Life in PNG

Heather has been an absolute blessing to me here.  We played together as little girls over 30 years ago and now are great friends.  She is one amazing woman.  

Heather and I ran PD for teachers in the Baiyer area during September holidays.  This was a real highlight for me.  It was great to see the teachers so excited about going back to teach the unit of work I had modelled.  Equally rewarding was the professional sharing day where teachers got to share their kids’ work (and theirs).  I know I made a real difference.

I have learned to cooks some foods that I have never needed to cook before…e.g. bread & tortillas.  Living in another culture really challenges your every day living and routines.  You have to plan your food in advance – no late night shopping.
 

Highlands Christian Grammar

The teachers at Highlands Christian Grammar are an absolute blessing.  They are an incredibly hard working team and all enjoy teaching J

Grade 8 formal dinner on retreat

Highlights this year have included:

• Easter & Christmas concerts
• Independence Day celebrations
• Sports Day
• Mother and daughter night
• Grade 8 retreat

Challenges have included:

• Getting our new building in place.  A huge thanks to Kevin and Valma and Gateway for assisting.  A real answer to prayer and a HUGE blessing!
• Recruiting qualified staff from overseas.  Still looking for a teacher.

Mumu for Independence Day (Food is cooked in the ground)

Flag raising at Independence Day celebration

Wellbeing

Where do you run?  I run around the runway at the airport.  I have managed to find a few people to run with.  It hasn’t been as consistent as I would have liked but has been an absolute blessing.  There is also a curves style gym here (without a treadmill) but a blessing nonetheless.

Holidays

I didn’t plan to return to Australia until Christmas but as it turned out I made 3 trips back. 

One to have some medical tests (all clear) and a week back home courtesy of health insurance. 

2^nd trip to bring a teacher down to observe a classroom.

3^rd trip to have a holiday in Cairns with Shelley and the kids.  It was a much-needed rest.

I’m looking forward to a week at the coast and then a few weeks with family back in Queensland over the Christmas.

Looking to 2013

I'm looking forward to a possible visit from the boys in my family near my birthday (but I am in denial about next year's birthday).

I have someone coming to do Maths training with my teachers before school begins.  The plan is that she will travel back with me. So I will certainly hit the ground running.