Today our school joined in with over 2 million other children around Australia, New Zealand and even around the world for National Simultaneous Storytime. This year marks the 24th year of NSS, where an Australian author and book are chosen to share and promote the love and value of reading and literacy in libraries and schools. This year, our students enjoyed "Bowerbird Blues" by Aura Parker. Not only is it a delightful little story about a bowerbird and his search for blue things that takes him on an adventure all over the place, it has also sparked the interest of many of our students in learning about bowerbirds and their unique environments and homes (bowers) they create for their family.

The author, Aura Parker shares, "My bowerbird falls in love with the colour of the sea and the sparking blue of the sky, but nothing seems to satisfy. I wrote Bowerbird Blues for lots of reasons, most of all, to try and capture a feeling, of longing for connection, for a craving which turns out to be for someone, instead of something. I wrote it for the joy of making, building, crafting, and finding out what you care for, or what matters most to you. I wrote it as a celebration of colour. I wrote it for a love of nature, and passion for our fragile environment, as an abundance of plastic pollution is clearly on display. Australian Satin Bowerbirds are savvy collectors, connoisseurs of colour and careful arrangers of their treasures with intense perfectionist hearts! They create a bower to attract their mate, and an interest in their fascinating behaviour spurred the story along."

I love that the author highlighted her desire to capture the longing for connection with others, rather than things. When I think about the children in our care here at Prescott Primary Northern, the staff, the families and our wider community, I see the same longing in us. We long to be connected with one another, to be seen and to be valued. What can we do to be more intentional in establishing and strengthening connection with those around us? Let's celebrate the joy of what matters most to us…one another.

I remember finding a bowerbird's bower when I was picnicking with friends in Queensland, many years ago. I first of all thought we had come across a pile of rubbish, as there were many blue plastic straws on the ground. After realising it was actually a home designed and created by a bowerbird for his family, I was intrigued by what the bird had chosen and considered beautiful. While I saw rubbish, broken things, things that belonged in a bin, this bird saw beauty, joy and treasure, carefully chosen and presented for its mate. My heart connects this to our loving Father, who while we may see ourselves or others as not worthy, not good enough, He sees us as His chosen treasure. May we live in that truth today and beyond.

I encourage you to be intentional in connecting with your children this week. Celebrate what matters most. Find joy and beauty in the things around you. And know that you belong to a community here at PPN who longs to be connected with you!

Blessings,

Tamara