Sticks! 

Did you know, a simple stick can be a nose, a colourful wand, a mixer and even a house. The nature play theme this week was sticks. A collection of various sized sticks were gathered and placed in the playground. The students were given playdough and wool and It was their choice on how they would use it! Once again each student had a different way of viewing a plain and simple stick. It was a challenge deciding on how to use the sticks together, however when they did work together they created some huts, a camp fire, a fishing rod and many other ideas. What can you make with stick? 

 "Be curious". "Stay curious". I have heard these phrases more and more frequently over the past couple of years. Some of this stems from the books and podcasts by Brene Brown that I have been enjoying recently, and some stems from the joy of watching our students here at Prescott Primary Northern be curious in their learning and play.

The questions our little ones ask us as they learn about and explore the world around them encourage me to be curious in all aspects of my own life too.

We should ask questions of ourselves, others, and our children to cultivate curiosity. Not only does it lead to learning, but curiosity builds connection and trust. It may not always feel this way, especially when conversations like this happen at the end of a school day…

Parent: "How was school today?"

Child: "Good/fine/boring"

Parent: "What did you do today?"

Child: "Nothing!"

While these responses may be quite dismissive, and perhaps even frustrating as a parent, I encourage you to ask questions that cultivate curiosity and build on your connection with your child. Talking about the day at school is a wonderful opportunity to learn about how your little one is doing, as well as show them that you care and want to be involved in their world.

Try asking your child open-ended questions such as:

• "What was your favourite part of school today?"
• "What activity/lesson did you like the most? What did you like the least?"
• "What parts of the day went by quickly? What parts felt as though they went by really slowly?"
• "What made you laugh/smile at school today?"
• "What is something that you heard today and you are still thinking or wondering about?"

I am sure you can add to this list of curious questions! This style of questioning can be fun conversation starters with your family around the dinner table, or part of your child's bedtime routine.

Some children may need time to relax and decompress after their big day at school before they may be willing to engage in these types of conversations with family members. Observe, follow their lead, stay curious, don't give up, and connect with your little one in engaging ways.

As teachers, we endeavour to create a safe and supportive environment to cultivate curiosity amongst our students. We want our students to be curious, to be hungry to learn more, to harness creativity and innovation, and to be fully engaged in their learning and their play.

One way that we can encourage curiosity as both teachers and parents, is it to be a learner alongside our students. We can be co-learners and try new things, read new books, try a new hobby and continue to be curious in the world around us.

How are you going to be curious this week? What questions are you going to ask your children to cultivate curiosity in their young lives and in your family? Be curious. Stay curious.

Have a blessed week ahead with your family.

Tamara

Have you ever noticed that we never have to teach children how to be selfish?  It is something that comes naturally to them, and to all of us, because of sin.  We see this in life when a bigger, stronger, kid takes something off the smaller, weaker one.  Or, we can see this play out on a global scale when a “Super Power” nation bullies a “Super Powerless” one.

But an amazing miracle happens when we experience God’s love for us.  God’s love transforms us from selfish individuals into people who want to bless others.

We see this in Acts 4:32-34 (NIV) where it is recorded that:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.  With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. 

The reason why this community of people was able to live so selflessly, was because they had been so impacted by God’s love and grace for them, that they were empowered to bless others.

Imagine how much better our world would be if we were all filled with God’s unconditional love and grace.  God would give us the power to love others, to share with those in need, to forgive our enemies, and to bless people who needed help.

I pray that God will help us to know how much He really loves us, so that we can share this love with others.

God bless,

Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai 

Take a hike!

Language is a funny thing, isn’t it?

In a literal sense ‘take a hike’ and ‘you should go for a walk’ mean very similar things.

But the inferred meanings are anything but the same. So, despite what the title says this is really about going for a walk, not taking a hike.

If you’re one of those people with a smile regularly plastered across your dial, there is a high chance you’re a walker.

Walking 30 minutes a day can help reduce stress levels, alleviate anxiety, boost the production of the brain’s happy chemicals such as endorphins, and help you to relax.

A recent UK study confirmed that people who did regular physical activity such as walking were 30% less likely to be come depressed, and the same level of activity correlated significantly to people successfully managing and recovering from depression.

If you need some inspiration for yourself and your kids, Walking SA have great lists of walks of all lengths and difficulties. Click here to find some kid friendly walks you could add to your self-care explorations.

And with walking outside being a perfectly COVID safe activity, a walk with friends could be the perfect play-date for 2022.

Of course, walking doesn’t have to involve a big plan. Sometimes the unplanned walks around your neighbourhood can be the most meaningful. Walking together is a great way to slow down and connect.

So amongst the busy-ness that is modern family life, now seems like the perfect time to take a hike… I mean, go for a walk.

COVID Restrictions Changing on Campus             

SA Health recently announced updated COVID restrictions for school activities. These changes take effect from Week 5 (next week).

While things are not returning to normal, we are so pleased to be able to re-start some of our favourite activities.

Please note, that at this stage parents are still unable to access the school campus.

Activities we can re-start:

• Interschool sporting competitions – this means we can start basketball, chess and other sporting activities.
• Singing in class – which is something we love at PPN.
• Choir (make sure your child returns their Choir form)

Things that will not change include:

• Parents cannot access the school grounds.
• Mask wearing encouraged for all students in Years 3 – 6 when indoors
• Mask wearing for all students who catch the bus, while they travel on the to and from school.

We will update you on any further changes as SA Health continues to monitor the current settings. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.

Choir Permission Slips

Permission slips for Choir are due this Friday, February 25th. They can be handed in to the front office.

No Right Turn

Daily Health Check

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

Prescott College

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