Finishing Up

The term is coming to an end, and all the student projects and hard work is being put into their portfolios and project books to share with their parents at 3-way conferences. The setup for these is a bit different from what I have experienced back at home. The student joins in the conference and in my grade level, the student is actually more of the facilitator than the teacher. We had the students fill out a guide sheet for the conference to help them run through their learning experiences this term. They reflected on each subject area and also their experiences in specialists and Interschool Sport. During the actual conference, Lauren and I will pose questions and help the student and parent to set goals for next term. I am looking forward to this experience and I think this may be an idea I pose to my future employer.

Over the weekend Susan and I took one last trip together. We headed to Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast to experience the Australia Zoo that was started by Steve Irwin's parents. We were able to see the majority of the native Australian animals, and we also pet a kangaroo and koala. We had a lot of fun together and enjoyed one last weekend away!

I do not think it has hit me yet that I am leaving all the fantastic relationships I have built over the last three months, especially the ones I have with my students. It is hard to put into perspective the fact that I will most likely not see these people again. While I do hope to return to Australia again someday, who knows where everyone else will be in their life at that time. I am so grateful for the friendships I have made and the hospitality of everyone at Greenhills. This whole journey has been unforgettable and that would not be possible without the welcoming, kind people that have surrounded me throughout my time here.

The process of packing has slowly begun and the end is in sight. I am very excited to return home to family and friends, but am also not ready to leave the Fairweather household. It will be hard to say goodbye this weekend, but I know that we will always keep in touch.

I am off to school this morning and will try to write one more time before leaving, but if not g'day from the land down under.