Fascinating-educational-and-worthwhile-in-every-way links

From Nicola:

Here are a few links that might interest some of you—I’ve blatantly stolen them from the BBC World show Click, so full credit to them for sharing!

RSAnimates: http://comment.rsablogs.org.uk/videos/
The RSA is short for “Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce” - might not sound too exciting to all, but they’ve created some amazing animations that illustrate and explain some very interesting talks. Also, see the main site www.thersa.org for more. [our household is also a fan of RSAnimates - stacey]

Toondoo: http://www.toondoo.com/
For anyone who has ever wanted to create their own comic strip, but doesn’t necessarily have the artistic ability...you could spend hours here— “ToonDoo was the happy result of brainstorming session that was aimed at creating a new way of expression for those who do not have the talent to draw. You can now just drag-drop or click to create comic strips that express your views, opinions, angst or to just have fun, loads of it!”
I haven’t checked their parent site www.jambav.com but it sounds interesting too: “Jambav is devoted to creating a unique array of free and customizable online games of educational value for children of all abilities.”

Sistine Chapel Virtual Tour: http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/
For those of us who probably won’t be visiting the Sistine Chapel any time soon, here is a beautiful virtual tour without the crowds! Just click and drag your mouse in whichever direction you want to move, and use the + and- signs in the bottom left hand corner to zoom in and out. The Sistine Chapel includes frescoes by many of the greatest Renaissance painters - Michelangelo, Raphael, Bern-ini, Botticelli and others. Lovely!

Super-Important Announcements

• Thanks very much to Christy for creating the treasure hunt the week before last—it was well enjoyed by all, and we were very impressed by the efficient organisation, the cryptic questions and the fantabuloso prizes!
• A very belated congratulations to the talented, Irish dancing Liam for raising $70 for the Christchurch earthquake relief effort, busking with a friend!
• Finally, this is the last newsletter of Term 1, and the last one from me (Nicola) for a while. Please send any newsletter related goodies to Kathrin from now on (what a special birthday treat for her ?)!

I am slack!

Sorry all - yes there is a newsletter this week. No I haven't uploaded it to the blog yet. And it isn't going to happen tonight either.

I am off to bed to try and fight off the beginnings of a cold.

If it's any consolation, although there are some very cool websites and links that Nicola has found, there aren't any major activities coming up as this is the last week of term! (yep, swimming etc all go on hold for a couple of weeks).

I'll flick the notices up on to the blog tomorrow evening. Stay tuned for some great links.

Stacey