I am having the time of my life...

Well, you want to know how it's going? FANTASTIC!!!! I am still overwhelmed but the highs make up for the lows and there are a lot of them. I have connected with my teacher and the students and feel a part of the grade. I have quite a few lessons planned for next week, the important things are making them appropriate for the level of the kids which varies so completely. 7 and 8 year olds have enough going on in their lives without an intellectual disability or Austism Spectrum Disorder or PDD or both or all. You can imagine the disruptions to class, the importance of social education and behavioural strategies. I am very well supported by my teacher - she has given me heaps of reading on ASD and from the research it seems that everyone is on the spectrum somewhere!


I wanted to put a picture of one of the children's writing but it didn't work.

I am of to a trivia night at the Salvos, should be fun..


Thanks for listening,

M.

Vermont South Special School

I survived my first day! I am so completely overwhelmed and excited at the same time! Vermont South is a fantastically resourced, wonderfully staffed beautiful space for children with special needs. I have learned more than my mind can cope with and I've only been there 2 days! I have sat in on P.E, Art, Relaxation, Numeracy, Literacy and much more!

We went on an excursion to Clayton to an adventure playground (outdoor) that was especially geared for children with special needs. I loved it! The swings were so much fun!

Though I am not able to take photos or really talk about the kids, they are so beautiful. Looking at their eyes you see so much - a person with a disability is just a treasure hidden in a body or mind that doesn't work the same way as me. I am getting used to using my voice more effectively - changing pitch and using rhythm to best advantage.

One very special moment was Relaxation. The students came in from play (it was a very crazy footy day) we took off their shoes and socks, then washed their hands and feet in a bath of lavender warm water while soft music played. The children then took their own pillow and blanket and lay on the floor in their own quiet space, relaxing for a while. In the dim light we gave them hand massages to relax their oeverstimulated, rigid and tired hands. It was a spitiual/biblical moment for me and I fought to hold back tears.

I will tell you more as my rounds progress but for now I am so blessed to be there!

Thanks for listening,

M.

Hi there. I am very overwhelmed at the moment. I am about to start teaching rounds at Vermont South Special School where I will undertake 3 weeks of supported teaching in a classroom of 8, 7-8 year old boys. They have learning difficulties and disabilities ranging from ADHD to Autism. I don't fully understand either. I know it will be of great significance in both my personal and professional life - and that I will learn a great deal - but I am nervous that I will not cope.

The school is quite changed from when Peter's grandfather John Sharp was the first principal. His strategies for whole person learning still remain but the grounds are far improved and facilities extended.

I was looking through all the cards and letters from my friend Megs and found this one. She sent it to me at a tricky time in my life. It still rings true - it can't rain all the time. On the other side is a great Bible verse from Matthew about ensuring that your house is built on rock so that when waters come your way the foundations will remain secure. I know that my house is built on a rock. Thanks for the reminder.

I have quite a lot of preparation to do before Monday - better get to it. I think it will be interesting to look back on blogs like this from the future and see how I actually went.

Five Things I Am Grateful For Today:

• catching up with old friends
• a fantastic new garage door
• Mum & Dad who visit for lunch on Saturdays
• the tiny, shiny sparkles on leaves after rain
• my beautiful husband.

Thanks,

M.

This is for you Bruce - complaining that I hadn't made a connection for some time! just thought you would like this photo of you, one of my great friends!

Love watching you play basketball, love this wig and am so grateful for you and Jackie in our lives. Just stop whinging that I havn't updated my blog - I have more photos worse than this!!!He He He

Love heaps,

M

Number 8

Yes I have joined a basketball team and mynumber is 8! I am so excited. It is week three and I have played 2 games. Very sick for the 3rd - also a late game I am sorry I missed - even sorrier because we WON!!! I am so proud of the girls. It is also great to be running around and getting fitter (the singlets are not a good look!) and laughing at the same time.


Just wanted to let you know.

M.

Being An Artist.

You know it's interesting what people think of your art. I have one piece at the moment on a wall in our house that some say is a man fishing, others a dry and barren coastline in South Australia, another a strange cow with a sad red eye. I guess you have to see it to understand!! Anyway, I feel a bit strange being called an artist. I think it actually has something to do with how you view the world. When you look outside do you see colour, shape, tone, that potential canvas? I do. I am forever looking for angles to study and draw. The only thing is allowing myself the time and allocating the energy to actually drw and paint.

I am so grateful for the opportunities I'm having at uni. I am meeting brilliant people, learning heaps and growing within myself. This semester we are journalling a final destination of a journey we described in paint in semester 1. I am trying to describe my home. Trying pitifully at the moment though! I can't wait to see what my brushes come up with in the end - they seem to have a mind of their own! I'll show you when I get there.

On the way to the destination....here are a few sketches...What do you think?

M

Whistle While I Work

I have never really considered the impact a happy workplace has on me. But today is a great example of feeling good. Everyone around me happy, sun streaming in through the windows and happy customers. I am in a new position with greater responsibility and greater pay. Oh happy day!

I think that I shall stay here as long as they will have me while I am studying...and then when I'm teaching I will have the links to come and browse through great books every so often.

I love the people I work with - Amelia and her romantic adventure to Queensland this weekend, Tim with his amazing stories and smiley dimples, Freya and her fabulous name and the rest!!! I think this workplace has certainly had an impact on me and my faith, been a challenge to my strength of character and bodily strength as well as having changed my reading pattern!

I had better go, I am supposed to be working now!!!

Thanks for the moment.

M