The way you measure a society’s soul is by the way that it treats its children.
Nelson Mandela
Issue No. 77 – 14th September 2009
Welcome to Kidz Newz especially to all new subscribers. Kidz Newz is a regular newsletter with information and teaching tips for anyone involved with young children. You are receiving this because you have attended one of my workshops, purchased a book, or you have requested to be on the mailing list. Thank you. Please forward this to anyone you feel it may be of interest to. Feedback is welcome.
PD Updates
Tuesday 20th October 2009 – Millfield Prep School – Edgarley Hall, Glastonbury Somerset, UK. Registration details –
Cost: £50, including light refreshments, but not including lunch.
For further information and booking form, contact Mary Mountstephen on mem@millfieldprep.com or telephone 01458 837514.
Please forward this newsletter to anyone in the UK that you think may be interested in attending.
New Products Available
You will be pleased to hear I now stock two of Jennifer Jefferies products – the book and the aromatherapy oil ‘Calm Kids’. Jennifer is a well-known naturopath, author and speaker. If you are interested in these or any other of Jennifer’s products, visit www.kidzfizbiz.com.
Employment Opportunity – Be your own boss!
Looking for a part-time teaching opportunity? Love working with children? Love teaching music and movement? I am looking for people to train to run their own business as Kidz-Fiz-Biz operators. Good retruns and lots of fun. If this is something of interest to you now or in the future, please contact me at info@kidzfizbiz.com or phone 0410 642 781.
One Man’s Legacy
I attended a funeral recently which was remarkable for several reasons. Firstly, the man had reached his nineties with no ailments of any kind until right at the end, which is an unusual feat these days. Secondly, he was ‘sent off’ with full military honours, including a 3-gun salute. It’s not every day that you get to attend a funeral of such a dignitary and with hundreds of people paying their respects. Usually by the time someone has reached their nineties all their contemporaries are long gone. But the final reason for this funeral being so memorable is discovering the legacy this man left.
He was such a humble, self-effacing person that very few of us ever knew of his personal, military and professional achievements until the family and significant others made their speeches. There was not one eulogy but many. He was a husband and father; he was an inventor; he was a sub-mariner who achieved considerable success in various difficult and dangerous manoeuvres during WWII; and he enjoyed professional success as an engineer of note. Most people knew him in one of those roles but not all; I knew him simply as the father of an old friend. His war-time exploits, in particular, were extraordinary. In every area of his life he was exceptional and yet he didn’t see himself that way. To him he was just an ordinary fellow doing what had to be done.
What a legacy to leave the world. His attitude to life and simply the way he conducted himself is a legacy in itself. I will always remember his humour, his quick wit and his kindness. How wonderful to leave this world with so many people paying their respects because you touched their lives in such a positive way. At this service there was a lot of laughter amid the tears. His was such an exemplary life that I felt he wouldn’t want tears. Instead, he’d be tickled pink at the show of respect and affection and even at the jokes made at his expense. I felt proud and honoured to have known this man and I left feeling exalted. It had truly been an occasion of celebrating a magnificent life well-lived.
I decided I don’t want to die till I’m in my nineties and I’d better start working on my legacy!
Quotes of the Week
Life is a journey to be lived. What would it mean to you to live your truth, to develop all your talents, all your gifts and in the doing you leave a magnificent legacy for all who follow. Have the courage to let go of fear – live all of your life, NOW.
~ From Sylvia Marina’s newsletter – www.thetamastery.com – November 2005
One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in my bank account, or what my clothes looked like. But one hundred years from now, the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.
~ Anonymous
Entertainment
For some inspiration about two men (father and son) who are truly leaving a legacy, watch this video clip. It’s quite long so if it’s too much inspiration for you, just treat yourself to a couple of minutes’ worth. I dare you to not shed a tear!
Feedback
I loved it [PD]. I have gained a lot and can’t wait to have fun with this in class. I would tell others to definitely attend and how much a positive significance it would make on a child’s day in the classroom.
~ Selby Giles, Yr 2 teacher, Nedlands Primary School Perth WA
About The Author
Marlene Rattigan B.A., Dip. Ed. (ECS), CELTA
Marlene Rattigan is an Early Childhood teacher, a teacher of English as a Second Language, and from 1987-2000 was a nationally accredited fitness leader. Her background is in music education. A keen interest in motor development in children led to the creation of Kidz-Fiz-Biz which she taught successfully for 13 years. Marlene also conducts workshops for children, teachers and parents at schools, in the community and at festivals. She has produced teaching manuals complete with audio CDs which are an extension of her ‘Kidz-Fiz-Biz’ program.
Kidz-Fiz-Biz
PO Box 6894, East Perth WA 6892, Australia
T: +61 8 9325 1204 M: +61 (0) 410 64 2781 E: info@kidzfizbiz.com
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Until next time … continue being a legend in your classroom.
Marlene Rattigan, Editor
Kidz Newz
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