Compass No 435 - October 2016 | Pacific Lutheran College

From the Principal

Wired for Service

What gives us most satisfaction? It is interesting to note that while there is considerable focus on material gain and personal advancement, most of us would reflect that we have often gained greater satisfaction from those times where we have met the needs of others. Having a sense of purpose and living for something beyond ourselves is an important part of personal wellbeing. We are wired to be in community together, serving the needs of others.

It can be a challenge to let go of ourselves and respond to the needs of the people we encounter on a daily basis. This is modelled powerfully in the Bible where Jesus chose to wash the feet of the disciples at a time where He knew they would betray Him. Despite this, Jesus was fully present, attending to the needs of those nearest Him. Being fully tuned to the immediate needs of those we encounter, helps us to be present and open to opportunities to do small everyday things that can make a huge difference. Sharing a smile, gentle acknowledgement or helping hand, might just make a powerful difference in someone’s day.

Principal's Log

We welcome everyone back to the start of Term 4. In particular, we welcome new students and their families and teachers, Mrs Wendy Wescombe, Mrs Shelley Hogan, Mr Darren Hooper, Mr Terry Clark and Mrs Amanda Empson who are variously returning from maternity and long service leave. We also welcome Mr Luke Dutney who is teaching Biology, Mathematics and Science in place of Mrs Gisela Hohls who is on long service leave and Mr Terry Rubesaame who will be teaching Mrs Elley Wood’s classes this term while she is on maternity leave.

As outlined in the final newsletter for last term, Mrs Rae Hall is the Acting Director of Teaching and Learning and the Head of Middle College Teaching and Learning, while Ms Sue Arahill is on long service leave this term. Miss Rebecca Ross, who has worked with Ms Arahill in recent years to check and finalise Year 12 certification processes, is the Acting Head of Senior College Studies while retaining her role as Head of Science. Mrs Tina Cox is the Acting Head of English and Humanities in Mrs Wood’s absence and Ms Alisha Janssen is the Acting Head of Middle College Humanities.

All families should have accessed online reporting over the holiday period. For the Prep – Year 8 students, this was in the form of online portfolios and information in regard to accessing these was electronically communicated to parents by Mrs Rae Hall and P-5 class teachers at the conclusion of last term. Reports for Year 9-12 students have been posted to parent’s TASS accounts. Details for accessing these can be found later in this newsletter and also in the Parent Handbook.

Term 4 is always a short, busy term and families are encouraged to establish routines for home learning so that young people can optimise their growth in the final part of the year. It is a particularly important time for Year 12 students to ensure they are continuing to lift their performance over their final weeks at school. Each year we see students make a significant difference to their OP scores through the learning they complete in this final term.

Our Year 5 students have been on camp this week and we thank Dr Peter McMahon, Mr David Druery and the Year 5 teachers for their leadership of this important experience. We wish our Year 6 staff and students all the best as they travel to Canberra next week to learn more about our government processes and visit significant national and historical sites.

There are many events coming up this term, including celebrations for our Year 12 students, the Student Art Exhibition, Grandparents Day, the Year 4-7 production of Mulan and closing services. Families are encouraged to diarise these important events. We look forward to sharing a term of strong growth and celebration with you.

May God grant us the stillness and humility to be fully present and attentive to the needs of others.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal

Important Notices

Upcoming Roadwork and Changes to Pedestrian Traffic Near the College

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has advised us of upcoming roadwork near the College. The roadworks are part of a $22 million project to improve access to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. These works will have impact on pedestrian movement and will lead to some delays for motor vehicles. Parents are asked to take these changes into account as they drive near the College from the start of next term. Where students walk to the College, parents are encouraged to make their children familiar with these changes prior to next term.

The project will involve widening and sealing the existing road formation and upgrading the intersections with Kawana Way Link Road to improve traffic capacity. Construction is scheduled to commence from mid-October and will generally be undertaken Monday to Saturday between 7.00am and 5.00pm.

For the safety of road workers, pedestrians and motorists, changed traffic conditions including traffic control devices, lane width reductions and speed reductions will be in place. Electronic message boards will be installed at the approaches to the work site in the coming weeks to provide motorists with advance notice. Motorists may experience minor delays during these works.

In addition, temporary changes to pedestrian access will be required. The pedestrian facilities on Kawana Way, near the intersection with Kawana Way Link Road, will be closed during daylight hours. Signage and fencing will be in place. Pedestrians will be required to detour from just north of the Currimundi Creek bridge on Kawana Way and travel east along the existing footpath behind the forested area, before re-joining Creekside Boulevard. A temporary pedestrian crossing will be installed with a refuge between the two lanes of traffic on Creekside Boulevard. Temporary signage will be installed in advance of the crossing to alert motorists to the changed pedestrian facilities. Motorists will also be required to reduce their speed limit to 40kmh. Pedestrian facilities will not be affected during the evenings. This is to ensure lit footpaths remain accessible outside of daylight hours. Pedestrian facilities are expected to return to normal for the start of the 2017 school year, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Please click here to download a map, which outlines these changes.

Term 3 Reports – Year 12

To provide greater time for Year 12 students to complete assessments, the reporting timeline for this year level was extended. Therefore, the Year 12 reports will be available by the end of this week (Week 1, Term 4). An SMS will be issued to parents when these are completed. Parents are to follow the below instructions to access the Year 12 reports.

Reports will be available through Parent Lounge. Parent Lounge can be accessed via our website at: http://pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au/my-plc.
Username = XXXXXX (your parent code, which is the account number on the top right corner on your fee statement).
Password = XXXXX (your BPay reference number on the top right corner on your fee statement).

From the College Pastor

Washing and Service

So Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist…he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet. (John 13:4-5)

Are you old enough to remember long ago, the time B.D. … Before Dishwaters? This was before the 1980s when dishwashers were not as common in Australian kitchens as they are now. It was a time when you had to wash every piece of crockery and cutlery by hand, in the kitchen sink. If you grew up in a large family like I did, you used to take turns with your siblings to wash, dry and stack the dishes. When I was growing up, doing the dishes was one of my least favourite jobs around the house. Whenever it was my turn I would get the tea towel and roll it up like a whip and crack it on one of my siblings so they didn’t want me to help them.

But washing dishes is a domestic duty that we all have to do in our families. Whether it is dishes, clothes or our bodies, washing is part of our routine as functional human beings. It is a basic task through which we can help serve others.

One day when Jesus was eating with His disciples, He got up from the table and did this most menial of tasks. He washed His disciples’ feet. Jesus was not worried about the foot odour of His friends. He undertook the job of a slave and modelled how to serve other people. Jesus did what His disciples were not going to do. He showed them a new way of relating and leading in humility. Likewise, Jesus calls us to put aside our pride and do the small menial tasks that need to be done for others.

Are you motivated to get your hands dirty and do the washing for others? To be aware of how you can serve others, maybe help out your family by stacking or unstacking the dishwasher, doing a load of laundry or taking in the clothes from the line? What’s going to motivate you to do your least favourite chore and think of someone else and serve them?

Jesus showed us that Christians serve others. They think and are aware of the needs of others, they give their time and they do the small humble little acts of service that count.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

From the Director of Students

Welcome to Term 4

At the end of last term, an audit was completed to identify the main reasons students were receiving MIBs. With the start of the new term, it is an opportune time to address these issues. The main areas of concern are:

Students wearing their sports hats with their formal uniform. It is expected that students wear their formal hats to and from school. Formal hats should also be worn to class with the formal uniform.
Shirts should be tucked in.
Girls should only wear one set of earrings.
Girls with long hair must have it tied back before arriving at school, in such a manner that the formal hat can be worn.
Boys hair must not be longer than collar length or be below the earlobe. It should not hinder their vision.

If, as a parent, you are unsure of the College’s uniform expectations for your child, please refer to pages 8-9 of the Parent Information Handbook.

Throughout the year in Personal Development lessons, students across Year 6-12 have been completing three sessions of the Mindstar program. Mindstar is a student wellbeing program that aims to teach simple strategies that will improve student wellbeing and resilience.

Session one: focuses on how the brain works, why it challenges our thinking and provides simple relaxation strategies that can be used in everyday life.
Session two: focuses on difficult thoughts and emotions and provides strategies to deal with them effectively.
Session three: focuses on values, what really matters to each individual and then incorporates those values to create a personal wellbeing plan.

The Mindstar program shares overlapping themes and applications with PERMA and positive psychology including helping individuals to set positive goals, building on positive strengths and introducing mindfulness practices. If parents would like to learn more about Mindstar, please visit: www.mindstar.com.au.

Next week our Year 6 students will visit Canberra for a very exciting week of educational activities. We wish the students and the Year 6 staff of Ms Leisa Ilott, Mr Stuart Pohlner, Mrs Amanda Empson and Mrs Fiona Schefe an enjoyable and educational trip. We also thank Dr Peter McMahon for his planning and organisation of this learning opportunity.

Mr Brendan Delaney, Director of Students

Food for Thought

How to teach children to solve problems

Parents can help their children foster problem-solving skills by having a responsive, accepting attitude. Following are other key ways to facilitate children's growth:

Every day, provide plenty of time for children to choose activities based on their interests and developmental levels. Free-play situations create endless opportunities for children to identify and solve problems.
Follow your child’s lead. By observing children's interactions and dilemmas, you can support their problem-solving efforts and help them accomplish their goals.
Reinforce their solutions. Let children know that their ideas and efforts are valued.
Extend creative thinking and problem solving. Ask open-ended questions about activities to help children see the problem in new and different ways.

Ms Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Tuckshop

Fresh Summer Specials

This term, we have some great new treats at the tuckshop as well as some old favourites for just $5 each! The following items are available to pre-order online or can be purchased over the counter before morning tea:

Caesar salad bowl: fresh cos lettuce, crispy short cut bacon and croutons, a free range egg, shaved parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing.
Greek salad bowl: crispy lettuce, cherry tomatoes, Spanish onion, cubes of cucumber, feta cheese, Kalamata olives and a light Greek dressing.
Gourmet garden salad bowl: crispy lettuce, cherry tomatoes, Spanish onion, cucumber, carrot, cheese, capsicum and mayonnaise.
Fruit salad and yoghurt crunch: freshly chopped, in-season fruit, creamy Queensland yoghurt and nut free muesli.

Some other great items for summer include:

Fresh 300ml Dairy Farmers Original Milk for $1.20, add a Sippah Straw for only 50c.
Fresh or frozen watermelon slices for 50c each.
Creamy low fat Queensland yoghurt (honey, mango, mixed berry or passion fruit flavours) for only $3.50.

Gluten Free Options

The tuckshop is continuing to build its gluten-free range and we have just added gluten free lamingtons to the menu for $4 each. These are pre-packaged and are made by Priestley’s Gourmet Delights. We also have a great range of fruits, salads, free range eggs, hummus tubs (made by us!), carrot sticks, sushi, fried rice (made by us!) and assorted frozen treats to cater for our gluten free students.

Out of Stock

Due to unforeseen production issues, the Island Way Sorbet range is temporarily unavailable. We apologise on behalf of Island Way and are hoping their products will be available again soon!

Help Needed

As always at this time of the year, we are short on volunteers and would love to see some new faces lending a hand during the busy summer period. Please contact Carrie on 5436 7327 or email cldickson@pacluth.qld.edu.au for more information. We thank all our volunteers for their time and commitment during the year; the tuckshop couldn’t operate without you!

Ms Carrie Dickson, Tuckshop Convenor

Junior College

Year 6 Canberra Tour

Next week, the Year 6 cohort and six staff members will travel to Canberra for the annual National Capital Tour. The Tour is undertaken with assistance from the Federal Government as part of their PACER (Parliament and Civics Educational Rebate) program. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. Highlights of the tour will include visiting the National War Memorial, National Gallery and Museum, Questacon and the National Geoscience Centre.

Parents and students are reminded to arrive at the College by 5.00am this Sunday morning. Buses will be departing at 5.30am.

The National Capital Tour is undertaken with assistance from the Federal Government as part of their PACER (Parliament and Civics Educational Rebate) program. The rebate is paid directly to the College upon completion of the tour.

Dr Peter McMahon, Head of Personal Development and Outdoor Education

Secondary College

Personal Development and Outdoor Education

Safe Drive Australia Student Driving Skills Day
This is the final opportunity for students to register for the Safe Drive Australia skills day being held on Sunday 23^rd October at the Willowbank driver training facility. Both advanced and basic skill sessions will be run on the day. Information brochures and registration forms can be obtained from the Middle/Senior College Office or by contacting Ms Angela Hill directly on 5436 7315. Registrations close this Friday 7^th October.

Duke of Edinburgh Award
This year, many students across Years 8-12 have been working towards achieving their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Last week, Year 12 student Elsa Jonsson achieved her Gold Award. Elsa completed more than 400 hours of voluntary service, skill development and participated in sport to achieve this award. She also attended two outdoor expeditions in the fields of tramping and mountain bike riding.

Following are other students who have received Duke of Edinburgh Awards this year:

Silver Award – Tasha Lee (Year 11), Alexandra Whitmore (Year 11), Sam Wilson (Year 11) and Matt Daniec (Year 11).
Bronze Award – Josie Bradshaw (Year 10) and Liam Dines (Year 11).
Bridge Award (i) and (ii) – Marissa Rudd (Year 9).

Students seeking information about the Duke of Edinburgh Award are asked to speak with Dr Peter McMahon at school.

2017 New Zealand Expedition Information Evening
Interested parents and students are invited to attend an information evening on the 2017 New Zealand Expedition. The information evening will be held on Monday 24^th October at 6.30pm in room D8 (the Health Education room opposite the tuckshop). The expedition is open to 2017 Year 9-12 students and parents.

In 2017, two versions of the expedition will be offered:

23-day West Coast to East Coast expedition. Departing 29^th November and returning 21^st December 2017; and
13-day Alps to Ocean (Hanmer Springs – Kaikoura, East Coast) expedition. Departing 8^th December and returning 21^st December 2017.

The second expedition will join the first as they go through Hanmer Springs. Both expeditions will involve tramping, mountain bike riding and white water rafting.

To RSVP for the evening or to request further information, please contact Dr Peter McMahon directly at the College on 0448 277 789. The evening is an expression of interest and information opportunity only.

Dr Peter McMahon, Head of Personal Development and Outdoor Education

Cultural News

Student Art Exhibition

The students from Pacific Lutheran College cordially invite you to celebrate the opening of an exhibition of student work in Visual Art, from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Date: Friday 21^st October

Time: 6.00pm to 9.00pm

Location: Pacific Art Gallery

The Good Food Fellas will be serving food on the night. Click here to download their menu.

Mrs Denise McMahon, Head of Visual Art

Mulan

Meet the Cast
Character name: Yun.

Favourite line from the musical: “And love. Doesn't it seem like Mulan has valued these things above all else? Tradition hasn't been thrown away – she simply honours it in her own way.”

Favourite part of rehearsals: My favourite part of the Mulan rehearsals is when all the cast and crew get together and do a full run through. It's really awesome to see everything coming together.

Change of Date and Venue
Please note the following update to the College Calendar:

The Year 4-7 Musical Production of Mulan will be held on Saturday 12^th November. Due to renovations occurring at The Events Centre, Caloundra we have also had to change the venue of the performance. The performance will now be held at Lifepointe Baptist Church, 186 Wises Road, Buderim. Ticketing information will be released early next term.

Mrs Laura Bonner and Miss Anita Morton

Music News

Congratulations to the following students for achieving brilliant results, committing to and passing their music examinations.

Charlotte Empson and Elsa Jonsson: A. M. E. B. Grade 2 Theory of Music, pass with honours.
Sebastian and Charles Box: Trinity Board Grade 2 Clarinet, pass with Merit.
Natasha Whitley: Trinity Board, Saxophone Grade 5, pass.

Save the date! The Music Department will be holding a Showcase Concert featuring the Senior Music Ensembles on Thursday 3^rd November at 6.00pm (Week 5). This date has been selected to include our Year 12 musicians before they have their exams in Week 6.

Mr Adrian King, Head of Instrumental Music

From the Head of Career Development

Year 12 Students – Tax File Numbers

Prospective university students are encouraged to apply early for a Tax File Number (TFN). Students who gain entry to a university course must have a TFN to defer their fee payment through HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or VET FEE-HELP (to pay later through the tax system). To obtain a TFN, students should contact the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and complete a 'tax file number - application or enquiry for an individual' form. For more information, please call the ATO on 132 861 or visit the website at: https://www.ato.gov.au/.

2017 Scholarships

University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)
USC offers scholarships on the basis of academic merit, equity (financial hardship), sporting achievement and community activity. Students can apply for most scholarships in one online application. Scholarship applications for Semester 1 2017 are currently open and will close on 30^th November. For details about the various scholarships available and to access the application form, visit: http://www.usc.edu.au/learn/what-will-i-pay/scholarships.

TAFE Queensland
TAFE Queensland offers merit and equity scholarships valued at $5,000. Applications for the 2017 scholarships are now open and will close this Sunday 9^th October. For more information and to apply, visit: http://scholarships.tafeqld.edu.au/.

Upgrading via Tertiary Study

The most popular upgrade pathways are:

Study one year of any bachelor degree course – If you achieve a pass (GPA of 4), when you apply to QTAC again you will be given a rank of 93 (which is comparable to an OP 5 in 2015). If you do better than pass, you will get a higher rank. All Queensland universities, except the University of Queensland (UQ), use a QTAC schedule to allocate these ranks. UQ has its own schedule, which advantages its own students when they achieve above average results. For more information about their schedule, see page 8 of UQ’s Entry Options booklet at https://www.uq.edu.au/study/docs/domestic/entry-options.pdf.

Complete a diploma or advanced diploma at TAFE or another Registered Training Organisation – When you apply again to QTAC you will be given a rank of 82 (comparable to an OP 9 in 2015) for a pass grade of a diploma and 91 (comparable to an OP 6 in 2015) for a pass grade of an advanced diploma. Some universities (such as QUT and Griffith) will give you a higher rank for completing these qualifications.

Students should consider these upgrade pathways when selecting and organising their QTAC course preferences, especially their fifth and sixth ‘Pathway’ preferences. Find out more about upgrading through tertiary study at:

QTAC website – http://www.qtac.edu.au/applications/application-resources/upgrading-pathways.
QUT website – https://www.qut.edu.au/study/applying/undergraduate-applications/worried-you-wont-get-into-the-course-you-want.

Mrs Natasha Purcell, Careers Counsellor

Junior Sport

SCISSA Sport

Welcome back to Term 4. We hope that students and families had a relaxing break over the September holidays. Term 4 is short, however there are still a number of sporting activities taking place.

Thursday Training
Thursday SCISSA training has commenced for the term. Students are to ensure they are at the correct locations, on time, with their required gear.

Kayaking and Water Polo teams are to meet at the front bus stop at 1.15pm (students are also reminded to bring their towels).
Dance students are to meet in the dance studio at 1.40pm.
All other sports teams are to meet on the main oval at 1.40pm.

Monday Training
SCISSA training on Mondays will commence in Week 4 on 24^th October.

Term 4 Gala Day
The final SCISSA Gala Day for this year will be held on Thursday 10^th November. Further information will be distributed to students closer to the date.

St George Rookies2Reds

During Term 4, Queensland Rugby Union’s St George Rookies2Reds program is coming to Pacific. Online registrations are now open for all students aged 5-11 years. The registration fee is $60 and all participants will receive a Rookie2Reds pack. The program will run on Thursday afternoons from 6^th October to 3^rd November from 3.30pm to 4.30pm at the College.

Netball Development

A netball development program for Prep – Year 3 students will be run during Term 4. This program will be run during Wednesday lunchtimes. Information regarding this program was sent home with students this week.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Junior Sport

Secondary Sport

Friday Night Basketball

There are only three more Friday nights of basketball left in this season, with only semi final and grand final matches to be played after this week.

Congratulations to the Junior B Boys who won their semi final against Glasshouse Christian College on Tuesday afternoon to secure their place in the grand final at the end of week three. The boys played a good team game and easily accounted for the opposition. They are the second Pacific team to make the finals already this season (with the Junior B Girls having played their game last term).

We still have another five teams who are in contention for the semi finals and we wish these teams all the very best for their matches. The Intermediate Boys have a bye this week in preparation for their semi final next week against Caloundra State High School.

Teams who have finished their season are asked to please return their singlets to Mrs Natalie Campbell over the next week.

Games for this week are as follows:

TEAM	TIME	VENUE	OPPOSITION
Junior A Girls	4.50pm	Cal 3	MCSHS
Int B Girls	4.00pm	MFAC	MFAC
Int B Boys	BYE	-	-
Senior A Girls	6.30pm	PLC	SUN (final game)
Senior C Girls (Yr 12)	4.50pm	PLC	Siena Black
Senior D Girls (Yr 11)	5.40pm	PLC	Siena Grey (final game)
Senior C Boys	4.00pm	PLC	GCC

Year 7-10 SCISSA Soccer

This week marked the beginning of the SCISSA soccer season for the Year 7-10 teams on Wednesday afternoons, with the Junior girls and boys teams playing at Pacific.

The Junior boys started off very well, dominating position in the first half, but walked away with a 1-1 half time score. They fought valiantly in the second half and it looked like it was going to be a 1-1 draw at the end of the game, however Matthew Flinders Anglican College scored three late goals in the last five minutes to defeat Pacific 4-1.

The Junior girls, with the majority of the team playing their first ever game for the College, came up against Sunshine Coast Grammar School. The team started exceptionally well, scoring two quick goals to put their opposition on the back foot. Their run continued throughout the second half and they won 4-1 in their first game. Well done to all the girls for their efforts.

Games continue next week with the Junior Girls playing at Pacific at 4.00pm against St Andrew’s Anglican College and the Junior and Intermediate Boys taking on Glasshouse Christian College at Beegies Field at 4.00pm.

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Sport

Club Sport

Pacific Soccer

Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser - 17^th September
Representative Trials for 2017
Online Registrations for 2017
2016 Coaches and Managers
Final Wrap-Up
Pacific Soccer Contacts

Click here to download the Pacific Soccer newsletter for this week.

Mr Ian Barnes, Pacific Soccer President

Church News

St Mark's Lutheran Church Caloundra

Pastor Ray Morris, St Mark’s Lutheran Church Caloundra

Uniform Shop

Opening Hours and Online Ordering

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

General Notices

Entertainment Books

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.

Upcoming Dates

October

5-7	Year 5 Camp - Bornhoffen
7	Year 11 Leadership Day
9-14	Year 6 Canberra Tour
14-17	Melbourne Arts Tour
17	Student Free Day (Kindy Open)
18	Friends of Pacific (7.00pm)
20	SCISSA Trial Game 7
21	Grandparents Day
	Student Art Exhibition (6.00pm)
27-28	Year 3 Camp - Luther Heights
29	Year 11-12 Safe Driver Day

November

3	Year 7-8 Vaccinations
	SCISSA Trial Game 8
7	Middle College Orientation Day
	Middle College Parent Information Evening (7.00pm)
	Year 12 Study Day

Compass No 435 - October 2016

LEARNING JOURNEY

ENROLMENTS

NEWS

MY PLC

Growing people to make a difference