2017 Gallery
In January Wirraglen was pleased to accept a donation from the City Golf Club. Donations are greatly appreciated and enable the Centre to provide workshops for our home educating community. Here are Harry and Nissi, accepting on behalf of Wirraglen.
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March
A group of 17 tweens/teens enjoyed a day of activities at Camp Cooby. Aquaponics, canoeing, rock wall climbing and some yummy food from the kitchen...there were some tired bodies at the end of the day!
On March 16th 54 families came together for what was the biggest day in Wirraglen's history. It was a fun day with fabulous weather, and even though (due to an unfortunate mix-up) the main attraction did not show, everyone enjoyed the day. Thanks to LA Circus and Cleo the Clown for entertaining us all.
April
Lords & Ladies enjoyed a day of medieval fun with Sir Justyn....another huge day with 111 kids and 44 adults. The ages of the children ranged from 0 - 16years......the youngest archer for the day being 2 years old!! Weapons, armour, archery, the trebuchet and a canon - the parents enjoyed the day as much as the kids. This would have to be one of the best ways to learn medieval history. Thanks to Sir Justyn and John for traveling from Caboolture and spending the day with us!
Sir Justyn
How heavy is that chainmail?!!
Keen for a go at archery....
our youngest archer for today!
Trebuchet
Thanks to the City Golf Club and the Toowoomba Sports Club. Their support contributed to 2 of the biggest days we have had in Wirraglen's history - 62 different families and over 140 children accessed the centre over those 2 days! Wow!!
June
For the past 9 years children have loved dressing up in these costumes, & even though they are different children to 9 years ago, it usually results in an impromptu performance! We also received a Volunteers Grant that enabled us to purchase some new furniture and give the sandpit some 'TLC'!
Volunteers Belinda and Gillian assembling our new wooden bench - thanks to the Volunteers Grant!
...and the sandpit cover straps were repaired courtesy of the same two volunteers.
Children planning a play presentation....
Anyone can be in it - with a costume
The main characters...
And of course we need an audience
What a performance
And more so!
There is always someone who has to be the fall guy
Really?
Sandplay for everyone
Joking while knitting - guess that makes them knit-wits?
A group of children join in a robotics workshop run by USQ Robogals.
Tiarna, a volunteer Robogirl from USQ, getting the boys ready to go
Wow - it works!
Chris, a cleverly disguised Robogirl, helping a whole family to get started
Looks like you're on the right track
Here... or There?
Will it take the corner?
I'll just give it a little help
Putting a tiger in their tank!
A committee based decision
July
Nathalie Thomas MSc, DipT, a home educator/Science Teacher from New Zealand, facilitated 2 science workshops for us. Children learned the basics of DC electricity and made a fun electrical quiz master to take home. The chocolate workshop demonstrated the chemical and physical changes that happen to make chocolate from beans.
Ready to start.....
Am I on the right track, mum?
Concentrate!
Nathalie Thomas - a home educator/Science Teacher who came to us from the Netherlands via New Zealand
Two scientists in waiting.
Father and son taking it steady
some parents preferred an outdoor setting
Another impromptu performance from a new generation of actors - entertaining the captive audience......
August
It's winter......isn't it?.... what a beautiful day for a BBQ lunch, some games, a visit from Cr Megan O'Hara Sullivan and some entertainment from the resident theatre group!
Harry and Lori - reminiscing over the past 10 years of Wirraglen....
getting some props ready
Julie and Emily cooking lunch ready for Cr Megan to visit....
Meanwhile.....indoors...
planning.....
Cr Megan O'Hara Sullivan chatting with parents
Setting up for the show...
Director Harry.... & action!
September
Spring-time antics....
Parents supporting each other, having a laugh in the sunshine!
Kids having a whack at a pinata - & then sorting out the treasure.
Fun with dragons and kites.....
Parents enjoying the grounds and the sunshine
Setting up a pinata.....
Pinata fun.....
Let the goodies flow.....
Sorting out the loot....
Now I see you....
Plastic Bag 'balloon' fun....
November...
Georgena Ryder spending some time with parents and children...Georgena explains "My PhD aims to explore the different educational experiences of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. My goal at Wirraglen was to better understand and appreciate homeschooling/child-led learning from those who actually live it, and to share their stories in the hope of demystifying this option."
December...
End of another year....a large group of families came out to the centre to celebrate a birthday or 2 (there a quite a few in our group in December), the upcoming Christmas holiday season and the warm weather. The water slide has been a hit for a few years in a row now!!
