Nature Play

What better way to play with nature and in the heat of nature than with ice cubes? This week in the garden our younger students were invited to be creative and come up with as many ways to dissolve gumnuts, leaves, bark and flowers out of an assortment of frozen water. Some of their investigative minds lent towards body heat where they collected the ice and held it between their hands. Some chatted and rushed to place their sculptures in the direct sun light to let the heat of the rocks impact the fastest melt. Others thought the best technique was to use force between two hard surfaces, turning their large block of ice into ice chips.

Children are natural investigators when they are presented with a challenge. They were very inquisitive to find out how the nature made it into the ice blocks and when the process was shared, many took on the idea to try at home. Have fun exploring the nature around your home with your kids – it’s a treat to see their reactions and chat about their curiosity together.

Yesterday, as I was walking around the school in the morning before school, I came across a Foundation class student who by every evidence did not seem to know where he was supposed to go.  He was lost and almost getting teary and distressed.  Bowing to his level, I asked him whose class he was in, and he knew his teacher’s name.  I told him to walk with me to his classroom which wasn’t very far.  He may have been distracted and had walked right past it.  As soon as we got into his classroom, he took his drink bottle out of his bag and put his bag in the cube storage before taking his drink bottle to where the rest of his class had their bottles.  He walked back to the front of the room with a smile on his face.  Our Foundation students are settling well into their routines. 

On Monday, they had their first assembly, and it was a fantastic effort to get them into almost straight lines.  Their learning curve is huge in the first few months.  As I have watched them, I am wondering why the Bible tells us that we, adults should be like little children.  What is it about children that we lose as we grow into adulthood?   

As we mature, we outgrow the simple faith and trust characteristic of childhood. Although there are valid reasons why we cannot place our trust in everyone, the Foundation students have reminded me of the importance of maintaining childlike trust, obedience, and love. This little boy trusted me to lead him to his teacher, followed my guidance, and his bright smile upon reaching his classroom reflected the sense of comfort and love he felt there. 

This experience made me contemplate how much God desires us to trust Him, obey His guidance, and love Him wholeheartedly. Indeed, while the Foundation students have joined us to learn, there is immense joy in the mutual learning that occurs within our enriching educational community. 

A childlike trust can greatly contribute to our happiness. To what extent do you embody the qualities of a child? 

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It’s week three and the children have settled in so nicely. It’s been lovely watching them return into routine after such a long holiday break. Last week we had our swimming week and that was awesome. Watching the kids get excited to cool off in the pool on some ridiculously hot days was definitely a highlight.

This year for staff worships we are looking at Jesus’ sermon on the mount. The sermon on the mount is one of Jesus most well-known sermons. It’s said that Mahatma Gandhi read it every morning and evening during the last 40 years of his life. There is great wisdom within these words and it’s been a blessing diving deeper into them with our staff.

Jesus starts off with a segment coined “The Beatitudes”. you can think of these like “attitudes” that you should “be” I invite you to dive into Jesus words and pull meaning from them. At first glance they seem like the opposite of what society tells us success looks like. But we know that earthly success looks very different to what it means to be successful in the eyes of the Lord. You can find the following in Matthew 5:1-10 in your Bibles:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I pray that you find some wisdom in these words today and that your day is enhanced by them, even just a little.

God Bless,

Toby. A

Compassion - The Parenting Superpower Most Mums and Dads Aren’t Using

Every interaction with your child is either building connection or creating distance. Most parents are unknowingly choosing distance without realising the long-term emotional consequences.

In the daily grind of managing the household, getting children to and from school (and other commitments), regulating their emotions and our emotions, and navigating the everyday realities of life: it wears us out. We’re flustered. Exhausted. And… let’s be honest; sometimes we are impatient.

We want to be great parents. We know that connection is key. But now it’s 5pm, and our children are done for the day. The energy is shifting. Tempers are fraying. They’re bickering. You’ve asked and asked, but their school bag is still in the doorway. When our willpower is at its lowest, our children are likely to be most challenging. At this point, us trying to get things right is like trying to start a campfire with wet matches—frustrating, energy-draining, a seemingly impossible.

It's easy to fall into a cycle of correction and direction that misses the most important aspect of raising children: connection. Compassion is the answer. I know… It feels like a sharp command, a clear consequence, and a stern face will get you where you want to go faster: maybe it will. But you’re playing a longer game.

5 Practical Ways to Practice Compassionate Parenting

1. Listen Without Judgement: Create a safe space for your children to express their feelings. Put away distractions, make eye contact, and hear what they're saying. Avoid immediate advice or correction. Sometimes, feeling heard is the most powerful intervention.

2. Name the Emotion: Help children develop emotional intelligence by naming their feelings. "It seems like you're feeling frustrated" or "I can see you're feeling disappointed" gives children language for their internal experiences. This helps them understand and manage their emotions more effectively.

3. Set Boundaries with Empathy: Compassionate parenting isn't about eliminating boundaries. It's about setting those boundaries with understanding and respect. Instead of "Because I said so," try "I understand you want to do this, and right now, we need to do something different… here’s why.”

4. Model Emotional Regulation: Children learn emotional management by watching their parents. When you handle your own stress, disappointment, or anger with calm and reflection, you're teaching them powerful life skill. Show them how to process emotions constructively.

5. Repair and Reconnect: No parent is perfect. When you make mistakes—and you will—take responsibility. Apologise sincerely. Show your children that it's okay to be imperfect and that relationships can be healed through honest communication and genuine care.

For more on this topic and other helpful tips to support your child’s – and your own – wellbeing login at:

- Schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/ppn

- Password: happyppn

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