Giles Faction Captain!

The results are in and Miss Madeline is the Giles Faction Captain for 2023! She is so beyond thrilled and you could not wipe the smile off of her face. I must admit, I thought she would be a little disappointed not getting head girl, but she assured me she is so happy!

A lovely friend of ours made her a lolly lei for the occasion as she was so convinced she would end up with a leadership role and I'm so happy she did, as it added to her joy.

Her co-captain Elliot and her have been friends since they were very small and are so excited to be in this together - but the funniest part of the day was when their principal had a bit of a chuckle when he handed over their badges and told them they had better not mess it up! They are big shoes to fill - Giles has won the carnival for the 6 of the 7 years we've been at ESPS and I think the last time we lost, Madeline was in Pre-Primary!

So stoked for them! Obviously her jokes about being born red, ready for the job paid off hahah.

We are so grateful for Maddie's lovely teacher Mr. Dean who encouraged her to run for faction captain, as originally she was only going to go for the top spot. I'm glad he was at her about it and I bet she is too!

Eight very happy kids with Faction Captain hats - and four of them in Madeline's class. What a party it will be. To make it sweeter, the head boy and girl and both the prefects are good friends of hers too and she couldn't be happier for them. It's was a great day!

Head girl/ faction captain elections

Maddie is going for the big leagues and has her eye set on being head girl. Who am I to discourage her? She is smart, funny and very popular, so I can't see why she doesn't have a good chance of getting it. I have said to her multiple times, don't be too disappointed if you don't get it - to which she responded, ummm why would I not? haha That's my girl. I would be so set in life if I even had a small part of her confidence! We made up her poster which is proudly hanging outside her classroom and she got to work on her speech, which they will deliver next week. Fingers crossed!

Good morning Ellen Stirling students and staff. My name is Madeline Kendall and I’d love to be your head girl for 2023. 

I have attended Ellen Stirling Primary School since kindergarten. This is my eighth year at this school! Over the years I have watched the school grow and change and I have grown myself, alongside so many of you. I am so lucky to count so many of you as my friends. 

What makes a good leader? Me, Madeline Kendall. Someone who is willing to include others in all things, all the time. Someone who puts the needs of others above their own. I feel certain I am those things. I am someone who is kind and caring to everyone and I am willing to take time out of my day to help you if you need anything. With me as your head girl, you can be assured I’ll always look out for you. I love to be around others and love to make new friends. If you’re new and don’t know me yet, come and say hello! 

I have always tried my hardest to be a positive role model amongst my peers and younger students. I feel like this is the most important part of being head girl, being a good example to others. I always attend school and am ready and willing to fulfil all the responsibilities of Head Girl. 

I am not going to stand here and pretend to be a different person to what I usually am. What you see is that you get with Madeline Kendall. I am going to make a difference here at Ellen Stirling Primary School by listening to all your opinions and needs. Together we can be the difference that this school needs. Sharing things helps us be better. No guys, this doesn’t mean sharing your answers during a test… What it really means is to share the problems you have and together we can solve them. I believe I am perfect for the role of head girl because I am caring, confident, mature, and reliable as well as friendly and approachable. You can come and talk to me anywhere, anytime and I will always listen to what you have to say. 

As head girl you must be ready to take on a big responsibility and I know I’m the person for the job. So vote 1 for Madeline Kendall because you have excellent taste and superb decision making skills! Thank you!

She's also been encouraged by her teacher Mr. Dean to go for faction captain. It wasn't something she was originally interested in, but she's giving it a go too. She and Ella even decided to make a joint poster as they are in separate factions and aren't in direct competition with each other. Both their teachers thought it was hilarious and when I printed their poster at Officeworks, the guy behind the counter actually said, "Now this is cool. Something different. I'd vote for them!" Legend. I actually think it's the coolest thing ever. They definitely are in everything together.

Her faction captain speech is a bit more casual which I love, she's a lot less worried about it. Has me cracking up. Play to your strengths hey! 

Good morning Ellen Stirling Students and Staff. My name is Madeline Kendall and I would love to be your Giles faction captain for 2023. Having attended this school since Kindergarten, I’ve been involved in so many carnivals and I am so very proud to be in Giles. In fact, I clearly was put in the right faction, cause I don’t even need to spray my hair for the carnival. You can’t get much redder than red!

 I would make an amazing faction captain, because I see the best in people and encourage them to do the same. I love all kinds of sports and am always willing to try a new kind as the opportunity arises. I am resilient and I keep going till the last whistle blows. As a good Leader, I want to bring glory to my team! 

I will use my strengths to help others and ensure no one is left out. I sometimes push people to their limit, but that’s only because I want them to go further than they think they can. That’s why I will always encourage teamwork. Teamwork makes the dream work. 

People describe me as a person that never gives up no matter what and wants her voice to be heard. As the Giles faction captain I’ll make sure everyone gets a chance in what they can do best. I’d like to show everyone that strength isn’t always a requirement to be a leader. I want you all to know that if you are feeling discouraged, that I’m always here to talk and give you a cheer, in a big, loud and confident voice that will bring your spirits up. 

I believe that this could be a great opportunity for me to practice my leadership skills, lead my team to victory and support others. So vote 1 for me! Madeline Kendall, for Giles Faction Captain. Cause I’m actually red and perfect for the job! GO GILES!

Maddie's temple talk

Last week Maddie went to the temple for the first time - this Sunday they had her give her first sacrament talk! Time, please slow down! My little girl is growing up way too fast. She did an amazing job and I am so proud of her! 

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Good morning brothers and sisters.

This morning I have been asked to speak about my first experience at the temple. This year I will be turning 12, which means I now have the opportunity to serve in the temple by doing baptisms and confirmations for people who have passed on. On Friday night, along with the other youth in our ward, I attended the temple for the first time.

Although at first I was nervous and a little unsure, I felt so peaceful when I entered the temple. It was so quiet! It’s nice to be in a place where you can sit and think with no other noise. It was such a wonderful experience to be there with people I love, reassuring me as we did our session together.

Many people are not given the opportunity to enter the waters of baptism as they live on this earth. We are given the chance to provide them a way to be baptised as we do work on their behalf.

Each temple has the words, holiness to the lord, the house of the lord, written above the entry and I know that the temple is a place of peace, the place we can be closest to our Heavenly Father on this earth.

President Spencer W. Kimball once said, “It would be a fine thing if parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so their children from the time they are infants could look at the picture every day until it becomes a part of their lives. When they reach the age that they need to make the very important decision concerning going to the temple, it will have already been made.

I am so blessed to know that I belong to an eternal family. My parents were married in the Perth temple and both sets of my grandparents were sealed in the New Zealand temple long before I was born. I love knowing that when our time on earth is done, we will all be together again. It’s especially comforting to know this as my dads parents have both passed away. I know it will be amazing spending forever with my family.

In primary we learned the song, I love to see the temple.
I love to see the temple
I'm going there someday
To feel the holy spirit
To listen and to pray
For the temple is a house of God
A place of love and beauty
I'll prepare myself while I am young
This is my sacred duty

I love to see the temple
I'll go inside someday
I'll covenant with my Father
I'll promise to obey
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together
As a child of God, I've learned this truth
A family is forever

The world today is a really hard place to grow up. There are so many things placed in our way that can drag us down. But as we attend the temple and remember the promises we make within, we will be more able to bear every challenge and to overcome each problem. I am so grateful for a temple close by and to know of the blessings that come from being part of a forever family.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Primary Graduates 2022

These awesome kids are off to youth in a few short weeks! Because Christmas Day is a Sunday this year and we don't have classes, we celebrated them today with a little send off. Each of them had to give a little talk about what they loved in Primary and what they are looking forward to in the youth program. There was some very random answers which made it even more amusing.

I will 100% miss having my mini in Primary, she was so good at crowd control and telling people to shut up haha, but was also amazing at knowing all the answers, encouraging the smaller kids to speak up and most of all, singing. She knew the words and would sing loudly! What are we going to do without her? My baby girl is off! 

Dance Concert Professional Shots

One of the most wonderful parts of the dance concert is having the chance to relive it all over again when the photographs become available for purchase - and then one last time when the video is sent out. I love looking through the shots and although they are very expensive, I always get a few... and may have gone a little crazy this year.

I loved this lyrical troupe dance so much. It was so graceful and emotional.

I 100% cried when Maddie was lifted up, almost as if she was flying above the others. I'm such a sook.

So, so beautiful!

Their senior ballet class this year performed a routine where the younger girls were waiters. They had giggled so much about the costumes and eventually suggested to their teacher that she get them moustaches. It was too cute for words. Our first year without a tutu or flowy skirt, but I thought this dance was amazing with such a good story.

Little waiter Madeline.

Dancing with your best friends is always the best part.

Jazz troupe was just the most powerful epic dance and I am so sad that it will only ever be done once and never make it to competitions. They just absolutely owned the stage and I loved every second of it.

Our girl, constantly front and center.

She's just an absolute doll.

I just love this photo of her and Madison, it is everything you need to know about them, when it comes to dance, they will not be separated or beaten, at anything. haha.

Madeline took on a second jazz class this year with some of the older girls and loved it. Sub-senior Jazz. This dance was awesome. So glad she decided to do it.

She is amazing! I could seriously watch her all the time.

I showed a few of these shots to Jakes mum afterwards and we had a laugh together, apparently he had been bragging the day after the concert to anyone that would listen about how awesome his girlfriend was is and how she had won a trophy at the concert and so on. Yep. We know. She's pretty amazing! So proud to be her mum. ❤

Troupe Saturdays

Yesterday was our big troupe day with all the troupes performing during one session. Big day, lots of changes and lots of running around... but honestly so much easier when it's all done at once.

First up we had the girls lyrical troupe (Missing the Mark by Aquilo) which is one of my favourite dances they have ever done. I get emotional every time Maddie is lifted high above the other girls near the end, it's just so pretty! They were awarded second place for it.

Our troupe girls ❤

Next up - Contemporary troupe performing to Take it to the heart by Odette, getting them another second place... notice a trend anyone? 

They have been dancing so well together, so it's really wonderful to see them scoring so well in comps.

Last dance for the day was their Jazz Troupe - with those damn raincoats one last time... thank goodness we can retire them now, we all hate them with a passion haha. 

How about that, another second place! Imagine that.

Their jazz troupe has a few extra people, which makes it a lot more fun on stage, there was a lot of laughs backstage beforehand. They love to mess about and make noise.

Our favourite girls with Miss Amelie, who has choreographed all these dances and been here with the troupes for a long time now. We are so grateful for her, she is seriously the best.

Maddie also had our friend Ari from church come along to watch her which was the actual best. She is a dancer as well and I know Maddie really looks up to her and loved having here there.

Of course dance comps just aren't normal without these three causing a ruckus. They laugh and laugh and laugh. I am so glad we have such a wonderful bunch from being a part of dancing. ❤

 

Dancing with your bestie

It's October school holidays, which means it's time for these besties to be on stage together again. They love sharing the stage and are always so beautifully in sync. They are truly a joy to watch. The last few days have been a whirlwind of costumes for their duos and Madeline's solo.

They nailed their own choreography duo and took out first place which they were super excited about.

WOO!

Maddie's victory was made that much sweeter by her teacher Mrs Hart turning up to watch their duo. She is so lovely! I don't know many teachers who would go out of their way to go to a dance competition in the school holidays!

You could not wipe the smile off of this girls face when she came away with an Honorable Mention (4th place) for her lyrical solo... She has worked so hard for it and I am so proud of her. I love watching her on stage. Nothing else matters to her.

So grateful for her beautiful dance teacher Miss Amelie for making such a beautiful dance for her.

SO PROUD OF YOU!

Last on this set of dances before we go into troupes (big week of six dances this time!) was the girls lyrical duo. No place this time unfortunately, but they did a beautiful job.

I love that they are so close. I hope they never lose that. 

Love you girls! ❤

200m run

I am so proud of this girl! I am so unathletic and here she is acting like it's nothing as she casually takes out 4th place in the 200m yesterday ahead of the faction carnival on Friday. What the heck. I was just done cleaning up in the canteen when one of the year 6 teachers buzzed our phone and told me to come down to the oval as the year 5's were about to run. 

So I did - and got to see my girl take out 4th place much to her delight. Loved it. So proud girl! 

 

Step Up Dance Academy Showcase 2022

Tonight we had our annual Step Up Dance Academy Showcase at the Morley Rec Centre. A far cry from the five dances she was in last year, we casually did two this year instead. Thank goodness, last year was a bit wild, racing back and forth to change from one to the next at top speed.

First up was their lyrical troupe in their gorgeous mint dresses. Madeline has a beautiful lift in this dance and it is just breathtaking. All the other girls lift her high up, almost as though she is flying above them and my mum heart can't take it. I tear up every single time.

I just love this dance so much. It's to "Missing the mark" by Aquilo, which I could honestly listen to on repeat. It's such a gorgeous song.

Dance two was their contemporary troupe to "Take it to the heart" by Odette. This dance is one they've done for a while, but has had new parts added as their troupe grew this year.

These girls love dancing together and it certainly shows when they are on stage.

This dance looked awesome, especially with the additional contrasting costumes, which was purely by chance, as they couldn't order more in the original colour. Added a bit of fun to the dance though!

I love seeing these three together especially, they have been together for so long, I love their little girl gang and all the mischief they get up to.

I mean seriously. So much fun!

Ridiculousness at every possible opportunity in fact.

So that's a wrap on yet another showcase. Our numbers are dwindling, but our spirits remain strong. 

An awesome night full of laughs. 

But the highlight for Madeline was having Jake's sister Ebonie there watching. Maddie and Jake were on the phone this afternoon when she was getting ready, when we found out his sister was going to watch her friend. Maddie finally worked up the courage to go and say hello to her and then even took a selfie with her to send him. Too cute. Even cuter when Ebonie facetimed him when Maddie was on stage so he could watch her dance. Ooooooh. 

Was a good night had by all! ❤