Natural objects provide students with a vast range of opportunities for play.  Materials such as sand, water, pebbles, twigs, bark, veggies, seeds, flowers allow play without restriction by plastic representation or pre-set limits. It is open-ended, allowing creativity with the purposes of items. Playing with natural objects encourages students to become innovators, designers and collaborators as they imagine, sort, design, arrange and build. Here is some photos of students enjoying this in our lovely nature play area.

I vividly remember my very first Judo competition. It ended well for my opponent. Not so much for me. As an early teen, I struggled to control my emotions, particularly my anger. We had family friends who ran a Judo School and my dad enrolled me. My instructor emphasised to me the importance of remaining calm and keeping my head clear. That lasted about 10 seconds. At the first serious engagement, I lost control. I hit the mat very hard, multiple times.  After the match, my instructor asked me how I went, and how enjoyable I had found that. It was a tough learning moment for me, but a very important one. As a parent and a teacher, I have faced many times when I have really struggled to stay calm. What I do know, is that when calmness has prevailed, the outcomes were much better, and I was able to more easily live within my values, and was a better role model to my children.  I read this article recently about remaining calm as we parent, and I thought you might enjoy it and find it helpful.

“We’ve all had those days. You know the ones… the days where your child has refused to get ready for school, thrown food at their brother and is in a right mood. Your teenager slams the door when you ask them to clean up their bedroom. You ask and ask again. And again. And the kids just won’t listen. That, or if they listen, they won’t do as they’re told!

When days like this happen – and they do – you can get so angry that you lash out only to regret your actions later on. With smacking now widely regarded as less acceptable, the lashing out often takes the form of yelling. It’s probably fair to say that yelling is the new smacking.

Yelling is harmful

Researchers believe that yelling at kids can be just as bad as smacking. Yelling has also been linked to lower self-esteem in children and young people. Children who are raised in a home where yelling is common have a higher risk of developing psychological issues. When parents use yelling as a discipline measure, kids have an increased risk of developing behavioural problems, anxiety, stress and depression.

Understand, don’t reprimand

When your kids are really getting under your skin, instead of getting furious, be curious. You need to connect before you correct. Children don’t wake up in the morning and think, ‘How can I make life horrible for my parents?’ They might be having a hard time. Work out what needs aren’t being met and help meet them.

Use humour

Humour is one of the best ways to take away anger and reduce stress. A good friend of mine was teaching his daughter to drive. The whole family was in the car while the daughter was driving when she missed a corner and ended up crashing into a petrol station sign. My friend looked at his daughter and at his family and said, “Well, while we’re here, does anyone need to use the bathroom?” By using humour, my friend released the tension in the situation. Then they could calmly talk about what had happened and how to resolve it. What a wonderful way to turn away from anger!

Stay calm and kind

Self-talk is now recognised as a great way to regulate your emotions and change your behaviour. When you’re starting to get upset there’s a mantra that you can use: ‘I’m going to be calm and kind.’ When you repeat this phrase, it reminds you of what you want, and helps you to better regulate your own emotions. Calmness is something of a superpower that can have such a positive impact on those around you.

Create psychological distance

All parents seem to have just a bit more patience with someone else’s child or young person. Pretend that you’re ‘a favourite aunt who rarely never gets cranky at the kids. She always finds a way to be kind, even with the challenging child or teenager. If that doesn’t work for you, pretend your child is a neighbour’s kid!

In closing

Yelling turns children and young people away. Speak softly. Speaking softly forces them to listen closely, and it make everyone feel better.

Most parents hate yelling (as do their kids). When you are calm and kind, and look to understand, not reprimand, you will be able to keep anger and yelling out of your home. That’s better for your kids and for you.” (Coulson, 2021)

I love the wisdom the Bible gives around this. “Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.” James 1:19

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B

A Changed Man

Below is a story that I enjoyed sharing with the Year 5 class this week about the transformation change that God brings to our lives when we accept Him.

"Harry sat in his prison cell with his head between his hands. Never in his life had he been given so much time just to think. And the more he thought, the less he liked himself. After a few short days in jail, he had decided that he was a fake, a cheat, and a criminal of the worst kind. One by one, as he replayed the events of his life, he could find very little to make him feel proud. He hadn’t even gone beyond Grade Three in school.

At 20, he had gambled all his money away and was deep in debt. His shoulders sagged as he remembered setting fire to his cheese factory so he could collect the insurance money. He sighed as he thought how he had left town suddenly, and of the wife and baby he left behind with no one to care for them.

As his mind wandered back into the past, he clearly saw the railway explosion that killed 14 men. He remembered planting the bomb that caused the destruction. No, he decided, Harry Orchard was not a good man, and he was not a happy man. He didn’t want to think about the court case that had put him in this prison cell, but he kept seeing it over again and again in his mind and hearing the Judge’s words, “Albert Horseley, known in this town as Harry Orchard, this court finds you guilty of the murder of former Governor Frank Steunenberg.” “Guilty! Guilty! Guilty,” the words shouted in Harry’s mind.

He jumped up off his narrow prison bunk and his foot stumbled on the book lying on the floor. “Stupid book,” he shouted, “What can you do to help me?” He kicked it under his bunk, and the words “Holy Bible” shone at him off the dull black cover as he did so. Harry flung himself face down on his bunk. What a mess he had made of his life.

“Harry! Harry Orchard, there’s someone here to see you,” announced the warden. “It’s Mr. Steunenberg’s son.” Harry gulped. What did the son of the man he had murdered want with him? He turned over and looked up, his eyes narrowing into slits. A hand slowly reached between the bars, holding a small, wrapped package. “Th-this is from mother,” the lad stammered. “She wanted you to know she forgives you for what you did to father. She hopes this little book will help you find God’s forgiveness and love.” With these words, the boys slipped out as silently as he had come.

Harry turned the package over in his hand. He pulled the string and unfolded the brown paper. In his hands he held a slim book. He read the title. Steps to Christ. Why would someone care about him, Harry wondered, when all he had done was bring them pain? Harry was curious. Opening the book, he began to read about God’s grace and forgiveness. The little book encouraged him to read the Bible, so Harry fished it out from under his bunk and turning the pages, he began to read. What he discovered between the covers of the book excited him, and he kept reading every day. Little by little, he learned to love Jesus, and one day he knelt beside his bunk, and accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. As Harry read the Bible each day, the prison wardens and fellow prisoners noticed some differences in him.

Sullen looks were replaced with smiles. Rough manners were replaced with kind words and actions. Stubbornness was replaced with a cheerful willingness to work hard. Anger gave way to contentment. Each morning Harry read his Bible and each night he placed it on his pillow as he slept. He became so well liked and respected that eventually he was allowed to set up a little farm at the prison, growing chickens and strawberries. Now everyone liked Harry, but because of his crimes, he was never allowed to go free. Harry spent 48 years in prison until he died at the age of 88, but he died a changed man, and all because of the Bible."

(Retold by Bev Christian)

Have a great week

Chaplain Phil

For the full story you can access it on the link below

Adventist Review Online | The Conversion of Harry Orchard

On Friday 5th November, student learning piano, flute and clarinet at the school had their AMEB music exams.  This year, we had outstanding results with all students sitting the exams achieving an A or A+.  Congratulations to all these students!

At a recent School Advisory meeting, it was decided that some changes would be made to our existing school bag expectations. We are going to be moving towards every student at Prescott Northern having an official PPN School bag by the start of 2023. We are going to be doing this over the next year or so to make the transition easier on families. If you wish to purchase a school bag prior to your children are required to, please feel free to do so. We have devised a plan and we wish to share the following with you-

Start of 2022 - PPN School bag compulsory for Foundation only - optional for everyone else By 2023 all students will have the PPN School bag. We thank you for your help regarding this and if you have any questions, please contact me via email:  jasondavis@ppn.sa.edu.au

Bus Requirements for 2022

If you are requiring the bus service for your child in 2022, please complete the online form below to register your interest. Demand is very high for our bus service and many of the routes have been full this year so it is very important that you register your interest as soon as possible to secure a spot on our buses.

Full-time bus fees per term: $308 per child
Part-time bus fees per term: $208 per child (part-time is one way, either to school each day or from school each day)

Bus Service 2022

Do's & Dont's of Dropping Your Kids to School