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Our First Day!
From Foundation to Year 6, the first day at PPN for 2025 was filled with new friends, our favourite play areas and the anticipation of a great year ahead. We loved having every single student – new and returning – with us today!
Because your child matters
To our returning students and staff, it is good to have you back and I hope you had a refreshing break. To our new staff and new students, welcome to our Prescott Primary Northern community.
Staff have been back for some time preparing for the start of the school year. They have put in a lot of work in various areas to make sure the school is ready. It is a time of new beginnings for everyone at the school. All of this work is because we are aiming to be part of the development of confident and creative individuals who are not mere reflectors of other people's ideas. We are aiming to be a part of the journey of successful lifelong learners who in turn will become active and informed members of whichever community they are a part of later in life.
We are inviting all parents and carers of our students to collaborate with us in this journey of your child’s education in 2025. For all of us, this year, God promises to instruct us and teach us in the way we should go; to counsel us with His loving eye on us (Psalm 32:8). Welcome to a growing, and thriving learning community because we believe every child matters.
Happy new year, PPN Families and welcome to 2025!
I hope you all had a wonderful break visiting families, going on vacation or even a staycation.
Something you usually hear around this time is “new year, new me”. But what does that look like? Is it finally sticking to those new year resolutions you set years before? I’ve made my fair share of new resolutions; I would like to say that some have stuck around but for the most part they end up on the chopping block by the time February comes along. I think we can all agree that creating a new habit can be difficult.
In a recent study done at the University of South Australia, researchers looked at how forming a healthy habit can take much longer than what was first thought. Instead of thinking that 3 weeks is surly enough time for a resolution to make it to that habit stage, its more like 2 months to sometimes a year.
So what healthy habits are you looking to bring into 2025? Increasing your exercise, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, eating healthy, reading your bible and spending more time in prayer? Whatever you want to start or improve on look at some ways or strategies to be consistent and turn those resolutions into habits.
“When trying to establish a new healthy habit, success can be influenced by a range of things including how frequently we undertake the new activity, the timing of the practice, and whether we enjoy it or not,” Dr Singh says (researcher at Uni SA).
Don’t overwhelm yourself, just do one or two new things. The more you have on your plate the less likely you are to stick with it and be consistent. Also make it fun, link it with something you enjoy.
One of my struggles is being consistent with my personal time with God. It’s that same ol’ story of I’m doing really well and I’m in the Word, then a fall into a season of busy and my time with Him get shorter and shorter. So, this year I’ve given myself only 2 goals I want to make into a habit. First is to make my bed every day and second is to end my nights in time with God. I love being creative, so I’ve purchased a bible colouring book with devotions to help me stick with it.
I hope that the resolutions you choose this year, will challenge you and remind you that God is with you every step of the way.
I leave you with this promise found in Isaiah 40:31 “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Blessings for the new year ahead,
Pr Andy.
Parent Information Evening
This coming Tuesday evening (4 February) we are holding a Parent Information Evening for all PPN families.
The evening is an opportunity for parents and carers to meet their child/ren’s teachers and receive important information about the year ahead. It’s also a great time to meet other parents and families.
Three sessions will be held to ensure all parents can attend. Even if you have children in more than one class, you will be able to make it to all Year Levels.
The sessions will run from:
6:00 – 6:30pm
6:30 – 7:00pm
7:00 – 7:30pm
For more information, please contact the Front Office or speak with your classroom teacher.
Classes and Teachers
Below is a list of the classroom teachers present in each grade across our school.
Basketball and Bus Fees
Please note that if your child is playing basketball or catching a PPN bus this year, these additional fees will be sent separately after 14 February.
Chess Club
Chess Club is taught by Mr Mato Jelic from Chess Schools SA and will begin in Week 3 and run in Terms 1-3 for Years 2-6. If your child has played chess before, F-1 students are also considered, if we have the spaces.
Please email Mrs Vice on: julievice@ppn.sa.edu.au if you would like to get your child's name on the list. We currently only have 7 spaces open, as students in the club from last year carry over unless they leave or opt out. Please contact me also if your child was in the Chess Club last year and no longer wishes to play.
Canteen News
Welcome Back to a Delicious New School Year!
As the new school year kicks off, we’re thrilled to welcome back students, staff, and families to another exciting chapter of learning and growth. The canteen team is just as excited to serve the school community with fresh, nutritious, and delicious meals that fuel the minds and bodies of our students and staff.
This year, we’re committed to making your canteen experience better than ever. From classic favourites to new menu items to be added throughout the school year, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Keep an eye out for special promotions, themed meal days, and seasonal treats!
We also continue to prioritise healthy eating, offering a variety of balanced options to support our students’ well-being. Have a specific dietary need? Let us know—we’re here to help!
Ordering can be done online using the Flexischools App. PLEASE NOTE the cut off for ordering has changed to 9:30am to ensure that we can provide excellent service! If you need assistance we are here to help!
Thank you for making the canteen a vibrant part of our school community. We look forward to serving you with care, kindness, and plenty of smiles!
Let's enjoy a fantastic school year!
Karen & Team
Cereal Day
Uniform Shop
Welcome to a new year. The Uniform Shop is open:
Monday to Thursday 2:30pm to 4pm.
The Uniform Shop is located at 1 Heather Drive. The street directly behind the school.
Fittings need an appointment, please ring the Front Office to schedule on 8396 2577.
Healthy Food Policy
As an Adventist school, we value our health message and seek to nurture healthy food choices for our students, staff, and families.
Please make note of the following:
- No peanuts or products containing nuts are to be bought onto the campus as we have anaphylactic students who may have a reaction if exposed to these foods
- Prescott Primary Northern has a “Fruit and Veg Only” Rule for Brainfood time (around 10am every day)
- All food provided by Prescott Primary Northern will be wholly vegetarian (i.e. containing no meat products)
- Drink bottles should only contain water
Lunch Deliveries
In order to maintain a healthy and positive learning environment, we are unable to deliver commercial/fast food type lunches (e.g. Hungry Jacks, McDonalds, Subway, etc.) to classrooms.
There are several reasons for this. Firstly, there are risks involved in food being served later than it should be, and the school is not able to pass that food on. The foods in question can be particularly susceptible to these risks. Secondly, the arrival of some of the commercial foods into a classroom can be very unsettling for the class. Finally, it can create a feeling of lack for some children in the class whose families cannot, or choose not to, provide these popular meals for their child.
If required, we will attempt to call a child's parent/guardian to seek permission to send the child to the canteen to organise food. The cost of this will then be charged to the family.
Our school canteen provides a range of healthy and tasty lunch and snack options. Items from their menu can be ordered well ahead of time, which may help some families with busy morning schedules.
Birthday Treats
Birthdays are an exciting time for children and our teachers celebrate each child on their birthday.
Please DO NOT send in anything to school for your child’s birthday. If anything is brought to school, we will unfortunately have to send it back home with your child.
Your child’s classroom teacher will ensure each child is recognised and celebrated on their birthday.
Parking and Safety Around the School
In the interest of safety and efficiency around the school during the busy drop-off and pick-up periods we ask that all families take note of the following:
Parking out the front of the school
Parking in the front carpark (in front of the school office) can be convenient, but parking and walking your child to the gate and then reversing out into traffic during drop-off and pick-up times significantly impacts the flow of traffic and presents a dangerous risk to you and your child. If you are walking your child to school or collecting them in the afternoon, please use the back car park or respectfully use nearby on-street parking.
- Keeping the car park entrance clear
In the afternoons, it is very important that you do not stop in the entrance to the back carpark. If the drive through line is full, please wait with your left indicator flashing while on Nelson Road. When the line starts to move, please move into the drive through zone without blocking the carpark entrance.
- Using the drive through
Please display your child’s name clearly so that the staff are able to announce your arrival on the speaker. If you need a new sign, please contact the Front Office. We kindly ask that you wait for a staff member to open the car door and support your child exiting or entering the vehicle. Please wait for the line to move into the front car park to exit, rather than pull in front of other cars, to ensure staff and student safety and avoid collisions.
During drop-off and pick-up times, we would appreciate you keeping school bags in the vehicle so that staff and students do not have to stand between vehicles to access boots.
Please move forward to the front of the line if you need to turn around to strap your child in and remain in your vehicle at all times.
- Turning left only out of car parks and drive through
In peak times, when families wait and try to turn right onto Wright Road from the drive through, it again, slows the whole drive through down - often to a complete stop. It is also a sign posted 'No Right Turn' intersection, meaning that turning right is an offence that may result in a fine. We are kindly asking that you turn left only out the drive through onto Wright Road. Similarly, when exiting the back car park please only turn left onto Nelson Road.
- Side gate entrance
We have opened the side gate walkway again to allow an alternative entrance, rather than going through the Front Office. If you are walking your child to school, you are encouraged to use this entrance.
Using the 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 parks closest to the double yellow gates in the church carpark are only for those who have a Disabled Parking Permit. Please do not park there unless you have q 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 onto 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. Please walk your child to and from your car.
- If you arrive 10 minutes after the afternoon bell the car parks are usually less congested
Asthma/Medical Plan Records
Each year the school needs to update student asthma and medical plan records. If your child is currently listed as asthmatic or requiring a medical plan (ie. allergy management), please ensure you have supplied a current action plan to the school.
If your child has recently been diagnosed with asthma or a medical condition requiring a plan, please update and upload the plan in Consent2Go. If you are unable to do this, please call the Office for information and help.
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 (ie. antibiotics), 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 be administered.
Contact Details
If you move or have new mobile or home telephone numbers, please let the Front 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 (ie. grandparent, aunt) up to date as well.
Student Absences
Please inform the school if your child is away or will be late to class either by:
- SMS on 0429 557 989
- email: reception@ppn.sa.edu.au
- or phone on 8396 2577
For extended periods of absence please fill in an official Exemption Form. These are available from the Office
Uniform Policy 2025
Below is a copy of the 2025 PPN Uniform Policy. We ask that you familiarise yourself with the details. In particular, please draw your attention to:
- School Bags - Prescott Primary Northern school bags are compulsory for all students. These are available for purchase from the Uniform Shop (and via Flexischools)
- Jewellery - The following may be worn at school:
- 3-4mm plain gold or silver stud in the lower earlobe (one stud per ear, females only)
- Medical bracelets
- Approved religious jewellery (please obtain a letter from your religious leader)
- Watches - Functional, non-decorative watches with an inconspicuous band are allowed. Smart Watches must be on 'Flight Mode' for the entire time a student is at school
- Hair - All hair should be a natural colour, clean cut and kept off the face. Hair must not be shaved shorter than a number two, or have lines or shapes cut either as a decoration or between the short and long parts of the hair
- Girls - Long hair must be tied back at all times; simple hairclips, ties, scrunchies or ribbons in blue, black, maroon, red, white and uniform tartan can be used
- Boys - Long hair must be tied back at all times with a simple hair tie matching hair colour; buns are not permitted
- Nails - Clear nail polish or natural nails only
- Shoes - Black, polishable leather with laces, velcro or buckles. Brown leather sandals are permitted in Terms 1 and 4 (no socks)
- Hats – PPN has a “no hat, no play” policy in Terms 1, 3 and 4 or if the UV is above 3
Uniform_Policy_PPN _pdf425.24 KB
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 info@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 or SMS will be issued to children without a uniform pass, and parents will be asked to address this promptly.
Safe School Procedures
School gates will be closed between 9:00am 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 visitor register on the iPad in the Office and take a visitor’s identification tag. If you are volunteering anywhere in the school between these times, you should also sign our visitor register 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 present their Working with Children's Check (WWCC) and RRHAN-EC training certificate, and sign our ChildSafe Declaration. Please contact Tammy in the Front Office for more details.
PE Classes & Uniform
This year, our students will be participating in a specialised PE lesson each with Miss Pfeiffer. 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 teacher.
Please take note of the days each class will need to wear their sports uniforms for 2024:
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
|
3B |
3A |
4B |
5C |
6B |
|
3C |
2A |
2C |
4C |
6A |
|
FC |
2B |
1A |
4A |
|
|
FA |
FB |
1C |
5B |
|
|
1B |
5A |
Swimming Week
Next week (week 2) is Swimming Week! From Monday the 3rd of February to Friday the 7th of February all students in Year 2 to Year 6 will head to the Waterworld Swimming Centre for a 45-minute swimming lesson every day. You are welcome to observe the lessons but may need to pay for entry to the pool.
Coming home with your child this week is a swimming note outlining the timetable for the week and what your child needs to bring. Please be aware students will be getting changed back at school, so will need to bring 2 towels, one for themselves and one to put on the bus seat after they finish swimming. Please make sure students also have a rash vest (rashie) or t-shirt to wear in the pool.
Along with the water consent form from last year, please also ensure you complete the Consent2Go form emailed home to families this week. Without this being completed your child will be unable to attend or go in the pool.
Basketball in 2025 - STARTS NEXT WEEK!
Training and games begin next week in Week 2! We have a record number of basketball teams starting this year!
Further details will be given out by the end of this week with finalised teams, training dates and competition times. Please keep an eye out on your emails for these details.
Looking forward to a new year of basketball fun - we are still in need of Team Managers for teams to run smoothly, so please contact me if you are able to consider this position: nicolepfeiffer@ppn.sa.edu.au
