Greens look good!

One of the wonders of our nature play area is our school garden. Throughout the year, students get the opportunity plant, care for and try some of the produce that is grown. 

Spending time in nature helps us appreciate its beauty with all our senses. This week our students had a chance to explore how some of the greens that we eat can look good too. Working together they created bouquets and other arrangements with herbs and plants, many of which came from our school garden.

What good looking, healthy food could you grow and eat at home?

It is so good to see our students in their winter uniform. They look very smart. I know that uniform can be a challenge for families (especially at 7.30 in the morning and you can’t find the tie?), but I would like to thank you for your commitment and support in ensuring our kids are well dressed and looking great.

While there are many arguments both in favour and against uniforms in schools, I do know this, creating a sense of belonging does much for our kids, and handled well, uniform can help us with this. So thank you again for helping your child take pride in their uniform, but more importantly, feel a sense of belonging to our school community.

Last year, I read an interesting book called “The Dance of Connection” by Dr Harriet Lerner. I found the book interesting on all sorts of levels as she explained and gave examples of the importance of connection, and the challenges of disconnection in all sorts of relationships.

If we can’t connect with another person, it is impossible to have a meaningful relationship with them.

There was one quote in there that I find myself constantly referring back to in my mind, because it is something I struggle with greatly. It is about making hearing and understanding others a priority. Dr Lerner writes, “Surely human consciousness would take a big leap forward if our wish to hear and understand were as great as our wish to be heard and understood.” (Lerner, 2009)

Connecting with people in our work, in relationships, and in our family is vital. Connecting with our children (whether as a parent, relative, influential person, or educator) is fundamental to providing them with the best opportunities and start in life. I read this article recently that helps give practical suggestions on how to connect with our kids.

“Most of us get a bit “judgey” when we see a parent staring at their screen rather than engaging with their kids at the park or the shops – or worse, in a restaurant. And if a parent publicly berates their child, it often sends shivers down our spine.

Even though we are almost all guilty of it from time to time, it’s like there’s some intrinsic mechanism inside us that loads up on guilt each time we see a parent do something that impacts or severs the connection that they share with their child. We know it’s a concern and we draw back from it – and then we remember we do it sometimes too, and the parent guilt sets in.

I think it’s because connection is not a luxury item. It’s an essential: for your relationship, for your child’s wellbeing, and for their future.

What does a positive connection between parent and child look like?

Life Education Learning Manager, Lisa Woodward, says that positive connections are all about love, caring, nurturing, and safety. “In a positive parent-child relationship, family members feel safe and connected to one another.”

“It’s also about being in the moment with your child”, adds Derek McCormack, Director of the Raising Children Network.“It’s in a day-to-day setting, having quality time with your child whenever you can. Spotting the opportunities and making the time is really important.”

And from my perspective? We run our economy on dollars, and we run our relationships on connection. If there’s no dollars in the bank, we’re financially kaput. If there’s no connection in the relationship, we’re relationally broke.

There are great benefits

The benefits of positive connections between parent and child are significant and wide-ranging says Woodward.

“Children learn and thrive when they have strong, loving and positive relationships with their parents and carers, and it’s the foundation for a child’s development physically, emotionally, and socially.”

Connection also helps develop important skills needed for a child’s future. “Strong relationships set the child up for success in their lives, they are more confident and resilient, better able to regulate their emotions, make friends and connections with others, and do better at school.”

Connections will change over time

As your child develops, your relationship with them will too. This is normal. “For example, your pre-teen might no longer want you around at the park with their friends, even though your child used to love playing there with you. This doesn’t mean that the connection is not still healthy and positive,” explains Woodward.

McCormack says one of the key principles of a positive connection is communication.

When your child is younger the opportunities for communication are really there any time you want but as a child grows you will need to look out for them more actively and make time for them.

“As your child becomes a teen, communication can be more of a one-way street and involve tuning into feelings and being a support for them,” he explains.

How to achieve positive connections

“Positive connections are based on time together, being present, and building trust and respect”, says Woodward. For example:

• Make moments together matter

Booking in “quality time” doesn’t guarantee positive, bonding time. We may have the best intentions but sometimes these special times will not work out the way we had intended. Often the best conversations happen in the car, at bedtime, or when doing things side by side, like washing up or walking the dog. These moments give you the chance to communicate positive messages with smiles, laughter, eye contact, hugs and gentle touches.

• Tune in to your child

Tuning in to your child and thinking about what’s going on for them shows them that you care about the things that matter to them, which is the basis for a strong relationship. This could be noticing what your child is doing and commenting or encouraging them. For example, with younger children it might be talking about the Lego creation they are building, or the picture they are drawing.

• Nurture trust and respect in your relationships

Be available when your child needs support, care, or help. For example: giving them a hug when they fall over. Stick to your promises. If you’ve agreed to help them with a school assignment, make sure you follow through.

Value your child and their opinions. This could be showing interest in the things that interest them. Or listening without judgement when they express an opinion different to yours.

• Label emotions and listen

Let’s say you notice your child seems upset, instead of saying – “Are you ok?”, try something like “I notice you seem a bit down – do you want to talk? Or maybe we could just hang out for a while and watch a show together.”

In closing

To a child, love is spelled t-i-m-e. That connection helps on a personal level but also by teaching key skills such as communication and resilience.

It’s important to remember that the connection will change and evolve as children do. But at the heart of it all is communication and that your child feels safe, secure and respected.” Coulson, 2022

Have a great week connecting with your kids,

Mark B

Hi PPN family,

I love taking photographs and a couple of years ago I began taking photographs with my film camera.

Not only did I take the photos on film, but I learnt how to develop the film in the darkroom. The very first roll of film I developed was empty! I was left with an empty roll of film with no photographs.

I was devasted.

I'd followed the instructions, taken the rights steps, and kept the roll of film in the chemicals for just the right about of time. Yet, after nearly an hour of processing the film I had no photographs to print.

Turns out that the issue wasn't because I develop the film wrong, but a problem with the camera shutter – no photographs were actually taken on the film.

You may be wondering why I share this? When we have a life with God, we need to trust the process he is leading us through. We are always presented with challenges throughout life - it may be health issues, financial issues, pr challenges at work or school, and alone we can struggle to face them.

Unlike the process taken when developing film, we are not left in complete darkness when we are challenged in life.

Lucky for us, we have God with us every step of the way. He doesn't leave us alone in the middle and he doesn't race to the end – He is walking alongside us every step of the way.

Just like Romans 8:28 says, “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

Blessings,

Pr Tiana

Did you know there is something you can do help yourself, and others at the same time?

The answer is generosity.

Every year, scientists and sociologists discover more about the power of generosity – particularly its impact on the person being generous with their time, money and effort.

Why? Because generosity has a measurable, positive effect on people's happiness, and more deeply, their experience of wellbeing.

The opportunity to be generous might be just the mood lifter you or your child needs. Here’s why:

1. Both giving to impersonal causes (to a charity) and personal (someone you know) is good for you!
Both acts stimulate the brain's reward system (that make you feel good or happy), BUT only personal or targetted giving reduces the activity of the amygdala, the area of the brain that kicks in our flight-fight response and is linked to anxiety disorders (general and specific). Giving is good for you; giving to targetted, personal causes is even better! Read more about the study here.

2. It doesn't matter how much you give - your brain and body will love you.
In one study, researchers discovered that the amount of money people gave away had no impact on their 'wellbeing response'. I particularly love this line in the report, 'It is worth keeping in mind that even little things have a beneficial effect - like bringing coffee to one's office mates in the morning.' Check out the report in Time here.

3. Generosity breeds generosity.
In this study, it was discovered that simply thinking about being generous resulted in positive brain activity - increasing the feelings of happiness and lowering stress. AND, that those who began thinking and acting generously about one task, also acted more generously across the board. If you feel like you need a wellbeing boost, take a moment to simply think about being generous and you'll start the ball rolling.

4. Volunteering is not only good for you now, but may help you live longer!
According to one study. participation in voluntary services has strong, positive impacts on mental health, physical health, life satisfaction, self-esteem, happiness, lower depressive symptoms, psychological distress, and mortality and functional inability. Being generous with your time makes the time you have available better - and gives you more time to use in the long run. Win-win-win! Take a deep dive by reading here.

How has giving and acting generously impacted your own wellbeing?

What opportunities could you give your family in the coming weeks to improve their wellbeing through their own generosity?

From Monday, Week 3 parents will again be able to come on campus to drop-off or pick-up their children. Like so many of you, we are looking forward to having our parents back again!

Please note, that in following up-to-date guidelines and to keep everybody safe:

• face masks must be worn
• parents will not be able to enter classrooms or other indoor areas.

Thank you for your continued support.

Year 6s mask up

We're all very used to wearing masks these days, but our Year 6 students delighted in the opportunity to explore and create masks of a different kind. The plaster masks you see below were molded off the students' own faces, and artistically decorated to represent either indigenous, African or Asian cultures.

We think they look amazing - don't you?

Every fortnight, we are highlighting student work that demonstrates their commitment to personal excellence. Keep an eye out for examples from across the school in the coming weeks.  

2022 School Improvement Survey - FINAL CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY!

The deadline to complete the school improvement survey has been extended until this Friday (May 20).

All school families received an invitation to participate in Adventist Schools Australia’s Parent Survey in Week 1. Every parent was given a printed letter with a unique access code so that opinions will be 100% anonymous.

Your views help provide a more accurate, reliable, and equitable picture than is obtained using only staff and student measures.

We would like to encourage you to participate in this survey, as the more data gathered, the more this will assist us in providing the best possible educational experiences for our students.

Don't miss out! The survey will be ‘live’ through to the close of business on Friday 20th of May. Thank you for your participation- it is greatly appreciated.

For the first two weeks of Term 2, either full summer or full winter uniform was acceptable.  As of this week, full winter uniform is required. If your student does not have full winter uniform they will require a Uniform Pass, and you will need to order the required uniform pieces through the Uniform Shop or Flexischools as a matter of priority.   

Uniform Shop

If you still need fittings for winter uniform, please note that as limited appointments are available, bookings need to be made through the Front Office on 8396 2577 as soon as possible.  Alternatively, you can order through Flexischools.  If you order the wrong size, please return the item to the Front Office in the original packaging. 

Daily Health Check

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

Prescott College