Year 2 Hahndorf Farm Barn Excursion 

On Monday, the Year 2 students went on an excursion to the Hahndorf Farm Barn to consolidate their learning about “Growing and Changing” in Science. The students all had a wonderful day interacting with a range of farm and native animals.  

Some highlights of the day included… 

• Milking a cow
• Feeding carrots to some hungry animals including deer, emus, goats, sheep and even a camel! 
• Bottle-feeding kids (of the goat variety) and lambs 
• Holding rabbits and guinea pigs 
• Observing and learning interesting facts about some reptiles including a shingleback lizard, bearded dragon and woma python.  

Overall, it was a fantastic experience for everyone! The weather was also perfect, which gave us plenty of opportunity to enjoy and marvel at God’s creation using a variety of senses. 

A big thank you to the staff at Hahndorf Farm Barn, as well as the parents and bus drivers who helped supervise, but most of all, to our Creator for providing all creatures great and small. 

Year 4 ZooTastic Sleepover!!  

On Tuesday, the Year 4s took off to Monarto Safari Park for a day of exploring the amazing Australian and African animals! We had a blast on our private tour with Wendy, the Monarto Zoo Educator. We got to see the lions up close (in the bus!), including the new baby cubs, watch the giraffes eating their lunch, and were thoroughly entertained by the baby chimpanzees annoying their parents. One group went for a walk to explore the park a bit more and saw the Black Rhinoceros up nice and close as it was pacing along the fence line.  

When we got back to PPN, everyone set up their beds and relaxed before we had dinner. After dinner, we participated in an Amazing Race designed by Mr Harris. Everyone had fun going around to the 10 different stations, competing in a range of challenges, testing their skills, knowledge, endurance and luck!! We finished the night getting comfy in our rooms and watching a movie with some popcorn and Milo, before sleeping overnight at the school. For some of us, this was our first time away from home, and we had an awesome time and made many memories on this ZooTastic sleepover!!  

Thanks to all of the teachers and parents who came along and helped out! 

Christmas Concert Brings Cheer to All 

It was all singing and tinsel at the Lower Primary Christmas Concert this week. Held both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings with the church filled with parents, the concert was a great way to end the year.  

We are so proud of the way our youngest students prepared and presented their songs. They obviously really enjoyed practicing and performing each piece as, together, they told the story of the birth of Jesus. 

A big thanks to all the parents who took the time to attend and support their children and friends, and to all the teachers involved in making this wonderful event happen. 

A recording of the concert will be sent to lower primary families via email in the coming days. This recording will be temporarily available for those who weren’t able to attend, or wish to send the link to family members.  

Nature Play Christmas

I spent this morning with our Lower Primary students, teachers and families at the Lower Primary Christmas Concert. I know I say it every year, but those kids just melted my heart with their Christmas message. The support of our families for the concert has been so good.  It is lovely to see the pride in parents' eyes and the appreciation on the faces of the children. Thank you to our Prescott families for supporting our events and your children. 

The other thing these concerts do is give us an opportunity to reflect on the true message of Christmas. We often get washed away in the flood of advertising and expectation around buying gifts and travelling to be somewhere, and we miss the depth of the real meaning of Christmas.

The idea of gift-giving is a reflection of the incredible gift we were given as humanity. The God of the Universe chose to take the form of a human being to reveal His love, mercy, forgiveness and grace. It was a way of bridging the gap between humanity and Divinity. When you think about that, it is very courageous on His behalf, but also a beautiful attempt at helping us truly understand what He is like, and how He would like us to live and treat others. The whole idea of love, mercy and grace at Christmas can take on greater meaning in this light.

This brings me to an article I read yesterday about helping our children understand and experience Christmas not as a time of extravagant self-indulgence, but rather in selfless giving, caring and merciful compassion. It has some really practical suggestions. Hope you find them helpful.

Even in homes where getting by is a bit of a struggle, Christmas is generally a time of indulgence for most families. We might be fighting inflation, increased rent and mortgage payments, and rising fuel and food costs, but it’s Christmas! We want to make it memorable, and spending seems to be the default to make that happen.

Yet, at the same time that we spoil ourselves and our loved ones, we often bemoan the ingratitude of our children. We feel that they’re spoiled. We wish they’d look beyond themselves and stop making Christmas all about “me, me, me.” And apart from that, it’s expensive!

With this in mind, here are 10 tips for “unspoiling” your children this Christmas.

First, focus on others!

1. Focus on Service

This year, one family I know is baking cookies and visiting the local police station, ambulance station, and fire station to drop off some Christmas cheer. They take the time to thank the people who work to keep us safe. Others I know visit the local RSPCA with supplies or donations, drop food, books, and toys at a women’s shelter, or donate food (or money for a well) to one of the many overseas charities that help those who are impoverished and in need.

2. Focus on Your Neighbourhood

Who are the people in your neighbourhood? Perhaps an elderly widow could do with a hand in her yard. ‘Tis the season for fast-growing grass and gardens. Perhaps someone has just gone through a tough separation and could do with a Christmas basket to ease the pain (financial and emotional) that Christmas might bring.

One of our favourite things to do is to host a neighbourhood Christmas party. We invite all of our neighbours for a barbecue and to sing carols. Every year, we are asked for the date in advance, so people can be available!

3. Try a Secret Santa Drop

Our children’s favourite Christmas activity is playing “knock and run.” We select a handful of people we want to give something to each year. It might be a teacher, a friend, a coach, or a church leader. We wrap their parcels (often home-made treats), write thank you cards, and drive to their home. After parking out of sight, we sneak to their door, place their gift on the doorstep, and bang on the door before sprinting for a hiding place. Then we watch with delight as someone gets an unexpected, anonymous Christmas surprise. (It can be hard to do this well with six children, and we’ve often been caught—but it’s always fun.)

Next—focus on the children.

4. Give Something Exciting

The reality is that our children DO want to get something exciting at Christmas. So, pick something great for them (within your budget) and help them enjoy it. A decision to not get anything can leave them feeling resentful, particularly when they see everyone else “getting.”

5. Reduce the Number of Gifts They Receive

Some children receive gifts from everyone. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, and even siblings are all expected to buy for everyone. This not only costs a fortune, but it can overwhelm children and leave them expecting more and more. Invite your extended family to contribute to one meaningful gift, rather than lots of bits and pieces.

6. When Opening Gifts, Take Time to Savour Them

Savouring is the magnifying, or amplifying, of a positive experience. When the children open a gift, give them time to savour it. Encourage them to play with it. Let them breathe in the excitement of the moment, rather than ripping into the next package and flinging their gifts aside.

7. Experiences Are Better Than Things

One of the most remarkable findings from positive psychology research is that spending money on experiences brings more happiness than spending money on “stuff.” Perhaps a family trip will be more memorable than more toys?

In a similar vein, gifts that encourage relationships are better than gifts that promote isolation. A new game console might be fun, but it may lead to withdrawal (and fights). It might be better to purchase some games that bring the family together.

8. Rather Than Gifts, Give Letters

One year for Christmas, I contacted my siblings and asked them to give me 10 memories of special times with Dad. With six children, we had a total of 60 memories, each written on separate pieces of coloured paper and rolled up into mini-scrolls and placed into a jar. Dad opened the jar and looked at us, perplexed. He reached in and pulled out the first note. He read it and chuckled. Then it dawned on him that there were 60 notes from his children. He dipped his hand in again and read. Then he began to weep. The rest of that Christmas morning, he read, cried, laughed, and reminisced. It was a meaningful, wonderful gift that cost nothing but meant the world.

9. Encourage the Children to Write “Thank You” Notes

Christmas break is a great time to take stock of gifts and say thank you. Invite your children to write thank you notes to those who gave to them, saying specifically why they’re grateful. Sincere thanks takes time—but it is a wonderful way to help the children show appreciation.

Finally, give the most valuable gift you can: time.

10. Give the Gift of Time

There may be no gift more appreciated by our children than your time. It costs so little yet is so hard to give generously. But when we give of our time generously, all the material desires our children have will fade away.

This Christmas, “unspoil” your child by reducing the emphasis on materialism, crowding out the crass commercialism of “getting” with sincere, compassionate giving. It can make your Christmas truly memorable.

How are you planning to make this Christmas one to remember?

Have a great week with our kids,

Mark B

Hey PPN Family,

Christmas is always a fun time of giving and receiving gifts, and we can all use some extra “Christmas cheer” after the year that we have all had. Although Christmas is a time of joy for most families, I am also aware that Christmas may be a difficult time for families who are struggling financially. The sad reality is that with increasing inflation and the high cost of living, some families are going to do it tough this Christmas.

In light of this, I am reminded of Jesus’ statement in Luke 14:12-13 where he says, “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet, don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbours. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.”

Applying this idea to Christmas, where we normally buy gifts and presents for our family and friends, and they buy gifts and presents for us, I would like to encourage you to bless a family who are not in a position to pay you back. Whether it is buying them gifts, or inviting them over for a Christmas meal, let us look for ways to truly experience the meaning of Jesus’ words that, “It is more blessed to give, than to receive.”

God bless,

Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai

20 questions to ask your kids

Growing up isn’t always easy – and as kids mature the more they push back against parents that fuss over them.

But we need to stay connected. This means using your time intentionally and meaningfully. One simple way to connect is while eating together, playing together, or at bedtime when you are tucking them in and have time to listen.

By getting into the habit of asking open-ended questions you can support and help your child feel heard and listened to, and it will help you to determine if they’re suffering from anxiety, depression or fears.

If you’re worried about your child, encouraging them to talk can be very helpful.

Here are 20 questions to ask your child to help support their wellbeing

1. Is anything worrying you?

2. Who are the people you feel safe with?

3. Is there anything you want to talk about?

4. When was the last time you were very happy?

5. What makes you feel calm?

6. If you could change anything in your life what would it be?

7. What difficulties are you facing at the moment?

8. What can I do to help?

9. I can tell that you like ___, what do you love so much about it?

10. Where is a place you feel safe?

11. Do you have any worries about school?

12. What are you most looking forward to this week?

13. It’s okay to keep stuff private, but did you want to tell me more about ___?

14. How are you coping since ____?

15. What are you worried about when you lie in bed and can’t sleep?

16. What are you dreading most this week?

17. How do you feel about things changing?

18. Is there anything that’s upsetting you?

19. What do you love doing that makes you feel happiest?

20. Of all the things you are learning, what do you think will be the most useful when you are an adult?

Welcome to our 2023 School Captains

Boys Captain: Savya Patel
Girls Captain: Harleen Chahal
Boys Vice-Captain: Rudra Rana
Girls Vice Captain: Sienna Ronca

Hannah Danced Her Way to the Gold Coast 

In November, year 5 student Hannah Hiscock travelled to the Gold Coast to compete in the AACSF Nationals – one of the top dance competitions in Australia. Close to 40,000 people travelled to Queensland for the event. 

Hannah has been dancing for four years, training three times a week and competing on various stages across Adelaide, the state and around Australia. 

On the Gold Coast, Hannah competed in Lyrical and Pom dance competitions, with her Level 2 team coming away with 2^nd place. What an amazing effort.  

Hannah, PPN is proud of your efforts and commitment to his physical and creative pursuit. Well done! 

Volunteer with the CEC in 2023

Events like the Fun Run, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls don’t happen without the amazing work of our CEC – and they need your help!

The CEC stands for Cmmunity Events Committee and it is run by volunteers from within the school community. Our committee raises money for various school projects, whilst providing the students with activities and events that are fun and enjoyable. This year we held our annual Mother's day and Father's day stalls along with the Fun-Run. Pre-Covid, the CEC organised quiz nights, treat days, Carols by Candlelight, end of year concerts and many more exciting events.

It is very rewarding being part of the CEC. The opportunity to be involved in the school and to interact with the students on a different level is very special. We are always on the hunt for more volunteers, if you would like to be involved or want more information, please fill in the form below or contact the office and one of the CEC members will be in touch with you.

https://forms.office.com/r/h9XA67fx8p

Uniform Shop Appointments

Uniform Shop appointments for the new year are limited and filling fast. Please ring the front office on 8396 2577 to book your appointment as soon as possible. All appointments will need to be made by the end of term.

Daily Health Check

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