Compass No 428 - August 2016

At the Middle and Senior College Chapel this week, for the benefit of our visiting Japanese students and teachers from Seishin, I spoke about a peculiar Australian bird. A bird that actually lives on the grounds of Pacific. It’s not, as the students in chapel first guessed, a crow or a plover. It’s not even an iconic Australian bird like a kookaburra or magpie. No, the bird I’m thinking of is the Australian Scrub or Bush Turkey.

The bush turkeys at Pacific live in the rainforest on the edge of the College grounds and sometimes wander onto the Junior College ovals, gardens and the chook pen. The bush turkey is strange because as a bird it does not fly much, it makes big mounds of leaves and dirt to nest in and it has an unusual appearance. As strange as the turkey looks especially to a foreigner, there are important lessons we can learn from it. One is that the bush turkey is a communal bird. They help each other to make nests for breeding. The males and females share the nest, which more than one female uses to lay eggs. The male species guards and protects the nest when it has eggs in it and keeps the mound at the right temperature, around 34 degrees. Turkeys are community minded and know that it takes a whole group of them to raise their young.

The second lesson we can learn from the turkey is that they are not as unintelligent as they might look. Often it is from the ordinary, unattractive, seemingly absurd moments in life that we can learn great things. We have a saying don’t we, that when we make a mistake and get embarrassed we feel like ‘a bit of a turkey’. As we go through life, we will inevitably make mistakes and feel like a bit of a turkey at times. But this is not something to be avoided or denied. Being like a turkey and making mistakes is one of the ways that we learn. We need to encourage one another and especially the children in our lives that turkey-like mistakes are OK. We learn from our mistakes, acknowledge them and be at ease with them. Instead of being anxious or upset when we make mistakes, we should note them, change what we need to and then move on. The turkey is a smart, intelligent, communal minded bird. God has given them to us and to our environment for a reason. So when you next see them around the place or our College, why not pause for a moment and ask God, “what can I learn from being a turkey today?”.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

Do you have spare, old uniform items at home that you no longer use? The Middle/Senior College Office is looking for items, which can be used as spares for our students. In particular, they are seeking:

• Senior/Middle College dresses;
• Sports shorts and tops;
• Boys shorts and shirts; and
• Sports socks

If you have any of these items spare and would like to donate them, please drop them into the Middle/Senior College Office.

It is easy for parents to identify their child’s physical needs: nutritious food, warm clothes when it’s cold and bedtime at a reasonable hour. However, a child’s mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. Additionally, good friends and encouraging words from adults are important in helping children develop self-confidence, high self-esteem and a healthy emotional outlook on life. Read more at: http://parentingideasschools.com.au/getattachment/e7473b2f-8b32-4f26-adbc-21ceef40de5c.

Ms Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Sponsors
We would like to acknowledge and thank the following sponsors who have come on board to support OCEANfest this year!

OCEANfest Stall Volunteers
We need your help! Please contact your class representative or, for Years 6-12 parents and students, logon to signup.com to register your commitment. Even if you are unable to spend time at a stall you may be able to help out in another way.

Calling All Cake and Sweet Treat Creators!
The Prep and Year 2 sweets stall are calling for donations of baked goods, such as slices, biscuits, fudge, coconut ice. If you like to bake or know someone who does and would like to show off their creative talents by contributing to the Cake Stall or Sweet Stall, please make contact with us by emailing fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au. Alternatively, you can indicate your interest via signup.com.

If you would like to bake for the Year 2 stall, all baked goods need to be received by Thursday 18^th August in the Year 2 classrooms (before or after school). For the Prep stall, all baked goods need to be taken to the Prep rooms in the morning of Friday 19^th August. Your contributions are very much appreciated.

Ride Passes
This year, we have ride passes for sale online via iwannaticket.com.au. For those who do not wish to purchase their passes online, there will still be some available at the College.

Cashless Festival
As per the previous festival in 2014, we will be running a cashless event. There will be ‘cash for tickets’ available for purchase in the days prior and there will also be booths onsite on the night, plus an ATM. Refunds of unused tickets are only available on the night.

Thank you to everyone in our community for supporting this fabulous event again.

Mrs Tracey Hindmarsh, FoP Chairperson and OCEANfest 2016 Committee

Scoliosis is a lateral or sideways curve of the spine. The spine also rotates on its long axis as it curves. Scoliosis usually develops during early adolescence (age 10 to 13 years), when growth is most rapid. The cause is unknown, but 80-90% of cases occur in otherwise healthy adolescents.

Early detection is very important and very easy. Please visit: instructions.www.scoliosis-australia.org and chose the national detection brochure. Please feel free to contact the College Nurse should you have any questions regarding this.

Ms Sharon Dean and Mrs Maree Hooper, College Nurses

On Monday 1^st August, Year 3 students travelled to the Caboolture Historical Village to experience the way that people lived in the early 1900’s and even before that!

Debbie, who was one of the volunteers at the village, greeted our Year 3 students on arrival. After a quick snack at the hotel, they visited the old school for a quick assembly. The ceremony involved raising the Australian flag, listening to the National Anthem (God Save the King) and marching to their first activity.

The blacksmith showed students many amazing tools and some pieces that had been created from recycled metal. After the blacksmith, the class visited the maritime museum and saw many models of famous Australian ships. Each boat from the First Fleet was included in the exhibit. The next stop was the gem shop, where each student was able to sieve for a semi precious gem.

One of the highlights of the day was the train ride. As Luela Holland explained, “It was part scary when the bushrangers came out and tried to steal our jewels, but mostly fun as we travelled around the track”. The bushrangers actually gave the students some very strange money that was valued at 7 pounds. Their final activity was watching Bonita show the class what washing was like in the olden days. “It looked like some really hard work, but in our days it is much easier,” explained Harry Mogg.

After lunch the Year 3 students explored the whole village in small groups, led by the great parent helpers. There were donkeys, goats and chickens amongst the many historical buildings. Year 3 had a very interesting and tiring day at Caboolture Historical Village!

Year 3 Teachers

To support students academically, the College will continue Mathematics tutorials for students in Years 7-12 who would like extra assistance or clarification of concepts. These tutorials are held on Monday afternoons in rooms L13/L14 from 3.20pm to 4.20pm. Students are welcome to come along for a quiet place to complete Maths class work, homework or ask for assistance. The expectation is that students remain within the room until 4.20pm, unless picked up earlier by a parent.

Mr Adam Doyle, Head of Mathematics

This year, students from Years 3-7 are presenting the Disney musical ‘Mulan’. This musical tells the story of a Chinese girl who cleverly impersonates a man and takes her fathers place in the Chinese military. Mulan’s unique journey challenges the role of traditions and destiny.

Rehearsals began in Term 2, continuing each Thursday throughout Term 3 and in the lead up to the performance next term on 5^th November. These rehearsals provide the opportunity for student to not only learn the songs, script, dance and movement, but also create an important bonding experience for the cast. Students also learn the value of teamwork, practice and persistence.

Keep an eye out for our rehearsal updates, photos, sneak-peaks and ticket release details. We look forward to performing for you in November.

Miss Anita Morton and Mrs Laura Bonner

• Round 16
• Canteen Assistance
• Special Sponsorship 
• Fair Play Award
• Rooball Carnival - 20^th August
• Final Series - 20^th August
• Adermann Awards
• Breakup and AGM 2016
• Round 17 and Canteen Duty - 6^th August
• Looking Ahead...
• Pacific Soccer Contacts

Click here to download this week's Pacific Soccer newsletter.

Mr Ian Barnes, Pacific Soccer President

The Uniform Shop is open from 8.00am to 9.30am every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Orders can be placed online via www.flexischools.com.au and will be delivered to your child the following day.

Mrs Peta King, Uniform Shop Convenor

Pacific Lutheran College is fundraising with Entertainment™ again this year. The NEW 2016 | 2017 Entertainment™ Book and Digital Memberships are available now and are packed with thousands of up to 50% OFF and 2-for-1 offers. From every Membership we sell, 20% of the proceeds go towards our fundraising for Pacific Lutheran Kindergarten and Early Learning Centre! Click here to order your book or digital membership: https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/230p536. 

Pastor Ray Morris, St Mark’s Lutheran Church Caloundra