Term 1 Week 8 Newsletter

Leadership Insights

The Importance of Ethical and Responsible Behaviour in Our Prescott Community

As young individuals in today’s world, students face numerous challenges, particularly in upholding ethical standards, adhering to school rules, and maintaining organisation. With distractions like social media, peer pressure, and the rapid pace of life, it can be easy to overlook the significance of being responsible and valued members of our school community. 

One major challenge students encounter is making ethical choices. Doing the right thing is not always simple, especially when it seems that others are bending the rules. Whether it's resisting the temptation to stretch the truth, refraining from gossip, using inappropriate language or being honest about mistakes, ethical behaviour demands self-discipline and integrity. 

Adhering to school rules is another essential yet sometimes challenging responsibility. These rules are established to foster a safe, respectful Christ-centred environment for everyone. However, students may find it difficult to ignore social media, use appropriate language, or show respect toward teachers and classmates. While rules may occasionally feel restrictive, they are designed to promote learning and personal growth in a supportive manner.

Being conscientious and organised also presents its own set of challenges. Meeting deadlines, managing homework, and keeping track of responsibilities can become overwhelming. Nevertheless, developing skills such as planning ahead, prioritising tasks, and maintaining focus will benefit students long after they leave school.

Despite these challenges, together we can encourage students to strive to be ethical, respectful, and responsible. In doing so, they earn the trust of their teachers, serve as positive role models for their peers, and cultivate habits that will serve them well in the future. While making the right choices may not always be easy, contributing to a positive school environment is always worthwhile.

By working together as a school community, we can uplift one another in our pursuit of excellence. Small actions—such as showing kindness, refraining from using bad language, staying on top of assignments, and following our Code of Conduct—significantly contributes to creating a respectful and successful learning and spiritual environment for everyone.

 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  Ephesians 4:29 

Ian Hamilton Deputy Principal

Prescott News

Swimming Carnival - A huge success!

What a day! The 2025 Swimming Carnival was nothing short of epic — filled with sunshine, splashes, and school spirit. From the moment the first whistle blew, the pool was buzzing with excitement and laughter.

The atmosphere was electric, with waves of blue and red around the George Bolton Swimming Centre. Even those who stayed dry joined the fun being involved in some activities, and cheering their team on.

By the end of the day, it wasn’t just about who won (though bragging rights were claimed!). It was about the memories made — the  smiles, the friendly rivalries, and the sense of school spirit that made everyone feel like a champion.
Until next year, keep practicing those belly flops and perfecting your freestyle — the swimming carnival will be back, bigger and better than ever!

And the winner is.....    TURNER!

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Harmony Day -  We all have a role to play!

We had a great Harmony Day today, celebrating that our differences make us stronger.. It’s a time to recognise and appreciate the many cultures that make up our school and our community, and to stand together in the spirit of inclusion, respect, and belonging.

The message of Harmony Day is simple: "Everyone Belongs." Whether we’re sharing stories or wearing orange to show our support.

🧡 Harmony Day is an important reminder of our cultural differences and together we aim to create a kinder, more compassionate school community. 🧡

NAPLAN - That's a wrap!

Congratulations to all our Year 7 and Year 9 students for completing NAPLAN this year! The tests are now officially over, and we are incredibly proud of our students in their approach to the testing.

NAPLAN is an important check-in on literacy and numeracy skills, helping to guide future learning and teaching. While the results are valuable, they’re just one part of the bigger picture — reflecting what students know and can do at a particular point in time. What matters most is the effort and positive attitude our students demonstrated throughout the process.

A big thank you to our dedicated teachers and support staff who worked hard to prepare and encourage students, and to our families for their ongoing support.

A special thanks to our Chaplains for preparing yummy treats for our students.

Chaplain's Corner

Hey Prescott Family!

I hope you are doing well and are going strong as we get closer to the end of the term. I know for me it has been really hectic with the various events and commitments in the past couple of weeks.

Just an idea to think about. This past week I was invited to go down to our sister school, Prescott College Southern. I had the chance to share some thoughts with them during chapel and I thought I could share them with you all.

I shared about the idea that God doesn't need the Big Gesture. I remember growing up watching movies with my cousins. It was often action movies with Jackie Chan in them but sometimes we would watch a rom com or two. From these movies, I had this idea that people needed to make a big gesture to win over the guy or girl. I think of the movie, Say Anything, where the guy stands outside the girl's window holding the stereo.

The same thing can be said about our friends and especially God. Sometimes we feel like we need to do a big gesture to win approval from others. But God doesn't need the big gesture. He only needs you to let Him work through you. Let Him lead you to the places where you are meant to be. To let Him cook. (as the students would say).

For in Philippians 2:13 it says:

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

God has a purpose for each and every one of us. He doesn't need a big gesture to make Him accept us or for us to win over His favour. He simply says to accept Him and let Him work in our lives.

I pray that this can bless you as you go into the rest of this term. As always students and parents, the chaplains are always here whenever you need, whether you need prayer, support or even just someone to talk to.

Blessing to you all,
Mal

Student Services and Wellbeing

Our 2025 Student Representative Council Members

The Student Representative Council isn’t just a voice — it’s the heart of student leadership, driving change, promoting solidarity, and empowering every student to be heard, guided by values of compassion and service.

Breakfast Club - Every Tuesday

Homework Club - Every Tuesday

Every Tuesday, the talented Math teacher Mr. Mattner will be available to help students enhance their math skills, in the Library from 3:20pm until 4:30pm.

Homework Club runs each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If your child needs extra support in their studies, particularly English or Maths, they are welcome to attend. Bookings not required.

Developing Minds - Letter to Parents

Dear Parent/caregiver

As part of the Brain Training for Teens program, I visited your young person’s school recently to present a session to the students on “Self Regulated Learning Strategies”.

This session was designed to help students think about how to manage their time, motivation, energy and life balance in senior school. They have (or will) received a letter outlining the strategies we discussed, which is attached to the following page, for your interest.

If you are interested and it seems appropriate, feel free to have a conversation with your young person about this – for instance, you may like to ask them questions like – what did they remember? What was most helpful? What did they disagree with? What do they think is the hardest? Would they like your support to use some of the strategies – and if so what you might do. If you have any questions about the seminar content, you are welcome to contact me (or the school).

If you would like any more resources for your young person (or yourself) in managing the challenges, demands or stressors of senior school – feel free to visit our website www.developingminds.net.au (we work with teens 1:1 who are struggling with study stress, perfectionism, procrastination, sleep problems, friendship challenges and other concerns, as well as parents/caregivers who are experiencing high levels of parental distress related to concerns about their young people).

All the best for the rest of the year.

Kirrilie Smout

(Clinical psychologist, working with children and adolescents)

Key Dates to Note

Road Awareness Program - Tuesday 25th March

Year 11 and Year 12 students will have the invaluable opportunity to participate in the Road Awareness Program (RAP), an initiative designed to educate young drivers and passengers about the importance of road safety. Delivered by experienced emergency service professionals, the session will be both eye-opening and thought-provoking, encouraging students to consider the real-life consequences of their choices on the road.

Through powerful personal stories, engaging discussions, and real-world crash scenarios, students will learn about key aspects of road safety, including responsible driving, risk management, and the impact of distractions and peer pressure. The program will also highlight the crucial role young people play in fostering a culture of safe driving, whether behind the wheel or as passengers.

The RAP session is expected to leave a lasting impression on our students, many of whom will likely feel more confident in making responsible decisions on the road. As they step closer to gaining their licences, we hope the lessons learned from this program will help them stay safe and look out for others.

We extend our gratitude in advance to the presenters for delivering what promises to be a powerful and engaging session. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we are proud to equip our students with the knowledge and awareness to contribute to safer roads for everyone.

Open Morning - Thursday 27th March, 9:30am - 11:30

If you know friends or family interested in enrolling their children at Prescott College, this is a fantastic opportunity for them to discover what makes our school such a gem in the heart of Prospect! Encourage them to join us.

Open Morning on Thursday 27th March.

https://prescottcollege.com.au/admissions/open-days/

Year 11 Sydney Trip - Thursday 27th March

Year 11 Prescott students will be heading to New South Wales for an exciting week of exploring and experiencing campus life at Avondale University, the Seventh-day Adventist Church tertiary institution. Avondale University, established in 1897, has a rich history of training and preparing individuals for service with a purpose as teachers, pastors, nurses, counsellors and so much more. A picturesque campus known for it's strong sense of community, vibrant student life, and focus on both academic growth and personal development, our students have always enjoyed the experience gained from this amazing trip. The final two days of the trip will be spent in Sydney where our students will have the opportunity to experience the dynamic and exhilarating sights and tourist attractions of this bustling metropolis, before returning home enriched by their experiences.

Uniform Shop

Winter Uniform

Reminder that from the beginning on Term 2, all students are expected to be in full winter uniform including the school blazer which is compulsory.

The uniform shop is open during the school term every Wednesday 12.30pm to 4pm and during the April holidays on Tuesday 15th April by appointment only.

Please call 0490 880 023 during school hours to arrange an appointment.

Community Info

• The South Australian Government is providing families with 2 x $100 vouchers per child to go towards extra curricular activity costs. See link above for more information on eligibility.
• 2025 vouchers are available to all South Australian children from Reception to Year 9 (this means the child would be born between 2010 to 2020 inclusive).
• Each eligible child can claim 2 x $100 vouchers per calendar year. Both vouchers can be used with the same provider.