Compass No 487 - March 2018 | Pacific Lutheran College

From the Principal

Honesty Builds Relationships

At the heart of all relationships is trust. Where there is trust, there is plenty of space for each person to bring their perspectives, share ideas and have the quality of the thinking, rather than the power of personality, determining ways forward. Being honest with ourselves and others creates space for trust to grow. Use of ‘I’ statements rather than ‘you’ helps us to tap into the biases and personal needs that we may be bringing into relationships. Pausing and recognising our own limitations and being honest with ourselves means we are more open to taking on new ways of thinking and being.

When relationships become challenging, recognising the mistakes, fears, biases and values that we are bringing into the context is the first step to moving forward. Acknowledging mistakes and fears provides the basis for new conversations to flow. God invites us to prayerfully reflect on our interactions with each other and to seek forgiveness where we have made mistakes. God connects with our honest brokenness and restores us through His grace and love.

Principal's Log

Our community was delighted to see Year 12 student Kaylee McKeown perform so well at the Australian Swimming Trials last week. We congratulate Kaylee on her performance and her selection in the Australian Commonwealth Games swim team where she will compete in the 100m and 200m backstroke and the 400m individual medley. We wish Kaylee all the best as she continues her preparation over the coming weeks.

Around the world this week there is encouragement for people to participate in International Women’s Day activities with the theme of ‘Together We Can Empower Each Other Across the Globe’. Access to education and health in many countries remains challenging, with women often being the most vulnerable particularly in times of crisis. Support of rural students to attend university in Phnom Penh through our support of the Lutheran Church of Cambodia’s tertiary hostel accommodation and the Life Centre in Kampong Chhnang province are two ways the College community contributes to improved conditions for people in Cambodia. Around the Life Centre, primary schools finish at 11.00am and children not needed for family work, walk often long distances from their schools to the Life Centre where they receive lunch and are taught English and Information Technology skills on laptops provided by the College. To support these Cambodian people to move to greater self-empowerment, we listen to the ways they would like us to contribute to their communities through these long-term projects. Throughout the remainder of the year there will be opportunities for families to engage in a variety of activities and make a life changing contribution to our Cambodian projects. Unfortunately due to the predicted weather conditions for this Friday, we have postponed our International Women’s Day Breakfast. Details of the new arrangements are included later in this newsletter and have also been emailed to families.

May God grant us the humility to see ourselves honestly, to seek forgiveness for our mistakes and to live confidently in God’s grace and love for us.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal

From the College Pastor

Honesty

“Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving.” – James E. Faust

Honesty is the devotional thread of the College over the next two weeks and it is also a character strength used in positive psychology. When we think about honesty as a character strength, we soon realise that it is about more than just telling the truth or not telling lies. Honesty is about being a person of authenticity and integrity. Honesty is about being a person you can trust. It’s got to do with showing courage when we are tempted. The more we practice honesty and surround ourselves with people who are honest, the more it will grow in our character. We don’t have to let our old habits rule us. Like any character trait, we can grow, develop and increase honesty with practice, learning from our mistakes when we fail and asking for God’s help and strength.

Martin Luther hit the nail on the head when he explained the Eighth Commandment in his Small Catechism. Concerning the commandment, “You are not to bear false witness against your neighbour” (or in more everyday language, You shall not lie”), Luther said this; “We are to honour and love God, so that we do not tell lies about other people, talk about them behind their back, or damage their reputation in any way. Instead, we should speak up for them and explain their actions in the kindest possible way”. Luther explains the commandment very positively, encouraging honesty in our relationships and in how we speak to one another. Imagine if we were to put into practice that last phrase, “explain people’s actions in the kindest possible way”. Imagine the honesty, the trust and the integrity people would see growing in us if we put this into action each day, in each of our relationships.

As you develop this character strength of honesty in your life, may God give you everything you need to explain everyone’s actions in the kindest possible way. Amen.

Prayer Group

Any parents or friends of the College who are interested in getting together to pray for our College community and families are invited to contact Pastor Tim for more information. Phone 5436 7353 or email tjarick@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

From the Director of Students

Building Emotional Intelligence

At Pacific, we aim to grow young people’s emotional intelligence so that they can live fuller lives and be more effective in their learning and relationships. Recently, I was reading some research on growing emotional intelligence in school students. The research showed that in over 100 case studies, deliberate teaching of emotional intelligence skills produced impressive results. This research can be found in Linda Lantieri’s book, Building Emotional Intelligence. The data shows impressive improvement in student behaviour in and out of the classroom. Students not only mastered abilities like calming down and getting along better, but they also learned more effectively. Helping young people develop their emotions and relationships also makes them better learners. Scientists now believe that improving attention and memory, along with freeing the mind from impulsivity and distress, puts a young person’s mind in the best zone for learning. Social and emotional learning in subjects like Personal Development and Christian Studies and pastoral care activities does just that.

As parents, you can do the VIA character strengths test online. If your child is in the Middle or Senior College, they have completed this test in their PD classes. It could be interesting to discuss your top five strengths and compare them with your child’s strengths. The research also shows that these sorts of conversations are important in shaping a young person’s social and emotional neural circuits. One area of the brain most shaped by these sorts of conversations is the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s executive centre. This area holds the circuits both for inhibiting disruptive emotional impulses and for paying attention, for calming and focusing. Therefore by offering a secure and caring base in these discussions, parents can help create an environment that lets their children’s brains function at their best.

Mr Brendan Delaney, Director of Students

From the Head of Staff and Students P-5

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence

Friday 16^th March is National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence: https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/NationalDay. Pacific Lutheran College aims to create a safe and supportive environment for students, staff and families. Sometimes, it can be difficult for parents or carers to know what to do when their child talks to them about issues that have occurred between students at school. As parents, you play an important role in assisting the College to prevent intimidating and mean behaviour occurring between students.

Identifying bullying is not always as easy. The Safe And Supportive School Communities (SSSC) Working Group describes bullying as the ongoing misuse of power involving patterns of harmful verbal, physical or social behaviour. Therefore, while issues or conflicts between students need to be addressed, they aren’t always considered as bullying.

The definition of bullying has three critical aspects:

A repeated pattern;
The misuse of power within relationships; and
Behaviour that causes harm.

All three aspects need to be present in order for behaviour to be considered bullying.

What can parents do if their child tells them they think someone is bullying them?

Listen carefully to what your child wants to say.
Ask your child what they want to do and what they want you to do. With this in mind, be aware that the College cannot act to stop behaviours unless they are made aware that these behaviours are occurring.
Discuss some sensible strategies to handle the problem with your child – retaliating and adding to the problem is not sensible.
Contact the College.

At Pacific, addressing any problem between students’ focuses on a restorative approach, developing resilience in students and instilling a culture of respect amongst.

The restorative approach focuses on:

What happened;
Who’s been harmed; and
What needs to happen to repair the harm.

In this approach to dealing with wrongdoing, the focus is on the harm that has been done and the obligation this brings on the part of those responsible to ‘right the wrong’ as much as possible. It’s an approach that seeks to develop in the wrongdoer an understanding of the breadth and depth of the harm their behaviour has caused to others so that they can best try to make amends to those most affected. In this way, it’s an educative approach. Through a restorative approach, conflict or wrongdoing is seen as causing harm to people and relationships and there is an obligation first to repair this harm in order for the people involved to move forward. It is a way of educating students towards self-regulated right behaviour that is respectful of all concerned. In particular, it puts the onus back on the wrongdoer to be truly accountable for their behaviour and to repair any harm caused to others. It also ensures that those who have been most affected by the wrongdoing have the opportunity to be involved in working out what has to happen in order to move forward.

More information about our restorative practices can be found at: https://www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au/pacific-education/wellbeing.

A major emphasis in the Prep – Year 5 You Can Do It program is developing Emotional Resilience in students. Emotional resilience is knowing how to stay calm and being able to stop yourself from getting extremely angry or worried when something ‘bad’ happens. This too is an important factor in overcoming issues of bullying.

National Ride2School Day

On Friday 23^rd March, members of our community are urged to join over 300,000 students across Australia and adopt a wheeled mode of transport for Ride2School Day. The event is Australia’s largest celebration of active travel to school. 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 (or scootering/walking) from there.

To register, visit: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Living-and-Community/Roads-and-Transport/Active-School-Travel/National-Ride2School-Day and follow the registration link. Register before 5.00pm on Friday 23 March to enter the draw for your chance to win great prizes including bike shop vouchers valued at $500, $200 and $100 (conditions apply). For further information, email travelsmart@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or call 07 5475 7272.

Mr David Druery, Head of Staff and Students P-5

Class Parent Representatives

Thank you to those parents who have nominated as Class Parent Representatives. We have now received nominations for most Prep – Year 5 classes. If you would like to be a parent representative in 1N, 2P, 3H, 4D or 5S, please either advise your child’s teacher, Mrs Kleinschmidt in the Junior College Office or myself.

Mr David Druery, Head of Staff and Students P-5

Food for Thought

The Science of Positive Thinking

Positive thinking is about much more than just being happy or displaying an upbeat attitude. Positive thoughts can create real value in your life and help you build skills that last much longer than a smile. Learn more at: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-clear/positive-thinking_b_3512202.html.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Events

Casual Clothes Day

On Tuesday 13^th March, the College will hold a casual clothes day for students from Prep to Year 12. The cost for students will be a $2 donation and all funds collected will be donated to the PLC Cambodia Project.

International Women’s Day Breakfast – Friday 16th March

Due to the inclement weather predicted for the remainder of this week, our International Women’s Day Breakfast has been postponed until next Friday 16^th March.

Friends of Pacific

Connecting College and Community

Coles Sports for Schools

Thank you to everyone who has been collecting the Coles Sports for Schools vouchers. Our collection box at Prep was overflowing this week! There are also collection boxes at Kawana and Caloundra Coles if you are passing by. Simply collect the vouchers and follow the steps at: https://www.coles.com.au/sportsforschools#howdoesitwork. Our College will gain valuable sports equipment with every voucher collected.

OCEANfest Meeting

Our next OCEANfest meeting will be held tomorrow Friday 9^th March. We will meet at 8.45am at La Maison du Patissier, across the road from the College. Please feel welcome to come and chat about how you and your year level can be involved. Where possible, year level stalls will be finalised at this meeting so parent representatives can make a start on their planning. If you are new to the College and would like to meet other parents, this is a great opportunity. Please contact us at fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au for further information.

OCEANfest is proudly supported by Newwave Orthodontics.

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson

Library News

Osmo Fun Time

OSMO is an iPad game system where you can play games to learn Coding, Mathematics, English and Art. Come and join us at the library to experience OSMO during Wednesday lunchtimes.

Osmo Tangram: Challenge yourself to solve the puzzles pieces into matching on-screen shapes.
Osmo Numbers: Have fun with Mathematics using OSMO Numbers, you learn counting, addition, subtraction and multiplication.
Osmo Words: Guess the secret word to solve the puzzle on the screen. The more words you get right, the more levels and characters you unlock.
Osmo Masterpiece: Learn how to draw like a master.
Osmo Coding: Awbie teaches you logic skills and problem solving. It is the fun way to introduce you to the coding world.

LibGuides

A LibGuide has been added to support the Year 9 Business Economics assignment on international trade: http://libguides.pacluth.qld.edu.au/home/trade.

Ms Nell Keen, Head of Library and Mrs Lily Smith, Library Technician

From the Head of Learning Enrichment

STEPS Autism Treehouse – Positive Behaviour Support and Management Workshop

When: 3^rd July from 9.30am – 12.30pm

Where: Kawana Surf Club (99 Pacific Boulevard, Buddina 4575)

Cost: $45 per ticket. Includes tea, coffee and a light morning tea.

For more information, visit https://stepscharity.com.au/Public/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=f7dab359-032d-422d-8ff7-97a705171583&iSearchResult=true&WebsiteKey=2dc558b3-2a7f-4f42-bf62-e5e035272a00 or call Steps Autism Treehouse on 07 5458 3000.

Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Learning Enrichment 6-12

Junior College

Year 2 Marble Run Investigation

This term, Year 2 students have been looking at the history and technology of toys, integrating learning across several areas including Mathematics, English, Science and History. We have discovered that toys are made using technology and that push and pull forces affect the way our toys move.

Last week, each student designed, constructed and tested a marble run to measure how far a marble would travel. Our designs involved drawing the marble run using 2D and 3D shapes. We then constructed the marble runs and tested them, measuring the length the marble travelled in metres and centimetres.

We are now busily graphing our results and reflecting on our learning. The level of higher order thinking throughout this project has been amazing, with students considering ways to reduce friction and improve the performance of their marble runs. Way to go Year 2, awesome work!

Mrs Leonie Prout, Year 2 Teacher

Secondary College

Reporting Update – Middle College

Reporting is important to communicate student achievement and progress at various points of the academic year. With this in mind, Pacific has made some changes to the reporting process in the Middle College. We hope that this will give you an informative picture of your child’s academic progress.

At the end of Term 1, Middle College students will receive a progress report on their achievements in the core subjects of Christian Studies, Mathematics, English, HASS, Science, Japanese and Music. Parents are then invited to attend Middle College Conferences on the 18^th and 19^th April. Please note this is a change of dates as to what’s published in the College calendar.

These conferences provide a valuable opportunity for parents, students and teachers to connect and discuss progress and future goals for each student. Information about the booking process will be emailed to parents after the reports are available.

Miss Michelle McMillan, Head of Teaching and Learning Middle College

From the Head of Career Development

Women in Aviation Careers

The Sunshine Coast Aeroclub will be holding a ‘Fly it Forward’ initiative for women interested in a career in aviation to provide an experience of piloting an aircraft. Visit www.womenofaviationweek.org for further details.

University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)

Parent Information Session and Head Start Program

USC will be holding a parent information session, campus tour and Headstart information session on Thursday 22^nd March.

Headstart is a transition program for Year 11 and 12 students to study USC courses while still completing high school. Headstart provides students with a taste of university life and prepares them for future study while working towards a USC degree.

2019 USC Undergraduate Guide Now Available

The 2019 Undergraduate Guide provides students with everything they need to know about studying at USC; including study options, entry requirements, how to apply, pathways, support services and plenty more.

Work Experience

CSIRO Scientists

If you are interested in a science career (including Neuroscience, Robotics, Maths, Geospatial Engineering and much more), consider applying for a work experience placement with CSIRO. CSIRO offers students in Years 10 to 12 the chance to gain first-hand experience of research in a scientific environment. Applications are open now. Visit the CSIRO Work Experience website for more information.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) Work Experience

Thinking of applying for the ADF when you finish school? As joining the ADF is a lifestyle decision, it is essential that students explore this career option thoroughly. One way to do this is through work experience. Visit the Defence Work Experience Program website to look for work experience options in Queensland. Applications are also available on the site. Students should discuss their interest in an ADF work experience program with the Careers Counsellor before applying.

Mrs Natasha Purcell, Careers Counsellor

Junior Sport

SCISSA Gala Day 1

Next Thursday 15^th March, students will participate in the first Year 4-6 SCISSA Gala Day for 2018. Detailed information regarding plans for the day has been sent home via CareMonkey.

It is important to note that all students need to arrive at school by 8.15am in order for teams to depart on time at 8.25am. Students need to wear their full PLC sports uniform, including sports hat and any sports specific uniform requirements. Some venues may have canteen facilities but all students will need to bring their own lunch as a precaution.

Following are the venues for the day:

Boys basketball – Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Rugby 7s – Maroochydore Rugby League Club
Boys soccer – Maroochydore Soccer Club
Girls touch football – Noosa Touch Association
T20 cricket – Yandina Cricket Club
Netball – Fishermans Road Sports Complex, Maroochydore
Dance – PLC Dance Room

Parents are welcome to come along and support their children on the day. Dance students will remain at school for the day and will participate in workshops with an external dance company.

Student Success

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for the Sunshine Coast Regional Trials:

Katie Graves – Under 12 girls netball
Gabrielle Gorham – Under 12 girls netball
Christian Schlotterbach – Under 12 boys soccer
Luke Becker – Under 12 boys soccer

Good luck to all Pacific students who will be attending these trials.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Junior Sport

Secondary Sport

Monday Night Netball Results

The Monday Night Netball season commenced this week, with the results as follows:

TEAM	OPP.	SCORE	RESULT	MVP
PLC 1 (Snr A)	Mtn Creek	24-14	Win	Caitlin Hall
PLC 2 (Snr B)	Maroochydore	31-16	Loss	Holly Broadstock
PLC 3 (Int A)	GSLC	31-6	Loss	Tegan Graves
PLC 4 (Jnr A)	Siena 2	20-15	Loss	Amedy Buchanan
PLC 5	St Johns 3	18-11	Win	Jewel Jamieson
PLC 6	St Johns 6	25-3	Win	Sophie Heinz

SCISSA Results

Unfortunately our Open Boys SCISSA soccer team was unable to play this week due to the weather. The SCISSA volleyball results were as follows:

TEAM	OPP.	SCORE	RESULT	MVP
Yr 7/8 Boys	GCC	0-2	Loss	Jack Mitchell
Yr 7/8 Girls	MFAC	0-2	Loss	Chantelle Page
Yr 9/10 Boys A	GSLC	0-2	Loss	Brock Bloomer
Yr 9/10 Boys B	MFAC	0-2	Loss	Cody McMackin
Yr 9/10 Girls Blue	BYE	-	-	-
Yr 9/10 Girls Green	ILC	2-0	Win	Kiarnah Pearce
Yr 9/10 Girls White	BYE	-	-	-

Mr Brett Kersnovske, Head of Sport

Club Sport

Pacific FC

Upcoming Events

Friday 9^th March from 3.15pm to 4.00pm – collect team bags and uniforms
Friday 9^th March First ROAR Session from – 3.15pm to 4.15pm SOLD OUT
Saturday 10^th March – Rooball Carnival and Round 1 grading matches

Please check the Team App or website to find game times and locations. Remember to also keep in contact with your Team Manager and Coach. Team canteen allocations have been sent to all managers.

Weather

The weather is forecast to include some rain, but please remember that unless you are advised by your Team Manager, the games are on. Generally, SCCSA will notify us if grounds are NOT playable by 7.00am on Saturday morning via Facebook. Please check on the their Facebook page first!

Brisbane Roar Game

On Saturday night, our club was lucky to be hosted by the Brisbane Roar at their game against Adelaide United. Eleven Pacific FC players were mascots and walked onto the ground with the A League players and 16 Pacific FC players enjoyed some games at half time. It was a great experience and we were on Foxtel and the big screens at Suncorp Stadium!

Equipment

A reminder to parents, coaches and managers – there are still some people who have not collected their uniforms or team bags. These will be available for collection on Friday afternoon from 3.15pm to 4.00pm.

Pacific FC Sponsors

We are very lucky to have such wonderful and supportive sponsors. The businesses that help our club and children with Encouragement Awards and sponsorship need to be supported themselves, so please make sure that you show your patronage to them. When you use your vouchers please say thank you and let them know that Pacific FC supports them. Please use the vouchers with some discretion (do not use all the vouchers at once) and also keep in mind that some have expiry dates and terms/conditions.

Pacific FC Contacts

Jenny Lee (Canteen)
Lisa Ackerman (Registrations)
Louise Currey (Treasurer)
Esta Styles (Vice President)
Matt Gigney (President)
Zane Russell
Rob Moffitt (Director of Coaching)
Rita Williams
Paul McFadyen

If you have any queries, or if you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at: pacificFC@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Mr Matt Gigney, Pacific FC President

PLC Netball Club

Team training continues this week in the lead-up to the commencement of the season, which kicks off this Saturday. Everybody is requested to be at CDNA by 7.15am. Players will have an opportunity to meet the club mascot ‘Clip Clop’ before joining their teams for the March Past and opening ceremony.

A special thank you to Mrs Peta King in the uniform shop who has assisted with issuing and fitting the netball dresses. The management of club dresses is not part of Peta’s usual duties, but she volunteers her time to the club as do many other parents and players. On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank all of you for your ongoing support.

Stay up-to-date via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PLCNetballClub and our website http://www.caloundraplc.qld.netball.com.au/!

Mr Trevor Colton, PLC Netball Club President

Uniform Shop

Opening Hours and Online Ordering

Please note the Uniform Shop will be closed on the following dates at the end of this term:

Friday 23^rd March
Wednesday 28^th March
Thursday 29^th March

In lieu of these dates, the shop will be open from Monday 19^th to Thursday 22^nd March. Please remember that if your child requires a house shirt for the Cross Country Carnival (Thursday 29^th March), you will need to visit the shop or order online prior to Thursday 22^nd March.

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

St Mark’s Lutheran Church

Weekly Services

Pastor Ray Morris, St Mark’s Lutheran Church Caloundra

General Notices

LLL School Banking

Pacific provides opportunities for children and parents to operate savings accounts with the Lutheran Laypeople’s League (LLL). The LLL is a non-profit financial institution established in 1921. All LLL Deposit Accounts are ‘at call’ accounts and there are no LLL fees or charges. All LLL deposit accounts have an attractive rate of interest with no ‘Bonus’ rate hurdles to jump.

The LLL pays a $5 gift to the first savings account opened for the child.

Deposits can be made through the College’s Business Office each Tuesday before school. To find out more, visit the Business Office.

Upcoming Dates

March

12	Years 4-6 SCISSA Training (3.15pm-4.15pm)
15	Years 4-6 SCISSA Gala Day 1
16	International Women's Day Breakfast (7.00am-8.00am)
	Pacific As A Peace Place Day
17	Academic Scholarship Test
20	Friends of Pacific (6.30pm)
20-22	P-5 Conferences and Portfolios
22	Year 7 and 10 Immunisations
24	Music Scholarship Test
	Earth Hour
27-28	Middle College Conferences
29	K-12 Chapel
	Years 3-12 Cross Country Carnival (10.00am-3.00pm)
	Term 1 Concludes

Compass No 487 - March 2018

LEARNING JOURNEY

ENROLMENTS

NEWS

MY PLC

Growing people to make a difference