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Science Week
Bush Bakery – Nature Play
For many of us walking past something that has a strong aroma may trigger memories from our childhood. The smell of lavender flowers, aromatic spices, eucalyptus trees or even the fresh smell of the seaside can bring back fond memories of times past. This week at Prescott Primary Northern, students participated in aromatic nature play based around the theme of a Bush Bakery. The aromas energized the senses. The sensation of running fingers through grains of wheat, kneading fresh dough and playing with soft slices of baked bread combined with many bush aromas of nuts and flowers made Nature Play a unique and fun experience. Students laughed and played, chatted, and guided each other in their endeavours to create the best Bush Bakery Tucker.
Over my schooling years, I spent my fair share of time having insights shared with me by teachers on the bag racks outside of the classroom or in the Deputy Principal’s or Principal’s office. If there is one thing that stood out for me at the time, it was the attitude the person had towards me and my need for discipline. I would like to give a shout out to those adults who took the time to help me grow. I would also like to give a shout out to our Deputy Principals, Level leaders and teachers who so carefully and respectfully guide our children. Common themes I see in good practice of guiding our young people are respect for all people regardless of age, gender, cultural, religious or economic background, seeing the difference between what someone does and who someone is, and emphasising the importance in making good choices and taking personal responsibility for actions. If you are anything like me as parent, these are not always my default thoughts. Below is an article with some practical suggestions to help us direct and guide our children to positive relationships, as well as give us a timely reminder for ourselves.
“’Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.’
This reply to playground name-calling has been taught to children by generations of parents. While the sentiments are true, it demonstrates how destructive language can be when it’s used to hurt or humiliate.
Name-calling dehumanises the child or young person on the receiving end, making it easier for a perpetrator to bully, put down or abuse. The language of bullying and sexual abuse is deliberately vague and generalised making it easier to hurl insults about gender or ethnicity. It’s much harder to insult someone when real names are used as it becomes personal.
Bullying uses language that dehumanises. Respectful relationships has its own language, and it’s through this language that respect is shown, and personal safety and integrity are assured.
Parents can help children and young people to develop the language of respectful relationships in the following ways:
Use first or preferred names
The sound of a person’s name respectfully spoken is music to the listener’s ears. Teach kids to refer to other people by their first or preferred name. If a relative prefers to be called aunt or uncle rather than by their first name, then out of respect, encourage children and young people to adjust their language accordingly, even though you may not subscribe to such formalities. Politeness is respect in action.
Differentiate between behaviour and the person
It’s incorrect to define a child’s character through their poor behaviour. A child who tells lies is frequently called a liar, someone who steals is often labelled a thief, or someone who inadvertently shares secrets is deemed untrustworthy. In sporting parlance, focusing on the behaviour rather than on the person teaches kids about to play the ball, not the person. It may sound like splitting hairs but the focus on character traits rather than on a person’s behaviour is hurtful, often degrading, and leads to resentment rather than change.
Call out disrespectful behaviour
The standard of behaviour you ignore is the standard of behaviour you accept. Disrespectful behaviour needs to be called out by adults so kids learn that bullying, racism and other forms of disrespectful language are not acceptable. When discussing the behaviour and character of friends, fictional characters in books and personalities on film differentiate between the behaviour and the person, calling out the use of negative labels when you hear them. It’s easy to ignore disrespectful language when you hear it, but this one area where a consistent approach by adults is critical.
Frame behaviour as a choice
Framing behaviour as a choice is an essential respectful relationships strategy that needs to be reinforced for children and young people. “That’s a smart/good/helpful choice!” is the type of response kids should repeatedly hear, reinforcing that their behaviour is a result of choice rather than driven by others, circumstances, or emotion. Personal choice negates the idea that somehow other people or circumstances determine behaviour, or become convenient scapegoats for all types of abuse and disrespectful behaviour . “She/he made me do it” just doesn’t wash in a civilised society.
Develop a wide vocabulary
Build a wide vocabulary of terms essential to respectful relationships. Terms such as safety, choice, respect, acceptance, tolerance, love, likeable and a host of others should be familiar to kids as well as phrases that emphasise fair and respectful treatment of others in all types of environments.
In closing
Respect is shown not only through the treatment of others but through the language kids use every day. By focusing on the language of respect you are laying the basis for kids to enjoy respectful relationships both now and in the future.” (Grose, 2021)
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Have a great week with your kids,
Mark B
Have you noticed how we used to have a lot less stress when we were children? I can distinctly remember how fun life was when I was four years old. At that age, I was filled with the joy and peace that came from knowing that I had nothing to worry about because mum and dad would take care of all of my problems.
I think that part of this was because I was so small, and my parents seemed so big, that I believed that they were bigger than any problem I could ever face. But as I grew older, my parents seemed to get smaller, and my problems seemed to get bigger, leading to an increase in my stress levels.
In the same way, Jesus reminds us of the importance of having that childlike faith in our relationship with God. In Luke 18:16 Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Jesus reminds us that heaven is a gift that God gives to those who trust him. To people who cling with childlike passion, to the truth that God is bigger than any problem that we will ever face in this life.
If your stress levels have been on the increase lately, remember that God is your father, and that you are his child. Meditate on the truth that God loves you, and that He is with you. And as you put your trust in Him, hopefully you will find that childlike joy and peace returning, to replace your stress.
God bless,
Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai
Donut Day
Book Week
Father's Day Stall
Uniform Shop
The New Sports Uniform is Compulsory for every student and is available at the Uniform Shop.
All stock is available so please order online or book an appointment at the Front Office.
Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Upcoming ICAS Dates
Science - Tuesday 26th August
Spelling Bee - Wednesday 25th/Thursday 26th August
Mathematics - Thursday 2nd September
Writing- Term 4
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.
Do's & Dont's of Dropping Your Kids to School
Entertainment Book
Daily Health Check
We are getting closer to Book Week, that exciting time each year when we celebrate stories, characters, and the joy of reading!
During Book Week, we organise a Book Fair, which is where we display new and interesting books that the children can purchase. The purpose of the Book Fair is to make reading fun, giving our students the opportunity to find and choose the books they most want to read. When children choose their own books, they are more motivated to finish reading the book and this, of course, supports their knowledge, imagination and reading skills.
Normally Mrs Cowley and Mrs Blyde would encourage and welcome parents to attend the Book Fair with their child and buy books for their own collection at home. However, COVID-19 restrictions mean that we are unable to host parents at the Book Fair this year. But you can still support your child AND the Library! Ask to see the ‘Wish List’ that we will be giving to your child when they come to the Library next week. You can send money with your child or purchase directly from Scholastic online.
1. Click on the online payment portal https://parentpayments.scholastic.com.au/BookFairs (as per wish List)
2. Enter State and School
3. Enter credit card details and amount
4. Highlight the titles you have paid for.
5. Record receipt number on the Wish List or print receipt
6. Bring Wish List back to the school to collect books
When you purchase books for your child, you are supporting the purchase of new books for our Library Collection. Thank you for your past support of our Book Fair and we hope that you can continue to support us this year.
Have a great week!
SACSA Basketball Competition
Prescott College
Pupil Free Day September 8th
Liberman Kindergarten
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