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.

 

Only in the Springs...

I called into the pharmacy on the way home this afternoon, and as I'm paying for my items Pete Ashenden, the community-minded pharmacist at LiveLife, said 'Oh, Gwen - I was just going to ring you - we've run a raffle on the school's behalf. I'm sorry we didn't tell you!'

 'And you are apologising??!!' I was a bit baffled.

'Well,' he said, 'we probably should have told you - we'll send a cheque to the school - it's not much - about $350.'

I drove home with a smile on my face - I mean, where else do people open their hearts with such generosity and just send you $350 without batting an eyelid?

Thanks, Pete. Your thoughtfulness will be put to good use in our school and will benefit our kids and their families.

Happy weekend, everyone!

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

When we focus on things bigger than ourselves

Many years ago I learned to scuba dive and whenever we are on holiday I love to explore the underwater world. When Maddie was nine an old sea salt of a diver in Cuba took her under his arm on his 'occy' to spy on the lobsters on the wall off Maria La Gorda. She was hooked, and as soon as she was old enough she learned to dive. The two of us have never looked back. Over the years this pastime has led to connections with the people of remote Fijian, Indonesian and Thai villages, and most recently with Project AWARE and the quest to 'save' our sharks and rays. This 'work' or interest has given us a sense of purpose and immense satisfaction. It's an aspect that enriches our lives, creates deeper connections and helps us feel we are touching the future in some way.


When we encourage children to get involved in things bigger than themselves it expands their world view, creates empathy and understanding and gives their lives a purpose.

A recent story of two children in our school demonstrates this brilliantly.

Poppy is a little dog from Fiji. She was brutally injured in a hunting accident and then left to starve. Poppy somehow survived for months on her own, before a good Samaritan saved her and drove her several hours to the Animals Fiji Clinic & Adoption Centre, in Nadi, Fiji. Despite having no funds, no medical supplies and no vet, the Clinic cared for a fed Poppy and kept her safe until help arrived. Poppy’s plight came to the attention of animal lovers in Australia who began fund raising to bring her to Australia. Channel 10’s Bondi Vet Team filmed Poppy’s airlift and several reconstructive surgeries to finally give Poppy a new nose and aired a 1 hour special all about Poppy in March this year.

India Davies (a student in our school) has been visiting Fijian communities since she was a few months' old. In 2012, India was so touched by hearing about Poppy that she began a personal journey to raise funds in support of Poppy's care and welfare. In just a few months, India conducted many fundraising activities (including selling her own toys) and raised over $3,000 Fijian which she presented to the team at the Animals Fiji Clinic & Adoption Centre, in Nadi in July 2012. Poppy is now visiting with the Davies family and will feature again on the Bondi Vet TV Programme on 27 April. She is now the mascot for the 'Poppy’s Sponsor A Vet Appeal' for the Animals Fiji Clinic & Adoption Centre. The aim of her Appeal is to ensure the Clinic can afford to pay a permanent vet to help little animals in distress in Fiji - http://www.animalsfiji.org/

I'm so proud of the Davies family, India and her sister, Sienna, for their care of this little dog, and for getting involved in something bigger than themselves. The learning, the personal satisfaction and the skills India and Sienna now have will stay with them a lifetime.