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Year 3 - 6 Sports Day
Sitting Volleyball – A Lesson About Inclusivity
Being good at volleyball usually means being tall. This often means people with disabilities or mobility challenges miss out. Introducing, Sitting Volleyball!
As part of their unit on Inclusivity, Year 5 had the chance to participate in a number of modified sports, while also putting their own minds to modifying games themselves to make them more inclusive.
The lessons students learned extended beyond sport, because as they came to understand, a community that is inclusive of people’s differences is a better community – for everyone.
Thank you Year 5s for living out our school values in a really creative and meaningful way
Clay in Nature Play
There are many benefits to using clay - not only is it a calming and relaxing activity but clay can also be cut, rolled, pinched, squeezed, moulded, shaped and its texture changed when you add water.
Although clay is similar to playdough, the different textures and properties open children to different experiences when they work with clay.
This week, the students at Prescott Primary Northern had the opportunity to use and play with clay. It was a popular activity in the nature play space, as they used the clay to make their own animal.
The creations that emerged were all different and so creative. There were birds, koalas, snakes, and lots of creative shapes. The only problem we had, was that the bell went and we had to return back to class!
It was a lot of fun and it could be a great idea for you to do with your family during the holidays! What can you create from clay?
Term 2 is drawing to a close and there are many things I have appreciated about it, but one thing that has stood out for me is the value of having our families involved in our school activities again.
Our Sport’s Days were highlights in this for me. Last Thursday, at our Upper Sport’s Day, I watched as parents came to cheer on their kids and be a part of their school lives, and my heart was lifted. I know there were some parents who even took a trip during their lunch break at work to make that happen. That is a fantastic message sent to the children. I understand balancing all the demands of family, work and life is difficult, but sending a message of love, care, support, and involvement to our kids is vitally important.
Sometimes the messages we send to the people around us get a little confusing in the cut and thrust of life. What we think in our head, doesn’t always come out the way we intend, and we have to go back and try again. Check out these signs.
However, if we are really committed to sending the right messages to our children (that they are loved, that they are valued, that they are enough, that we are here for them), and staying curious and dedicated to ensuring they hear and understand our messages and intentions, we are giving a very special gift.
The school break can provide some excellent opportunities for message sending and receiving with our children. Why not be intentional and make specific times, and plan specific activities that allow this to happen? You’ll be glad you did, and so will they.
Have a great break with your kids,
Mark B
Hey family of Prescott Primary Northern!
It’s Pr Mal here, from our amazing chaplain team. I hope you are well and keeping strong as we’ve made it to the halfway point of the year. I thought I’d share a thought from one of my worships with the staff this week.
I’ve been looking through Acts for worships and we got to Acts chapter 7. Here Stephen, who is a man of God, stands before the governing group of Jews called the Sanhedrin. He had his chance to talk to the Sanhedrin and he started talking about people in the Old Testament, drawing examples of what they did.
The main part of the story I want to focus on is when Stephen talks about the tabernacle. The tabernacle back in the day was known as the place where God dwelled amongst the Israelites. It was the belief at the time.
Stephen's message to the Sanhedrin that day - and to us today - is that God doesn’t just dwell in the tabernacle or church. God dwells with us everywhere we are. In our homes, in our classroom, wherever we go. My encouragement to you all as we go into our holidays is to know that wherever you are and however you are going, that God dwells there with you.
I pray that you all have an amazing, enjoyable holiday break.
Blessings,
Pr Mal, Pr Tiana and Pr Roland.
Talking about report cards – even when they’re disapointing
Last week, you should have received your child’s report card. The conversations that follow are not always easy - but with the right approach, they can all be positive. The below article may help guide your conversations towards constructive and supportive, even when you’re feeling disappointed.
A Quick Review
• There are different reasons you might be disappointed in your child’s report card.
• What you say (and how you say it) in each situation matters.
• Focusing more on effort than on the actual grades can help.
Here are some five common report card scenarios and tips for talking about them:
1) Grades have improved, but less than you hoped
You may want to say: “I was expecting to see better results than this.”
Instead, try saying: “Nice! What do you think helped those grades go up?“
Improved grades mean that your child is making progress. Consider that even a little bit can take a lot of effort. Keeping that in mind lets you talk about what’s working well. It opens the door to talk about what might help bring up the rest of your child’s grades too.
2) Grades and behaviour “Need Improvement”
You may want to say: “You’re grounded until your behaviour and grades improve. No more technology!”
Instead, try saying: “I need to take some time to think about this. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”
When the news isn’t great, you might be tempted to jump to some sort of punishment. You’re no doubt feeling frustrated and upset. However, punishment doesn’t usually help kids do better next time.
Take some time to think about what “improvement” would look like for your child. Be realistic and talk it over with your child. Then come up with a plan to help make it happen.
3) Grades remained the same, but behaviour and effort improved.
You may want to say: “I’m glad to see that you’re putting in more effort. If only your grades were better, too.”
Instead, try saying: “It’s good to hear you’re getting the hang of what you need to do to work hard and behave in class. Let’s figure out how to get better at classwork, too.”
When we look at a child’s report card, grades are usually the first thing we see. But don’t forget to look at teacher comments to learn about other progress your child is making. If school is hard for your child, putting in more effort is a big deal.
4) Some grades improved, but others worsened.
You may want to say: “What happened with the rest of your subjects?”
Instead, try saying: “Your maths and science results look great! What’s going on in the rest of your subjects?”
As students get older, the expectations for learning change. It can be harder to meet these standards in some subjects. One of my children avoids maths because he doesn’t enjoy it. So we’ve created a timetable where he has to nominate maths study time.
Talk with your child about the classes that had lower grades this time around. Ask whether there’s anything about them that’s hard and what would help. Conversations like that teach kids to speak up for what they need in order to improve and to create action to address it.
5) Poor grades in most subjects, even though your child is working hard.
You may want to say: “You’re failing everything?! But you’re working so hard!”
Instead, try saying: “I’m really surprised by these grades. I’ve seen how hard you’re working. We’re going to work together to figure this out.”
If kids are working hard and still struggling, there’s a good chance they already feel bad. Kids in this situation may be scared that nothing they do helps.
Kindly saying that you know they’re working hard can be a relief for children. It tells them you know they’re not “just being lazy.” And showing that you’re committed to figuring out what’s happening can be a confidence boost. It tells them you’re in it together. Establish a study timetable ~ it’s a common problem that kids often don’t know how to study. Create a timetable and enter each homework task, sport commitments, breaks and downtime.
To Sum Up
• Don’t just look at the grades — read the teacher’s comments too.
• If your child improved in one area, talk about what your child did to make that happen.
• If your child is working hard but still struggling, make sure your child knows that you see the effort. Contact their teacher to seek support and answers.
Pupil Free Day Term 3
Mid Year Reports
Mid Year Reports are now ready for viewing on the SEQTA Engage portal and app. You can access the report by clicking the following link - https://prescottprimarynorthern.cp.adventist.edu.au/
If you are having trouble logging in the SEQTA Engage portal, you can reset your password on the same website. You will type in your email address that you use for school communication and you will be sent an email with steps to reset your password.
If for some reason you still can't get this to work, please contact the Front Office on 8396 2577 or email itsupport@ppn.sa.edu.au
Year 5 Moon Landers
Over the last term the Year 5's have been designing and building a Moon Lander to keep our astronauts (ping pong balls) safe for when they land on the 'Moon'.
Last week we were able to come together as the three Year 5 classes and watch our classmates launch their Moon Landers. We had lots of fun looking at each others designs, and cheering on our classmates as they dropped their Moon Landers.
Term 3 Updated Canteen Hours
Hi PPN families,
It is with excitement that we let you all know that starting Term 3 we will be operating the canteen five days a week - Monday to Friday.
We would also like to let you know that starting Term 3 we will be again opening the canteen for the ordering of treats/snacks, which will be available to be ordered via Flexischools and picked up at the canteen during lunchtime.
We thank you for your continued support and trust that you are enjoying the food. We hope you all enjoy some much needed rest during the school holidays.
Coming in Term 3 – Class Act Schools
We all communicate – but how well do we do it?
Even the best communicators can find ways to improve.
And when communication improves, the tone and culture of your family, workplace or school improves too.
As part of the PPN Community you are invited to participate in the Class Acts Schools program – and we’d love to have you involved.
Class Act Schools invites every member of our school community – students, staff and parents – to participate in an interactive program that teaches positive communication behaviours and empowers each one of us to shape the school’s communication commitments.
As a PPN parent, you will have FREE ACCESS to a series of practical, self-service videos that step you through positive communication behaviours to improve your relationships at home, in the workplace and with the school.
To register for access to the program in Term 3 simply simply click here to complete a short online form, or scan the QR Code below.
Or, if you’d prefer feel free to call the school office in (08) 8396 2577, or email info@ppn.sa.edu.au
In total this should take no more than 2-hours (but you can start and stop as often as you like over the term). Alternatively, a 25-minute version is available.
Thank you for your interest and involvement in your child's place of learning. We love having them here, and love having you involved.
All Year 5 and Year 6 students will be participating in a specially designed program in Term 3 that will give them communication skills to help them Thrive Together. Watch this space for more information.
Entertainment Membership
Uniform Shop
All colours of library bags are available again. Orders can be made via Flexischools.
