Compass No. 502 July 2018

The people you surround yourself with influence your behaviours, so choose friends

who have healthy habits.

Dan Buettner

We begin this term hearing the thread of positive peer influence. This thread is about children and young people being a good influence on their friends and modelling responsible behaviour. The thread is really about interactions between friends and learning to be a good friend to one another. Children and teenagers often find it hard to make friends, keep healthy friendships, quit toxic ones and resolve conflict within their friendships. Social barriers are easily made in relationships but hard to cross and resolve. How do students go about not just making friends but also managing and changing their friends when their peers are a negative influence on them? Educator Dana Kerford talks about children and young people learning to distinguish between “friendship fires” and individuals who are “mean on purpose”.  Not all conflict is about bullying. Building friendship resilience is an important skill and encouraging students to put out spot fires in their relationships is significant. Mean on purpose behaviour is repeated, involves a lack of trust and respect and is unhealthy relational behaviour.

In chapel this week students have heard a story about Zac the Taxman and the problems he faced in establishing friends. In this kid’s version of the biblical story of Zacchaeus the tax collector, who climbed up a tree to see Jesus, Zac was sad, mad and wanted to get even with his friends at school. He had these “friendship fires”. Little flare ups in our relationships that can be overcome if we give attention to them, there and then. But as the story progressed Zac decided to get even with people. To be deliberately “mean on purpose” is to continually pick on someone. When we do this, we have crossed a line into an unhealthy relational dynamic or friendship.

Like Zacchaeus all of us can at times feel sad or even mad with our friends. We all have friendship fires. The problem lies though when people are deliberately left out, excluded, picked on, exhibit “mean on purpose” behaviour. That’s the opposite of what Jesus did when he was with Zacchaeus and with all the people he met on earth. Jesus picked up people rather than picked on people. He welcomed people, those who had no friends, were seen as ugly or unattractive, those who were rejected by the popular in-crowd. Jesus treated people radically different to the religious teachers and rulers of the day. The positive way Jesus related to and befriended people had a profound effect on them. It changed and transformed them because through Him they tasted God’s grace and forgiveness.

That’s what positive peer influence, a healthy friendship is all about; showing trust and respect to our mates. The same sort of trust, respect and friendship Jesus shows us.  Jesus said to his disciples; I do not call you servants anymore…. Instead, I have called you friends (John 15:15). May the Lord Jesus Christ give you and your children generous resilient hearts as you live with and forgive your friends and model it in all your relationships.

Ps Tim Jarick, College Pastor

This term our PERMA focus will be relationships. At Pacific from day one we have had People… the focus as part of our College mission. In a practical way we have aimed to build a foundation of positive relationships. The goal is for staff, students and families to care for and support each other. The upcoming Athletics carnival will be an opportunity for students to display a strong sense of loyalty and connectedness to their House. The recent school production demonstrated an incredible amount of belonging over the rehearsals and performance week. There is great value in students working together creatively in different age and peer groups. This term it is the turn of the middle and primary students to work together on their musical - Shrek.

Pacific provides daily opportunities for young people to cultivate strong communication and social skills. For the younger members of the school community these social skills may involve joining in at the playground and sharing with friends. For older students it may include listening mindfully to others and responding to their needs. Research shows that the human mind is social, which means that it is designed to work together with others. This term we will focus with students on the importance of the relationships they are building with others.

“The things that define us as human beings are the relationships we form.” John Hendry.

Mr Brendan Delaney, Head of Senior School Students

Welcome to the new term. I hope all families spent a relaxing and enjoyable time together over the holidays.

Parent Teacher Conferences  

Research continues to recognise the important role that parental support plays in creating an environment in which children can achieve their academic potential.  Next week parent teacher conferences will be held for P-5 students. The conferences provide an ideal opportunity for parents, teachers and students to discuss each child’s progression and development. Although the conferences are not compulsory I would encourage parents to attend these conferences if they have questions regarding their child’s academic performance and development.

You Can Do it

This term in P-5 the focus for the You Can Do it Program relates to developing persistence and the habits of mind related to Working Tough, Giving Effort and developing an I can do it attitude. Persistence means trying hard and not giving up when something feels like it is too hard to do. Examples of persistent behaviour include;

• Continuing to try even when work is hard
• Not being distracted by others
• Checking work when it is finished

Often students need to experience what it feels like to succeed if they are to be successful in the future. Success or achievement does not come without effort and persistence.  Success is not about reaching a particular level of achievement rather it is for each individual achieving their individual potential. Parents can support and develop persistence in their children by always encouraging effort and recognizing success.

The concept of Persistence fits neatly with developing positive types of thinking skills. The You Can Do It program not only fosters the development of thinking, it supports children in achieving to the best of their ability and aids them in developing social and emotional wellbeing and emotional resilience. 

Hats

A hat is an important piece of the College uniform.  It is great to see many of the students out on the ovals or playing in the grounds during breaks.  Each student is required to wear a hat at breaks and when travelling to and from school. I would ask all parents to encourage and remind all students to wear a hat to school every day.

Uniforms

Students in Years 1-5 may only wear their sports uniform to school on the days they have HPE. Years 4 and 5 students may also wear their HPE uniforms to school on Thursdays.  There may also be rare occasions during the year when students may be requested to wear their sports uniform to school for carnivals or excursions. On all other occasions students should attend school in their formal uniform.

I realise that on occasions students have no choice but to wear the wrong shoes or uniform to school.   If for some reason your child is unable to wear the correct uniform to school, please send a note to your child’s class teacher advising them of the reason for wearing the wrong uniform.  A uniform reminder letter will be forwarded to parents whose children are in the wrong uniform without a note.

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

There is an increasing dialogue in social organisations – in schools, workplaces, court rooms, governments on the importance of empathy. Empathy is what sets us apart from machines. It’s what enables us to relate to other people and their experiences. It’s what enables us to understand them and it’s what makes us compassionate.

But empathy is not innate, it’s learnt.

https://www.parentingscience.com/teaching-empathy.html

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

With four weeks until OCEANfest 2018, we are very pleased to announce our Aloha Raffle Tickets and Early Bird Unlimited Rides Passes are now released!

RAFFLE TICKET BOOKS

This week, the eldest child in your family received a book of Aloha Raffle Tickets to bring home. Please look out for them in your child’s bag or homework folder.  Click here for further information about the Raffle Tickets. 

RIDES PASS 

The Early Bird Rides Pass is a wristband that entitles you to 11 fun-filled unlimited rides and amusements. For a full list of the rides and amusements at OCEANfest 2018, please visit Flexischools.

 To secure your pass:

 1. Visit Flexischools online either as a guest or registered user and enter the link to Pacific Lutheran College. Passes must be ordered prior to 5.00pm, August 16 2018.

Note: passes are $45 on the event day. Individual rides are between $5 and $7 each.

 2. The Early Bird Rides Pass will also be available for sale outside Prep and the Middle College Office in the week leading into OCEANfest.

For further information, visit Flexischools or OCEANfest 2018 on Facebook. If you have any queries, please email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

JUNIOR COLLEGE CENT AUCTION BASKETS DUE TOMORROW!

It’s great to see so many gifts in the baskets for the Cent Auction Collection! To create the prizes for the Cent Auction, it begins with each junior class and pastoral care group (PCG) collecting new, donated items based on a theme. Laundry baskets are in each K to Year 6 classroom and these will be used to store the donated items. For Years 7-12, each PCG group is asked to decide upon a larger item and pool their money.  For a list of the basket themes, go to the OCEANfest website - https://www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au/news-events/oceanfest

CARWASH FOR CAMBODIA

Please support the Car Wash for Cambodia this Saturday 21 July from 10-2pm in the carpark behind ELC. For $10, you’ll have your car washed and cleaned by the team heading to Cambodia in December.

MIDDLE/SENIOR SPORTS DAY CANTEEN - USC

FoP will once again host a Canteen on Monday 23 July at the Middle/Senior Sports Day. All items including BBQ sausages on bread, patty cakes, and drinks are $2. If you can help out for an hour on the day, please see Mrs Allyson Sarvari.

NEXT FOP MEETING: TUESDAY 24 JULY

Our next Friends of Pacific meeting will be held on Tuesday 24 July from 6.30pm in the College Library.  All welcome to attend.

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson                      

PLC OSHC just finished its winter vacation care. The children enjoyed a jam-packed program with lots of fun and exciting experiences and adventures including a trip to the Caboolture Historical Village and learning dances from the African culture. September and October vacation care program planning is underway, so don’t miss out.  We are now back into the Term 3 Before and After School Care program where the fun and adventure does not stop. If you are interested in enrolling your child into our service, please come and say hi!

Mrs Natalie Sorbello, Educational Leader

Last term thirty-six Years 3, 4 and 5 students were selected to participate in our Junior College YACHTS (Young Achievers Creatively Honing Thinking Skills) program. 

Our theme for the term was Greek Mythology.  During the sessions students studied ancient Greece, including why it is known as the birthplace of western civilisation.  We explored the geographical features of ancient Greece and how this led to the development of city-states such as Troy, Athens and Sparta.   Students were exposed to a number of key myths and delved into the allusions and themes within them, such as opening ‘Pandora’s box’, having the ‘Midas touch’, and what is an ‘Achilles’ heel’. 

Students completed either their own Greek myth with a protagonist and antagonist, created an individual Greek character (god, goddess, hero, heroine) or a set of trading cards demonstrating their knowledge of key characters. 

For our culminating day, students dressed as characters from ancient Greece, shared individual tasks and a Greek feast together, and competed in a city-state knowledge competition.  We had a wonderful term, learning about ancient Greece and sharing our artefacts with each other.

Thanks to all who supported this initiative.

Mrs Christine Doyle, Christine Doyle, YACHTS Program Coordinator and Head of Teaching and Learning (3-5)

Health Education - Certificate III Basic Health Work Placements

In the last week of Term Two, the Year 11 and 12 Certificate III in Basic Health students completed their Work Placements at Seasons Private Aged Centre, Golden Beach (Year 12) and St Mary’s Aged Care, Pelican Waters (Year 11).  The placements gave the students a chance to put the theory they had learnt at school into work place practice.  The facilities provided an opportunity for the students to view and experience the wide range of care provided at the centres from independent living through to high care Dementia units.  It was a very ‘hands-on’ placement for the students involved.

The college would like to thank the facility co-ordinators and staff for the experience that they offered to the students.  In the years to come the college looks forward to furthering the relationships that were developed with these facilities.

Sunshine Coast Health Institute – ‘A Day in the Life of the Health Service’ Event

Expressions of interest are requested from Year 10, 11 and 12 students interested in participating in an Open Day experience at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute on Friday August 10^th from 9am – 12.30pm.  The students will listen to presentations from professionals and education providers about studying and working both directly and indirectly in the Health field. 

Interested students are requested to speak to Mr Peter McMahon before Tuesday July 24^th to obtain a Parent Consent form.  Transport to and from the venue will be via Pacific Lutheran College buses.

Mr Peter McMahon, Head of Bulla House

An Information Notice from Education Council regarding Nationally Consistent Collection of Data  - Students with Disability.

All Education Ministers from Commonwealth, State and Territory governments endorsed the implementation of a Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) in all Australian schools (government, independent and Catholic).

The nationally consistent approach to data collection provides all Australian schools, education authorities and the community with a clear picture of the number of students receiving adjustments because of disability in schools, and the adjustments they are provided to enable them to participate in education on the same basis as other students.  Please click here to read more.

Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Learning Enrichment

USC Open Day Sunday 22^nd July

Careers that are likely to be in demand in the years ahead will be discussed in detail at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s annual Open Day on Sunday 22 July.

USC will hold a ‘Careers of the Future’ forum as one of many activities during Open Day, which is expected to attract thousands of prospective students from across the Sunshine Coast and further afield. The forum will consider how people can study for jobs that don’t even exist yet and will look closely at the core skills needed by a future workforce.

Open Day will be held from 9.30am to 2pm at USC’s main campus at Sippy Downs and will have the theme ‘Rise, and Shine Starts Here’. It is aimed at giving students all the information they need to make the most of their time at university.

Visitors will be able to inspect the campus, get questions answered, and learn more about the study programs they’re interested in by chatting one-on-one with USC academics. They can sit in on real lectures across a wide range of disciplines to see what University life is like and attend information sessions that outline study programs and career opportunities.

There will also be panel discussions that will focus on: how to choose the right university; what factors need to be considered when planning a gap year; and moves to overcome gender stereotypes in careers.

https://www.usc.edu.au/open-day

ACU Community Achiever Program

ACU believes great work that makes a positive impact should be recognised – and rewarded. So if you are regularly volunteering, ACU invite you to apply for our Community Achiever Program (CAP).
Regular volunteer work in your community – through a social justice organisation, sporting, performance, cultural or religious group – may be rewarded through our Community Achievers' Program with entry into an undergraduate degree.

A successful CAP application means you could receive an offer as early as August to study at ACU. Being part of this CAP group also offers unique opportunities to enhance your leadership and volunteering skills, while you study with us.

CAP entry is only available for Undergraduate bachelor level degrees at ACU.

http://www.acu.edu.au/study_at_acu/pathways_and_entry_schemes/year_12_st...

Year 11 2019 Subject Selection

If you were not able to attend the Year 10 into 11 subject selection evening, you will find details about the Senior Phase, ATAR and subject outlines in the Subject Selection Handbook located on the PLC website.

https://www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au/learning-journey/subject-offerings.

The QTAC My Path link for exploring tertiary pre-requisites is found at  https://www.qtac.edu.au/atar-my-path/my-path

Subject preference forms are due back on Monday 23^rd July.

Sunshine Coast Careers Expo is on this Tuesday 24^th July at the Calvary Centre, Tanawha from 10.00am -2.00pm and from 3.30pm – 6.30pm. Many exhibitors will have booths including TAFE, Tertiary, Defence, Private RTO’s and Colleges, etc.

Mrs Natasha Purcell, Careers Counsellor

Calling all parents, grandparents and friends of the Pacific community! If you can volunteer for only 45 minutes, (from 12.45 to 1.30pm) then we'd love to hear from you! We have volunteer positions available to serve at the front counter.  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

Ps Ray Morris, St Marks Lutheran Chruch Caloundra

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 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.

20        Year 7-12 Schools Basketball Begins

23        Year 7-12 Athletics Carnival – USC (8.30am-3.00pm)

24        Year 6-12 Parent Teacher Interviews (6.00pm)

            Sunshine Coast Careers Expo

            Friends of Pacific (6.30pm)

25        Primary Lutheran Athletics Carnival

30-31   Year 8 Camp – Glastonbury

30-31   Seishin Visit (Inbound)

31        9-12yrs District Athletics

31        Year 10 2019 Subject Selection Evening (6pm)