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National Simultaneous Storytime
Wednesday the 27th of May, found Prescott Primary Northern lost in a great book! Not only were they lost in a great book but they also got to get lost with over 1million other Australian children.
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 20th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.
What is it about having to wait for something you really want? It is something I think most of us struggle with. I think one of my mother’s most said sentences to me was, “Be patient, Mark.” I was thinking about patience recently, and the irony of it hit me. When we are young, and we have the most time, we seem to be the least patient. Mind you, as I get older, it still doesn’t come easy. I think the restrictions we have been experiencing in recent months have tested our patience. I think of some of our families who have members of their family overseas and can’t get back, or they can’t travel to. Many of us have family and friends interstate who could really do with our support right now, and we can’t visit. Certain products aren’t available, or we have to wait for ages. There is a saying that says, “Patience is a virtue.” I think it is even more than that. I think it is a necessity. The enormous benefits of teaching our children delayed gratification as a life skill are well documented. I think we are in a prime time right now to model this for them. The skill of being patient, thinking clearly and achieving the desired outcome is something we can teach our children in many everyday experiences at the moment. I would encourage you to “make” those moments.
Today at school, we took part in National Simultaneous Storytime. A time where many of the school children around the country read the same book, at the same time. The book was titled Chicken Divas. It was a great way to encourage our children to read. It also got me thinking about families experiences with chickens. When our children were younger, we had chooks and a rooster. Each year we would let a couple of the hens go “clucky” and sit on some eggs to get some chickens. I loved the excitement and anticipation that built for our girls as they would go and check each day to see if the eggs had hatched. Even better were the squeals of delight that would come from the chook shed when they lifted the hen and little balls of yellow fluff would “peep, peep” in protest. Expecting everything to happen right now, just how we want is an expectation that will make it difficult for our children to grow into resilient teenagers and adults. As author Arnold Glasow put it, “ The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.”
On the topic of patience, can I please ask for your continued patience at drop off and pick up time. It is not easy getting everyone on and off campus each morning/ afternoon, and if you can please follow instructions about which way to turn in and out of school, and plan for an extra 10 or 15 minutes for pick up or wait and come after 3.35 pm (2.50 pm on Fridays), it would be a great help.
I will be taking some leave for the rest of the term and early next term, and Mr Davis and Miss Bernoth will be steering our Prescott Primary Northern ship during that time. Please support them and look after them.
Have a great week with your kids,
Mark B
Fruits of the Spirit
2020 has been named ‘The International Year of the Nurse and Midwife’ by the World Health Organisation. To honour our nurses, many of our students recently helped to create a video message acknowledging them for the work they do, the sacrifices they make and the value they bring to our society. Nurses deserve our utmost gratitude not just for the work they are doing now during this COVID19 pandemic, but for the work they have done throughout history.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale - the world’s most famous nurse. Florence Nightingale was born in 1820 and was known as the founder of modern nursing. During her long career as a nurse, she helped solders during the Crimean War and was the first female to receive the Order of Merit, the highest honour awarded to a British person. As a nurse she was given the name 'the lady with the lamp' because at night, she checked on the wounded soldiers and always carried 'The Lamp' with her.
Florence came from a wealthy family with the expectation that she become domesticated and marry a rich man. She defied her given role to pursue the ‘lowly’ job of nursing. She believed helping others and making a difference was the most heroic endeavour.
Her story can inspire us to step up to the challenges or goals that we are faced with and make a difference for others. We may not be a nurse, but we can make a difference to people just by demonstrating some of the characteristics she displayed - integrity, compassion, honesty, courage, humility and love.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” – Galatians 5:22-23
ICAS Competitions
Julie Vice (SWAN and Enrichment teacher)
Enrollments 2021
If you have a child who is ready to start at PPN in 2021, please see the Front Office staff for an enrolment pack as positions are filling very quickly and we don't want anyone to miss out!
Working With Children Checks
Pupil Free Day
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.
Options for using the name cards to assist with pick up - eg. parents use under visor, or you can hold them up when they come around the corner (compared to being flat on the dashboard - easier to see), or a parent suggested to use something to hold the card to the visor like a sunglasses clip, making it easy to clip into place at pick up time.
No Right turn when exiting the drive through zone at the front of the school.
Pick up zone tips:
Daily Health Check
Every week we plan to spotlight one book from the CBCA Shortlist for 2020.
Here is the first one!
When Billy was a Dog by Kirsty Murray, illustrated by Karen Blair.
We think many children who desire to own a pet will relate to this delightful story. The author writes that the inspiration for this book was her own son Billy who desperately wanted to own a dog, “Every playful puppy moment in When Billy Was a Dog is based on things Billy did during his “dog phase”.” This picture book covers themes of family, pet ownership and responsibility, neighbours and imagination. The beautiful illustrations and endpapers from Karen Blair perfectly complement Kirsty Murray’s imaginative text. We anticipate that there will be many conversations in your classrooms about pet ownership that arise from this book.
