Procedural Writing & Fairy Bread Making

Primary teachers are always searching for new and interesting ways to make the education process fun and motivational and at PPN, teachers are no different.
This term, Year 1 students have been learning to write short procedural texts where they have been able to sequence needed steps to make or do something. A typical example of a procedural text may include recipes.

Last week, Year 1 students delighted themselves while making and treating themselves to ‘Fairy Bread’, which is one of our great Aussie kids party favourites.  The bread is spread with margarine and topped with 100's and 1000's (coloured sprinkles).

Children loved the activity, and there was a feeling that the lesson had been successful as spontaneous and joyful comments such as: “Yummy Fairy Bread!”, “Making Fairy Bread is awesome!”, “I love Fairy Bread!” roamed through the room.

By Ruth Acuna Castro

It’s Week 3 of our term already and we are getting into the swing of the new normal here at Prescott Primary Northern. We have about 94% of our children back learning at school and I have loved seeing the joy on some of the children’s faces when they are back with their friends and classmates. At the same time, there are many of our school family who continue to face challenges at the moment. Some of our students are stuck overseas and are unable to get back to Australia, some have family members who are in hospital overseas fighting Covid-19 infection. We also have some of our school families who have recently lost loved ones here in Adelaide to non-Covid related causes. An interesting tension has occurred to me in this time of social distancing – we need to be connected and be together for one another. It’s an interesting irony isn’t it. Together in the distancing.

We need one another. I know I often write here about the importance of creating a sense of belonging for our children, but it is more relevant now than ever and the great part is, it doesn’t have to be a burden. Sure, it may mean we have to go out of our own way or even comfort zone, but we are definitely stronger when we are connected. It reminds me of the early Boystown story that became the basis for a hit song for the Hollies way back when.

”Back in 1918, a boy named Howard Loomis was abandoned by his mother at Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys, which had opened just a year earlier. Howard had polio and wore heavy leg braces. Walking was difficult for him, especially when he had to go up or down steps. Soon, several of the Home’s older boys were carrying Howard up and down the stairs. One day, Father Flanagan asked Reuben Granger, one of those older boys, if carrying Howard was hard.  

Reuben replied, “He ain’t heavy, Father… he’s m’ brother.” (www.boystown.org)

I have been doing some reading recently around the importance of connection and the psychological impacts of not being properly connected with others and it has struck me how research is pointing strongly to how much healthier (physically, socially and emotionally) we can be when we create and cultivate connection to others. It is so easy to slip into thinking about what works best for me, “I must be independent and self reliant (important, but not most important qualities),” and yet I know that my best “me” is not me on my own. It is “me” with “us”. I love the way this researcher and writer put it, “As members of a social species, we derive strength not from our rugged individualism, but from our collective ability to plan, communicate, and work together.” (Browne, 2018) I have experienced this with the staff and families of Prescott Primary Northern on many occasions over the years, and it has come clearly into focus in the last couple of months. For this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“But if we live in the light, as God does, we share in life with each other.” 1 John 1:7

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B

The core message of the COVID – 19 pandemic has been one of separation, isolation, and social distancing. This is the complete opposite of the message of Jesus Christ, which is all about fellowship, communion, and connection.

When Jesus came to earth people were living in separation, isolation and social distancing, not because of a virus, but because of religious elitism. The religious leaders saw themselves, as “holy” and “righteous” and they believed that they had to separate themselves from “sinners” in case they caught their disease. This is why they couldn’t understand why Jesus refused to social distance from “sinners” and was spending so much time with them.

What the religious leaders failed to realise was that God’s original plan for humanity from the beginning was for all of us to live together with him forever, but sin ruined this and separated us from him. This is why Jesus came to earth so that we could be connected with God again.

During Jesus’ time, the Temple in Jerusalem was a vivid picture of the huge separation that sin had caused between God and us. God’s holy presence resided in the Most Holy Place in the Temple, which was only accessible to the High Priest on one day of the year, the Day of Atonement. After that you had the Holy Place and the Court of the Priests, which was restricted to just the priests. Then there was the Court of the Israelites, which was only accessible by Jewish men, and the Women’s Court followed this, which was limited to the Jewish women. On the outside of the Temple structure was the Court of Gentiles, and this was the section for New Zealand-Samoans like myself, and all other non-Jewish people.

Being in this section was like sitting in the cheap seats in a sports stadium, you were a long way away from where God was in the Most Holy Place. But Jesus changed all of this when he died. We read in Mark 15:37-38: With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

When Jesus died, the curtain between the Most Holy Place and the Holy Place was ripped in half, representing that all of the barriers separating us from God had been destroyed, and that we now had direct access to him through Jesus.
This is what we read about in Hebrews 4:16: "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most".

As we continue to face the many challenges caused by the COVID – 19 crisis together, may we find hope and strength in the absolute certainty that we have direct access to God because of Jesus.

God bless,

Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai

Term 2 School Uniform 

Next week is the last week of our extended 4 week changeover where students can wear either summer or winter uniform to school (even PE uniform if needed). From the start of Week 5, students will need to be wearing full winter uniform.  If you have not already sorted out winter uniform for your child please contact the Front Office to book an appointment for the Uniform Shop or order online through Flexischools.

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is open for appointments only due to the current restrictions. Please call the Front Office to make your appointment on 8396 2577. EFTPOS is available but secondhand items and labels are cash only.  

Uniforms can also be purchased through flexischools.com.au and will be delivered to your child's class within 2 school days.

PPN Pick-Up Zone

Some requests we have to help traffic flow is no right turn off Nelson Road into the Drive through Zone, no queuing across the entry to the back car park, come a little later (after 3.35pm Mon – Thurs) if you would like a quicker, smoother pickup experience.

Please ensure you have your child's name label is visible in your car when picking up your child. This makes it a lot quicker to have your child ready for pickup. If you require a name tag, please call the Front Office. 

No Right turn when exiting the drive through zone at the front of the school.

See below for tips on using the pick up zone

Daily Health Check

Author of the Month

We are introducing this week an Author of the Month spotlight in the Discovery Centre. For the month of May we are going to highlight the children’s books of Judith Kerr.

Judith wrote many self-illustrated picture books, such as her 17-book Mog series, which was based on a real-life Tabby cat who would sit on her lap as she worked.
The book The Tiger Who Came to Tea has become an absolute favourite bedtime story. It is such a simple idea, a tiger calling in to have a tea with you, but just the sort of thing for a child to wonder about… and to think what would happen if one did? And it is all the more wonderful knowing that Judith wrote this book for her own daughter!

Borrowing Update and Limits

We are continuing to keep up with the current advice regarding the safe and hygienic management of the borrowed library books. For this reason, all returned book covers are being cleaned with disinfectant and kept out of circulation for 24 hours. This remains in alignment with the current guidelines provided by Safe Work Australia and the advice provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (ILMS).

Please note that we have set new borrowing limits on all year levels at the school. Students are now only permitted to borrow a maximum of two books at a time. If they finish and return those books, they are then allowed to borrow two more books. However, for families who still have their children learning at home, please contact us to negotiate the number of books and the length of the borrowing period.

Thanks for reading!

Victoria Cowley – victoriacowley@ppn.sa.edu.au

Karen Blyde – karenblyde@ppn.sa.edu.au