School holidays are coming... and Fiji, here we come

You have probably read the title of this blog and thought to yourself 'It's all right for some...' And you would be well justified in that!

The Spring break starts in five days. Three teachers and I are off to the Yasawa Islands, Fiji for 7 days on Friday night - that's right, no time to waste. Come bell time on Friday Melanie Timbs, Maree Johnson, Sara Hollonds and I will be off at breakneck speed heading for the International Airport Brisbane.

Approaching Nasomelevu from the sea

We are spending a week with the Head Teacher, teachers and children at Nasomolevu Catholic Mission School in the northern Yasawas - a five hour boat ride from Nadi. Those of you who have been there will know what a beautiful place the Yasawa Islands are, and also how remote and distant they are from services as we know them in the western world.

We hope to form some lasting relationships with this little school of less than 100 children - relationships that our children at Peregian Springs will benefit from in the years to come. This is the early phases of our Twin School Project which started as a seedling idea in 2010. It's still a tiny seed idea but has the potential to bloom into something wonderful.

Maree's library

Many of us have links with this area stretching over years - Maree set up the school's library about 12 years ago when she worked in the Fiji Islands as part of Education Queensland International; Bridoen Schloss has spent time there as part of a mission visit; I have travelled to the area over many years since my daughter was small and have seen many Head Teachers pass though - it has been interesting to see the links emerge throughout our school as the project has grown.

Just as fascinated by technology as Aussie kids

 This year 3L, 2M and 4G as buddy classes have spent time learning about Fiji culture and geography. They have written letters for us to take to the children so that we can start some communication. We have also collected sports equipment, books and maths gear to take with us - there is so much we only have room for togs and a sarong (and a bit of sunscreen) in our bags!

The reading material of my childhood is still used here

School rules are still important

In the future we would like to take children with us on this trip - and maybe sponsor children and their teacher from Nasomolevu to visit us.


Just can't wait for the holidays...

No fancy whiteboards here

The amenities block