Prescott Primary Northern eNewsletter

Swim Safe Week

I was talking with a student yesterday who was very upset and worked up. Things had happened and they had got angry and troubled. We were talking about things that could help them calm down so they didn’t make any more poor choices. As they were explaining the events of the last half an hour or so, I listened intently. They said they had got to where they felt like they couldn’t keep calm. This is likely a conversation you have also had with your child. As I reflected on this interaction, I remember how challenged I was as a young person in keeping my cool. However, how many times do we face the same challenge as adults.

I clearly remember a time when I was looking after my children and I got so frustrated, I stormed out to the family room and said to Alison, “I’m tagging out! You’re in – it’s your turn!” Not all of us have the luxury that I did that day of being able to call for help from a partner or family member. However, it is vitally important that we model how to deal with frustration and upset for our children. I am not idealistic or naïve enough to think we will not have moments of wanting to boil over as parents and educators, but what we do at those times, provides prime learning opportunities for our children. Showing them that we use calming strategies as well, and even explaining it to them afterwards, is really important learning for our kids. What are some calming strategies we might use as adults? Deep breathing, listening to music, gentling patting our pets, make a hot drink, go for a walk, take a bath, are all ways we can calm.

I would like to acknowledge our single parents and parents who may have to bear the majority of the child rearing responsibilities on their own. You may be reading this and thinking, “I don’t have the luxury of going and sitting in a warm bath if I’m angry at the kids – I still have to look after them.” I appreciate that, but I also know that if you aren’t able to build some sort of circuit breaker into your family life, it will take a heavy toll on you and your children. Adults modelling how to find calm in the storm, and asking for forgiveness and a fresh start, are such important things for our children to experience so they can do the same.

That all sounds nice, but to be calm and stay calm in the face of challenging situations is something I struggle with, and I think will continue to struggle with my whole life. However, I have experienced the opposite and I know which fits best in my endeavour to live a life of integrity.

Have a calm week with your kids,

Mark B

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3

One of the greatest joys in life that God has blessed us with is the ability to learn new things. Whether it is learning a new recipe, a new instrument, or a new language, it is always exciting to learn something new, and then to share it with someone else.

I remember learning how to make pizzas in Home Economics when I was in Year 6. I couldn’t wait to share it with my family, and I ended up cooking pizzas for dinner, two to three times a week for a few months.

When Jesus was twelve years old, we read in Luke chapter 2:46-47, that he was so excited to learn more about God that he stayed behind in the temple without his parents for three days, listening to the teachers and asking them questions.

During this year, our children will learn a lot of new and amazing things that they will want to share with us. They will learn about the beauty of art, and the importance of Maths and English. But above all, they will learn about the great God who loves them, and gave himself for them.

If you are going through a tough time right now, know that God loves you, and that He is with you.

God bless,

Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai

Last week, we talked about respect and this week we honoured several students from all the classes in our school for demonstrating this value.

Karthikeya, Danita, Ali, Jasper, Fateh, Mehar, Manasseh, Enock, Faith, Ocean, Sharlee, Amos, Krishi, Katarina, Lucas, Ellie (absent), Jade (absent) and Harvard (absent)

Zuri, Seraj, Patrick, Japjot, Harnoor, Ryan, Ekampreet, Dominic, Isaac, Scarlett, Chaela, Elise, Anise, Milli, Keerat, Gem, Jayden, Seanna, Gaurav, and Georgie (absent).

COVID Safe Check In

We have now installed posters with the COVID SAFE Check in QR Code at entrances and some other spots around the school. It is now required procedure for all adults who enter the site to check in on the phone app.

If you wish to enter your child's classroom you will still need to sign in at the Front Office as well as scan the QR code.

Parking Around PPN

We are noticing some safety problems arising with cars parking around the school and we thought we would address them in this email.

1. Parking out the front of the school-
We are noticing a lot of parents parking in the front car park of the school, walking to the single gate and dropping off/picking up, only to return to the car minutes later and reversing out into traffic. We understand the convenience but parking here and reversing out is stopping the flow of traffic from the drive through zone. Children and parents crossing a busy road is a safety issue and concerns us as we have seen several near misses. We are asking that if you are walking your child onto our school grounds or collecting them in the afternoons, that you use the back car park or side streets.

2. Keeping the car park entrance clear
It is very important that you do not park and block the entrance to the back car park. If the drive through line is full, please wait with your left indicator flashing while on Nelson Road. When the line starts to move, then feel free to move into the drive through zone but please don't block the car park entrance.

3. Turning left only when entering and leaving car parks and drive through
In peak times, when families wait and try to turn right onto Wright Road from the drive through, it again, slows the whole drive through down- often to a complete stop. We are asking kindly that you turn left only out the drive through onto Wright Road.

Please do not turn right from Nelson Road into the car park.

Please remember the current restrictions still in place (No adults entering classrooms unless you sign on in the Front Office). ALL adults walking onto the PPN Campus must sign in using the QR code at a gate.

We hope to continue to develop the parking around the school so it runs as smoothly as possible. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us achieve this. If you have any questions, please reply to this email.

Tip! If you come outside of peak times, it may save you a lot of frustration and is often quicker!

Fruit Fly Update

The department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has updated its information about fruit fly restrictions in South Australia.

This might change the types of fruit and vegetables your child can bring to school.

New colour coded maps for metropolitan Adelaide and Riverland residents show the red outbreak areas, yellow suspension areas, and green areas not affected by fruit fly.

Prescott Primary Northern is located in the yellow suspension area.

If you live in the red outbreak area:

Your child must not bring any fresh fruit or vegetables on this list to school. This applies even if it has been cut up.

Instead, PIRSA has provided a list of alternative fresh fruit and vegetable options suitable for lunch and breaks.

If you live in the yellow suspension area

Your child can bring any type of fresh fruit or vegetable to school.

If you live in the green not impacted area

Your child can bring any type of fresh fruit or vegetable to school.

All fruit or vegetables on this list must be eaten and disposed of at our school. These items cannot return home at the end of the day and will be disposed of safely at our school.

Grated, dried, frozen, cooked or pureed fruit and vegetables of any kind are acceptable in any area.

We appreciate your cooperation as we help protect South Australia from fruit fly.

PM Pick-Up Zone

Please ensure you have your child's name label visible in your car when picking up your child. This makes it a lot quicker to have your child ready for pickup. If you require a name tag, please call the Front Office.