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'Walpiri's Quest' Group Travel Buddy ProjectIn the story "An Apology To Biblies", Walpiri travels around Australia searching for other Bilbies and has many adventures. |
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Oz Teachernet Travel Buddies
Project is a wonderful way |
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The schools will keep a diary, take photos and enjoy watching their students learn. After one week they post him to the next school. | |
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Email his adventures at your
school (with pictures) and I'll include your children's stories on this web site. Participating schools in 'Walpiri's Quest'Boronia
Heights SS (home of the illustrator - Gayle Kutuzov) More information about Travel Buddy Projects
available on the |
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Walpiri's Journey Across Australia and Overseas
| Week One October 5-9 | Week Two Oct. 12-16 | Week Three Oct. 19-25 | Week Four Oct. 26-30 | Week Five November 19 |
| Week Six-Seven Nov 19-7 Dec | Week 8-1o Orford Primary | Christmas |
Click on a date to read about his adventures.
Week One October 5-9
Monday 5 October
What a day!. Clear blue skies, and ready for action.
My first port of call was Boronia Heights State School in Logan City, Queensland.
This is where Gayle Kutuzov teaches. She is the illustrator of my book,
"An Apology To Bilbies" and a really fun lady.
Her students are FANTASTIC - lots of hugs and best wishes.
A few of Mr Simpson's class went outside and helped me look for other bilbies -
no luck. Here I am with Cara, Bradley, Steven, Matthew and Kayla.
(photo to come)
Wednesday 7
October
A bit cold and windy today - brrrr (20 degrees is too cold for me).
I visited a couple of beautiful country schools and this
is what they wrote in my diary :-
"Today Walpiri visited our school. (Gleneagle State School)
We live just outside of Beaudesert in the country.
We have 110 students in our school.
Walpiri looked in the paddocks around our school,
and in my dad's rusty old cars (next door).
There is a knackery up the road but Walpiri didn't want to go there!!!"
By Tom Wilkinson and Ashlee Mitchell
"Today Walpiri came to our
little country school.
He was interested in the cows and the dam just outside of our school.
The magpies were very interested in Walpiri, 3 of them
started circling him and pecking at his body.
Walpiri was very interested in the magpies but said goodbye,
for he was in a hurry to visit another country school - Woodhill."
by Simon Bax
Week Two October 12-16
Our Lady of the Assumption School
Walpiri joined us on Monday, 12 October. He has been busy keeping up
with us as we have gone about our usual learning activities.
Each afternoon a child has taken Walpiri home so that he could enjoy
true Queensland hospitality around the clock.
He has been very well behaved and is a most enthusiastic student.
We are keen to follow Walpiri on his travels.
During his week at Our Lady of the Assumption School, Walpiri has seen hail,
had four sleep overs and has been to swimming, gymnastics and the doctor's
surgery. In class Walpiri has seen cake making demonstrations,
silkworm growing and changing plus all the other basic learning that happens.
Week Three
October 19-25
All Saints Anglican School
We received Walpiri the Bilby today and he is currently
in our Year 3 classrooms having a fabulous time.
Year 3 students are on their way to camp on Thursday and Walpiri
will be going with them joining in all the activities. I'm sure he'll be very
tired on the weekend and will have a well deserved rest on the sunny
Gold Coast. Lucky Walpiri!!! We'll keep you updated on his latest
exploits. Thanks Mrs Furlonger and the Year 3 students from All
Saints Anglican School.
Walpiri enjoying an Ann Gedes book.
"Push off me hearties!" - Walpiri sails the blue
(river).
Week Four and
Five October 25 - Nov 19
Woodstock State School
Walpiri had a great time at Wookstock.
The students took him home and showed him a good time.
Here's a quick message from their teacher.
"Hopefully Walpiri made it to your place OK.
He was very well behaved and we gave him a bath before sending him on.
I had our photos developed an sent them on to Tasmania."
Week 6-7 Early
December
Scotch Oakburn State School
Orford Primary School - Tasmania
On Monday December 7th, Walpiri arrived in Orford. The
Grade 4/5/6
class at Orford Primary was so excited about this that other classes in
the school became "infected" and decided they wanted to read "An Apology
to Bilbies" at once!
Walpiri survived a few rehearsals of the Christmas play, listened to a
number of piano lessons, did a paper round (complete with bike helmet)
and met lots of people.
On his second day he was lucky enough to be
"kidnapped" by the Kinders and Prep/1/2 class who happened to be going
on an excursion to the local wildlife park. They introduced him to some
Tasmanian Devils but he wasn't very impressed!
Walpiri joined in the Kids' Club Christmas party at
Buckland, then went
home with James for a ride on one of the family's motor bikes.
The next day Walpiri spent with us in our classroom. He was almost
overwhelmed when he met a fellow bilby, belonging to Lucy. Her name was
Ellie, and you will see by the photos that although they were a bit shy,
it was love at first sight. We left them alone at lunch time in the
hope that they would help propogate their species!
Walpiri went to the T-Ball Christmas party at Triabunna, and gained a
number of items of clothing. He now has a jacket, hat and backpack. He
needed the backpack for our class excursion to Hobart in 38 degree
heat. Luckily there was a swim on the agenda before the bus trip home!
Walpiri spent a quiet day today, farewelling his new friends and saying
his final goodbyes to Ellie!
Grade 4/5/6
Orford Primary School
Tasmania