| No story is complete without its characters, and the stories behind this book are rich in many loved and valued characters who have contributed so generously to its evolution. In keeping with the spirit of this work, let me mention the children first. I am particularly appreciative of all the 2003 Year Seven students at Helena College, Western Australia, who wrote some wonderful, creative, expressive stories that had me feeling humble about my own efforts. I was unable to include them all and want to thank, especially, Emma Barley, Anthea Challis, Corin Eicke, Erin Kelley, Jonathon Matthews, Oliver Potts, Nathaniel Watts, and Stephanie Wood for so generously allowing their stories to be included in Chapter 13, and commented on in Chapter 15. For enthusiastically supporting the project I thank Helena College principal John Allen-Williams, MScEd, school psychologist Susan Boyett, BPsych, and Year Seven teacher Claire Scanlon, BEd. |