The learning experiences we have, shape our thoughts, values and responses to the world around us. Charles Leadbeater, a futures thinker in education, talks about us having agency in a variety of spaces in our learning. These include:

•    Moral - doing the right thing
•    Creative agency - bringing new things into being   
•    Political - being capable committed citizens
•    Economic - creating value with and for others

He talks about our responsibility to take action and reflect on our own learning in order to be active participants who are collectively part of a whole. In Corinthians 12, the Bible teaches us that we all belong to the body but that we are all different parts of the body. Each part should have equal concern for each other and there should be no division.

During this semester, a group of dedicated teachers from both the ELC and the school, have been meeting weekly to further develop an environment that celebrates identity and promotes cultural respect and safety. This may take place through curriculum, events and products we create, but more importantly it takes place in our hearts and minds as we seek new patterns of thinking and doing. This team wishes to further develop an understanding of our Aboriginal culture. We exploring issues of reconciliation and healing, in order to support students to understand, reflect, and be more culturally aware citizens in our very diverse world. We also wish to provide more opportunities for our Indigenous students and community to collectively create opportunities that strengthen relationships for the benefit of all Australians.

If this excites you as a parent (or student) and you would like to contribute to some of these discussions, we invite you to contact the school and speak with Melissa Taylor to see how you might like to get involved.
We also wish to acknowledge the winners of the Reconciliation Week competition that was run by the library. We had 21 participants with a strong representation from Year 5 students. We are planning on this being a regular event as part of our celebrations and we are looking forward to seeing what our student library leaders have in store for us next. The creations are on display in the library for students to have a look at.

Art Competition Winners:
Shayla N Year 5
Brooklyn S Year 6
Lucca M Year 5 
Diego T Year 5

Creative Writing Competition Winners:
Piol D Year 5
Joash S Year 5
Nina N Year 5
Charlie S Year 5

I wish you a restful weekend.

Melissa Taylor
Deputy Principal (Curriculum & Coaching)

As we have seen an increase in the number of cases of the flu, we wanted to share some information about the disease with you.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly infectious viral illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. It affects the nose and throat and may also affect the lungs. In Australia, seasonal flu of varying severity occurs every year, usually between May and September.

How influenza is spread
The flu virus is spread when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes small droplets that contain the virus into the air where they may be breathed in by people nearby. Infection may also be spread by contact with hands, tissues and other infected articles.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms include:

• rapid onset of fever
• headache
• muscle aches
• fatigue
• sneezing
• runny nose
• sore throat
• cough
• nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea in children

Most people recover within a week, although the cough and fatigue may last longer. The flu is much more serious than the common cold. It can lead to pneumonia (lung infection or inflammation) and other complications, and even death, particularly in:

• people aged 65 years and over
• pregnant women
• young children
• people with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.
  
  

When to seek medical advice

Seek medical advice if you experience:

• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• confusion
• symptoms getting worse
• you are concerned about the symptoms
• children are unable to keep fluids down because of vomiting
• children show signs of dehydration (dizzy on standing, passing less urine than usual).

Prevention

• Flu vaccines reduce the risk of getting severe influenza. Annual flu vaccination is strongly recommended for anyone 6 months of age and older and should be actively promoted for people at increased risk of complications.
• Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or your arm, not with your hand. Drop used tissues immediately into a rubbish bin, then wash your hands.
• Wash hands as soon as possible after sneezing or coughing and after contact with nose and throat discharges or articles soiled by these. Use soap and water or an alcohol based hand rub.
• Wipe down all frequently touched surfaces regularly with a cleaning cloth dampened with detergent, or a large alcohol wipe.
• Exclude people with flu from childcare, preschool, school and work.

Thank you

Priya Wilson
School Nurse