Filter Content
Australian Mathematics Competition
Last Thursday evening at Westminster School, Shudhit Mittal from Year 4 was awarded a Prize for his exceptionally high achievements in the Australian Mathematics Competition. Shudhit finished in the top 0.03% of the State and was awarded a prize for his outstanding efforts. A prize is given for the top student in every 300 entries in their age category. Adelaide University Mathematics Professor, Finnur Larusson, awarded Shudhit along with other winners from the State. He also gave an address to the students to inspire them to think about a career in Mathematics when they leave school. We are very proud of you, Shudhit, and congratulate you on such a marvellous effort.
ICAS certificates, along with the Australian Mathematics Certificates will be given out this Thursday at the end of Chapel. Parents are welcome to attend, however, students receiving a Distinction or High Distinction will also again be recognised at our end of year presentation evening. I apologise for the time it has taken for the students to receive the certificates, there has been a delay in the school receiving some of them.
Mrs. Vice
Learning In The Great Outdoors
The Year Fours have taken their learning outdoors! Last Friday, the students visited Morialta Nature Playground to explore how resources in the community are used to promote their physical activity and well-being.
Fun inquiry-based maths activities that help students to understand different units of measurement – length, mass, capacity and volume.
Design & Technology – Let the building begin!
Students use the design process to create a bridge prototype. They use research, problem solving skills, collaborative learning, testing and evaluating.
Choir At Prescott College Fete
Last Sunday, November 4th, the Prescott Primary Northern Choir performed at the Prescott College Fete.
The students' bright Christmas outfits matched the happy atmosphere at the Fete. They sang several songs including pieces from the Musical ‘The Runaway’ and some Christmas carols. It was great to see so many people at the Fete and we look forward to doing it again next year. Thank you to all of the families that supported this fun event.
Outdoor Classroom Day
Thursday the 1st of November was a blast for Prescott Primary Northern students.
Morning to afternoon was entertainment for the whole team at PPN from Foundation to Teachers alike. Outdoor Chapel started the day where students were asked to live out and participate in our Chapel theme: Jesus as Our Rescuer. Whether it was Tug of War Trivia, Rescue the Prisoners, Survive the Maze or Rock Paper Scissors Snake; each challenge was filled with water and laughter. The Chapel saw Teachers, Middle and Upper Primary get together in Year Level vs Year Level to attempt each challenge. The message resounded through-out - God is there to help us emotionally and mentally! He is our Rescuer!
We as a Year 7 class, had fun setting up the activities, running the Outdoor Chapel and finishing off the activity with a water fight. Other classrooms took their learning outside whether it was Maths, English, Art, Songs and the usual sports. Some classes were even able to have picnics with their buddy class.
Our community participated in this Australian wide movement, Outdoor Classroom Day and we as a team have learned and thrived in nature. Thursday may have been Outdoor Classroom Day but at Prescott Primary Northern it was a day of change, a day of learning, a day for community and so much more. Thank you, Teachers and Students, let's learn outside ALL THE TIME!
By Akshara Sathees
Highlights from our Outdoor Classroom Day.
Year 7 Poetry Project
Our Year 7 students have been working through a Poetry Unit and here is just one example of how creative our Year 7's are.
THESE TEACHERS
I was searching to find beauty
But I was blind, I was not fine.
Now in mind it’s simple
The path is clear and it’s nimble.
These people around me, so humble
They are modest, but I’m a jumble.
Prescott Primary got me thinkin’
That this world is an ocean.
Full of trouble, struggles, like a bubble.
You can’t escape even if you want to
But they have shown me that if I strive
To be
Respectful
To care for you and me.
Integrity
To carry myself calmly for all to see.
Service
To care for all those around me.
And with
Excellence
To remember to do all of this carefully.
I can swim in this ocean
I can survive any emotion
Because God is my solution
In all of this toxic pollution
Im gonna make it cosmic
Whenever you see me, I’ll be non-toxic
Evil closes us, the devil is upon us
We will not let him surround us.
Because God is our pastor, our master
Heaven is our future, so leave your past behind
And let your light shine!
By Yuvraj Sandhu
About this time of year, I am often asked to undertake a 360 degree performance review. As I look through the questions I am asked to respond to, I am easily underwhelmed by how I am going. This got me thinking (or procrastinating on my review). How would I define success? What would it look like for me? I then began to think of our teachers and students and parents and what it might mean to be successful in each of those roles. Is success measured against NAPLAN results, or Year 12 results for our older students? Is success about how many of our students take forward leaps in Literacy or social interactions or Numeracy, or maturity?
When you go to bookshops or look on line, there are many books and articles about success. I noticed lots of them seem to concentrate on financial, or professional success. There are some about relationship and personal success, but on the whole, we seem primarily concerned with succeeding in a way that provides physical and financial security. I would like us to ponder a little more broadly about success today, as I think we have got a little hung up, as a society, on success being a particular situation, or place, or list of things that we achieve or tick off. Winston Churchill, the famous British Prime Minister from World War 2, brought this out when he was asked about success. He said, “Success is walking from failure to failure, without losing enthusiasm.” That makes me smile a little as it seems to almost be a negative play on words, but it I think he is wanting us to see that success is not a place we make it to, or a tax bracket or position, but about the experiences on the road though life.
This is something we can pass on to our children. Success in school cannot simply be measured by test results or exam marks. Success is not so much about what students know, as it is about how they develop their skills in thinking and learning. It is less about what we have done or not done, and more how we learn to go about our assigned tasks.
You might think, “He has forgotten about KPIs and meeting deadlines and achieving targets.” Actually, I haven’t. It is my opinion that if we focus meeting those markers as success, we are less likely to experience success, than if we look at our reasons for doing what we do, experience that meaning and then enjoy the motivation that comes from that meaning. Albert Einstein put it this way, “Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.”
I think Jesus was talking about something similar when he said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Have a great week with your kids,
Mark B
Time…
Have you ever felt as though there is simply not enough time in the day? That you are overworked, exhausted and simply need the world to pause so that you can do everything you need to? A lot of people feel this way. Maybe it is because of the expectations of other people. Or because we need to feel as though we are accomplishing things, and the busier we sound, the more people will respect us, and see how much work we put in. Or maybe it is to gain approval from others. Or maybe we are simply trying to get by.
This constant struggle to achieve everything can so easily leave us feeling empty, flat, and as though we have nothing more to give. At least that is how I can end up feeling.
So often when talking about the Bible and the examples in the Bible we look at all the times it says to think of others, to be kind to others, to love your enemies. And then we look at all of the things people in the Bible were part of, and look at how incredible they were. But don’t worry, they definitely struggled with the same things. Moses, worked so hard it took until his father-in-law said something about it to realise that He was burning out (Exodus 18:7). And then He finally decided to delegate.
Let’s take a moment to look at examples in the Bible of the perfect example. Jesus. God in human form. But instead of looking at the miracles, the healing, the sermons, let’s look at what He did in between that.
Luke 5:16 says “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”
And this isn’t just a once off, so often the Bible says that Jesus left to go to a mountain and pray. Just have a look at: Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12. Just for a few examples.
Mark 1:35 mentions Jesus leaving in the morning while it was still dark, Luke 5:16 was just after He healed a man with leprosy. Matthew 14:23 was after Jesus fed the 5000, He sent his disciples away and spent time in prayer. He took time out to breathe, to refocus on God’s will, and to connect with the God of the universe.
Something I found challenging was when a friend came to me and said, “look what I just learnt Hope”. And proceeded to show me a list of things they value. However, it wasn’t until they explained that simply because we say we value something or we think we value something doesn’t mean we really value it. You can tell what a person values, by what they spend their time on.
So my challenge for you today, is to take notice of what you spend your time doing this week.
What do you show that you value?
Is it the same as what you want to value?
What values do you model to your children with how you choose to spend your time?
Hope Born, Chaplain
6:58
Community Christmas Carols
Last week, we talked about "Excellence" and this week we honoured several students from all the classes in our school for demonstrating this value.
Our values program this year is focused on RESPECT, INTEGRITY, SERVICE, and EXCELLENCE shown through His children and people at Prescott Northern. “Up, Up and Away says it all because with God’s values… we will rise!!!
“Rise up and shine, for your light has come.
The shining greatness of the Lord has risen upon you."
Isaiah 60:1
Liming, Ashtar, Asha, Kiaan, Lily, Abel, Mila, Dylan, Aadish (absent), Rudra, Taneesha, Tyson, Siara, Jonathan (absent), Kayla, Ryan and Ekamjot.
Miranda, Khalipha, Dylan, Hasini, Nyran (absent), Alanna, Asha, Cameron, Kaitlyn, Mia, Rhosyng, Polina, David, Ella, Paramraj, Lauren, Adam, Alex, Annaliese, Kenneth, Shyam, Akshara, Garima, Haili, Jacob and Aidan.
School Fees
Please ensure all fees are paid in full by Thursday 8th November 2018. Any school fees remaining after this date will be overdue.
Friday November 16th Pupil Free Day
Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures At PPN
We would like to remind you of the procedure in place for pick up and drop offs at Prescott Primary Northern. We have had quite a few families drop their children off prior to 8:30am. We do not have a staff member on duty until 8:30am, so if you need to drop your child/ren off earlier than that time, please take your child/ren to Before School Care.
Parents and Guardians are asked to park their car and walk into the school grounds to deliver or collect their child from the back verandah and accompany their child across the car park. Please walk only in the areas allocated to pedestrians, i.e. behind the bollards and across the crossing.
There is a Drop and Go Zone available in the morning from 8:30 - 8:55am at the front of the school. As you enter the slipway, you will see staff on duty. The Drop and Go zone starts AFTER the bus zone. Please drive to the staff on duty so they can assist with your child/ren exiting the car safely. Do not drop your child/ren off near the bus end, as this causes traffic issues and is unsafe for the children to cross near the buses. There will be a sign that indicates 'Drop and Go, 8:30am-8:55am.' All other school times it will be a bus zone.
Child safety is paramount at Prescott Primary Northern - we thank you for your co-operation in this regard.
New Staff Joining Our Team In 2019
My name is Karen Frear and I have recently completed my Masters of Teaching at the University of SA. Prior to that, I worked in Media and Communications for 10 years. On the weekends, I love riding my motor-trike through the hills with my husband and having brunch and coffee at random new places. I also enjoy spending time with our two dogs and having board game nights with friends.
My name is Sharney Truscott. I have lived in three countries and three states in Australia and I’m looking forward to adding a forth state. When you see me, you can ask me which other countries I have lived in. I love singing, playing my ukulele, good jokes and most importantly, I love God. I can’t wait to come to PPN very soon.
Staff Changes in 2019
After many wonderful years of service in the Discovery Centre as teacher-librarian, the school has asked Mrs Wegener to change her role in 2019. The Discovery Centre will continue to operate as a library for our students and school community, under the management of a Library Technician. Mrs Wegener will be focusing her time teaching in classrooms, providing teacher and coordinator release, as well as a literacy focus in our SWAN department. Thank you, Mrs Wegener, for your passion and enthusiasm in your role as teacher-librarian over the years - we look forward to the passion you will bring to your new role next year.
In 2019, PPN will be welcoming Mr Josh Campbell back on staff in the role of our Specialist PE teacher. Mr Campbell has been relief teaching at school this year, after taking a year of leave from his classroom teaching role. We look forward to the focus and changes happening in our PE and Sport Department and wish Mr Campbell all the best as he takes on this new role.
Class Placements Considerations For 2019
We are currently working on class placements for 2019. There are many factors that go into making decisions about class placements and we are unable to guarantee requests will be granted, but if there is some extenuating circumstance you would like considered for your child, please email markborresen@ppn.sa.edu.au.
Library Technician Position 2019
Prescott Primary Northern is currently seeking applications for a Library Technician for 2019. This is an 8.15am to 4pm Monday – Thursday and 8.15am to 3.00pm Friday, 41 weeks position, beginning in mid-January. The applicant should be a committed Christian and willing to uphold our Adventist ethos.
The Role: The Library Technician will ultimately be responsible for the library services, materials and resources offered to students, staff and parents. They will need to develop and maintain a positive working relationship in this area and promote, develop and protect the school’s Christian vision, beliefs and educational tradition in all aspects of school life. To request a detailed job description, please email markborresen@ppn.sa.edu.au
Flexischools Mobile App
The Flexischools App Now Available
Flexischools now introduces the Flexischools app to make connecting with your school and placing your orders even easier.
The Flexischools App
-
A simpler way to place your Flexischools orders
- Access to the latest Flexischools updates
Stay connected with school with news, updates, events and more
1. Download the Flexischools App
Note: for iPhone and iPad please select ‘Allow’ notifications
2. Connect to your School and Group
Click on the search icon, search for your school name, select your school and add your year group or groups relevant to you.
3. Add your Flexischools Account
Click on the ‘Order now’ button located in the bottom right-hand menu of the App, this will open up a login screen.
- Already a Flexischools User - Enter your details and login.
- New Flexischools User - Click ‘Register,’ enter your email address and follow the instructions in the email.
Nature Playground Update
It has been a busy week in the Nature Playground developments at PPN. Fences have appeared, another fence removed, and delivery of logs ready for assembling. Watch this space!
