The Excursion Factor

Indonesian and ESL Tutor AvailableFull Immersion learning for young children through to adult and the abilityto cater to your needs.Distance learning with online student management available to all regions.You will also learn how to learn a language effectively, Indonesian culture and Indonesian history.

This method has been proven to be the most effective.

ESL also available.

Contact:Michelle Coates - see 'Other Activities' page for further details

(BA Indonesian/Peace Studies, Workplace Training and Assessment, Working with Children Card)

The Lotus Healing Centre has offered yoga classes for home educators. See our 'Other Activities' page under the Events section to see details. Located in Essendon area

Bullies are forcing Victorian students out of mainstream schools and into home schooling, amid claims the Education Department has failed our children. Authorities have been forced to step up their efforts with new initiatives aimed at stamping out bullying as home schooling figures hit an all-time high. It comes amid research that bullying of staff is rife in schools, with parents and students among the top perpetrators.

Some 95 per cent of educators claimed they had experienced at least one of 42 bullying behaviours identified by researchers.

The most common was personal confrontation or professional destabilisation, often resulting in a deterioration of mental and physical health.

In Victoria, the number of families registering for home schooling has almost tripled in the four years records have been kept.

Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority figures obtained by the Herald Sun show 2921 Victorian students are being home schooled, compared with 1042 in February 2008.

The number of families registered in home schooling has more than tripled in the same time from 586 to more than 1600. More than 50 students have been pulled out of Victorian schools since June.

Experts have reported a schoolyard bullying crisis, highlighted in January when bullied schoolgirl Sheniz Erkan, 14, took her own life.

Only weeks later, Katherine Bernard, 17, committed suicide in similar circumstances.

Education Department spokeswoman Helen Stevanovich said there was evidence that students were being forced out of schools because of bullies.

"There is some anecdotal evidence that this may be the case," she said.

"The department would be concerned if there are families whose first choice may be the mainstream schooling system, but feel they have to turn to home schooling because this system is failing to meet their child's particular needs."

A spokesman for Education Minister Martin Dixon rejected the claims, saying parents often chose to home school for "philosophical reasons".

The Lakes Entrance Camp was heaps of fun! Horse Riding, Hut building, Raft building, Flying Fox, Canoeing and a tour of the Buchan Caves.  We had a blast with 3 birthdays to celebrate and a campfire for roasting potatoes and toasting marshmallows!

To anyone who fits following criteria this service is available. Families with one or more children with severe disabilities are welcome to apply for 4 nights FREE weekday accomodation at Caitlin's Retreat. A property located in Eltham with farm animals, liberty swing and wheelchair friendly environment.  This service has recently opened and they would like to fill it.  It is opened in memory of their daughter, Caitlin, who suffered severe disability and died at age 8yrs old. The service is aimed at families with children with a severe disability ONLY as these families often never experience a holiday all together due to a lack of services. The accomodation is a house like setting with typical furniture plus additional rooms equipped for disability as well as a disability bathroom.

If you think your family fits this criteria please use the contact me form and we will send you the forms.

The Gould league are attempting to help us fill our group for Fridays excursion.  They have dropped the price to $10 per child if we can get the group number closer to 20.  So c'mon and get involved. Group 1 is 4-7yr olds and group 2 is 8-12 yr olds.  See website under events/excursions and Gould league Recycle for more information.

The LD Network, Diversity Exchange, Gateway LLEN and NDCO Program has created Space, a place for young people ages 12 – 19 with a Learning Disability (LD) to connect.  This Program has been created to empower these young people so they are able to improve their academic lives.  Space also gives them a chance to connect with other young people with similar issues -- allowing them to share their experiences, frustrations, anxieties, and ideas.  Specifically, Space will provide:

structural learning activities that will help them understand who they are, focusing on their strengths; information on community organisations and services that offer support and academic/employment pathways, and; guidance that will help them obtain essential life skills such as self-advocacy, self care, stress management, options and pathways for future education and employment.

We are currently looking for interested young people to join this group.  Attached is a flyer and brochure with more details as well as an enrolment form for those that are interested in participating in this Program.  Please let me know if you need these files in an alternative format.

Can you please pass these details on to anyone you think may benefit from this Program.  Please let me know if you have any other questions or would like to discuss with me further.

Thank you, in advance, for your support of this initiative.  

Best wishes,

Deborah

Deborah Zang

Director

LD Network

Ph:  03 9872 3366

Mobile:  0429 051 108

info@ldnetwork.net.au

www.ldnetwork.net.au

The film festival is getting closer! Entries are flowing in, tickets are selling fast if you want a piece of the action get involved now!

We attended the War Horse Presentation last night at the State Theatre.  This production has been running for 4 years in London and is currently starting it's world tour. It has won 5 Tony awards!  I can only say that we were blown away by the puppets. It looks like a real horse and evokes real emotion.

If you are interested in attending please let me know because tickets will be limited. It will be $92 per adult and $37 per child (this includes booking and card fees).  The show will be on a Wednesday in February - not sure on date yet but will be at 1pm.  There will also be an educational program associated with the production which will include workshops with the actors, puppeteers and learning how the puppets work and how a set is designed. The workshops will be availbale from pre production to post production, not sure yet when or how much but will let you know as soon as we know!

The book was actually written for young teens and the production is suitable for ages 10up. It covers topics of friendship, family bonds and history of war.

Register now for tickets or miss out!  It only runs from Dec to March in Australia.

Email Amanda at theexcursionfactor@gmail.com

WOW! This event is now fully booked. Sorry, no more places available. Hope everyone enjoys the day!

The Excursion Factor is hosting a night with Richard Eisenmajer this August. Do you know someone with, do you have or are you just interested in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome? Then register now for this informative session!

The kids are having fun completing the Tailored Video Clip Producer course at The Arts Center, Melbourne. You can check out their progress by checking out the links page and clicking on the BLOG link posted there.

The next course we are looking at is documentary making so let us know if that sparks your interest! Ages will be 10plus for that one.

Hey TXF team! The new look is fantastic! I like it, and how the page is also a blog! I look forward to reading everyones comments!

Awesome lol :)!

1kg Zucchini (about 3 med)

1 large red capsicum,

2medium onions chopped finely.

Into big pot with 2 tblspns salt (I use a good quality celtic sea salt)

~ Stand for 3 hours ~

Add 2 cups white sugar, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 tblspn mustard (not powdered) 1 tspn tumeric.

~ cook about 20 mins until soft.

 and add a little corn flour to thicken:)

While cooking I usually sterilise jars in oven which takes 20 mins @ 160 deg.

Relish needs to be put in jars while both are still hot.