I was so very interested in Anne Holme's column last week about the grammar used these days. I so agree. The use of I when it should be me grates on me every time I hear it and at present there is a local ad, loud and clear, over and over every day which does just that. And one of the weather girls who continuously says "we did have" instead of "we had" and "we did see" instead of "we saw" really annoys me. To me it implies some doubt about the subject which needs extra emphasis. I am often told that as long as we make ourselves understood it does not matter. I have a feeling that in a few years time few people will even know what we mean by grammar, and spelling will all be down to the computer spell check.

I wonder what the German exchange student who visited the school last week thinks of our grammar and spelling. Valentine, who lives in Hanover, spoke to the  students about the differences and similarities in her community and the Australian community. That should have created great interest for the kids.

Five swimmers went off to the District Carnival last Friday. It would have been an exciting experience for Thomas, Alivia, Thomasina, Oscar and Jack.

A lot of staff development is underway at the school with the first video conference already over. These conferences are being held on a regular basis and are on the introduction of a literacy programme for the infants classes and in line with the Early Action for Success Strategy, in which Binalong was fortunate to be included with five other small schools.

As part of the Clean up Australia Day the children concentrated their efforts on the pool area.

Following lessons on alliteration and tongue twisters, Mattie said "pink prickly pigs pig-out on pleasant pancakes" and  Thomas offered "Awesome anacondas attack animals in the Amazon adventure area", while Aleryya's effort concerned "Orange ostriches run over outrageous obscene orang-utans". Pretty clever for littlies and maybe the future of English is safe in their hands.

Kinder kids are also praised by the teachers for their amazing approach to learning, listening properly, finger pointing with their readers, completing  puzzles, bead threading etc.

Stars last week were awarded to Abbey Paterson, Ivy Saunders, Grace Winning and Thomasina Knight.

Children at the school bus stop at the top shop should be very careful where they wait as the cone from the Bunyah pine tree  have begun crashing down again. And crash they do.

The Binalong CWA committee has sent a flyer to each home thanking those people who did such a great job on the improvements and restoration of the rooms and gardens. Quite a few local men have worked diligently on the project for several months and the committee is very pleased with the results.

The same enthusiastic golfers are still enjoying the nine-hole chicken run, despite Sunday being nearly hot enough to cook the chicken. Thanks to Ethel's rather draconian handicapping system, positions were reversed this week with Clancy winning the chook and oft-times winner Ben Grange being on such a low handicap that he took home the wooden spoon. Joe Dyball won the putting. With the special handicapping system for this event it seems that anyone who continues to play must emerge  a winner eventually. Winners lose shots and losers gain shots so those who win, suffer a little pain at the hands of the handicapper. (Curious word isn't it?) So, to those who haven't won yet, keep going.

The pennant bowlers suffered defeat in the first pennant round at Bribbaree on Sunday, despite winning two games. Travis Pigram, Peter Schofield, Ben Glover and Jason Howard were winners, as were Allan  Pigram, Mick Dal Santo, Adam McGeachie and Brian Madden. Stan Walsh, Peter Curtis, Chris Madden and Tommy Glover were the losers.

Next Sunday they will play the Boorowa Ex Service Club at Boorowa and the teams are Brian Madden, Adam McGeachie, Mick Dal Santo and Allan Pigram: Jason Howard, Peter Glover, Ben Glover and Travis Pigram: Tommy Glover, Stan Walsh, Chris Madden and Don Glover.

Until next time.