Winter Rain Nature Play

When it rains, make nature boats and float them in the leftover downpour! One thing my own children have loved doing this winter, is making boats and floating them down the creek, or whatever body of water they can find. It is a favourite family activity to make either a leaf boat, or a seed pod boat and have races to see if their boat will either float or make it first down the creek rapids.

This week, the students at PPN also had the chance to make a boat using natural materials. We used seed pods, bark, leaves, and small sticks to build our boats. They also had a choice of clay or tuff tack to help secure the stick onto the boat. The students raced down into the playground, with many enjoying the activity, often having to find a new way to secure something or help it to float. Some students then went over to the water pump and created a small river to float them down to test their engineering skills. The best part about this activity is that when you are done, most of the materials can be returned back to nature.

Will you make a nature boat with your family this week??

Mrs T Watson

Hi PPN Families. I hope you were able to enjoy some extra special family time during the extra long weekend we just had. Our term is marching on quickly, and I would like to give you a further reminder about Week 10 being a professional development week for our staff. June 30^th will be the last day of Term 2 for our students. Please make plans accordingly.

This week, I thought I might give a little bit of background into why I keep saying how important it is for parents and families to be involved in the learning and school life of our kids. There are all sorts of mental wellbeing and resilience things that I will look at another week, but today I thought I would share some of the really practical educational benefits parent involvement in the school lives of kids can bring. You might say some of the research is far-fetched and not relevant to my Primary aged child, but as a high school teacher for two decades, I can vouch that these things really do matter for our kids as they grow up. As you help with reading or homework or projects, or sit and (deeply) listen as your child tells you about the ups and the downs of their school day, or ask prompting questions about something they are studying at school, or whatever way you are involved with your child's learning, remember one brick at a time builds a house, a city, a nation. We are building our kids for today as well as for tomorrow.

"1. Parent Involvement Leads to Reduced Absenteeism

Research shows that parental involvement encourages children to attend school regularly.

Findings from a study on middle school students in a public school, for instance, show a strong negative relationship between parental involvement and absenteeism. As the involvement of parents increased, absenteeism reduced.

Why is a high rate of absenteeism bad?

• Research from the University of California shows absenteeism negatively affects social-emotional learning (SEL). It hinders the development of social skills like self-efficacy, social awareness, self-management, and a growth mindset.
• Absenteeism causes a decrease in academic performance. Studies have proven that as students miss classes, their academic performance drops.
• It can lead to student dropout. This is according to Jason A. Schoeneberger, author of the Longitudinal Attendance Patterns study. Dropouts have long-term consequences like unemployment, low income, and higher incidences of crime involvement.

2. It Promotes Better Behaviour

The same study on absenteeism among middle school students shows that a parent who's involved in a child's academics makes a big impression on the student. This parental support, in turn, causes:

• A boost in the student's self-esteem
• An improvement in their attitude towards school.
• Less disobedience
• The ability for the child to build and maintain healthy relationships with peers and teachers
• Reduced inappropriate classroom behaviour, such as bullying and fighting

Conversely, studies show that uninvolved parents or parents who disagree with the teachers may negatively affect the child's behaviour. The child could also develop a negative attitude towards the teachers.

3. Increased Student Achievement

Parent involvement motivates children to learn, leading to higher grades.

The level of involvement is crucial in producing a high impact on the student's performance. The higher the degree of parental involvement, the higher the impact on the child's academic achievement.

This research involves three types of parent involvement—high, medium, and low.

Results show a higher student achievement from high and medium-involved parents compared to children from low-involved families.

A similar study published on IOPscience further proves this concept. Results show that students from intensely involved parents have higher test scores in all subjects compared to children with uninvolved parents.

4. Parent Involvement Improves Parent and Teacher Satisfaction

Besides promoting student success, parental involvement in a child's education is beneficial to the teachers and the parents. It builds a positive relationship characterized by mutual respect. They're able to work together to promote student learning and performance.

This partnership benefits the child's teacher in that:

• Parents develop an appreciation for the challenges teachers face. It makes them feel valued. This gives the teacher morale and boosts their performance, creating higher job satisfaction.
• The interaction between the teacher and the parent helps the teacher know the student more. It enables them to teach in a personalized way.
• There is better communication between parents, teachers, and school administrators. Parents are more likely to accept teachers' requests for help with homework completion.

The parents involved in their children's learning process also benefit in that:

• They understand their child's emotional and intellectual needs better.
• They gain confidence in their parenting capabilities.
• The parent learns their children's development stages and how to use positive reinforcement for each stage.
• The improved communication gives parents the confidence to raise any concerns they may have about the school's practices." (https://www.positiveaction.net/blog/parental-involvement-education-schools)

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B

Celebrating Small Successes: The Key to Raising Confident Children

As parents and educators, we often focus on big achievements like excellent grades or winning competitions. While these milestones are undeniably important, it's equally crucial to recognize and celebrate the small successes our children experience every day. Acknowledging and rejoicing in these small victories can have a profound impact on our children's self-esteem, motivation, and overall well-being.

Why are small successes significant? The truth is, life is a journey composed of countless small steps. Each step our children take, whether it's learning a new skill, solving a challenging problem, or demonstrating kindness to others, should be appreciated and commended. By doing so, we teach them the value of effort, perseverance, and resilience.

When we celebrate small successes, we cultivate a positive environment that encourages children to explore their potential. Rather than fixating solely on end results, we shift the focus to the process and progress they make along the way. This approach fosters a growth mindset, where children understand that their abilities can improve through hard work and dedication. It empowers them to take risks, embrace challenges, and view setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth.

Moreover, celebrating small successes reinforces a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-confidence. Children feel valued and recognized for their efforts, which in turn motivates them to strive for more significant achievements. As they accumulate these smaller victories, they develop a strong foundation of self-belief, enabling them to tackle bigger challenges with enthusiasm and determination.

So, how can we celebrate small successes with our children? Start by actively observing and appreciating their efforts. Take the time to notice their progress, no matter how small, and acknowledge their hard work and dedication. A simple gesture like a high-five, a hug, or a kind word of praise can make a world of difference.

Additionally, involve children in setting realistic goals and milestones. Break down larger tasks into smaller, achievable steps, and celebrate each milestone they reach. Encourage them to reflect on their accomplishments and highlight the skills and qualities they demonstrated in the process.

Remember, celebrating small successes is not about material rewards or excessive praise. It's about instilling in our children the belief that their efforts matter and that progress is worth celebrating. By nurturing a culture of appreciation for small victories, we equip our children with the confidence, resilience, and determination they need to thrive in all areas of their lives.

So, let's take the time to celebrate the small successes with our children. Let's inspire them to embrace the joy of learning, the satisfaction of trying their best, and the resilience to overcome obstacles. Together, we can help our children grow into confident individuals who believe in their abilities and seize every opportunity that comes their way.

Last Day For Term 2

As highlighted previously, Term 2 is a nine week Term for students. Week 10 of this term will be pupil free as our teachers complete a range of professional development activities. The team at Prescot myOSCH are available throughout the week if you require care for your child (see calendar of activities at the bottom of this week's newsletter).

Do's & Don't of Dropping Your Kids to School

Did You Know Some Notable Dates! 

• 80 years - Birth of Paul Jennings (30 April 1943) 

Paul Jennings OAM has written over 70 children’s titles and sold over 8 million books worldwide. His short story collection formed the basis of the iconic series Round the Twist! 

Commemorative Day for this month. 

• 18 – 24 June Refugee Week

Book of the Week:  My Strange Shrinking Parents 

Author/Illustrator: Zeno Sworder - Shortlisted for the 2023 CBCA Awards. (Children’s Book Council of Australia)  

 It is understood that all children believe their parents to be strange. Mine were unusual for a different reason… 

One boy’s parents travel from far-off lands to improve their son’s life. But what happens next is unexpected. What does it mean when your parents are different? What shape does love take? And what happens when your parents sacrifice a part of themselves for you? 

In this heartbreaking and heart-warming story, CBCA award-winner Zeno Sworder reflects on his own migrant parents’ sacrifices to create a universal story about what it means to give to those you love. Drawing from the sacrifices his Chinese mother made to raise her young family in a small country town, Sworder’s drawing are full of beautiful detail and fairy-tale settings that explore his own journey from child to parent. Sworder reflects on the strange nature of giving and receiving love and celebrates those parents who embrace a hard life for themselves in the hope of a better life for their children. Full of depth and generosity, as well as insight and candour, Sworder brings this gorgeous fable to life. 

Follow this link to see a video of author Zeno Sworder  

Prescott College