Birak, Birak!  Breath out, the end of the year.

Birak, Birak!  Long dreamy summer days,

Life-restoring sun rays;

Birak, Birak, gather in the year.

Paul Lawrence

As we reach the final weeks of the school year, we undergo the seasonal transition from Kambarang to Birak.  This year has been unusual for recent times, as we have alternated between warm sunny days and colder wet days more reminiscent of Makuru/Djilba.  While we celebrate every downpour for it’s earth-nourishment, the message about the change to Birak has been a bit more difficult to convey to the children as they go from playing and exploring down at the creek one week to rugging up in rain jackets and trekking through the wet bush the next.

Nevertheless, with more and more seasonal songs and stories, practicing of Christmas songs, and talk of end-of-year activities and looming holidays, the children are becoming aware of the changes in season that are upon us.  Here’s hoping a few dry sunny days in succession allow us to end the year with some celebratory play dates at the creek, getting very wet, cool and muddy in the warm sun as befits the end of another school year.

For the weeks that remain, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather, and have a full change of clothes (and a towel, if it fits) in their bags.  On hot days they can bring their bathers or wear them underneath their clothes.  As the mozzies persist with the rainy weather, please ensure that arms and legs are covered with loose-fitting clothing.  Can Kindy parents also please return any spare Kindy clothes and calico bags children have been sent home in recently.

End-of-year Bush picnics

Please note the following dates are the last sessions of Bush Kindy and Bush School for the year. Parents are invited to join us with a plate of healthy tucker for a picnic celebration by the creek around 10.30 on these days.  A note will come home with your child as a reminder in the coming week.

Bush Kindy - Friday 11th December

Bush School - Tuesday 15th December (our last session will be on the Tuesday to enable Bruce and Evie to attend the Karri Kindergarten Stepping Stones graduation ceremony on the Wednesday.  Class 1 and Class 2 will spend their final Wednesday with Lisa and Ashley).