Year 3 Cultural Excursion

To conclude our HASS unit ‘Celebrations and Commemorations’ last term, our Year 3 students embarked on a cultural journey that took them to the Confucius Institute at the University of Adelaide, where they were immersed in the captivating world of Chinese culture. From traditional customs to art and language, the students were able to create Chinese artworks and do Chinese calligraphy.

The excursion continued as they ventured to the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery in SA Museum. Here, they were captivated by the rich tapestry of Aboriginal traditions, spirituality, and history. This experience has paved the way for our upcoming Aboriginal Studies Unit in HASS this term, where they will delve deeper into the fascinating heritage of the Australia's First Nations people. These hands-on experiences have sparked curiosity, empathy, and a growing understanding of the diverse world around us, making our students true global citizens who celebrate and respect cultural differences.

Choir News 

In the last week of Term 2, the Prescott Northern Choir presented the program ‘David and Goliath’. The students performed in both the Lower and Upper Chapel programs, and before many parents and family members. The drama was vibrant and compelling, as the timeless story of ‘David and Goliath’ was portrayed through songs and actions. The choir sang loud and clear. We appreciate the many lunch times that the students spend practicing. A big thank you to Sarina Howard for the costumes, and thank you to Miss Smith for assisting with the background music. Many thanks to Mr Koczwara for organising the sound, and to our wonderful Chaplains Pastor Roland and Mr. Ackland for helping with props and set up. Please enjoy the following pictures that will give you an idea as to what it all looked like. 

Mrs. Dianne Jose 

Choir Coordinator 

Pattern Makers Nature Play

Today the sun shone for our nature pattern makers. Mandala wheels reflect patterns and order, and these budding artists created designs of repetition using objects in our garden.

Welcome to Term 3, PPN family. I hope the mid-year break provided you with lots of opportunities for family time. At the end of last term, our staff spent the week hearing from various speakers sharing on well-being at our ConnectEd conference, we updated our first aid qualifications, heard from an educational psychologist on how we can better meet the emotional and educational needs of our students, and we spent time planning for our students’ learning in the second half of the year. It was a busy week, but a very helpful one. We are now looking forward to a busy and rewarding Term 3.

As we have embarked on our new term, I have heard from several students and families that some kids were a little anxious about coming back to school after being away for a while. It got me thinking and while discussing things with a colleague, I pulled out a book I read last year about kids and their experiences with anxiety. I come from a generation where we were basically told to just “suck it up” if we felt that way, but research is showing us there is a better way to help our children. The article below is a very personal one, but also a practical one for when our children experience anxiety and I thought it would be a great reminder for us all as we guide and walk alongside our kids.

“My youngest daughter, now 9, has recently been watching a cartoon with a cyclops in it. This naturally energetic and confident child is now terrified every night at bedtime – the cyclops are coming! Another of my children has always had an anxious disposition. She feels a little bit of anxiety about most things most of the time. It’s typically low-level anxiety, but from time to time it can be paralysing. Each of these anxiety situations is different. One is based on “state anxiety” or feeling anxiety just now about a specific situation. The other is based on “trait anxiety”, or feeling anxiety as a general characteristic. Anxiety situations can be founded on rational fears (like heights), or irrational fears (like the cyclops). But anxiety, whether state or trait, rational or irrational, requires kind and compassionate responses.

Consider it for a moment:

It doesn’t matter whether you have a general predisposition to anxiety or not, we all have something that makes us feel anxious. It might be giving a speech in public, or driving in the city at peak hour, or starting a new job. In those moments, what would you want from the people around you? What would you want your partner, trusted friend, or even your own parents to say to you?

Dismissal? “Nothing bad is going to happen, stop worrying. You’ll be fine.”

Denial? “Driving at peak hour is the same as driving any other time. I don’t know why you’re worried about this.”

Disapproval? “Stop telling me how worried you are about this new job, you should just be grateful instead.”

Doesn’t feel good, does it?

Dismissing the problem with statements like “You’ll be right. There’s nothing to worry about” doesn’t help. Instead, they leave our kids feeling misunderstood and wronged. It can leave them feeling like they’re incompetent! Plus, they feel as though no one understands them in their worries, and that they’re left alone to face them.

Denying the problem doesn’t work either. We often think that reassuring our kids that “There’s no such thing as cyclops” would surely help. Yet never in the history of people has anyone who is anxious and emotional responded to logic by saying, “Good point. I am being silly. Thanks for getting me back on track.” When we deny their reasons for being anxious, we are in essence telling them that their feelings about the situation aren’t valid. Again, we trample their sense of competency. And we hurt the relationship.

Lastly, when we show our disapproval of their anxiety by telling them “stop worrying” “Stop being silly”, or even “If you keep this up I’ll give you something to really be worried about”, we use our power to threaten and intimidate. This doesn’t decrease anxiety, instead it makes them more anxious - about the cyclops, the exam, the dark, and about us!

Instead of dismissal, denial, and disapproval, what our kids need from us when they’re feeling anxious is acceptance and affirmation. This doesn’t mean we agree with them. And we don’t need to take their worries away. What they need is our support and encouragement to give them the confidence to face their worries themselves.

What if we said these things instead? “Something about this is making you worried. I believe you.”

“I get worried sometimes too. Can you tell me more about what is making you worried?”

“This is hard for you. I’ll be right here with you.”

When we accept that our child is worried about something and let them know that whatever it is, we understand that it’s a real worry for them, we give them the confidence to know that they have a trusted adult to support them. We aren’t doubting them or telling them that their problem isn’t real. Instead, we’re telling them that they can count on us to listen to them without judgement.

When we affirm that we have experienced worries and anxiety too, we give them the courage to share openly with us what is causing their anxiety.

When we agree that whatever they’re going through is hard, we show that we empathise with their emotions. We give them the assurance to know that they don’t need to experience these feelings of anxiety alone.

Once our children feel heard, seen, and validated, they’ll be better prepared to make an action plan to help them face their worries. Maybe they’ll make a cyclops repellent spray, or maybe they’ll ask for help to practice their speech. Whatever it is, allow them to formulate their own plan with your support, rather than swooping in and fixing their problems for them.

The quickest way to reduce the impact of strong emotions is to share them. When we allow our kids to share their anxiety with us, and we accept, affirm, and agree with them, their worries will begin to dissipate.” Coulson, 2023

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B

Dear Parents and Caregivers.

I hope that your school break was a blessed one. I’ve had so much fun this week talking with our students and hearing all about the holiday adventures they’ve been up to. Within our precious class time they’ve shared some great stories and sparked insightful conversation. All of which have lead me to share this story that I’m about to share with you.

During the final week of my holiday, I decided to go camping with a group of friends. This was a long-anticipated adventure and the booking had taken priority over so many things that this trip had to happen. We left in the evening after some of my friends had finished work. Arriving at the campsite late, we set our tents up in the dark and in the wet. If you’re a seasoned camper, you’ll understand what tone this set for the camp.

The next day we woke up early and the sky was blue and clear. We set out for our walk. Headed towards a waterfall about 2 hours away. With 10 minutes left of our journey, we looked up and the blue sky had disappeared. Dark grey clouds covered they sky and rain started to pour, getting heavier and heavier. The group agreed that since we were going to get wet anyway, we might as well walk the extra 10 minutes to see the waterfall before heading back to camp. We knew we were close because we could hear the waterfall gushing loud and clear, it must be just around the bend! But laid out before us was a rushing stream. A small torrent of water, not very deep, but given the conditions of they day, proved a challenging obstacle. For a few of our group, it was their first-time camping and hiking. The terror of this obstacle was almost too much for them to overcome. But one of our experienced hikers went first, and tenderly nudged each steppingstone before committing his whole weight to it. There was only one wobbly rock about halfway which proved to be difficult. But with a light-footed skip and a jump, it was manageable. This one wobbly rock might as well have been a mountain for one of our frightened campers. But after some considerable time of encouragement and playthroughs of the scenario in their head, they made the jump and got past the wobbly rock.

All of us made it across the stream, around the bend and found ourselves amongst some of the most beautiful nature one could imagine. The crystal-clear water was tumbling down the glistening rocks, with deep rich green moss carpeting each side. The sounds of singing birds, sights of lush green trees and the mist coming off the waterfall projected a beautiful rainbow above the fall. We were standing amongst some of God’s most beautiful creation.

This week as I’ve relayed this story to the students, I’ve asked them what I’m about to ask you. What wobbly rocks stand between you and God’s paradise?

Toby Ackland

Supporting Your Child in Term 3

This term we are launching two new programs to support the wellbeing of you and your children.

Calm Kids

The Calm Kids program designed to help students struggling with a range of challenges often labelled as ‘anxiety’.

This program is for children who not have significant challenges, but who display anxious behaviours or tendencies; struggle with anger or showing disrespect; refusing or being reluctant to go to school or engage with their learning; or, have regular emotional out bursts.

Ali (our school counsellor) will be offering a tailor-made, 5-week, one-on-one program.

Whether your child has spent time with Ali in the past or not doesn’t matter. You may feel that these issues aren’t serious, but a bit of time helping them develop good thinking habits and coping skills could stop them becoming a big problem later on.

If you think your child could benefit from this program, please email bradenblyde@ppn.sa.edu.au to register your interest, and Mr Blyde will be in contact with you.

Circle of Security Parenting Program

This FREE 6-week program is designed for parents looking for additional support in a small-group environment. With a limit of 10 parents, it’s important to register quickly online here: https://forms.office.com/r/SEdqfBvDDN

Welcome to PPN

Prescott Primary Northern would like to welcome Miss Zoe Watson and Miss Kate Browning to our school family.

Miss Watson (not to be confused with Miss Watson in 5B) and Miss Browning are from Avondale University, and are completing a practicum as part of their studies to become teachers. Miss Browning will be working in 2C with Mrs Pridmore, as Miss Watson spends time in FB with Mrs A.

Thank you, both, for joining us and blessing our community!

PPN Learning Expo

The Prescott Primary Northern Learning Expo is all about celebrating the learning taking place in our school. Join us to explore the classrooms at your own pace and see what your child has been learning!

All PPN families are welcome to join us from 6:00 – 7:00pm, 1 August here at school.

Preparing for School Photos

Forms for this year’s official school photos are being sent home this week. Please read and respond to them as quickly as possible.

It’s also important that all students have their full winter uniform in place. This includes:

• Neatly worn shirts, jumpers, pants, skirts and ties
• Blazers for all Year 5 and 6 students
• The correct socks or navy leggings for girls
• Clean cut hair that is off the eyes (and tied back if it is on or below the collar)
• The correct black school shoes (if students have P.E. on photo day, they may bring sneakers in a bag to change into)
• Appropriate, school approved earrings

School photos are a chance for us to create lasting memories, and feel proud about who we are as individuals, a class and as a school.

Canteen Term 3 2023

Welcome back to Term 3 and we trust you are feeling refreshed after the school holiday break.

As the weather starts to warm up you will see some changes to our Term 3 menu offerings. Soups will come off the menu and will be replaced with grazing lunch boxes (small & large serving sizes will be available), and vegetarian cold rolls.

Just a friendly reminder that we are unable to heat up food in the canteen that has been sent from home.

Cash payments are an option to order lunch, however Flexischools is our preferred method of transaction.

If you still have any outstanding payments for lunches provided, we would appreciate your prompt return! We will never let your little ones go hungry!

We are grateful for your support and look forward to nourishing your children during Term 3!

The MK Catering Team

Uniform Shop

Please note that the Uniform Shop is closed until 7 August.