My dad is in his early 80s now and still an active and usually quite healthy guy. Last year, he caught Influenza A and it really impacted him greatly. He had been walking and exercising regularly, mowed a large lawn and maintained a considerable tropical garden up in Townsville. Then the Influenza really hit him hard. He was constantly achy, had to take medication to control his temperature and was completely sapped of energy. He spent many days in bed, barely able to get up and go to the bathroom. When I visited him a while after, he said to me, “There were days when I just didn’t want to get out of bed and the only reason I did was to pick up the leaves that the palm trees dropped. I knew there would be so many to pick up if I didn’t.” Then he said something really interesting, “Those leaves gave me a purpose – something to aim to.”

Purpose is such an important thing. The why of what we do. We have our mission and purpose for what we are doing here at Prescott Primary Northern and that is to provide a balanced educational program in a caring, Christian environment by preparing the mind for truth, the hands for service and the heart for heaven. It’s great to have this to give meaning and direction to what it is that we do each day. But have you wondered what messages we send to our children about their purpose for doing what we ask them to do each day? How many times have I been in a Year 8 or 9 or 10 class and the teenagers have been honest enough to say, “Why do we have to learn this?” Or our 3 or 4 year old continuing to ask why?, why? why? It has been my experience that we can answer with words or explanations about the purpose of what we asking and that can help or at least placate for a while, but the best answer we can give our young people is to live and model what it means to have a purpose and deeper meaning in why we do things. I have learned that kids are far more perceptive than we give them credit for about these things.

If there is one thing about showing kids what purpose is about, I think it is to demonstrate the importance of purpose being for others. It is so natural to plan something, do something, achieve something for myself. The real depth of purpose, however, comes when we realise the importance of tying our sense of purpose to the good of others. It is no accident that Respect is the first of our school values. Next week, I would like to share a story with you that may help illustrate the importance of having our purpose greater than ourselves and sharing that with our children.

A wise person once wrote “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” Proverbs 20:5.

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B

If you had the opportunity to save someone’s life, simply by getting wet and little uncomfortable, would you?

I had the opportunity to share the story of the Titanic and its lifeboats, as part of our School’s dedication service at the Para Vista Adventist Church this past weekend.

In 1912, the infamous Titanic set off on its maiden voyage carrying 2208 people on board. In order to ensure that its first-class passengers would have an unobstructed view from their balconies, many of the lifeboats were left behind.

In the early hours of the morning on the 15th of April, the Titanic struck an iceberg and started to sink. The life boats were launched, however many of them were only half filled with passengers. As the Titanic went under, people were left clinging to debris in the icy, cold water. Lifeboat number one had the capacity to carry 40 individuals, however, launched with just 12 people and proceeded to paddle away from the wreckage. It was later labelled ‘the money boat’ because it was alleged that one of the rich passengers bribed some of the lower-class passengers in the boat, not to paddle back and pick up survivors who were floating in the freezing water. Many of the people in these half empty lifeboats only thought about themselves. If they didn’t go back and pull others into the lifeboats, they could remain dry, clean, comfortable and safe, until rescue came.

It is sad to think that history could have been changed if people were simply willing to paddle back, reach out, get wet and hold on to those who literally just needed a hand. On that day, 1503 people died with only 705 surviving the disaster.

While we may never have to rescue people in a Titanic like situation, we do have the opportunity to reach out to those around us in need. Are you willing to get ‘wet and dirty’ in order to help someone? God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone… to do the unusual thing… to do the counter-cultural thing… to make His kingdom great!

Last week, we talked about “Gratitude" and this week we honoured several students from all the classes in our school for demonstrating this value.

Amreen, Yashvin, Lucas, Katie, Kyara, Sanvi, Charlie, Moreblessing, Kiaan, Taliyah, Nikita, Almira, Rudra, Mila, Mason, Celena, Kalli.

School Canteen Volunteers

School Fees

Last day for Prompt Payment Discount is tomorrow 14th February, to claim that discount fees need to be paid by then, otherwise full fees payments will apply after that date.

Resources for Parents

SAPSASA

Our school is a member of SAPSASA (South Australian Primary Schools Amateur Sports Association). There will be a number of sporting events throughout the year that students at our school can participate in. If your child is already involved in sporting associations outside of school and would like further information about upcoming SAPSASA events, please feel free to contact me for more details. Our goal as a school is to be represented by students who have skills and talents in their given fields, and an attitude to honour God and our school while doing so.

The first event on our calendar is the Adelaide North East Swimming Carnival. This will be held on Thursday the 28th February at the Norwood Swimming Centre. Nominations will close shortly, so notes have already been sent home with those students who are aged 10-13 and are currently part of a swimming club. If you did not see this letter come home, please contact me for further details at melissaisaac@ppn.sa.edu.au.

I am really looking forward to our first SAPSASA event for 2019. Good luck to all of our students who will be representing Prescott Primary Northern in SAPSASA competitions throughout the year.