In the final episode for 2009, the Podkids reflect on their learning for the year. They also interview characters from the novel 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' by Roald Dahl. Ever wanted to hear from an oompa-loompa? Here's your chance!

This is the final episode that Mr Fuller will be involved in, since he will be taking up a new position teaching Year 7 students at Landsdale Primary. Mrs Harrington (the Year 2/3 teacher) is now learning how to make podcasts and will hopefully be continuing the show in 2010.

As always, email us (podkids@gmail.com) if you enjoy the show!

Check out the films from the 2009 Orange Grove Primary Animated Film Festival. If you are having difficulties viewing the files, try the youtube version.

Many thanks to Apple Australia, Flexirent and Hoyts Carousel for their sponsorship of the festival. Most of all, thanks to the students and their families who spent hundreds of hours creating these mini-masterpieces!

In this episode, the Podkids interview the Hon Senator Stephen Conroy, Australia's Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. He shares some reflections on the future of technology in Australia, and why schools like Orange Grove Primary are important for Australia's future.

Later in the episode, the students share reviews of their favourite books, as a part of Book Week 2009.

If you enjoy the show, be sure to send the Podkids an email at podkids@gmail.com.

Andy Griffiths is Australia's top-selling children's author. He has written some of the country's most loved children's books, including Just Crazy, the Day My Bum Went Psycho, the Schooling Around series and the Bad Book.

The Podkids had been reading some of Andy's books, so we contacted him to see whether he would be willing to take part in an interview. Andy kindly obliged, taking part in a telephone interview from his home state of Victoria.

Many thanks to Andy for sharing his time with our class and for the joy that his books bring to millions of children worldwide.

On ANZAC day (April 25), Australians remember the members of the armed forces who have sacrificed so much for our country.

In this episode, the Podkids talk about the ANZAC Day commemorations at Orange Grove Primary and interview several of the veterans who attended the service. Many thanks to Peter Hoare, Harry Rosielle and Kathleen Clift for being so generous with their time.

Thanks also to Jon Schmidt , Jakit Patrick and Rob Costlow for the podsafe music. Flag photo courtesy of James Cridland (creative commons).

The Podkids have been learning about the solar system this term. In this episode, you will learn about all eight planets in the solar system. You will also learn about dwarf planets such as Pluto and Ceres as well as some of the larger moons in our solar system.

Thanks to Derek K. Miller of Vancouver for the awesome music. Earthrise photo courtesy of NASA (used with permission).

If you enjoy the show, why not drop us an email at podkids@gmail.com. We just love hearing from our listeners!

Enjoy!

PS This is an enhanced podcast with chapter markers and title screens. If you are having difficulty playing the podcast, try downloading an MP3 version.

The Podkids have been learning about 'celebrations from around the world'. In this podcast episode (recorded live at a school assembly), the students talk about Australia Day, Guy Fawkes Day, Halloween, April Fools Day, the Melbourne Cup, Valentines Day and Easter. They even perform some live music. Enjoy!

In the special video podcast, the Podkids present the seven finalists from the Orange Grove animated film festival. These were premiered at a special red carpet event on 22 August 2008.

Having trouble viewing the video? Try the youtube version.

At the start of 2008, Orange Grove Primary School commenced a one-to-one laptop program for all students in Years 4 - 7. This podcast contains videos that the students produced reflecting on how their school lives have changed since receiving their very own laptop computers. The videos were shown to the school community at the official launch of the laptop program in March of this year. Enjoy!

(For educators who are interested in how the laptop program operates, Mr Fuller has posted details on his blog. You can also listen to Mr Fuller speak about the program on a Digital Chalkie webcast)

The Podkids have been learning all about carbon dioxide, the greenhouse effect and climate change. This episode is a recording of an assembly item that we presented to our school community in June 2008.

The music comes from Lanny Smith's Earthman project. Be sure to check it out at www.earthman.tv

Hope you enjoy the show!