Prescott Primary Northern eNewsletter

Prescott Primary Northern would like to say a big welcome to all new students and their families as well as to all the returning students and their families. We trust that you have had a wonderful holiday and feel refreshed and ready to start the new school year! We pray that God continues to bless our community at Prescott Primary Northern.

Our newsletters contain important information so we would ask you to ensure that you read the emailed version of our newsletter or access via our SchoolZine app or collect a hard copy from the office, weekly on a Wednesday afternoon.

Our weekly newsletter is sent out electronically each Wednesday. Please check both your Inbox as well as your Junk Mail. If you do not receive an electronic copy of today’s newsletter, please email: newsletter@ppn.sa.edu.au .

For parents unable to receive electronic copies, a printed version is available from the Front Office.

Nature Playground

There has been a lot of excitement this week as we opened our Nature Playground. There are some areas of this playground that are yet to be developed (watch this space), but each class has had a chance to play and explore this new space. Our staff and our students have conducted a Risk-Benefit Analysis of elements in the playground, which will be made available for our school families soon.

“The outdoor play and learning environment needs to be an environment where inspiration and creativity can take root, where curiosity and spontaneity can be realised, and where risk and failures can be experienced.” – Nature Play SA

Some Benefits Of Our Nature Playground

· Students learn about risks and resilience in a safe and natural environment

· Provides opportunities to challenge themselves – varied degree of difficulty built in the elements

· Provides tactile and sensory experiences

· Development of fine and gross motor skills

· Builds on social skills

· Encourages respect for people and the space around them

Welcome back to our 2019 school year. It was great to hear the buzz around school yesterday as the kids found friends and caught up on holiday news, some parents dropped their little ones off for the very first time and teachers welcomed a new class of children to their classrooms. It has been a busy school break with our Nature Playground development all but completed. This area has already proven to be a real drawcard for our students, as I look out and imagine it in years to come with trees growing up, I can only start to hope that it will be a place that provides thousands and thousands of memories and learning times for our kids. I would like to thank the many students, staff and of course Dirtworx and Climbing Tree for the great job in bringing this project from idea to reality.

It has also been a busy break with several new staff joining our Prescott Primary Northern team. We have two new members on our chaplaincy team. Mr L will be our lead chaplain and be at school each day. He will be ably assisted by Pastor Roland who will join us for a day and a half each week. Our Discovery Centre will be looked after this year by our Library Technician, Mrs Cowley. We are also excited to have a specialist PE teacher for our school this year. Mr Campbell has returned from leave in 2018, to take on the Specialist PE teacher role. This will mean some changes for when students wear their PE Uniform. Mrs Koczwara has joined our team and will wear several hats including coordinating Student Services, Buses and the Newsletter. We also have two new classroom teachers joining us. In our new Year 2 class, we have Ms Truscott and in Foundation B, Ms Frear. There have been several other internal changes that have taken place as well. I would like to say a huge welcome to our new staff members and I would encourage you to go and introduce yourself and make them welcome to our Prescott Primary Northern family.

You may also have noticed some changes in our Front Office/Entry area. We have opened things up there and hope you find it a little more of a friendly and welcoming entry to our school.

2019 will be another wonderful year at Prescott Primary Northern. We have all sorts of things on the boil at the moment that will unfold as the year progresses. Most of all though, we pray that this year will be another where we are able to care for our children and one another and share God’s love in the life of each person in our community.

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B

Hi, some of you may have met me, others may have heard about me but what’s more important is that I am here to serve you and your families as a full-time chaplain at PPN this year.

Phillip Lillehagen is my name and I have been promoted to the role of Chaplain.

My family and I have moved here from Port Macquarie for the start of this year. I have 3 boys and a beautiful wife. We have been involved in education in various roles over the past 19 years.

I love riding bikes, sailing, eating food and spending time with my family.

Its been very exciting exploring all the awesome places and food that South Australia has to offer.

Nothing but love

1 Corinthians 13.1 MSG

“If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t have love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.”

I love this verse because if I don’t have love, I’m not the creaky gate that has some worth, rather the creak of the rusty gate. In other words, I am nothing but noise. I don’t want my life to be a noise. I want my life to be purposeful.

My aim as Chaplain is that I can point others to Jesus and to show His love.

I look forward to getting to know and support you all in role as chaplain this year.

God Bless

Phillip Lillehagen

Chaplain Prescott Primary Northern

Canteen Menu 2019

PPN_Menu_T1_Summer.pdf

Afterschool Procedures

The end of the school day can be rather chaotic, and to help with the busyness at the end of the day, we have guidelines in regards to where our students are to wait to go home. Parents and guardians can collect their children from outside of their classroom. Otherwise, students will either go to their bus line and sit down, or to the back cover area for OSHC or in the specific Year Level zones. No matter what area the students are waiting to go home, they are to be seated at all times. Students are not allowed to play on the oval, covered area or playground during this time, even if their parents are with them. PPN has strict duty of care and while our students are on our campus, they are under the care of our staff on duty. Please assist us with the following the above guidelines.

New Staff 2019

PPN would like to welcome the following new staff into our PPN family. We are so blessed they have joined our team and we look forward to their presence and contribution this year.

Ms Karen Frear - Foundation B Teacher

Miss Sharney Truscott - Year 2A Teacher

Mr Josh Campbell - PE Specialist Teacher

Mr Phil Lillehagen - Chaplain

Pr Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai - Part-Time Chaplain

Mrs Victoria Cowley - Library Technician

Mrs Janine Koczwara - Student Services, Bus Coordinator and Newsletter Coordinator

Pancake Breakfast

You are invited to join us for pancakes on Monday morning,the 11th of February, starting at 8:00am—8:45am.
Get to know the school community.
Make the time to be at school for this light morning breakfast.
Getting to know other parents could make a positive difference to your life.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU

Teachers will be on the oval to watch children while they are playing.

Worship

This year we will continue having 2 chapels on a Thursday:

Upper School (Yr3-Yr7): 9:05am-9:50am
Lower School (F- Yr 2): 10:00am-10:45am

Asthma/Medical Records

Each year the school needs to update student asthma records. If your child is currently listed as asthmatic, you will receive an asthma record to complete and return to school.

If your child has recently been diagnosed with asthma, please collect a form from the Office. Any other changes to your child’s medical details needs to be reported to the Office.

Medication

If your child requires regular medication to be administered during school hours, please send it to Student Services. Please note that staff may only give medication, prescribed by a doctor, in an original, labelled (with your child’s name) pharmacy container. Any other medication that your child requires must be in the original packaging, labelled with their name and clear instructions on how and when it may administered.

Contact Details

If you move or have new mobile or home telephone numbers, please let the Office know. Children can get distressed if we are unable to contact parents because we do not have their current details. Please keep emergency contact details (eg grandma, aunty) up to date as well—thanks!

Student Absences

Please inform the school if your child is away or will be late to class either by:

Phone on 8396 2577
SMS on 0429 557 989
Or email: reception@ppn.sa.edu.au

For extended periods of absence please fill in the official Exemption Form.

Uniform Passes

There are times throughout the year when students do not wear a part of the uniform due to something unforeseen happening. When this occurs, the parent/carer is to write a note, send an email to reception@ppn.sa.edu.au or an SMS to 0429 557 989 explaining the situation and the student will be issued with a uniform pass for the day.

Students will not be issued with a pass without first presenting a note from home.

A uniform notification will be issued to children without a uniform pass, and parents will be asked to address this promptly.

PE Specialist Classes & Uniform

This year, our students will be participating in a specialist PE lesson each week with Mr Campbell. Students will wear their sports uniform on the day they have these lessons. All other fitness lessons and activities will be led by the classroom teachers.

Please take note of the days each class will need to wear their sports uniform for 2019:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Foundation B

Foundation C

Year 3A

Year 3B

Year 1A

Year 1B

Year 2A

Year 2B

Year 4A

Year 4B

Foundation A

Year 1C

Year 2C

Year 5A

Year 5B

Year 6A

Year 6B

Year 7A

Uniform Shop Hours

Our Uniform Shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3.30pm until 4.00pm. Please bring cash for second-hand items.

Boys (SUMMER)	Girls (SUMMER)
School hat (Legionnaire or bucket style with emblem)
Blue short sleeved shirt with Prescott emblem	Regulation Summer dress- with left-hand pocket & emblem (no belt loop) The length of dresses for girls must touch the knee or below when standing upright.
Tailored SA grey school shorts (Cotton cargo shorts are not permitted)	Plain black/navy bike shorts that do not exceed the dress may also be worn
Laced, buckled or Velcro polished, black leather, low-heeled regulation school shoes. Brown Sandals (Optional) – no socks to be worn with sandals* Grey over the ankle socks*	Laced, buckled or Velcro polished, black leather, low-heeled regulation school shoes. Brown Sandals (Optional) – no socks to be worn with sandals* White over the ankle/knee high socks – no leggings
Royal blue V-necked school jumper/cardigan with emblem
Term 4- Year 7 is permitted to wear Prescott College’s short sleeve shirt	Simple hair ties, scrunchies, ribbons or hairclips in the colours of light blue, black, maroon, red and white and match the uniform*

Prescott Blazers

The wearing of the PPN Blazer for Years 6 and 7 is mandatory with their Formal Uniform. In 2018, Blazers are optional for Year 5. Students have a few options when wearing their blazers.

Students can wear just the blazer over their long sleeve, white shirt or blue summer shirt or dress.
In colder months, students may wear the blazer over the PPN school jumper.

Some other important items to note this term are-

Jewellery

The following jewellery may be worn at school-

Functional, non-decorative watch with an inconspicuous band. Responsible use of smart watches is expected.
3-4mm round plain gold or silver stud in the lower lobe, 1 stud per ear (Standard Lobe, Female only)
Medical bracelets
Religious jewellery (after written request has been approved in writing by the PPN Administration)
Boys are to wear no jewellery at all.

General

Students should be in the correct uniform including footwear at all times.
Any garments worn under the uniform should not be visible.
Parents are requested to see that their children are correctly dressed at all times. If for any reason it is impossible for a student to be in full school uniform, a written note or SMS from their parents or guardians should be addressed to the Deputy Principal. Students wearing incorrect uniform must bring a note from home and will be issued with a uniform pass. If, for any reason a student needs permission for non-uniform items for an extended period of time, special consideration must be applied for in writing from the Deputy.
Cosmetics, other than clear nail polish, may not be worn at school.

Hair

Clean cut and kept off the eyes and face
Hair should be a natural colour
Extreme changes to colour/styles and multiple colours are not permitted
No part of the hair is shaved less than Number 2 in length.
There is no sharp line between the short and the long part, i.e. the length should be blended, so that it changes continuously from short to long.
There are to be no lines shaved into the hair as highlights

Girls hair

Long hair on or below the collar must be tied back at all times
Simple hair ties, scrunchies, ribbons or hairclips in the colours of blue, black, maroon, red and white can be used (to match in with the winter/summer uniform).

Boys hair

Long hair on or below the collar must be tied back at all times with a simple hair tie, matching hair colour
Buns are not permitted.

Dedication Day

Saturday, February 9 is our school's Dedication Day. On this day, Prescott Primary Northern, along with Prescott College, run the Church program at Para Vista SDA Church (the church beside the school). Our students are involved in this program, along with many of our teachers. Please feel free to join us from 10:00am until 11:15am and stay for a morning tea afterwards.

School Fees

All school fees have been emailed and sent out by post. If you have not received a copy of your statement please contact the school office. The prompt payment discount time for payment has been extended by one week, if you would like to claim that discount you need to pay your account in full by the 14th February 2019. Thank you.

School Card

School Card application forms are available from the front office.

Drop and Go Zone

The drop zone in the front of the school, in Wright Road, will be open from 8:30am until 8:55am. A staff member will be stationed from 8:30am to assist your child/ren in unloading. There are 2 bays for the buses and there are 3 bays available for you to drop your child off in the morning. It is important to note that this is a drop off zone only. Pickup is only available by coming onto campus and collecting your child. The procedure for the ‘Drop and Go’ zone is outlined below.

Children are not to be left at the zone prior to the service opening at 8:30am Monday to Friday. When using Out Of School Hours Care (OSHC), children will be dropped in the Para Vista Church car park and escorted by parents into the OSHC.

When dropping off your child, please proceed safely and slowly from Wright Road, through the slipway and back onto Wright Road.

As you enter the slipway, you will see a large cone. The ‘Drop and Go’ zone will start AFTER the cone. There is a sign that indicates ‘Drop and Go’, 8:30am-8:55am. All other school times will be a bus zone.

‘Drop and Go’ staff on duty will be available to assist your child/ren in unloading. You can help keep this process moving quickly by staying in the driver’s seat and by making sure that backpacks and other items are ready to go. If older students are confident enough, they are encouraged to exit your vehicle on their own.

The staff duty person can then close your vehicle door and indicate that you are ready to proceed. Please look carefully before entering into traffic flow.

Please do not use your mobile phone at all while you are in the school zone; this takes your attention away from the very important task of watching out for pedestrians and other vehicles.

No parking is allowed on the slipway in front of the school, the bus zones or the ‘Drop and Go’ zone. This includes parents who visit the school during the day. Please do not leave your car unattended while waiting for your child. If you need to get out to pick up your child please park in the car park directly in front of the school, in allocated parking zones or alternatively, in the Para Vista Church car park or on side streets around.

No children should be crossing Wright Road unattended, unless a written request has been handed to the Principal.

Thank you for following the ‘Drop and Go’ procedure that helps make Prescott Primary Northern a safe and friendly place for all families.

School Car Park

Please keep the following information in mind when using our school car parks:

Maximum speed limit—10kph
Use the marked car park areas—you must be parked prior to your children exiting your car—do not stop in the middle of the car park and let your children out while your car is still running
Look out for little people
Please keep to designated walkways
Only cross the carpark at the crossing provided
The car park closest to the double yellow gates in the church carpark, is only for those who have a Disabled Parking Permit. Please do not park there unless you have the permit. There are also 3 Disabled Carparks over by the main church entrance for those with the appropriate permits.
No right turn is permitted out of the Car Park on Nelson Road. Please turn left and go round the roundabout.

Children need to be accompanied by an adult at all times in our car park.

If you arrive 10 minutes after the afternoon bell the car parks are usually less congested.

Please make sure you cross at the correct spots in the Car Park! Ensure you walk behind the bollards and cross at the crossing.

Thank you in advance!

Safe School Procedures

School gates will be closed between 9:15am and 3:00pm for the safety of our students. If you are coming to the school between these times, come through the Office and ensure that you sign our visitors register on our iPad and take a visitor’s identification tag. If you are reading or helping out anywhere in the school between these times, you should also sign our visitors’ register on our iPad and wear a visitor’s identification tag. By signing-in you are letting the office staff know where you are, so that you can be accounted for in an emergency situation. Parents who help regularly with reading, crafts, excursions etc, will be asked to complete a Volunteer Pack which will include a copy of their Police Report and our Prescott Schools Code of Conduct.