Planning time and getting priorities right requires intentional action. One of the secrets of success is to identify the small steps that can be taken to move towards a desired goal. When faced with a myriad of choices and competing options, the first step is to sit back and be clear on the large and important goals that we want to achieve. Putting pen to paper or using electronic media to list our goals and the things that need to be done to achieve them, helps us to identify the small steps to be taken to gradually and purposefully walk to success. Two key questions are, “What is important?” and “What is the small step I can take to make progress?”. Having decided on the small step, we need to fully focus on the moment and do that one thing well, not worried about what lies ahead or behind us. The success we experience gives us the energy to take the bigger, harder steps.
God encourages us not to waste our energy worrying. Instead we are to trust that He provides for us just as He does for the “birds of the air”. Having trust that God walks with us as we take our small steps helps to give us calm focus and purpose.
At the Friends of Pacific meeting this week, we reflected on the important role that parents play in helping young people to become good planners and decision makers. Home learning is an area that parents can have growing conversations with their young people. In home learning, it is helpful for the young person to break down what needs to be done into smaller, manageable steps on a weekly and daily basis. It has been found helpful to start each night with something small that is enjoyable and then tackle the learning that is more challenging for a longer period of set time before finishing with something that is of moderate challenge. Starting with something that has a tight defined timeline and where success can be experienced helps to build momentum. Providing a well lit and ventilated space and having routines that support home learning can also assist the young person in developing good habits of prioritising, planning and persisting. Developing the internal capacity of self-motivation rather than relying on external rewards also stands a young person in good stead as they grow towards greater independence. 
Pacific is tremendously enriched by the involvement of parents in so many different areas. There are opportunities to assist in classrooms, to coach and manage sport teams, to support different club and special interest areas, to attend information evenings and community events. The College is also quite intentional in providing online resources to assist parents of older children to support the young person in their study and career planning. One of the ways to stay abreast of the range of opportunities open to both young people and their parents is the detailed reading of the newsletter each week. Through the discussion with parents on Tuesday night it became apparent that it would be helpful to provide an overview of these many and varied opportunities that parents and students can access on an as needs basis. We thank all of our parents for the important part they play in shaping Pacific 
as a great village for young people to thrive within and encourage parents to take advantage of ongoing opportunities to make a difference.
In recognition of Clean Up Australia Day (which will be celebrated across the country next weekend and at the College on Friday 3rd March), at assembly next week I will discuss the role each individual can play in keeping our environment litter free. There is a lot of online material that details the degraded state of our oceans and the dangers to our health posed by the enormous accumulation of pollutants: 
On Friday 17th March, students are urged to join over 300,000 young people across Australia and adopt a two-wheeled mode of transport for National Ride2School Day. The event is Australia’s largest celebration of active travel to school, involving thousands of children each year. If driving to school in the family car is your only option, you can still be TravelSmart by parking the car a short distance away and then riding from there.
Inspired by our Barn Dance clothesline in the Junior College car park? Dust off your boots and get ready for a wonderful night of music and dancing on Friday 10th March at 6.00pm in the College gym. This is a Kindergarten to Year 12 family event with a BBQ and bar on offer.
On Wednesday, Year 11 Health students completed both their Advanced Resuscitation and Advanced First Aid certificates. It was a very full day as the students worked their way through many scenarios, often having to think on their feet as various injuries and illnesses were played out. Thank you to the staff from Assist First Aid who instructed the students on the day. The Certificate III in Basic Health is offered to students in Years 11 and 12. It provides a stepping-stone for those students thinking about a career in one of the many health related fields.
A final reminder for students and parents who are interested in either the New Zealand Expedition (December 2017) or White Water Canoeing Expedition (Easter holidays) to please contact Dr Peter McMahon directly (5436 7381 or 
To support students academically, the College offers Mathematics tutorials for students in Years 7-12. These tutorials are on Monday afternoons and are in rooms L13/L14 from 3.20pm to 4.20pm. Students are welcome to come along for a quiet place to complete class work, homework or seek assistance. The expectation is that they remain within the room until 4.20pm, unless picked up earlier by a parent.
In January, Year 8 student Lara Pointon participated in the Queensland Oztag State Cup. There were over 2300 players in the competition, with divisions from under 10’s to under 15’s. Lara represented the Caloundra district and was selected as the female flag bearer to lead the Caloundra team into the stadium at the opening ceremony. Lara’s under 13 girls team progressed through the six round games, quarter finals, semi-finals and grand final undefeated, scoring 88 tries and only conceding three. From this competition, Lara was selected to play in the Queensland Barbarian team for the inaugural Queensland tri-series in June. We wish Lara all the best at this upcoming competition.
Uniforms
