Pigeon Post

As you know, I've just returned this week from a whirlwind, almost 5-week trip to Canada, consisting of a 2-week study tour, as well as travelling around with my 26 year-old daughter. It's been lovely being welcomed back and chatting to parents and carers at the gate (and even at the disco) about my time in Canada.

During the tour, I was fortunate to be in Ottawa on 30 September for ORANGE SHIRT DAY: Every Child Matters​ - “Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation”. Canada has a fairly similar history with Australia in regards to First Nations Peoples and history. The acknowledgement, knowledge and understandings of unceded, traditional lands of Indigenous - First Nations, Métis and Innuit - Peoples, is deeply ingrained throughout the provinces. Even a taxi driver was able to tell us about the traditional custodians of the lands! The authentic respect is profound...

We also happened to be in Vancouver and visiting schools on World Teachers' Day, which is celebrated on 5 October across the world. As visitors, we were gifted with teacher appreciation gifts from the students. It is really lovely that I'm back in time to celebrate Teachers' Day in Australia, which is held on the last Friday of October, as 5 October is always during our school holidays...I'm thankful that Balmain Public School has such passionate, caring teachers, who want the best for all their students, always!

Some of my personal highlights after the tour, was creating some wonderful memories during our 'girlie trip' with my little girl - eating traditional First Nations cuisine, going to a Canucks hockey game, driving around the Rocky Mountains, being mesmerised by Lake Louise and the majestic scenery throughout Alberta, having high tea, needing to pull over so a herd of elk could cross the road (and they definitely took their time), watching grizzly and black bears basking in the sun (from a safe distance, thankfully), hiking, Niagara Falls, visiting Montreal, spending a couple of days in the old town of Quebec City and seeing Elton John for his final concert in Vancouver ever!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that we experienced traditional Canadian fare - poutine (French fries, cheese curds and gravy), bison burgers, maple syrup (on just about everything) and Tim Hortons coffee (which made me miss our real coffee in Australia)!

It's great to know that Mrs Riley (aka Ms Ferguson) has been at the helm and done such a fabulous job whilst I've been away! Thank you so much, Nancy...it is much appreciated!