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Nature Feeds a Need
It’s been almost a term now of homing our gorgeous chickens in the nature garden and they have grown and become part of the PPN family. In particular, the Year 6’s have been tending to their home and planning and building playful equipment that will entertain and engage with the chickens in the coming term. As a treat, many of the groups have incorporated seed feeders into their designs and today we enjoyed seeing this element of “nature” meet a “need”. These easy DIY feeders, made from chicken feed and gelatine, set to become a fun and interactive way for our chickens to eat and entertain themselves.
Facts we are learning about chickens;
Will there be any stars in your crown?
Over the last few weeks, teachers have been working on student reports. Support staff and teachers have read through lots of students’ assessments as they helped the students to successfully complete their tasks and demonstrate their learning in different areas. Report writing is probably one of the least enjoyable activities that teachers have to engage in and yet they must be done to keep parents and students informed of what has been achieved and strategies to improve. These reports have a lot of information on how the student has settled into their class, their work ethics and possible challenges among other things. In this season of report writing and proofreading, I am reminded of the ultimate assessment of how we have lived our lives and the influences we have on others for God.
Eliza Edmunds Hewitt, an American poetess whose words were set to music by Professor John Robson Sweeney, wrote of the Christian belief in “assessment” when life’s journey is done and questions in the chorus:
Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown
When at evening the sun goeth down?
When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest,
Will there be any stars in my crown?
Hewitt encourages us to watch, to pray and to work in soul-winning till Christ comes when with joy, we can show the souls we have won for the kingdom of God.
As the teachers have crafted their reports, a lot of joy and pride in the students’ accomplishments shine through their comments. I am hoping that when the reports are out, at the end of this term, parents and guardians will read them with the same care and attention to detail that the teachers have put into each of the reports. Parents and guardians, when you read the reports, will there be any stars in your crowns for your young person’s achievements? How about your own for this half of the year?
The beauty of boundaries
Setting boundaries with your child is extremely important. Healthy boundaries teach children self-discipline, safety and coping skills. Boundaries also teach children rules about what is acceptable behaviour.
What’s acceptable?
Before you can teach your child about boundaries, you need to know what’s acceptable for you and your family. Every family has different values, so knowing what yours are will help you to set rules and limits that work within your family dynamic.
Why are boundaries important for children?
Children need to know what you expect. This helps them to know what is appropriate behaviour and helps to set a tone for a child’s emotional development. Other benefits of healthy boundaries include:
· Helping the child feel safe and secure
· Disrupting a child’s natural entitlement tendencies
· Encourage the child to learn healthy limits
· Supporting the child get ready for the real world
· Helping the child to learn healthy socialising
How to establish healthy boundaries in children
We all accept the lifelong benefits offered by healthy boundaries, but the challenge is often in the how. Establishing healthy boundaries can, at times, be challenging, but there are some easy ways to start the process, including:
· Setting rules, limits and routines:
These help children to know what you expect of them, especially when it comes to mealtimes, bedtime, homework etc. Routines are especially powerful in helping kids to feel secure.
· Be clear:
Don’t use vague language. This creates confusion and makes it harder, especially for younger children to know what you expect of them.
· Be consistent:
Doing one thing one day, and something else on another day, like letting them go to bed without brushing their teeth, when normally they have to brush their teeth leads to confusion. Mixed messages also send a message to your child that it’s ok to test your boundaries. Being consistent with consequences is especially important in helping children to know what to expect when rules and limits aren’t respected.
· Be firm, but not cold:
A warm tone goes a long way. Yelling only triggers the fight or flight response, and should only be used in emergencies. Getting angry also models unhealthy behaviour for your child.
· Acknowledge and praise their efforts:
When your children do the right thing, you should acknowledge it. This encourages and provides a further incentive to keep up the desirable behaviour.
Source: growingearlyminds.org.au
Parent Helpers Needed
Parent helpers are an important part of our school – and we need your help!
Parent volunteers help us run some of our specialist programs including reading and art classes. But being a parent helper also brings great benefits to you:
1) You get an insiders view of your child’s learning environment.
2) Being in the classroom gives you fantastic talking points with your child.
3) You get to spend valuable additional time with and around your child.
Mums, dads and other guardians are welcome to be part of our parent helper team – and if you are available to help with activities beyond your child’s class we would love your involvement too!
All you need is availability during the school day and a valid Working with Children’s Check, a RRHAN Certificate and complete our Child Safety Declaration which our front office team can help you with.
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Congratulations Harmeharbir
Harmeharbir (3B) recently won the prestigious Neta Trophy in the Orange Ball Tennis Championship, winning both the singles and doubles games in his final match. Congratulations on your dedication, hard work, and passion for tennis Harmehabir!
