wednesday 26 August - Otago Museum workshop - "Africa!" http://www.otagomuseum.govt.nz/west_africa_rhythm_spirit.html 1.00 - 2.30pm. Nicola

Friday 28 August - Anatomy Museum tour - Otago University Medical School, Great King St. 10.00 - approx 11.00am. Carli

Wednesday 9 September 1.00 - 2.30 - Otago Museum workshop - "Lotions and Potions - Come to the Otago Museum laboratory and learn all about the science of lotions and potions. Students will learn all about actions, reactions, and unexpected chemical changes in this exciting new hands-on programme examining the nature and applications of lotions and potions." Nicola

Wednesday 23 September 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Quick St Clair Snack" Corner Forbury Rd and Wilson Ave. (Raindate 28 October) Nicola

Life Education Trust Contest

Heather passed on details of a Life Education Trust contest - one of the prizes is an interview with NASA astronaut, Nicole Scott!

http://www.haroldinspace.co.nz/Upload/Wish_Entry_Form.pdf

Life Education trust also has a fun website - http://www.lifeeducation.org.nz/

More Anatomy Museum trip information

For those attending the tour of the Anatomy Museum on Friday 28th August at 10 am...

The location is the second floor of the Lindo Ferguson Building, the main building of the medical school opposite the hospital entrance on Great King Street. Chris the curator will meet us on the landing on the second floor, so if you can make it inside and upstairs for 10am that would be great.

The rules are strictly no food or drink, cellphones or cameras inside the museum. Chris will brief us further before we go in (he might say not too many eews and yuks please!) See you there!

I have not heard yet whether there is a chance for another tour this term, so if anyone cannot make it please let me know so someone else can take your place(s), thanks.

Carli

Diary Dates - 11 Aug

Wednesday 12 August 12.30 - 3.00 - Woodhaugh Gardens, meet by the paddling pool. Kathrin

Wednesday 19 August 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Double Helping of Carisbrook" Corner Burns St and South Rd. (Raindate 2 Sept) Nicola

Tuesday 25 August - Cafe evening, Cafe Nova, The Octagon. 7.30 onwards.

Wednesday 26 August - Otago Museum workshop - "Africa!" 1.00 - 2.30pm. Nicola

Friday 28 August - Anatomy Museum tour - Otago University Medical School, Great King St. 10.00 - approx 11.00am. Carli

Wednesday 9 September 1.00 - 2.30 - Otago Museum workshop - "Lotions and Potions - Come to the Otago Museum laboratory and learn all about the science of lotions and potions. Students will learn all about actions, reactions, and unexpected chemical changes in this exciting new hands-on programme examining the nature and applications of lotions and potions." Nicola

Wednesday 23 September 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Quick St Clair Snack" Corner Forbury Rd and Wilson Ave. (Raindate 28 October) Nicola

Home ed groups across NZ

NCHENZ has a list on their website of home education groups and contacts within NZ.

http://www.nchenz.org.nz/networking-across-the-nation/

MUKA youth prints show

From Sarah...

Dear young friends and parents,

The Idea

The best way to make young people acquainted with contemporary art is to get real works of art in their hands. Normally the cost of art work is forbidding for young people.

Youth Prints is an 'adult free zone' for kids to interact with art without being patronised. More info at MUKA - Art for Young People


Muka warmly invites you to the upcoming annual youth prints show near your home :

INVERCARGILL Fri 11 September 10 - 4:30pm, Southland Museum. & Art Gall.

GORE Sat 12 September 12 - 6pm, Eastern Southland Gallery

DUNEDIN Sun 13 September 12 - 6pm, Sc Circle Hotel 123 Princess St

OAMARU Tue 15 September 12- 6pm, Forrester Art Gallery

ASHBURTON Wed 16 September 12 - 6pm, Ashburton Art Gallery


More and more people ask for the Muka Standard frames priced at $60.
Couriering ordered frames results in at least 25% breakage and substantial loss.
It is also impossible to estimate the exact number of frames required for any one venue.
We can only further provide this service if frames are ordered VIA VOUCHERS AT LEAST ONE MONTH before the exhibition starts.

How?

Go to Muka’s website: www.muka.co.nz
Click: YOUTH PRINTS
Scroll down and click: order gift vouchers
Under “gift voucher” click: add to shopping cart
After “gift voucher” fill out amount
For one frame write 6
For two frames write 12
Etc
Click: update quantity and check total
Click: next: shipping information
Fill out under: Please enter your shipping details below
SENDER DETAILS
DELIVERY DETAILS
Verify order
Billing information
Finish

We will send the voucher(s) to the delivery address
The ordered frames will be available when the exhibition is on at the venue of that delivery address.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR VOUCHER(S) TO THE EXHIBITION!!!

These vouchers are intended for ordering YOUTH PRINT FRAMES.
If you, or one of your family members or friends wants to order a voucher for a YOUTH PRINT, please order and pay a voucher of $60 via the website (procedure is the same as mentioned above for ordering a frame), THEN confirm your purchase by EMAILING enquiries@muka.co.nz that this voucher (ordernumber X) is for a youth PRINT (not frame) and to be used by (name of the child who will be using the voucher). Only by confirming the order via an email can a voucher for a youth PRINT be issued and sent to the delivery address
Likewise if you want a voucher for a framed youth print, you should order a voucher of $120 and email immediately after receiving the order number.


We hope to see you at the youth prints exhibition,
Kind regards

the MUKA team.

Change to ERO review procedures

ERO reviews of the education of students exempt from attending a regular
school

In the past the Education Review Office has reviewed the education of homeschooled students according to a schedule set annually. From 1 July 2009 ERO will carry out reviews only when requested by the Secretary for Education, or in other particular circumstances.

For further information about this change, please contact Rob Williamson, Senior Review Officer Homeschooling, or phone 0-4-499 2489.

http://www.ero.govt.nz/ero/publishing.nsf/Content/homeschooling-review-Jul09

See page 4 of this government review

http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/informationreleases/budget/2009/pdfs/b09-llr-ero.pdf

12 August - park meet-up

Our park day tomorrow will be at Woodhaugh Gardens, we will meet by the paddling pool - nearest entry is off George St. Please email Kathrin if you are going, so I know what numbers to expect.

We will be there from 12.30 - 3.00, bring your lunch. Rain venue is the Edgar centre.

Diary Dates - 4 August

This term we will meet on Wednesdays at various parks around town, with the Edgar Centre as the rain venue. We will start this week, at Marlow (the Dinosaur) Park, at St Kilda.

Wednesday 5 August 12.30 - 3.00 - Park meet-up, Marlow (The Dinosaur) Park, St Kilda. Rain venue - the Edgar Centre. Kathrin

Wednesday 19 August 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Double Helping of Carisbrook" Corner Burns St and South Rd. (Raindate 2 Sept). Nicola

Tuesday 25 August - Cafe evening, Cafe Nova, The Octagon. 7.30 onwards.

Wednesday 26 August - Otago Museum workshop - "Africa!" 1.00 - 2.30pm. Nicola

Friday 28 August - Anatomy Museum tour - Otago University Medical School, Great King St. 10.00am - approx 11.00am. Carli

Wednesday 9 September 1.00 - 2.30 - Otago Museum workshop - "Lotions and Potions - Come to the Otago Museum laboratory and learn all about the science of lotions and potions. Students will learn all about actions, reactions, and unexpected chemical changes in this exciting new hands-on programme examining the nature and applications of lotions and potions." Nicola

Wednesday 23 September 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Quick St Clair Snack" Corner Forbury Rd and Wilson Ave. (Raindate 28 October) Nicola

Opportunity to try Rowing

Otago University Rowing club have offered the use of their rowing boats to give youths and their whanau (families) an experience of a life time (thousands of $ worth).

Several community groups will be participating in this day. Activities and events look like they will range from 'give it a try' activities to some races.

Proposed details:

• 11 Oct 2009 8am-11am the earlier the better because the tide is smooth.
• Tall 12 year olds and up will get a turn in the row boats. - The long oars can be a problem for our younger childen.
• 12 year olds and below will get to use the training equipment and the flume inside the club rooms (which is still a fun activity).
• Bring your own smoko plus a something for the volunteer help such as the cox and crew (we will all contribute towards this).

Contact Nicola ASAP to register your interest, as the coordinators need an early indication of numbers

Anatomy Museum trip now FULL

Carli would like to let everyone know her trip to the Anatomy Museum is now full.

Please email her, however, if you haven't booked, and would like to go, as she may be able to organise a second trip if there is enough demand.

Details for original trip here.

Living, Laughing and Learning Conference with Diana Waring - details

September 11^th and 12^th, 2009

Venue: Hornby Presbyterian Community Church, 27 Amyes Road, Hornby Christchurch

Curriculum vendors and other resources will be available for sale during the conference.

Friday evening 6-9pm: An evening for the whole family with music, drama, singing and comedy courtesy of your homeschooling friends; a race through the Middle Ages with Diana and the Ultimate Family supper.

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Middle Ages
Join Diana for a whirlwind tour through one thousand years of colorful characters and world changing events. Beginning with the fall of Rome and continuing all the way up to Gutenberg's printing press. Seat belt use suggested--you're going to move fast!

Saturday 9am – 5.30pm

A variety of encouraging and practical sessions with Diana and other experienced home educators.

9am The Well-Kept Secret of a Biblical Education (Specifically for Christian families)
How much have the prevailing culture and our own school experiences influenced our views on education, even in homeschooling? This powerful message will provide you with a foundational and scriptural framework for understanding education -- the content and the means -- from a Biblical perspective.

10.30am Beyond Survival (General Audience)
A transparent description of the beginning days in her homeschooling, including the struggles and failures she experienced as she unsuccessfully tried to create school at home. Learn how she went from "barely surviving" to finding great joy on the journey with her children. Diana brings experience with her own children for over twenty years, as well as insights gleaned from homeschooling families around the world.

4pm Actively ENGAGE Learning & Actually ENJOY Learning! (General Audience)
"How do I get my kids to finish their school work?" The deeper question is actually, "How do I get my kids to be self-motivated?" We will look at specific ways to encourage and assist our children in developing ownership of their education. We must learn the critical difference between controlling and directing; pushing and releasing; coercing and facilitating. It is the master teacher who says, "I can not teach you how to do it, but I can help you learn to do it."

Workshops will include:

Diana and Bill Making the most of teen years at home. Encouraging session for teens

Bill Waring The Homeschool Principal; an encouraging discussion time for Dads

Barbara Smith Avoiding Burnout. Strategies to identify and overcome burnout.

Barbara & Ngaire Allan Preparing for an ERO review; putting your best foot forward.

Lennie Harrison Early Reading and Writing Skills. A practical session aimed at 4-8yrs.

Meat for Teenagers (directed at parents only, and Christian content)

Linda Gage Character Training. Focussing on the heart while they learn and grow.

Time Management. Practical tips for balancing the house, the family, life and everything else.

Go to www.dianadownunder.com for more on Diana’s teaching and resources as well as for your registration form and plan to join us for a wonderful weekend of encouragement.

Queries: gagetribe@xtra.co.nz or ngaire.allan@paradise.net.nz

Diary dates - 27 July

Wednesday 29 July - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk "Nibbling on interesting pieces of Vauxhall, Waverley, Andersons Bay and Musselburgh.1.00pm, Corner of Timaru St and Portobello Rd. Contact Nicola

Thursday 30 July - Cafe evening, Cafe Nova, The Octagon. 7.30 onwards.

Wednesday 19 August 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Double Helping of Carisbrook" Corner Burns St and South Rd. (Raindate 2 Sept). Contact Nicola

Wednesday 26 August - Otago Museum workshop - "Africa!" http://www.otagomuseum.govt.nz/west_africa_rhythm_spirit.html 1.00 - 2.30pm. Contact Nicola

Friday 28 August - Anatomy Museum tour - Otago University Medical School, Great King St. 10.00 - approx 11.00am. Contact Carli

Wednesday 9 September 1.00 - 2.30 - Otago Museum workshop - "Lotions and Potions - Come to the Otago Museum laboratory and learn all about the science of lotions and potions. Students will learn all about actions, reactions, and unexpected chemical changes in this exciting new hands-on programme examining the nature and applications of lotions and potions." Contact Nicola

Wednesday 23 September 1.00pm - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk - "A Quick St Clair Snack" Corner Forbury Rd and Wilson Ave. (Raindate 28 October) Contact Nicola

Intriguing Dunedin Street Walk Term 3 dates

Yellow 3: 1pm, Wednesday 19 August (raindate 2 September)
"A Double Helping of Carisbrook" - meet at corner of Burns and South Rds.

Yellow 4: 1pm, Wednesday 23 September (raindate 28 October)
"A Quick St Clair Snack" - meet at corner of Forbury Rd and Wilson Ave

Please contact Nicola if you wish to have a scanned copy sent out, or otherwise the Public Library has copies.

Anatomy Museum Tour

Anatomy Museum Tour
Otago University Med School
Friday 28th August 10-11ish am.

For anyone interested in a tour of this amazing resource, please contact Carli.

The museum is located in the med school on Great King St, I will give more specific details to those who are interested. There is no charge, numbers of children are limited to 20 at the most, and the session will be led by the museum curator. Parents are welcome especially to supervise younger children as there are many precious models and specimens. There will be no fresh cadavers but will certainly include real plastinated specimens, so very graphic but not gross!

July Cafe Evening

Our Cafe evening for the month will be this Thursday, 30 July, 7.30 onwards, at Cafe Nova, next to the Art Gallery in the Octagon.
More info, contact Kathrin or Nicola

Otago Museum Trip. Lotions and Potions

* Wednesday 9 September 1:00 – 2:30 Lotions and Potions
$3 per child
Contact Nicola P to register or for more info

Come to the Otago Museum laboratory and learn all above the science of lotions and potions. Students will learn all about actions, reactions, and unexpected chemical changes in this exciting new hands-on programme examining the nature and applications of lotions and potions.

Otago Museum Trip. West Africa - Rhythm and Spirit

Discover the Rhythm and Spirit of West Africa
* Wednesday 26 August 1:00 – 2:30 Africa!
$3 per child - contact Nicola P to register or for more info

West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit features over 200 exhibits from 28 different West African cultures. From spiritual beliefs to daily life, masks to music, cloth to carving, it’s your chance to discover West Africa right here in Dunedin...

http://www.otagomuseum.govt.nz/west_africa_rhythm_spirit.html

Diary Dates - July

Wednesday 29 July - Intriguing Dunedin Street walk "Nibbling on interesting pieces of Vauxhall, Waverley, Andersons Bay and Musselburgh.1.00pm, Corner of Timaru St and Portobello Rd. Contact Nicola Pye

Contact Kathrin if you have anything to add to the Diary Dates or would like to include in the newsletter.

Story of Home Ed graduate

From the NCHENZ website:

A story about a successful Home Educated student - http://www.nchenz.org.nz/jeffrey-brown.htm

July's Intriguing Dunedin Street Walk

The next Intriguing Dunedin Street walk will be on Wednesday 29 July.

This will be the second walk from the first (yellow) book, called "Nibbling on interesting pieces of Vauxhall, Waverley, Andersons Bay and Musselburgh.

If anyone would like a scanned copy of the map and walk, please email Nicola P

Meet at 1.00pm, at the corner of Timaru St and Portobello Rd.

Diana Waring Conference in Christchurch - open for bookings

A notice about the Diana Waring Conferences came through about a month ago, but details and pricing for the Christchurch meeting were yet to be finalised. The information is now available at http://www.dianadownunder.com/Christchurch.html.

Early bird registrations are open until August 21st, after which time the rates are $5 dearer.

For more info about Diana Waring and this conference circuit see Living Laughing and Learning.

Otago Museum Wildlife Photography Competition

More information at the Museum website.
http://www.otagomuseum.govt.nz/community_programmes.html

Has 'under 14yrs' category, and 'over 15years' category
$1500 in photographic accessories as prizes
Competition closes September 2nd

Entry form in pdf format here:
http://www.otagomuseum.govt.nz/dyn_documents/owpc_entry_form_09_final_small.pdf

The Outlook for Someday 2009 - Film Challenge

Connected Media is pleased to announce that the third sustainability film challenge for young New Zealanders is about to be launched.

The website for this year’s challenge will go live in mid-July, so keep an eye on
www.theoutlookforsomeday.net for details.

As with previous years, films can be any length up to 5 minutes. They can be made individually or in teams. They can be any genre at all – drama, documentary, animation, music video, advertisement, video blog, reality tv… They can be made with any camera – film, video, stills camera, webcam, mobile phone…

This year anyone up to the age of 24 can enter the challenge. There will also be Special Awards for Winning Films made by Primary / Intermediate School film-makers and Secondary School film-makers.

The deadline for entries is 18 September 2009.

blog for kids about environment and sustainability

Design Studies and Science Communication students from the University of Otago have started a blog for kids about environmental and sustainable issues.

Their idea is to embed a number of different online interactive activities, videos and links on a page that is designed to appeal to primary school aged children – for use at home or in the classroom.

“We would love to become an online source that can interconnect between all of your areas of knowledge, and provide a place where kids can come and have fun as well as learn”.

http://educationforsustainability.wordpress.com/

Toy Theatre Website

Hello,

My husband has spent many years creating www.toytheater.com as a free and quality educational website for PreK through Grade 5. It covers areas of math, reading, art and music. Please visit when you have a chance to see if it can help with your homeschooling experience. Feel free to add a link to www.toytheater.com if you think this site would be helpful for your children. It is completely free and will remain that way. We want children to learn!

Thanks,

Maaria Hoagland

learning@toytheater.com

Landcare Garden Bird Survey

Time to go bird spotting in your garden or local green area. Spend one hour between the 27th June to the 5th July and record your visitors. There is a printable checksheet and a photo checklist of birds to watch out for on the website. http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biocons/gardenbird/

Diary Dates - 28 June

Wednesday 1 July - Edgar Centre session. 12.30 - 3.00pm, $2 per child door-charge. Bring any sports/outdoor gear you like.

Please let Kathrin know if you are going to be there, she will not be attending the Edgar Centre session this week and doesn't want anyone to end up sitting there on their own.

Fire Wise kits

These kits are the educational support material available from the Fire Service, that they make available to schools etc. Selina-Jane has kindly written out this description of what is available, and what she has at her house (she has volunteered to be the 'keeper of the kits'!). Contact Selina-Jane to see or borrow the kits, or for more information about them.

I understand that most components of the kits are individually available directly from the main Fire Station office in town (for free), with the exception of the pre-school material which they only give out as a complete classroom set. See Selina-Jane for anything out of this kit.

The Fire Service is perfectly happy for this material to be copied and distributed any number of times - including the CDs and DVDs. There are no copyright issues at all with copying material from the kits. Their main interest is getting the information seen and used by as many people as possible.

Selina-Jane's description of the kits:

The first kit is for pre-schoolers. It has a large A2 size book with cartoon characters of a fire engine, fire extinguisher, smoke detector and letter box. It has a rhyming story which gives the basic fire message: fire is hot and fast, when the smoke detector beeps shout "fire" and get out of the house, and meet at the letterbox, which is a safe place. It has posters showing each of the cartoon characters, a poster of a real fire engine and fire fighters, and a poster of a fire fighter in breathing apparatus. The latter two posters have arrows pointing to various bits of equipment, and naming them. There are also small books, repeating the story in the large book, which are intended for children to read, look at and keep. There is a CD with the Fire Wise song on it, with the message "get out, stay out, well done". My 3 year old adores it and asks for it repeatedly. Included in the kit is a 1 page sheet of suggestions on how to go over the materials with your pre-schooler. I have to admit that I was unimpressed with those suggestions, but the rest of the kit is excellent. There is also a map activity to make a plan of your house, and exits to get outside. I personally felt that it was far too detailed for pre-schoolers, but think it would be ideal for the next target group, 5-7 year olds.

The next kit is for years 1 & 2 (5-7 year olds). It has a teachers manual with discussion topics and activities to do with your children. I personally have been highly impressed with this, and would recommend it. It is very comprehensive, and includes some cartoon characters to cut out and role play what to do if there is a fire. There are student activity booklets which are great with activities such as a snakes and ladders game with fire messages to enable you to go forward or have to go back. There are certificates to give the children when they have finished the unit, and small cards for them to fill out with all the details they would give in a 111 call, and they can place these near the phone so they remember what to say. There are 2 friezes, one with the "stop, drop, and roll" message, and the other with "get down, get low, get out" message. It also has the Maori myth of Maui & Mahuika and how fire came to people.

The last kit is for years 7&8 (intermediate age children). This is on 2 DVD's, one with the teachers information, and one with students information. I have not extensively looked at this as my children are not in this age group. I understand it has games, activities and information, and is an extension of the previous kit for 5-7 year olds. (note added: one Mum I was talking to, whose child is operating at this level, recommends the DVD as excellent).

I hope all this detail has not been too overwhelming, and a little bit helpful. please feel free to call me, or email me if you would like more information about any of the kits, or if you would like access to one. If you would like to view them, I have examples of each at my house, and we can organise a time for you to come and look.

Blessings, Selina-Jane

NCHENZ

If you scroll down the page a little, you will see a logo for NCHENZ, and the information that SHEAF is a 'Friend of NCHENZ'

Here is a brief description of NCHENZ and how they relate to us as home educators.

The National Council of Home Educators exists "to provide a forum in which home educators may unite for their mutual benefit in matters of national, political or common interest."

NCHENZ seeks to be a voice for a wide range of home educators throughout the country, especially for matters which affect all or most home educators - such as government legislation, policy, or implementation.

SHEAF is a 'Friend of NCHENZ', which means that although we are not a formal (paid-up, voting) member of NCHENZ, we do share some aims in common with NCHENZ and have opted for an informal connection with them.

Individual membership of NCHENZ is available to any and all home educators for a small ($10) annual fee (see their website for more details).

The advantage of individual membership is, principally, to keep up with what might be happening, home-education-wise, at a national/governmental/policy type level, and to contribute to NCHENZ's stance on that.

In the past, these issues have included what stance NCHENZ should take on ERO reviews, who should be conducting those reviews, and whether or not to lobby for a raise in the home education allowance. Around the last election, NCHENZ also kept a close eye on the whole National Standards of Assessment thing - which will begin being implemented in state schools next year - and how that might impact on home educators. (At the moment it looks like it won't - but we'll have to wait and see how ERO actually conducts its reviews once the new policy is in place).

If you'd like to be kept in the loop with these issues and contribute to NCHENZ's democratic processes, have a look at their website and consider joining as an individual member.

Diary Dates - June 15

Wednesday 17 June - Edgar Centre session. 12.30 - 3.00pm, $2 per child door-charge. Bring any sports/outdoor gear you like.

Tuesday 23 June - Cafe Evening - Nova Cafe, The Octagon. 7.30 onwards. Kathrin

Wednesday 24 June - Intriguing Dunedin Street Walk - Roslyn. 1.00pm. Meet near 14 Delta St, Roslyn. Nicola. Please contact Nicola for a copy of the map and details of the walk.

Wednesday 1 July - Edgar Centre session. 12.30 - 3.00pm, $2 per child door-charge. Bring any sports/outdoor gear you like.

Opportunity to learn financial literacy and entrepreneurship

This was recently advertised via the NCHENZ email list (National Council of Home Educators of N.Z.).

Entrepreneurs' Club is an online *financial literacy* and *entrepreneurship* venue for students. Please feel free to view the website at www.duffyclub.co.nz (there is a sample tutorial on the homepage).

It was launched in Auckland two months ago and now they have 30+ Auckland schools taking part. They are planning on offering it to schools throughout the country.Students work as individuals or form teams of two or three members and complete practical tasks throughout the year.

Students learn via online video tutorials, network with other teams from their school or city, and have access to mentors for support and guidance. Topics include money, budgeting and saving, companies and shares, currency, mortgages and buying a home, etc...and writing a
business plan, building a financial model, validating the market, etc...depending on the age group. The Entrepreneurs' Club caters for Years 6-13. (approx ages 10-18)

The Duffy Club is happy to open this opportunity to home educated children!

I will act as the coordinator. If you are interested in your children taking part please contact me. It will take me a couple of days to get back to you with more details: at the moment I am setting up the "Homeschool" school.

Regards

Tarnya Burge

www.tarnya@slingshot.co.nz
www.nchenz.org.nz

String Games Workshop - Dunedin Public Library

The Dunedin Public Library is holding a String Games workshop this Sunday, at 2.00pm.

From their pamphlet - "Haere mai ki nga whai - string games fun! An interactive workshop with Kaitrin McMullan, professional storyteller, teaching string games from Aotearoa and around the world, combined with the ancient art of storytelling.

Suitable for ages 8 and up. Free. Limited numbers, bookings essential. Ph 474 3670.

Matariki information and events

Matariki, the Maori new year celebrations begin this week, and there's a few events hosted/coordinated by the DCC. I haven't seen any other advertising for it, but it looks like it could be fun - there's a kite-making workshop, special stuff at the museum and the observatory and a bunch of other events.

http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/events/major-city-events/matariki-2009

http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/71443/MatarikiDLE_2-2.pdf

General info on Matariki can be found here
http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/Astronomy/MatarikiMaoriNewYear/1/en

Cafe Evenings

These are a monthly evening gathering for the grown-ups.

Convivial chatter in a cosy, central location.

The weekday and the location can vary, so check this blog's Diary Dates or the email newsletter for details.

Edgar Centre Sessions

Every Wednesday there is a gathering of families to hang out, catch up, run around, whatever.

During the summer months, we like to meet at various city playgrounds, but during the winter the weather is too unpredictable for outside gatherings. In the winter months we have a standing booking at the Edgar Centre (in Portsmouth Drive), 12.30pm-3pm.

The entry cost is $2 per child, adults free.

The kids can bring whatever play equipment they like - bikes, trikes, scooters, balls, skipping ropes etc and are generally to free to range all over any areas not in use by other people. There are a few chairs sit around in on the side-lines.

Bring your lunch, and wrap up warm - the facility is not heated, but it is out of the wind and rain!

The Edgar Centre gathering is our default Wednesday gathering - but if something else has been organised that clashes (for instance, a Museum trip or an Intriguing Walk), it is possible that no-one will be at the Edgar Centre!

Check the Diary Dates or contact Kathrin or Nicola if you're unsure.

Diary Dates - 10 June 2009

Wednesday 10 June - Otago Museum trip - Understanding the Past and uncovering the Future - Geology Rocks! 1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per child. Nicola Pye (Replaces Edgar Centre session)

Friday 12 June - Central Fire Station visit #2, Cumberland St. 10.30am. Selina-Jane Lyons

Wednesday 17 June - Edgar Centre session. 12.30 - 3.00pm, $2 per child door-charge. Bring any sports/outdoor gear you like. (Wrap up warm and bring your lunch)

Tuesday 23 June - Cafe Evening - Nova Cafe, The Octagon. 7.30 onwards. Kathrin Gilles

Wednesday 24 June - Intriguing Dunedin Street Walk - Roslyn. 1.00pm. Meet on street near 14 Delta St, Roslyn. Nicola Pye. Please contact Nicola for a copy of the map and details of the walk.

NZ home educator science course and kit library

Looks like a great alternative to actually buying the stuff yourself - like a toy library for sciences resources.

Science for Home Educators

Hi, my name is Nathalie Thomas, I am a home educating mum in Katikati (Bay of Plenty) with a science and teaching degree. I have set up a website specifically aimed at home educators to provide information on science. I offer science courses and educational science hire kits. Membership is only $5 a year (plus a refundable bond) and is open to all home educating families in New Zealand. There are lots of hire kits to choose from, such as K’Nex Educational sets, Lego Education sets, a digital microscope and a Brainbox electronics kit.

Website address: http://www.science-for-home-educators.co.nz

Diana Waring conferences

Info for those interested...

Diana Waring will be coming to New Zealand in September and presenting Living, Laughing and Learning conferences.

This will be Diana's third tour of conferences in New Zealand

Diana has graciously volunteered her time and is not charging for these conferences. There will be conferences in four separate venues of NZ in the North and South Island.

11 - 19 September 2009 New Zealand

11 - 12 September Christchurch
15 September Palmerston North
16 September Hastings
19 September Auckland

Early bird bookings for NZ close on 30 June 2009

You can read more about Diana and her husband Bill at
http://www.dianadownunder.com/

Geology Museum

I just wanted to let people know about the Geology Museum at the varsity. A visit to this museum could tie in nicely with the Geology program that Nicola is organising on the 10th June at the Otago Museum.

The university's Geology Museum is open to the public every week day, 8.30am-5pm. Their display cabinets are quite high, so small people will need to be lifted up and carried to see them, but there are large viewing windows through to the fossil preparation lab and you can apparently see students and staff working on specimens (assuming they're not having lunch or something I guess!).

More info here
http://www.otago.ac.nz/Geology/facilities/additional/museum.html

I don't plan to organise a group trip or anything, but figured people could make their own arrangements at a time that suited themselves.

Apparently they do cater for school trips, so perhaps this is an option for the future?

Pottery class - none this week

Special notice for those families participating in the fortnightly pottery classes, held on Wednesday mornings.

There is no pottery class this coming Wednesday 10th June as our tutor is out of town that day.

The final class for this term will be on June 25th.

Diary Dates - 1 June 2009

Wednesday 3 June - Otago Museum trip - Hercules - Beyond the Cartoon. 1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per child. Nicola Pye (Replaces Edgar Centre session)

Friday 5 June - Central Fire Station visit #1 (FULL), Cumberland St. 10.30am. Selina-Jane

Wednesday 10 June - Otago Museum trip - Understanding the Past and uncovering the Future - Geology Rocks! 1.00 - 2.30pm, $3 per child. Nicola Pye (Replaces Edgar Centre session)

Friday 12 June - Central Fire Station visit #2, Cumberland St. 10.30am. Selina-Jane

Tuesday 23 June - Cafe Evening - Nova Cafe, The Octagon. 7.30 onwards. Kathrin Gilles

Wednesday 30 June - Intriguing Dunedin Street Walk - Roslyn. 1.00pm. Meet near 14 Delta St, Roslyn. Nicola Pye. Please contact Nicola for a copy of the map and details of the walk.

Otago Muesum Trip. Understanding the Past & Uncovering the Future - Geology Rocks

Contact Nicola Pye to register or for more info

Understanding the Past & Uncovering the Future - Geology Rocks
Wednesday 10 June, 1:00 – 2:30
Levels: 2 - 4
Curriculum links: Science (Making Sense of Planet Earth and Beyond; Making Sense of the Living World)
Cost: $3 per child
Your help is needed. Excavations at Tuatara Island have gone horribly wrong. Rocks have the wrong labels, fake fossils have become muddled with real ones and a very valuable item has been stolen. Use your skills as a geologist and palaeontologist to help the Museum fix the problem and learn how scientists uncover the past.

Otago Museum Trip. Hercules - Beyond the Cartoon

Contact Nicola Pye to register or for more info

Hercules - Beyond the cartoon
Wednesday 3 June from 1:00 – 2:30
Levels: 1 - 5
Curriculum links: Social Studies (Identity, Culture & Organisation; Continuity and Change), The Arts (Drama)
Cost: $3 per child
Ever wondered what life was like in ancient Greece? Be transported back in time where you will meet the Greek Gods and participate in everyday life as it really was.

Intriguing Dunedin Walks

Organised by Nicola Pye

The walks feature Dunedin's fascinating history, and I am sure everyone will learn something, while getting exercise! :-)

We will do our Intriguing Dunedin walks on the last Wednesday of each month, starting on Wednesday 24 June (this is the corrected date), at 1.00pm. If raining, we will meet at the Edgar Centre instead. The walks will replace the Edgar Centre sessions on nice days.

Nicola will send out a scanned version of the walk route and commentary by email, in the week leading up to the walk. Each walk has a different starting point (naturally!), so check that email for details.

Fire Station Trip

From Selina-Jane:
The first trip to the Fire station (on the 5th June) is completely full.
I have organised a second trip for the 12th June, which is also filling up fast. There are still a few places available on the trip on the 12th.
The second trip is on Friday 12th June, at 10:30 am and is at central fire station. The format and all the rest of the details are the same. At both tours I will have the fire wise materials in my boot, so people will be able to get anything they want off me then.

Contact Selina-Jane to sign up for this trip, or to get more information

Trip Details:
The tour will consist of a chance to look over, and climb over the fire truck/s (this will dependent on which trucks are available for us to look at on the morning). Brown watch will also show us the equipment they use, such as axes, hoses and fire sensing camera's....so there is a huge variety.
They will go over what firemen do all day, get dressed up in full rig to show the kids, and allow the kids to try on some of the uniform also. A lot is dependant on the day itself, as if it is a hideous day, then the tour will be confined to inside, so certain options will be out for us.
We will be shown all over the fire station, including in control rooms and such like.
They will divide us up into two groups....ages 0-7, and then 8 upwards, so that things can be more easily geared for each age group.
OSH rules limit a lot of what we are and are not able to do. Children will not be allowed to handle the fire hoses (although they may get to see the firemen doing this), they are also not allowed to slide down the fire pole (one of the guys will do it for us).
As Brown watch will be on call during the visit, they may have to leave at any time to attend a fire....if so, there will be someone else on hand to continue the tour, which may be a bit shorter. They do not do displays for school trips, but only for AMP shows and such like.
This is more of a chance to see in the fire station, than an educational trip, as we will organise a truck and team to come out in a few months to go over the information in the Fire Wise packs.
The tour will take 45 - 60 minutes, and there is parking inside the fire station ( through the large gates on Leith Street) for us to use....they have asked for us to limit our cars to about 10, so they still have room to do all the work they need to.

Welcome to our new Blog!

Hi everyone!

This is the new SHEAF Blog. We'll be using it to advertise the trips and gatherings etc that we also send out in our email newsletters.

On the blog, we'll be removing anyone's contact information, and assuming that you have the SHEAF phone and address list. If you're not currently on the list and would like to contact us, please email us at the address you can see in the column on the right.