Kindness is all around us at PPN! 

This term, students from all year levels came together to create a whole school art project for Bullying! No Way Day.  

Students met with their buddy classes to paint a large mural for the back fence of the school, which spells out KINDNESS. The classes worked together to brainstorm and paint images and words, they felt represent kindness, and how we can showcase that in our school. The students did an amazing job, creating 10 bright, welcoming, and unique boards. The artwork has been hung on the fence of the school’s back oval for all to see and enjoy.  

Thanks to Mr Isaac for his hard work attaching the boards to the fence, as well as Modbury Bunnings for donating the paint.  

Bugs n Slugs Incursion Friday 1^st April

Last Friday, the Year 1 classes visited the church hall to take part in the Bugs n' Slugs interactive demonstration.

First, the classes sat on the floor. Then we listened to Kristen tell us all about different types of insects and bugs. She told us that they have different numbers of legs. The students learned that crabs and lobsters are also insects!

The Year 1's were then able to walk around and look at some insects such as spiders, cockroaches, and even a scorpion with babies on its back. They also had the opportunity to gently hold/touch some of the beetles, snails, slugs, and stick insects, and they were able to look closer using magnifying glasses.

There was even a rainbow coloured snail!

After we had finished looking and touching the different insects, we sat back down on the floor and Kristen talked about insects and the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates. We learned that some insects do not have any bones!! We also got to hold bones of old insects.

It was a great day!

Nature Art

This week in the nature play space, there was a selection of natural materials and a simple sign that said 'Nature Art'.

At first, the students were a little unsure as there were no directions or instructions, just some simple resources. It only took one student to begin creating something, then a group of children gathered, and each child started to create some amazing, creative works of Art. There were nature faces, animals, flower pots, and even landscape pieces. I heard a student declare, ‘This is fun’!

Once again, nature has provided a blank canvas for creativity, individuality, and most importantly fun! What kind of Art can you create with nature this week?  

One of my greatest frustrations over the last couple of years has been around continuing and building connections between school and home.

I don’t know how many times I have spoken with frustrated parents and staff about the challenge of the barriers and distance COVID restrictions have created in our society, and particularly in our schools. Things that would usually be sorted by a parent and teacher at drop-off or pick-up time, or a quick conversation face to face, become bigger and bigger due to distance and inconvenience.

Yesterday afternoon, we started our parent-teacher interviews, and we continue this afternoon and evening. These are great opportunities to connect with your child’s teacher.

I have learned over time that relationships are important for our children. The relationship between a parent, teacher, and child is one of the most important for our kids and their learning. As I wandered around the school last night, I had a really warm feeling inside seeing parents sitting with teachers talking about our kids, and how we can best help and guide them on their learning and life journeys. I’m not sure there are too many better things we can do for them.

Below is an article with some really practical suggestions on how we can build those relationships. I hope you find them helpful.

“Studies show that healthy parent–teacher relationships are a more significant factor in student success than parent income levels or social status. Parent–teacher relationships require effort and energy from both parties if they are going to really benefit children and young people. These key strategies will help you build a healthy working relationship with teachers in the year ahead.

Get to know them

For your partnership to be meaningful and successful, you need to meet with your children’s teacher(s) with the goal of forming a respectful professional relationship. Be willing to share your aspirations for your child and be willing to build the teacher’s knowledge about your family. For balanced perspective, also gain an understanding of the teacher’s approach and what focus areas they have for their particular year group. This can be done formally by attending start of the year information evenings and informally through conversations, reading newsletters and staying in touch in digitally and in real-time.

Trust their professionalism

Children need to know that their parents are fully behind what their teachers are trying to achieve if they are going to commit fully to learning. The best way to support your child’s teacher is to trust their knowledge, professionalism, and experience. Avoid the temptation to question the expertise of teachers in front of students, particularly when the teachers use methods that you are unfamiliar with. Initiate conversations with teachers around methodology to give them the chance to explain the approach they are taking.

Go through the right channels

Despite the best teaching practices things do go wrong at school. Kids experience learning difficulties. Conflict and peer rejection happen. Kids will often come home from school with grievances and call on you for assistance. Resist the urge to react emotionally. If you need to contact teachers do so respectfully, calmly, and through the correct channels. A measured response will generally achieve the best result for your child.

Stay solution-focused

When problems arise at school, particularly pertaining to a child’s learning or wellbeing avoid taking a fixed position to your child’s teacher. Gather the facts as best you can and present your concerns but remain flexible to gain an outcome that’s both obtainable and in the best interests of your child. Parent-teacher relationships can easily falter when one or both parties take a firm position about a problem and are unwilling to give ground.

Utilise their resources

Teachers and schools often put a lot of work into sourcing and sharing credible resources that they think will help parents. Take the time to read, utilise and enjoy the information provided to you. It’s intended to make your parenting journey easier, which will also benefit your child not just at school, but at home.

Build links to student learning

There’s a huge body of research that points to the correlation between parent engagement in student learning and their educational success. If you want your child to improve their learning, take an interest in what they are doing. Follow school and teacher guidelines about helping at home and attend as many conferences, meetings, and events involving your child as possible. This strategy has a significant, long-term impact on your child’s attitude to learning.

Stay in touch

Life’s not always smooth sailing for kids of any age. Family circumstances change. Friends move away. Illness happens. Mental health challenges can hit anyone at any time. These changes affect learning. Make sure that you keep teachers up to date with significant changes or difficulties that your child or young person experiences so they can accommodate your child’s emotional and learning needs at school.

Be loyal

Show your loyalty to your child’s teachers by being an advocate. Talk positively about your child’s teacher and school, rather than being negative about them when speaking in the wider community. Teachers hold very public positions and generally work hard to build good reputations both within their school and their wider education community. Consider a teacher’s reputation among the community and with children when you discuss educational matters with others.

In closing

Building healthy relationships with your child’s teacher doesn’t just happen. It takes goodwill from both sides, a commitment to setting aside the time necessary to support the home-based learning tasks that are expected, and a willingness to communicate concerns and commendations through the correct channels.” (Grose, 2022)

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B

A school holiday survival guide

It’s almost that time of year that teachers and students love but parents often dread…school holidays! Children are released from the confines and routines of the school environment and parents start hearing the dreaded words… I’m bored!

So what is a parent to do? Here are some tips for not only surviving the school holidays, but actually turning them into something you and your child can enjoy together, that won’t cost a small fortune.

Allow your child to become bored (within reason)

That’s right, sometimes children need to be allowed to be bored. As a parent, you often feel like you need to keep your child entertained every minute of the day. But allowing them to feel some boredom can encourage them to find ways to keep themselves entertained, learn to use their imagination, and develop creativity. You may be surprised by the imaginative games and activities children will come up with if given the chance. Just remember to keep an eye out so that they are engaged in safe activities.

Discover your local neighbourhood

Local councils will often offer programs for children to attend during the holidays, you can also check out the local park, library or find out if other interesting events are happening near you. (Click here to see activities from Tea Tree Gully Council, City of Salisbury, and Port Adelaide Enfield Council) If the weather is fine, many areas have fantastic walks that can allow you to explore nature and get some exercise. Use paper or digital maps to look for places you haven’t been before. A simple internet search will let you know of a variety of suitable events happening where you live.

Family friendly activities

If you have children of different ages it is often difficult to keep them all happy with one single activity. Try sitting down with the whole family and decide on a few activities that the whole family will do together. Including your children in the decision making and planning is always a good start to any holiday. A trip to the zoo and lunch, a picnic at the beach or botanical gardens, or games at the park can all be enjoyed by different ages. Make sure everyone agrees on at least one thing so everyone has something to look forward to. These activities are also great chance to inspire some drawing, writing, or photo and video work that can be shared and kept as a memento of the holiday.

Educational activities

Teachers do not generally assign homework over the holidays but this doesn’t mean children can’t learn during their time off, just make it fun!

One of the best ways to supplement children’s normal learning routines is with activities that won’t feel like chores. Take advantage of your local museum or art gallery, they usually offer free workshops that children of all ages can take part in and will often have some educational value included. Design and test various paper aeroplanes to see which ones fly the furthest or stay in the air the longest. Have an art day at home, paint some canvases, make play dough together or draw on your driveway with some chalk. Bake a cake or cookies together and ask your child to help measure out the ingredients, they could even plan a meal, do the shopping and help prepare it – but make sure they agree to clean up too! Activities like these will apply children’s school-based learning to practical real-world situations.

Have FUN!

With some thought, a little planning, and family discussion, the school holidays can be an opportunity to bond as a family, enjoy some relaxed time together, let your imagination run wild and even learn something! And don’t worry…the holidays will be over before you know it. 

Over the past weekend we have had a number of PPN students compete in high level sports competitions.  

Congratulations to Raagi (Year 5) who was selected to compete in the Australian National Taekwondo Championship (AUSTKD) in Brisbane. Raagi won the silver medal in this event! Phenomenal achievement Raagi, well done. 

Congratulations also to our four competitors who competed in the State Individual Championships (SIC) for Little Athletics. To qualify to compete in this event, athletes must be in the top 12 competitors in the state for field events, and top 16 in the state to qualify for track events.  

A big congratulations to Guransh (Year 4), who won the state title in U/10 boys Discus! Anantpreet (Year 5) won the Silver Medal in U/11 Race Walking. Dillon (Year 6) had a huge weekend coming 2^nd in U/12 boys Triple Jump, 3^rd in U/12 boys 100m Sprint, 4^th in U/12 boys Long Jump (only missing out on 3^rd by 1cm), and 6^th in U/12 boys 200m. Congratulations also to Lucas I (Year 3) who qualified to compete in the U/9 boys Shot Put, Long Jump and Discus.  Great job boys!