Filter Content
PPN Community Connects @ Water World
The air was full of laughter and stomachs full of sausages at our first Connect 4 event on Sunday. It was great to see so many families not only attend, but connect with each other around the pools at Water World.
Prescott Playdate
Our Nature play space has always provided a welcoming area for adults and young people to meet and engage together. Last Friday was a beautiful day to do just that. Some adults delayed going to work and sending their children to kindy just so they could come and see what a PPN Playdate actually feels like. Our trusted team of adults and Year 6 students had the pleasure of playing and chatting with our returning families and new families at “The Sounds of Nature”.
There was an exploration of musical instruments that replicated the sounds of waves, thunder, rain and frogs. Children knelt beside craft tables to make their own rain sticks to take home. Many artists enjoyed the patterns and playfulness of rolling avocado seeds across paint to design their own artwork. Meandering down the ramp to the sand pit and mud kitchen, we found children creating sculptures and role playing in such meaningful ways, that it was sad to bring the morning to a close.
Attending events like this creates meaningful memories and invites a connection among the community that reflects the type of gathering that Jesus talks about in the Bible. Coming together to sing and pray at the close of our playdate reminds me of the beautiful and gentle way God calls us to “come to the table” and receive from Him. As more of our families enjoy events at PPN, it’s my prayer that they see Jesus at work in this space.
Bubbles Nature Play
As the weather continues to deliver warm sunshine, we were outside this week creating and making bubbles of all shapes and sizes. Using some simple ingredients you have at home, cornflour, glycerine, baking powder and detergent, it was all mixed together and created a bubble mixture for larger bubbles. We also made some homemade giant bubble wands using drinking straws and wool, and even pipe cleaners. They placed the bubble wands into the mixture and after a bit of practise were able to make giant bubbles using their home-made wands. The students were also introduced to some new loose parts and play items in the nature space that turned into kitchens, bakeries and many other creative play ideas during lunch time. The children were so engaged and so excited to see the large bubbles they created. Do you think you will try making your own bubble mixture and homemade giant bubble maker?
Where happiness begins; one toast at a time
Our chaplains, assisted by an SSO, run a Breakfast Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is an “extra” thing that creates connections for their ministry, a service to the students who most times could use just that little bit of toast to fill their tummies before they go to class. I had the privilege of observing the interactions around the breakfast table as the children chose their spreads and helped themselves to as much bread as they would like. Their excitement as they came to eat, and the joy on their faces showed how much they enjoyed and looked forward to having breakfast together. Hopefully the Foundation students will start coming in for breakfast as well once they know their way around the school.
The student’s happiness and appreciation of the service got me thinking about the joys of anticipation and the excitement of a simple need fulfilled. When something as small as a piece of bread can give someone so much pleasure, it becomes clear some of the things we need to learn from children and the simple joys that children should be encouraged to continue with as they grow up.
The cheerful atmosphere created by the chaplains and the SSO who supports them to prepare the breakfast is not something that is missing to the children. This is obvious when the students stop, smile and say good morning to the team before they reach for their bread. Some of them even stop to chat and the chaplains know them by name. There were personal conversations where the students shared some of their stories. The interactions were just beautiful.
With deep appreciation for our Breakfast Club champions, here are some questions to consider: What simple things make your days great? What are you thankful for, no matter how small? Who are you serving and bringing good cheer to today, this week or any other time?
Hey PPN Family,
A few weeks ago, I finished reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, and I highly recommend it to all parents and anyone who works with children and youth.
In the book, Haidt explores a dramatic shift that took place between 2010 and 2015—when childhood transitioned from being “play-based” to “phone-based.” He explains how this shift has negatively impacted children in four key areas: social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, and addiction.
As I reflect on Haidt’s research, I’m reminded that God created us for deep and meaningful relationships—both with Him and with those around us. This truth is at the heart of Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV):
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”
For our children to thrive, they need ample opportunities to connect and build loving relationships with parents, family members, friends, and others. It’s our responsibility to ensure that excessive screen time doesn’t deprive them of this essential connection.
Justin Whitmel Earley captures this idea perfectly when he writes:
“The fight is not about ‘Are screens okay?’ or ‘How much screen time is too much?’ The fight is about whether you are forming your children or you are defaulting to letting screens form them.”
It reminds me of the old saying: “When it comes to children, the word ‘love’ is spelt T-I-M-E.” In other words, the more time children spend connecting with us—and the less time they spend connecting with their screens—the more loved and secure they will feel.
God bless,
Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai
Free Webinar: Emotional Regulation
A Heart-Centred Approach to Supporting Your Child
Meltdowns, outbursts, and challenging behaviours can leave us feeling lost and unsure how to help. It's tough when our kids are struggling with big emotions! What we sometimes forget is that these behaviours usually stem from overwhelming feelings that our children don't yet have the tools to manage.
Emotional Regulation is Dr Justin Coulson’s powerful guide to helping children understand and regulate their emotional world. Once they develop competence with this critical life skill, emotionally intelligent children will feel more confident, perform better at school, have healthier relationships with others, and even be physically healthier.
This presentation will equip parents with a five-step “emotion coaching” process that brings together the very best in emotional intelligence research from Dr John Gottman, the Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence, and others, to build children’s resilience, increase wellbeing for the whole family, and develop healthier humans.
This webinar is available free to all PPN families as a service provided to you from the school. To access the webinar and other free resources please use the details below.
|
Prescott Primary Northern https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/ppn PASSWORD: happyppn |
New Names, Same Amazing Teachers
Over the year end break two of our amazing teachers got new names – no, not nicknames, real names! A big congratulations to Mrs Stephanie Corbo (was Miss Ricci) and Mrs Belinda Ryan (was Miss Toohey) on their recent weddings.
NAPLAN – Year 3 and Year 5
We are currently preparing for NAPLAN at PPN. Yesterday, our Year 3 and Year 5 students participated in the national Coordinated Practice Test.
We will be confirming the exact sequence for our NAPLAN tests with Year 3 and Year 5 families shortly.
Year 3 and Year 5 families are encouraged to check their inboxes for further information that was sent last week regarding NAPLAN.
Private Instrumental Lessons and Choir
Casual Bus Drivers Needed
Do you have a heavy vehicle license, time available and a willingness to fill in as a casual bus driver at PPN? Or, do you know someone who is?
If so, we would love to hear from you! From time to time we require bus drivers to fill in for our regular drivers, either for morning and afternoon routes or on excursions. If you can help on an ad-hoc, paid basis please phone the school or email info@ppn.sa.edu.au
Volunteers Required for Sports Day
Uniform Shop
Cereal Day at PPN - March 6th
Enrolments 2026
STEM Squad
Scholastic Book Club Orders
Scholastic Book Club orders have arrived and have been delivered to classrooms. Your child should be bringing their order home today. Thank you again for your orders and the support it provides to our school library.
Prescott College Open Days
