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Acknowledgement of Country
We would like to acknowledge the Awabakal and Worimi people of today, past, and future. We pay respects to the Elders who have passed on their knowledge, stories and memories.
We pay respect to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We must always remember that under the concrete and asphalt this land is, was, and always will be traditional Aboriginal land.
-Veya
Editor's Welcome
Editor's Welcome
Greetings to our readers of the 213th edition of TGIF. In this article we cover the visit of our special guests, discuss the Arts-Based Workshop held at Newcastle University, as well as our usual CHC announcements. This week, the limelight will be shined on the Rollerskating Sport Group. So, without a further ado, please enjoy the second TGIF of the term.
-Harvey
Arts-Based Workshop with the University of Newcastle
Arts-Based Workshop with the University of Newcastle
On Monday, a group of Cooks Hill Campus students went to Newcastle University and attended an art-based research workshop led by academics. The students learnt about how people of any age, especially children, can benefit from using creative works to express their voices and opinions. Along with how art can help those who struggle to communicate get their point across effectively.
Some activities students participated in included: weaving, body mapping, and collaborating with others through large scale art piece on Australian birds.
This was a great opportunity for students to learn about how art can be utilised in many ways to express ideas.
-Ruby
Sport highlight: Rollerskating
The Rollerskating sport group was lucky enough to be gifted 30 pairs of roller skates and protective gear from Impala Skates! The donation made running this sport possible, and we are so grateful to Impala for their donation. Thank you Impala!
Below is what a few students said about their experience with rollerskating and how they're liking the sport so far.
India:
Have you skated before?
I have skated before, I'm probably between beginner and intermediate.
What are your goals for this term?
I want to learn how to do cross overs.
Are you enjoying it?
I am enjoying rollerskating so far.
Evie:
Have you skated before?
Yes I have skated before I'm Advanced, I have been skating for a while as a sport outside of school.
What are your goals for this term?
I want to learn how to spin.
Are you enjoying it?
I'm enjoying it!
Connie:
Have you skated before?
Yes, but only a couple of times!
What are your goals for this term?
To be able to skate. As well as skating really fast and spins!
Are you enjoying it?
I wasn't feeling the best but it was still okay.
Lara:
Have you skated before?
No, the first session was my first time ever!
What are your goals for this term?
To be able to skate backwards, look like I know what I'm doing and feel confident.
Are you enjoying it?
YES! I really liked it.
-Flossie
Special Guests Spotlight
Today (the 9th of May) we had international guests from the USA, Hawaii, and New Zealand visit our Big Picture school!
While most of them have backgrounds in Big Picture, some were also here to learn more about our learning structure. Big Picture learning happens throughout USA and is currently being established in Hawaii. Our Hawaiian guests were eager to learn more from our students about how the alternative learning style looks out for youth in education, which focuses on individualised learning. They also asked about how our learning brings people together as a community.
We had the once in a lifetime chance to photograph and interview our guests!
-Reylen
Taeko and Selasi
Front: Yee-Ann (USA), Andrea (USA),
Middle: Kapua (Hawaii) Taeko (Hawaii),
Back: Michael (USA), John (New Zealand).
Andrea
From Los Angeles, California, Andrea's eyes were opened to alternative ways of learning after graduating from traditional K-12. She developed an interest in culturally relevant education since. While teaching, she was introduced to Big Picture education.
-Reylen
What are your passions? Education/teaching and
ethically sourced chocolate.
Facts you learnt exploring your passion around ethically sourced chocolate?
Geography:
Certain regions on earth that cacao grows in is 20 degrees from the equator. In terms of
global economics, many countries rely on the cacao business for their economy, often paying workers poorly and sometimes using child labor.
Any big differences between schools in the USA and Australia?
Not many differences between USA and Australia.
-Lincoln
Andrea addressing our Town Hall
Kapua
Kapua is a PhD graduate in higher education and organisational change. Kapua is a Kupa'āina and lineal descendant of Ko'olau and Halele'a. She's particularly passionate about increasing educational opportunities for Indigenous communities in the Pacific. Kapua prides herself on being the Namahana School leader, and is passionate about transforming education so that all types of education can be valued and honoured. Alongside her passion for teaching and leadership, she's also deeply involved in her community.
If Kapua could do a Personal Interest Project (PIP) at Cooks Hill, she would choose to focus on fishing and weaving!
-Reylen
John
John is the principal of the humble Taumarunui High School in Taumarunui, New Zealand. Taumarunui High School welcomes international students from all over the globe and makes them feel right at home! The school prides themselves on exceptional outdoor education experiences, which includes snow sports, kayaking, mountain biking, scuba diving, and tramping. Taumarunui High School is a part of ODENZ (Outdoor Education New Zealand). He became interested in alternative education after visiting Andrea's school and thinking that educators can do better for their students.
John is interested in sports, particularly golf. He took a year long break from teaching to play. John said that if he were a student at Cooks Hill, he would definitely join the bike SAPG!
-Reylen & Freya
Milly and Yee-Ann
Yee-Ann
Yee-Ann is a philanthropic leader from the Learner Studio in Denver, Colorado. She has worked for a variety of organizations, and is passionate about supporting and leading teams.
If Yee-Ann could do a personal interest project (PIP) at Cooks Hill, she would choose to look into horses or pediatrics.
-Reylen & Freya
Ivy and Kapua
Taeko
Taeko was originally a principal at a school similar to Big Picture in New York, but moved to Hawaii to be closer to her Mum. She's currently with Namahana Foundation and describes herself as the director of finance and operations. She has opened multiple schools and considers education and catering to individuals her true passion. She's currently working hard at opening a Big Picture school in Hawaii.
Taeko's favorite parts of Big Picture are the Learning Through Internship and Indigenous Perspectives. When she was younger, she read a book from her parents called Totto-Chan: 'The Little Girl at the Window' and has wanted to teach ever since.
"Take an idea and make it a real thing," Taeko remarked to our TGIF team.
-Reylen, Hope, Freya, Lincoln, and Poppy
Joe, Michael and Asha
Michael
Michael is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Graduate School of Education. He's highly passionate about non-traditional academic outcomes in education. He recounted to our TGIF team that he is particularly interested in maths and science, and his dream is to teach new scientific discoveries in school, ensuring up-to-date and relevant scientific education.
-Reylen & Freya
Conservation Critters
Conservation Critters
At the start of the holidays the Conservation Critters (CC) participated in the Future Street Party which was organised as part of Youth Week. It was held at Newcastle Museum. Over the night local bands such as Butterknife played and local artist Melody Suranyi helped guests create tote bags.
Throughout the night people had the opportunity to check out the CC info table; receive free seed bombs as well as bee and bug hotels, and watch 'The Power of Activism', a documentary by Michelle Dado.
The CC's spruiked their upcoming guided tours of Arcadia Park (close to Cooks Hill Campus) and Pollinator Picnic.
If any of our readers would like to learn about the biodiversity of the park and how to utilise the app iNaturalist to identify species of plants, we encourage you to sign up below! The first tour will run on World Environment Day as well.
Additionally, for the Pollinator Picnic, CC will be providing foods that would be pollinated by bees, to raise awareness of the importance bees play in food production. How great!
CHC Announcements
CHC Announcements
Coming up soon:
Coming up soon:
Guided Nature Walk & Pollination Picnic
Guided Nature Walk & Pollination Picnic
Join the Conservation Critters for a free guided tour of Arcadia Park. Arcadia Park is located off Wolfe St, Newcastle 2300 and across from King Edward Park.
LUNA PARK EXCURSION!!!
When: Thursday the 26th of June, Week 9
How much: $54 per student
Who: 71 students (capped due to bus seating) who get permission in and pay the $54! Students must be meeting CHC requirments both academically and behaviourally to attend.
Thanks for reading!
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