April 28, 2006

What was it like during the Blitz in 1940? 

 

The Blitz began on September the 5th of 1940. The German air force flew 350 planes over London and dropped 300 tons of bombs. Blitz actually means lightning in German. The sounds of the bombs must have been awful which would have resembled the sounds of lightning. The Blitz lasted from 1940 to 1941.  

Every day and night London was bombed for 11 weeks. London was bombed nearly every night so the people were always very frightened. They spent most nights sleeping in Air raid shelters which were very uncomfortable because of the blackout. Children were evacuated and food and clothing were rationed. The Blitz ended in mid-May 1941 with 32,000 deaths because the German army had to prepare for the invasion of Russia. 

 

 

What was it like to be an evacuee? 

 

For some evacuees, they saw evacuating as a sign of safety and they looked forward to going to a safer place. But for others it was a dreadful experience being separated from their family and going to an unknown place. A lot of the children were fascinated by the countryside because they were only used to the city. A sight of a cow would make them excited. 

The children often wrote letters to their parents talking excitedly about their new guardians. But others complained because the ride there was awful. For the poorer children, going away was like luxury for them. Some hadn’t even ever slept in a bed. But for the wealthier children it wasn’t so good because they hated the fact of living in a small country town. Not like the city they were used to. 

 

 

 


Good Night Mr Tom: What I think so far

April 20, 2006

Yesterday we received our first book of the year; Good night Mister. Tom. So far I have read a little bit past the second chapter.

What do you think of Willie so far? I think Willie is a troubled little boy whom I feel very sorry for. It appears that his mother used to beat him. The sad part is, is that Willie thinks that he really is a bad boybecause his mother puts that into his head. He is also petrified of dogs because his mother told him that they are bad animals and if one bites you, you will die instantly.

How do I feel about Tom Oaks?  I like Tom Oaks because even though at the very beginning he seemed like a rude man, I can tell that he has a nice heart and that he will look after Willie.

What do you think will happen in the future?  In the future I think Willie and Tom will grow a close relationship together. By reading the blurb I think they will be separated and that would be very bad for both of them. 

Have you ever been in a strange place where you didn’t know anyone?    I was in a strange place where I didn’t know anyone when i started Drama lessons. I didnt know anyone and I felt really left out but eventually I made some friends.

Have I Ever Been really Scared?  I once felt really scared when i was little and I got lost in a shopping centre and i didnt know where my mum was.        Book Cover                 


What is a refuge camp?

April 16, 2006


  

There are six detention centres spread around Australia in different states. There is the Baxter Detention Centre in Sydney, Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney, Maribyrnong Detention Centre in Melbourne, Detention Centre in Perth, Port Hedland Detention Centre in S/A, Curtan Detention Centre in S/A, Woomera Detention Centre & Housing Project as well as several in different countries.
  Inside lies people who ran away from their unhopeful country in search for a better life, a life of freedom and hope. But little did they know they would just be re-entering it just in another country. The refugees are locked inside the camp 24/7 and refused to leave. The people that get sent to a detention centre are those who come to Australia illegally without a Visa mostly on a boat. If this happens they can apply for asylum which may take months some even take years. They have not really done anything wrong but are treated like criminals.
Refuge camps are run by the department of immigration which is run by the Government. The conditions inside a refuge camp aren’t all pretty. As you could imagine, feeding and supplying beds for thousands of people would be costly, therefore the living conditions aren’t what you call five star accommodation. There are about four people to a room.
In Australian detention centres they still have the right to lock up children. But in some other countries they are unable to lock up people under the age of 18.
Detention Centres are often isolated, located away from the public surrounded in barb-wire and some are even surrounded with electric fences.
In some detention centres people work for as little as one dollar an hour, like slaves.
 Here you have read about what the average refuge camp is like and as you might have figured they aren’t a very nice place. These types of places are giving Australia a bad name. What would the little children think? All they would know about Australia would be that it is a prison.
 

By Stefanie


Hey

April 6, 2006

HEY EVERYBODY!!!!


Whats going on

April 4, 2006

So hello everyone.

How is everyone? Did you enjoy your holiday break?

Anyways today after school I’m going to Subway for lunch because we finish early because of parent interveiws. I have three interveiws tonight:Sose,english and science. I’m hoping the teachers say nice things about me though!

So yer now I’m in English and I have Maths next.

So bibi. Luv Stef xoxo