100 Days of Learning for Foundations

Tuesday this week was the moment our Foundation students spent their first 100 days at school. That’s 100 days of learning new things, growing, and developing friendships as part of the PPN community. Watch the short video below to see how they celebrated!

To all Foundation students and families, the last 100 days have been a blast. We love having you here!

Learning Expo Night a Hit

While our students spend many fun-filled hours in their classrooms each week, parents and families don’t often get to see what’s really going on. Last night's Learning Expo threw open our doors to allow families a chance to step inside their child’s classroom, check out the displays, and better understand, and experience, the amazing learning that takes place.

A big thank you to all the families that came along. We loved having you on campus and in our classrooms.

Little Giggle Storytime at Prescott

It is always a delight to have our friends from Little Giggles Playgroup visit our library for Storytime. This week a small group of children and their parents spent some time in the library reading books, playing with toys, and listening to a classic children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They had lots of fun ‘feeding’ the caterpillar cheese, cake, sausages, lollypops and lots of other yummy treats. We look forward to having Little Giggles Playgroup visit us again in Term 4 for Storytime.

Birds in Nature Play

Even though we don’t live in a snowy climate like other parts of the world, the colder months tend not to provide as many food options for our local birds, as our gardens are not as vibrant and plentiful as they are in the warmer months.

This week's nature play activity was everything bird related. We had some posters of local birds for students to find and discover around us, we also had a playdough station where the students were able to make a bird out of playdough and natural materials. The big task was to provide smaller feeders that could be tied into our surrounding trees once the gelatine had dried and the feeders had stuck together.

The students eagerly spooned in the gelatine and compacted it down, and are excited to see the final product in the trees next week once they are ready. This is an activity we have completed at our home as well to help our local birds during the winter months. What birds do you have in your neighbourhood? 

I had a great time last night at the Learning Expo. Walking around seeing children share their learning joy with parents, grandparents, family and friends was inspirational. I was talking with one family about the challenges of keeping the excitement for learning we see in our little ones going as our kids move through the education processes. It was also 100 days of learning for our Foundations and that was also a great reminder to me of how important our children and their learning are.

Just a quick reminder about our School Photos next Tuesday. Please make sure the children are neatly dressed in their full Winter Uniform and have made the extra arrangements if they have PE on Tuesdays. More details are included later in this Newsletter.

On our recent service trip to a little school in the Philippines, we were commenting how challenging it was for teachers there when it came to being creative about discipline of students. In recent years, they have undergone the transition we did here in Australia a while ago where corporal punishment is removed as discipline, and parents and teachers need to find alternative ways of guiding and directing our children. We usually then go to a rewards based system for good behaviours which certainly has benefits.

More recently, discussion and research have been going on around trying even more creative approaches, as our ultimate aim is to have our children move from compliant behaviour into the realm of taking on personal responsibility for their actions. I am a relatively practical person and I know that in the heat of a parenting or teaching “discipline moment” some of the suggestions that you will read below are really challenging, and need more time and effort than is possible in the moment. However, I think there is great value in us working with our children to move beyond compliant behaviour, and so I offer you the article below to help stimulate our thinking, and offer some scenarios and suggestions. I hope you find it helpful.

“There’s one type of statement that I try to avoid when I’m talking with my kids. “If… then” statements. You know the ones I mean. If you eat all your vegetables, then you can have dessert. If you are good at the shops, then I’ll buy you a treat at the checkout. If you behave when Grandma comes over, then we can watch TV when she leaves.

The problem with these statements is that they’re essentially bribery. And bribery is just a threat in disguise. You might as well say “If you don’t eat your vegetables, then you won’t get any dessert”.

Bribery, rewards, and punishment are an effective parenting tool… if your only goal is to secure immediate compliance. That is, if you want your child to do what you say when you say it. Which probably sounds like exactly what you want. However, when you think about it, immediate compliance probably isn’t the real goal… at least, not most of the time (but sometimes it is. We all know it!) What you really want for your child is moral internalisation. That is, you want your child to understand the rules and the reasoning behind them so that they will do what is right even when adults aren’t around to tell them what to do. Sounds better, right?

Moral internalisation requires a completely different set of tools. We can’t rely on bribery, rewards, and punishments if we’re aiming for moral internalisation. However, moving away from the tool of “If… then…” statements isn’t easy. This form of fear-based discipline is automatic for so many parents because it’s such a simple formula to follow. It doesn’t require much effort. But if you’re ready to expand your parenting toolbox, here’s a few tools you can try: Do it with them. It’s time to pack up the toys, but instead of yelling out “If these toys don’t get picked up, then I’m throwing them away”, try getting down on the ground with them and working as a team. Our kids want to be involved in our world. So, if we’re doing something, and we invite them to join in, chances are that they’ll say yes, even for something as routine as tidying up the toys. Make it fun. Kids love to play! In fact, it’s been demonstrated that kids learn things much easier and quicker if play is involved.

So next time you’re at the shops, see if you can make a scavenger hunt. Challenge them to find the biggest capsicum, or maybe you can set the timer and see how quickly you can make it down each aisle. There are so many ways to make even simple tasks fun. Collaborate to find win/win solutions. When we talk with our kids and value their input, we can often find compromises that work for everyone. That might go like this: “I really would like you to eat some vegetables at dinner time. What vegetables would you like us to cook today?” Explain the reason for a rule. When you let your child know why you would like them to behave a certain way, and set up expectations in advance, they’re much more empowered to behave the way you would like them to. By explaining to them, for example, that Grandma doesn’t like loud noises, so we need to be a bit quieter when she’s visiting, you’re setting them up for success.

It can also be a good idea to plan contingencies in advance for if expectations aren’t being met. For example, “if you’re having a hard time being quiet when Grandma is here, you can go outside for a bit to get some of your energy out before you come back in.” Be proactive. Asking your child to be well behaved at the shops when they’re hungry is just not going to happen. Likewise, your child just isn’t going to be as helpful when it comes to packing up the toys if they’re tired after a long day. Try shifting the timing for these activities, reducing your expectations, or making it easier to meet your expectations by setting up the environment for success. Stick firmly to loving limits. They’re getting rowdy in the store. Carry them out calmly, explaining that we can go back when they’re ready to use walking feet and quiet voices.

Getting out of the habit of using bribery to control our kids isn’t easy. It requires trusting that internalising morals is better, which is hard when we’ve been conditioned to believe that good children are compliant children. It requires expanding your toolbox. It requires admitting that not every tool will work in every situation. It requires patiently acknowledging that sometimes you won’t be able to secure compliance. However, turning to connection and away from coercion is so much better, both for our children and also for our relationship with them. If you’re ready to give it a go, pick a tool, try it out, and see what happens.” (Coulson, 2023)

Have a great week with our kids,

Mark B

Hey PPN Family,

I am currently rereading Stephen Covey’s bestselling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and it has been a real blessing. The first habit that Covey defines is to be proactive rather than being reactive. In Stephen’s words, “Reactive people are driven by feelings, by circumstances, by conditions, by their environment. Proactive people are driven by values—carefully thought about, selected, and internalized values.”

Reactive people tend to blame their situation and circumstances on others, but Covey explains that proactive people, “do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behaviour. Their behaviour is a product of their own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feeling.”

To be reactive is to have a victim mentality where we are powerless against the negative influences of the people and the circumstances around us, but to be proactive is to claim the promise of Jesus in John 8:36 that no matter what challenges, problems, struggles and sins we may be dealing with – He can set us free.

In other words, Jesus makes it clear that our best life does not have to be put on hold until the people and the circumstances in our lives change, we can start to experience our greatest life now through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the essence of the declaration that Jesus made in John 10:10 (NIV) that, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

God bless,

Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai

Do Hard Things

Author of one of my favourite books Atomic Habits, James Clear, wrote, “Most of the time you don't need more information, you need more courage."

How often do we put things off or avoid taking action because they appear hard – not even too hard, just hard? It’s something both we as adults and our children struggle with.

But, the reality is, doing hard things is good for us. In fact, it is vital. It allows us to grow and achieve today, while simultaneously building the resilience and confidence we need to be successful in the future.

I often point one of my sons back to the time they walked 16km to the top of Australia’s highest mountain when he was only four. Or, when my other son rode 80km on his bike, aged just 7.

Of course, it isn’t just the physical challenges, but also the academic, emotional and social ‘hard things’ that we need to recognise, celebrate and remember.

Has your child struggled with a subject or assignment, but achieved well? Have they had a difficult friendship that they have approached with maturity? Was there a challenging life event that you’ve moved through as a family?

These are all hard things that, rather than avoiding, should become of the centre of our conversations, attentions and even our plans.

Entrepreneur and writer Nat Eliason, puts it well:

"The ability to do hard things is perhaps the most useful ability you can foster in yourself or your children. And proof that you are someone who can do them is one of the most useful assets you can have on your life resume.

Our self-image is composed of historical evidence of our abilities. The more hard things you push yourself to do, the more competent you will see yourself to be.

If you can run marathons or throw double your body weight over your head, the sleep deprivation from a newborn is only a mild irritant. If you can excel at organic chemistry or econometrics, onboarding for a new finance job will be a breeze.

But if we avoid hard things, anything mildly challenging will seem insurmountable. We’ll cry into TikTok over an errant period (full stop) at the end of a text message. We’ll see ourselves as incapable of learning new skills, taking on new careers, and escaping bad situations.

The proof you can do hard things is one of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself."

And, I would add, your children.

Registrations extended for Circle of Security Program

To ensure all families have the opportunity to participate in our Circle of Safety program this term, Ali, our school counsellor has extended registrations until Monday, 7 Aug. Please see below for details. 

2023 NAPLAN Assessment Results

Tomorrow, we are sending home the 2023 NAPLAN results with students in Years 3 and 5. The reports contain information about your child’s performance compared with national standards, including information about the average of other students from around Australia.

The purpose of the NAPLAN testing is to give an insight into the students current level of achievement in the areas of Numeracy and Literacy. It simply provides a snapshot of their academic progress so far on areas covered within the Australian Curriculum.

The way NAPLAN Individual student reports are reports has structured from previous years. Below is a quick guide to reading and understanding your students results.

If your child was new to the school after NAPLAN has been completed, your child's previous school will pass on the results to you directly, if you left a forwarding address. Also, where families have a shared custody arrangement, the additional copy of results will be sent via Australia Post.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the school or visit https://nap.edu.au/naplan/results-and-reports

Our Communication Commitments

As a way of supporting the positive relationships we have between staff, students and families here at PPN we have recently completed a number of exercises focusing on the way we communicate. A big thanks to the many parents who completed the Class Act program. We have had really positive feedback about the lessons and process.

To continue this culture of positive communication we have developed the commitment and guides below, including a poster for our students.

As parents, we encourage to continue communicating well, as we work together to grow our children into the amazing people they’ve been created to be.

Canteen News

MK Catering is looking to expand the team operating the PPN School Canteen!

We are currently seeking a motivated and reliable individual that loves working with food to join our team as a School Canteen Assistant. This position offers flexibility, with hours rostered during school terms.

If you are interested in being trained to join our team, please contact Karen Chang on 0419014541 or via email karenachang@protonmail.com for further information.

We look forward to hearing from you!
MK Catering School Canteen Team

Preparing for School Photos

School photos on next Tuesday, 8 August. If you want sibling photos, these can be ordered online or you can collect an envelope from the Front Office.

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

Sibling, choir and other group photos, along with individual photos for students who may have been absent will be taken on Friday, 18 August.

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.

AMC & ICAS Competiton Dates and Times

Prescott College