School leader shares pain with peers

AFTER losing her Idalia home to floodwaters, school captain Angelina Parliaros broke down in tears when she heard her beloved Oonoonba State School had also been ravaged by floods.

But the resilient 11-year-old has penned a letter to her fellow students encouraging them to take heart and also thank those who have helped during the floods.

“I want to tell my friends that we will get through this as a community and a team,” Angelina said.

“We are a great school and great community and we will be back to normal very soon.”

In her letter the schoolgirl sent her heartfelt love and support to her fellow students.

“I understand what some of you are going through as I too have lost my home,” she said. “If we can all find a way to help each other during this tough time, we can come out stronger.

“We can support each other by phoning our friends to see how they are and asking others if they are OK.”

Angelina also wanted to thank the army, State Emergency Service, police, ambulance and the wider community for their support. Her mother Drosia Parliaros did not know when Oonoonba State School would reopen.

“If it is going to be another week or two then I have to enrol my children into another school until our school is back up and running,” she said.