Dear Reader,

After unseasonally soaring temperatures in March, this month has waved goodbye to summer and seems almost to have skipped past autumn - it's definitely giving us a preview of winter chill in the air!

And we think this month's Starlink is possibly as varied as our Melbourne weather ... :)

For example: news about workshops; various resources for primary and secondary teachers early childhood educators and social work educators; an inspiring story from South Africa; links about sleep health and "Old Language"; a few online videos just for fun, and the fascinating snippet of information that 4 May is - officially, believe it or not - International Star Wars Day! :)

We hope you enjoy what this issue has to offer!

Cheers
Sue & Chris
BJ Seminars International

The NSW Rural Fire Service provides a series of excellent classroom resources for teachers.

FireSafe is for years K-6 and Fire Science is for years 7-12.

Though written specifically to align with the NSW Board of Studies Curriculum, the lesson plans and activities are very suitable for teachers elsewhere as well.

Whether in business or in the community sector, rarely can any worthwhile goal be reached without building meaningful and sustainable relationships with others. Effective collaboration is always a requirement for success, when so many individuals and organisations have a stake in the outcome.

So this workshop, may certainly be of interest for some of our Starlink readers. Presented by Twyfords, a well-known and highly respected consultancy group, it will be held in n Perth (8-9 May), Sydney (21-22 May), Auckland (28-29 May), Melbourne (5-5 June), Brisbane (18-19 June) and Adelaide (25-26 June).

Topics to be covered are: Collaborative leadership; ‘wicked problems’; complexity theory; Cynefin framework; the paradox of power; the appreciative approach to positive change; the Collaborative Governance framework; presenting a business case for collaboration; collaboration skills.

Download the flyer and registration form.

SIGN is the newly redesigned VICCSO (Victorian Council of School Organisations) website. It contains a wealth of highly useful resources for teachers and schools - not only those in Victoria!

For example the Four Key Areas section provides a huge range of tips, resources and further web links. These have an introduction and then are grouped under four main headings: Local Decision-Making; Powerful Learning for All; Partnerships for Change; and Resources and Facilities.

For everyone who has every been involved in or with IT support, here's a comic video from Norway (English subtitles). How tech support operated in the 'old days'. And hmm ... not much has really changed, has it?

And a funny video called Don't Argue with Idiots. Perhaps also a reminder that going on and on until we prove the point is not always in our own best interests? :)

Finally, a stunt we doubt is covered in any of the most advanced of advanced driving courses in the world. We certainly don't recommend it to anyone to try!

What's the Best Mistake You Ever Made?

Wisdom - Life & The Universe: A 9-Year Old Boy's View

Appreciative Inquiry: What, Why and How

Change: "I Don't Feel Anything"

Successful Workshops: Engage and Empower

Appreciative Inquiry: Brisbane and the World

Trust is an Attitude

The Wisdom of Children