Update #15 photos from Thurs afternoon

Update #14 Friday morning

We're back in Queensland after a long night on the bus.

Everyone appeared to enjoy Questacon, and time there seemed to go very quickly. After dinner of chicken kebabs with rice and salad we started the long journey north.

• Will: I liked the sensation of the fall in Free Fall at Questacon.
  
• Izaac: The roller-coaster simulator was fun
  
• Ellen: I liked the Free Fall, and it was interesting hearing the man at the Space Communication Centre
  
• Sammy G: The Free Fall was the best thing at Questacon
  
• Gemma H: The big pillars at Questacon – you could put your hand on it, and draw because it was infra-red
  

Special thanks to Pam and Noel from Educatours for making the trip so special, and thanks to our main drivers, Darrell and Jim. They are great blokes who looked after us and enjoyed the fun with us.

Thanks also to Mr Matthews, Mrs O'Shea, Mr Malone, Mrs Walton, Mrs Lockhart and Mrs Ebbage, who joined with Mr Ashley, Miss Carroll, Miss McEwan, Mrs Brennan and Mr Morgan to make this a memorable trip for us all.

Update #13 Thursday am photos

Update #12 Lunch, Thursday

After a visit to the Canberra Deep Space Communication Centre we are enjoying a pizza lunch in Weston Park, prior to our afternoon at Questacon.

Our guide at CDSCC might be the person most enthusiastic about their job in the whole world. He was fun, very knowledgeable, and, especially for kids of a scientific bent, inspirational. According to him, we could have the first person to walk on Mars in our midst!

This afternoon's visit to Questacon is probably the most looked-forward to part of the tour, so hopefully we have kept the best til last.

After dinner there this evening, we begin the journey back to Dalby, after an enjoyable and educational, if exhausting, visit to the National Capital.

Update #11 Thursday morning

It's 6:45am and the kids are rising, showering, packing and so on. Breakfast at 7:30, but before then the buses have to be packed. Last night was our last at Eaglehawk, and tonight will be on the bus. (Looking forward to that!!)

Updates might be tricky today, but I will try to post something this afternoon before we leave Canberra.

A little rain overnight, and it's nice and fresh this morning.
See you all tomorrow!

Update #10 Wednesday photos

Update #9 Wednesday evening

The day started with French toast for breakfast – that was a hit!

Bus 2 left first to visit the War Memorial and Government House. Bus 1 departed a little later to visit the museum first, then Old Parliament House and the Electoral Education Centre after lunch in teh Senate rose garden.

K-Space at the National Museum was a hit with those kids fortunate enough to get a turn – the queue was very long at times. We also saw Phar Lap's heart (gross or cool??)

Old Parliament House, now known as Museum of Australian Democracy, was interesting. The students completed tasks about various Prime Ministers, and then learnt something of the history of the Senate.

The Electoral Education Centre taught us about the development of democracy in Australia, and ended with a mock election, complete with clerks, scrutineers and a guard.

Some students' thoughts on the day...

Rebekah: touring through the Governor-General's house and garden was really interesting.

Shannon: the view from Black Mountain Tower was fantastic!

Ryan T: The wreath-laying was very very moving.

Mitchell C: the presentation at the Electoral Centre was amazing!

Mini-golf tonight for Bus 2. Last night's (Bus 1) winner was Mitchell C, while the Bradman award went to April. Mrs Ebbage showed a competitive streak of which many of us we unaware. Two 'holes-in-on' brought out a very serious side to her play. Mr Matthews would like it known, however, that they tied for first place in the teacher's comp.

Update #8 Tuesday photos

Update #7: Tuesday afternoon

Today and tomorrow (Tues and Wed) the two bus groups follow opposite programs: what Bus 1 did today, Bus 2 will do tomorrow.

I had the pleasure of accompanying children to the wonderful Australian War Memorial this morning, and to Government House this afternoon.

You would be so proud of how our students conducted themselves at the War Memorial, especially during the Wreath Laying Ceremony. It was very moving, and four of our students, Sarah, Frank, Brock, and Brooke, took leading roles in the public ceremony, which was also attended by Hon Bruce Scott and , Major-General Steve Gower, the director of the War Memorial, amongst others.

We were shown through Government house by Ryan, the Governor-General’s butler, who explained vice-regal protocol. Yesterday, we saw the President of Macedonia as he drove past Parliament House (yes, he waved to our students), and later this week the Governor-General will host the President of Bulgaria.

Later in the afternoon we visited Mt Ainslie, for its panoramic view of Canberra and the surrounding area, from where this post is being sent.

Some student’s thoughts:

· April: I liked the War memorial, because of the dioramas and art works

· Ella: Seeing all the things at the War memorial and realising what the soldiers went through.

· Brenna: Seeing the Governor-General’s house even if Ms Brice wasn’t there (she’s in Sydney meeting with Prince Edward)

Update #6 Monday Photos

Update #5 Monday evening

4:40pm Monday
After lunch we visited Parliament House where the students saw Question Time in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The students heard Mr Rudd speaking, and were able to spot Ms Gillard, Mrs Bishop, Mr McFarlane, and of course Mr Scott, who later on joined us for afternoon tea. Both Bus groups worked through a parliamentary experience - Bus One debated a bill in the Senate, and Bus Two, a bill in the House.

Red Faces skits tonight - not sure what sort of class we'll see. Can only hope to be entertained ;-)

Some comments:

• Mitch C: the role play at Parliament House was awesome
• Frank: watching Question Time with Kevin Rudd was inspiring
• Hugh: printing our own coins at the Mint was $3!

Update #4 Lunchtime Monday

Visits to the AIS and the Royal Australian Mint this morning, before Parliament House this afternoon.

Kids's quotes:

• Monica – visiting the mint was good because I saw money being made.
  
• Jack F – AIS because of the hands on stuff in Sportex.
  
• Alexa – AIS was cool
  
• Brenna – breakfast was good; scrambled eggs and spaghetti
  

Photos to come

Update #3 Sunday's photos

Update #2 8:00pm Sunday

A looong day, but here we are at Eaglehawk Holiday Park, which is actually in NSW, on the far north-eastern edge of the greater Canberra area. The kids were amused that we actually drove into the ACT on the Barton Hwy, then turned onto the Federal Hwy to go back into NSW. A downpour greeted us, but all kids are now organized in their rooms, and fed (lasagna & chips) and watered. Miss Carroll and Mrs Brennan are distributing the children's special camp shirts now, in readiness for tomorrow, when we visit Parliament House.

Everyone enjoyed Western Plains Zoo. I believe the siamangs, giraffes and spider monkeys were the most popular exhibits.

Another video on the bus, and we arrived at the Parkes Radio Telescope in time to see it swing around 180 degrees. Lunch, and then a fairly quiet trip through to Canberra.

Some random highlights of the day:

• Alec Schmidt: Dubbo Zoo
  
• Adam Nearhos: sleeping on the bus
  
• Hamish McGovern: the Dish
  

Update #1 - Dubbo

6:20 am Sunday

After a long night on the bus we are having breakfast at a brand new Maccas in Dubbo, before heading out to the Western Plains Zoo.

Most of us managed at least a couple of hours sleep, but I expect it will be a pretty quiet trip between Parkes and Canberra this afternoon.

Keep dropping by for further updates.

nearly time...

three hours and counting...

(the times on these posts are confusing...I am writing this at 4:00pm Saturday)

Not long now....

Tomorrow's the day!!
Remember to be here at 6:00pm, so that we can leave on time at 7:00. There are a few things to be done at school before we leave, so be on time.

What we're looking forward to...

The students were asked to say what it was they wsere looking forward to when we visit Canberra next week. Their answers became this word-cloud created in Wordle.

Requirements for Canberra tourists

Clothing:	Toiletries:		Items marked with a * should be packed in the child’s on-board back-pack, not their suitcase
Closed-in walking shoes (2 pairs) Warm Jacket Shorts / Jeans / tracksuit pants Jumpers / tracksuit tops A specific tracksuit should be taken to wear each night after showers but before bed. T-Shirts Skivvies / long sleeved shirts Underwear (enough clean pairs for everyday with some spares) Socks Pyjamas Hat	Soap Face Washer *Toothpaste *Toothbrush *Hair Brush / Comb Shampoo Conditioner Deodorant (roll on only) Sunscreen Lip Balm *Tissues (small packets are best)
Miscellaneous:		PLEASE MAKE SURE that all items are clearly marked. Please mark all bags so that they are easily identified. When packing bags, please remember that everyone has to carry their own, sometimes up stairs. Two smaller bags are sometimes better than one large one. To make packing the coach easier, Please DO NOT tie bags together and DO NOT tie plastic bags etc. onto the outside of bags.
*Small Cushion & Small Rug (For bus - No large pillows or sleeping bags) *Small Backpack (For bus trip and to use as a daypack) *Raincoat - DISPOSABLE 2 x Large Garbage Bags (named) Great for dirty clothes and emergencies *Medication (if required) *Small ‘Wet Ones’ *Wallet / Spending Money (school limit of $50 will apply) *Camera / film (Each group leader will have a digital camera to use whilst on tour, these photos will be made available to students via CD after the tour. If you would like your child to have their own camera we recommend disposable cameras – please ensure these are named) Stamps (if postcards are to be sent) *Pen/Pencil *Notebook *Lollies (stored in zip top bags – preferably lollies without wrappers) (NO chewing gum, skittles, chocolate, chips, biscuits, & other crumbly snacks) *Water Bottle (Supplied) WATER ONLY
		Plus a smile and a positive attitude J
PLEASE DO NOT BRING Bed Sized Pillows (not permitted onboard the coach and will have to go underneath with bags) Sleeping Bags, Sheets, Blankets, Towels (all linen is supplied) Spray Cans (including Deodorants) Sandals/Thongs (due to health and safety issues) Large Amounts of Cash (refer to school limit) Valuable Cameras or Items of Jewellery and the like Chewing Gum or Sticky Lollies, Skittles, Chocolates, Chips or Biscuits Game boys, walkmans/mp3/ipods and mobile phones Drinks other than water (not permitted on board the coach)

Bus and Day Groups for the tour

Bus One

Bus Leader: Mr Morgan; First Aid: Mrs Ebbage

Group One (Mr Morgan)	Group Two (Miss McEwan)	Group Three (Miss Carroll and Mrs O’Shea)
Brianna Allen	Samantha Bond	Brianna Celledoni
Tom Boland	Ryan Bradford	Mitchell Cook
Emily Clark	Osca Brady	Jack Fuelling
Jayne Finlayson	Emogin Kelly	Ashley Horsburgh
Alexa Goodmanson	Lauren O’Toole	Daniel Mauch
Christiane Pritchard	Sarah Priaulx	Olivia McLeod
Mitchell Skinner	Blake Robinson	Ella O’Shea
Madeleine Wunsch	Frank Witcombe	Lachlan Palm
	Brooke Woollett	Brenna Shannon-Dear
	Jamie Kittle	Monica Van Zelst

Group Four (Mrs Ebbage)	Group Five (Mr Matthews)
Riley Easton	Lauren Cortes
Cormack Ebbage	Hugh Cramer
Tahlisha Lammas	Brock Dignan
Harry Milford	Madalyn Grant
Cloe Monaghan	Jack Matthews
Emily Butcher	Kacey McEwan
Kathleen Waters	Sean Melbin
	April Peters

Bus Two

Bus Leader: Mrs Brennan; First Aid: Mrs Walton

Group Six (Mrs Brennan)	Group Seven (Mr Ashley)	Group Eight (Mrs Walton)
Kaitlyn Arnott	Grace Bourne	Ellen Bailey
Jack Ehrlich	Eboni Carmichael	Chloe Fitzgerald
Adam Evans	Samantha Gersekowski	Izaac Justins
Melgie Fruto	Gemma Hartwig	Hamish McGovern
Rebekah Grott	Sally Morrissey	Jade Nearhos
Shannon Harber	Ryan O’Hagan	William Roberts
Gemma Kruger	Emily Ryan	Courtney Schuurs
Frances O’Brien	Alec Schmidt	Mia Walton
Georgia Ross	Kelsie Schrag
Ryan Troe

Group Nine (Mr Malone)	Group Ten (Mrs Lockhart)
Courtney Butcher	Laura Campbell
Terry Collier	Henry Finlay
Connor Malone	Guy Leggett
Adam Nearhos	Jarrod Lockhart
Darcy Nolan	Bronwyn Oberholzer
Shenae Reynolds	Ben Sankey
Jesse Russell	Grace Sankey
Helena Van Zelst	Elizabeth Sutton