Capability is built from Prep to Year 6

This year's Japanese School Trip was a cracker! We took the most children ever - 12 brave souls boarded the flight to Narita (Tokyo), attended school and lived with a Japanese family for a week.

There were excursions to Kamakura and the city, calligraphy lessons, a Tea Ceremony, amazing lessons in music and science and arts and crafts. There was 'strange' food and some sick children. There was laughing and also a lot of crying on the last day.

But the best thing of the week was reflecting on how each of these children have grown and changed in one week. One parent commented that she sent a 10 year old who returned a teenager (in a good way!) The attending teacher sent the families a heartfelt email once we returned. This message really says it all in terms of the capability we (parents and teachers) develop in children over the years of their primary education.

This is what he had to say

'Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to reiterate what Gwen wrote in her email yesterday. The Japan trip was a wonderful experience for everyone involved and I feel privileged to have witnessed the maturity and growth in the students in such a short time. The positive mindset displayed at all times by all students is a credit not only to the students, but also to each of you for the years of guidance you have given them. 

Whether it was by way of smiling politely through instances of language breakdowns, checking in on the wellbeing of fellow travellers (‘What number?’ Students will understand this😉), grabbing on to each other to remain intact on a busy Tokyo train,  teaching an entire music class of curious Japanese kids how to sing English songs at the request of the even more curious Japanese teacher, being fed food that was very unfamiliar, not to mention being part of a different family, there are countless examples of your students having an open mind and breezing through situations that many other people (adults included) would have found challenging. They were so ready for this trip. 

Your child showed wonder in the world around them, compassion, confidence and respect. I am delighted to have been part of this fantastic adventure with them.

Kind regards,

Andrew'

 

Roll on Japanese School Trip 2020

Finish as a team

Finish as a team...what a great concept. And so reflective of the modern world. No longer is it the greatest to come first - it's better to work collaboratively, support each other and finish the job together, as a unit, as a whole.

And so the Kokoda Challenge for our kids - The Kokoda Youth Foundation focuses on changing the lives of disadvantaged youth. The challenge is to train for and then run 15 gruelling kilometres - and finish as a team. Our school has had a team of students supported by their teachers running in this event for the last two years. Gradually we've all gotten involved even if we're not all running. We now wear green to school the day before the team head off to the challenge and all the money raised is donated to the Foundation to assist a group of youngsters get to Papua New Guinea and walk the Kokoda track visiting villages and honouring our veterans along the way. The program involves the youth doing what they thought was impossible, creating lifelong bonds and experiencing history and culture to prepare them for giving back to the community on their return.

There is a special story behind this year's team involving one of our teachers, Susie Lefevre. In 2014 after beating breast cancer, Susie conquered the Kokoda track, honoring her father and maternal grandfather who were both WWII Kokoda Track heroes. It was one of the most grueling yet rewarding challenges Susie has ever completed. She shares a message of persistence, endurance, hope and facing whatever life throws at you with grace, confidence and a huge smile and our team considered this message as they ran yesterday.

All Kokoda school cups are in honour and memory of Australian Veterans, not only keeping their spirit alive but helping to educate all of us about our diggers and the sacrifice they made for our freedom. In 2019 our Peregian Springs State School teams were named after Susie's father and maternal grandfather.

• Frank Freckelton - Craftsman 247 Light Aid Detachment
• Ray Edmonds – Militia 55/53 battalion

What an honour for our 2019 team! How proud these brave men would have been of you.