Prescott Primary Northern eNewsletter

School Highlights

Getting to know Ms Ongalo

Last week we were very excited to announce that Ms Jennifer Ongalo will be joining PPN as our school Principal. Ms Ongalo visited the school last Tuesday, and was blown away by what she saw – she even received some happy hugs from our students.

Over the coming weeks Ms Ongalo will visit and get to know our PPN community more in preparation for her formal start in Term 4.

We also had the opportunity to ask Ms Ongalo a few questions – you can read her responses below. What would you ask Ms Ongalo if you had the opportunity?

Ms Ongalo, how do you think your friends and family would describe you?

Highly motivated and hardworking. A wise woman of faith who loves God and others. Firm yet fair. Bubbly and generous with her time. Enjoys cooking and sharing a laugh over a meal with family and friends.

What is your favourite teaching moment or memory?

I kept a student in at lunch time to finish work he had not done. In my thinking, this was a "consequence". At the end, he asked if he could come to my room every lunch time and complete outstanding work for other subjects. He continued coming for "lunch time detention" in my classroom. His grades improved and he topped my class!

We loved seeing you at PPN this week. What stood out to you most?

It was impressive to see how everyone was busy carrying on their respective duties and responsibilities. The teachers had all students engaged in their learning and students were so focussed on their learning activities. The best part was to see that some of the teachers had "worked themselves out of a job" by letting students lead their own learning with clear guidance!

Ms Ongalo, who is your favourite Bible character and why?

The Ethiopian Eunuch (ACTS chapter 8). He was spending time studying the scriptures and was willing to learn from Phili. When he got to the water, he saw possibility and took the opportunity to make a decision to follow God. His studious character, willingness to learn and decisive acceptance of God's truth speaks to my heart.

Book Week 2024

Last week everyone at PPN had a great time celebrating Book Week. Our costume parade on Friday was a highlight and it was great to see our students having some fun, and cheering each other on. We were blessed that the weather held off and we were able to finish off a great week all together as a school community. Thank you to all the parents and families who were able to join us.

The generosity of our school community really shone on Thursday at chapel when students donated over 200 children’s books that we will be able to pass along to Backpacks for Kids SA to bless other children in the community. We also raised $207 in gold coin donations that will support the amazing work that they do to support children and families in need.

Thank you again for an amazing Book Week 2024.

Yr 3 Spring Flower Clocks

It’s not quite spring, but the flowers – and our students – are really blooming! This week our Year 3 students put their new understanding of time to creative use through the creation of their own Flower Clocks. The ability to read an understand analogue clocks is an important life skill, and with careful cultivation the Year 3s are growing in that direction. Don’t they look great!

National Water Week

This week is National Water Week. Water plays a vital part in our lives and is a wonderful gift from God. The students excitedly arrived at the Nature Play Space to find a sign attached to the water pump. They were invited to take part in a challenge of conserving water at lunch time and to use the water provided in the big containers. It was wonderful to see their creativity as they worked together to build water channels with bamboo, developing teamwork skills as they conserved the water that was available. Other students celebrated by colouring in pictures about National Water Week and collecting rubbish around the play area using tongs and buckets. They then worked together to sort the items found into the appropriate bins, giving opportunity for conversations about recycling and composting.

Thank you to all the students who took part in caring for our school in this way and for being great stewards of the gifts that we have been blessed with.