Back to School: Fun with words and extreme weather on the other end of the thermometer

First day of teaching is under my belt. Maxine went to school on her first day in close to -40C and I got to experience school at +40C. Both result in not being outside for the kids. The heat though resulted in loss of power multiple times today. Loss of power for those back home means loss of not only technology, but AC! It was sweaty hot. I was lucky enough to be offered what we call a freeze at afternoon tea time (they don't call them that here though and I can't remember right now what it is they are called).

Today I started to learn some different lingo:
"Where are the rubbers?" (eraser)
" Please check your pigeon hole for the notes to go home" (mailbox)
"Mrs. Bowkowy it is not bathrooms, that is where you take a bath." ( They are toilets)
"Do you want this done with texters?" (markers)
Crunch'n sip (morning fruit/ veggie snack), afternoon tea (afternoon snack) are wonderful.
"Assemblies are fortnightly" (Every other week)
"It is my birthday tomorrow and I am bringing a lolly bag for everyone" (candy).
It is year two not grade two, which I correct over and over again.

Having assemblies outside is awesome! A school of over 1000 students and they we all sitting quiet and listening to the teacher talking.
My class was so excited to have a teacher from Canada. One little sweetie was very proud to let me know what the capital city of Canada was. I think they found me very entertaining today and were more than happy to share the exciting things about Australia and the school that they go to have to offer. I have 27 wonderful students and the most friendly and helpful of staff to share this year with.

It is going to be a lot harder to learn names in uniforms that is for sure. Some I have definitely learnt already :) as you have those few every year that you seem to say more than others.

I was exhausted at the end of the first day, but am ready for the rest of the week (I think) and few good Robert Munsch books will definitely make an appearance this week in my room.

Maëlle had a great day in her first day at her new school. She doesn't know who her teacher is yet as they stay in their old classes for the first few days. She handled the full day very well and has had nothing but good things to say! Can't wait for more exciting times for her as well.

Stepping way out of the comfort of my grade two classroom and into year two

Walking up to my classroom. The students can eat out here as well.

School is starting soon (ahhh). The walls, the resources, the programs and the teaching partners I have come to rely on are back in Beaumont. The adventure/ challenge that awaits me starts in this week. I have met some amazing colleagues and have been given small insights into the programs (L3, TENS, and more) and the differences that await me.

Some notable differences:

1) they have different paper sizes A3, A4, A5 

2) the binders are two holes not three

3) page protectors are used for everything (really everything) 

4) afternoon tea is on the schedule 

5) staff room treats are frozen! 

6) the content I am teaching in year two is very different form grade two

So much is the same! Teachers are all so helpful. I am nervous, anxious and excited all at the same time for Monday. I can't wait for the questions about Canada, and to ask the students all the questions I have about where they live.

I finally have my room with no desks.

Oatlands- the small escape from the big city

I just realized I haven't really told you about Oatlands. Oatlands is our home for the next year. It is a small walk/bike from the busy life of Parramatta. It offers just the basics that we need without having to travel in the car. Here is what the little section of shops in Oatlands looks like:

Funday Sunday are a thing for the Bowkowy's in Sydney

Sunday's are great days to get out and explore around Sydney. We have discovered that public transit is cheap on Sundays. $2.50 max for the day. Today we set off to Darling Harbour and to explore the events of the Sydney Festival. I will have to say that we have figured out how to pack for the girls to be happy for the Ferry rides and the heat. A good chapter book and the ferry ride goes by quicker and food (lots of it).
The Sydney Festival looked like a lot of fun. Unfortunately we really only looked into it at the end of it, but what we did today was a lot of fun.
The Beach at the Cutaway, Barangaroo Reserve: so much fun! At first a little anxiety producing as you really feel like you are sinking into balls, but after you realize you can sink and breathe it is all good.  Also a great workout!

The Darling Harbour Playground: Water play and climbing as well as coffee for me! Also the food scene around here is so good. We found a great little Chinese noodle house! 

Hyde Park: Music and Entertainment

We ended our day with the express ferry back to our car and then a short drive home. I have a feeling that many a Sunday will be spent travelling by the various methods of public transit to the many places it takes us. With places like the Zoo, Aquariums, plus all the major landmarks we have yet to see and so much more how could we not.

Oatlands: Starting to settle into a routine

The last few days has been about getting everything ready. We have really started to find a routine in our daily life and are getting more comfortable about getting out and about in the big city.

• Swim club started this week in Blacktown at Blacktown Aquatics which is a big drive for us, 20 minutes or a bit more compared to the 2 minutes we drove in Beaumont. 
• I got a school tour and a look into my classroom for the next year and I am wrapping my head around the fantastic little classroom that I get to use.  My pod will laugh that I can't just step out into the hallway to get a little adult interaction when I need it as my door leads to the outside.
• Facetime and Skype have been used for friends and family all the time and the girls are getting better at talking on the computer.
• We have explored all the grocery stores and our finding the best place to get everything we need. Still haven't been able to stomach the smell of the Veggie mite, so yet to eat it.
• I have figured out how to make instant coffee good. When out flat whites are delicious.
• We are loving doing laundry and hanging to dry. Even getting it down before rain comes.
• We have survived waking up to +35 at 7 am by enjoying a swim in the morning shade of our pool.
• The Chariot is getting a good workout and a lot of comments "Quite the pram". 

My first day with the kids is a week away. One more week before work starts and our summer holiday in winter is over.  

Holiday Road Trip #1

The first Bowkowy road trip was a big success. Debating on how far to travel and the options seeming endless, we decided on a short trip just over an hour away to stay on a small farm in Jamberoo, NSW (populations 954, which is smaller than the school I will be teaching at). I quite nicely navigated the toll roads and highways and we made it to our first stop at Fitzroy Falls National Park. We completed a short walk and saw some amazing views of the valley.

 Next stop: Illawarra Tree Top Walk 

We continued to add more walking miles to our day and completed the tree top walk adding more breath taking views to our day. We could the ocean but were still higher up in the mountain/ rainforest area.

Home for Four Days: Our Airbnb place was a beautiful little farm stay with fresh eggs, cheese, bread and wine to great us. The girls got to pet animals and enjoy the quiet little house we stayed in each night. We were out exploring every day so we only had breakfast with eggs from the farm and dinner each day here. 

Adventures for the next three days:

• Dolphin Cruise in Jervis Bay
• Exploring Kiama
• Finding the big and little blow holes
• Minnamurra National Rainforest Centre
• beaches, beaches and more beaches

snowsuits versus sunscreen

We have now determined that putting on sunscreen before going anywhere takes the same if not more time than snowsuits. We are not complaining, but we were told we would not miss the hassle of getting the girls into snowsuits. Try putting on sunscreen multiple times a day. At least with the snowsuits you do not have to plan ahead and they can do most of the snowsuit themselves. The beach and hot weather after the sunscreen is a definite plus though :).

Manly Beach

Today we scored on our public transit rides to and from Manly Beach. On the way there the ferry was full so went straight to Darling Harbour with only 3 stops and on the way home we got the express ferry to Rydalmere. We are getting used to the crowds and the mass usage of public transit. Those that know Matt would be surprised but we did drive and park at the ferry today instead of biking.  Today was hot!!

On the trip we saw views of the bridge and the people walking over it as well as the Sydney Opera House.

Manly Beach was big and huge. I think we could spend days exploring. We started at the beach. We were so eager to go into the ocean and Malia really just wanting dig in the the sand. Matt and Maëlle got right to it. Unfortunately Maëlle was only in for minutes with Matt before a Bluebottle stung her. She was a trouper and once the stinging went away (30 min) was in good spirits again.

Yeah the beach!

This is a Blue bottle

My leg is stinging!