Thursday, May 24

Last night I went to a big building and watched a football game on the big screen. I knew it was an important game because there were lots of people there.

I wore my blue coat and when it started I could hear everyone calling out "Go Blues!"

I thought they were talking about me but Mrs A said they were shouting for the N.S.W. State of Origin Team.

They didn't win. The team called the Maroons won. I had a great time anyway. Mrs A said my next school friends might take me to the second game and the Blues might win then.

Wednesday 23rd May

This morning I entered the Mathematics Competition with 98 other students at this school. I'm really good at working things out and I think I will do well because I tried to do my best. Everyone was so quiet and on task.

Straight after the Competition I went to a library lesson with Year 4. I continued to reference the websites I used during my research on National Parks of Australia. I learnt how important it was to record where I got my information from, so I don't break Copyright laws.

Tuesday 22nd May - I Love Reading

Today I went to the Library to borrow a few books to read after school. There were so many books to choose from. I went straight to the Fiction shelf to find a book written by my favourite author. She has written many books for children and adults. Can you guess who she is?

While I was waiting for the rest of the class to checkout their books I snuggled up with a good book in the reading area. I LOVE READING!

Monday 21st May - AFL

I couldn't wait to finish my homework and go to the park. Now to keep fit and healthy I am enrolled in the 6 week Auskick program. There were so many children kicking balls, running around and having fun.

We had to divide up into two groups depending on our age. The warm up games were fun! We played lots of different games to learn catching, passing and kicking skills. It was cool watching our coaches stretching to catch the ball when it was passed or kicked to them. Then it was our turn! Opps! They didn't even mind when the balls accidently bounced on their heads. Two police officers rode past us and cheered us on, they were so friendly! Some parents even joined in and were coached on how to pass, catch and kick an AFL ball.

There were four fantastic coaches. Here I am with Dean Connors who played in the Reserves for the Swans. Before I had my friend take this great photo I remembered to ask Dean's permisssion to use the photo and his name in my Blog.

I even received a backpack full of goodies just because I registered to play! I can't wait to go to a live match again. Go the Swans!

Monday - Homework Group

Time to get some help with my homework. It's a bit hard doing the work since English is not my native tongue and I have been travelling to many different countries and learning their language. The teachers here are Great! They volunteer to help children like me after school. Some students from local High Schools also came to help us.

Monday 21st May - Assembly

Wow! You should have seen the Year 4 Assembly. We all joined in the prayer and I got to read in front of everyone. I thought I would be scared but everyone around me kept telling me that I will be fine and it wouldn't matter, even if I did make a mistake. I'm lucky to be part of such an accepting group children and teachers.

We sang the song 'Jelly on a Plate' and played musical instruments to accompany it. I got to play the triangle.

I even learnt about National Parks of Australia. I can't wait to join them on an excursion to visit one!

Friday Night - DISCO

I couldn't wait to join my friends at the School Disco. The music was great! There was a rush to buy glow sticks. Luckily I was able to purchase a blue one.

After dancing for a while I ate the best sausage sizzle, smothered in tomato sauce. Yummy! I was so hungry after working so hard at school.

We had so much fun and danced the night away.

Friday 18th May

Mrs A packed me a great, healthy lunch to take to school.

When I arrived at school I played games with my new friends. When the bell went I lined up with Mrs A's class. Everyone wanted to be my partner.

I loved spending time learning in her class. I even helped out with the wheat experiments! I wonder how tall the wheat will grow with lots of water and sunshine? Would it still grow as tall if we did not water it and left it in a dark cupboard?

What do you think?

Since I will be continuing my journey of discovery in two weeks, my friends in Mrs A's class will email me their findings with some photos attatched.

Thursday 17th May - Night

On Thursday night I went to the Olive restaurant with some of the teachers. I enjoyed my banana entree followed by lots of Greek food.

As I was driving in the car we went past another school where I had visited. But it was late so all my friends from St O's had gone home.

I ended up having a sleepover at Mrs A's place. I enjoyed breakfast with her family. She has such a cute puppy! I jumped into her basket to give her a big hug. She really liked me!

Thursday 17th May

Yipee! I got to go on an excursion with Year 3 to the City.

The highlight of the day was going up Centre Point Tower. The view was spectacular! I didn't realise the City was so big! I could even work out where St Mary's Cathedral was below us. Everyone looked like ants!

We are so lucky to be living in such a beautiful City!

We then visited St Mary's Cathedral and enjoyed our lunch by the Harbour foreshore in the Botanic Gardens.

What a fantastic day! I haven't stopped talking about it!

Wednesday 16th May, 2007 - Night

After a fun day playing and working with my friends, I joined the car pick up queue and waited for my next adventure with the R family.

The boys made sure I was safely seated, with my seat belt on, as we drove to their house. I met their whole family. Their baby brother is one of SMM's

newest community members. He is so cute!

Even cuter than me!

The R's really spoilt me. I had a fantastic time! They had fun too! They even took lots of photos of me and let me keep this one to remember them by.

Wednesday 16th May, 2007

The Year 2 students suggested many interesting ways I could travel from school to school. They even designed and made different forms of transport to help me in my travels.

Here I am pictured with a created submarine, in case I venture overseas again (or should I say underseas?)

Tuesday 15th May, 2007.

When I arrived at St Margaret Mary's Primary, there was another important visitor.

She was teaching the teachers! Boy what a surprise! I did not know that teachers still had to learn. I thought they already knew everything!

I even gave Pam Wells a few ideas.

Max gets an interview...

On Friday, Mrs S was interviewed by a journalist from a local paper near Mary MacKillop. Emma had heard about Max and wanted to know what has been happening. Max is looking forward to seeing his picture in the newspaper... What do you think he will be wearing????

Max was very excited on Friday when he saw his photo in the newspaper. he was wearing hos Patmos T-shirt from Greece. Max was very happy.

If you would like Max to visit your school, please send Max an email. (mmonkey@parra.catholic.edu.au)

Max visits the lower Blue Mountains

As in years gone by, Max has taken to fitness and relaxation as he enjoys his time at St Finbar's.

Max visits his old friends at Mary MacKillop

Max had a great time visiting his friends at Mary MacKillop. He saw Benny, Bernadette and Careflight Bear. He told them all about his adventures and the fun time he has had since he saw them last.

"Where are you going next, Max?" asked Benny

"I am going to meet some friends at another school in the mountains" relied Max.

"Do you miss the children?" asked Bernadette

"Yes, I do. I am going to come back soon and stay a bit longer" said Max.

That afternoon, Max said goodbye to his friends and left. Benny, Bernadette and Careflight Bear were sorry to see Max go.



Mrs S took Max to a very large room where Max saw lots of people. He got very excited when he saw his friends Kim, David, Richard, Aunty Carmel, Frances and Elizabeth.

Later that night, Max had a photo with a new friend. His name was Greg.

That night Max went home with Mr C who was taking Max to meet his friends at St Finbars.

Mystery Postcards

Today Roz received a postcard today from Max. It was sent from Italy.





How did Max get to Italy? How did he send Roz a postcard?

Roz received another two postcards from Rome....

Can you solve the mystery? What do you think happened?

Send your answer to Max via email mmonkey@parra.catholic.edu.au or add a comment to Max's blog!!!

I wonder who can solve the mystery????

Max returns from Greece and Turkey

Max arrived back from Greece and Turkey today. Very soon we will tell you about his adventures. Please come back another day..



Do you like his new Tshirt? Read about the Greek Island of Patmos

Go on a virtual tour of Patmos

Max decided to go back to see all his friends at Mary MacKillop before going to St Finbars.

Listen to Max's Podcast

Link to Max's Podcast

Max in Turkey

Max left Patmos in Greece and travelled by ferry to Kusadasi in Turkey. He was on the ferry for 4 hours. He was so tired, he had a sleep.

Max went through Customs where people check your passport. Some of the people travelling with Max got a beautiful stamp in their passport. Max didn't get one because he was too excited.

After meeting the guide, Alp, Max went to the motel where they were staying.

The next day they went to Ephesus where there are ruins of ancient Turkey and Troy. There is a special story about Troy...a very large horse and lots of soilders. Can you see the photo of Max with Troy?

Max caught the ferry from Cannakkale to the other side where he got on a bus to ANZAC cove. This is a special place remembered by Australian and Turkish people. We remember ANZAC Day every year in Australia on April 25th.



Max got on another bus and travelled for a very long time to Istanbul. Here he saw lots of churches and "The Blue Mosque".

Here is Max near a very famous place where people stored water a very, very long time ago.

He went to "The Grand Bazzar" where there are over 3000 stalls!!! Max felt a little frightened with all the people around him. He stayed very close to his friends Roz and Ann.

The next day, Max went to the train station where the famous train, "The Orient Express" arrives . Unfornately, the train was not there that day!!!

That night Max went back to Istanbul airport to fly back to Athens (Greece) to catch another plane to Rhodes (a Greek Island) before flying back to Sydney

Read about a tour just like Max went on...