News

In an age of robots, most schools are teaching our children to be redundant

By George Monbiot... Illustration by Andrzej Krauze A regime of cramming and testing is crushing young people’s instinct to learn and destroying their future In the future, if you want a job, you must be as unlike a machine as possible: creative, critical and socially skilled. So why are children being taught to behave like machines? Children learn best when teaching aligns with their natural exuberance, energy and curiosity. So why are they dragooned into rows and made to sit still while they are stuffed with facts? We succeed in adulthood through collaboration. So why is collaboration in tests and…

Finding a Pathway through Parenting

This year at Chrysalis we have created a series of talks and activities to look at the different aspects of the first seven years. Our Term 1 Program begins with: The developmental picture of the young child… The insights gained through deepening our understanding of the different age groups can help free us from us from our reactions, allay our fears and help initiate new ways of being. A talk by Melanie Deefholts The 0-4yr old child… Saturday 25th February Beginning at 9am the making of a simple doll 10-11.30am talk followed by questions   The 4-6yr old child… Thursday…

I am not anti-technology, I am pro-conversation

Sherry Turkle: ‘I am not anti-technology, I am pro-conversation’ Sherry Turkle interviewed by Tim Adams Sherry Turkle at home in Boston, near MIT. Photograph: Blake Fitch For nearly 30 years now, Sherry Turkle, professor of social psychology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been exploring the effects of digital worlds on human behaviour. Her books, Life on the Screen, The Second Self and Alone Together, have charted the seductions of “intimate machines”, the advance of social media and virtual realities and the all-pervasive internet, and the effect these things have had on our culture and our lives. Her latest…

Chrysalis Market Stall 2017

Set-up & Maintenance of Stall Chrysalis hosts a popular food & beverage stall in a prime location near the performance area at Bellingen Community Markets on the 3rd Saturday of each month. The market gives Chrysalis School and opportunity to be in the public eye, and present itself to the general Bellingen community. Each market is designated to a particular class, primary school, middle school or the P & F. Every class parent body takes a turn at the markets. You may be asked to work on the stall and/or bake something for the stall. All profits from the stall…

Changes to Private Vehicle Conveyance (PVC) subsidy

From 20 December 2016, the Private Vehicle Conveyance (PVC) subsidy will be phased out and replaced with the new School Drive Subsidy.  The changes are explained below.What is the Private Vehicle Conveyance (PVC) subsidy?PVC is a subsidy available to parents or guardians who drive students to school or a public transport pick up point.PVC is only available to the nearest public transport pick up point or to school where no other transport options are available.Applications for 2016 and for term one 2017 are due by 20 December 2016.From 20 December 2016, the PVC subsidy will be phased out and replaced…

End of Year Music Concert 2016

All are welcome to attend our End of Year Music Concert - Friday 2nd December at the Bellingen Memorial Hall This year, for the first time, our end of year music concert will be held at the Bellingen Memorial Hall this Friday. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our school's musical talents to the wider Bellingen community. Doors will open at 6pm, students to meet their teachers at 6:15pm, and the concert will begin at 6:30pm sharp. All students from Class 1 to 8 will be performing. Encourage all your friends and family to come along and let's see if we can fill…

High School feasibility study

You are welcome to attend our High School information night - Wednesday 23rd November at the CWA rooms in BellingenFrom 6:00-7pm, we will present the current year 7 & 8 school curriculum. We encourage all parents in classes 4–7 to consider attending this important information evening.From 7:30-9pm, all parents and carers interested in hearing about the feasibility study for offering Years 9 and 10 at Chrysalis in the future are urged to attend the evening. We will be presenting the proposed model and giving members of the Community an opportunity to ask questions.If you are interested, but cannot attend the evening, please contact the Project Manager,…

Spinach & Rice Pie

A quick and easy winter meal with lots of spinachy goodness 3 C cooked spinach 2 shallots diced 1 egg, beaten ¾-1 C ricotta cheese 1 small tomato ¼ tsp nutmeg ¼ C brown rice ½ C fetta/tasty cheese Combine all ingredients adding cheese last. Pour into pastry shell if desired. Cook at 180°C for 25 mins.

Strings Concert

The Annual (and amazing) Strings Concert is on  Wednesday August the 24th. The concert involves all children in classes 2- 4 and string players in classes 5 - 8. The class 2 children will start the concert with a song. It is fabulous that the class twos participate on this night as they get to hear all the string players as part of the preparation process for becoming young string players next year. The new senior 'Soixante' will blow your socks off. The class threes are the cutest of  twinklers, the class fours will click your shears and the Chrysalis String…

Vegetable Stroganoff

A hearty winter meal that is sure to keep those kids happy and healthy1 C lima beans1 clove garlic440g tin tomatoes1 carrot1 small onion1 broccoli1 C yoghurt or sour cream2 Tbs tomato pastebay leaf½ C red wine450g mushrooms2 zucchini1 green capsicumGrate zucchini and chop vegies. Combine all ingredients except mushroom and yoghurt. Mix well. Place in a casserole dish and bake in moderate oven for 45 mins. Add mushies and cook for a further 15 mins. Stir through yoghurt or sour cream just before serving. Serve with garlic bread.