Term one

Since Nicholas started school, we often measure time by the school year. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) public school system, there are four terms in a school year of ten weeks each. Term one of 2017 is almost over. I'm looking forward to the break and I'm pretty sure the kids have the same sentiment. It's been a full-on term for all of us.

Hard to believe that Nicholas is in year 5 and Catherine is in year 1. I can still remember both of their first days at preschool. They've noticeably matured since the end of last year. Being a senior student, Nicholas has had the opportunity to join the woodwind and percussion band. He was a bit disappointed that he didn’t get percussion, but seems to be doing fine with learning to play the clarinet. He started learning to play piano this term as well. It brings me joy to hear these new sounds in the house.

Year 5 and year 1 are both in the same unit/building this year, which makes for convenient drop-offs and pick-ups. Catherine has a good teacher (yay!) which has helped with her confidence and her impoved control of her emotions. She continues to read and write a lot at home. She recently lost another tooth and also received a merit award this term “for being an outstanding friend and looking out for others”. Another milestone for her was riding to school on her bicycle on National Ride2School Day. She nearly made it the whole way but her bottom was hurting too much. I was very proud of her persistence and determination. She really wanted that well-earned school breakfast!

From Term1

Outside of school we have had some ups and downs. We sadly lost a very dear friend just after the first week of school. Phil and I drove to Sydney for the day to say our goodbyes. Ruby passed away a day later after fighting cancer for 18 months. It was a heartbreaking but peaceful loss. We were able to go back to Sydney during the Canberra long weekend to celebrate her life with her family and friends. We miss her a lot.

Ruby, Mandy and me - Blue Mountains, Nov2013

It has helped that Canberra has been full of activities this past month to distract us. We checked out the Multicultral Festival, Night Noodle Markets, Enlighten and Skyfire again this year. I was excited to see the increasing popularity of Filipino food. Phil and I had a date night during the week when we went out for fine Turkish dining followedy by comic relief from Frank Woodley's Work In Progress show. We even braved the Royal Canberra Show which we haven’t been to since we’ve had a pram to push around. So it was a different and quite fun experience for all of us this year. And Phil was a temporary member of the choir, Igitur Nos, to sing the 40-part motet, Spem in Alium. It was amazing to hear them perform at the National Portrait Gallery. The foyer was packed.