Loquat Valley is a anglican co - educational school from pre school age 3 - year 6 (age 12) It is located on Pittwater and Northern beaches Charles Kingsford smith, founded the school in 1947 and named it Loquat Valley after the fruit grown locally by the early settlers.It is an independent school and offers Christian Education .The pre school is based on the Reggio Emillia philosophy and the curriculum of Kindergarten is based on the NSW board system.
I am staying with my God Mother who is a 2 minute walk away from the school. It would be useful if you knew family members or friends in this area. However, there are different accommodation styles ranging from hotels and motels, guest houses, bed and breakfast, backpackers hostels, cottages and the lakeside caravan park. These all vary in price range.
The flight to Sydney is 23hrs therefore, bring lots of things to do on the plane!!! Flights go from most international airports such as London Heath-row and Manchester and a number of airlines fly here. However, it can be rather pricey.I flew with Ethiad Airlines from Heath-row as this was the best deal at the time they were also excellent. Once you arrive a car or if you can get lifts to places is useful. However, if this is not possible there are regular buses which take you to all the local beaches. One of the bus stop is directly opposite the primary school. The area which the school is located is about an hours bus drive from Sydney.If you can catch the bus to Manly, the bus stop is opposite the school and then the ferry into the city. The time of the ferry fits in with the time the bus arrives so it is perfect. A day ticket costs $20 and this allows you to use the bus and ferry all of that day no matter how many times. There are no trains running through this area and they are only in the city. The closest town to the school is called Mona Vale to get to this you would catch the 156 at the bus stop opposite the school and this takes you to the center or the beach. There are a number of beaches along the whole of this coast and again you can catch the bus and it takes to all the Northern beaches, which ever one you want to go to. The bus you catch is the L90.
The area where the school is, is quite quiet, however, the closest town is only 2 mins away called Mona Vale. This has a beach which is lovely and also has good surf it also has many coffee shops, clothes boutiques, restaurants. On a Thursday night there is a pub called the Mona Vale pub where all the locals are age go, and gives you cheap deals on all the drinks. If you go into the city there are many bars and restaurants however, drinks are expensive. You will need your ID out here as well.
Things to do, things not to do
It is important for you to not bring any food or water into the country as it will be taken off you in customs. Before entering the country you must apply for your visa.
Things to do - During my visit I went to a number of places.
One thing you must do is take the ferry across the harbour from Manly to Circular Quay. It may not sound very exciting but gives you amazing views and is a good way to travel. It is vital you go into Sydney to see the opera house, harbour bridge, gardens, the rocks. There are many shops and bars here as well.Visit the Northern beaches which are located around this area, surfing is a must as well. Beaches I recommend are Mona vale, Palm Beach, Bondi, Avalon and Bilgola. There are also many more that are very similar.
I also climbed up Barry Joey Lighthouse giving amazing views across the pacific ocean were a spit has been formed. It is also the view used and set of Home and Away. I also sailed Pittwater in a sailing race which is worth doing.
Whilst I was there I also visited Taronga zoo. This was one of the best zoo I have been too and provides amazing view of the harbor. We managed to get the student price into the zoo and it cost us $30. I would also recommend going to the bird show whilst you were there.
Contact Dianne Chamber,
Loquat Valley Anglican Preparatory School | Tel 02 9979 5755 | 1977 Pittwater Road, Bayview NSW 2104
Before you go to Australia there are a few documents you need. Anyone who enters Australia needs a visa. At first I found this difficult to organize as I was not sure what visa the working holiday one or tourist visa and the Australian Embassy were not very helpful. However, make sure you get the eta Instant Visa. It cost about £20 from this website. Here is the link for the website, http://www.visabureau.com/australia/travel-visa.aspx?s_cid=20194135&gclid=CO_c48vsyKcCFQPabgodzHn0cg
Also make sure you know the address of where you will be going before you fly as you have to put this on the declaration form you fill out on the plane. Also make sure that you don't bring any type of food into the country even chocolate, drugs, alcohol, as you could be find up to 10,000 dollars if you are found out.
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