I DREAM - Author Judy

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DRAGON QUEST - Authors Ruby & Kiera

I'm stuck here,

In a rice field,

Many have been killed,

I'm one out of ten survivors.

I'm now in a deserted town,

Looking for food and water,

 bump into a man and fall down,

He asked me if I wanted to do a quest,

I wanted to say no but I said yes.

We are now in a cave,

Looking for a dragon,

Blood dripping from the roof,

And there's an old broken wagon.

I see the dragon,

It's coming towards us,

All of a sudden,

I here the school bus.

I can't believe I imagined it,

I said to myself,

When I walked into the classroom,

My teacher was an elf!

     

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AN ENDLESS IMAGINATION - Author Jamie

Imagine a time when all the power is yours,

where you make all of the choices,

a place where the power is in the mind

and a place where all of the stars are aligned. 

Imagination is when pigs can fly,

or when crocodiles can cry.

when birds can talk, 

and fish can walk.

Imagination is the wonderful place where anything goes,

and it is a place that everyone knows.

Imagine this,

a place where you have the power,

and you live in a tall tower.

A time that has start and no end,

a time that you choose and you alone control.

Imagine your imagination,

A place where you go anywhere and everywhere,

a place where you can travel the world,

or a place where you go to get away from life when it is in a swirl.

A place where you are treated like a king,

and you wear a noble ring.

A place where you wear the crown,

and there is happiness all around.

Your imagination is a magical place that only you can create,

Your imagination is a time in which you control its fate.

Imagine a place where imagination flows,

a place where everyone comes and goes.

There is no place like imagination,

a place of isolation,

a place of endless thoughts and dreams,

and a place full of extremes.

All in all,

Imagination is a place that can never end,

Imagination is a place where you will never go without a friend.

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THE SURFBOARD HUNT - Author Emma Illustrator Serena

This story can be downloaded as an ePub into iBooks using the Safari browser. Click here to access the file

One sunny Friday, a handsome boy named Brady and a pretty girl called Mackenzie were strolling along the soft yellow sand of Miami Beach. Little did they know of the connection to befall their friends.

Brady wanted to surf so he went to get his magical surfboard. It made him do tricks no one could ever do. He loved his surfboard so much. But know one knew his secret. It could also make people fall in love when it is close.

When he got there he realised his surfboard was gone. “Oh No” he cried “ My surfboard ...... gone.”
Mackenzie heard him in the distance, “Whats ?” Brady replied, “ My surfboard is gone.” “ Oh my gosh your magical surfboard. This can’t be happening.” They went to look.

They passed a mysterious jungle and knew that if they went in they would be victims of something in there. Brady said, “ We have to look its our only chance. If the surfboard is in the wrong hands something very bad could happen". Mackenzie agreed and they went in.

They were a bit frightened and did not want to risktheir life. [ yes they are a bit dramatic] Then all of a sudden a metal cage not unlike a prison cell fell on top of them. They were freaking out. Brady yelled,”
Get us out! Please” Mackenzie yelled, “ Yes! We need to find our surfboard.”

All of a sudden a dashing, pretty, smart, strong and attractive girl went to save them. Her name was Lela. Brady and Lela fell instantly in love and would not take their eyes off each other. Mackenzie said, “ Um Lela aren't you supposed to be saving us?”Lela replied, “ Oops sorry thats right.”But Mackenzie knew that their love was the power of he surfboard so it must be close.

When Lela freed them. Brady and Lela were lost [ not literally] Brady introduced himself and said, “Hi my name is Brady and I am single.”Lela giggled and said, “You're funny and by the way I am Lela and single too. Mackenzie said to herself, “ Eww. You have to be joking.”

When Lela wasn't looking Mackenzie said to Brady, " Brady, your love for Lela is from the
surfboard. It is getting close." Brady told Mackenzie, " You must be right, every step we take I fall more in love." Mackenzie replied," That's good. It has to be close."

Then all of a sudden. Brady's cousin Dez came swinging in on a vine. You will never guess what happened next. Mackenzie fell in love with Dez. They were talking and said exactly what Brady and Lela said. Everyone was scared and excited at the same time. The surfboard had to be close.

Then the forest came to a dead end. Dez said, "We were so close! " Then Mackenzie and Brady both
said at the same time, " I know the surfboard is here, I can feel it in my gut."Lela said very terrified, " Um, Brady and Mackenzie. You are right the surfboard is close, but not safe. Look behind you."

Their worst enemy Raini was holding their surfboard and evilly said, " I shall break the board. For revenge. Your love will shatter and I will take over the world." Dez said, " Technically you can't
take over the world. Because even if our love shatters we will still stop you from destroying it." Then he punched Raini grabbed the surfboard and they all ran out of the forest. Raini was unconscious
and did not chase after them.

They saw light and landed on the beach. Their love was still strong and their surfboard was back. They all became best friends and lived happily ever after.

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PERSPECTIVE MEMORICAE - Author Alyssa

 I was on my way to the park with my sister, my mum and my best soccer ball. I wasn't much of a girly-girl. I liked to hang out with the boys and play a harsh match of soccer. The big finals were coming up this weekend and I wanted as much practice as I could get. We arrived at Birtwick Park within five minutes. It was a large park. Tall trees outlined the boarder. A section of the park towards the end was thick with trees and shrubs. Bushy grass covered the earthy soil. Despite the large size of the park, there were only about five families and a few groups of friends.

I ran towards the tall fence that faced the back of a house. I practiced hard, kicking the ball as hard as I could when I spotted a flash of blue light. I looked around to see if anyone else had seen it. No one had moved, so I carried on with my practice. I ran with the ball, I kicked the ball; I practiced kicking the ball on the painted targets on the fence. Then again, what was it? Again, no one looked as though they had noticed it. I thought that my eyes were playing up so I focused on the ball and dreamt of the finals, Again? There must be something wrong with me! I decided to rest for a minute under the old oak tree. After a few minutes, I got up feeling a little more focused. I stared at the ball and then to the fence – this was going to be the hardest I had practiced in a long time. I ran forward, eyes on the ball, my leg swung back then propelled forward. I kicked the ball. It hit the fence and went soaring into the air. I couldn't see it because the sun was so bright.

There again, I saw the light but this time it had the figure of a beckoning, glowing blue pixie hovering in the air. It was tiny, about the size of my little finger. I couldn't tell whether I was excited or petrified. I thought that pixies were fantasy not factual! I blinked trying gain a good glimpse. I couldn't have imagined it for this many times could I? Yes, I must have been... A broad smile spread across my face – I was excited. I looked around for the fourth time and no one was looking. So I decided to follow it. It zoomed passed the trees along the edge of the park. I had to break into a run to keep up.

My heart was pounding, it was hard to breathe. My body ached as I pushed myself to keep up with the pixie. Then she stopped, out of nowhere. I nearly ran into her. We were probably at the corner of the park where nobody went because of the thick trees. She pointed at a thick branch and signalled me to move it out of the way. So I did as I was told and moved it. Branch after branch, she signalled me to keep going further. I had no idea that the park reached this far! I had a few branches to go when I saw a glow from ahead, white this time, like the sun. I moved the last branch out of our way.

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IMAGINE - Author Oscar

I start to paddle on. It feels so great to be paddling so fast trying to get on. Offshore wind; it's perfect. The wind is blowing in my face. I stop paddling because I think I am on. I stand up. OH NO!!! I missed it. I sit there and watch it go past. It was perfect but I missed it. I sit out the back for about half an hour doing absolutely nothing. I pretty much am just paddling around. I imagine standing up tall going along the water. I am so, so bored. Should I go home or stay here and wait for the perfect one? I decide to stay.

About ten minutes later I see it coming for me. It's massive. I think about ten foot. I paddle out a bit further. Then I paddle on to it. I get on it...I pull across the wave. There is a massive barrel. Get into the barrel. It feels great. I am in the barrel for about 4 and a half seconds. It's great. When I come out I imagine people cheering 

to me in the pipe masters. Woo hoo!!!!!! Go Oscar! I come out and do a big cutback. Then I get a big air of the top and do a barrel role. It gets an even bigger cheer. I would feel great.

 I walk out of the water and pretend to be high fiving everyone. It would feel amazing to win the pipe masters. I go and hop in my car and pretend that I am hopping into a massive big bus that is all mine with big black comfy seats. That would be great. Wouldn't that be great? It would be so much fun. Then I would go home to a big four storey mansion to rest before my next competition. 

That is my idea of a perfect type surfing day. It would be great with ten foot waves, big barrels and everyone cheering when you come out to get a perfect score of ten.

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BEHIND THE MASK - Author Hannah

I was waiting at the front door for my mums’ friend I couldn’t wait to play with my best friend Harry, her son. He was my best friend only because I didn’t have many friends, only two, Harry and my favourite toy lion Brandon. 

I’m 14 and I don’t go to school because of my medical deformity. When I was born wrong, I had a deformed face. Bits of my face are like someone scrunched it, my mouth is where the top of my chin should be and my chin is flat like I don’t have one. I’ve learned to live with it and I know how to read, write, speak and eat. I heard a knock at the door, and quickly opened it and greeted Harrys’ parents, and Harry.

We ran to play games, but we usually end up just talking. Harry always thinks games are childish because in school in his year they don’t play trains or cars but I’ve never been to school so I don’t know what they play. I’ve always known that the things I do, others don’t usually do. 

They don’t have a toy lion as a friend. They don’t play cars and trains. They don’t eat fairy bread. They don’t colour in. But I’ve always just done that; I’ve never had enough friends to just ‘hang out’. I always thought I was cool when Harry came over because I got to be older.

“Hey, Jack, can I have some water?” said Harry. “Umm... sure let me go get some” I said. I went to walk into the kitchen and I heard Harry’s mum, Fiona, and my mum talking very seriously, I stood just around the corner and listened. “It’ll be good for him; he’ll be able to make friends, get education so you’d don’t have to teach and be in the real world for a bit.” said Fiona.

“Yeah I suppose, Steve’s been talking about it but I’m not sure, I don’t think he’s ready” said mum. “Listen, he’ll have to go sometime, just think about it.” When Harrys mum said that, I just wanted her to think that I walked in as if I had heard nothing. “Hey, just came to get some water for Harry and I.” As I was getting the water I felt there eyes just staring at me from behind. 

I walked back to my room and said “Here Harry, here’s your water” feeling a bit down. “What’s wrong mate, why are you upset?” “Well when I went to get water I overheard our mums talking about me going to school.” “WOW, that’s great we’ll get to go to classes together, hang out and even have the same friends! Why are you so upset?”. “Yeah I know, but my mum doesn’t think I’m ready, she kept on saying “I’m not sure if he’s ready.” “Oh well, just wait and maybe she’ll change her mind”, “Yeah I guess” I said wishing she would just say yes. Harry and his parents left half an hour later and it was already 10 o’clock. 

I was about to go to bed but I just couldn’t wait. “Mum when do I get to go to school”, “Why you asking, sweetie”, “Well Harry was telling me about all the fun things he does at school, and I want to go.” She looked at me and thought for a minute or so and she finally said “We’ll see, but for now how about a good night’s rest”.“Yeah good night mum” “Good Night, Jack.” I wish I could have a good night’s rest, but all I could think about was mum’s words, sounding not sure like it was on replay in my head.

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I WONDER WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE IF WE WERE REFUGEES? Authors Thomas and Jeremy

I sit in the cold, musty dirt. Madmen running around, waving guns in our faces. Every thirty seconds, I hear a scream of someone being slaughtered.To escape from this hellish place, I run in one direction for the sake of my life. There's blood in my eyes and I can barely see a thing. A man suddenly appears in front of me and we collide. He's holding a large blood-stained machete. His hands are red and I can tell he's a mass murderer. He grips me by the neck and prepares for his hundredth kill. Suddenly a gunshot rings in my ears. The man falls to the ground and I see my father holding a pistol aimed towards the man. I sprint towards him and fall into his arms.

He tells me we need to leave. Now! I'm heading towards a boat trying to escape from this place of horrors. I feel a cold shroud of pain, sadness and anger as I approach the old, wooden pier. A crowd of scared, worried people are following my mother, father and my younger sister. As we board the structure of old wooden planks held together by rusty nails. Gunshots suddenly ring in our ears and half the group falls down at our feet. We finally get out of reach for them to damage us and board this so-called boat.

We sail along the deep, blue ocean. Our boat falling apart by the lapping of the water. Suddenly in the distance, I spot a small, rusty, navy ship, surprisingly it's big enough to hold us all. We're saved! I think. The men on the side on the boat are holding guns. Hopefully they're the Australian men that we've heard of. They dock right beside us and jump on our boat. Everybody screaming and running for protection. I stand there shocked. I don't know why everyone is running about screaming. Suddenly I realise who there are. They're pirates.

We're laying on our knees with our hands on the back of our heads. These pirates are the creatures from hell. They take all of the people’s money that they actually have left. They finally come to my family. They ask for what we have and my dad tells then we have nothing. They know we're lying. The main pirate hits my father in the face causing him to fall. I scream at the pirates in a way I've never before. They look down at me and boot me up the hip. Immediate pain shoots up my side. It feels like agony. I can't help but hope that Australians aren't like this.

Days, weeks, even months passed. Hunger was feeding on us down to the bone. In the previous days, people have been falling dead from the lack of food and water. I can't bear watch the people that throw the bodies off the side. Suddenly out of the blue, someone calls out, "Land whole!" I'm so excited that I practically jump from my spot and sure enough, there's Australia. This is the place where people accept who you are.



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LOVE ME OR HATE ME - Author Ashleigh

Caroline woke up to the loud sound of her alarm that sat on her bedside table. She sat up and stretched her arms when she saw the time; it was 7:00am, she didn't want to be late for her first day of being a senior, so she quickly got up and got dressed in her school uniform. It was a white button-up short sleeved shirt, a red checked skirt that hung just above her knee and black school shoes with knee high socks. She brushed her loose, blonde curls into a tight, high ponytail, put a little bit of makeup on and rushed down the stairs. Caroline came to the doorway of the kitchen when she was hit by the beautiful aroma of her favourite breakfast, pancakes smeared in honey. 

“Good morning birthday girl!” her mother said while placing a plate full of pancakes on to the wooden table. “Good morning mum!” She replied in the most cheerful tone, “I am finally seventeen!” Just as she sat down to eat there was a knock on the door, she got up with a roll of her eyes and walked over to the door, she opened it and there standing in front of her was her best friend Collette holding a big box that was perfectly wrapped and tied with a massive purple bow. Attached to the bow was a perfectly written card that said ‘Caroline’.

Caroline was completely awestruck.“Hey, happy birthday, I got you a gift!” Collette shouted. Caroline took the present, her jaw still dropped. As she opened it, she saw a makeup kit, a dress and beautiful ruby red heels.“Thank you so much!” she gave her best friend a hug and invited her in. Caroline placed the box in the living room then walked into the kitchen. Collette greeted Caroline’s mother, Jenny before she sat down and joined Caroline in eating the unbelievably large stack of pancakes. After they finished they stood up and kissed Jenny goodbye before they left in Collette’s red mini.

They drove into the Grove Hill High School’s car park and parked the car. As they got out of the red mini they made their way the schoolyard, at the front there were two huge gates that were opened.

It was a massive school containing many double story buildings. They parted ways and walked to their lockers. Caroline opened her locker and grabbed her English books and notebook. As she closed her locker Collette ran up to her squealing and holding a flyer in front of her face. It read ‘Famous actor Chris Brochu attending this school to start a new life he has always wanted!” Caroline read and practically scoffed at the sight of his picture. “Great, I can’t stand him I mean he is such a stuck up jerk. Yeah right he wants a normal life; he’s probably doing it for attention” “How do you not like him?! He is so cute and you don’t even know him!” Collette said.“I don’t care I just don’t like him” She replied “When is he coming anyway?”

“No one knows, but you know how new kids always come here in the beginning of the year? Well he is meant to be one of them.” Caroline nodded and walked off to class.

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THE MYSTERIOUS ROLLER COASTER OF MAGIC - Author Bryan

Tom was an ordinary ten year old boy who lived in Funsville. He didn’t believe in magic. While magic shows fascinated him, after every magic show he watched he tried to find out how the magicians had tricked their audience. He attempted to rationalise things that sometimes were inexplicable. Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, were about the very least things that he would believe in without logical explanation.

During a golden afternoon, when walking home, he spotted a brochure on a street lamp pole that said, “Come and Ride Aduro’s Magic Roller Coaster.” He was very excited to see the brochure and sure wanted to ride on that roller coaster. Tom enjoyed roller coaster rides but was very skeptical about the magic stuff and he wanted to see it for himself.

Back at home, he told his mum about the poster he had seen and asked if he could go to the roller coaster ride. His mum agreed. Tom was very curious about the kind of roller coaster that he would see and he was getting very excited about it.

The following morning, Tom raced to the north of Funsville looking for the amusement site. He surveyed the landscape and spotted the magnificent giant roller coaster. He dashed towards it and found that he was the first person to arrive.

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FLAPPY BIRD LAND - Author Clarissa

97%...98%...99%....100% Ding! As soon as it came alive and opened its eyes, he saw a red and blue coloured man walking up to it and greeting him. ‘Welcome! We had decided your name is Mark. You’re a bird and you are in Flappy Bird land.’

‘What?’ mumbled Mark. ‘How did I get here?’ Mario replied ‘you are the main character of this game called Flappy Bird. This is your new home and occupation which was created by a man named Joey. All that you have to do is jump through the poles until you ‘die’ and the game ends. But the least damage that the game will do to you will just be bruise, minor brain concussions and maybe a broken leg or two. It’ll be fun even’ and Mario walked off leaving Mark in terror. ‘Just a brain concussion?’ Mark thought

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THE GOOD CHILD - Authors Luisa, Natalie, Jayden and Alicia

       

Chapter 1:The kids just aren't getting it!!!

One sunny day there was a small boy that was named George. The boy didn’t know many things. He didn’t even know how to write a sentence though he was eleven years old,  although a kindergarten kid or  if they were very smart they might be a 3 year old kid.

He was very scared of school because he always got bullied  from the people in his class. Today was Friday the last day of the week he was glad that he wouldn't get bullied too much during the day. But everyday is equal because he gets bullied so much. He can’t even keep track of how kids bully him and how many times they bully him each day. His mum said to me ” everything is going to be fine ok , “mum said“ you always say that and then it gets worse,” George added.

CHAPTER 2: THE BIG DAY ! Continue reading...

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MEANING OF WONDER - Author Richard

What is the true meaning of wonder?

Why does it make you ponder?

Is it because of unanswerable questions?

Or are we humans just always destined

To always wonder about things

Like why can birds sing?

Do you ever wonder who you are?

Or why you have that scar?

Wonder is an amazing thing

It causes people to think

Why are flamingos pink?

 It makes people very curious

About what is the universe?

Do aliens really exist?

Or are they just myths?

Will we ever know?

How deep is the sea?

That the great thing about wonder you see?

It causes old, young everyone

To really, really ponder.

That, my friend is true wonder.

  

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THE MAGIC STORY - Author Lucy

I went to a forest and it wasn't very dark. There were heaps and heaps of butterflies and the grass wasn't grass, it was emeralds, and there was a river with turquoise water. There was a flower as pretty as gold. There was a rainbow with a lovely sun. There were yummy oranges in the trees. There
were plants with flowers called lilies and there was a gingerbread house.

There were lollipop bushes. There was a fence made of coloured pencils and lollipops and near that gingerbread house there were three little bees and the three little bees names were Lily, Lilac and Lauren. There was a silly, funny lady bug and there was an emerald fairy called Emily and
there was a ballerina called Paige. Emily was the prettiest fairy and she lived in a lily flower.

Inside the gingerbread house there was a witch. The witch cast a spell on Paige and Emily and they turned into emeralds and feel onto the grass.

Lily, Lilac and Lauren, the three bumble bees, stung the witch. Lauren called her friends the pixies, and five pixies came along. The pixies turned the witch into a tree, and then into a rock. The pixies turned Emily and Paige back to normal. Next, Emily turned the witch into an emerald and she was hidden in the emerald grass forever. The ladybug was so happy the witch was gone and she played a tune on her ukulele and they all had a party!

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IF ONLY - Author Alyssa

I didn’t need to sit in the real world; I have one of my own. I could create anything, I can be anyone. The world I live in isn’t anything like the one that you do, my world is one that I can only obtain through my dreams. But that never stopped me. I could fly to the peak of a mountain, or swim to the ends of the world and all it took was a little inspiration, all it took was one dream and a little imagination.

The adventures I created, were just cover ups, my life was a complete misery, living in the orphanage for three years now , my friends started to call me a freak show and the other orphans wouldn’t go near me. It wasn’t my fault; I couldn’t hold back the tears as I rocked myself to sleep. I just wanted out of this nightmare; the only way was for me to create a world I could appreciate. Where my parents didn’t abandon me and my friends didn’t call me names.

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B an Author @ the EOC

In Term 2 we invited students to B an Author @ the EOC and submit an original story. Our aim was to collect a bank of stories written by students for students. The themes for the stories were: wonder, imagine and connect. We have had a fabulous response with stories from Kindergarten to Yr 10. A panel of judges have read the stories and cannot narrow down the selection to a few distinct winners. Students will need to read, comment and vote and hopefully together we will select some winning entries. 

Each day I will upload a story to the blog. 

A few online etiquette guidelines.

•   Feedforward - What you like about the story? 
•   Suggestions for the next chapter / character /where you think the place is /  etc 
•   Please do not comment for comment sake

There will be a link to a survey for each story where you can recommend the story by the star rating. 

Happy reading! Hope you find the stories as entertaining, though provoking and topics for discussion long after the story has been read.

Student award for best and fairest and greatest collaborator....Robert

At each holiday workshop we ask students to nominate the person who has been the most helpful in trouble shooting, building and programming. These holidays all the students unanimously voted for Robert. Robert is a quiet achiever who is very camera shy!! Robert has an unassuming manner and mentors other students in a way where students feel they have collaborated together to solve the problem. Robert is to be congratulated on his own expertise with Lego Robotics and his capacity to share this expertise with others.

Robo soccer takes off

Having started the road to Robo Soccer in the April school holidays it was great to see the boys persevere in the July school holidays to get a remote control version going with the App on the iPad. The boys were their own mentors and coaches using the Internet and trial and error to get the program working. We look forward to seeing their efforts at Robocup in August.

Student mentoring new students

A big thank you to Rachael for taking on the role of coach and mentor for Lego Robotics Dance. In one day Rachael taught the girls how to build and program! Their performance at the end of the day saw three Robots dancing and moving together with the music. A huge achievement.

Lego Robotics July Workshop

Great to have our Lego Robotic family back at the EOC for the July holidays. We continued our traditional "dance off" to 'Geronimo' by Sheppard. Teams were drawn from a ballot and the challenge was set to:

•  Work as a team with people you haven't work with before
•  Extend skills  - where programmers became builders and builders became programmers
• Creativity  - new dance moves and extra points for creativity and original moves

The challenge was on! We had two winners the Astromechs and The Steve's. Their dance programs are below:

Astromechs

The full program

The Steve's program was very clever using a random program that was calibrated to detect the edge of the dancefloor and move back into the centre.

The Steve's

The full program

Closely following in second position were the Double RR's

The full program

Also in second place were the Go Sport Team who co-ordinated both medium motors to lift the bar up while dancing.

Their program is below:

The full program

The World Cup Soccer fever came to Lewisham, Colleen was the team manager with whistle, yellow and red time out cards, Arun and Ron were goalkeepers. Lots of fun on the soccer field during breaks was had by all.

Photos and Videos can be found on our EOC Student Voice Site