Australian Cities Class Contest

We ran a class contest to find the best presentations about three Australian cities. The students in 1 ESO A prepared their presentations about Sydney, the students in 1 ESO B worked on Melbourne and finally those in 1 ESO D  did it about Cairns. The best Power Points are published in this post. You ALL did a GOOD JOB!
So, watch their presentations and enjoy! Some questions about them are coming up soon!

Sydney

Cairns

Melbourne

Australia Day

Read this long but interesting text. Come on! It's NOT difficult! You can do it.

Australians love a good party and their biggest party is Australia Day. It's on January 26 and it's a national public holiday. Australia Day celebrates the settlement of Australia by White Europeans.

Captain James Cook was the first European to explore the east coast in 1770. On his return to England, he recommended it as a good place to settle. His recommendation was considered, and the English decided to establish a penal colony in Australia. On January 26, 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip commander of the First Fleet sailed his 11 ships full of convicts into what is now  Sydney Harbour. He ordered the Union Jack flag raised on the beach to signify British occupation.

Not without controversy, this date is now a national holiday which is celebrated with fervent nationalisitic pride.

For many indigenous Australians January 26 is not a day of celebration. Many see it as a sad day as it marks the day of invasion by white settlers. Known variously as Sovereignty Day, Survival Day and Invasion Day among aboriginal communities, January 26 is when the Yabun Festival is held. It is  one of the most important Indigenous music events in the country.

Do you understand? Can you answer these two questions?
1. Why do most Australians celebrate Australia Day?
2. Why do some other NOT celebrate it?

What to do on Australia Day

Look at some of the many activities you can do on Australia Day.

1. Australia Day Regatta.
Bring a picnic & find a spot on the harbour foreshore. The Australia Day Regatta takes place in the afternoon on the eastern end of the harbour. Find a spot in a harbourside park or on one of the many beaches and enjoy a picnic while watching the sailing.

2. Community breakfast.
In almost every neighbourhood in every corner of the nation, on January 26 there is a community breakfast. This is typically held in an open air space and the common food is barbecued sausages on a sandwich or bread roll with tea or coffee.

3. Australia Day Barbecue.
Australia Day is for barbecuing. OK, yes, you can find a barbecue going any other day of the year as well. But Australia Day probably sees more barbecues fired up, collectively, than any other day of the year. It is the day to meet at a mate's place with some beers and watch the cricket.

4. The Havaiana's Australia Day Thong Challenge.

 

It's a race to the finish line on huge inflatable green and gold thongs. It's bigger and better than ever. Now,  the thong challenge has become an iconic event on Australia Day.

5. Cockroach Races In Brisbane .        

Brisbane likes to be a bit different to the rest of the country. If you find yourself in Brisbane on January 26 you could partake in one of the many unique competitive events held there each year such as the Annual Cockroach Races

 

6. AAMI Ferrython

 

 

One of the best places to be at 11am on Australia Day is down on The Sydney Harbour for the AAMI Ferrython. A perfect way to enjoy this free event is with a picnic basket on the grass in one of Sydney's many harbourside parks as you watch the four Sydney ferries, all decorated and dressed for the occasion.


Imagine you are in Australia. What do you do on Australia Day?
Choose JUST ONE activity. Vote for it. Let's see what you like best!

New Year's Eve in Sydney

Finally, just a New Year Present from me.
Enjoy Sydney's famous New Year's Eve Fireworks 2012 at Harbour bridge!
It's a good place to start the year, isn't it?

Christmas Day on Bondi Beach

And here is the last video we watched at school! See Bondi Beach on X-mas Day!
Locals and tourists enjoy the perfect weather in Sydney by spending Christmas Day on Australia's famous Bondi Beach.



Watch the video, listen carefully and complete the sentences.

1. When much of  ____________ endures sub-zero temperatures, locals and tourists in Sydney are enjoying the _____________, ____________ and _____________  of Bondi Beach.
2. There is even a ___________    ____________ planted in the sand to admire.
3. With this kind of ____________   ____________ Bondi has become a popular destination for British backpackers on Christmas Day.
4. Tens of thousands of people hit Australia's most famous beach every year to _____________  _____________.

Aussie Jingle Bells

I'm sure you all know the popular Christmas carol called Jingle Bells. However, you also know that Christmas in Australia is different. So, watch this video, listen to this short Australian version of Jingle Bells and read the lyrics at the bottom of the image.
Do you understand the words? If not, remember you have an on-line dictionary link here on the right of the screen. Use it and translate the following lines from the song:

Dashing through the bush,
in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust,
esky in the boot,
Kelpie by my side,
singing Christmas songs,
It's Summer time
and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day,
Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut !,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

If you want to listen to the full version, click on this link http://youtu.be/gnO6b7v0P1s
and if you want the complete lyrics, click on the link that follows http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/xmas/australianjinglebells.shtml

Christmas in Australia. Why is it different? Find the differences

Do you remember our last class session at school. We watched three videos about Christmas in Australia. Here is the first.

Watch the video, read the lyrics and listen carefully.

How is Christmas in Australia different from our Christmas here?

Find as many differences as you can.