Hello everyone!
It is again approaching the end of a term for us and things are getting busy!
Last weekend we headed out for the long weekend to Dubbo with some exchange families. Sydney was in the middle of a rain storm and we were glad to get out of the city and the rain. It seems to rain a fair bit in Sydney. It was like getting in and out of Toronto on a long weekend… fun.
Dubbo is famous for its zoo. The animals do not seem caged but roaming free in large areas... kind of like African Lion Safari with no monkeys attacking your car. It was nice walking around on a warm sunny day. We enjoyed good food and company.
It is again approaching the end of a term for us and things are getting busy!
We have a few pictures to share and some new sign pictures which we will put on our sign blog soon. 
We got to go see the movie Spider man III at the Imax theatre in Darling Harbour. It is 10 stories high and claims to be the biggest Imax in the world. Things were really big!
A few weeks ago we went to the World Enviroment Expo in Dee Why, we saw some interesting things and got some good ideas about how we could be more environmentally friendly. Of course Ginette liked the chook coop, the kids... the boat made of a soda can, and Tom... the water storage tank... with this this he would have Steve beat!
Last weekend we headed out for the long weekend to Dubbo with some exchange families. Sydney was in the middle of a rain storm and we were glad to get out of the city and the rain. It seems to rain a fair bit in Sydney. It was like getting in and out of Toronto on a long weekend… fun.Dubbo is famous for its zoo. The animals do not seem caged but roaming free in large areas... kind of like African Lion Safari with no monkeys attacking your car. It was nice walking around on a warm sunny day. We enjoyed good food and company.
On the Sunday night we visited an observatory. We got to see Saturn, Jupiter and a great view of the centre of the Milky way with a telescope. Apparently, the southern hemisphere is the best place to observe the Milky way, because of the angle of the Earth. 
Tom has just finished inputting midyear marks. Interesting trying to figure out their computer system and having to input marks for about 215 students all at once. He misses the comment bank, but enjoys answering questions about Canada and morning tea.
Ginette is finally getting some casual work in state schools. What is very interesting is the layout of the secondary schools. Many of the buildings are shaped like a square perimeter. A common area with benches and trees are in the middle with the classrooms around the perimeter. She was all excited about spending so much time outside traveling from class to class in Australia, until she found out that you are sometimes traveling in 7 degrees celcius, in the pouring rain. It gives a whole new meaning to cafeteria duty when you are outside in a scarf and coat, with an umbrella.
But all is fun and adventurous! We are learning that you have to be open and flexible, as well as be good problem solvers to be on an exchange. We are learning lots from our different schools and communities.
Avery has just finished his half yearlies and has done well... well... we will see what the report card brings in a few weeks. He especially enjoys the hands on stuff that he does in school. He has now started up guitar lessons with a older friend who is quite musically savvy… as many Australians are. He is enjoying the friends he is making, especially through the exchange group.
Jocelyn has a band competition next weekend. We are looking forward to hearing her band play. This weekend she went to her first school disco, a good time with friends. She is getting into shape walking to school everyday and says that she would like to walk with mum when she gets back to Canada to stay in shape. We will see how she feels at 5:15 am at -15 degrees C.
This weekend an exchange family hosted a party for exchange families in the area. Some came from not so close too... we will all find any excuse to get together for a party. Great food was had by all. We will come home with a repetoire of delicious recipies by the end of the year here... yum! We said our goodbyes to a family that will be leaving for home in a few weeks. Their exchange was from July 2006 to July 2007. We will miss them as they have been a great support for us giving us useful tips and advice.
Tom has just finished inputting midyear marks. Interesting trying to figure out their computer system and having to input marks for about 215 students all at once. He misses the comment bank, but enjoys answering questions about Canada and morning tea.Ginette is finally getting some casual work in state schools. What is very interesting is the layout of the secondary schools. Many of the buildings are shaped like a square perimeter. A common area with benches and trees are in the middle with the classrooms around the perimeter. She was all excited about spending so much time outside traveling from class to class in Australia, until she found out that you are sometimes traveling in 7 degrees celcius, in the pouring rain. It gives a whole new meaning to cafeteria duty when you are outside in a scarf and coat, with an umbrella.
But all is fun and adventurous! We are learning that you have to be open and flexible, as well as be good problem solvers to be on an exchange. We are learning lots from our different schools and communities.
Avery has just finished his half yearlies and has done well... well... we will see what the report card brings in a few weeks. He especially enjoys the hands on stuff that he does in school. He has now started up guitar lessons with a older friend who is quite musically savvy… as many Australians are. He is enjoying the friends he is making, especially through the exchange group.
Jocelyn has a band competition next weekend. We are looking forward to hearing her band play. This weekend she went to her first school disco, a good time with friends. She is getting into shape walking to school everyday and says that she would like to walk with mum when she gets back to Canada to stay in shape. We will see how she feels at 5:15 am at -15 degrees C.
This weekend an exchange family hosted a party for exchange families in the area. Some came from not so close too... we will all find any excuse to get together for a party. Great food was had by all. We will come home with a repetoire of delicious recipies by the end of the year here... yum! We said our goodbyes to a family that will be leaving for home in a few weeks. Their exchange was from July 2006 to July 2007. We will miss them as they have been a great support for us giving us useful tips and advice.
The next blog should be more interesting as we are heading out to The Great Barrier Reef in a week. The kids are looking forward to taking some underwater video and the activities that we have planned.
Enjoy your lovely weather! We are thinkin' of you all at this time with things in full bloom at home!
Take care,
Ginette, Tom, Avery and Jocelyn
