North Wing Update

I have taken on some pretty big challenges in my life, with mixed success. One of the toughest has been fatherhood. I still have very vivid memories of November 7, 1989 - the day our first child was born. I don't think I have ever been less prepared for a role, ever.

We were living overseas and family support was great, but intermittent. The feeling of helpless when she got her first high temperature that we couldn't seem to get down. The feeling of pride and happiness that seemed so big it would burst my chest when she said, "Dad dad," for the first time. The weight of regret that almost crushed me when I realised I had got frustrated and yelled.  These were part of the roller coaster of highs and lows in my fathering role.

I know it sounds old fashioned, but I think we should long sing the virtues and importance of good parenting in our pursuit of stable society and families, and GOOD fathering has a key role to play here. But what makes a GOOD dad? A great question and one I don't feel qualified to answer, but I would like to share an article with some of the latest research insights on the role of successful fathering.

I have been blessed to have a dad who loves, cares and guides me. I recognise not everyone has such a blessing, but it would be great if we can do all in our power to make sure our kids do. One thing that stood out to me in this article is that our role as fathers continues even as our children grow up and leave home, it just changes in emphasis. I hope you enjoy the article and that you make some sort of opportunity to encourage the "dad" types in your life.

Currently, there’s a strong tendency to view successful fathering through the lens of skills and knowledge acquisition. That is, to raise kids today effective fathers, like mothers, need to keep building their skill sets (What’s the most appropriate way to manage kids today?) and their knowledge (What’s the latest research about the impact of digital technology on children?). Staying one step ahead can be exhausting and make a man feel inadequate if he can't keep up."

Another way to look at fathering is through the generative parenting lens. That is, fathering is an activity that's rooted in a man's biology in much the same way that mothering is an instinctive activity. If the mothering instinct is to nurture and protect children, a father's instinct is to teach and develop his children's skills and knowledge so they can thrive long after the time he's left this world.

The generative fathering notion developed by researchers Dollahite, Hawkens and Brotherson explains why many men will turn a simple game they have with their children into a lesson into how to hold a ball; defeat that opponent or stand firm in the face of fear. Father-son relationships can be scuppered by this well-intentioned, but oft mistimed 'you can always get better' attitude.

Generative fathers tend to look long term when they raise their kids. Quintessentially, generative fathers work hard to be good men and good citizens. Love, availability and character become their fathering stock in trade.

Generative fathers keep pace with their children's development adjusting their role at different stages. For instance, during a child's latency (primary school years) they focus on recreational work and so they help develop children's interests and competencies through sport, hobbies and leisure activities. The task for generative fathers of early adolescents is to help their children develop strong values and inner beliefs. This spiritual work (not necessarily in a religious sense) helps young people develop the moral compasses they need to act safely and be good citizens when fathers aren't around.

For generative parents, fathering becomes a lifelong task, and doesn't stop when children become adults, leave home and start families of their own. It is in this stage that men take on mentoring work, passing on the wisdom gained from their experiences to the next generation so that they don't repeat the same mistakes that they have made. Fathering never stops. It changes with the development of your children.

This Father’s Day, while enjoying the accolades and attention that will come your way consider the generational impact you are having on your kids.

Your lasting fathering legacy will be determined by the character you display; the way you live your life and how you relate to your family. Those are attributes that you can continue to work on over the coming twelve months."
(Gross,2019)

Have a great week with your kids,
Mark B

I was listening to a podcast recently and the speaker was talking about how we are living in the “Age of Offense” where everyone is so easily offended. When I think about it, he has a really good point.

We get offended when people are driving too slowly, and we get offended when they’re driving too fast. We get offended when the line at the supermarket is too long, we get offended when our Wi-Fi buffers while we are watching a movie, and we get offended when the hot drink that we ordered from our favourite café arrives warm.

Because we are living in an age where we all get so easily offended, a negative consequence of this is that we are also living at a time when relationship conflicts are at an all time high. 

In Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Jesus makes it clear that being a peacemaker is one of the most godlike things that we can do. To be called a child of God means someone who reflects the character and nature of God, and God is a peacemaker.

God is all about restoring relationships, and his enemy the Devil is all about destroying relationships. When God comes into our relationships he brings love, forgiveness, grace, compassion, reconciliation and peace. The Devil is the complete opposite.

When sin destroyed our relationship with God, Jesus gave his life for us so that our relationship with God could be restored. Jesus is the peacemaker between God and us. And when we have made peace with God, his Spirit will live in us, empowering us to become peacemakers just like him.

Do you need some peacemaking in your life right now? Ask Jesus to come into your heart.

God bless,

Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai

Life Education Bus

The Life Education Bus will be here for students from Foundation - Year 4 from Friday 30th August through to Thursday 5th September. This will take up several carparks in the back car park (by the church) - we would like to ask our families to be flexible and patient with the loss of a few more carparks over these dates.

Connect 4

Consent2Go

A reminder that Prescott Primary Northern has engaged the services of Consent2Go to provide a better way to manage medical data and excursion processes. Some of you will have already received an email that asks you to update your students profile. You need to then press the red button that says 'click here to update details'. If you have not received it yet, please keep checking your email this week for it. For those that may have missed it, you will receive a reminder soon.

Entertainment Book

Make his day and support Prescott Primary Northern

It's smart, dynamic and fun, just like Dad. The Entertainment Digital Membership is more useful than a tool kit, fits neatly in Dad's smartphone and has great offers for dining, movies, activities and travel - all the things he loves to do with you.

Purchase now and go in the draw to win the ultimate Father’s Day gift. When you purchase a Membership online during August you will go into the draw to win 2 tickets to the AFL Grand Final, along with accommodation at Melbourne Shortstay Apartments, flights from Jetstar and dinner for 2 at Red Spice Road.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

Premiers Reading Challenge