Dear Parents of team "Quest":
We have made it safely to Australia and have been enjoying our time so far in Sydney! The flight and traveling went well so far and we actually arrived in Australia earlier than expected. Transportation by bus has been effective and our hotel is close to most of our destinations we will be visiting. Today was a full day for all of us, but visiting the Government House and going Whale Watching was a great way to start our trip in Australia.
Leaving the hotel at 9:00am and arriving at the Government House early enough to go on the first house tour was wonderful. It is all about getting an early start in the morning and all of the students did a great job getting ready in a productive manner. The tour that we took at the Government House consisted of learning about the differing tastes and changing styles among govenors and their wives. Located in the Royal Botantic Gardens and overlooking the Sydney Harbour, the atmosphere surrounding the house was beautiful.
Along with taking the 45 minute tour of the Government House, we also got the opportunity to partake in an activity related to the government and how it connects to the students. The official name for the activity was A Social visit: government, society, law, and you. Lasting 90 minutes, this was a great experience for all of the students. During this time the students learned about what happens at the Government House, what the role of the Govenor is, and what responsibilities they should follow as citizens. Actively participating in the activity and learning a lot in regards to the government, the students successfully learned the connections between the government and themselves. Along with this they received a special momento to reflect all the hard work they had done throughout the activity.
To learn more in regards to our trip to the Government House visit: http://http//www.hht.net.au/museums/gh/government_house
For today we decided to base our lesson around our trip to the Government House. Developing an understanding about the three branches of government and how they affect our lives was something that we aimed for while visiting the Government House. The students proved to be active participants and great listeners because when placed in a mock parliament they knew exactly how to respond to questions and conflicts relating to the government. Another thing that students learned through this experience was the differences in the American Government and the Australian Government. The best part of the day, though, was when the students created their own laws and got to vote on them. This really got them participating and their views on which government they liked better became apparent while discussing the laws and what they can do to impact the government. Along with this students drafted a journal entry based on the trip to the Government House and what they did and what they learned from the experience. Upon viewing these journal entries, it seems that the students truly enjoyed the trip to the Government House and have gained new knowledge in terms of the government and how they make an impact on it.
After having an amazing time at the Government House, we then regrouped and traveled by bus to the Circular Quay where we boarded a cruise and went whale watching. Departing at 1:00pm from dock and returning at 4:15pm our afternoon was full of excitement. Hoping to see at least one whale, we were happy to say that we got to see four altogether. It was a highlight of our day. Along with this we enjoyed the cruise and relaxed in the sunshine. We lucked out because it was such a lovely weather and not too chilly. I was happy to receive such positive responses related to how much the students enjoyed this cruise and observing the whales. I would recommend it if you ever visit Australia!To learn more in regards to our trip to the Whale Watching trip visit:
We are quite excited as well as the students are to venture and visit more destinations over the next four days. The Government House and whale watching proved to be excellent choices for our first day here in Australia. Tomorrow we have an adventurous day set up for us and it should be one full of excitement while we travel to the Oceanworld Aquarium and Powerhouse Museum. Another update relating to our trip will be available tomorrow evening, so keep an eye out for it. We all wish you a good night and we just wanted to let you know that all of your children are safe and are having a wonderful time!
Sincerely,
Ms. Cook
Mr. Miller
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