Foundation Visit the Playhouse
Last week, our Foundation students embarked on a very exciting milestone – their very first school bus trip! There was a buzz of excitement as the children climbed aboard the bus and headed off to the Dunstan Playhouse to attend the acrobatic performance ‘A Simple Space’.
The show had everyone captivated with incredible stunts, laughter, and surprises around every corner. The students were amazed by the performers’ strength, balance, and creativity on stage. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience live theatre and respond to it through sharing our thoughts and opinions back in class.
We are so proud of how our Foundation students represented our school on their very first excursion. We can’t wait for the next adventure!
National Simultaneous Storytime
This morning our students joined 2 million other students across Australia for National Simultaneous Storytime. Children across schools, libraries, childcare centres, preschools and homes all read the same book at the same time. The book was The Truck Cat, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell – a south Australian artist will also be joining us during Book Week.
It was great to see our students enjoying reading together in their classrooms and a special event put on by Mrs Blyde in the library.
OT STEM Squad
Welcome to part two of our story. In this visit to Highercombe, two weeks after our initial introduction, the OT Squad comprising of Pavani, Deed, Gracie, Amreen, Ryan, Viraj, Neil, Jacob, Charlie and Lucas, became scribes as they heard life stories of our new residential friends.
Hearing about migrations from the Netherlands, Germany and England to name a few, and embarking on careers that reflect both current and “olden day” jobs, our team spent some quality listening time, to document their resident’s stories and grow closer in their intergenerational relationships. In the coming month, these stories will be re-written and presented as a gift back to their Highercombe friends.
We then enjoyed another round of billiards with Judith, being a good sport even with a sore lower back. Highercombe also embraced some beautiful cultural sharing by Deed, afternoon biscuits delivered by Gracie’s remote-control car, and an entertaining piano performance of Fur Elise by Charlie (with no sheet music!).
This team of Year 6’ers initially learnt of the human benefits when they make connections with music, use their left and right brain to engage in creative and mathematical activities, and take part in fine motor and gross motor skills. The bigger lesson they are now learning in their intergenerational engagement at Highercombe is that humans thrive, and brain connections grow through emotional connections as well.
“Our brains have specialized areas dedicated to processing social interactions, emotions, and empathy. When we engage in social connections, these brain regions are activated, leading to the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like oxytocin and dopamine, which contribute to positive emotions and well-being.” (Neurology Medical News, 2023)
As I watch our team spend time with Judith, Lydia, Patricia, Sam and Colin, just to name a few, I am reminded of the purpose God has given to each of us as His creation.
"Love one another as I have loved you" - a new commandment given by Jesus in the Gospel of John (John 13:34). It emphasizes the importance of loving others with the same selfless, sacrificial love that He has shown us. This commandment highlights the core of Christian discipleship and is a key element in following Jesus' teachings.
Stay tuned for part three coming soon: highlights of more scientific demonstrations, potential poetry recitals and a card trick or two to come!!
SACSA Cross Country
Last Wednesday, 8 students were selected to represent Prescott Northern at the SACSA Cross Country carnival. Our students had to run a 3km track around Carisbrook Park, and all of our students did it under 20 minutes!! We are super proud of everyone for putting in their very best effort and running as well as they could!
PPN Playdate – Autumn has Arrived!
This week we invited families with little people to enjoy the nature play space and reconnect with friends, while discovering more about what and who makes PPN a beautiful school for our children and parents. Mornings like these are a highlight for us as a school as we get to showcase God and the wonderful presence, He has among the PPN community. This is something we pray regularly for – that families may come and wonder what is different about our school, and find the answer is Jesus.
This Autumn playdate gave us an opportunity to introduce our new baby chicks to visitors, who sat and enjoyed the warmth of a fluffy bundle of joy. Our Year 6 students have been learning so much about the care, nurture and growth of healthy baby chickens and shared their wisdom with families in our makeshift petting zoo. Children were drawn to a pile of crunchy maple leaves to toss and dive into and then attempted to replicate the trees in an Autumn painting activity using kitchen brushes. The scent of lemon and lavender filled the air as children, both big and small, played at the playdough station, making patterns with pinecones, star anise and gumnuts.
Conversations come so easily when children are happy, engaged and involved. With a hot drink in one hand and fresh veggies from our Year 6 Produce Market in the other, the adults were able to relax and experience what life at PPN is like. We welcome any new families who would like to join us and consider Prescott Primary Northern as a school for their child. Our next gatherings are for Storytime in the library on Monday 2nd June or our Spring playdate on Monday 15th September.
Nature Snapshots
Today was a challenge for students who love observing their surroundings. As they wandered through the play space, with twelve snapshots to find, we were reminded of the stunning Autumn weather and flourishing garden we have at PPN. Lot’s of “I found it” echoed through the yard as our lower primary students took an interest in the nature space and the way it changes and evolves throughout the year.
