Compassion, Care, Kindness…....and a Healed Femur
Margaret Mead (1901 – 1978), American Cultural Anthropologist
One of Mead's students posed the question “What is the earliest sign of civilization?" The student expected her to say a clay pot, a grinding stone, or maybe a weapon. Margaret Mead thought for a moment, then she said, “A healed femur."
The femur is the longest bone in the body, linking hip to knee. In societies without the benefits of modern medicine, it takes about six weeks of rest for a fractured femur to heal. A healed femur shows that someone cared for the injured person, did their hunting and gathering, stayed with them, and offered physical protection and human companionship until the injury could mend.
Mead explained that where the law of the jungle—the survival of the fittest—rules, no healed femurs are found. The first sign of civilization is compassion, seen in a healed femur."
In these most confusing and perhaps uncertain times, let's remember Margaret Mead's sentiment – helping others through difficulty, is where civilisation starts.
For most of us, these weeks and now months, have been the most challenging that we have ever faced and probably, will ever face.
As a community across Logan, Queensland and Australia; we are at our best when we serve others.
Let's all make sure we show care and compassion to ourselves, our friends, our families, our teachers and other staff and to everyone – everyone both within JPC and outside our College.
Take care and keep on with your goals for the year. Remember: when the going gets tough, the tough get going!
Around the College
Term Two 2020 begins with continuous learning for our students. This experience is equipping our students to become skilled twenty-first entry learners, enhancing their knowledge, conceptual understandings and skills. The virtual classroom is connecting students and teachers in new and innovative ways, with an emphasis on connectedness, support and growth.
Whilst we cannot physically come together to support our Charity Shield commitment, we can still do this individually and virtually. This Term we are supporting Cystic Fibrosis through the Great Strides program. Students and Staff will raise funds and awareness to ensure that essential programs and services to the Cystic Fibrosis community continue to be provided.
