We've finalised the schedule for the week of celebrating motherhood - the Mamapalooza festival! It's shaping up as an exciting week. Please come along and get involved. If we have good crowds, Vee and I will feel encouraged to organise another festival next year! And if you can't come, you can still be involved by helping us with crowdscourcing (ie, fundraising) at Pozible (see below).
*Hey Hey Mama Art Prize:
Artists Celebrating Motherhood.
8th-13th May 2012. Opening Night Tuesday 8th May @ Tap Gallery
Art inspired by motherhood, created by mothers. For entry forms to the art show please email:
mamapaloozasydney@gmail.com or pick up your entry form from Tap Gallery.
*Mama Songwriter Night
Wednesday 9th May 7.30pm @ The Supper Club, The Oxford Hotel, 134 Oxford St. Darlinghurst. Hosted by Carolyn Woodorth. $10 entry includes meal. Songs inspired by motherhood, with Tina Harrod, Mindy Sotiri, Hiske, Kathy Cox, Ruby & Faith, Zelda Smyth, Trish Young (Clouds) and Freya.
*Mama Film Night
Thursday 10th May 7.30pm @ Tap Gallery. Entry by Donation. Films inspired by Motherhood -
Award-winning ‘Maverick Mother’ by Janet Merewether. 'At 39, Janet's biological clock was chiming a deafening 'tic-toc'. A film about single motherhood by choice and the contemporary role of the father.’
And ‘Rock Chikz’ by Vee Malnar. An all girl band have to find a replacement when their keyboard player and mum has to leave to give more time to her family.
*Mama SONGWRITER Night @ Parramatta!
Host Carolyn Woodorth
Friday 11th May from 7.30pm Mars Hill Cafe, 331 Church St. Under 18 venue (no alcohol) - mums can bring their kids! $10 entry. Contact Russell Neale to book a spot songsonstage@hotmail.com
*Mama CLOWN Workshop with Ruby Star
Saturday 12th May 1-5pm: To register call Ruby on 0404917033.
http://www.facebook.com/events/256047717798537/
*Mama VARIETY Night!
Hosted by Lou Lou Pollard. Saturday 12th May 8pm @ Tap Gallery, 278 Palmer St. Darlinghurst. Mama Performers, Clowns, Stand-Up Comics - Christina Van Look, Kathryn Bendall, Kathryn Yuen, Regina Botros, Ruby&Faith and more!
*Mama WORDSMITHS! “Mothers Day”
Sunday 13th May 3pm @ Tap Gallery. Catherine Walsh leads readings and a discussion on Motherhood and the Arts, with Joan Garvan, Andie Fox, and Debra Keenahan. An afternoon tea with poets (Melissa Curran & Patricia Blackman), writers and artists. A free event. Come along after brunch with the family.
For more info or if you would like to get involved
please contact Festival Organiser Vee Malnar 0402036082
or email mamapaloozasydney@gmail.com
We are part of Mamapalooza International.
For more info please go to:www.mamapalooza.com
Find us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/events/299769770062231/
Pozible Crowd Funding: Please go to:
http://www.pozible.com.au/index.php/archive/index/5603/description/0/0
motherhood activism Australia, maternal feminism
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Toni Morrison
An interview with Toni Morrison in The Guardian.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/apr/13/toni-morrison-home-son-love
She has a new book, Home, which I'll read. I've read all her novels. I can't say I've fully understood them all, but spending time with her makes me feel better, hopeful, inspired.
In this interview she talks about the loss of her son, aging, politics in the USA. She is a woman worth listening to.
Here she says again, similar to one of my favourite quotes of hers, how becoming a mother freed her. She began writing fiction at the age of 39. She's now 81. She's written the books she wanted to read.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/apr/13/toni-morrison-home-son-love
She has a new book, Home, which I'll read. I've read all her novels. I can't say I've fully understood them all, but spending time with her makes me feel better, hopeful, inspired.
In this interview she talks about the loss of her son, aging, politics in the USA. She is a woman worth listening to.
Here she says again, similar to one of my favourite quotes of hers, how becoming a mother freed her. She began writing fiction at the age of 39. She's now 81. She's written the books she wanted to read.
At one level, says Morrison, it was terrifically simple. "I was young. I started writing when I was 39. That's the height of life. The real liberation was the kids, because their needs were simple. One, they needed me to be competent. Two, they wanted me to have a sense of humour. And three, they wanted me to be an adult. No one else asked that of me. Not in the workplace – where sometimes they'd want you to be feminine, or dominant, or cute." She smiles. "The kids didn't care if I did my hair, didn't care what I looked like."
Enjoy.Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Clancy's poem to her Nana on the occassion of her 80th birthday
Dear Nana
I love you with all my heart
With friendship, beauty, grace and art.
In a forest you are Snow White,
Always witty, always right.
A page you will turn
in the chapter of life
For you are a Nana and a mum
and don't forget a wife.
Great hope you bring to everyone
Small, young, and bold.
You are my Nana, oh great dear,
You are eighty years old.
I love you with all my heart
With friendship, beauty, grace and art.
In a forest you are Snow White,
Always witty, always right.
A page you will turn
in the chapter of life
For you are a Nana and a mum
and don't forget a wife.
Great hope you bring to everyone
Small, young, and bold.
You are my Nana, oh great dear,
You are eighty years old.
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Easter Morning
We're not big on Easter eggs, and I've never done the Easter bunny. Actually, I've only gone back to eating chocolate after about ten years of eating none. Last year I babysat for a family just after Easter and the children had large piles of chocolate - about 40 eggs and bunnies each. Anyway, this year I've bought a few more treats for the kids. And because I don't do the Easter bunny, Clancy hid my egg and made a treasure hint. Here are her clues.
Chocolate is a galaxy so here is your first clue.
PS if in doubt remember to look behind you
Paper, lots of paper, but sometimes running out
Of white sheets that we really need.
You should really be in doubt.
Clothes, lots of clothes.
Banjo has the most.
Matilda has so little.
She doesn’t mean to boast.
High clothes and low clothes
I sometimes cannot reach.
Clothes for the mountains
Clothes for the beach.
Congratulations
You’ve got one more to find
You should be able to find it,
that is if you’re not blind.
Look outside and you may find
a beautiful Easter egg.
But don’t be too hasty
‘Cause you might fall off the edge.
It was in a tree in the backyard!
Happy Easter.
Chocolate is a galaxy so here is your first clue.
PS if in doubt remember to look behind you
Paper, lots of paper, but sometimes running out
Of white sheets that we really need.
You should really be in doubt.
Clothes, lots of clothes.
Banjo has the most.
Matilda has so little.
She doesn’t mean to boast.
High clothes and low clothes
I sometimes cannot reach.
Clothes for the mountains
Clothes for the beach.
Congratulations
You’ve got one more to find
You should be able to find it,
that is if you’re not blind.
Look outside and you may find
a beautiful Easter egg.
But don’t be too hasty
‘Cause you might fall off the edge.
It was in a tree in the backyard!
Happy Easter.
Religion for Atheists
I was keen to read this book because Alain de Botton argues some points that I argue: that religion fills the basic human needs for community and ritual. I was keen to see an atheist book that acknowledges and respects what belonging to a church or religion provides for people that is good for them and for society.
But, I’m disappointed, for a few reasons.
1. He needs a better editor. He does harp on.
2. He acknowledges that New Atheists in their books (Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens) are quite cruel and dismissive in their rally against religion, yet he does this in a way that joins in the ‘fun’ of religion bashing. Not cool. Especially when you claim your book isn’t in that camp, and acknowledges that millions of people who are religious must get something worthwhile from religion. It only takes a line or two to lose credibility.
3. He refers to religion very broadly. He refers to Christianity, Judaism and Islam, but not to other religions, nor the vast variety within the main religions. Sloppy.
4. He does offer suggestions for secular societies to enjoy and benefit from engaging in rituals and building communities. However these are either far fetched, or impractical or just not very well thought out. I could suggest people are already finding ways to build communities and create rituals to make meaningful events in their lives, whether that be sitting in a circle passing the bong around, or attending a big football match or going to the theatre, or having morning tea and singing songs at playgroup. (We say the Romper Room grace: ‘For our family friends and food we say thankyou.’) Or the shared humanity of acknowledging people’s sorrows in internet forums. He asks that we think more about how to be good and wise, without seeing the ways in which we already do, in conversations big and small, about ourselves and others, known and unknown, in institutions real and virtual. Just as working together in a community garden, attending committee meetings and babyshowers and school assemblies, offering consolation and support on blogs and forums, playing video games together or discussing tv series, books or films, or attending raves, have their own rituals and build community when people come together, in ways that add meaning to our lives, and challenge us to assess ourselves, what we believe, and how we’re faring in attempting to live according to our values and beliefs.
So, I’m calling this book at starting point.
But, I’m disappointed, for a few reasons.
1. He needs a better editor. He does harp on.
2. He acknowledges that New Atheists in their books (Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens) are quite cruel and dismissive in their rally against religion, yet he does this in a way that joins in the ‘fun’ of religion bashing. Not cool. Especially when you claim your book isn’t in that camp, and acknowledges that millions of people who are religious must get something worthwhile from religion. It only takes a line or two to lose credibility.
3. He refers to religion very broadly. He refers to Christianity, Judaism and Islam, but not to other religions, nor the vast variety within the main religions. Sloppy.
4. He does offer suggestions for secular societies to enjoy and benefit from engaging in rituals and building communities. However these are either far fetched, or impractical or just not very well thought out. I could suggest people are already finding ways to build communities and create rituals to make meaningful events in their lives, whether that be sitting in a circle passing the bong around, or attending a big football match or going to the theatre, or having morning tea and singing songs at playgroup. (We say the Romper Room grace: ‘For our family friends and food we say thankyou.’) Or the shared humanity of acknowledging people’s sorrows in internet forums. He asks that we think more about how to be good and wise, without seeing the ways in which we already do, in conversations big and small, about ourselves and others, known and unknown, in institutions real and virtual. Just as working together in a community garden, attending committee meetings and babyshowers and school assemblies, offering consolation and support on blogs and forums, playing video games together or discussing tv series, books or films, or attending raves, have their own rituals and build community when people come together, in ways that add meaning to our lives, and challenge us to assess ourselves, what we believe, and how we’re faring in attempting to live according to our values and beliefs.
So, I’m calling this book at starting point.
Friday, April 06, 2012
The Picasso Exhibition
I went to this exhibition, but didn't really enjoy it, for a number of reasons.
I wonder how many people go to these kinds of events because they are truly interested, and how many go because they think they should be interested, or because it is culturally good for them, an equivalent of eating their vegetables? Or because it is a socially acceptable outing for women of a certain age?
Every time I see the celebration of a major male artist I wonder about the women who made his food and washed his clothes. In the case of Picasso there was a series of women to renew his spirits and share the work. He painted them. They took care of him and his children. I wonder if he ever made his own sandwich or interacted with his own children. It feeds into the ideal of the artist as someone with no care responsibilities, and expendable relationships. The kind of artist that mothers just can't be. The kind of ideal that mother artists, in any artform, rally against.
I was just as interested in watching the people at the Art Gallery as I was in the exhibits. Perhaps more so. People are interesting. My main thought at Picasso's works was this:considering he could draw so well at a young age, and do any type of art he liked, why was he not interested in conventional beauty? Why did he not use his talents to add to the beauty of the world? And yes, I understand he was creating new forms and commenting on his world, and that world is not always beautiful, but that was my thought. If you could create beauty, why wouldn't you?
I was more interested in the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, after seeing the doco on tv that same week I attended the Picasso exhibition. But perhaps Jean-Michel Basquiat could not have done the work he did without Picasso.
I wonder how many people go to these kinds of events because they are truly interested, and how many go because they think they should be interested, or because it is culturally good for them, an equivalent of eating their vegetables? Or because it is a socially acceptable outing for women of a certain age?
Every time I see the celebration of a major male artist I wonder about the women who made his food and washed his clothes. In the case of Picasso there was a series of women to renew his spirits and share the work. He painted them. They took care of him and his children. I wonder if he ever made his own sandwich or interacted with his own children. It feeds into the ideal of the artist as someone with no care responsibilities, and expendable relationships. The kind of artist that mothers just can't be. The kind of ideal that mother artists, in any artform, rally against.
I was just as interested in watching the people at the Art Gallery as I was in the exhibits. Perhaps more so. People are interesting. My main thought at Picasso's works was this:considering he could draw so well at a young age, and do any type of art he liked, why was he not interested in conventional beauty? Why did he not use his talents to add to the beauty of the world? And yes, I understand he was creating new forms and commenting on his world, and that world is not always beautiful, but that was my thought. If you could create beauty, why wouldn't you?
I was more interested in the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, after seeing the doco on tv that same week I attended the Picasso exhibition. But perhaps Jean-Michel Basquiat could not have done the work he did without Picasso.
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Sexism on tv
Good on Clem Bastow for pointing out sexism on tv in this article for Daily Life. (Not sure I agree about Agony Uncles, but anyway.) A job worth doing.
http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-culture/sexist-tv-a-spotters-guide-20120403-1w9sb.html
What I don't understand is why she included this paragraph.
(If you’re anything like me – i.e. a tiresome, man-hating feminist who would rather plait her overgrown underarm hair than engage with popular culture – it’s rather more difficult, when it comes to Australian broadcasting, to find a TV show that doesn’t display some level of sexism.)
How does that add to the argument in any positive way? Has she no editor?
http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-culture/sexist-tv-a-spotters-guide-20120403-1w9sb.html
What I don't understand is why she included this paragraph.
(If you’re anything like me – i.e. a tiresome, man-hating feminist who would rather plait her overgrown underarm hair than engage with popular culture – it’s rather more difficult, when it comes to Australian broadcasting, to find a TV show that doesn’t display some level of sexism.)
How does that add to the argument in any positive way? Has she no editor?
A Woman of a Certain Age
This week I've been referred to as 'the lady', 'that woman', and 'someone', even though I was right there - 'Hello! I'm the someone!' That's what I said.
Is this the invisibility of an aging woman?
Or have I just encountered some rude people this week?
I do seem to be visible at the baking aisle of the supermarket. People consult me. 'Yes I have used that brand of flour. Yes it is fine for making white sauce.' Matronly.
I'm not exactly shy, and I do often wear bright colours. If I was more retiring, or not so determined, or not feeling well, I'd be quite hurt.
And while I need to dress for function (I really can't see myself getting around like the women featured in Advanced Style) it would be nice to not be invisible. Time to speak out against rudeness perhaps, or make a point of introducing myself to everyone, multiple times.
http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com.au/
Is this the invisibility of an aging woman?
Or have I just encountered some rude people this week?
I do seem to be visible at the baking aisle of the supermarket. People consult me. 'Yes I have used that brand of flour. Yes it is fine for making white sauce.' Matronly.
I'm not exactly shy, and I do often wear bright colours. If I was more retiring, or not so determined, or not feeling well, I'd be quite hurt.
And while I need to dress for function (I really can't see myself getting around like the women featured in Advanced Style) it would be nice to not be invisible. Time to speak out against rudeness perhaps, or make a point of introducing myself to everyone, multiple times.
http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com.au/
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Women Literary Events
The Sydney Writers festival is coming up - they've just released their schedule of events. I always scan looking for feminist and women's (perhaps even mothering - hardly likely) events.
I'm finding their picture a little confusing. I know their theme is private vs public, but the picture of a woman with her eyes and mouth blanked like in the photos of people who are naked and abused is confronting. Maybe not in the way they intended. I'm not comfortable with it. I guess they were going for 'edgey'. I'm calling it 'distasteful'.
Anyway, here's what they're offering this year.
The Feminist Supremacy? With Kathy Lette, Tara Moss, Emily McGuire, Catherine Deveny and Julia Baird.
http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,3114/task,view_detail/
Girl Trouble, about chic lit, with Toni Jordan, Kathy Lette and Gretel Killeen.
http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,3083/task,view_detail/
Women on Top, workshop with Toni Jordan
http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,2928/task,view_detail/
With My Body, Nikky Gemmell
http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,3089/task,view_detail/
Now, I'm not saying I'm going to all these. Or any. I'm a bit ennuied with literary talks and writers' festivals. I realised years ago that they are marketplaces for selling books, not ideas. They are places for people with disposable time and income to gather tales for their dinner parties. They don't actually change anything. (Silly me...)
Also, The Hoopla is holding a literary lunch to support the Stella Prize, a new award for women's writing.
http://thestellaprize.com.au/
See Monia Dux on why we need to support women's writing here:
http://thehoopla.com.au/hoopla-stella-lunch/?cpg=2
I pretty much only read women's writing these days.
But of course, I'm hoping that anyone interested in these events will be attending the Mama Wordsmiths event on Mothers Day at the Tap Gallery, which is the final event of the Mamapalooza Sydney festival, and which I'm hosting.
I'm finding their picture a little confusing. I know their theme is private vs public, but the picture of a woman with her eyes and mouth blanked like in the photos of people who are naked and abused is confronting. Maybe not in the way they intended. I'm not comfortable with it. I guess they were going for 'edgey'. I'm calling it 'distasteful'.
Anyway, here's what they're offering this year.
The Feminist Supremacy? With Kathy Lette, Tara Moss, Emily McGuire, Catherine Deveny and Julia Baird.
http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,3114/task,view_detail/
Girl Trouble, about chic lit, with Toni Jordan, Kathy Lette and Gretel Killeen.
http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,3083/task,view_detail/Women on Top, workshop with Toni Jordan
http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,2928/task,view_detail/
Subject and Self: Muslim Women Writers Talk, with Randa Abdel-Fattah, Nasrin Mahoutchi-Hosaini, Eugenia Flynn, Samah Hadid
http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,3058/task,view_detail/
http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,3058/task,view_detail/
With My Body, Nikky Gemmell
http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,3089/task,view_detail/
Now, I'm not saying I'm going to all these. Or any. I'm a bit ennuied with literary talks and writers' festivals. I realised years ago that they are marketplaces for selling books, not ideas. They are places for people with disposable time and income to gather tales for their dinner parties. They don't actually change anything. (Silly me...)
Also, The Hoopla is holding a literary lunch to support the Stella Prize, a new award for women's writing.
http://thestellaprize.com.au/
See Monia Dux on why we need to support women's writing here:
http://thehoopla.com.au/hoopla-stella-lunch/?cpg=2
I pretty much only read women's writing these days.
But of course, I'm hoping that anyone interested in these events will be attending the Mama Wordsmiths event on Mothers Day at the Tap Gallery, which is the final event of the Mamapalooza Sydney festival, and which I'm hosting.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Marriage Equality
A few more days until the submissions to the Senate Inquiry close.
Click here to sign the GetUp! petition.
http://www.getup.org.au/senate-inquiry
Or click here to make a submission to the Inquiry.
http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/help-make-marriage-equality-happen-send-a-submission-to-the-marriage-equality-inquiries/
Here's hoping we can achieve equal rights under the law.
Click here to sign the GetUp! petition.
http://www.getup.org.au/
Or click here to make a submission to the Inquiry.
http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/help-make-marriage-equality-happen-send-a-submission-to-the-marriage-equality-inquiries/
Here's hoping we can achieve equal rights under the law.
The death of Adrienne Rich
Here is a link to the NYT obituary for Adrienne Rich, feminist poet and activist.
Adrienne Rich, Feminist Poet and Author, Dies at 82
www.nytimes.com
Adrienne Rich’s Of Woman Born, published in 1976, was the first book to examine motherhood as socially constructed under a patriarchy. She gave us the language with which to theorise motherhood.
And a note from Andrea O'Reilly, head of the Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement, based at York University, Toronto, wrote:
A sad day indeed for feminist mother scholars around the world; we lost our Adrienne Rich. I recd the news minutes before I had to teach my Intro to WMST class..so have not even had the time to process this loss or attempt to put my love and grief into words. I can only say now--and i hope i may be more articulate later-- that it was Rich who saved so many of us --in theory and practice-- from patriarchal motherhood and made possible empowered mothering. Thank you Adrienne for being the original Mother Outlaw and enabling us to be and do the same. You are deeply loved and will be missed.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Crowdsourcing for Mamapalooza
Have a look here:
http://www.pozible.com.au/index.php/archive/index/5603/description/0/0
We're trying to raise some money for the Mamapalooza art prize. Please let everyone know.
I'll post the schedule and new poster shortly.
We're getting there!
http://www.pozible.com.au/index.php/archive/index/5603/description/0/0
We're trying to raise some money for the Mamapalooza art prize. Please let everyone know.
I'll post the schedule and new poster shortly.
We're getting there!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Mothers Day in the UK
Mothers Day in the UK, and The Guardian has a few treats, especially for a fan of Helen Simpson’s writing..
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/audio/2012/mar/14/helen-simpson-short-story-podcast
as well as podcasts of other writers reading short stories for Mothers Day.
A review of Stories of Motherhood, edited by Diana Secker Tesdell.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/mar/18/stories-motherhood-bowen-toibin-munro
And a quick overview of mothers in literature.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2012/mar/15/mothers-day-mum-word-literary?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487
And the Guardian Bookshop is selling Women of the Revolution: Forty years of Feminism, by Kira Cochrane, a collection of Guardian articles.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/audio/2012/mar/14/helen-simpson-short-story-podcast
as well as podcasts of other writers reading short stories for Mothers Day.
A review of Stories of Motherhood, edited by Diana Secker Tesdell.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/mar/18/stories-motherhood-bowen-toibin-munro
And a quick overview of mothers in literature.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2012/mar/15/mothers-day-mum-word-literary?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487
And the Guardian Bookshop is selling Women of the Revolution: Forty years of Feminism, by Kira Cochrane, a collection of Guardian articles.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Testing Times
Yesterday was the day of the Selective Schools Test. It is a day that many families prepare for for a long time, spending a lot of time and money preparing their child for the test, which determines entrance to selective schools.
She’d been feeling sick the day before, and had a day at home, resting. She wasn’t feeling well for the day of the test either, and took some panadol, which she said didn’t work.
As the children went in to do the test some of the parents admitted they were anxious and feeling a bit sick, and that they needed to go somewhere and calm down.
We didn’t do any coaching. My daughter did a few practice tests, between doing her homework, and her usual activities. She marked her own papers. We pretty much left her to it. She did practice trying to complete the paper in the set time. She didn’t do any practice for the written part. As she went into the test I said, ‘Have fun’.
The test was to take from 9am to 1.15, with four components to complete. In fact they finished at 2.20, so we didn’t bother going back to school as we had planned. We went out for iced chocolate. She told me that one of her friends was crying during a break, because she didn’t have time to finish the test, and felt she wasn’t doing as well as she had in the practices. The girls tried to comfort their friend, saying that test condition make the test harder, and calm down, she’ll be ok, not everyone can finish the test. Another of their friends had brought no food to eat in the breaks. So the girls chipped in and each gave her some of their food.
There were some boys there from a private school. For those families, accepting a place at a selective school would mean a savings of nearly $200,000. One of these boys spoke during the test, and had one of his papers disqualified. I wonder if he told his parents.
Before we went to pick up her sisters she told me that she’s glad we didn’t send her to a coaching college. She said that if she’d practised much more she would have felt more pressure, and wouldn’t have done as well. She’s aware that some of the kids in her year are sitting lots of tests at the moment. Applying for scholarships at private schools. They’re feeling the pressure.
More and more other mums are saying to me that they are told they can choose a school for their child, but really, the school chooses them. And they are tired to going to open days and shopping for schools. The application for public high schools had to be submitted today, and I sent in my daughter’s resume (she’s eleven) and copies of all her certificates. We are lucky that we like our local public school. There won’t be any shopping around for the next two children who graduate primary school. We want what we already have, our local public school, and we’re happy.
As for the test, I reckon she and her friends have already passed with flying colours.
She’d been feeling sick the day before, and had a day at home, resting. She wasn’t feeling well for the day of the test either, and took some panadol, which she said didn’t work.
As the children went in to do the test some of the parents admitted they were anxious and feeling a bit sick, and that they needed to go somewhere and calm down.
We didn’t do any coaching. My daughter did a few practice tests, between doing her homework, and her usual activities. She marked her own papers. We pretty much left her to it. She did practice trying to complete the paper in the set time. She didn’t do any practice for the written part. As she went into the test I said, ‘Have fun’.
The test was to take from 9am to 1.15, with four components to complete. In fact they finished at 2.20, so we didn’t bother going back to school as we had planned. We went out for iced chocolate. She told me that one of her friends was crying during a break, because she didn’t have time to finish the test, and felt she wasn’t doing as well as she had in the practices. The girls tried to comfort their friend, saying that test condition make the test harder, and calm down, she’ll be ok, not everyone can finish the test. Another of their friends had brought no food to eat in the breaks. So the girls chipped in and each gave her some of their food.
There were some boys there from a private school. For those families, accepting a place at a selective school would mean a savings of nearly $200,000. One of these boys spoke during the test, and had one of his papers disqualified. I wonder if he told his parents.
Before we went to pick up her sisters she told me that she’s glad we didn’t send her to a coaching college. She said that if she’d practised much more she would have felt more pressure, and wouldn’t have done as well. She’s aware that some of the kids in her year are sitting lots of tests at the moment. Applying for scholarships at private schools. They’re feeling the pressure.
More and more other mums are saying to me that they are told they can choose a school for their child, but really, the school chooses them. And they are tired to going to open days and shopping for schools. The application for public high schools had to be submitted today, and I sent in my daughter’s resume (she’s eleven) and copies of all her certificates. We are lucky that we like our local public school. There won’t be any shopping around for the next two children who graduate primary school. We want what we already have, our local public school, and we’re happy.
As for the test, I reckon she and her friends have already passed with flying colours.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Questions for real matchmaking.
My partner and I were matched at the Desperate and Dateless Ball.
When my sister and I met him and his flatmate, my sister said, ‘he’s for you’ and that was it.
In order to be matched we answered a few questions, but really I think we were matched because we lived near each other and are close in age.
We’ve since attended a number of weddings together and seen those couples break up.
So, here are my questions I would suggest people ask each other before they make a commitment together (our commitment was having three children together).
Do you recycle? Do you feel the need to buy the latest everything, and update the appliances as a matter of style, or do you believe we need to use the earth’s resources carefully?
Do you want to have children?
What do you believe about children? Are they born bad and need to be bent to the will of adults in order to succumb to societal rules, or are they born innocent and just trying to have their needs met even if meeting those needs may not be convenient for adults?
Do you think your own parents did a good job? Were they good role models for you?
Do you believe in a god? How do you feel about religion? How accepting are you of people belonging to religious groups?
What do you believe in? Astrology? Aliens? Ghosts? The power of crystals?
What is your attitude to money? That rich people are mean or that they’re lucky? That people are poor through their own fault? That money is to be hoarded? To be squandered? That it represents something?
Hoarding. Are you happy to get rid of things? Or do you feel the need to hold onto objects.
What level of tidy / messy are you comfortable living in? Are you happy to do household cleaning?
Attitude to food. What do you eat and not eat? Do you make everything from scratch, or eat from packets? What is food for?
What music do you like? How loud do you like it?
Sport. For watching or playing? How often? Do you follow a team? How closely?
Smoking and drinking. What, and how much? How does it affect you?
Where do you want to live? City? Country? By the sea? In a house of mud? Wood? Stone?
I think that covers just about everything. Helps me remember that my partner and I really are well matched!
What questions would you put on a matchmaking questionnaire?
When my sister and I met him and his flatmate, my sister said, ‘he’s for you’ and that was it.
In order to be matched we answered a few questions, but really I think we were matched because we lived near each other and are close in age.
We’ve since attended a number of weddings together and seen those couples break up.
So, here are my questions I would suggest people ask each other before they make a commitment together (our commitment was having three children together).
Do you recycle? Do you feel the need to buy the latest everything, and update the appliances as a matter of style, or do you believe we need to use the earth’s resources carefully?
Do you want to have children?
What do you believe about children? Are they born bad and need to be bent to the will of adults in order to succumb to societal rules, or are they born innocent and just trying to have their needs met even if meeting those needs may not be convenient for adults?
Do you think your own parents did a good job? Were they good role models for you?
Do you believe in a god? How do you feel about religion? How accepting are you of people belonging to religious groups?
What do you believe in? Astrology? Aliens? Ghosts? The power of crystals?
What is your attitude to money? That rich people are mean or that they’re lucky? That people are poor through their own fault? That money is to be hoarded? To be squandered? That it represents something?
Hoarding. Are you happy to get rid of things? Or do you feel the need to hold onto objects.
What level of tidy / messy are you comfortable living in? Are you happy to do household cleaning?
Attitude to food. What do you eat and not eat? Do you make everything from scratch, or eat from packets? What is food for?
What music do you like? How loud do you like it?
Sport. For watching or playing? How often? Do you follow a team? How closely?
Smoking and drinking. What, and how much? How does it affect you?
Where do you want to live? City? Country? By the sea? In a house of mud? Wood? Stone?
I think that covers just about everything. Helps me remember that my partner and I really are well matched!
What questions would you put on a matchmaking questionnaire?
Sharing favourite movies with the children
I saw my sister in law and her teenage and young adult children recently. They were talking about the movies she’s made them watch: Carrie, Halloween, Scream. My sister in law goes for familiarity with horror films as part of a well rounded education.
There are lots of movies I’m keen to share with my kids. I’m waiting for them to be a bit older. I’m hoping they’ll enjoy these movies as much as I do.
Harold and Maude. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, West Side Story, To Kill a Mockingbird, The World According to Garp.
They’ve already watched Singin’ in the Rain, National Velvet, A Place in the Sun, with various levels of enthusiasm.
I used to love theses movies, but I’m not sure that I want to watch Barbarella, Lolita or Drugstore Cowboy with my kids.
What movies do you love, that you’re keen to share with your kids, hoping that they’ll love them too? Have you shared any favourites with the children that they've loved? Or are they ho-hum?
There are lots of movies I’m keen to share with my kids. I’m waiting for them to be a bit older. I’m hoping they’ll enjoy these movies as much as I do.
Harold and Maude. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, West Side Story, To Kill a Mockingbird, The World According to Garp.
They’ve already watched Singin’ in the Rain, National Velvet, A Place in the Sun, with various levels of enthusiasm.
I used to love theses movies, but I’m not sure that I want to watch Barbarella, Lolita or Drugstore Cowboy with my kids.
What movies do you love, that you’re keen to share with your kids, hoping that they’ll love them too? Have you shared any favourites with the children that they've loved? Or are they ho-hum?
The bedtime routine
In theory, the children share a room because they love being together. They all go to bed at the same time, about 8.30, have a little chat together after I kiss them all goodnight, and go to sleep.
In reality, they all sleep in the same room because we don’t have enough space. They go to bed at the same time because the younger ones don’t like being in the room alone. They get ready for bed at 8.30, most nights, all mucking about, dancing, doing their hair, and so on. After shouting at them a few times I find someone still hasn’t put on their pyjamas or brushed their teeth. They seem surprised that the routine they’ve been following since they were about one, hasn’t changed for the night. I finally manage to get them to bed. I give each of them a kiss and a hug, but some of these exchanges end in me struggling to get away and save myself from getting hurt. Someone jumps up because they have to do something, then someone else needs cream for a mozzie bite, and someone else needs a glass of water, and the youngest doesn’t want to be left alone, so they’re all up. Or someone realises they have news in the morning and don’t know the topic and can I call so-and-so’s mum and ask? I get them back to bed, but someone has offended or hurt someone else and someone starts crying. Whoever is crying, or gets up after five minutes saying they can’t sleep, I send to sleep in my bed. Everyone needs more hugs and kisses. Eventually they all settle by about 9.30.
In reality, they all sleep in the same room because we don’t have enough space. They go to bed at the same time because the younger ones don’t like being in the room alone. They get ready for bed at 8.30, most nights, all mucking about, dancing, doing their hair, and so on. After shouting at them a few times I find someone still hasn’t put on their pyjamas or brushed their teeth. They seem surprised that the routine they’ve been following since they were about one, hasn’t changed for the night. I finally manage to get them to bed. I give each of them a kiss and a hug, but some of these exchanges end in me struggling to get away and save myself from getting hurt. Someone jumps up because they have to do something, then someone else needs cream for a mozzie bite, and someone else needs a glass of water, and the youngest doesn’t want to be left alone, so they’re all up. Or someone realises they have news in the morning and don’t know the topic and can I call so-and-so’s mum and ask? I get them back to bed, but someone has offended or hurt someone else and someone starts crying. Whoever is crying, or gets up after five minutes saying they can’t sleep, I send to sleep in my bed. Everyone needs more hugs and kisses. Eventually they all settle by about 9.30.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
The Squeaky Wheels
This week. A cry from Banjo ‘I just want to have a nice childhood’ when she insisted I play a board game with her, and from Clancy ‘I miss doing craft projects at home - I don’t have any time!’
I played the board games (two days) and told Clancy that yes, I miss reading for pleasure, because I’m busy too, but she can do craft projects on the weekend, and during the holidays, and she could do more craft if she watched less tv. (Hang on, I could read for pleasure if I didn’t watch tv. Hmm) Priorities. If we want to do the things that are important to us, longterm, (band for her, uni for me) then we might need to sacrifice some other things.
But the squeakiest wheel this week is their dad.
Again, I’ve been thinking I’m doing too much. Is the paid job worth it if I put a lot of my own unpaid time into it? Can I get ahead so it runs more smoothly? What else can I cut back on, or delegate, so I can get ahead with uni work? I bought some frozen food. Now I need to carve out blocks of time to just do uni and nothing else. Even on the weekends. After the first assignment is handed in, I’ll be feeling much better. And I’m grateful for everything that is being cancelled, for one reason or another.
I’m thinking it is all good practice for teaching, which entails loads of preparation time, and is something I’ll have to learn to manage. Learning now.
And applications for high schools. Open days and nights. We squeezed in a few visits, but didn’t go to them all. My 11 year old is writing her resume for her applications. It’s crazy. The local public school is fine, and it bothers me that it is presented as a fallback position: apply to your preferences, but if you fail you’ll get the local public school as a consolation. Not really promoting public schools. People seem to think their local public school only has students who aren’t good enough to get into somewhere better. Not a great attitude and not true. People have their own reasons to consider when choosing schools, and, as a wise principal said, you need to consider what your family values, in term of a range of issues, when you choose a school. Every parent of a Year 6 son I’ve spoken to has said they need their son to attend a co-ed school. They seem to think all boys schools are roughhouses and the smaller, smarter boys will be mowed down. I’m not so sure. I’m told the co-ed schools are pretty boy heavy, so don’t really have gender balance. And lots of attitudes to various schools based on nothing more than gossip. Does my head in.
I really want my oldest girl to attend a different school from the younger two, so they have their own space and aren’t in her shadow. I’m saving the local public school for the younger two. So she’s applying to two others. But if they are all at the local public, then that would be fine too. Really, being close by is the main consideration for me - I don’t want them spending a lot of time each day on travel. And I know that the closer the school is, the more likely I am to attend any events. (The circle I move in is more like a dot!) I’m starting to base my hopes for high schools of where they go for the overseas trip. In one school the dance group goes to New York. Seems to be as good a reason to apply to a school as any other.
Second semester will be easier. Won’t it?
I played the board games (two days) and told Clancy that yes, I miss reading for pleasure, because I’m busy too, but she can do craft projects on the weekend, and during the holidays, and she could do more craft if she watched less tv. (Hang on, I could read for pleasure if I didn’t watch tv. Hmm) Priorities. If we want to do the things that are important to us, longterm, (band for her, uni for me) then we might need to sacrifice some other things.
But the squeakiest wheel this week is their dad.
Again, I’ve been thinking I’m doing too much. Is the paid job worth it if I put a lot of my own unpaid time into it? Can I get ahead so it runs more smoothly? What else can I cut back on, or delegate, so I can get ahead with uni work? I bought some frozen food. Now I need to carve out blocks of time to just do uni and nothing else. Even on the weekends. After the first assignment is handed in, I’ll be feeling much better. And I’m grateful for everything that is being cancelled, for one reason or another.
I’m thinking it is all good practice for teaching, which entails loads of preparation time, and is something I’ll have to learn to manage. Learning now.
And applications for high schools. Open days and nights. We squeezed in a few visits, but didn’t go to them all. My 11 year old is writing her resume for her applications. It’s crazy. The local public school is fine, and it bothers me that it is presented as a fallback position: apply to your preferences, but if you fail you’ll get the local public school as a consolation. Not really promoting public schools. People seem to think their local public school only has students who aren’t good enough to get into somewhere better. Not a great attitude and not true. People have their own reasons to consider when choosing schools, and, as a wise principal said, you need to consider what your family values, in term of a range of issues, when you choose a school. Every parent of a Year 6 son I’ve spoken to has said they need their son to attend a co-ed school. They seem to think all boys schools are roughhouses and the smaller, smarter boys will be mowed down. I’m not so sure. I’m told the co-ed schools are pretty boy heavy, so don’t really have gender balance. And lots of attitudes to various schools based on nothing more than gossip. Does my head in.
I really want my oldest girl to attend a different school from the younger two, so they have their own space and aren’t in her shadow. I’m saving the local public school for the younger two. So she’s applying to two others. But if they are all at the local public, then that would be fine too. Really, being close by is the main consideration for me - I don’t want them spending a lot of time each day on travel. And I know that the closer the school is, the more likely I am to attend any events. (The circle I move in is more like a dot!) I’m starting to base my hopes for high schools of where they go for the overseas trip. In one school the dance group goes to New York. Seems to be as good a reason to apply to a school as any other.
Second semester will be easier. Won’t it?
Sunday, March 04, 2012
The F-Word Feminist Day at the Opera House
Very happy to report that the discussion covered women in global contexts, rather than concentrating on white western women (my previous complaint about these events.)
Here’s what everyone said, in a nutshell.
Germaine Greer
Prefers Women’s Liberation Movement to the word Feminism.
Suggests we join the Country Women’s Association.
Suggests we join a green group. Was it Women of the Earth? I’ll check.
We need to move on from considering abortion as a badge of feminist honour and start talking about the rights of the foetus and the very real violence that abortion is. Move on to talking about responsibility for contraception.
Talked about the word ‘fuck’. As a word that damages. The fucker and the fuckee. That the one who fucks without permission is the one who is damaged, not the one who is fucked.
Identifying as feminist is enough for her, even if you disagree with said feminists’ politics.
Talked about personal relationships. Self confidence. Not trying to please men. Encouraged women to be difficult.
Was funny.
Naomi Wolf
She’s just written a book called Vagina.
Shes interested in how the ideas of the Enlightenment are merging with feminism for women in the Middle East and Muslim women.
She’s interested in democracy as a process, so if you identify as feminist, that’s good enough for her - she takes you at face value that you believe you are helping women - then you can have a discussion.
She’d rather we start by celebrating the successes of feminism instead of starting with its failures.
She told a 20 year old that you can be a feminist, have children a, career, friends and lover, and be happy.
She told the audience that any of you can lead an aspect of the movement - don’t wait for someone else to lead.
Eliza Griswold
A news foreign correspondent who has worked a lot in the Middle East. Her main concern is the women in Afghanistan.
Clem Bastow
Makes jam and works in her pyjamas. (Didn’t I say she would be out of her depth here?)
And she offended many when she suggested older aren’t hip to online feminism because they can’t type on a keyboard...
The event would have been better if they just stuck to the questions already submitted, instead of taking questions from the audience, because, frankly, they were rants and not clear questions, or were rehashing ground we’d just covered (female genital cutting) and wanted to move on. And Eva Cox asked a question. Doesn’t she have enough platforms to talk from? Couldn’t someone else have a go? Why do we always say that young women aren’t engaged with feminism when a quick look at the audience shows there were lots of young women in attendance. And do we really have to end every feminist meeting with ‘what now?”
Here’s what everyone said, in a nutshell.
Germaine Greer
Prefers Women’s Liberation Movement to the word Feminism.
Suggests we join the Country Women’s Association.
Suggests we join a green group. Was it Women of the Earth? I’ll check.
We need to move on from considering abortion as a badge of feminist honour and start talking about the rights of the foetus and the very real violence that abortion is. Move on to talking about responsibility for contraception.
Talked about the word ‘fuck’. As a word that damages. The fucker and the fuckee. That the one who fucks without permission is the one who is damaged, not the one who is fucked.
Identifying as feminist is enough for her, even if you disagree with said feminists’ politics.
Talked about personal relationships. Self confidence. Not trying to please men. Encouraged women to be difficult.
Was funny.
Naomi Wolf
She’s just written a book called Vagina.
Shes interested in how the ideas of the Enlightenment are merging with feminism for women in the Middle East and Muslim women.
She’s interested in democracy as a process, so if you identify as feminist, that’s good enough for her - she takes you at face value that you believe you are helping women - then you can have a discussion.
She’d rather we start by celebrating the successes of feminism instead of starting with its failures.
She told a 20 year old that you can be a feminist, have children a, career, friends and lover, and be happy.
She told the audience that any of you can lead an aspect of the movement - don’t wait for someone else to lead.
Eliza Griswold
A news foreign correspondent who has worked a lot in the Middle East. Her main concern is the women in Afghanistan.
Clem Bastow
Makes jam and works in her pyjamas. (Didn’t I say she would be out of her depth here?)
And she offended many when she suggested older aren’t hip to online feminism because they can’t type on a keyboard...
The event would have been better if they just stuck to the questions already submitted, instead of taking questions from the audience, because, frankly, they were rants and not clear questions, or were rehashing ground we’d just covered (female genital cutting) and wanted to move on. And Eva Cox asked a question. Doesn’t she have enough platforms to talk from? Couldn’t someone else have a go? Why do we always say that young women aren’t engaged with feminism when a quick look at the audience shows there were lots of young women in attendance. And do we really have to end every feminist meeting with ‘what now?”
Friday, March 02, 2012
Keeping the wheels on
So this is what it takes for the wheels to fall off.
One child bandaging her sore ankle. then not being able to find shoes to put on, to take her sister to ballet class in the rain, having a major spak, making her sister late, everyone crying, and finally settling down when we arrive, to find that, after all that, sister doesn’t have her ballet shoes with her.
Rain, that means the clothes aren’t washed as quickly as usual, so a child has to wear a school top she doesn’t like, and gets into a crying jag before school.
A lost pencil case.
Having sisters in composite classes in the same stage. Younger child not trusting friends who are friends with her older sister, who, when the older sister is around, treats her like the annoying younger sister.
People being so pedantic about what someone else says that they are too busy correcting each other to have a conversation. Drives me crazy.
When the wheels fall off I run a quick list of options through my mind. I could go crazy. I could be calm and quiet. I could walk away and leave them to it. What works in one scenario may not work for another.
I woke up yesterday feeling stressed about everything I’m trying to do, thinking I should drop out of uni because it is all just too much. My teeth were hurting - fed up to the back teeth. I’m well aware that middle class stress is nothing compared to the stress of trying to house your children, feed them, clothe them and keep them safe. Then I found I can do more units over summer, speeding up the study. I can be qualified by June next year. So now I’ve booked for my residential school in the Easter holidays, we’ve had a chat about everyone helping out, and I’ll keep going. Really, we just need to eat, sleep and be kind to each other. Everything else is a bonus.
But for now, I have to get the washing dry.
One child bandaging her sore ankle. then not being able to find shoes to put on, to take her sister to ballet class in the rain, having a major spak, making her sister late, everyone crying, and finally settling down when we arrive, to find that, after all that, sister doesn’t have her ballet shoes with her.
Rain, that means the clothes aren’t washed as quickly as usual, so a child has to wear a school top she doesn’t like, and gets into a crying jag before school.
A lost pencil case.
Having sisters in composite classes in the same stage. Younger child not trusting friends who are friends with her older sister, who, when the older sister is around, treats her like the annoying younger sister.
People being so pedantic about what someone else says that they are too busy correcting each other to have a conversation. Drives me crazy.
When the wheels fall off I run a quick list of options through my mind. I could go crazy. I could be calm and quiet. I could walk away and leave them to it. What works in one scenario may not work for another.
I woke up yesterday feeling stressed about everything I’m trying to do, thinking I should drop out of uni because it is all just too much. My teeth were hurting - fed up to the back teeth. I’m well aware that middle class stress is nothing compared to the stress of trying to house your children, feed them, clothe them and keep them safe. Then I found I can do more units over summer, speeding up the study. I can be qualified by June next year. So now I’ve booked for my residential school in the Easter holidays, we’ve had a chat about everyone helping out, and I’ll keep going. Really, we just need to eat, sleep and be kind to each other. Everything else is a bonus.
But for now, I have to get the washing dry.
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Questions at F-Word: A Day of Feminist Debate
http://ideas.sydneyoperahouse.com/2012/do-you-have-a-question/
Have a look here for questions submitted for the speakers at the F-Word event at the Opera House on Sunday. I'll be there for the last event of the day. Look like a very interesting event, and I'm sorry to be missing the first two sessions (celebrating my mother's 80th birthday!). I'm hoping the event will be recorded, and I can catch up later.
Good questions here.
Have a look here for questions submitted for the speakers at the F-Word event at the Opera House on Sunday. I'll be there for the last event of the day. Look like a very interesting event, and I'm sorry to be missing the first two sessions (celebrating my mother's 80th birthday!). I'm hoping the event will be recorded, and I can catch up later.
Good questions here.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Here's what I've been thinking about
Here’s what I’ve been thinking about.
Today: three children, three parties. Two at the same time. Two at the same place but at different times. Diva is still selling Playboy jewellery.
The children’s news. Clancy did a power point presentation on Bolivia’s Laws of Mother Nature. Matilda is going to do a presentation on where mobile phones and ipads come from (Congo,China). I’m glad to see this story now has some traction. Lots of FB posts, and GetUp has a petition. Matilda has an article published in the hardcopy version of New Moon Girls, about how animals are treated in food production. I’ll put up a link when I find it online.
The children complaining that I no longer come running every time they get hurt, or that they cry. I guess I’ve got used to the fact that they’ll probably live, and I need to push on with making dinner. Clancy has asked me to come and comfort her whenever she runs to her room in a huff, because that’s what mums on tv would do. (And, she needs the attention.)
Shopping for high schools. Lots of open days at schools. I’m thinking that shopping for high school is an exercise in family branding. “We consider ourselves... THIS type of family.” I resent the expectation that we shop for a school. We are given the impression that we choose, but really the schools do the choosing. Our local public school is fine. I don’t know what I’d do if it wasn’t fine. I’d like to think we’d join and help make it fine. Sure, Matilda will be applying for a place at a selective school. She’s the kind of student selective school are for. She’s decided against auditioning for the performing arts school. If she doesn’t get in to selective, she goes to the local public. I’m considering us to be quite French in going to the local public school.
Mamapalooza. Now it is only Vee and I organising, with Tap Gallery, and some help from Joan. If anyone else wants to come on board, you’re very welcome.
Work. I’ve had two days at my new job - storyteller/performer using puppets and props at a library. The program is for clients with disabilities. I’m thrilled to be paid to work, and the work fits into the school day. The show is for two small groups: children in primary school - they are mostly in wheelchairs - and a group of adults, who are more interactive with the story. My only reservation is me running out of ideas. I need to do more research and collect resources. Yesterday I popped into the community centre where I was on the management committee for the last few years. The manager offered me the job of running the supported playgroup one morning a week. That’s a yes. And now my friend has told me about a job at another school during school hours one day a week running the uniform shop. I’ll apply, but, as for all the little jobs, I need to let people know that I’ll be unable to work when I have teaching pracs for uni. That’s a disruption.
Uni. This time last week I was ahead. Now I’m behind.
Ethics. Wow. I made my submission to the inquiry - I pieced together things I’d already said here. Really, the whole thing is discrimination. Part of me is hoping that the inquiry is successful in repealing the legislation that permitted the teaching of ethics in the SRE timelsot. Then we can have inquiries into the curricula taught by all the scripture groups, and get on with getting SRE out of public schools. Give teaching time back to school teachers. And wouldn’t that free up a lot of volunteers for other jobs, like helping children to read!
The Gonski Report. Lets just get on with funding schools properly and fairly. In my studies last year I read a lot of about the complicated way schools are funded. My concern with the Gonski report is the part about no school will be funded less. That is a clause from earlier funding reform that exacerbated the inequality. Redistribution of resources to those with greatest need should involve some schools being funded less. End of.
Kevin and Julia. Silly me. When I heard Rudd resign I thought, ‘oh good, now he’ll just quietly go away.’ But no. A leadership challenge. Why would he want to lead a party that doesn’t want to work with him? That’s madness. Really, it’s playing out like a David Williamson play set in a bowling club. Can’t we just skip to the part of the story where Penny Wong and Malcolm Turnbull are party leaders??
Rachel Cusk. I’ve been reading her books since I became a mum. Her husband stopped work as a lawyer to look after their children so she could write. Now they’ve broken up. She’s written about it. In this piece from The Guardian she describes the pain of the separation, her surprise at realising that her husband hates her, and how her situation has challenged her idea of herself as an feminist. The subtext, for me, is again about the challenges of being an artist and a mother. The comments here are 99% negative.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/17/rachel-cusk-divorce-the-aftermath
I’m still trying to get used to the new routines for the new school year and fitting everything in. And in between everything and always needing to be done, grocery shopping, food preparation, washing up, washing clothes and putting them away. Ah, life.
Today: three children, three parties. Two at the same time. Two at the same place but at different times. Diva is still selling Playboy jewellery.
The children’s news. Clancy did a power point presentation on Bolivia’s Laws of Mother Nature. Matilda is going to do a presentation on where mobile phones and ipads come from (Congo,China). I’m glad to see this story now has some traction. Lots of FB posts, and GetUp has a petition. Matilda has an article published in the hardcopy version of New Moon Girls, about how animals are treated in food production. I’ll put up a link when I find it online.
The children complaining that I no longer come running every time they get hurt, or that they cry. I guess I’ve got used to the fact that they’ll probably live, and I need to push on with making dinner. Clancy has asked me to come and comfort her whenever she runs to her room in a huff, because that’s what mums on tv would do. (And, she needs the attention.)
Shopping for high schools. Lots of open days at schools. I’m thinking that shopping for high school is an exercise in family branding. “We consider ourselves... THIS type of family.” I resent the expectation that we shop for a school. We are given the impression that we choose, but really the schools do the choosing. Our local public school is fine. I don’t know what I’d do if it wasn’t fine. I’d like to think we’d join and help make it fine. Sure, Matilda will be applying for a place at a selective school. She’s the kind of student selective school are for. She’s decided against auditioning for the performing arts school. If she doesn’t get in to selective, she goes to the local public. I’m considering us to be quite French in going to the local public school.
Mamapalooza. Now it is only Vee and I organising, with Tap Gallery, and some help from Joan. If anyone else wants to come on board, you’re very welcome.
Work. I’ve had two days at my new job - storyteller/performer using puppets and props at a library. The program is for clients with disabilities. I’m thrilled to be paid to work, and the work fits into the school day. The show is for two small groups: children in primary school - they are mostly in wheelchairs - and a group of adults, who are more interactive with the story. My only reservation is me running out of ideas. I need to do more research and collect resources. Yesterday I popped into the community centre where I was on the management committee for the last few years. The manager offered me the job of running the supported playgroup one morning a week. That’s a yes. And now my friend has told me about a job at another school during school hours one day a week running the uniform shop. I’ll apply, but, as for all the little jobs, I need to let people know that I’ll be unable to work when I have teaching pracs for uni. That’s a disruption.
Uni. This time last week I was ahead. Now I’m behind.
Ethics. Wow. I made my submission to the inquiry - I pieced together things I’d already said here. Really, the whole thing is discrimination. Part of me is hoping that the inquiry is successful in repealing the legislation that permitted the teaching of ethics in the SRE timelsot. Then we can have inquiries into the curricula taught by all the scripture groups, and get on with getting SRE out of public schools. Give teaching time back to school teachers. And wouldn’t that free up a lot of volunteers for other jobs, like helping children to read!
The Gonski Report. Lets just get on with funding schools properly and fairly. In my studies last year I read a lot of about the complicated way schools are funded. My concern with the Gonski report is the part about no school will be funded less. That is a clause from earlier funding reform that exacerbated the inequality. Redistribution of resources to those with greatest need should involve some schools being funded less. End of.
Kevin and Julia. Silly me. When I heard Rudd resign I thought, ‘oh good, now he’ll just quietly go away.’ But no. A leadership challenge. Why would he want to lead a party that doesn’t want to work with him? That’s madness. Really, it’s playing out like a David Williamson play set in a bowling club. Can’t we just skip to the part of the story where Penny Wong and Malcolm Turnbull are party leaders??
Rachel Cusk. I’ve been reading her books since I became a mum. Her husband stopped work as a lawyer to look after their children so she could write. Now they’ve broken up. She’s written about it. In this piece from The Guardian she describes the pain of the separation, her surprise at realising that her husband hates her, and how her situation has challenged her idea of herself as an feminist. The subtext, for me, is again about the challenges of being an artist and a mother. The comments here are 99% negative.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/17/rachel-cusk-divorce-the-aftermath
I’m still trying to get used to the new routines for the new school year and fitting everything in. And in between everything and always needing to be done, grocery shopping, food preparation, washing up, washing clothes and putting them away. Ah, life.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Volunteer to be an ethics teacher
I am now an ethics teacher in our local primary school. I'm teaching the course during scripture time, as an option for those kids who would otherwise be in non-scripture, where, according to policy in NSW, the students are to receive no instruction during the Special Religious Education (SRE) timelot.
Hence ethics. It is way of ending the discrimination against primary school students who don't enrol in the SRE options available at school.
The ethics course doesn't teach atheism. I think you'll find all profesions have an element of teaching profesional ethics. The course is about critical thinking. About creating a community of inquiry in which to explore ideas respectfully, to challenge assumptions and try to work out together what might be right and wrong in given situations. It is an exercise in thinking. The students really enjoy it.
At the moment the course is available for students in Stage 3 (Year 5&6). At our school nearly a third of Stage 3 students are enrolled in ethics. The course for Stage 2 will be available in the middle of the year.
The course is devised and delivered by Primary Ethics. They are looking for more volunteer teachers, to help deliver the course. At our school Stage 2 and Stage 3 have SRE at the same time, so we'll be needing more teachers too.
Primary Ethics offer lots of support. They provide teachers with good training and lesson plans. They have done an amazing job of getting the program off the ground with little money. The volunteers are all committed and wonderful.
The ethics teachers I've spoken to say they find being involved is very satisfying. They learn from the students, and enjoy being involved in the school community.
It takes some time to do the training (a day at home, two days at training), and once you are teaching, it take some preparation time for each lesson, and the lessons run for about 40 minutes, depending on the school. If you can volunteer, click here.
http://www.primaryethics.com.au/volunteers.html
Hence ethics. It is way of ending the discrimination against primary school students who don't enrol in the SRE options available at school.
The ethics course doesn't teach atheism. I think you'll find all profesions have an element of teaching profesional ethics. The course is about critical thinking. About creating a community of inquiry in which to explore ideas respectfully, to challenge assumptions and try to work out together what might be right and wrong in given situations. It is an exercise in thinking. The students really enjoy it.
At the moment the course is available for students in Stage 3 (Year 5&6). At our school nearly a third of Stage 3 students are enrolled in ethics. The course for Stage 2 will be available in the middle of the year.
The course is devised and delivered by Primary Ethics. They are looking for more volunteer teachers, to help deliver the course. At our school Stage 2 and Stage 3 have SRE at the same time, so we'll be needing more teachers too.
Primary Ethics offer lots of support. They provide teachers with good training and lesson plans. They have done an amazing job of getting the program off the ground with little money. The volunteers are all committed and wonderful.
The ethics teachers I've spoken to say they find being involved is very satisfying. They learn from the students, and enjoy being involved in the school community.
It takes some time to do the training (a day at home, two days at training), and once you are teaching, it take some preparation time for each lesson, and the lessons run for about 40 minutes, depending on the school. If you can volunteer, click here.
http://www.primaryethics.com.au/volunteers.html
Sing and Swim
Either I have too many children, or we have too many activities. That was my thought for Wednesday. On picking the kids up from school, going straight to the next activity, and prepared to go back to school after that for Meet the Teacher Night, dinner in the slow cooker, I asked the children if we could withdraw from the band program. That one program means five appointments a week for one child, and four for another. (Two of those are the same appointment for them, but the whole thing adds up to seven a week for me.) And practice. And money. My life would be so much simpler if they just weren’t in band. But no.They love band. And they love dancing. We’ll get used to the new routine, they said, as I had said to them that morning. It’s just hard to get the new routines started up, but we’ll be OK. I said that to them before I was at home alone feeling like my mind had snapped.
Of course, I don’t want to give up any of my activities - my new job one day a fortnight, teaching ethics at school, uni study, and helping with Mamapalooza - and neither do the children. But I’m not convinced.
So far, with all activities not yet factored in to the term, I have two days where I’m supposed to be in two places at the same time. Morning lessons, before school, aren’t as early as last year, but leave less time for packing lunches and getting back to school. On different days this week I’ve been to school four, five and six times. Going to school twice a day is a slow day.
After talking to the children I decided to not stress. That didn’t mean I stopped stressing.
Thursday I went to withdraw money to pay rent. I went to the shops, got to the ATM and didn’t have the card. Went home. Got another card. Went to other shops, returned kids’ dance pants, bought drumsticks (not the chicken variety), went to ATM and ATM swallowed old card. Got home. Found my card in my wallet. Put the garbage out, even though it wasn’t garbage night, and had an early night. I’m thinking every night needs to be an early night.
I’m holding tension in my jaw, so I starting singing while making dinner - I’ve been making good dinners every night. Singing just split my lip and gave me a headache.
Friday I went for a swim.
I don’t have room in my head for what’s happening in Greece, what’s happening to Dexter, or planning more playdates for Banjo, or organising a sleepover for her - Clancy thinks it is unfair if Banjo has more sleepovers than she had at her age. We have three girls in one bedroom and our sleepovers usually are just swaps with another family with a similar set-up. Banjo wants to join the recorder group and choir at school. That might fit OK. But no to Japanese and tennis lessons. Clancy’s friend has Tourette’s and has added physical tics to her verbal ones. Matilda needs pointe shoes. Whole new worlds for me.
So, if we’re not cutting back on activities, here’s the plan. Other people can bake on the weekend and prepare for the week. Other people can occupy themselves while I get some work done. So long as the washing is on the line (particularly the absorber we need to wash most mornings and have back on the bed each night) I’ll be regularly singing and swimming to repair my mind and keep body and soul together. I don't know if I'll join the singing group - that might be one appointment too many. I can sing, walk, stretch, swim, on my own if I need to. It’s either sing and swim or sink and swim.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
A step in the right direction
Fair Wage Australia announced yesterday a wage increase for workers in the community sector, a predominantly female workforce; a step towards equal pay for women and society valuing care work.
It means pay rises of 19 - 41% to be phased in over eight years. Many community workers work in government sectors, however, the implication for community workers employed by smaller community centres (such as the one I've been involved in) is yet to be seen.
It means pay rises of 19 - 41% to be phased in over eight years. Many community workers work in government sectors, however, the implication for community workers employed by smaller community centres (such as the one I've been involved in) is yet to be seen.
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