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100 Days of Learning
Sensory Citrus Nature Play
The aroma of zesty citrus enticed students to participate in sensory learning at Prescott Primary Northern this week. Refreshing giggles and jests were shared as excited fingers explored textures colours and different play actions. There was a kaleidoscope of colour to explore, from rich ruby red oranges and grapefruit to yellow sour lemons and shiny green limes. The change of texture of rough pithy rind to soft fleshy centres with juicy segments inside. The joy of discovery and connection to the natural world lifted the mood as students explored the deliciously sweet treats that remind them of what is good to eat.
In this time of restrictions, it is good to remember the simple pleasures within our reach and to get out into nature. So, remember this quote as you move through your day:
“To truly have a zest for life, you must squeeze all the juice out of it…. especially the lemons. Believe it or not, they make life even more delicious. The lessons you get out of them make you strong, resilient, and amazing.” – Jenny G. Perry
It has been a rather stuttered start to Term 3, but we are underway, and we will be able to resume Chapels and Assemblies together again after Thursday, albeit with our parents on site. We are very grateful to our parents and families for respecting the Government requirements around restricting entry to school, wearing masks and distancing at drop off and pick up – thank you. Next week, activities such as afterschool sport, chess club, excursions and interschool sport are able to resume, and that will no doubt bring about some sense of normalcy.
It was School Photo Day here yesterday and it was great to see the excitement from the children and how great they looked in their uniforms. Thank you for the efforts families made to help the children look so good.
There is always something happening around PPN and next week is no exception as it is Science Week and Mr Harris has some special things lined up for us all. I am really looking forward to it.
This week, I read an article about he importance of our boys creating friendships and how we can help them do that successfully. I hope those families with sons, grandsons, or nephews find this helpful.
“There are a couple of factors in helping our kids in the early years at school. One is a warm connected relationship with the teacher or education assistant. The other is having at least one friend they can rely on at school.
Boy friendships are fragile
Since boys often talk later (and less) than girls, little boys can struggle with friendships. I am astounded at the capacity of most little girls to have real conversations that explore things friends have in common, help them play games and negotiate, and experience mutually bonding moments. Girls also tend to have a better grasp on the non-verbal cues of building rapport such as smiling, waving, and hugging.
One of the world’s leading boy experts, Dr William Pollack, author of Real Boys, believes that while girls communicate more, boys seek connection more indirectly through activities or play. So, for boys to bond they need significant amounts of time spent playing with other boys.
Boys need play to facilitate friendships
‘Play dates’ are a reasonably recent happening. Years ago, children tended to play for hours either in each other’s backyards or at sporting events. Now, less recess and lunch time at school, remote learning, and more emphasis on technology than real play is impacting this key window of building emotional and social skills.
We need to create opportunities outside of school. Finding families in your neighbourhood with kids of similar ages and older is still an excellent way of creating friendships. Yes, it involves some scheduling, but many families still make time to gather maybe one afternoon a week in the same playground with the same grownups and kids to create cohesion.
Play has many benefits other than the obvious one of helping our boys discharge excess energy and stress. Unstructured play helps to create feel-good neurochemicals, especially when it allows kids to follow the often-unspoken randomness of boy play which frequently includes adventures, hunts, and targets. It teaches them to lose, to wait, to take turns and much more.
Coaching young boys
I often share the story of the little boy who at the end of the day at school ran up to his best little mate and punched him in the head. In no way did this little boy mean to hurt his friend however at that moment his actions, which looked confusing to everybody, were an attempt to express how much he liked his friend and how much he was going to miss him.
Helping boys to create (and practice!) welcoming and farewell strategies can help alleviate some of these awkward moments. Giving a high five, having a secret handshake, teaching them to smile and calling out ‘hello’ using their friend’s name are all great strategies to coach and teach.
Having a friend at school can make a huge difference to our boys, but sometimes they need a little help from parents to find their way.” (Dent, 2021)
Have a great week with your kids,
Mark B
Jesus is well known for being caring and compassionate, but one thing that we often miss about him is that he was also very funny. This should be obvious when you think about it because he was the one who created laughter and joy.
One of the funniest things that Jesus ever said was:
Matthew 7:3-4
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
I love the way Jesus shows how preposterous it is to spend so much of our time focusing on the little specks in the eyes of others when all the while we have a massive plank of wood protruding out of ours. LOL.
Can you imagine how much better we would be as people if we focused more on our faults and less on the faults of others? We would have less conflict with others, and our lives would be a lot better.
This is not to say that we should not give people loving and constructive feedback. Jesus makes this clear when he goes on to say:
Matthew 7:5
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Jesus teaches us that when we acknowledge the issues in our own lives, we are much better placed to help other people with their issues. Removing the planks from our eyes, gives us the humility and grace that is required to help others with their specks.
God bless,
Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai
Enrolments for 2022
Our Foundation classes for 2022 are full and we have a long waiting list already. If you have a child who will be starting school in 2022 or you would like to check you have enrolled your child, please contact Tammy in the Front Office as soon as possible on 8396 2577. Siblings will be given a position but only if there is one available.
New Billing and Administrative System at Prescott Primary Northern
Adventist Schools Australia have begun to implement a change in the Administrative and Billing Systems in Adventist Schools around Australia. This month, it is Prescott Primary Northern’s turn to move to the new platform. This means that in the week August 16th to 20th we will not have access to make financial transactions (payments/receipts). Please be aware of these dates and we thank you for your patience during this change over period.
Wear Red for Heart Foundation Day
Science Week 2021
It's Science Week time again at PPN, starting next Monday, 14th August.
The theme this year is "Food by Design". To celebrate, PPN will be holding 3 main events:
1. A Faux Food Fair competition! This will be happening in your classes during the week. Can you make the best fake food? The food themes will be: Teddy Bear's Picnic (Lower School), Mad Hatter's Tea Party (Middle School), and Massive Minecraft Meal (Upper School). More details to come!
2. Food Science Lunchtime Workshops! Six different activities will be happening during lunchtimes on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Students can visit 1 activity per day, where they will either watch a food science demo or make some fun food science with one of our awesome teachers! Numbers are limited in each room, so if you miss out one day, you can try the next day.
3. An exciting whole-school science incursion show with Marty McBubble on Friday! See details here: https://www.scientificbubbleshow.com/
Keep your eyes peeled, as there may be some more sneaky food science fun happening!
See you there - Mr Harris (Science Coordinator)
PPN 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 new name tag or have only just started using the pick-up zone, please call the Front Office.
Uniform Shop
Book Week
Do's & Dont's of Dropping Your Kids to School
Daily Health Check
Premier’s Reading Challenge Update
Students in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 do not need to submit a form. The library team and Lower Primary teachers work together throughout the year to read eligible books during class and library time and complete the challenge for them. Students in Foundation, and any student completing the Challenge for the first year will receive a certificate towards the end of the year and all other year levels will receive a medal according to the level of the Challenge they have completed.
Some charts have been set up in the library that displays which students have completed the challenge. Seeing these charts and the names on them has been a big motivator for those who have not completed the challenge to do so.
Reduced Loan Limits
Book Week
Some information to take note of:
• We will be having a Scholastic Book Fair from Tuesday to Friday of Book Week (Week 6).
• Physical and virtual diorama entries are due Friday August 20 (Week 5).
• The Book Week Costume Parade will be held on Friday August 27 (Week 6).
Prescott College
Liberman Kindergarten
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