Proserpine State School Canberra Blog
Have arrived in Brisbane. At the moment our flight from brisbane is on time. We will board at 12:10 and depart at 12:40 pm. The flight will land at Proserpine at 2:20 pm.
See you soon.
Waiting at Sydney Airport. Still leaving at 10:00 am from Sydney.
Sorry Mrs Jordan - Wouldn’t load the photos.
Will update when we arrive in Brisbane.
Sorry we missed an update yesterday. Wednesday was by far the longest day of the tour so far. Our first stop was Taronga Zoo. We all were impressed with what the zoo had to offer. There was a really extensive range of animals on display. Luckily most of them were active, particularly the gorillas. Our second stop was the National Maritime Museum. We were able to spend some time aborad the HMS Vampire and had a brief look around the museum. We then walked to the Chinese Gardens and spent some time there. Somehow I think it was much more tranquil before we arrived and after we left. Then came the highlight of the day - dinner. I am sure that many spent all day dreaming about what they were going to buy for dinner. After we went to the Sydeny Tower and Oztrek. By this time we had done lots of walking and still had some more to do. We managed to get all 73 kids to the top of Sydney Tower and back donw safely. Finally, a monorail ride close to home and some more walking. By the time we got home the kids were had it and so were the teachers.
Today, was just as hectic. The Opera House was our first stop where we had a guided tour. We went into the theatre where the Australian Idol final was filmed. Some kids even got to sing in the Opera House. Did you know that there are 1 056 006 tiles on the exterior of the Opera House. Next we we given a tour of the Rocks - the site of the first European settlement in Australia. A great tour, really informative. We the walked across the bridge from one side to the other. After lunch we went to Manly Beach. Most of the kids got in for a swim. Far too cold for the adults. After catch the Manly Ferry back to Circular Quay we returned to the YHA. The kids are currently packing their ports as we have an early start in the morning. Do not be surprised at what you find in their ports. My advice is to wash everything twice.
The kids are excited about coming home tomorrow.
I will blog from Sydney and Brisbane to let you know if there are any changes to our arrival time.
Sorry no photos today. Having computer problems. You will get a copy of all the photos from the tour later in the year.
This morning when we woke up it was still cold. Our accom. was heated so we had a good night. After breakfast we completed our activities on the goldfields - made mud bricks, damper, old time games. We also heard about the living conditions on the goldfields.
After morning tea we heded to see the Three Sisters. To our great disappointment the whole region was blanketed by low cloud/mist and we could not see a thing.
Arrived in Sydney about 4:00 pm and settled into our accom. took over a nearby park and played until dinner time.
No problems so far. Kids like souvenir shops!!
A huge day tomorrow - Taronga Zoo, Oztrek, Maritime Museum.
Cooking damper around the fire at Bathurst
Around the old hut at Bathurst. Grape vines growing around the roof.
The Three Sisters - No you can
Panning for gold but much to our disappointment no fortune discovered.
Departed Canberra this morning. The weather had turned colder overnight. By the time we stopped for morning tea at Boorowa it had become colder and a lazy wind had picked up (Mr Hughes says it was a gale). Cowra was the same, but the kids were keen to run around while we had lunch. We arrived at Bathurst at 1:30 pm, and it was even colder still. After rugging up we did the goldfields program - blacksmith, museum, steam engine and gold panning. Don’t retire just yet - we did find some gold but it is dificult to see without the aid of a magnifying glass as you will find out. Gathered around the campfire after dinner but cut this a little short so we could get inside and warm. Rooms are heated so it is great inside.
Off to the Blue Mountains and Three Sisters tomorrow after we complete our activities at Bathurst.
Kids are just settling now.
Paige and Breeanna seeking shelter from the wind.
At the start line at Mt Panorama
Still seeking a fortune.
Trying to get warm at morning tea
On the slide at Questacon
We were able to sleep in a little today as we did not need to be on the road until 9:00 am. Our first stop today was Parliament House (some of us had to catch up on a tour we missed ealier). We then visited the Mint. Even though we did not see the mint in operation (being Sunday) it was interesting to see the process on a video presentation. The kids were able to but a few souvenirs - many pressed their own coin. We then moved to CSIRO. It was interesting to hear about the work they are doing to help find a possible cure for cancer using shark cells. The kids also had the chance to extract the DNA from a pea. Lunch was great - Dominos pizza. There was even some left over. Our final stop was Questacon. The kids were able to explore this on their own. There was plenty to do and see.
It has started raining in Canberra and has turned cold this evening. We are expecting the weather to turn colder over the next day or two. Some kids are rugged up and others are getting around in shorts and t-shirts.
We will be on the road to Bathurst tomorrow. Canberra has been excellent. The kids have resonded well to all the places we have visited. They had some very interesting and insightful comments about the places we have visited.
It is about 9:00 pm now and kids are packing their ports ready to go in the morning. Some will have trouble judging by the state of some of the rooms.
Sam, Rachel, Nat and Melinda on the roof at Parliament House
Conducting some scientific research at CSIRO
I told you it was raining
We rest when we can.
Have had another full day. Started with a visit to the National Archives where we saw the actual proclamation from Queen Victoria stating that Australia could become a nation. There were lots of other historical documents realting to Australia’s history. We then moved on to Old Parliament House where we were able to sit in the Senate and House of Representatives chambers. We all had to wear cloth gloves so we would not damage anything if we touched it. After lunch we went to the Canberra Exhibition which explained the history of Canberra. Our final stop was the War Memorial. We barely scratched the surface with what we saw. The kids were very impressed with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Our second last stop was Mt Ainslie Lookout where we had a great view of Canberra. Finally, we visited Duntroon and saw the Changi Chapel- the actual chapel built by the prisoners at Changi Prison Camp and rebuilt in Australia.
A great day.
Once again, the kids have been very well behaved. All are having a good time. No problems.
We have read all the blogs. Keep them coming.
On the stairs inside Parliament House
Outside the War Memorial
Outsie Old Parliament House
Have had a great day in Canberra. Visited Parliament House and Electoral Ed. Centre. Everyone was most impressed with how knowledgeable our kids were about government. Everyone is fine and having a great time. just starting to turn cool (7:20 pm).
The Clerk, Speaker and Sergant-at-Arms in our role play
Learning about the voting process at Electoral Ed.
Have arrived safely in Canberra. Flight were good - Slight delay in Brisbane. Late night in Sydney. Early to bed tonight (I hope). Will post photos soon.
Welcome to the the Year 7 Canberra trip blog. Have fun looking at photos and reading about the wonderful things your children are doing while on tour. Leave your own comments for the students and teachers to read, and let them know you are thinking of them.
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