Max - Wednesday June 21st

Today Max sent an email to Mary MacKillop. Max told us he was having a wonderful time. The children in ES1T composed an email to Max. We sent the email back to Max at Our Lady of the Way. We asked Max lots of questions. All the children at Mary MacKillop are looking forward to seeing Max again.

We think Max wants to go on another adventure. The children from St Oliver's and St Michael's want Max to visit them. Where do you think he should go?

Mrs S

Max @ St Canice's - Part 2 - Saturday 17th June

We worked long into the night and I think I fell asleep poring over the books because next thing I knew Uncle Thaddeus was shaking me by the shoulder and telling me that it was time for breakfast. We went across the street to the Elephant Bean where we had a great breakfast and a monkochino. It was a bit fresh up here in the Blue Mountains as we were 1,000 metres above sea level. I was so glad I was wearing my warm jacket and new boots that Mrs W. had given me. Uncle Thaddeus said that it had snowed twice already this Winter and the children were hoping for a few more snow days where they close the school and they get to stay home and play in the snow.

It was a great day to go bushwalking so I ask Uncle Thaddeus to take me to see the Three Sisters. We set off and before long we were at Eagle Hawk Lookout. Uncle Thaddeus said to be careful as the cliffs were so steep, but I wanted a better view of the Three Sisters so I climbed up the sign. I felt that I could see forever. We spent the day enjoying the bush and before I long I realised it was time for my train down to Emu Plains. Uncle Thaddeus walked me up Katoomba Street to the station and lots of children called out “Look at the Monkey”. I felt very important.


I fell asleep on the train going down the mountain having worked so long last night on our family tree. I was glad I put a sign on my bag saying “Emu Plains”, because a lovely lady shook me awake as we were coming into the Station. Mrs M was waiting for me. I was off to Our Lady of the Way.

Max @ St Canice's - Part 1 - Friday June 16th

On his way home (from Bathurst) Max remembered old Uncle Thaddeus, his great uncle who worked in the Library at St. Canice’s in Katoomba. What a wonderful opportunity to catch up with him and see a bit of the Blue Mountains, and maybe the Three Sisters. It was easy to find him, just down the main street and to the left, tucked in behind the Parish Church was the school.



It took me a few minutes to explain exactly who I was as old Uncle Thaddeus was a little hard of hearing. Uncle spent his days sitting in the sunshine in the Reference section and the nights researching the family tree when the children had gone home and the library was quiet.

I was happy to sit with him in the sunshine and listen to all the fascinating facts he had found out in the World Book about our ancestors in Uganda.

Some of the children from Year 3/4 invited me up to their room and we painted Indonesian motifs and listened to beautiful quiet music. I found it much easier than my craft lesson at Holy Cross, and I did not make a mess at all. They took me on a tour of St. Canice’s showing him their fantastic murals of Miss Spider, Dear Zoo and a Nursery Rhyme book with Four and Twenty Blackbirds flying about. I was terrified by the blackbirds but the children explained that they were only cut out of paper. I loved my time on the play equipment but the slippery dip was so high I needed help getting to the top. What a view from the top! We were on the highest point and could see over the mountains and into the National Park.

That night Uncle Thaddeus and I went back to our research. I was able to show him how to put his facts on computer having learned how to do it at Holy Cross and my time in the computer lab at St. Joseph’s. I was even able to show him how to download pictures and where to find great stories about other members of our family that they showed me at Bethany.

Max @ St Finbar's

Hi everyone.
This week I have been at St Finbar’s. My warm coat and slippers are keeping me from the cold.

The children in Stage 2 are learning all about the local area and national parks. Lots to learn about the park that surrounds their homes. It’s also a world heritage area up here. Wow!! What views you get in the afternoon once the sun has warmed the air and the blue haze gets bluer.

In the library, Mrs McM guided the classes onto the National Parks and Wildlife site. They had lots of fun navigating through the site and learning about all national parks. If you would like to have fun on the site too go to www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au and check out the educational resources for 5 – 12 year olds.

On Thursday they went up to Blackheath to the NPWS Centre and learnt more from the rangers about the Australian bush and wildlife.

Well it’s Friday and I’m off to the upper mountains to visit my uncle who lives at St Canice’s. Catching the train will be fun and I have the directions so I can walk from the station.

Bye for now,
Max

Messages to Max

Would you like to send a message to Max? Do you want to know more about what he did when he visited schools? Do you want to ask lots of questions? If you do, just ask Max a question by adding a comment. Click on the hyperlink "...Comments" after each entry.

Remember: Just use your first name, only use your school name and don't use surnames or suburbs because Max knows where you are!!!

Have fun...

Mrs S

Max at Holy Cross - Friday June 9th

Today is Max's last day at Holy Cross. He has specnt yesterday and today in 3W and 3P with Miss G and Mr A. He has had a fantastic time working with the children especially in making 2D and 3D shapes. He made a bit of a mess with the scissors and paper though. We are sad to see Max go and we hope he will enjoy the rest of his travels. Good bye Max.

Max at Holy Cross - Wednesday June 7th

Max came to school and stayed with
3G today. He really liked being in the classroom with the children and liked measuring the growing plants. He played time games on the computer with them and learnt about the water cycle.

He also went outside to play with them. The children read the story of Max and his adventures so far from the web log.

That night Max went home with some of the boys and he looked at the world globe. Then he watched them play chess, and then he watched them playing piano. They taught Max how to play ‘Silent Night’ on the keyboard. After watching the boys play piano, Max drank milk with them and then went upstairs and the boys read him a book. They were all very sleepy and so we went to bed. When they woke up they played tug-a-war with the blanket.

Max at Holy Cross - Tuesday June 6th

On Tuesday Max was sick. He stayed at home in bed and watched TV. Jennifer, Jeremiah and 3M missed him very much. He hopes to be at school on Wednesday where he will stay with 3G.

Max at Holy Cross - Monday June 5th

On Monday Max the Monkey came to 3M. We all had photos with Max, Jennifer and Jeremiah the two class bears. We downloaded the photos on to the computer and looked at them. Then we read the story about Max that was in his bag. On Monday night Max went home with one of the 3M girls. He went to after school care with her where he played some games. Then he went home with her, watched TV, ate dinner and went to bed.

Max at Holy Cross - June 4th

Today Max got up early and went to Mass. On his return he had a quick breakfast and read the Sunday paper while Mrs C was putting on some loads of washing.

It was a very cold day with strong, gusty winds so Mrs C dressed Max up warmly and her husband carried him in his back pack. They drove into town, got a bus to Circular Quay and a ferry to a place in the harbour called Cockatoo Island.

It was very cold on the island but Max was only taken out of the backpack to see the good views!

Cockatoo Island is now run by the Federal Government and was once a place where the early convicts and later prisoners were sent before Long Bay Jail was begun. The convicts and prisoners lived a hard life on Cockatoo Island stuck in small, cramped conditions and were involved in hard labour with leg irons chained to them. Eventually the prisoners were sent to other prisons and Cockatoo Island became a repair and shipbuilding centre in the Harbour. It also had two of the only dry docks in Australia for some time.

There are some wonderful historic buildings that still stand on the site and the Federal Government hopes to repair them so they can be used by all the people. Last year at Easter they opened the island up and had 10,000 people there for a big outdoor music event.

After the two hour tour we travelled back on the ferry to Circular Quay and made our way home. Max is looking forward to tomorrow when he meets the children of Holy Cross and especially the Holy Cross Book Worms for the first time.

Max at Holy Cross - June 3rd

Today Max woke early and had a quick breakfast of a banana smoothie. Mrs C was racing to uni to find a car space before the Blacktown City Festival began. Max was very good again and dozed off every now and then during the lecture but now knows a great deal about missiology.

After returning home he went visiting some friends of Mrs C and then later went shopping. For dinner he was given a beautiful Chinese meal from the local take-away restaurant which he can highly recommend.

Max at Holy Cross Friday - June 2nd

On Friday Mrs W from St. Joseph's delivered Max to Holy Cross. He went to uni with Mrs C that day and had a great time listening to Fr Noel. On Friday night he got dressed up and went with Mrs C to the Blessed John XXIII Fundraising Dinner and Dance and Auction. Unfortunately by the time he arrived with Mrs C at the venue they were 45 minutes late and he was asleep in the back seat. They had accidentally gone to the wrong place on their way! He stayed there comfortably until later that night when he was driven home.

Max @ St Joseph’s - Thursday 1 June

Today is my last day at St Joseph’s. Tomorrow I am off to Holy Cross to meet Mrs. C. I have had a lovely time at St Joseph’s and Mrs. W even bought me some new boots. Her library is very cold (no air conditioning) and she was worried I might catch a chill. Mr. McG waved me off and thanked me for helping at St Joseph’s.

Max @ St Joseph’s - Wednesday 31st May

I was up early with the Watson boys. They had toast for breakfast and I had bananas and a smoothie. Then it was off to school.

It was another busy day at St Joseph’s where Mrs. W needed me to help out in other parts of the school. My most important job was helping in sick bay. She insisted I wear the uniform!!! Do you think it suits me??

The next job was helping some mums cover the library books. This was not very “appealing”!! I’d much rather eat bananas.

On Wednesday night I had another sleepover- this time at Mrs. N’s house. Mrs. N is St Joseph’s fabulous Library Assistant. Mrs. N is so cool, she even let me have a turn on her motor bike. She had leathers that fitted me perfectly. Strange really….

Max @ St Joseph’s - Tuesday 30 May

I was up early and very keen to do gymnastics with the infants children. I think I look particularly sporty in my soccer gear!! Gosh, doing all that exercise certainly works up an appetite! I had recess with Year 1 and then a play in the cubby house.

That afternoon Mrs. W had some exciting news. I was going on a sleepover at The Watson children’s house. It was so cool. When we got home we made a cake and played with the dog. We had a bath, got dressed and went to the church. The next big surprise was I was there when the St Joseph’s children made their confirmation. After confirmation we went out to dinner and then it was home to bed.

Max @ St Joseph’s - Monday 29th May

Max arrived at St Joseph’s after spending the morning at a reports training session with Mrs. J. He was very excited and thinks he should get an “A” for attending an in-service and eating their sandwiches! The first thing he did was meet the Year 5 students working in the computer lab.

After chatting with the Year 5 students and giving them a few tips, Max met some of the friends that live in the Library. He met Ron the Rabbit, Walter the Bear, Babar the Elephant and a couple of Walter’s mates. Walter is the stylish bear with the red ribbon! Later, some Year 1 children read them a story.

The Year 1 children left and Mrs. W gave me a tour of her Library. They are learning all about Asia and I met a very interesting dragon. She has a fabulous soccer display and even had a soccer uniform for me to wear. I even imagined myself scoring a goal for Australia!!

At the end of the day, Mrs. W settled me down with my new friends and headed home. That night I told my new friends how I long to travel the world and see many different countries. Babar and Walter said you don’t even have to leave here to learn about some famous places. By the next morning, I felt I had traveled to many exotic places!