Compass No 493 - May 2018

Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.

Thomas Merton

This term in the devotional threads of our college there is great alignment between our values as a Lutheran School, the character strengths from the positive psychology and Christian virtues derived from the Bible and Jesus himself. Over this week and next we are exploring humility. 

Who are those people in your life who you view as being humble? Has their humility had an effect on you and influenced you? Who are the people on the screens you watch who model humility for you, your children and family?

This last question makes me think, are there many role models of humility on the reality shows we watch on television? Do we see many people of true humility on MasterChef, House Rules, the Voice or the Bachelorette? What about in the professional world of sport? Are there many sportsmen or women who display humility in tennis, football, cricket, the Commonwealth or Olympic games? Encountering a genuinely humble person in life can be a rare thing. But when we do encounter humility it can be a profound gift that grows us spiritually as we relate to others in different ways.

Why do we not see more humble people portrayed in popular culture and public life? Because deep down all of us have a propensity to be proud and put ourselves first. Pride is a universal human tendency that all of us struggle with in some way or other. Pride, just like some of the characters on popular reality television shows, makes us artificial. That’s how the contemplative Catholic monk Thomas Merton put it; pride makes us artificial but humility makes us real. There is an inclination in each of us to relate to others and the world from a sense of pride and hubris. When we do this we often experience alienation and disconnection in our relationships. We are presenting to other people someone we are not. But the great thing about humility is that it makes us real, authentic and human. When we show humility to others we are letting our guard down, being vulnerable, and grounded. That’s what the word humility literally means being “grounded” to the earth, to the soil. When we are acting out of humility we are presenting ourselves as the way God intends us to be. Grounded in him, in each other and in his creation. In the life of Jesus we see what true humility looks like, we see someone grounded to others, to the earth and its needs, and to God. In the end humility looks a lot like Jesus and what he did when he walked the earth. May we also be grounded and made real through the gift of humility.     

A prayer for the gift of humility…

God, you show us yourself in moments where we encounter humility. Help me to put the needs of others before my own needs today in some small way. Help me to see that I am not always right, that I do make mistakes and get things wrong. Help me to see that the attention does not always need to be on me. Give me your humility Jesus. Amen.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

Recently I was reading an interview with Australian writer Tim Winton in Eternity News an on-line Christian magazine. In the Article Winton was discussing how hope should move us to action. Our response to the hope that comes from God’s grace is to put our faith into action and care for others.  God is present in our doing.

 In the first two weeks of this new term, I have seen so much doing from our students. From the student involvement in Open Day as performers, tour guides, cooks and classroom presenters to the 200 students who walked in the ANZAC Day parade. As a teacher working with young people often you are given a real sense of hope as you witness their idealism and care for others.

As we now move into the Month of May, the College is again asking students to show hope for the less fortunate members of our own community by supporting the Red Shield Appeal. Through the Month we will be asking PCG and primary classes to bring in non-perishable food and personal items. These will be donated to the Caloundra Salvation Army and distributed to local families. We are also asking students to collect for the Red Shield Appeal on Sunday May 27 from 8.30 am to 11.30. We will be meeting at the Middle/Senior office. The Salvation Army has allocated specific areas for Pacific students to collect in. Groups of four students will travel, [with a parent] to each collection site and will collect in pairs. Therefore, we are also in need of adult/parent drivers as the Salvation Army is unable to provide any drivers to assist us. In the past we have had an excellent response from students and parents to support the Christian hope offered by the Salvation Army.

Mr Brendan Delaney, Director or Students

No child deserves to be rejected. We can and should encourage children to be kind and tolerant of others, and cruelty is never acceptable. However, some children regularly act in ways that make it hard for other children to accept them. Helping children with off-putting behaviours to recognise and change these (if possible) can make it less likely that they will be rejected.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/growing-friendships/201110/is-your-child-inviting-rejection

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

The cast and crew have been working tirelessly in rehearsal over the last two months, honing their acting skills, fencing skills and perfecting the many comic moments in this very funny new take on the original story.

Tickets go on sale Monday 30th April and are available either by contacting The Events Centre (54914240) or online www.theeventscentre.com.au.

Don't miss out, bring the whole family!

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL!

Mrs Janine Delaney and Miss Alisha Janssen

Over the Easter school holidays, Emma Camiller immersed herself in biomedical research by attending a 5-day intensive Sparq-ed workshop at the Diamantina Institute in Woolloongabba located near the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the UQ School of Pharmacy. The program is run through a partnership between UQ and the Queensland Government to promote excellence and innovation in biological and biomedical education by delivering specialised programs to school students. The students work alongside current PHD researchers and educators.

During her five days, Emma read academic papers, accessed the medical library, learnt about scientific research and report writing and spent time both in the lab and at the institute where she participated in the research of HeLa cells and retro transposition events. The week concluded with students presenting their findings at a symposium.

Emma took up this opportunity to gain an insight into Biomedical research and to assist in her decision making towards tertiary study in this field on the completion of Year 12. Emma has always had a strong interest in medical research and this was only reinforced through her involvement in the program. Emma is currently completing an optional 2000 word scientific research report based on her lab experiences and academic readings.

When asked if Emma would recommend this immersion to other students considering advanced research or biomedical science, Emma said

 “This immersion program was an exciting look into the field of medicine and it allowed me to understand the biology of cells and to know whether I was going to choose this industry as my career. After conducting this immersion program I am now certain on medical research. Therefore if you are interested in medical science, I would strongly recommend this program”.

If you are interested in finding out more about Sparq-ed programs, including one and two day immersions, see their website for further details https://di.uq.edu.au/sparq-ed and speak to Mrs Purcell Careers Counsellor about the application process.

Mrs Natasha Purcell, Careers Counsellor

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

Calling all parents, grandparents and friends of the Pacific community! We would love to see some new faces at the Tuckshop this term! Your time and effort will be most appreciated by staff and students. If you are unsure about what is involved, please feel free to pop in, meet our Tuckshop Convenor and have a look around. There are jobs to suit everyone and it’s a great way to meet new people and lend a helping hand. Click here to download the Volunteer Form.

Ms Carrie Dickson, Tuckshop Convenor

Do your kids understand money? I mean, really understand it?

Probably not; most of them don’t. That’s because we pay for things with a swipe or a tap, and often don’t use actual cash. School banking rates may also be declining, because finding cash on the day can be inconvenient.

The risk we run by not teaching our kids about money, is that they’ll can fall into the credit card trap when they turn 18, and begin their adult lives in a world of debt.

Here are 5 suggestions for teaching your children BASIC financial skills:

1. Get them into school banking. They learn so much from physically touching the money and participating in their own savings.

2. Teach them they need bread for sandwiches, but want chocolate for a treat. There’s a difference.

3. Make them earn their own money by doing chores! It’s old school, but it works.

4. Don’t buy stuff for them all the time. They can buy it with their own money.

5. Google “Three Jam Jars Kids Money” – a great way for kids to visualise budgeting.

For more information on basic financial literacy visit the ASIC moneysmart website.

To open an LLL Children’s Savings account, visit lll.org.au/open today.