WINNERS

We have some winners around the Half-dozen household!

(There are competition winners too .... scroll down to see if you have won a Coles Myer gift card from my recent Air Wick Aqua Mist promotion .... and check your email inbox if you are a winner!)

Firstly, Ducky sang in the Performance Choir at the recent school concert. Doesn't she look snazzy in her sparkly choir uniform?

I didn't take any photos of her when they were singing as I couldn't see her very well. But when all the performers came back onstage later on, to do their body percussion piece, I was able to snap this happy, smiley shot. The body percussion item was simply called "Rain" and the students used their hands and feet to create a sound like a rainstorm, right from the first whispers of the wind (rubbing their hands together) to the opening sprinkles (clicking their fingers) and on to the heavier rain (slapping their thighs). In the middle of the downpour there was some startling sharp foot stamping which, combined with the lights being flicked on and off, looked and sounded just like thunder and lightening.

At the end of the concert there was a presentation. Year 7 students were given certificates of participation, then two performers from the choir were given a trophy. It was no surprise when the senior choir soloist was awarded the trophy for being the best performer - it was well deserved as she is very talented and confident. But it was a lovely surprise when Ducky was called up to take the encouragement award trophy. As one of the youngest members of this choir it was an unexpected honour. Go Ducky!!

Possum was presented with an Academic Achievement Medallion at the high school's Speech Night (we used to call it presentation night) back in mid-October (we are used to having it in late Nov/early Dec, after the examination period) which was for her overall high standard of achievement. The Wind Ensemble also performed during the evening and it was good to hear her play her flute in such an impressive band.

A little later, at the end of October, the high school had their Sports Presentation evening. This, we were to find out, was an elaborate dinner affair held at a sports club and in order to attend you had to purchase tickets. Seeing as Dragon was also getting an award it meant we would had have to buy at least 3 tickets @ $25 each. I've never had to pay to see my children receive an award before and I was a bit miffed. HB made the decision that no one would attend the sports presentation, which made Possum a little bit sad because she did want to go. They were handed their medals and certificates the following week. Here's Possum with her Bronze medal and certificate for Cross Country.

And here is Dragon with his Bronze medal for Cross Country, as well as his Merit Award for academic achievement. The merit awards are, apparently, a step below the academic achievement awards and as such are not presented on Speech Night. Dragon received his award during a special school assembly, held during the normal school day, so I didn't get to see it :(

Possum then had Music Presentation Evening. This was also a dinner affair but since it was held in the school hall it was considerably cheaper than the Sports presentation evening. And seeing as Possum was required to attend because she had to perform with the band, we happily paid the $10 for her meal. It was on a Friday night in early November, and since we have Athletics on Friday nights I took the other five children to the sporting fields while HB took Possum to the Music Presentation. Here she is in her band uniform, holding her flute and her music participation award.

The award days were not over yet. Today the primary school held their "Best of the Best Assembly" and I was very proud to sit there and watch my little Kitcat receive her very first Academic achievement award. I thought it as cute how they had a photo of each child projected onto the wall behind the stage as they came up to be presented with their award. Seeing as she is in a Prep/1 composite class, Kitcat's achievement is even more impressive, although not totally unexpected because the teacher has been telling me all year how Kitcat does her Prep work very quickly, then asks to do the Year 1 work and often finishes that even before most of the other Year 1 students. Kitcat also received a $15 book voucher with her certificate, and she is looking forward to going book shopping with me.

Now, on to the winners from the Air Wick Aqua Mist competition. I chose M.W. to receive the first prize of $200 because her comment made me giggle every time I read it ....

I could use some Aqua Mist to freshen up Nanna's room before the Xmas visitors arrive. She smells like an old lady, you know - lavender and incontinence. But very light on the lavender, if you get my drift.

I just couldn't choose between the rest of the comments so I did a draw .....

2nd Prize $100 - Saint Bernard
3rd Prize $50 - Smilie Girl
Check your email inbox and as soon as I get your postal address I will send you your Coles Myer gift card. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who entered. A big thanks also goes to "Soup" for sending out the samples from Air Wick and providing these great prizes.