Have you ever wanted to walk on the surface of Mars? The PPN Rocket Crew did! And here is what happened…

As part of their Rocketry focus in STEM, Mr Harris and his Rocket Crew ventured out on an exhilarating excursion to Hamilton Space School, which offers a fully interactive Mars Mission simulation and bottle-rocket workshop.

There was much anticipation as the students of Team 1 donned space suits with breathing apparatus, headset, boots and gloves. Each ‘astronaut’ was assigned a role, given their mission objectives and ushered into the air lock in readiness for Mission 1. Meanwhile, the students of Team 2 were learning the ropes in Mission Control - where each student was assigned to a computer then given a specific role and headset to communicate with their astronaut partner. Tasks included recording and analysing data, giving instructions or monitoring weather and vital signs.

“You may leave the airlock and enter the planet surface,” came a voice from Mission Control. Team 1 emerged slowly from the air lock onto an eerie Martian landscape, complete with rocky terrain and lighting effects. The astronauts went about their duties, constantly in discussion with their peers back in Mission Control. Some collected rock specimens for analysis, some explored with metal detectors and Geiger counters, while others reported changes to the weather on the planet surface. “SAND STORM! Evacuate to the airlock!” came the urgent command. All at once, Team 1 was safely inside the airlock, then back on Earth once more.

Teams switched places and Mission 2 ensued. We are pleased to announce that all astronauts returned safely to Earth.

After a break, students built and launched bottle rockets, resulting in an exciting, but slightly wet end to the day. We can’t promise that all the bottle rockets survived the flights.

All in all, this excursion was a very successful mission for the PPN Rocket Crew.

Junior Christmas Concert

Yesterday the students at PPN were treated to a beautiful Christmas concert performed by the Foundation, Year One and Year Two classes. They were taken on a special journey with a selection of songs which gave them a glimpse into how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world. There were Calypso songs from the West Indies accompanied with the sound of drums, a song in Spanish from Latin America, a joyous tune with bells from Germany, and the Aussie song “Christmas in the Scrub” used puppets and soloists. The song “Mele Kalikimaka” wished us Merry Christmas in Hawaiian, and a lovely French carol described the shepherds at the birth of Jesus. “Silent Night” was performed by the clever children in 2C, in both English and Hindi. Over 200 voices joined enthusiastically together to sing the finale “Joy to the World” which was a fitting way to end the morning, leaving all with the clear message that Jesus loves me and Jesus loves you!

There will be a link to the video of this concert sent out to the Junior School families later this week. 

Well, how was the last week or so? 2020 just continues to give the twists and turns, doesn’t it? I am almost lost for words really. Thank you again to all the families and staff in our Prescott family for your patience and understanding. We are endeavouring to follow the directions given by SA Health and the Association of Independent Schools South Australia, to keep our community as safe as possible. We are also trying to remain flexible and provide as many opportunities for our students to have school as normal as we can. Unfortunately, restrictions mean some things will not be able to happen as they usually do. For example, yesterday, our Junior school presented their Christmas Concert to fellow students rather than grandparents and other special people in their lives. We are trying our best to share this beautiful time by filming it and providing a link with families and perhaps it can make for an extra special time sitting around with the children and watching it. We will also need to adjust our Graduation and Awards evening for our Year 6s, but please know we will do all we can to make it a special event for our students and families. We will share more details soon. Given the constantly changing situation and restrictions, we are going to plan for a careful approach to minimise chances of exposure of families or likelihood of having to change plans constantly. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

In November each year, there is a promotion called Movember which I am supporting this year as it raises awareness of men’s health. It is a great reminder for all men to reach out and ask for help with our health – physical and mental. This is not something we men tend to do well, and I encourage all the dads, uncles, grandads and brothers to make that call to that health professional that you often put off.

Thinking of families, I read this insightful article on mothers and their roles this week. It is often in times of stress and change that things become difficult to manage in our lives. So I would like for us to take a moment to consider this article about what research tells us about family responsibilities and what we can do to help our families be the best they can and particularly how we can look after the mums. I think I have shared before what an amazing mum I had and how much I owe to her. I hope you find this article from Dr Jodi Richardson helpful.

“Emma, a French cartoonist summed up the mental load that most mothers carry in her 2017 viral comic, ‘You should’ve asked’. In the opening scene a very hassled mother was preparing for a dinner party, while feeding her two young children, dealing with a noisy dog and answering the phone, all while she was hosting a colleague for dinner. As the dinner boils over the stove and onto the floor she looked at her partner imploringly. He unwittingly answered, “But you should’ve asked! I would have helped.”

This scene artfully exemplifies the many invisible layers of responsibility that mothers carry including arranging most household tasks, managing the family home and being on top of the fine detail in every family member’s life.

This is not the case in all families, but current research reveals that the great majority of women bear the load when it comes to housework (mums do twice as much as dads), caring for children (again, mums doing twice as much as dads) and carrying the mental load for their family.

There’s only so much we can manage. For those of us who are anxious, there will be times our plates will fill, and overflow. While there’s no single way to ease the mental load that mothers carry the following ideas will help to make life more manageable:

Stop making life easy for others

Anecdotal evidence suggests that many mums will overdo preparation rather than expect others to step up and help. I have been known in the past to cook and freeze up to a week’s worth of meals prior to travelling for work. Not any more though. Magically, my husband and two school-aged children have become very capable in the kitchen as I’ve stepped back.

Delegate and let go

Delegate some household jobs to your children. Leah Ruppanner, professor of sociology at Melbourne University says, “Unless death is impending from poor domestic decisions, step back, support and allow others to learn from their mistakes.” Letting go of jobs and allowing kids to do things in their own way is hard for perfectionist personality types, but it’s essential if you are going to last the parenting journey. Surprisingly, both guilt and perfectionism ensure that many mums keep their children dependent upon them.

Diarise and check

One way to ease is the mental load is to lessen the number of mental notes and details that you carry around. Set up recurring electronic calendar entries for routine tasks and check regularly. This way you have less to remember and a place to find what you need, which is more efficient and mum-friendly way of being organised.

Lower the bar

Many mothers confess that they constantly feel guilt if they don’t put their children first. That’s a heavy burden to carry. If anxiety is a constant companion, it’s essential to lower the bar on your self-expectations. Unfulfilled expectations are proven stressors for mothers so take away tasks, rather than add to your mother load.

In closing

There’s little doubt that many mothers carry an overwhelming mental load that adds to their anxiety and stress. I’m not suggesting that you abandon your job entirely but rather to look for ways to make the mental load you carry a little lighter. In doing so, life will become easier to manage. As with all behavioural change its easiest to start small. But whatever you do, if you’re straining under the mother load make a start at releasing and sharing the load.

Parents can learn more about minimising anxiety as a mum in Dr. Jodi Richardson’s book Anxious Mums: How mums can turn their anxiety into strength published by Penguin Random House.” (Richardson, 2020)

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B

 

Summer Camp – January 2021

The temperature is heating up and the cricket is about to start, which means it’s almost summertime! Beaches, camping, trips to the pool, swimming in the Murray River and ice-cream.  But do you know what’s better than all of that? ……. SUMMER CAMP! 

In January, children from all around Adelaide will be joining together at Ankara Youth Camp for 5 days of fun along the Murray River.  The camp program is run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church South Australia, and will involve students from across our three Prescott Schools and even some from the wider community. Just like school, students will have responsible leaders who will act as their mentor/supervisor for the 5 days. The kids will be involved in some great activities during the week, including boating, tubing, canoeing and an awesome evening program every night. All activities and meals are provided. Kids just have to bring their clothes and bedding for the cabins.

Two camps will be running during the school holidays:

Junior Camp  –  For children aged 10-12 years old  –  January 10 – 12, 2021

Teen Camp  –  For children aged 13 – 17 years old  –  January 12 – 17, 2021

 

Prescott Primary Northern already has a number of students booked into the junior camp. I know my two boys are looking forward to going to the camps.  My eldest boy, Blake, went to the teen camp last year and is still raving about it, and Zander is excited to be going to junior camp for the first time this year with a number of his friends from PPN.  

If your child turns 10 by January 2021, then they qualify to attend.  If you have older children who are in high school, they may like to go to teen camp the following week. Bring your friends, and come and have some fun, at Summer Camp. 

If you want to know more information about the camps or details of activities or how they will run, please email me on phillillehagen@ppn.sa.edu.au  or give me a call on 0435223033.

 

If you open your phone's camera and scan the QR code it will give you more information about the camp.  

 

 

Library borrowing has finished for the year!

ALL LIBRARY BOOKS ARE NOW DUE BACK.

At the beginning of next week (Week 8) all students with overdue library books will be given a reminder letter. We would appreciate if you could help your child find any overdue books and return them as soon as possible.

If your child has lost a book a replacement fee will need to be paid. If you have any questions please contact Mrs Cowley victoriacowley@ppn.sa.edu.au

Prescott College