We had a bit more flexibility with time this morning as our meeting with Kat, the Perth Coordinator for Sea Shepherd was at 11:30 in Scarborough. We welcomed Marley, and began our day as usual setting the scene with regards to the expectations and boundaries. I reminded the boys about mutual respect in that if I’m talking, I like to feel heard, and I know it’s universal and I will also listen when the lads talk to me. I reiterated I understood many of the boys find it hard to be still, and not to externalise their thoughts, but to their best when I’m going through the meditation, sound experience and when the learning adventure facilitator is talking. They all did so well today, and tried their best! 1. Mutual respect and kindness to each other. 2. Try and be inclusive of everyone in the group. 3. Keeping the conversation PG as there are different age groups. 4. If someone asks you to stop, you stop and vice versa. 5. If there is a problem that arises that you can’t resolve, please make sure you come and get my help to mediate. 6. When the Educator or Facilitator is taking the learning adventure, please be respectful. 7. As I’m looking after several lads, although they have ability, please do not climb super high. 8. No wandering off. 9. No stealing food or begging for others food. 10. Let me know if they go to the toilet, and to pair up. GRATITUDE AFFIRMATION MEDITATION AND SOUND EXPERIENCE The Gratitude Affirmation Meditation is becoming easier. Practice makes improvement, and saying the affirmations often, somehow make it become believable. I love how gratitude affirmations act as a powerful antidote to the incessant murmurs of the inner critic. By shifting our focus towards appreciation and abundance, they gently silence the self-doubt and negativity, fostering a more compassionate and positive inner dialogue. Please remind me to give you a copy next one, as I’ve printed it out. I’ll attach it to the event again as well. I asked all the lads how they were feeling, and decided the heart bowl on their backs would be the most beneficial today. They all found a spot laying on their tummy, and I struck the bowl 7 times on all of them. Striking the sound bowls on the back can be particularly beneficial for opening and balancing the heart chakra. The gentle vibrations emitted by the bowls resonate deeply within the body, helping to release emotional blockages and promote a sense of love, compassion, and connection. This practice can foster a greater sense of harmony within oneself and with others, nurturing emotional well-being and inner peace. We all piled into the car, and off we went to Scarborough. I found my lucky car park and we meandered to the amphitheatre where we were to meet Kat, and what a wonderful, passionate and connected young lady she is (young in relation to me)… She began by showing a brief video on the Sea Shepherd and talked about their mission is to defend, conserve, and protect marine wildlife and ecosystems worldwide. They achieve this through direct-action campaigns aimed at exposing and confronting illegal activities such as poaching, illegal fishing, and habitat destruction. Sea Shepherd's fleet of vessels and dedicated crew members actively patrol and intervene to uphold marine conservation laws and safeguard the delicate balance of our oceans. Kat talked about pollution and it definitely was a wake up call to try and do better. The pervasive problem of rubbish pollution is exacting a devastating toll on our oceans, waterways, and precious ecosystems. Plastic waste, in particular, poses a grave threat, as millions of tons of plastic debris inundate our waters annually, choking marine life and fouling habitats. Discarded bottles, bags, and packaging items break down into microplastics, permeating every level of the marine food chain and endangering species from tiny plankton to majestic whales. Alongside plastics, other forms of rubbish, including abandoned fishing gear and industrial waste, further degrade water quality, entangle marine creatures, and disrupt fragile ecosystems. The accumulation of rubbish not only undermines biodiversity but also undermines vital ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and coastal protection, upon which human societies depend. One of the most mind blowing problems are the rubbish islands that accumulate in areas where ocean currents converge are often referred to as "garbage patches." These patches consist of vast areas of floating debris, primarily composed of plastics, which accumulate due to the circular patterns of ocean currents called gyres. Some of the most well-known garbage patches include the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the North Atlantic Garbage Patch, with sizes varying from thousands to millions of square kilometers, highlighting the staggering scale of marine pollution. I was super keen to get onto the solutions and what we can do after all this information. Efforts to mitigate rubbish pollution through enhanced waste management, recycling initiatives, and public awareness campaigns are crucial to safeguarding the health and resilience of our oceans and waterways. There are several actions individuals and communities can take to help address the ocean pollution problem: 1. Reduce single-use plastics: Minimise plastic consumption by opting for reusable alternatives such as water bottles, shopping bags, and containers. 2. Proper waste disposal: Dispose of rubbish responsibly by recycling and properly disposing of trash to prevent it from entering waterways. 3. Participate in clean-up efforts: Join beach clean-up initiatives or organize community clean-up events to remove litter from coastlines and water bodies. 4. Support policies and regulations: Advocate for policies that promote sustainable waste management, ban single-use plastics, and hold polluters accountable for their actions. 5. Educate others: Raise awareness about the impacts of ocean pollution and encourage others to adopt eco-friendly habits and lifestyle changes. 6. Choose sustainable seafood: Support sustainable fishing practices and seafood sources to reduce the pressure on marine ecosystems. 7. Reduce chemical usage: Minimise the use of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides, which can contribute to nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms. 8. Conserve water: Practice water conservation to reduce the volume of polluted runoff entering waterways. By taking these actions collectively, we can make a positive difference in combating ocean pollution and protecting the health of our oceans for future generations. After sitting and listening and engaging, the boys were desperate to move. We played at the Snake Pit and Skate park for a good hour before heading to the intended Braithwait Park. I even had a turn at sliding down the massive snake pit, not thinking about how I was to get out again, but managed to get up quite easily in the smaller section, which surprised me to be honest haha, but made me feel strong. There were a few holes in pants. So much fun though, and so much movement playing their beloved game of tag!!! We drove to Braithwaite Park and boy, it was loud haha. Car Dj playing Bon Jovi, going passed all the fancy car places like Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati really excited everyone in their car spotto game!! I actually laughed out loud, so much joy in the car!!!! When we arrived, there was more tag… climbing, hiding, running, swinging, laughter and connection. Such an awesome day!

Educational analysis of "We had a bit more flexibility with time this morning as our meeting with Kat, the Perth Coordinator for Sea Shepherd was at 11:30 in...