HUMAN BODY

Heat Fainting

Impulses of deathly heat prodded at my sweat glazed skin.

Reflecting rays spearing through the atmosphere.

Desperate faces tinted red at the lusty force of the suns rays.

Empty streets dead of all life.

As the whistle of the calorific winds

Rumble through my mind.

Distant splashing of children swimming echo in my ears.

Slightly washed out by fire.

Life becomes vivid encounters with emotion,

THEN ALL IS BLACK.

by Zoe, 6S

On the 1^st of June, Year 6 travelled to Canberra to study the Nation's Capital and to study about Federal Parliament. We got to the coach at 6:00 am and the coach left at 6:17 am. It was still dark and most of us were pretty sleepy but we were all set for the next three busy days of learning and experiencing the Capital of Australia.

After the guided tour of the museum, Ewan drove our coach to Cockington Green which was a display of miniature figures, gardens and landmarks, “where it’s the little things that count”. There was also a small train which we all rode on. We walked around miniature displays of sport fields, international buildings, houses, churches and landmarks. A maze was there and we had to stand on a platform to find our way out but there was no beginning or end!  We each took a photo with an international building and then we went to have some lunch.

That afternoon, we went to the National Capital Planning and Exhibition Centre where we watched a small film about Canberra’s past, present and future. We also saw a 3D planning of Canberra and whilst we looked at it, there was a projector and a commentory about Canberra and the projector would point out the locations. American Walter Burley Griffin won the National Planning of Canberra competition and a lake was named after him in the site-Lake Burley Griffin.

We got back on the coach and Ewan drove us around the Embassies and High Commissions of other countries. We looked at all the unique buildings-each building was designed the way it would be designed in the country. A flag of the country would be placed at the front so that we could tell it was that certain country but we also had help from the sign in the front.

After parading around the Embassies and High Commissions, we went to the Electoral Education Centre, where we learnt about voting. The program started off with a film about the history of voting and special affects were put on like 3D faces and moving people. In the next room, we had worksheets and stations around the room to fill us in about voting and to learn about the ways, names and how everyone voted. In the room next to that, we were to “vote” for our favourite fruit-peach, banana, apples or orange. I was appointed a polling booth officer with Josh and we had to ask the voters their name, address and if they’ve voted in that election before.

Finally, we arrived at the motel and we were assigned to our rooms and told to unpack and get ready for dinner. Dinner that night was vegetables and chicken schnitzel. Desert was vanilla ice cream. After dinner, we headed into the cool air and up to Mount Ainslie to look at the beautiful nightlights of Canberra. We returned to the motel to have some “decent” sleep.

At Parliament House, we walked through a security system and entered the building and our guide led us up to the House of Representatives where we saw a small debate going on between less than twenty people. We then went to the Senate and talked about the Queen and the minor parties and how it was different to the House of Representatives. We were then led to the Parliamentary Education Office and held a fake debate on how circus animals should be banned from the circus. I was playing an Independent. I thought that they should be released and live a natural life instead of being kept in cages.

We had morning tea in Parliament House and just as we were heading outside, we saw Philip Ruddock, the Member for Berowra who is in the Liberal Party.

We headed to the National Gallery to see amazing pieces of art like the Ned Kelly series, impressionism and soft sculpture. Some sculptures were a lotus flower opening and closing by pumped air and a huge “perfect” drip hanging from the roof. We ventured through the sculptures and saw body parts, a plastic bag made wall and lots and lots of dolls on a wall.

For lunch we had a sandwich with tomato, devon and lettuce and a muesli bar. We then went to Old Parliament House to learn about our early Prime Ministers, MPs and Senators. Our guide took us to a room with objects from the past Prime Ministers and we had to identify what object belonged to the Prime Minister and other activities. Then we went into the old Senate but we had to wear white gloves to stop our human oil from touching the precious Senate and destroying it. We listened to our guide and talked about Senators and got to “meet” famous politicians. Aerin played the role of Dorothy Tangy, the first female Senator and Harry played the role of Neville Bonner, the first indigenous Senator.

We left Old Parliament House and journeyed on to the Australian War Memorial. We watched a short film about war and then we were taken to the Discovery Room. We experienced the harsh life of war and how unlucky it was to fight. We saw showers with no doors, trench-foot that looked nothing like a foot, a helicopter and a periscope. We then headed to the Shrine of Remembrance and a tomb marked “An Unknown Australian Soldier Killed In The War Of 1914 -1918” was located in the centre of the shrine. The roof was marked with beautiful paintings and our sounds echoed through the shrine. We ventured outside to the walls with names of the soldiers who died in wars and poppies popped out from the walls making it bright. At 5:00pm all of us gathered near the Shrine of Remembrance to see the closing ceremony of the Memorial. A bugle player played the Last Post and then walked into the Shrine and the doors were closed.

We drove back to the motel and got ready for dinner. Dinner was fish and chips and desert was chocolate ice cream. After dinner, we left the motel for the Australian Institute of Sport where we had a guided tour of the place and we played in Sportex, which was an interactive room filled with all kinds of sport and activity. We then went back to the motel to get some sleep and get ready for the day ahead.

We woke up the next morning and got dressed for the day. We had breakfast and I had the same as last time. We then went back to our rooms and packed our stuff and put it on our coach and then we left the motel for the last time for Telstra Tower. Ewan took us along and up Black Mountain to Telstra Tower where we watched a film and had a birds-eye view of Canberra and we learnt about its use. We were above the clouds and in the sky.

By the time we left Telstra Tower it was raining but we still headed for Rainforest Gully in the National Botanic Gardens and put our raincoats on and trudged through the literal rainforest, listening to the pleasant trickling water, breathing the fresh, thick air and looking into the tall, looming trees. The rain was running down rock faces making a nice, soft noise. It was so fresh that it felt like you were in another dimension. Insects and birds were chirping, the trees were as straight as poles and the leaves covered the damp leaf litter making a splendid canopy. It was refreshing and tranquil in the rainforest but it would’ve been better if it wasn’t raining.

The smell of the rainforest made me feel nice and fresh and with a lollipop in our mouths we travelled to…….Questacon! I couldn’t wait to go to Questacon because of all the exciting experiments. When we reached Questacon, we were stamped and eagerly, we went inside and started to have fun. Jaimie, Aerin and I went on Free Fall which was fantastic because you had to hold onto a bar and let go and you would be in the air for a few milliseconds without touching the slide and falling down, down, down whilst getting a funny feeling in your stomach. Next, we went to Track Attack with Calise and it was a simulated rollercoaster. Next we ventured through each museum doing about half a million things at the same time. I was tempted to do the Guillotine because everyone else was but I didn’t do it in the end. We also went in the Hurricane House and experienced an earthquake.  After all the fun and excitement most of us went into the gift shop to buy gifts for our family and friends. Then we had lunch outside Questacon. It was pizza and garlic bread. We then had a walk to “digest” our food and then we went back onto the bus and headed for home.

Half way before home we stopped at McDonalds for a little snack and then went back on the bus and home.

Approximately at 6:00pm, we arrived back at school and happily found our mothers and fathers and went home for some good nights sleep. We were all grateful to the teachers and our coach drivers who organised this interesting excursion to Canberra, the Nations’ Capital!

PARLIAMENT HOUSE, recounted by Jaimie 6B

On the 16^th March, year six went to Parliament House on Macquarie Street. We went there to learn more about the Legislative Council and Assembly.  When we arrived off the bus we entered Parliament House with our guide Peter and walked into the Legislative Assembly. It was green – green walls and floor, with many seats for different members of parliament. I was seated on the Government side as we listened to Peter. He told us about different things like where the ministers sit and where the Premier and Leader of the Opposition sit. The Legislative Assembly – the House of Commons, is run by the speaker.

After Peter had told us all about parliament we did a role play. It was exciting for me because I was a clerk and got to ring a bell to say that we were about to close the gate and then I also got to close the gate. The bill (the issue or subject) we were discussing was “Should school children be paid.” I don’t think they should, personally. The speaker started and then other said their opinions. If you were on the government side you were saying yes but otherwise you were saying no. One of the main reasons for the government side was that people would want to go to school if they were paid. All the “government” agreed and said ‘Aye.’ One of the opposition’s main reasons was that the taxes would be raised so it would actually be the parents paying the kids.

During the role play we got to see a fake mace and afterwards we saw the black rod in a case. Then we walked in to the Legislative Council with its royal red walls and its huge windows. The person who runs this house is the President. In the room there were many seats like the Legislative Assembly but there are only just more than 40 members in this house.  Even though the Legislative Council is the upper house, the Legislative Assembly is more important. It makes the bills go through more often because it has got more members to vote.  On the wall was and emblem of Australia and Britain. It had a lion with its tongue out and blue fingernails, and a kangaroo. On the side walls there were statues of past Presidents and other people greatly involved in Parliament.

HYDE PARK BARRACKS, recounted by Henry 6B

After lunch we went to the Hyde Park Barracks. It was built by the convicts as a place to live. They would still have had a bad life as they would have received many punishments. Our guide, Jennifer, showed us around the courtyard and showed us some of the bricks A worker would have to make 600 bricks a week and if they didn’t they would be punished. Every hundred bricks they made, they would put a finger mark in it so if it was the 400^th it would have 4 finger marks in it. She showed us some bricks that had 3 finger marks, 5 finger marks and one had a possum paw on it.

We were told that if you were a convict and you misbehaved you would be put in a solitary cell which was very small with just a bucket and if you talked to the person in the cell next to you, you would be lashed. We then were shown and told about the guardhouse where the convicts name was marked off and their tool for the day was given to them. We were then told what they ate and how their basic meal was porridge or bread and water.

We were then taken into the museum. The first room had a map and Jennifer explained that most of the convicts came from 4 countries which were England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The next room told us what hulks were. They were ships that were very old and were used to make rooms for convicts. We saw many artefacts from a hulk that sunk in Bermuda. Marine archaeologists found them on the sea bed. Also we found out what they did in their spare time. They made dominoes, pipes, buttons, and other things to sell out of bone.

In the next room we saw a ‘punishment box. ‘It was a form of punishment and you would be sent in it for a whole day. It was black so it absorbed the heat and only had 9 small holes. There might have not been a bucket in there so it would have been very uncomfortable. In the next room we learnt about punishments. Leg irons were very bad where they put chains around your legs so you couldn’t walk properly and they could keep it on you for many years. If you were naughty again they would take a link off so it was even harder to walk. They also had a cat o’ nine tails which also was extremely painful.

After we left the museum we went into a convict dormitory. In this about 70 people would all sleep in their hammocks and they all had no space. We got to lie down in one and we all thought it was comfortable but when you had just been lashed it would have been very painful. They had a bucket beside their bed and once it dripped through the floor and the people came up and started a fight. One man banged his head on a piece of wood and unfortunately died. The room had no nails but the pieces of wood were positioned so that it would be stronger.

We then went into another room and drew a convict identity on a person we received. Then we went back on the bus and arrived back at school. It was an extremely fun day and was very informative and fascinating.

THE BUNYIP

by Rita 6B

Once, at night, the surface of the pool rippled, but everything else was still. The animals hid themselves in the shadows of the night as a black shape emerged from the depths of the black pool. It climbed out and lay on the river bank. Then it stood up and began shaking itself gently until the mud drained of it, and then it sat up. It was ugly, with its piercing yellow eyes and sharp muzzle, nothing could ever match it. It was a Bunyip.

Beside its eyes and mouth, it had a pair of ears like a rabbits, and from the tip of its nose to its rump, it was all fur, except for its tail and legs, which were scaly for swimming. Its front feet were shaped a bit like spades, and its hind legs were webbed with the tail ending in a sharp point.

“The Bunyip was said to live in rivers, billabongs, pools and ponds, and it comes out at night. People who were talking a short walk or exploring at night claimed that they saw a strange creature near the river,” the old wallaby told her child. “So I would advise you not to go near the river at night.”

Minci stared at her mother and then mumbled a reply to the old wallaby.  “All right Mother.”

Then the duo hopped home.

Minci jumped out of a small cave that was her house and went to the river to have a drink. It was night and Minci had felt rather thirsty when all the animals were sleeping and nocturnal animals waking. Hence she disobeyed her mother. Suddenly, she heard movement from the river. The surface was rippling. All of a sudden, a dark shape rose out of the water, dripping and plopped onto the bank. Minci stood transfixed by the sight. Oh why did she have to come just when this “Bunyip” had to come out? The muddy shape started to shake itself so the mud drained off it. The Bunyip turned its head and stared at Minci with unblinking eyes, then turned away into the setting sun. Minci thought for awhile. Why hadn’t the Bunyip pounced on her?  Maybe they are ‘peaceful’ creatures?

She then turned to run after the Bunyip. There were a few things she needed to know. “Hey, wait!”

The Bunyip turned it pointy head and stopped. Minci looked up at the Bunyip. He was ten times the size of her. She gulped for breath before talking.

“What’s your name?”

The Bunyip’s voice was surprisingly soft. “Don’t have one.”

“Where are you going?”

“Away.”

“Why?”

“No one talks to me here and no one likes me.”

“I am talking to you!”

The Bunyip stopped, and then gazed at Minci. “What’s your name then?”

Minci took a deep breath. “Minci.”

“Nice talking to you Minci.” Bunyip’s gaze softened, “You were the first person to talk to me, I’ll never forget you.”

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

by Ivan 6S

There have been sightings of the young thirteen year old CHERUB agent known as James Adams trying to attack and destroy the Sydney Harbour Bridge. CHERUB as known by many is a secret organization made for children to do things MI5 or MI6 agents can not do. The example many use for this is that if an adult ran to an old ladies door crying and screaming that his car crashed, the lady might call an ambulance but wouldn’t allow the man inside her house. On the other hand if it were a child screaming that his parents had died in a car crash and was badly injured the lady would immediately allow the child inside with a hot mug of cocoa.

James Adams was uncontrollably attacking six men with a stick when sighted by ex-photographer Steven Harriet. He has medium sized blonde hair, and is usually seen wearing his navy blue CHERUB shirt.

CHERUB chairman and operation minister was questioned about the attack on the 27/08/08. She described the attack to be brutal and unwanted. She also says that the attack was completely unexpected and that James has been expelled from CHERUB.

If caught, the ex-CHERUB operative shall be sent to a lifetime in prison as well as a brutal beating every three months for the lives he has taken. The reward for his capturer shall be thirteen-thousand dollars or ten-thousand pounds.

Sadly CHERUB or any other people he knew were not able

to produce a proper photo of James as he was also found ripping up

every photo he could get his hands on.

The only photo that could be found was a photo of Alex’s shirt when he had just become an agent.

THE reward for his capture shall be $13000.

LITTLE WHITE BOY

by Zoe 6S

William was cold and lost. William, Edmund and David’s little raft had gone too far off the coast of their town, a small place on the outskirts of Dublin. It had been too long. He had no more food. Edmund and David fell off long before. William was traumatised. He slowly submerged into a deep sleep. William awoke; he was being carried by strange looking folks. They spoke gibberish and their black skin was not clothed. Around him were strange trees and more of those people.

A young boy about 12, the same age as William sat on the sand staring at him with his deep brown marble eyes. In their own language the people were saying, “Little white boy.” William cried and shouted “Take me to Ireland, my home”

Not a phrase got through to the foreign men. They positioned William on a sheet of leather and gave him strange food. Afterwards he lay down and drifted into a sleep. ‘tear’ As he woke his shirt tore along with his trousers. He bravely walked up to a woman. He gestured to himself and said “I William.” The woman said “Dari!” and slapped her chest. William nodded and showed her the tear. She ripped off his clothes. Dari gave him a cut piece of a sort of material. Having no idea what it was he cocked his head. She fastened the thing around his waist and went back to work.

After a while William picked up the way of the people who called themselves Guringai. He learnt their language and grew accustomed to their unique way of life.

His name was “Walliam.” (wall-ay-um) and he grew to be a young man. Sometimes he cried at the others and spoke of his life in another land. He carved and painted it into a rock at the area they lived.

When he became of age he had children and told about how in Ireland you were married and lived in your own house. The Guringai people continued to tell the story of the Little White Boy long after his life.