Around the Grounds

The Curious Case of Garlic Nose

Question: When you enrolled your children at Woodleigh, would you have assumed that among the multitude of skills they'd take with them into adult life, Plague Doctor could be one of them? In the days of the Bubonic Plague, beaked masks were filled with potions of different kinds to combat the 'corrupted air.'  Dried flowers, herbs and spices, vinegar-soaked sponges and in History class, Year 8s made theirs with garlic. 

Jersey Girls

We have guests at the Farm for the next three weeks. The beautiful calves are part of Cows Create Careers program, now in its 21st year. The program shows students the diverse career opportunities within Australia’s dairy industry. Our Jersey girls are dairy cattle and will grow up and supply us with milk, cheese, ice cream and butter.

Mother's Day at Minimbah

Mum-love continued this week at Minimbah. A big brekky with croissants as big as your head, flowers in assembly and decorated plant pots, our mums and special women - you know who you are. 

Bee Keeper, Tom

Coastal Nector visited Penbank's ECC kids to show them why local bees are essential to our environment and the food we eat. They were able to touch and smell and see. Beekeeper and surfer, Tom, is spreading the important word about our bees' pollination power and the unique wildflowers we live amongst, making our own local honey so special. 

Rites of Passage Celebration

A small group of Year 10s had their Welcoming Home Ceremony, the conclusion to the Rites of Passage version of the Hattah expedition and a public acknowledgment of the growth and insights gained during their time away. Anchored in the tradition of moving into adulthood as a Rite of Passage, it involved family and community. It encouraged a bridge between the lessons of the camp and everyday life. They all chose the next subject to sit before the group to be celebrated. It could have felt uncomfortable, but it was a meaningful and low-key evening.

Junior Cross Country

Running, red cheeks and ice poles. 
Minimbah and Penbank ran the leafy circuit - some hand holding, some skipping and some serious running business. 

Senior Campus Cross Country

Cross Country wins went to Homestead 3 and RFP1! Special mention to Barnaby for setting a new Year 10 record of 11:03 and Miller on a new Year 12 record of 10:52. Some sausage sizzle records were set too, most likely. 

Soiree

Our clever musicians at Minimbah played to an audience of family and friends. It was a beautiful, glowy autumn afternoon and a lovely evening of music (including the Minecraft theme music!). 

Camp Jungai for Minimbah

Years 3 and 4 went to Camp Jungai in the Rubicon Valley for a night this week. Some nerves for their first year of school camps, but smiles too. 

Until we go around the grounds again next week...