Get Ahead Kids Magazine Vol. 2. No. 2. Mar/Apr 2010
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FREEEDUCATING FAMILIES ON THE GO
Vol. 2 • No. 2 • Mar/Apr 2 010 ®
An Interview with
Biggest Loser Trainer
Michelle Bridges
Physical Education Special
Movement & Learning for 0-5 Year Olds
Sports & Physical Participation
Body Image
Family Fitness
Quality, Low-Fee Christian Education to Over 500 StudentsLocated adjacent to Lake Macquarie and a short walk from Fassifern Railway Station, Charlton Christian College is a progressive school that caters for students Kindergarten-Year 12. Love, Integrity, Faith, Empowerment
Charlton Christian College | K-12 Non-Denominational Christian College
office@charlton.nsw.edu.au | www.charlton.nsw.edu.au
43 Fassifern Rd, Fassifern NSW 2283 | P: 02 4959 9111
Junior School (K-Yr 4)A separate ‘Kindyland’ •facilitates a smoother transition to school
The successful phonics •program assists in early literacy gains
The high proportion of male •teachers provide male role models
Neurological ‘Learning •Connections’ Program is implemented on a daily basis
Interactive Smartboard •technology provides diversity in visual aids
Middle School (Yr 5-8)The SmarTrack program •provides students with choice in their interest areas
Provides student choices •in Sport, Creative & Performing Arts & Environmental Studies
Student learning contracts •are based on Multiple Intelligence Theory
Extensive extra-curricular •activities provide diversity in school experiences
The school focuses on •making learning challenging, engaging & fun
Senior School (Yr 9-10)Offers a focused HSC •Program
Outstanding 2009 HSC •Results include 1st Place in NSW, in Tourism
The number of pathway •options include TAFE, on-line study & traineeships
There is a focus on •excellence in pastoral care & student welfare support
The exceptional staff are •gifted in their specialty subject areas
www.getaheadkids.com.au 3
Editorial
Your Letters
Spotlight
An Interview with Michelle Bridges
Physical Education
Movement & Learning for 0-5 Year Olds
Family Fitness
Body Image
Sports & Physical Participation
Concern for School Bullying
Parents & Children - Partners in Reading
People in Focus
An Interview with Shane Thamm
Careers
What is an Accountant?
Business
Saving Habits for Kids
Health
Healthy Spine, Healthy Life
News
Students Rejoice at School Funding Success
Concert Highlights
2009 Aurealis Award Winner
WolframAlpha Search Engine
7 Year Old Gains ‘Gold Wings’
Activity Zone
Giveaways
Reviews
Advertisers Index
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
20
18
21
22
24
5
26
28
28
29
30
31
32
34
An Interview with Michelle Bridges
ContentsMar/Apr 2010
FOR FAMILIES ON THE GO
®
This Month’s
Get Ahead Kids®
© MAP Marketing 2010
PublisherMAP MarketingABN 38 003 493 007Villa Franca, 2 Scott St.Newcastle NSW 2300www.getaheadkids.com.auP: 02 4929 7766
Managing EditorMaria CharltonMAP MarketingABN 38 003 493 007Villa Franca, 2 Scott St.Newcastle NSW 2300E: maria@mapmarketing.com.auP: 02 4929 7766
Graphic DesignKatie HurstMAP MarketingP: 02 4929 7766
AdvertisingMaria CharltonMAP MarketingABN 38 003 493 007Villa Franca, 2 Scott St.Newcastle NSW 2300E: maria@mapmarketing.com.auP: 02 4929 7766
Get Ahead Kids® is published by Marketing Advisers for Professionals Pty Ltd T/A MAP Marketing. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for the opinions, errors or omissions.
Spotlight
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 104
We have exciting news for all our
readers!
You can now subscribe to Get
Ahead Kids® digital magazine by
visiting www.getaheadkids.com.au
As soon as Get Ahead Kids® is
published, an email will be sent with
a link to the new issue.
Welcome to our new readership
partner Alphabet Street that has
now joined INParenting, I Can Read
and PCYC.
Editorial
Maria,
Just a note to let you know I have
received a copy of the magazine.
Looks like a fun publication.
Thanks
K. Brassil
Centennial Coal
I think that Get ahead Kids is a
fantastic innovation! Informative,
easy to read, and great articles.
B. Francis, Seymour VIC
I love the reviews. The recent
Hurphy Durphy Seat Buckle Guard
was a timely article with the recent
restraint changes.
L. Jilka, Castle Hill NSW
The Live to Learn - Learn to Live
article shows the importance of
looking after your body as well as
your brain. My son has been using a
chiropractor since he was 2 months
old and he seems to be doing well.
K. Dawes-Lynch, Panania NSW
Please send letters and stories with
your name and contact details to:
Get Ahead Kids®
Villa Franca, 2 Scott St.
Newcastle NSW 2300
F: 02 4929 7827
maria@mapmarketing.com.au
Get Ahead Kids® only has space
for two more additional readership
partners so please contact me if you
are interested.
The theme of this issue is physical
education and health. Thank you
Michelle Bridges for your inspiring
message to get out and get fit.
This eighth issue is meant to inspire all
families to move and get healthy.
Maria Charlton
Managing Editor
P: 02 4929 7766
maria@mapmarketing.com.au
I enjoy reading ALL the magazine, as
it has new and interesting topics for
the whole family.
E. Tabone, Duns Creek NSW
Help! My Kids Have Nits article is a
helpful reminder about what we
should do once your child has nits
as it is so common in preschools. I
look forward to reading and looking
through the next magazine when it
comes out!
J. Masters, Kilaben Bay NSW
I find it very interesting reading the
different articles and also find it very
helpful as to what’s available out
there for my child.
J. Clarke, Medowie NSW
17 Arnott Street Newcastle West NSW 2302Tel: 02 4926 1300 Fax: 02 4926 5557
Email: sales@ncp.com.au Web: www.ncp.com.au
Cert no. SGS-COC-005911
“It does not cost any moreto help our environment at
NCP Printing.”
www.getaheadkids.com.au 5
News
Students Rejoice at School Funding Success
Staff and students also met with the
board members of the school to
discuss the building project, the
running of the school and other
needs and challenges facing the
school.
The aims of the funding proposals
include:
❑ Increase the student education &
performance by providing safe &
comfortable accommodation
❑ Boost the morale & motivation of
the students by providing them
with a secure home & study
environment
❑ Reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS
transmission
Newcastle Grammar School
commenced a programme
alongside World Vision in October
2007, with an ambitious target of
raising $150,000 over three years to
build 3 boarding houses for a School
in Farkwa.
With still nine months left to go until
the official end of the project, the
School has raised and pledged
almost $140,000 for the new facilities.
More Information
Michelle O’Toole
Communication Manager
otom@ngs.nsw.edu.au
www.ngs.nsw.edu.au
p: (02) 4929 5811 w: ngs.nsw.edu.au
Newcastle Grammar School
OPEN DAYTOURS BY OUR STUDENTSBETWEEN 9am - 11am FRIDAY 12 MARCH 2010
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2011
On Thursday 28 January 2010,
eight Newcastle Grammar School
students returned home from a trip
to the small community of Farkwa,
Tanzania where they saw first-hand
aid work funded from money raised
by Newcastle Grammar School
community.
The purpose of the delegation was
for students and staff to experience
the environment in Farkwa, the work
being done and co-ordinated by
World Vision, as well as to enhance
the relationship between Newcastle
and the Farkwarian Community.
These students experienced being
students in a class, taught a class
themselves, exchanged sports
and games, performed songs for
each other, planted trees at the
opening of stage 1 and laid bricks
of stage 2 of the proposed hostels,
shared meals, collected firewood,
explored the school and attended
assemblies.
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 106
What do you consider the best
physical activities for families to do
together?
Games! Everyone loves to play
games including tennis, touch
football, beach volleyball or cricket.
What advice would you give
to encourage parents to
raise physically fit and healthy kids?
Be a role model. Your children will
watch and imitate you. Be someone
who sets a fantastic example of
how to live a healthy, energetic life.
It’s the best gift you can give your
children.
How can parents motivate their
children into becoming physically
active?
Again by being the role model
and taking the lead. It’s about
building regular habits and being
consistent. Perhaps they can do
a sport together or do some basic
training together such as laps of
the pool, a jog around the block or
going for a bike ride. Your kids are
your responsibility; so it’s up to you
as a parent to give them a healthy
start in life. And, you will get fit and
healthy too!
What examples can parents set for
their children to encourage them to
be physically fit?
Be involved in a sport! Do some form
of physical training everyday that
they can participate in or at least
they are seeing you and the way
you live your life. They are more likely
to follow in your footsteps.
What are your hobbies?
When I am not exercising and
working I love horse riding, motor
bike riding, cooking, listening to
music, reading books and watching
DVDs.
What was your first job?
In Barbara’s House & Garden at
Nelson Bay
What are your career highlights?
• Australian Fitness Leader of the
Year 1996
• Fitness Expert on Mornings with
Kerri-Anne Kennerley
• The Biggest Loser trainer
• Publishing three books
‘Crunch Time’, ‘Crunch Time
Cookbook’ and ‘Michelle Bridges’
Australian Calorie Counter’
• Publishing three fitness DVD’s
What do you value most in life?
My health
What is your most unforgettable
personal experience?
Learning how to accept everyone
for who they are.
What is your favourite Australian
destination and why?
I love Byron Bay; we went there for
our honeymoon so it holds a special
place in my heart.
What are your thoughts on the
media hype surrounding child
obesity?
I don’t believe that it’s hype! You
can’t fight with statistics. We are one
of the fattest nations in the world per
capita and Australian children are
getting really sick. Type 2 Diabetes
is now hitting kids as young as 8 and
9!! It’s outrageous!
There is simply too much food
available. Our diet is too high in
refined carbohydrates, fat, sugars,
and there’s too much salty food
available and the meal portions are
too big.
It’s just got really out of hand! The
only people who can change this
are parents. But I have to say that
in my line of work, I find that if Mum
and Dad are overweight, then all
the kids are too and so are the
family dog and cat!
Everyone is eating too much and
no one is moving more. In fact
Australians are moving less and less.
I am really worried for our nation’s
health.
Where did you go to school?
New Lambton Primary, Lambton
High and Nelson Bay High
Please tell us about your family.
I have a small family! Just me, my
husband and my dog Paddy! We
are all exercisers though!
Spotlight
An Interview with
Michelle Bridges
www.getaheadkids.com.au 7
What is your best overseas
experience?
Paris is a city I adore as is New York.
I also love the ease of Bali. It’s so
warm and heavenly.
What do your books contribute to
family fitness?
My books give families ideas on
training at home, how to clean out
the kitchen and great yummy meals
for everyone! It will inspire you and
your family to be the best they can
be!
Michelle’s Tips To Get In Shape
• Think of training as an everyday
event similar to taking a shower
• Avoid ‘paralysis by analysis’ - put
your joggers on & get out the
door
• Start & maintain a healthy eating
plan
• Make the time for training 10
minutes here, 20 minutes there, 30
minutes there
Spotlight
Biography
In today’s weight conscious society
where childhood obesity, meal
replacements and lap band surgery
are common conversations, the
uncluttered message delivered
by Michelle Bridges is a refreshing
change.
Best known as the straight talking
red team trainer of Channel Ten’s
The Biggest Loser, Michelle mixes
her tough love message with
heart warming compassion and
understanding. Her endearing
qualities and positive messages
have captured the hearts and minds
of all Australians.
Her books include:
• ‘Crunch Time Cookbook’: 100
Knockout Recipes For Rapid
Weight Loss
• ‘Crunch Time: Lose Weight Fast
and Keep It Off’
• ‘Michelle Bridges’ Australian
Calorie Counter’
Michelle’s book ‘Crunch Time’
blasted to number one on Penguin’s
best seller list across all genres.
Crunch Time is about how one can
lose weight fast and keep it off. It is
divided into three main sections -
Get real - Get moving - Get cooking.
On top of her many television
commitments, Michelle is never
far from front of mind with regular
features in magazines and on radio,
and plays an active marketing role
in all her programs and books.
She has been an ambassador for
Adidas Women Australia since 2007
and was the face of their 2009
campaign. She has also been an
ambassador for the National Heart
Foundation and the RSPCA since
2004 and is working with CanTeen in
their healthy lifestyle initiatives.
Michelle also takes her message
to schools, corporations and
community groups, inspiring and
educating school children and
executives alike.
Last year Michelle was one of the
contestants in Celebrity MasterChef
Australia.
More information
www.michellebridges.com.au
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 108
What Happens If Babies & Young Children Do Not Move?
Children who have not had the
opportunity to move a lot as infants
may be placed at risk of later school
learning difficulties.
Growing research points to the link
between learning difficulties and
movement. This link has to do with
how the brain develops and the skills
a baby develops as he moves -
young babies who move are able
to inhibit the involuntary, inbuilt
reflexes that are designed to help a
newborn survive.
Once these reflexes are inhibited
the babies can learn to control
body movement and stimulate
higher levels of brain function -
levels that are important for the
accomplishment of complex skills
that are required for learning at
school. Toddlers are refining the
movements of their bodies, learning
to balance and improving hand-eye
and eye-foot coordination.
During this time the brain is working
as two separate sides – this means
both sides of the body like to do the
same thing at the same time - just
ask an eighteen month child to hold
out his hand for a treat - both hands
go out!
Lots of movement in the toddler
years brings with it the opportunities
for both sides of the brain to
work together, so that by three
years of age the young child is
able to engage in more complex
movement skills, cross-pattern
actions, throwing and catching with
a preferred hand, refined hand-
eye coordination, smooth running,
jumping, hopping, skipping and
marching.
These movement skills stimulate the
higher order centres of the brain
that are important to academic
learning. As the child is able to
engage in movement experiences
the message superhighways in the
brain develop and the child is able
to perform more and more complex
tasks.
What Fathers Can Do To Help Babies
Babies need tummy time to really
get going. Babies are born with
inbuilt reflexes, some of which help
a baby push forward - but to do this,
they must be on their tummies while
they are awake. Baby’s who spend
lots of time on their tummy have
stronger heads, necks and shoulders,
move earlier, are more content
as they don’t rely on parents to
entertain themselves and are
stimulating their brain through their
senses of taste, touch, hearing, sight
and balance.
Eleven month old Jill is always on
the go - climbing the stairs, pulling
herself up onto the furniture and
creeping into every available space
in the house. Her busy body was
exploring the world around her,
saturating her senses, feeding her
brain with lots of information from
her eyes, ears, hands, feet, muscles
and skin. While her movements may
still be clumsy she is not only learning
to move, but she is moving to learn.
Importance of Movement for Babies & Young Children
Infants and young children need
to move. It is one of the important
keys to later learning. Moving
stimulates the development of the
brain in many ways. When babies
are born, their brain is a mass
of millions and millions of mostly
unconnected nerves. Emotional,
sensory and movement experiences
that an infant and child have
stimulate these nerves to connect,
and this allows information to flow
smoothly and quickly between the
body and the brain, and around
the brain. The more stimulation
these nerve pathways receive
the more consolidated they
become - eventually transforming
from disconnected tracks to
superhighways that efficiently and
rapidly zoom messages throughout
the brain and to and from the brain
to the body.
By Dr. Jane Williams
Movement & Learning for 0-5 Year Olds
www.getaheadkids.com.au 9
Physical Education
Get your baby used to tummy time
from as early as five days after birth.
Lay your baby on your own body,
across your legs and over your arm
in the tummy position. You can do
this while you watch TV or are resting
on the couch!
❑ Take your baby for a walk in the
pram - over bumpy paths as well
as smooth. If your baby is awake,
lie her on her tummy. She can
strengthen her neck & shoulder
muscles as she responses to the
bumpy ride!
❑ Once babies are over four
months of age dad’s are
important in making sure babies
get lots of movement - they seem
to have an inbuilt understanding
that babies just love being raised
high in the air & then rapidly
lowered, or to be spun around
while wrapped tightly in dad’s
arms.
❑ Once babies are crawling &
creeping - get down on your
hands & knees with your creeper &
encourage them to explore the
world around them - under chairs &
tables, through open boxes, over
different textures, along ladders
flat on the floor & up & down
slopes.
Toddlers
Toddlers need lots of opportunities
to explore. Their energy and
enthusiasm for movement need only
be curbed for safety concerns - this
is the age where they really get out
there and discover!
❑ Visit your local park regularly -
they love running up & down the
grassy slopes, swinging & spinning,
chasing balls, & having the
freedom to run unfettered by the
confines of a house.
❑ Encourage your toddler to hang by
his hands to strengthen shoulder,
neck & back muscles. You can just
use a broom handle for this.
❑ Dance with your toddlers - they
love moving & grooving to the
beat! - bobbing, turning, clapping
& running.
❑ Play ‘topsy turvy’, swinging, rolling,
tumbling games to help their
muscle tone, balance & vision.
Pre-schoolers (3-5 years)
By three years of age most children
will be refining their movement skills.
❑ Go for walks - these provide
opportunities to balance along
lines on the footpath, along gutters,
on low brick fences, run, jump &
skip.
❑ Provide lots of opportunities to
climb, roll, swing tumble, go upside
down, run, jump, hop, skip &
march.
❑ Help your pre-schooler learn to
ride - at first a tricycle (3 year old),
then later a bicycle (4 year old).
Scooters are also great at this age.
Start with a three-wheeler for a
three year old & move to a two-
wheeler once this is mastered.
❑ Find some space & play ball
games - throwing, catching &
hitting a ball with a bat are great
for eye-hand coordination, timing
skills & muscle control.
The more chances your child has at
practicing these movement skills, the
more refined their movements will
be & the more prepared their brain
pathways will be for the challenges of
academic learning.
More Information
Toddler Kindy GymbaROO
P: 03 9817 3544
office@gymbaroo.com.au
www.gymbaroo.com.au
Dr. Jane Williams is a Director and
General Manager for Research
and Education, Toddler Kindy
GymbaROO and Adjunct Senior
Lecturer at the School of Nursing,
Midwifery & Nutrition, James Cook
University.
WARNERS BAY OSTEOPATHIC CLINICSuite 9, 478 The Esplanade, Warners Bay NSW 2282P: 02 4947 3099| F: 02 4947 3088 E: info@osteopathicclinic.net.au www.osteopathicclinic.com.au
Babies and children often look a little bent over in a jelly bean or banana shape.
Sometimes this is the only sign of physical restrictions in the body. Others present with a concern:
Difficult delivery Settling Ear infections Slow to crawl or walk
Kim Wheeler, Bianca Oehme, Eleanor Fernon University trained, Registered Osteopaths, AOA Members
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Is Your Child Reaching Their Milestones?
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1010
Physical Education
Family Fitness By Christine Atkins
Inactivity and long periods of time
spent in passive pursuits including
electronic games, the Internet
and television viewing are major
contributors to increasing childhood
obesity problems amongst kids.
The number of overweight children
in Australia has increased as one
in four kids is now considered
overweight. About 5-6% of kids are
classed as obese.
Apart from lack in physical fitness,
unhealthy food choices and unwise
family eating habits are considered
the major causes.
This rise in the number of overweight
children is disturbing because it
causes health problems and can
lead to social problems. Training kids
to take charge of their fitness and
adopting healthy food choices are
first steps in achieving control and
direction over their lives.
An enjoyable family fitness program
can add health benefits, diversity
and richness in all family members.
Active people:
• Concentrate more
• Are sick less often
• Are more productive
Regular physical activity is essential
in the attainment of health and
wellbeing. Participation in fitness
activities promotes good health,
improves metabolic quality and
regulates appetite.
According to a study conducted
by the University of Michigan Fitness
Research Center, family life is
probably the single most influential
factor in kids’ health habits. By
establishing a healthy role model,
your kids are given the opportunity
to create lifelong healthy habits at
an early age that they can make
use of for rest of their lives.
www.getaheadkids.com.au 11
Physical Education
Exercise can help to:
• Improve circulation
• Reduce blood pressure
• Reduce stress & tension
• Reduce cholesterol & blood fats
Exercise also:
• Helps maintain weight &
counteracts obesity
• Reduces the risk of joint injuries
• Increases muscle & tendon
strength
• Exercise simply makes you feel
good!!
Family Checklist
❑ Parents need to be role models to
their kids
❑ Have a good exercise program
❑ Start exercising slowly & build up
❑ Avoid being discouraged if you
don’t see results immediately
❑ Record any fitness sessions in a
diary to see progress
❑ Stretch before & after every
session
❑ Commit yourself to fitness
❑ Determine your current fitness
level
❑ Set achievable & realistic goals
❑ Make a schedule for fitness
sessions
❑ Drink plenty of water
More Information
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Enquiries
Christine Atkins
Body & Mind 2000 Pty Ltd
P: 02 4937 0286
Christine is the owner of Body &
Mind 2000 Pty Ltd that is committed
to increasing people’s quality of
life through greater fitness and
improved body image, which leads
to greater confidence and higher
levels of achievement in all areas of
their lives. Since 1984, Body & Mind
2000 has managed the staff gym at
the Kurri Aluminium Smelter.
All programs are designed
and developed from a holistic
perspective and include physical
fitness, flexibility, strength and
nutrition. Comprehensive records
of the progress of all participants
are maintained to keep them
motivated through awareness of
their achievements.
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Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1012
Physical Education
Body Image Studies have shown that many
teenage girls have distorted
perceptions about their bodies -
perceptions which are shaped
by the ‘beauty ideal’ presented
to young women through various
media sources - television,
magazines and the Internet.
The 2008 Mission Australia National
Youth Survey (45,000 people)
identified body image as the top
ranked issue of concern for young
people.
Body dissatisfaction is widespread in
Australian adolescents - 75% of high
school girls desire a thinner figure
that the one they have (Durkin et
al, 2005) and 50% of high school
boys are dissatisfied with their body
(Pope, 2001).
According to the Eating Disorders
Foundation of Victoria, eating
disorders affect about 10% of young
women and 1% of young men aged
14-24. Anorexia is the third-most
common disease in Australia for
females aged 15-24.
The image of beauty presented
in the media especially to young
women is unrealistic as they
compare themselves to images that
have been digitally altered and
manipulated.
If you suspect that your kids have
a negative body image you can
consult your doctor, guidance
counsellor, community health
centre, a practising dietician or
psychologist.
Why Are Self-Esteem & Body Image Important?
Self-esteem is all about how kids
feel about themselves, and how
worthwhile they feel. A kid with high
self-esteem makes friends easily, is
in control of his/her behaviour and
enjoys life.
For many people, especially those
in their early teens, body image can
be closely linked to self-esteem.
That’s because as kids develop into
teens, they care more about how
others see them.
Parents Need to Be Role Models
❑ Show a healthy relationship
with food as kids learn eating
behaviours from you
❑ Become aware of your own
attitudes about body weight &
shape
❑ Avoid crash diets & warn your
kids about the dangers of crash
dieting
❑ Accept your own body size &
shape
❑ Avoid negative comments about
other people’s body sizes &
shapes
❑ Plan for regular family physical
activity
❑ Discuss media messages &
images that promote unrealistic
beauty messages
❑ Provide healthy food choices &
snacks
❑ Expect kids to take responsibility
for good nutrition
Kids come in all shapes and sizes. It is
important for parents to appreciate
and celebrate the diversity in their
kids’ physical appearance as well as
talents!
Many kids worry about what they
look like and what others think of
them. They may perceive they are
too fat, too thin, too tall, too short,
and many more negatives.
Body image is how kids perceive,
think and feel about their physical
body. This perception may not be
based on truth, but kids accept it as
the truth.
Kids who are dissatisfied with their
body image and embark on
extreme diets are often likely to
also suffer depression and a variety
of esteem issues that may include
moodiness, suicidal thoughts, anger
and anxiety.
www.getaheadkids.com.au 13
Physical Education
Encourage Kids to Adopt Regular Exercise
❑ Emphasise fitness, health &
enjoyment as the major reasons
for exercise
❑ Encourage kids to take up a team
sports
❑ Focus on planned physical
activity to help kids maintain a
healthy body weight
❑ Be cautious of kids’ activities that
emphasise thinness - gymnastics -
ballet
Build Kids’ Self Esteem
❑ Encourage individuality of
thought & opinion
❑ Provide strategies for kids to
handle peer pressure
❑ Train kids to be assertive
❑ Listen to their concerns about
body shape & appearance
❑ Avoid teasing kids about their
weight, body shape or looks
❑ Focus on building kids’ personality
& talents
❑ Discuss the role of genetics in
shaping kids’ physical body
❑ Discuss how digital image
manipulation sets unrealistic body
images
Research School Culture
❑ Make sure your kids’ school has
an effective anti-bullying policy
❑ Monitor peer influence in school,
on the internet & in social settings
❑ Ensure that school culture nurtures
individuality
In July 2009, the Australian
Communications and Media
Authority (ACMA) launched the
Cybersmart Schools Gateway. This
is a web portal on the Cybersmart
website which gives all Australian
primary and secondary schools
easy access to the full range of
cybersafety education resources
published by ACMA.
In 2009, The Minister for Youth, Kate
Ellis, accepted an advisory report
to help the Australian Government
tackle negative body image. The
Proposed National Strategy on Body
Image, which includes a voluntary
Industry Code of Conduct, was
developed by the National Advisory
Group on Body Image.
This report encourages advertisers,
the media and the fashion industry
to promote more positive body
image messages. It incorporates a
Voluntary Industry Code of Conduct
on Body Image which recommends
using healthy weight models,
realistic and natural images of
people and disclosure when images
of people have been digitally
manipulated.
The report also recommends
building resilience in young
people through a focus on peer
interactions, parenting, the role of
schools and community groups.
More Information
www.youth.gov.au
DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH READING?
Some children experience reading and learning difficulties as a result of visual
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Sports & Physical ParticipationRegular physical activity is important
in reducing the risk of chronic
diseases, such as heart disease and
stroke, obesity, diabetes and some
forms of cancer.
The National Physical Activity
Guidelines for Adults recommend
at least 30 minutes of moderate
intensity physical activity, preferably
every day of the week, to obtain
health benefits.
Health related campaigns focus on
promoting activities such as walking,
as this is likely to benefit all age
groups and minimise risk of injury.
The remainder, approximately 5.5
million reported that they did not
participate in any such activity in the
12 months before the interview.
Most Popular Activities
While there are a great variety of
sports and physical recreational
activities that people participate
in, the ten most popular activities
accounted for 76% of participation
in 2005-06.
Walking was the most commonly
reported physical recreation activity
among Australians. Walkers also
accounted for over half of those
who participated in sports and
physical recreation more than twice
a week.
Aerobics/fitness was the second
most popular activity, with 13% of
the population aged 15 years and
over participating.
Swimming, the third most popular
activity, had a participation rate of
9%.
About 6% of the total population
participated in cycling and a
further 6% played golf. Unlike the
top three activities that female
dominated, these tended to be
male dominated.
Males also had higher rates of
participation in running, soccer and
cricket, while women were more
active in netball, yoga and dancing.
Characteristics of Participants
Factors that affected participation
included high household income,
having a post school qualification
and family type.
In 2005-06 Survey, the participation
rates for sports and physical
recreation were higher for the
younger age groups.
Data derived from the 2005–06 ABS
Multi-Purpose Household Survey
focuses on the characteristics of
participants as well as the main
motivators for involvement and
the main constraints given for not
participating in physical activity.
Participation Rates
In 2005-06, 10.5 million Australians
aged 15 years and over (66%)
took part in sports and physical
recreation.
About 4.7 million of these Australians
regularly participated more than
twice a week and about 5.8 million
participated up to twice a week.
www.getaheadkids.com.au 15
Physical Education
Participation rates declined with
increasing age, with the lowest level
(49%) being reported for those aged
65 years and over.
People born overseas in the main
English speaking countries had
the highest rate of participation,
with 72% reporting participation in
2005–06.
Employed people had a much
higher overall participation rate
(72%) than those who were not in
the labour force (55%).
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One of the strongest associations
with participation rates was
education level. Australians
with tertiary qualifications had a
participation rate of 81%, relative to
59% for those whose highest level of
attainment was Year 12 or below.
Constraints & Motivators
For those who did not take part,
or who reported participating 12
times or less in any sports or physical
recreation in the 12 months before
interview, the main constraint cited
by 22% was insufficient time because
of work or study commitments.
For those who participated more
than 12 times within the 12 month
period before interview, the majority
of people (5.2 million) reported
health and fitness as the most
common main motivator.
More Information
www.abs.gov.au
Main Constraint For Non Or Occasional Participants - 2005-06
a. Includes temporary injury/illness, cost and insufficient time for reasons other than work, study or family.
Source: ABS 2005-06 Multi-Purpose Household Survey.
Insufficient time due to work/study
Insufficient time due to family
Not interested
Age/too old
Ongoing injury/illness
Already active
Other a.
Injury/illness (not further defined)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 %
MalesFemales
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1016
Physical Education
Concern for
School Bullying
The ‘Method of Shared Concern’
was devised by the Swedish
psychologist, Anatol Pikas as a
method of tackling school bully/
victim problems. This methodology
has been successfully used in many
British, European and Australian
schools.
It incorporates role play, interviews
and small group discussions. A
trained mediator holds relaxed
separate talks with each party to
bullying and a joint meeting is not
initiated prior to the development of
shared solution.
Each meeting is prolonged until
each party has stated what actions
need to be taken if any of them
should transgress the agreed
outcomes.
“Applying the Method of Shared
Concern in Australian Schools - an
Evaluative Study” was commissioned
under the previous Howard
Government and undertaken by the
University of South Australia.
Ken Rigby of the University of
South Australia states that “Shared
Concern” is based on assumptions
that include:
• This approach requires training &
planning for successful
implementation
• It is assumed that bullies are
often insensitive to the harm, or
the extent of the harm, they are
doing to the victim
• The use of punishment is often
ineffective in preventing bullying
• Bullying is ratonalised as the group
having fun
• As individuals, bullies usually feel
uncomfortable about what is
being done
• If an authority figure blames the
bullies, it is likely to accelerate
bullying & increase the bond
amongst the bullies
• Working with individual bullies by
sharing with them the concern
for the victim is likely to generate
more positive outcomes
• This approach is direct,
confrontational & has an inbuilt
expectation for positive outcomes
• Having made a commitment to
the interviewer, usually means
that members of the bullying
group do not share the interview
outcomes & this may weaken
group influence
• It is essential to follow-up what
happens after promises are made
• Initial interviewing with the victim
needs to be avoided as it may
place him/her in greater danger
• Victims are not always ‘innocent’
• It is important to understand what,
if anything, the victim may be
doing to provoke & perpetuate
the bullying
• The aim is to change bullying
attitudes & behaviours
• After progress has been made
it is important to see the group
of ‘bullies’ together to positively
reinforce changes & negotiate
further progress
• This approach aims to produce
a change of attitude on the part
of bullies & remove the need for
constant surveillance
• If individual bullies do not respond
to shared concern, further action
such as interviews with parents &
suspension may be required
On January 17, 2010, The Minister
for Education, Julia Gillard, released
the Australian research that found
that the prevalence of bullying
in Australian schools is on the rise.
This trend is compounded by the
emergence of cyber-bullying.
The National Safe Schools
Framework (NSSF) consists of
nationally-agreed principles for safe
and supportive school environments
that guides schools to help them
address the serious issues of bullying,
harassment and violence in their
classrooms and playgrounds.
www.getaheadkids.com.au 17
Physical Education
Putting service and the needs of people fi rst.
If you see a hole, don’t think you’re a mole, walk in the opposite direction and report your
detection.
Old mines and potholes can be dangerous!
that’s why
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The Federal Government is funding
a $3 million pilot program in about
160 Australian schools to work out
what methods are currently being
used in schools and what works.
It has also committed $125.8 million
over four years to a Cyber-Safety
Plan which is being delivered by
the Department of Broadband,
Communications and the Digital
Economy.
More Information
www.pikas.se
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1018
People in Focus
An Interview with
Shane Thamm
exist if I didn’t do that Masters.
Other things I do include
interviewing people, reading
transcripts of interviews and listening
to radio. Radio is good because
you get to listen to real-time
conversations, not manufactured
ones like you often get on TV shows.
I do this because I like books with
contemporary dialogue that springs
off the page.
What advice do you give aspiring
authors?
Get to the end of your manuscript. If
you don’t finish a story, you’ll never
get it published. When you do finish,
call every publisher you can and tell
them how good it is and why people
would love reading it.
What does your book offer readers?
I reckon there’s a fair bit of fun in
it. When you list the themes in the
novel - body image, casual drug
use, family relationships - it sounds
really serious, but I don’t think of it
that way at all.
There’s a chapter I really like and I
think it sums up the novel pretty well.
The main character, Jack, steals his
best mate’s car. With another two
friends he speeds around the city,
going absolutely crazy. It’s a stupid
thing to do, but he has an absolute
blast. Then he returns the car and
reverses it into a retaining wall.
Where did you go to school?
I went to a bunch of schools. My first
school was Gillen Primary in Alice
Springs, and then Living Waters
Lutheran Primary. I went there in
its first year, when it had just 25
students. We moved to Brisbane in
1989, where I finished my primary
schooling at Prince of Peace
Lutheran Primary before completing
my high school at Grace Lutheran
College. The distinct Lutheran theme
comes from the fact my Dad was a
Lutheran Pastor. The school didn’t
come with the job, but at times it felt
like it.
Please tell us about your family?
I have a sister in Mongolia who works
in child protection. She lives through
winter days of -30 degrees Celcius
and many other things I wouldn’t
want to deal with. My brother is
an engineer, who has worked on
some major dam constructions and
is now trying to get a renewable
energy company off the ground.
Dad’s a Lutheran pastor, semi-retired
because of migraines and Mum’s
the one that makes sure none of us
forget each other exists.
But the real joys for me are my wife
Meghan and our son Angus, who’s
18 months old. Baby number two
is on the way, a girl, so we’re very
excited about that.
What are your hobbies?
I really enjoy riding my road bike,
even though it’s ready for the scrap
heap. It’s about 20 years old and I
can’t get parts to fix it. It was given
to me by a very close friend who
later died in a car accident, so I’ve
got a lot of emotion attached to
that bike.
What are your career highlights?
My greatest highlight was getting
‘My Private Pectus’ published by
Ford Street late last year. That was a
real thrill and still is. It has since been
shortlisted for the Northern Territory
Book of the Year award.
How do you go about researching
for your books?
Mostly I just like to read books by
lots of different authors. I don’t have
a favourite author, I never have.
I look at how they use dialogue,
build suspense and develop their
characters.
I’m terribly critical, but it certainly
has helped my writing.
For ‘My Private Pectus’, I researched
masculinities as part of a Master
of Arts at Queensland University of
Technology. A lot of my research
was very theoretical, stuff about
gender theory. The novel wouldn’t
Author of My Private Pectus - Story of Adolescence, Family & Body Image
www.getaheadkids.com.au 19
People in Focus
Top of the world one second,
absolute bottom the next.
As I wrote ‘My Private Pectus’ I
often laughed at the stupid things
Jack does, and how it always takes
a monumental stuff up before he
learns anything. Luckily, he works a
few things out by the end.
Inspiration for your book My Private
Pectus
Inspiration came from all sorts of
places. I read a lot of books about
teenage boys and young men. A lot
of them were adult books, but there
were young adult books as well like
David Metzenthen’s ‘Boys of Blood
and Bone’ and Phillip Gwynne’s
‘Deadly Unna’.
I also poked fun at my Dad in
the opening chapters. I slipped a
few of his old footy yarns into the
beginning, which was a lot of fun,
especially when it came time for him
to read it.
But in truth, I think inspiration is a bit
of a fallacy. Sure, there can be wild
moments when the story spills onto
the keyboard, but most writing takes
a lot of work. Not many words or
sentences or chapters come freely
for me. They take planning and a lot
of perseverance.
Who are your major readers for this
book
I had teenage boys in mind when I
wrote ‘My Private Pectus’ and I’ve
had some great feedback from
them, particularly boys aged 14 to
17. But the weird thing is I’ve had
loads of mothers tell me, “I’m going
to get my daughter to read this
just so she can understand boys.”
They’ve always liked it too, which is
a bonus.
I’m thrilled that parents want to use
my book that way. It’s pretty cool
that people see it as being more
than just a ‘good read’.
How important is body image to
teenage boys?
It’s more important than many
people realise and it’s becoming
more so. Men’s bodies are on
display in the media more now than
ever before, which means teenage
boys are bombarded with images
of muscular men such movie and
sports stars. As a result, teenage
boys often want the same body as
men ten years older. That can be an
awfully unrealistic expectation for
bodies that are still maturing.
However, I’d hate to simplify body
image into an argument that just
blames the media. It’s far more
complex than that. When you read
Jack’s story in ‘My Private Pectus’,
you’ll find that his body image
anxiety isn’t just because of his chest
deformity, even though Jack thinks
it is. It’s because he lacks social
confidence. He feels like he fails his
Dad and that he can’t match his
mates in two areas he thinks are
important: sport and sex. Jack starts
looking for reasons why, and that’s
when he starts blaming his chest for
all of his perceived failings. It takes
him a long time to work out that his
body isn’t really to blame.
Biography
For six years I worked in high
school outdoor education and the
masculinised outdoor adventure
industry. I became intimately
interested in what makes young
men tick and the emotional
challenges they negotiate each
day, often in silence. My first novel,
‘My Private Pectus’, gives these boys
a voice.
I’m now working on two new books:
the biography of Jimmy Wan, a
pioneer of the coffee industry in
Papua New Guinea; and a young
adult novel called ‘Torbreck’, which
is about a girl who knows what the
future holds, but has no way to
control it.
More Information
www.fordstreetpublishing.com
The New Way to Play!!
P: 02 4968 2246www.essentialplay.com.au
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Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1020
Physical Education
• Shared reading improves a child’s
interest in language, reading & words
• Shared book reading is successful
at stimulating a child’s language &
literacy development especially
when the child is interested &
engaged in the book-sharing
session
• By providing children with the
opportunity to engage with
books, & encouraging a child’s
interest in reading, a parent can
make a significant long term
contributions to a child’s language
development & literacy skills
There are some fabulous books for
children of all ages. Visit your local
library and make the most of the free
books!
Dr. Jane Williams is a Director and
General Manager for Research and
Education, Toddler Kindy GymbaROO
and Adjunct Senior
Lecturer at the
School of Nursing,
Midwifery & Nutrition,
James Cook
University.
More Information
www.gymbaroo.com.au
Shared book reading is a family
event for many young kids and their
parents. This is an enjoyable way of
improving a kid’s developmental
outcomes.
Much media attention has been
given to the importance of parents
reading to their children in the early
years.
You may very well ask;
“Why and how does reading out
aloud to children help them with
their reading and literacy skills once
they begin school? “
There are many ways that shared
reading stimulates a kid’s language
and literacy development and these
include:
• When an adult reads to a child,
they frequently use open-ended
questions, broadening a child’s
comprehension of the story being
told
• Parents often elaborate on a
child’s focus, improving visual-
perceptual & auditory-perceptual
skills
• Regular reading provides familiar
linguistic routines in which children
progressively become more
actively involved
Parents & Children - Partners in ReadingBy Dr.. Jane Williams
www.getaheadkids.com.au 21
Careers
What Is an Accountant?
Accountants are analytical thinkers
who are perceived a tad dull in
our society that reveres outgoing
personalities.
But, there is nothing boring about
the numerous employment options
and relatively higher salaries that are
open to qualified accountants.
ACER Research indicates that
graduates in arts and humanities
subjects had among the lowest
earnings upon gaining employment
and accountancy graduates were
earning about 40% more than them
over the course of their life
In addition qualifying as an
accountant can be a rewarding
and challenging avenue that opens
doors to many senior corporate and
government positions.
What Accountants Do?
An accountant is responsible for
monitoring and recording the flow
of money through households,
businesses, organisations or
governments.
The accountant verifies the
accuracy of all monetary
transactions and makes sure that
these are legal and are following
legal guidelines.
Some accountants may work
directly for families to help with
tax returns, financial decisions,
investments or retirement options.
Other Services Provided By
accountants include:
• Audit, assurance & risk advisory
• Financial advice
• Corporate finance
• Forensic
• Business planning & restructuring
• Transaction analysis
• Taxation
• Business resource planning
How to Qualify As an Accountant
The traditional route into accounting
is a degree or diploma with a major
in accounting subjects.
Most Australian technical colleges
and universities offer these - and you
can combine accounting with other
subjects to broaden your skills and
outlook.
To improve employment prospects
accountants gain additional industry
qualifications to become members
of industry bodies such as the
Institute of Chartered Accountants
or Australian Society of Accountants.
Employment Prospects
Accountants are increasingly in
demand so their employment
opportunities are very strong.
An understanding of money, costs
and profits is an advantage when
managing businesses, people or
departments.
How Much Do Accountants Earn?
As accountants are in high demand,
they earn a good salary upon
graduation. A graduate accountant
with no experience, for example,
can expect a starting salary
between $AUD35,000 -$AUD45,000.
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Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1022
Business
Saving Habits for KidsGiving kids an allowance either
dependant or independent of their
household contributions, behaviours
and school achievements, is a
critical first step to their financial
training.
The Bankwest ‘Raiding the Piggy
Bank’ Survey (1092 people)
conducted June 2009, indicated
that 58 percent of Australian parents
give out weekly pocket money, and
more than half of children regularly
save it.
Kids need to be encouraged to
develop good saving habits and
budget for big ticket items.
Families that openly communicate
about money issues, provide a
better financial framework for the
future.
Teenage kids need to be aware
what happens when debt gets
out of control and encouraged to
steer clear of credit cards, internet
purchases and uncapped mobile
phone spending.
Teach kids essential financial skills
that may include how to pay bills
online, write a shop list and shopping
on a budget.
In the words of Robert Kiyosaki’s
‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’, money is
power and it is best taught at home,
not by an educational institution.
Educational institutions rarely
provide kids with financial skills to
grow their wealth. Being wealthy is
not about how much money you
make, it is about how much money
you keep and how long you keep it
for, in terms of years.
It is important to teach your kids how
to earn, use and save money from
an early age.
www.getaheadkids.com.au 23
Business
256 Minmi Rd, Fletcher 2287ph: (02) 4979 8484www btac.nsw.edu.au
office@btac.nsw.edu.au
Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College
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Kindergarten to Year12
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Parents are in a unique position
to set good examples for saving,
investing and spending money.
Encourage your kids to open up a
bank savings account for these big
purchases as well as a method of
investing for the future.
Some schools are working with
financial institutions to bring back
traditional school banking. For
example the Mutual has six Lower
Hunter primary schools already
involved in such a program.
School kids open Young Endeavour
Accounts with minimum opening
balances of $2.00 and The
Mutual accepts deposits from the
convenience of their school.
Each week a representative of
The Mutual visits the schools and
processes the student transactions.
This Bank@School program is a
worthwhile initiative for children to
understand the nature of the savings
and banking process.
Tips for Helping Your Kids to Save
❑ Encourage kids to open a savings
account & teach them about
interest
❑ Provide incentives by adding
an additional amount to their
voluntary savings
❑ Set a fixed percent of allowance
that needs to be saved
❑ Train kids to work for their money &
save a fixed amount
❑ Give them a piggy bank to save
coins until full
❑ Encourage kids to use landlines/
VOIP not mobile phones
❑ Train them to cook treats rather
than buy them & pay them the
difference
❑ Split their savings accounts into
university fees, holiday & car
❑ Involve kids in the grocery buying
from writing a list to checkout
payments
❑ Teach teenagers how to invest
in stocks & bonds
❑ Help kids to set budgets & make
choices
❑ Introduce kids to sites such as
eBay for selling their surplus items
More Information
www.understandingmoney.gov.au
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1024
If there was a way you could
prevent or minimise spinal health
problems from developing in your
child you’d want to know about it,
right?
Do you realise that 80% of the
adult population experience back
problems at some stage in their life?
Good spinal health in childhood
lays an important foundation for
preventing or minimising spinal
health problems in adulthood and
contributes to a better quality of life.
In recent years there has been
considerable national and
international support for taking early
preventative action and promoting
health in schools.
There is no better place to start this
process than with kids!
For the past six years, the Healthy
Spines National Health Promotion
Program has been running in primary
schools throughout Australia.
Healthy Spines is focused on
promoting young people’s spinal
health. This hands-on program
targets Years 3-5, is taught by trained
volunteer chiropractors and funded
by the Chiropractic Association of
Australia (CAA).
The goals of the Healthy Spines
Program are:
1. To improve knowledge & practice
of spinal health & care among
primary school students.
2. To increase the ability of school
communities to promote
spinal health & care through
appropriate policies &
environments.
What are the risk factors?
Make sure you know if your child is
being compromised. The risk factors
for developing neck and back pain
include:
Constitutional factors - These are the
factors that people are born with.
People may have good or limited
flexibility, strong or poor muscle
strength, and the size of different
body parts may be in or out of
proportion.
Postural factors - These factors are
about the shape and position of the
spine. People may be born with or
develop postures that are not good
for spinal health, so they are not
good for their health overall.
Recreational factors - These factors
are about the physical activities we
do. We can do these things safely or
unsafely, too little or too much.
Environmental factors - These
factors are about how supportive
our environment is for spinal health.
Things to be considered here
include the way in which furniture is
designed; whether we have to do
too much heaving lifting, twisting,
bending or prolonged sitting; and if
current rules and regulations support
spinal health.
School Backpack Checklist
The Healthy Spines program believes
that good spinal health contributes
to good health overall so here are
eight guidelines for packing and
carrying backpacks.
❑ Always carry loads over two
shoulders. Shoulder straps on the
backpack should be adjustable.
❑ A waist-strap is extremely
important & should be clipped
shut to keep the backpack firmly
on the spine & distribute weight
evenly on the hips.
❑ A backpack should never be
wider than chest width & should
not be any lower than the hollow
of your back, i.e. does not hang
below your waist.
❑ Look for backpacks with wide
padded & adjustable shoulder
straps which ergonomically
contour to your child’s body.
❑ Keep zips closed to contain the
load.
By Candice Robertson
Healthy Spine, Healthy Life
Health
www.getaheadkids.com.au 25
Health
2656
8
❑ Always pack heaviest items at the
back of the bag (against the spine
of the pack) so they are closest to
the child’s back.
❑ Backpacks should be worn straight
with the top of the backpack at
shoulder height (not too low).
❑ A backpack’s weight (including
books & materials) should be no
more than 10% of your child’s body
weight.
The promotion of spinal health can
result in more informed families and
safer, healthier environments. It
also reduces health care costs for
individuals and society in general.
More Information
P: 02 4731 8011
nqh@caa.asn.au
www.healthyspines.com.au
Candice Robertson
Healthy Spines Program Team
Member Chiropractor
Family Chiropractic Charlestown
2 Lincoln St Charlestown
P: 02 4942 4842
www.familychiropracticcharlestown.com.au
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1026
News
Baby Ballerinas & Co Concert
Saturday 28 November 2009
Civic Theatre
More Information
www.babyballerinas.com.au
Concert Highlights
www.getaheadkids.com.au 27
News
Oakdale Studios, Unit 4, 9 Oakdale Rd, Gateshead NSW 2290 Ph/Fx: 02 4948 2953 • www.babyballerinas.com.au
Baby Ballerinas is a unique pre-school dance program for 3-5 year old girls. It guides them through creative imagery and develops an appreciation of rhythm & timing, music, movement, grace, gross motor & social skills.
Free Trial Classes • Morning Classes • Parents Able to Observe Classes.
Baby Jazz is ideal class for boys and girls 3-5 years
Central School of Dance is for kids 6 years and after & provides RAD based exams and Eisteddfod
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1028
News
WolframAlphaSearch Engine
2009 Aurealis Award Winner
Unlike the major search engines
that you ask it a question and it
suggests where to find the answer,
WolframAlpha answers factual
questions and relies on analytical
methods instead of human-
generated documents.
The Aurealis Awards were
established in 1995 by Chimaera
Publications, the publishers of
Aurealis magazine, to recognise the
achievements of Australian science
fiction, fantasy and horror writers.
The Awards Ceremony was held
on 23 January 2010 and the winner
of Best Children’s (8-12 Years) Short
Fiction/Illustrated Work/Picture Book
was ‘Victor’s Challenge’ by Pamela
Freeman and Kim Gamble.
This book took Pamela Freeman
13 years to write and features an
intriguing plot, charming characters
and interesting illustrations.
More Information
For publicity enquiries please
contact:
Juliet Izatt – Publicist
P: 02 8666 8333
www.walkerbooks.com.au
Victor’s ChallengeAuthor: Pamela Freeman
Illustrator: Kim Gamble
Prince Victor wants to marry his
love Valerian and make her his
princess. But, her father does not
believe in princes and Victor must
pass three difficult tests of bravery,
endurance and cleverness.
Victor’s three tasks in the Dark
Forest of Nevermore:
1. Get the Scepter of Good
Fortune from the fiery
man-eating dragon
2. Retrieve an armband from
the peak of a wizard’s glass
mountain
3. Collect a tail feather from the
rare White Unicorn Owl.
This is an awe-inspiring, feel-good
tale that preschoolers and first
readers will enjoy. For teachers
and parents that want to
capture kids’ interest, it is a great
book for reading out aloud.
Age: 4-9 Years
Extent: 80 Pages (Paperback)
ISBN: 9781921150326
Price: AU$12.95
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
P: 02 9517 9577
www.walkerbooks.com.au
Enter a few words into the Alpha
homepage, and the magic begins.
You can ask questions and get
answers to:
• The population of New Guinea
• What percentage of the
population are named John
• The exact position of the moon on
7 March 2010
It has been described as the first
step towards artificial intelligence
and a worthy winner of the Popular
Science Best of What’s New 2009
Computing Award.
More Information
www.wolframalpha.com
www.getaheadkids.com.au 29
News
LAKES GRAMMAR - AN ANGLICAN SCHOOLK-12 Co-educational School
Lakes Grammar opened in 2004 and has grown to nearly 700 students this year.
A reputation for excellent student care with a high quality academic program, at an affordable price.
Buses from Swansea & Erina
School Captains 2010Peter Sweeney & Tahlia Mulder
Enquire Today Call 02 4393 4111 enrolments@lakes.nsw.edu.auwww.lakes.nsw.edu.auCnr Sparks Rd & Albert Warner Dr, Warnervale
7 Year Old Gains ‘Gold Wings’7 year old Ben Tennant, Lakes
Grammar - An Anglican School
student and member of the
Central Coast model aero club
gained his ‘Gold Wings’ model pilot
qualifications.
Ben is the youngest person to
have gained his Gold wings in
Australia. ‘Gold wings’ are the
highest pilot rating awarded by the
Model Aeronautical association of
Australia (MAAA).
He was awarded with his ‘Gold
Wings’ badge, at the general
meeting of the MAAA in March, 2009.
As a regular competitor in the Model
aircraft scale competitions, Ben
flew in the National model aircraft
championships in Albury.
He is the only child competing in his
category, holding his own amongst
the adult competitors. Ben was
awarded a special encouragement
award for his excellent performance.
More Information
www.lakes.nsw.edu.au Head of Junior School at Lakes Grammar, Mr. David Sarich & Ben Tennant.
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1030
Activity Zone
Watermelon Baseball Bat Basketball Skipping Rope Hat
Can you find these 5 items in the picture above?
Outdoor
FunVisit www.getaheadkids.com.au for the activity answers.
www.getaheadkids.com.au 31
TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THE NEW
Pilates, Brass Band, Choir, Chess, Table Tennis, Judo, Akido Kickboxing Boxing, Gymnastics,
Circus, Dancing, Fencing
P: 4961 4493 | www.pcycnsw.org
A real parenting website
portal, by parents for
parents. Share your stories,
experiences, or simply
read some helpful hints.
Get Ahead Kids® Partners
Dr. Karl’s Fact or Fishy Trivia Game Giveaway!
Thanks to Dr. Karl and his team,
Get Ahead Kids® has a very special
giveaway of 3 autographed copies
of Fact or Fishy for 3 lucky families!
To enter, visit www.getaheadkids.
com.au and click the giveaways link
for your chance to win!
HOW TO ENTERGo to www.getaheadkids.com.au
Follow the giveaways link &fill in your details.
ENTER &
WIN
3 to Giveaway!
Free Posters, Bookmarks & Stickers!
Dr. Karl’s new board game, Fact
or Fishy consists of bizarre scientific
facts. The way to win in this fact-
paced knowledge trivia game is
to wow the opposition with how
much science you know and collect
the most tokens by the end of the
game.
Complete with Question Cards,
Great Moments in Science Bonus
Rounds and Speed Geek Cards, this
family game is entertaining!
Fact or Fishy is suitable for ages 8+
and caters for 3-8 players.
More Information
www.drkarl.com
Simply send an email with your
name and address to
info@fordstreetpublishing.com
and Ford Street Publishing will
send you FREE A3 Posters as
they’re printed plus bookmarks
and stickers.
Please let your friends in bookshops
and libraries know about this offer!
Unique Autographed Giveaways!
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1032
Conspiracy 365: #2 FebruaryAuthor: Gabrielle Lord
Callum Ormond is a fugitive
desperately trying to survive the
next 334 days, living life on the
run accused of a crime he didn’t
commit.
February is a hard month for Cal.
He has survived a near drowning,
a kidnapping, being chased by
criminals and he is still no closer to
solving the Ormond Riddle.
Readers also have the option to join
the Conspiracy 365 website. This is a
great interactive element for today’s
technologically minded youth,
allowing them to answer a monthly
trivia quiz and follow the countdown
to the truth.
Never Mind the Bullocks, Here’s the ScienceAuthor: Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki
Illustrator: Adam Yazxhi
‘Never Mind the Bullocks, Here’s
the Science’ is yet another
fantastic book from Dr. Karl. This is
a must for readers interested in the
truth and the scientific workings of
inventions in today’s society.
In his 28th book, Dr. Karl continues
to separate fact from fiction,
answering some essential
questions such as ‘Will lemon juice
actually make you slimmer?’ and
‘Can talking on mobile phones
turn petrol stations into fiery
infernos?’
Age Guide: General
Extent: 256 pages (Paperback)
ISBN: 9780732285371
Price: AU$27.99
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Australia
P: 02 9952 5000
www.harpercollins.com.au
An action packed book from the
very beginning right until the nail-
biting cliffhanger. This book will leave
the readers wanting more. Can’t
wait for March!
Age Guide: 12-16 Years
Series: Conspiracy 365
Extent: 192 pages (Paperback)
ISBN: 9781741690347
Price: AU$14.99
Publisher: Scholastic Australia
P: 02 9416 4000
www.scholastic.com.au
Reviews
Don’t miss out on your chance of
winning Dr. Karl’s ‘Fact or Fishy’
board game. Details on page 31.
Dr. Karl is our celebrity in spotlight
the July/August issue of
Get Ahead Kids®.
Chookies! Author & Illustrator: Lexie Watt
This book delves into the
meddlesome adventures of Bantam
chickens, Esmeralda and Oswald
that escape their chicken pen.
The funny escapades include
causing havoc in a retail store and
council building before they are
caught, padlocked and sent to bed
with no dinner.
This is a humorous book that is great
for reading out loud to preschoolers
or as a first reader.
It is an interesting book especially as
chickens are a favourite animal for
young kids.
Age Guide: 4-8 Years
Extent: 32 pages (Paperback)
ISBN: 9780980575019
Price: AU$16.95
Publisher: Little Steps Publishing
P: 02 9453 1230
www.littlesteps.com.au
For more great reviews visit www.getaheadkids.com.au
www.getaheadkids.com.au 33
Reviews
The Black Book of ColoursAuthor: Menena Cottin
Illustrator: Rosana Faria
Braille letters shadow the text on
each page and the raised line
drawings help visualise the colour
through touch. At the back of the
book there is a Braille alphabet,
which gives sighted readers the
ability to identify letters through
touch.
This is a unique original book
that uses simple language and
fascinating artwork to describe
colour. Its not only a great book
for visually impaired children but
also allows sighted readers to
experience what its like to be
without the sense of sight.
Age Guide: 3-7 Years
Extent: 24 pages (Hardback)
ISBN: 9781406322187
Price: AU$19.95
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
P: 02 9517 9577
www.walkerbooks.com.au
How do you describe colours to
someone who is blind? This book is
black in colour and contains white
bold text, but yet it’s full of colour.
Seeing without your eyes is possible,
as the textured artwork in this
book explores your sense of touch.
Welcome to Thomas’ world.
This is a place where you have to
rely on smell, touch, hearing and
taste to interpret colours. “Thomas
says that yellow tastes like mustard,
but is as soft as a baby chick’s
feathers”.
Hunting for DragonsAuthor: Bruce Whatley
Suited up in armour that she has
made from household objects in
the kitchen and garage, the little
girl explores the garden and all
the corners of the house seeing
imaginary dragons everywhere. In a
surprise ending the little girl actually
sees a Dragon in her bedroom - one
that isn’t at all scary.
This book explores the gulf between
reality and the child’s imagination.
The colourful illustrations dominate
the story, making it ideal for parents
and preschools to read out aloud.
Age Guide: 3-6 Years
Extent: 32 Pages (Hardback)
ISBN: 9781741693294
Price: AU$26.99
Publisher: Scholastic Press
P: 02 9416 4000
www.scholastic.com.au
Nitboy: Lift Off!Author: Tristan Bancks
This book is about 11 year old
Lewis Snow, who has never had a
hair cut and his large blonde Afro
is full of nits.
Most people wouldn’t want nits,
but Lewis has developed a liking
for them, he considers them
as his pets. He engages in an
ongoing battle to keep his nits
and his afro.
The fight to get rid of the nits is
led by the deputy principal,
Ms. Herrick who refuses to give
up until his nits are eradicated.
One of the subplots is the story of
Ned, the world’s first ever leaping
nit. Ned’s father has a vision
to train Ned and his offspring
to jump from one human to
another. But Ned is not interested
he is happy in his home.
This story is very humorous and
enjoyable! The text is enhanced
with black and white illustrations
that help to visualise the story.
Kids will love this story. There is
also a quiz at the back of the
book that teaches kids the facts
about nits.
Age Guide: 7+ Years
Extent: 112 Pages (Paperback)
ISBN: 9780980566406
Price: AU$14.95
Publisher: Laguna Bay Publishing
P: 02 9960 5420
www.lagunabaypublishing.com
Our Pick
For more great reviews visit www.getaheadkids.com.au
Alphabet Street 31
Baby Ballerinas & Co 27
Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College 23
CD-Genius 21
Charlton Christian College 2
Essential Moves 19
Get Ahead Learning 9
Hunter Development Corporation 25
I Can Read System 31
INParenting 31
International Child Care College 15
Irlen Diagnostic Clinic 13
Kinnear & Company 11
Lakes Grammar - An Anglican School 29
Macquarie College 36
Maitland Christian School 15
Maitland Mutual Building Society 23
Metroll Newcastle 35
Mine Subsidence Board 17
NCP Printing 4
Newcastle Grammar School 5
Newcastle Region Library 20
Pacific Smiles Staffing Solutions 25
Passmores’ Business & Management College 21
PCYC 31
Rajeunir Beauty Clinic 11
Smallprint 13
Warners Bay Osteopathic Clinic 9
Woven Labels Direct 13
Advertisers Index
Index
Article Themes 2010
January/FebruaryBack to School
Ad Booking Deadline Nov 6, 2009
Editorial Deadline Nov 11, 2009
March/AprilPhysical Education
Ad Booking Deadline Feb 5, 2010
Editorial Deadline Feb 12, 2010
May/JuneLanguages & Communications
Ad Booking Deadline Mar 26, 2010
Editorial Deadline Apr 6, 2010
July/AugustLearning Innovations & Technology
Ad Booking Deadline May 28, 2010
Editorial Deadline Jun 4, 2010
September/OctoberStudy & Assessment
Ad Booking Deadline Aug 6, 2010
Editorial Deadline Aug 13, 2010
November/DecemberSummer Learning
Ad Booking Deadline Nov 19, 2010
Editorial Deadline Nov 26, 2010
For more advertising information please contact
Maria Charlton |E: maria@mapmarketing.com.au | P: 02 4929 7766
Advertisers media kit & booking form at www.getaheadkids.com.au
Vol. 2 • No. 3 • May/Jun 10
FREE
Languages & Communications May/June 2010
Get Ahead Kids® Mar/Apr 1034
Celebrity Spotlight
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www.getaheadkids.com.au
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PLANNING FOR YOUR CHILD’S
FUTURE? Deciding on your child’s education is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.
Macquarie College is a leading, independent school in the Hunter, catering for boys and girls from Pre-school-Year 12.
Our college promotes academic excellence as well as social, sporting, musical, cultural and spiritual development.
OPEN DAY
Parents, grandparents and students are welcome to visit our picturesque campus and talk to our caring, qualified teaching staff.
Wednesday, 31 MarchMorning Session: 8.45am-10.15am at Multipurpose Hall 1Evening Session:4.45pm-6.15pm at Multipurpose Hall 1
www.macquariecollege.nsw.edu.auEnquiries: 02 4954 6222
182 - 222 Lake Road, Wallsend, NSW 2287 Email: office@macquariecollege.nsw.edu.au
Macquarie College is a Pre-school, K-12 Co-educational Christian College
Seventh-day Adventist Schools (NNSW) Limited
MACQUARIE COLLEGE
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