Cooking and Decorating for Christmas Lunch!

For Christmas this year I volunteered for cooking lunch and designing the table and spread. I made turkey for the meat eaters in my family, and made vegetarian substitutes for main meal, along with many different side salads, such as potato salad, pasta salad, greek salad, quinoa salad and other sides like sweet potato mash and roasted vegetables! I went with a red and gold colour scheme for the dinner table and put up a few decorations that fit the theme. It was fun to decorate, very fun to cook the meal and even more fun to eat! I am glad I was able to help my mum out and enjoy myself by being creative with my design skills at the same time! 

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 6
Activity: 0
Service: 0

Playing Guitar!

I have recently started to play the guitar again. I first started playing a few years ago, but eventually stopped due to a loss of interest and prioritisation of my IB studies. Within the last two months, I have found two hours each week to spend practising playing some of the songs I used to play when I was going to classes. What I found was that when I was attending guitar classes, I rarely practised which meant that I could not play the songs that I wanted to because I was not skilled enough. During these two months I have found that playing the guitar acts as another good break from doing homework. This is important, because although I exercise often, I need something to do in my time outside of school other than going to the gym and doing homework. Since lately I have been playing the guitar much more than I used to, I have learned a few songs that I used to want to play! I am now quite skilled in the area of playing instruments, with both my guitar playing and drumming. 

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 10
Activity: 0 
Service: 0

Basket Brigade!

One of my long-term projects during these two years includes the organisation of the basket brigade in order to support the Salvation Army's Christmas Appeal. This involves donating goods as potential christmas present for children who would otherwise miss out. For this myself and a fellow peer have coordinated a program from which all of the Year 1 students can work from. First we needed to write a letter to the principals of our school confirming that we could send out letters to parents asking for donations, and to email the Salvation army, confirming our participation in the Christmas Appeal the date at which they can pick up the donations. The following week we typed a letter that was to be sent out to the parents of the school, and the following week we labelled them and sent them out. The next few days after that we organised boxes to hand out to the different classrooms, working collaboratively to complete it in time to get the most donations possible. Every day leading up to the 4th of December we collected the boxes, and on that date we donated all goods to the Salvation Army! The experience I had trying to organise the group was tough but eventually everything was completed in time to fill several boxes to donate to those in need. Through this project I have been able to recognise issues of global importance, and the ethical implications associated with it. For this reason, I would say that this fundraiser has been one of the most important project's that I have both organised and participated in during the IB course. It took quite a while to coordinate, but knowing that our hard work was going to ensure that children did not go without presents this christmas made everything worth it. 

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 0

Activity: 0

Service: 10

Learning to Play the Drums!

At the start of this year I started to learn how to play the drums! I began lessons because I had previously learned how to play the guitar at the same place, and the teachers were really nice and made learning extremely easy and relaxed. I went into my first few lessons expecting to come out knowing how to play my favourite songs using the instrument, but was surprised to find that playing the drums is much harder than that - you can only learn so much in one lesson. At first, I felt like giving up learning to play the instrument because I aimed to play songs with impressive rolls and complex double beats. As the lessons progressed, and as I persevered despite wanting to quit, I found that trying to play my favourite songs was unrealistic, as I had not yet learned how to maintain a steady meter. Eventually, after months of going back and learning more, I managed to balance my meter and keep in rhythm. Because of my perseverance I am now able to play a few of my favourite songs!

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 10
Activity: 0
Service: 0

Prep for the Year 12 IB Visual Arts Exhibition!

The year 1 IB Visual Arts students are always in charge of preparing and catering for the year 2 art exhibition. It is a very long process that involves organising the art hall, location, entertainment and catering for the event. Once the art gallery was confirmed we gathered many different people from the Lower Secondary and organised entertainment and food! On the day of the exhibition, we all were required to set up, so we left school to the gallery and spent a few hours preparing. I am glad we were able to help out the year 2's in this way, because next year we are going to be in their position, needing all the help we can get!

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 0
Activity: 0
Service: 10

Cooking Class In Thailand!

On our last day in Thailand, the class took part in a cooking lesson. We learnt how to make Cha Ta Krai (lemongrass tea)  Gaeng Panaeng (Panaeng curry), Tom Yam Gai (spicy and sour soup with chili jam), and Gluay Buad Chee (banana in coconut milk dessert)! One of the most fascinating skills that I acquired was the technique used in order to cream a coconut correctly. It was so much fun and we put in a lot of effort to make every aspect of the meal look appealing! We all worked collaboratively together and undertook a new challenge of presenting a meal that not only looked appealing but tasted good too and we were impressed with the outcome! Cooking in Thailand was a great way to have fun at the same time as developing our cooking skills!

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 5

Activity: 0

Service: 0

Rock Climbing In Chiang Mai!

On the Thursday of our one week trip to Thailand we went to an awesome climbing spot, a very popular tourist attraction in Chiang Mai for obvious reasons! There were two activities to participate in at this reserve, so our class split into two groups. My group went rock climbing first, which was very scary for me personally. I have always been afraid of heights and have never really had much practice in rock climbing. With the moral support from my group, I was able to face my fears and climb a few of the huge rock walls! It was so much fun, and one of the instructors was helping me by doing small exercises with me to make me more comfortable with the height. When I reached the top of the first wall I climbed, I felt very satisfied and actually very proud of myself! After we had finished with the rock climbing, the groups met back and had lunch. After that our group made our way to a huge cave and were told that we were able to zip line across a cave and rappel down! After having climbed the rocks that did not sound too bad, but I was still a bit nervous. We arrive in the cave after a steep trek, had to climb a few rocks to get to the zip line and then took turns to zip line across. It was so much fun and one of the most memorable experiences from the trip! 

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 0
Activity: 4
Service: 0

Building a School Playground!

On one of our final days in Thailand, we travelled for two hours to a Chiang Mai school, and spent all day there. When we arrived, someone showed us around the school and where we would be working all day. We were told that we would be building a playground for the younger children who attend the school and we were split into two groups. One group was in charge of measuring wood and using the saw to build the fence that surrounded the playground, and the other group was in charge of shifting sand out of the playground area. I joined the group that was measuring wood and was in charge of measuring how far apart on the fence each plank of wood was supposed to be. This took a while, and it was quite a relief when I had finished this job, as it was an extremely hot day and I was in need of a short water break. After my break I returned to the fence to join the others and nail the planks of wood into the fence frame. After this was complete, it was time for lunch! After we ate we were able to play with the young children! When we returned to the playground after lunch, we were split into two groups again, one large group to paint the fence, and another group to dig a sandpit and build a wall around it. I joined the painting group and painted with the colour blue. Together, the painters created a beautiful fence of alternating colours of the rainbow! Once I had finished my third coat on the blue planks, I joined the sandpit group and dug the sand from outside of the playground into the sandpit. At the end of the day, we were all exhausted! This was a lengthy task, but it was worth it in the end, as the younger children came out of their classrooms and appeared excited and appreciative! 

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 0

Activity: 0

Service: 8

Elephant Sanctuary!

One of the most memorable experiences in Chiang Mai was the visit to the elephant sanctuary. We spent the day at an elephant sanctuary, a couple of hours away from the centre at which we were staying. When we arrived we fed all of the elephants! The elephants were apparently extremely hungry as they hand yet been fed that day, so we were required to feed the elephants quickly in case they got impatient. We then watched a documentary about elephants and learnt so many important things about elephants in general, and about that elephant sanctuary specifically and the elephants that inhabit it. After lunch we made our way down to a lake and washed some elephants! It was so much fun and the elephants were really cute! After washing the elephants, we were all drenched and so we got changed and made our way back. Seeing such big yet playful animals up close is a lot different to seeing them in, for example, a zoo or a movie. Getting to feed and wash them was an unforgettable experience and was truly surreal. 

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 0
Activity: 0
Service: 6

White Water Rafting In Chiang Mai!

On our second day in Chiang Mai, our group set out for white water rafting! When we arrived at the location, we were given instructions on how to steer, paddle and avoid falling out of the raft. We were given helmets and paddles and we made our way down to the river. Initially I was a little nervous to get on the raft, as I had never experienced anything like white water rafting before. Everyone got on the raft and we started paddling and eventually I got the hang of it. I was very scared of falling out of the raft, but after a while I realised I needed to forgot about being afraid in order to to concentrate on paddling in time, so that our raft would move smoothly. Our raft was the last to start paddling, but gradually we caught up to everyone else and even overtook some rafts, due to our determination and ability to work as a team. It was a long journey, but eventually we reached the end and it was such an achievement! 

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 0
Activity: 3
Service 0

Zip Lining In Chiang Mai!

Every two years, the year 10's and 11's travel to Chiang Mai in Thailand. This year it was my turn! We arrived on Monday and set out on many adventures throughout the week. It was an amazing experience and I am so lucky to have been given the opportunity to go on this trip. One of the most memorable experiences was one of the first activities we participated in, and that was zip lining! We travelled to a secluded forest area and prepared for one of the many fun-filled activities that Chiang Mai has to offer. We each got attached to harnesses, put on helmets and ran through a safety instruction course. This was for the people like myself, who had not yet taken part in zip lining. I decided to take a step out of my comfort zone, and was the first to zip line across the long lines that oversaw beautiful rocks, forests and rivers. It was the most extraordinary view I have ever seen and, once I had gotten the hang of it, was lots of fun! This was definitely a new experience for me and something I will never forget. 

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 0
Activity: 3
Service: 0

Common Room Clean Ups!

With stressful weeks of school study comes an extremely messy IB common room! For me, it is extremely important that my study room remains clean as I suffer dust allergies and asthma. At times, it is hard to air out the room, as it is winter and it is only the ideal temperature inside if the doors and windows are closed. Every two weeks, the IB common room undergoes a major cleaning spree, thanks to my friends and I. We sweep the floors, open the windows to air the room out, wipe the desks and shelves, dust the rafters above our desks, and organise the books and storage shelves to look neat and tidy! It is fun and satisfying, as when it is all done, we can appreciate the fresh air and clean surroundings. My friends and I all work together in order to complete the task quicker, and I now understand how important it is to maintain a clean and sanitary living environment. In fact, it has inspired me to clean my living and studying space at home, more often!

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 0

Activity: 0

Service: 3

Keeping Fit At the Gym!

During my final years in high school,  doing the IB course, it is extremely important to not let study and assignments restrict me from keeping fit and healthy. This year, I was given a gym membership from my mother and I use it three times each week. This provides me with, not only an escape from constantly doing homework, but also a with new experiences and a means of keeping fit. When I first joined the gym, I was slightly reluctant to try the equipment and weight machinery as it was all extremely new to me. I felt drawn to familiar machines such as the treadmill and cross-trainer because I thought I would get a better workout if I knew what I was doing. As I progressed throughout the term, I found myself using the other equipment much more often than before, and experimenting with new creative exercises to ensure long term health benefits. Every Tuesday afternoon, I take part in a "Body Combat" gym class. This class is pre-choreographed and incorporates martial art techniques into a high-energy calorie burning method of keeping fit. These classes have taught me how to engage in class activities in a different way than a school classroom environment. As a result of these classes I have gained new skills and intensely challenged my body in many different ways! 

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 0
Activity: 10
Service: 0

Holiday Tennis Clinic!

I have devoted a portion of my time in these past two weeks to attending a holiday tennis clinic! My sister and I participated for fun and a bit of exercise! These past holidays have been warm, and so it was a little exhausting and a challenge for both my sister and myself. We were involved in several different types of tennis warm ups, tennis games, and at the end of the two week clinic, we participated in a tennis tournament. I had played tennis prior to this holiday clinic, however my skills developed to a much greater extent in these activities, with the help of a specialised coach. In addition to this, many of the activities required team work skills, and so they definitely benefited my ability to work as a team, collaboratively. It was a great way of participating in a team sport and having fun!

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 0
Activity: 5
Service: 0

A Trek to Buddha Mountain!

Term 1 has now come to an end and I am spending my two-week holiday in Pattaya, Thailand. There are many beautiful sights to see in Pattaya, although some are particularly hard to find. My family and I set out today with no clear destination and eventually found ourselves at a beautiful vineyard called Silverlake Villagio. We then ventured out to Buddha Mountain and began our three hour trek! Prior to this trip in Pattaya,  I had only taken part in a small number of trek's, none of which had been quite as challenging as this one. It was a new challenge for me and required masses of perseverance, especially as the trek drew to an end and I rolled my ankle, making walking the distance ten times harder. Although it was a tough trek, it was worth it, as I got to capture and appreciate an amazing view.

Buddha Mountain, Pattaya

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity:0
Activity: 4
Service: 0

A Lake Goollelal Cycling Experience!

Living in Perth provides me with the opportunity to appreciate nature in several different ways, my current favourite of which being, cycling around Lake Goollelal. Last weekend, my friends and I took our bikes and cycled around the lake as a break from our IB studies. It took one hour to circle the lake twice and initially I found my cycling technique was effortless and calm, however as we progressed around the lake, my legs grew sore and although our pace was slow, I found myself becoming out of breath. I has never tried cycling for long distances, prior to this year, as I had always found easier ways of keeping fit and social, so this was a challenge for me. As our second lap of the lake drew to an end, I was exhausted. It took a lot of perseverance and effort, however it was definitely worth it. We were able to appreciate the view of the lake, get some exercise and socialise. I aim to continue cycling and hopefully develop my technique so that eventually, it will become less exhausting and much more enjoyable!

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 0
Activity: 1
Service: 0

Harmony Day!

Harmony Day, an interesting, interactive language convention, is a great opportunity for students throughout our entire school to engage in a different, yet fun learning experience. Students of all ages   travelled to Italy, Brunei, South Africa, Japan and Persia all in one afternoon, through the help of the school's parent volunteers. The parents presented panels dedicated to their culture's language, food,  flags and historical items, as well as providing general information and photos! The 2015 Year 1's were responsible for sending out participation letters to parents, organising a date and time for Harmony Day, preparation and production of paper flags and posters for each panel, the design and production of book marks, the set up of the different panels, and writing and sending out letters to the parents who participated so as to show our appreciation.

Harmony Day was a huge success! It appeared that the students found it not only, informative and educational, but also fun and different to the usual teaching methodologies of the school. This fun-filled approach to teaching benefited the students largely as it was definitely a learning experience to remember! The organisation of Harmony Day was also hugely beneficial to myself and the other Year 1's. I thoroughly enjoyed managing this event with my fellow class members as we each definitely developed our teamwork and organisation skills. It was a fun experience and overall a great way for everyone to learn new things, including myself!

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity:
Activity: 0
Service: 6

School Clean Up!

As preparation for the new school year, my fellow year 1's and I returned to school the weekend before the school year began for a clean-up assembly. We wiped surfaces, swept and mopped floors and cleared the rooms of cobwebs. We each put in equal amounts of effort and worked collaboratively in order to complete the task we were assigned! 

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 0

Activity: 0

Service: 2