Column 265

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: The Day

The Day. The Day is coming very soon. 

Hi people, Leo here. You probably want to know what I 'm talking about when I say The Day, Well, I mean the last day of school. The last day of school is always the best feeling. But the second last day of school is great too because the last day is a really just a long speech day assembly but the second last day of school is a very fun day. Either way I'm looking forward to both. The holidays are so close - just two and half weeks away I am so excited. My family and I will be going to Bermagui. Maybe you have read one of my past columns that talks about Bermagui. It's a great place to be. Until then, it's just more waiting. But I won't be waiting long, not long indeed.

Until next time 

Leo Roving Reporter

Column 264

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Safety first

Hi people, today's column is all about the day I felt I nearly died, well when I say 'the day' I meant it was just on Sunday evening. I thought It would be a good idea to take a drink from one of those little single serve milk pods but boy, was that a bad idea. Normally I would swallow the milk and carry on but this time I swallowed the milk and a little bit of plastic that you use to pull the top off as well. Yep, that went down the hatch. Lucky I didn't choke and I didn't need to go to the hospital but then again it was a fairly small piece of plastic but still big enough to get my mum and me really worked up. So, next time I go to tack a sip from one of those milk pods I will think ''do I really want to do this?'' first.

Until next time 

Leo Roving Reporter

Column 263

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: food time

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to share with you one of my favourite recipes from taste.com. This is a meal that my mum and I really like to eat.
What you need: 2 potatoes, 1 carrot  , 2 grated zucchinis, small tin of corn kernels, 1 onion, 1/2 cup self-raising flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup chopped parsley ,3 eggs, separated, 2 tablespoons olive oil
Step 1: Peel potatoes and carrot. Grate into a bowl. Add zucchini, corn, onion, flour, salt, parsley and egg yolks into a bowl. Stir to combine.
Step 2: Place egg whites into a bowl and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold through vegetable mixture.
Step 3: Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add a little oil. Add 1/3 cup of the mixture and cook for 5 minutes. Cook 4 at a time. Turn and cook for a further 5-8 minutes. Repeat.
Serve with green salad and sweet chili sauce.
Yum.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Attachments area

Column 262

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: time capsules are go 

Hi people, it's Leo here. Recently at school, some of my friends stumbled upon three time capsules buried in the ground just next to some brick stairs in the grassy lunch area at my school. Now, for those who don't know what a time capsule is, it's a metal or concrete box containing items from the present time that it was buried. Some time capsules are buried in special places like the time capsule in the Sydney Town Hall. The three at my school each have a plaque on them saying when they were buried and when they will be opened. The exciting news is that one of them is due to be opened in 2025 and luckily I will still be in school when that happens. Here are the details: first time capsule to be opened on the 27.9.2025, second time capsule is to be opened on 6.12.2038 and the third one is to be opened on the 27.4.2060. I've even got plans on making a family time capsule but have yet to get the message out to all my other relatives. It will happen but not right now. Until all of that happens there's just one thing to do; sit around and wait, soooooo much waiting sooo absolutely boring, sooooo boring.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 261

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: hey kitty cat

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'll be talking about a very majestic mountain cat called the pallas cat. Now pallas cats live throughout central Asia, from western Iran to western China. Pallas cats prefer cold, dry, rocky hill tops living in grasslands way up high as well as desert areas but what I love the most about them is that they look so very close to my family's youngest cat Miko - big eyes, lots of fur and big paws.. She's like our own version of a pallas cat, She's majestic, beautiful and so adorably cute just like pallas cats and boy are they cute. Check out this photo called “When Mother Says Run,” by Shanyuan Li, a Chinese photographer. Voted one of the best nature photographs of 2020 by the UK's Natural History Museum in the wildlife photographer of the year competition, Mr Li spent six years working in high mountainous areas of China, taking pictures of the cats to get this shot. Someday I hope I can go and see one in the wild for myself and I hope you all agree with me that they are very majestic beasts but sadly also a near threatened species.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 260

Leo roving Reporter

Report from: My Desk

Story filed: Chicken Feed

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today's tale is about a not-so-epic quest for chicken feed. It all began some time ago (basically Sunday) when the royal chickens of Cluckingham Palace called on their bravest of knights Sir Mummugle and her faithful squire Leonidas von Blockhead. They were tasked with going on a perilous journey to the IGA of Doom. So, Sir Mummugle and her faithful squire Leonidas von Blockhead bravely mounted the forester beast and they were off  .... to go and patiently walk around a supermarket trying to find chicken food. Their journey was long and dangerous, they met many dangerous foes.... buuuuut they just went another way, They were much too sensible to get in a fight. At last they arrived at the dreaded IGA of Doom. Now their quest could truly begin. As they entered the dreaded souper marche, they were met by a horrid old witch who said ''come here my precious ''. Our heroes would never fall for such a line but it turned out the old witch was just talking to her jar of pickles! Soon enough they reached the chicken feed section but alas there before them was a ginormous troll ''answer my riddle and you will have a reward; what comes from underneath, looks beautiful but rots your soul?" "Grandma's biscuits'' replied squire Leonidas von Blockhead.   ''Close enough, here is your reward''. Sir Mummugle and her faithful squire Leonidas von Blockhead returned home carrying their reward of a bag of chicken feed with them. And that's the end of this tale. 

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

My Regional Youth Taskforce application

 

Column 259

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Corfu

Hi people. It's Leo here. Today I'll be talking about a Greek island called Corfu. At first I didn't know much about Corfu until my mum and I started to watch a really good tv series called ''The Durrells''. It's based on a series of books that the youngest son of the Durrell family, Gerald, wrote about himself and his family leaving England and going to live in Corfu for four years in the 1930's. It's a really good series. Maybe you've heard of it but if you haven't I really do recommend you to have a look at it. After watching all the episodes, I really want to go and stay in Corfu for a little while. I love the countryside scenery in Corfu and how life there was pretty simple, not like in the big cities. I like how Gerry looked after amazing animals while he was living there and that he was a protector of animals all his life. Maybe the next time my family and I go to Greece for a holiday to see my dad's family we could stay in Corfu - that would be nice. Perhaps not right now in this pandemic but definitely some day, just not sure when.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 258

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: The downside of growing up

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'll be talking about one of the things that I think really sucks. Growing up. Not as in growing up from a child to an adult but growing up as in getting taller and bigger. Why? Because that leads to growing out of things, some examples are... growing out of your favorite t-shirt or shoes, being given responsibility when you get older or in my case getting too big to ride my fairly new bike. I got this bike not long ago but I've soon outgrown it. It still fits me but it's just getting a little bit small. This is a real shame because it's a really nice bike but I have a plan. When it finally gets too small for me, I'll just put it up on online marketplaces. Simple. And if I'm successful in selling my bike, the money I will receive will go towards helping me buy a new one, just bigger. But for now I'm going to enjoy the bike while I have it.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 257

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Star Wars

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today in my column I'll be talking about some cool old toys I bought last weekend. They are just some Star Wars action figures I got from an antique shop. Turns out they're collectibles. I didn't know that, well most of them are. I've got seven of them so far but I want to add to my collection. Who knows, maybe these action figures will be worth something someday. But for now I have them because I really really like Star Wars action figures. And all up, they're just really cool action figures. It all started when I found two of the figures at an op-shop. The first thing I did when I picked them up, I said to myself  "I'm buying these'' and so I did. The same thing happened when I was walking past Jo's shop again. I saw more Star Wars action figures and said ''I think I'll get those'' and the next day I did. So, that's how my Star Wars action figure collecting started and I don't want to stop collecting just yet.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 256

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My Desk

Story filed: Pack life

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'll be talking about wolves. I really like wolves. They're so majestic and there's not that much difference between human and wolf family structures. A pack is made up of a mum, dad and all their children. When the pups are very small other members of the pack bring food to the mum so she doesn't have to leave the den. When pups are a bit older other pack members take turns bringing them food, playing with them and even baby-sitting them. When the pups are about eight weeks old  the adults take them  from their den to a gathering place. Here, the wolves gather to sleep, play, eat and just hang out. Until the pups are old enough to go with the adults, they stay at there. Often, one of the adult wolves stays with the pups to watch over them. So, in total there not that different from us!

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 255

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst

Story filed: Travel to the UAE

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'll be talking about the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates (or the U.A.E for short ) is my chosen country for my school geography project. We were given a bunch of topics to cover about our country in the form of a PowerPoint or a website. In the time period we had for finishing our website or PowerPoint I've learnt a lot about the U.A.E. Did you know that they have robotic policemen or that their entire wealth is founded on the export of oil? That's how they can afford to build futuristic cities and be the second richest country in the world. Their cities really do look like something out of the future and not mentioning that they have the tallest tower in the world. They also have lots of man-made islands and the world's fastest roller coaster but you will still see some old villages or the remains of the traditional lifestyle and history of the Bedouin culture. Maybe someday I will go there and see all those amazing things for myself. But not today, that's for sure.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Attachments area

Column 254

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My desk

Story filed: Stick it

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today in my column I"II be talking about something you all probably know about - which is, those 'stick figure family' car stickers. These are the ones that go on the back window of your car. In my years of being driven around the place, I've seen lots of them and lots of other different types of stick figures as well. For instance, last weekend my mum and I were coming back from soccer and on our way home we stopped behind a car with a very peculiar stick figure family on the back window. They had all their stick figures running for their lives from a T-Rex who was gobbling them up. Down the bottom of the window, in big white letters there were the words ''YOUR STICK FIGURES WERE DELICIOUS''  I really like seeing things like that because it gives you something to smile about.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 253

 

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Cossack hats

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about my cat Miko. Recently, I was playing around with one of my mum's hats, one of those big furry Russian hats - I think they are called Cossack hats (named for the Cossack's, who are a group of predominantly East Slavic-speaking Orthodox Christian people, says Wikipedia) which is very warm and comfortable. As I was walking past my cat Miko, I thought "what will she look like with the hat on?" So, I walked over and gently put the hat on her head. As she was sleeping then, she didn't take much notice. Then slowly she realised it was on her head! I took a photo because she looked cute. Also I think by then she was just waiting for me to take it off her head. I call this photo "The Russian Kitty Cat".

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 252

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report form: Bathurst

Story filed: Not just window dressing

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to share my inspiration for one of the best photos I think I have ever done. It all started when my school came up with a photographic competition for our Literature Festival. The aim of the competition was for students to take a photo of themselves in their most favourite or most unusual reading spot. I went for the unusual one and I think my photo is pretty unusual. You don't see many people reading a book in a shop window, do you? For my photo I went to Time Warp Collectables which is an amazing shop run by Jo. Her shop is a really cool place as it has all kinds of interesting things for sale. If you ever pass by Time Warp Collectables, I advise you to to go inside and have a look. All people are welcomed and the shop windows, especially, are fantastic. They are like a film set. Each window is like a room in a house, all spread across the four windows across the front of the building. The 'room' I'm in for my photo is literally a slice of my dream home. I really couldn't  describe my dream home any better than Jo has created it, in her window. All I need now is for the fireplace to be real and I will be set!

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 251

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from:  Weddin Mountains National Park
Story filed: My camping trip

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about my camping trip to Weddin Mountains National Park. 

Camping was fun but it was also a bit difficult too - not things like setting up your tent or going on the hiking trail (although this was pretty hard) the most difficult thing was to be organised like packing enough food for two and a half days (which is how long we were camping for) and packing the right supplies. It wasn't really that difficult but it was still hard. We did quite a lot in those two and half days (which surprised me, as I didn't think we could get much done in that short time) like going on a six hour hike, visiting Ben Hall's cave and I really enjoyed having fun playing at the creek, free-climbing up rock faces and toasting marshmallows. We made our own rope swing and our own small dam in the creek too. 

One of the toughest parts of the camping trip was trying to go to sleep at night as it got very, very cold. But it was worth it to wake up to the beautiful surroundings of the campsite and the sound of birds singing.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 250

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: My Column

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about my column. I am now up to 250 columns in total. I wrote my very first column in July 2015. So far I've done columns on my travels, my inspirations, my interests, happenings in Bathurst, my family history, my hobbies, the best food I've ever eaten (really good food), my Lego creations, stuff I have found, stuff I have made, my cats, my friends, my birthdays, stuff I have built, my good times, my bad times, poems, stories, my artworks, boats, planes, ships - anything I find interesting that I hope other people find interesting too. Writing my column is great. Sometimes it has been hard, but sometimes it can be a breeze to write. Writing my column has also shown me things about myself like how organised I can be when I'm focused and concentrating and also how committed I am to my column. But most of all, I really enjoy writing down my adventures and sharing them with other people. To be continued!

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 249

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Black power

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about the majestic black panther. Our black panther is a very interesting species. She can only be content in the finest of conditions. It takes a lot to please this fine pussycat. The black panther has one of the most obvious camouflage tactics - her fur is all black for blending into her surroundings at night. The black panther does most of her hunting at night, when her prey has lowered their guard. Another feature is that she can see in the dark. This skill gives her the upper hand for survival. As majestic as this animal is, she also is one of the most deadly animals as she has claws as sharp as needles and teeth as sharp as knives and a travel speed up to 'very fast stealth' up to 'invisible at night' and her muscle strength is up to 'strong'. So, the black panther may well be elegant and majestic in the day but at night she is a killing machine. But only in her dreams!

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 248

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bare Island
Story filed: Memories

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about my trip to Bare Island in Sydney. I didn’t know much about Bare Island but with some research for this column, I found out that it was the location for some thrilling action sequences in the Hollywood film, Mission: Impossible 2. And it is also one of the most popular scuba diving sites in NSW, as well as a very popular location for snorkeling in Kamay Botany Bay National Park. It is also a place of sorrow for my mother for this is the spot where, when she was a little girl and her school went on a field trip to Bare Island she sadly broke her beloved tartan covered, glass thermos her mummy had given to her as a special present. She only realised this tragic accident had happened when she was going to take a sip of her hot chocolate and she found bits of glass in it from the glass holder that keeps the contents warm. She was very upset. Now, she has a new one but whenever she goes there she thinks about it. We also went down to the rocks and got some really good photos and wet shoes. I kept stepping in water but we had a good time until we had to go. I hope that the next time we go to Sydney we can go on the tour of the fortress as well.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 247

Leo Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Winter Food

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about one of the best cassoulet that I have ever had, cooked by none other than my amazing mum. It was so good that I think I should share the recipe - your choice or not to make it however I think you are going to like it....hopefully! 

Here are the main ingredients: top quality Italian sausages and lentils. We bought our sausages from Farmgate Meats in Keppel St and the butcher said they are made with beef brisket and pork shoulder with spices, in a good sheep guts casing - I give them a 10 out of 10. Pan fry the meat till cooked and set aside. You then prepare an onion, and garlic cooked in a little bit of olive oil in the bottom of your casserole pot on the stove top. Then add some chopped carrot, cooked lentils, quartered fresh tomato and a bit more olive oil. Cut the sausages in half or thirds, add to the pot and put in the oven for an hour or so - add a bit of water and a bay leaf, too. Add salt and pepper if needed - we don't add this because the sausages are seasoned. 

I hope that if you do decide to make this cassoulet that you enjoy it. If you make enough, it can last for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 246

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Micro fiction #10

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to tell you a story about my fish, Darwin. My fish is now 4 times the size he was when we got him making him 40 mm long. He has black spots all over his orange body but with a whitish underbelly. His fins are like wet tissue paper being pushed around under water. My fish has one black eye and one clear eye but this doesn't affect his vision. My fish is a goldfish and he lives in a nicely decorated rectangular tank. The End.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 245

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My desk
Story filed: School out

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about why students should have the choice to be homeschooled or not. So much work I need a break. Maybe I should go for a jog or spend some time with my pet or read a book. That’s what I like about home school, you can take breaks, could you do that at school? The answer is no, no you can’t just go for a jog you need to stay in class, but at home you can do these things without getting in trouble. My first argument is that it has been scientifically proven that playing with pets can stop anxiety and stress. At school you can’t just go over and 'pat a pet' but at home you can take a break from hard stressful work and be in the comfort of your pet’s company. Having a pet around is a great idea but you can’t bring your pet to school because other people can have allergies and are allergic to animals so all the better to stay at home. My second argument is that pressure can cause stress and anxiety but there’s no pressure at home to finish a task, but at school you've got to get our job done before you have to do something else. At home you can spend more time on what you’re doing. 

Think about how stressful getting you to school on time is, for your parents, it can be very hard to get out of bed in the morning to get dressed and get to the bus stop on time and if you miss that bus you're stuffed. But at home you don’t have to stress on getting to school on time because you are already there. My final argument is that the best thing about home school is that there’s no school uniform. The Guardian newspaper shows that the highest achieving schools in the world have no school uniform. It also states that 88% of parent’s experience financial stress in getting school uniforms. So, not only is home school great for you it’s great for your parents because they don’t have to worry about school uniforms, school supplies and school bills. It's great not having to be in a monkey suit all day, being able to be in comfortable clothes and not having to put up with a really uncomfortable tie. In conclusion having a choice in being homeschooled should be allowed because it’s all the better for you and your family, being able to be comfy and relaxed in your own home.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 244

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: School Project

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about model volcanoes. Have you ever made a model volcano? I will soon be making a working model volcano for school. I am really excited about this project as I've always wanted to make a volcano but never got around to doing it but now, we have to do it for science and I can't wait to start. I'm getting to know volcanoes really well. I think I'm pretty clear on understanding how they work. I think the best part of the model volcano is going to be watching it erupt. I really can't wait until then. Our due date for our model volcano is at the end of school term and I think that watching our volcanoes explode is a great way to finish the school term. 

Well, I better get started on making my volcano.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 243

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: keeping time

Hi people, it's Leo here. Do you have that 'little something' that has been given to you as a present, like a watch or a token...something that has sentimental value? I have my solid white analogue watch that my Yiayia gave to me on my tenth birthday. My watch has one big face to tell the time and three other dials: one for the day, the other for the date and that last one for 24 hour time. It has a metal frame which is polished  to dark blue and a white rubbery wristband. My watch is also water resistant up to 50 meters in depth so I don't have to worry about getting it wet. I wear my watch to school everyday so I can practice learning how to tell the time. But I don't wear it on the weekend because I don't really bother looking at the time on the weekend. I also don't want to scratch it. I recently got my name engraved on the back of the watch, so now if I lose it, people will know it's mine. I'm pretty good at losing things.

 

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 242

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: in the dirt

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about mountain bike riding. At my school, we have started to build a mountain bike course for kids wanting to do mountain bike riding - I'm one. I think mountain bike riding is a great sport, it's good exercise and really fun. We had to start building a course at school because we didn't have one to ride on straight away. So far, the course is just a mowed path with dirt jumps, on the side of a hill. All the building work was actually pretty fun. This activity has really got me back on my bike. I've started to go for bike rides in the morning on the weekends. This has been on my to-do list for a long time but I've just been too lazy to do it. Eventually, we will add to our course - stuff like better ramps, bridges and jumps. I'm really excited for next week's mountain bike riding, it's gonna be awesome.

 

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter  

Column 241

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My DeskUntil next time

Story filed: I can dream

When you were a kid, did you ever dream what your dream car would look like? I do, all the time. I really want my dream car to be an old army-like jeep. I would like it to have features such as old tin doors, a dark green pull over canvas roof, light green baggy seats, an old fashioned foldable windscreen and a flat tin bonnet. I really like theses sort of cars because they are big and airy and I really like its’ design and that they are so simple. And another reason I really want a car like this, is that I really like old cars - I think old cars are better then new cars because new cars are so sensitive and hard to repair because of their computers but old cars are more tough. So, in the future I hope I can get the car I want. 

Until next time

Leo Roving Reporter  

Column 240

Leo, Roving ReporterReport from: BathurstStory filed: Leaving the house

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about the lockdown. It's been really amazing seeing what people have been doing in lockdown like making funny videos or online classes or online activities. But now restrictions are lifting, life is sort of getting back to normal. I'm back at school and my mum is nearly back at work and dad's job might start up again, who knows? Unfortunately lots of people like dad have lost their jobs and that really sucks. But there have been good and bad things about all of this lock down - like pollution had gone down in lots places and also some places have been rejuvenating and plants are growing more but there is a lot of bad stuff too and we know what that is. I hope we can all start going out more and start to do what we love, very soon.     

                                         
Until next timeLeo Roving Reporter

Column 239

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Micro Fiction #9

Hi people it's Leo here. Today I'd like to tell you a story.

Breaking News

A box has been attacked in a house in an urban suburb, by none other than the dangerous terror-kittycat Miko. Locals reported a loud disturbance in the neighbourhood which started with the sound of an angry cat, chewing loudly on cardboard. We were lucky to get an interview with some of the eyewitnesses. In their description of the event, they said that they were going out to lunch, when a small cat with a sledge hammer walked into a house (known to be the house of Mr Cardboard Box). Then, the sledge hammer flew out of the window and the cat that had gone into the house, came running outside with Mr Cardboard Box over her head and she ran down the street. We can assure you that dangerous terror-kittycat Miko is now in custody of the relevant authorities and that there is nothing to worry about. Now that dangerous terror-kittycat Miko is safely tired-out, the kittycat will face court later this afternoon in order to see if she gets any dinner tonight.

Until next time

Leo Roving Reporter  

Column 238

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My Desk
Story filed: The Force
Hi people it's Leo here. Today I'd like to talk about everything Star Wars. This Monday as you know, was May the 4th and in my case it was Star Wars Day. Wh? Take a guess... May the 4th, may the force be with you?  It’s like the movie quote. It’s just a play on words but a pretty cool play on words. Do you like Star Wars? I certainly do. I really like the Imperial Army the most because they have the best weapons, the best outfits, the best movie lines and the best theme tune and they have really cool ships. The good guys are pretty cool too they always win, when you think they can’t. What Star Wars movies have you seen? I’ve seen about all of them except one of the new movies. I really want to see the new TV series of The Mandalorian, it looks really, really good. Did you do anything special on May the 4th. I didn’t really do anything. It’s usually on a school day so my calendar is full but as I’m currently homeschooling I gave my toy lightsaber a swoosh. Well, until next time and remember, may the force be with you.

Leo Roving Reporter

Column 237

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: ANZAC Day 2020
Hi people it's Leo here. Today I'd like to talk about ANZAC Day. As you know ANZAC Day was last Saturday but it was different to all the others we’ve had before. We didn’t have any ceremonies or any marches this year because of social distancing, one of the key parts in the fight against COVID-19. But this didn’t stop people remembering the ANZAC's. In my street, people stood outside their houses at 6am but no one made contact so we were all very safe. Soon after we all stepped outside, someone down the street started to play the Last Post, so mum and I and everyone else just stood there and listened. When the person up the road was getting to the end, all these people around town started to play the Last Post too so it was like a Canon. All you could hear was the Last Post ringing around town. It was really cool. It was all really good, except it was really cold and I was only wearing my dressing gown so I was pretty cold. I hope next year ANZAC Day will be back to normal. 

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

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Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Going to the Movies

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about movies. As you know we are all in isolation because of COVID-19, so we have lots of time on our hands. The one thing I really like doing is watching movies with my mum. There are a lot of good ones that we've watched so far and I would really recommend them. There's a couple I really like: Galaxy Quest, Hugo, Denial, Downfall, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Lion, Thor Ragnarock and other Thor movies. And a TV show called The Amazing World of Gumball (maybe you have read my column on it). The ones that  I think are the best are Galaxy Quest - it is so funny, no matter how many times we've watched it it's just so funny. The others are Downfall - it's about the last days of the war, in Hitler's bunker - as well as all the Thor movies. But the best one of them all is Hunt for the Wilderpeople. It really is the best ever. Maybe you have seen it? If you have, I hope you agree with me. So, sofar that movie has been the best but I'm sure there are more good movies to watch. I'm off to go and see!                                                          

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 235

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Short Fiction
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to tell you my Country Women’s Association (CWA) Central Western Group’s Schools Public Speaking Competition  speech. I had to video my speech for school

Good morning adjudicator, timekeepers and members of the audience. Today, my topic is Growing your Own.
I’d like to grow my own livable planet.

I know that sounds crazy but hear me out -  first I will need a cloud of dust and gas to create a molecule cloud. Then I will need the temperature to be cold so that the dust and gas clumps together. Eventually everything caves in on itself to form a star then the star explodes, pushing everything out in to space. The big clumps of material will soon come together and then over time; they will form a planet. This is called core accretion. But there are many more steps to come. This new planet - it needs lots and lots and lots of water. I can find this in the form of ice crystals and I will need to do it quickly because the planet will be pulled in to the sun’s orbit soon and by then it will be too hot to collect water. The ice crystals were bought in when everything was clumping together and now that it’s in the suns orbit, the ice crystals are melting to form water. I also need to check that my planet is round and big enough for self-gravity. The other thing it needs is to have lots of space around it. I also need carbon, hydrogen oxygen and nitrogen in order to create vegetation, the right clement and life. See, It’s not that hard to make a planet but what will I use it for? I guess a spare planet would be good so when Earth is destroyed, dies, is overpopulated or infected with a disease I’ll go there.

Thank you for listening.

                                                      

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 234

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: WFH

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about working from home. Now I'm working from home things are different, everything is online now so there's lots of screen time. There's bad things and good things the bad thing is you can spend most of the night finishing a test. But there's a lots more good things, like it's really easy because you can just open a file and boom you have your whole English test. The website my school uses let's us students message each other so we can always be in touch. But the most bestest thing I think is spell check -  we don't get it at school so using this is a dream coming true. It's not that bad working from home but I hope to go back to school soon.                                                                  

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

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Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Short Story VII

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to tell a story.

The Cube

On the moon there was an Alien. He had found a key on the moon that lead him to a tower

that had a magical compass. This magical compass took him to earth but the people there

wanted to experiment on him. 

So, he had an idea. He didn't look very scary so instead he would turn himself into a

horrifying creature and destroy everyone and exploded up the earth.

The end.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

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Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Mathematics

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about Prodigy. Do you know what Prodigy is? Well, it is an educational online game to help students like me with our maths. Now, let me tell you how to play: first you customise your character and then you go and explore the game world. You can even visit your friends in the game or do battle with the Titan (a big evil monster) or the Puppet Master. You can also rescue monsters and make them part of your team if you can break the Puppet Masters spell. In this way, you can eventually make a whole army. The higher your level, the better stuff you get like armour, wands, boots, hats etc. How to play: it's simple, whenever you're in battle, building or doing quests you have to answer a maths question. The questions get harder along the way. You may think that sounds easy but you are frequently in battle so you have to answer questions frequently too! When you finish a certain question you get a prize. Prodigy is very fun indeed. Well, I am off to play some Prodigy now, so bye!

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter 

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Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Short Story VI

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to tell a story.

The Chameleon that Nobody Loved

Rustle, rustle, rustle rustle goes Geoffrey. Geoffrey emerges from the bushes, completely invisible. "Hi" says Geoffrey to bob the parrot "AAAAAAaaaaaaaaa....who's there?" says the very frightened bird, as Geoffrey tries to explain. But Bob leaves in quite a kerfuffle

Unfortunately Geoffrey accidentally does this over and over to his three friends Bob the parrot, Gerry the snake and Bill the frog. Geoffrey can't help being a chameleon but over time he will learn to control his disappearing power.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 230

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My Desk
Story filed: My Family and other animals

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about this really fun, old (3 May 2011)  TV show. It's called The Amazing World of Gumball. Now the reason I'm talking about this old TV show is that for as long as I have been watching it - I have only just realised it is a mirror image of my own family. Let me tell you about the characters: 1. 12-year-old cat named Gumball Watterson AKA me. He's the son and older brother 2. adopted walking goldfish brother and Gumball's best friend, Darwin  AKA my pet fish. 3. The intellectual sister Anais, also a rabbit AKA as my cat Miko 4. the workaholic mother Nicole, a cat  AKA as my mum. But beware! You will need to clean your room around her as she can very angry if you don't, but still.....she loves her family. 5. stay-at-home father Richard  a real lazy, fat dad rabbit AKA as my dad (who's not really fat). My family doesn't get into crazy adventures tike the Watterson's do - but apart from that, they are amazingly like us!

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter