Basketball is Back!

After waiting so long, basketball is back. We have launched a Tuesday lunchtime 3 on 3 basketball tournament at Prescott Primary Northern.

The games have been keenly contested and we have 14 teams playing in the round robin tournament.

Students have created their teams with the only requirement being a maximum of 2 boys per team.

Hot handed Alanna, Dynamo Dillion and Amazing Akoul were some of the stars on display this week, but just as impressive were some of our newer players that took to the court. Emilia and Hope had great games as did Felicia and Elsuyar.

Teamwork, sportsmanship, and camaraderie were the flavour of the day. Over 40 students were involved with many more lining the court and cheering on the teams as they played.

It was a fantastic start to our 3 on 3 tournament, and we look forward to playing again next Tuesday lunchtime.

A number of years ago, I watched a very inspiring TED talk by Dr Angela Lee Duckworth about "Grit". If I remember correctly, I believe I actually watched this 6 minute talk a couple of times in a row, as there was something within her message that really resonated with me. She shared about leaving a high-flying job in consulting to pursue teaching Year 7 Mathematics in a New York public school. Dr Duckworth came to the realisation that IQ wasn't the only defining factor in the gap between her students who were successful, and those who weren't. She explained that "grit" was a true predictor of success. This launched her into extensive research into the concept of grit and using this to predict success in many areas of life, and within many groups of people.

"Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is living life like it's a marathon, not a sprint." - Dr Angela Lee Duckworth. Other words that I connect with grit include courage, bravery, endurance and tenacity. As I interact with our students and staff here at PPN, I am surrounded by amazing individuals and groups that demonstrate grit in many aspects of their lives. Today I had the privilege of listening to one of our little ones read to me. He has been a part of our Mini-Lit program in Year 2 and has demonstrated grit and tenacity in improving his reading ability. The joy on his face to celebrate moving up three reading levels this term was priceless. He has shown strength of character and a real determination to overcome challenges and smash his goal! What a champion!

People who demonstrate grit, will generally also demonstrate a growth mindset. I would love to share many examples of growth mindset with you, but I will have to save it for another Principal's Remarks. We are very passionate about developing learners with a growth mindset here at PPN. Learners who instead of thinking "I don't understand", but rather show a growth mindset by thinking "I don't understand YET".

So what was it that resonated with me when I first watched the original TED talk about grit? I connected this sense of courage, perseverance and tenacity to situations in my own life and in the lives of those around me. I was inspired by the grit shown in others to push through tough situations, to tackle challenges that seemed impossible and allow their strength of character to speak volumes as they overcame obstacles and achieved goals.

I would like to challenge our school community in the upcoming weeks as we head towards the school holidays: are you willing to be "gritty" to encourage grit in others? Let's embrace grit! Let's celebrate grit! Let's be gritty!

Blessings,

Tamara

Driving home from school one day I noticed a car on the side of the road which appeared to be broken down. There was a lady standing next to it feeding a young baby while on the phone. As I pulled over, I noticed that her tyre was flat. She was in need of some help! She couldn’t contact her husband and didn’t have a spare in the boot. After removing her tyre, I drove to a tyre place to get a new one fitted.
On my way back to the lady, I turned up Blacks road, only to be pulled over by the South Australian Police service. My heart sank as the officer approached my car. He proceeded to inform me that I had be clocked doing just over the 50km/h speed limit. Many thoughts raced through my mind, including thinking that if I hadn’t offered to get a new tyre for this lady, I wouldn’t now be sitting on the side of the road in a wash of red and blue lights.
While the policeman checked my details in his car, I mentally prepared myself for the impending fine. When he returned to my window, he said “You are just being issued with a caution today.”
I had been given a second chance! I held in my elation and politely thanked him for his grace. It was nothing that I had done which had got me let off with a caution. It was by grace alone that I received a second chance.

Have you ever been given a second chance from someone? How does it make you feel? There are so many examples throughout the Bible of people being given a second chance.
• Moses was given a second chance. He and all the Jewish baby boys were condemned to death by the Pharaoh, but God spared his life.
• Zacchaeus was a dishonest tax collector but when Jesus came to town, He chose to stay with Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus got his second chance.
• One of the greatest second chances was that of the thief hanging next to Jesus on the cross. Before he died, he asked Jesus for mercy. This simple act of faith, this humble request was heard and answered as Christ promised him a second chance in eternity.

You and I also get a second chance because God was willing to give it to everyone who chooses to accept it. What an amazing gift of grace.

Have a great week,

Chaplain Phil

Parent Interviews - 1st & 2nd of July

As you are probably aware, we have scheduled in Parent Teacher Interviews for the 1st (half day) and 2nd (evening) of July on our school calendar. This is an opportunity for parents to meet with your child/ren's teacher and spend some time to discuss their learning progress so far this year. We have not yet sent home information in booking in these sessions, as we have been waiting for some guidelines in regards to current restrictions with additional people on our school campus, as this would determine whether we could meet in person or via the phone. We will make a decision in regards to this on Friday, and let our families know. Please keep an eye out for an email in regards to this.

Daily Health Check

Book Of The Week

Shortlisted for 2020 Environment Award for Children’s Literature: Nonfiction Category

Do you know what a tree hollow is?

To you and me, a tree hollow is just a hole, cavity or tunnel in a tree or branch. But to an animal, that hollow may be a bedroom, hiding place, nursery or shelter. It is the ultimate tree house! Come and take a peek inside the amazing world of tree hollows and discover more than 340 species of incredible Australian animals that call hollows home.

With colour photos of glorious gliders, darting dunnarts, minute microbats and many more, this book is full of fun facts about animals that use tree hollows as places for resting, nesting or hiding.

About the Author

Abbie Mitchell is an environmental educator who provides school and community programs to celebrate and promote Australian biodiversity. She lives in the bush with her husband, two kids, some stingless beehives and a couple of charismatic dogs - and lots of native creatures.

About the Illustrator

Astred Hicks is an award-winning book designer, illustrator and author. She has been designing books for over 10 years through her Sydney-based business Design Cherry.

Update of the Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC)

It has been an extraordinary year in which reading has played a significant role in lifting our spirits. I hope you and your child have lost yourselves in the pages of some really great books.

Thank you for encouraging your child to participate and complete their forms for the PRC.

If your child has not yet completed the PRC, there’s still plenty of time!!  They have until Friday 4 September to submit their form to either Mrs Cowley or Mrs Blyde.

For promoting the various competitions from our last update – entries are open for our Indonesian and STEM competitions. Don’t forget to encourage your students to enter these competitions! Also, thank you for handing on information regarding the Premier's be active Challenge to staff in your school. 

Prescott College