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Pupil Free Day September 7th
Book Week Performance
The performance was full of laughter and action, while drawing inspiration from some of this year's Children's Book of the Year Award nominees. You might also like to ask your child if they remember the special moves they learned together.
Dreamtime Storytelling in Nature Play
In line with the theme, ‘Dreaming with your eyes open’ the students at PPN read and told stories, through traditional Dreamtime storytelling, using symbols that represented objects, people, animals and letters of the alphabet. Some students found the symbols hiding amongst the dried lentils, while others had a turn at using their hands in the sand to tell a story using the symbols they represent.
Many came and enjoyed sharing stories using symbols in the sand, others quickly began to enjoy the sensory experience that playing with dried lentils can bring!
What ways have you shared stories and enjoyed the love of reading with your family this Book Week?
I was talking with one of our parents the other day, and they were sharing about how frustrated they get when their child doesn’t do what they are asked, when they are asked, and how in the parent’s house growing up, you wouldn’t dream of not doing what you are told straight away.
We chatted for a while around the challenges of parenting and not necessarily parenting the way were parented, and that that is OK.
I think I mentioned the author Harriet Lerner in a recent newsletter. I like going back to her book from time to time and just reading the odd chapter. The book is called,” The Dance of Connection. How to Talk to Someone When You're Mad, Hurt, Scared, Frustrated, Insulted, Betrayed, or Desperate.”
This quote from that book came to my mind after speaking with the parent, “Anxiety is extremely contagious, but so is calm.” (Lerner, 2001)
I don’t think the parent I spoke to is the only one who experiences the frustration and pressure of parenting. I know I did. An article came to my email this week that provides some real insight, and practical suggestions to help us with the everyday parenting hurdles we face. I hope you enjoy it.
“Finding skilful ways to manage strong emotion that get triggered in everyday life can be one of the most challenging aspects of raising a family.
Kate arrived home late from work exhausted to the sound of her teenage sons arguing. Life for her family hadn’t returned to normal after the pandemic. Emotions ran wild and Kate and her partner often felt as if they were walking on eggshells around the boys.
Usually, she was able to hold on to an awareness that she needed to monitor how she reacted to their arguments. On this occasion, however, in the moment that anger overwhelmed her, Kate felt absolutely convinced that the boys were not even trying. In that moment memories of similar difficult times flooded into her mind and added to her sense of outrage. Before she was aware of what she was doing, Kate had stormed into their room, angrily yelling that she was fed up with both of them and was fed-up with being their mother.
There was no answering back from the boys this time. Kate felt shocked by the words that had tumbled out of her mouth. She apologised and left the room in tears.
Later that day, Kate was able to see that the incident with the boys had triggered within her an even more complex issue. One year ago, a disagreement with her sister had escalated into a heated argument and their relationship had not recovered. The precious friendship they had shared seemed lost, transformed into a painfully difficult situation where family gatherings were tense, and Kate felt caught up in messy feelings of anger and sadness.
We’re all familiar with situations like this, painful disconnections which can undermine the strength of relationships in an ongoing way. Can you recall a similar experience? Try and picture it in your mind and see if you can recall what it’s like to be pulled into a compelling story line and be engulfed in strong feelings like anger, shame, or fear.
Ironically, managed well, situations like this can be powerful opportunities for growth. The secret lies not in getting better at arguing your perspective, but by understanding how our nervous system processes memory and emotion.
Deep beneath conscious awareness, in a primitive part of the brain called the limbic system, 3 discrete systems of emotion – threat, strive, and connect – are in constant flux. Each system is driven by nerve cell pathways which run throughout the body as well as specific hormones and neurotransmitters. Our most important memories tend to be encoded within only one of these systems.
When Kate heard the raised voices of conflict, her threat system fired up and her system was flooded with the stress hormone cortisol. The threat system powerfully disconnects us from parts of the brain that help provide clear thinking, creativity, and wisdom.
The parenting program Circle of Security calls this shark music.
But just like any muscle, each system of emotion can be strengthened. The threat system is by far the most powerful. The system that tends to come in as its antidote, is the strive system.
Running on the “feel good” hormone dopamine, the strive system encourages us to distract and disconnect from negative feelings. Although comfortable in the short term, if our response is only to turn away from what’s difficult, then we don’t learn how to repair ruptures in our relationships by using the skills available to us in the more fragile connect system. This explains why over time, patterns of shutting down and disconnecting tend only to get stronger.
The connection system uses the hormone oxytocin, which has been called the love hormone. When this system is active, the stress response is calmed and we are able to move closer toward what is hard and become curious about a bigger picture. We are better able to pick up on the feelings and perspective of others and not be so triggered by what they are doing or saying.
Patterns of disconnection in relationships usually begin in childhood and form the basis of what are called insecure patterns of attachment. This explains why for many people, handling anger skilfully can be very tricky. But research shows clearly that because the nervous system is capable of change, these underlying patterns can be transformed and lead to what is called an earned secure attachment.
Research has revealed many ways in which we can build strength in the system of connection.
In closing
As we worked together, Kate learned how to use methods of thoughtfulness, imagery and body-based practices to shift out of a threat response. By deliberately bringing to mind memories of arguments and disconnections, she learned how to ride waves of anger. She practiced looking more closely at the storylines she was holding onto and as time went on, she found ways to use interactions with others as opportunities to tune in more carefully to what was often going on at a deeper level.” (Korevaar, 2022)
Have a great week connecting with your kids,
Mark B
This reminded me of a verse found in Proverbs that says:
I personally feel that as the term goes on, the less patient I get. I feel like that is about the same for you all no matter what job or day you have planned. As the day goes on, you get more and more cross with people at work, or someone cutting you off on the road, and by the end of the day you're just over it.
Our verse today shares that with Jesus in our lives, instead of getting down as the weeks or as the day goes by, we become brighter and happier even through the cloudy and stormy times of our lives. We become brighter and happier every single day. Now, if we become brighter and happier, that would make the people around you brighter and happier as when people see the change, people want that change.
So, throughout this week, I hope that we can all make the decision to let God into our lives each day so that we shine bright like the sun which grows brighter as the day goes by.
The chaplains are always here if you ever need prayer or someone to talk to. Hope you all have an amazing week!
Peace!
Pr. Mal
PLEASE NOTE: Our Chapel programs in Week 6 will be held online as new carpet is being installed in the church building. Thanks for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you back in Week 7
Class Act School Webinar
There has been a great response to the free communication training offered through the Class Act Schools program – a big thanks if you have already signed up.
If you haven’t and would like to know more before registrations close at the end of the this week, you are invited to join a special webinar with Russel Scott, Coach Communication’s Director of Programs.
The program, provided by Queensland base Coach Communications and South Australia based Youth opportunities is helping staff, students and parents build safe, positive and productive communication across our school, homes and workplaces.
Join us for this special webinar tonight at 7:30pm. The 45 minute session will explain the key principles of the program, including the neuroscience which sits behind it, and you’ll have opportunity to ask any questions.
Use the Zoom link below to join:
Topic: Class Act Schools Parent Meeting
Time: Aug 24, 2022 07:30 PM Adelaide
Join Zoom Meeting https://adventistchurch.zoom.us/j/95198723647
To register for Class Act schools simply click here to complete a short online form.
Book Week Parade
Register to attend using this link: https://pnorthern.click/bkwkpde
Registrations will close at 5pm Thursday August 25.
We look forward to a fun morning together!
2022 PPN School Survey
Your voice and opinions are important to us. We're launching the 2022 PPN School Survey so you can share your thoughts, ideas and opinions about how to make our school an even better place for your kids.
The survey is run by Vividus Marketing, and is completely anonymous. As a school, we will not know who said or wrote what, but will listen to every voice - because they make a real difference.
A number of years ago we ran a similar survey and as a result some great changes have happened around the school, including:
- Updating the carpark and drop off zones
- Adding a PE specialist teacher
- Providing healthier food options at the canteen every day
- Utilizing technology to communicate vita online reports and regular SMS and emails
- Increasing cleaning around the school
These are all things that have happened because parents like you cared and shared their opinions with us.
The 2022 PPN School Survey will arrive in your inbox tomorrow. Please check your inbox for a link to this completely anonymous survey.
Thank you for using your voice to make Prescott Primary Northern a great place for your kids.
Father's Day Stall
Uniform Shop
All colours of library bags are available again. Orders can be made via Flexischools.
Daily Health Check
Do's & Dont's of Dropping Your Kids to School
Prescott College
Each year, Prescott College has an end of year Fair. It's always a great day of frollicking in the sunshine; great tunes, food and amusements.
My OSHC Pupil Free Day & School Holiday Program
