Compass No. 504 August 2018

They also started to argue. They disagreed about which of them was thought to be the most important person. Jesus said to them…. "Who is more important? Is it the one at the table, or the one who serves? Isn't it the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”

Luke 22:24 & 27

The thread our college community is looking at this week and next in chapel, PCG, class and staff devotions is “High Expectations”. Research shows what we probably all know, when parents, caregivers, teachers and other adults have high expectations for their children’s development, learning and behaviour, young people can lift their performance to do their best, develop their talents, and learn to be people of quality. Inversely, when expectations are low in life and in learning, children and young people will sink to them. The challenge for parents and adults though is to have high expectations for their children that are not unrealistic or push them beyond their pace. Having too many expectations can create pressure, anxiety and a negative mindset in young people. Children and young people need to learn that aiming high in life and doing their best at school is important but learning to make mistakes, dealing with our imperfections and navigating a way through relationships that are often messy are just as important life skills. The problem with high expectations in life is that they can easily focus on the wrong things. Who is better? Who is the greatest? Who has the most?

One day Jesus addressed these questions with his disciples. They were arguing amongst themselves who they thought was the most important person. The disciples had high expectations of greatness. Just as they perceived greatness in Jesus they expected to share in that greatness amongst themselves. In their arguing of who was at the top of the pile Jesus reminded them that in God’s kingdom the expectations and roles of humanity are reversed. Whoever wants to be great in the kingdom of God needs to be like a child, whoever wants to be a leader needs to serve.

Greatness in God’s eyes comes from a humble faith that engages in the needs of our neighbours. The kingdom of God comes to us in places and people we lest expect, especially in the act of serving the other. There’s a surprising expectation.

Ps Tim Jarick, College Pastor

P-2 Carpark Safety Before and After School

The Prep- Year 2 car park can become congested, particularly with the ongoing building works occurring at the moment.  Often parents/guardians are hurrying to drop of children on the way to work or in the afternoons, rushing to collect students for after school activities. I would like to remind parents/guardians that there is a speed limit of 10kms in all College car parks.   Often students are alighting from vehicles and moving through the car park. To ensure their safety parents are reminded to adhere to speed limits and not to park in the drop off zones on the prep or eastern side of the carpark. Parking in the drop off zones causes increased congestion as parents attempt to drop off or pick up their children whilst stopped on the roadway. Drivers are also reminded to follow signage and road markings and the directions of staff on duty.  Your assistance in keeping our students safe and lessening stress and congestion in the carpark is most appreciated.

Prep-Year 5 Signing Students in and out of School

A reminder to parents of Prep- Year 5 students, when signing your children in or out please do this in the P-5 office which is located adjacent to the Year 2 building.

P-2 Athletics

All P-2 students have begun preparing for their Athletics Carnival which will be held on Monday, 3^rd September. The Carnival will start at 9.00am and will be completed by 10.30am. Parents are most welcome to attend this exciting event.

Year 4 Camp

Year 4 camp will be held on 23^rd and 24^th August at Alex Park.  A letter giving details of the camp, permission slips and medical forms will be forwarded home.  Should you have any questions regarding camp please contact either your child’s teacher or myself.

Communication with Staff 

Often parents need to communicate information to their child’s teachers regarding changes of routine (such as how and with whom a child is travelling home, attendance at appointments or attendance at After School Hours Care), exemption from participation in sport, specialist lessons or activities due to injury or illness. Each morning parents verbally advise teachers of such changes.  To avoid confusion and to ensure students are where they are meant to be particularly at the end of the day, I would ask that parents put all of these changes in writing. There are a number of ways parents can communicate with staff. All teachers can be contacted by e-mail. Teachers in Prep –Year 2 classes can also be contacted through communication books which parents can write in informing teachers of changes to routines. Thirdly a short note can be sent with students advising teachers of changes in routines or of their inability to participate in activities.

I appreciate your support in assisting teachers in ensuring the wellbeing of students in regard to their travel arrangements, attendance at appointments and their appropriate levels of involvement in sport, specialist lessons or activities.

Hats

A reminder that the College hat is an important element of the school uniform.  A number of students are already presenting to school each day without a hat. During breaks students need to wear a hat or they are required to stay out of the sun.  Students should also wear their hats when travelling to and from the College. All parents/guardians are asked to ensure that children are bringing/wearing a hat to school each day. 

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

Kids today are more obsessed with their body image than those in past generations. This is partially influenced by the media and their social connectivity. Encouraging kids to have a healthy body image in childhood, can lay the foundations for good physical and mental health later in life.

A recent study highlighted that body image is one of the top three concerns for Australian youth. Over half of girls in high schools have tried to lose weight. One-third of teenage boys wanted to be thinner and another third wanted to be larger. Children need to understand that their body shape and size is not a reflection of their health or success. Parents and schools need to work together to help young people understand that everyone is born with their own ‘body-suit’.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn how to encourage their child to have a positive body image and why it is so important to their mental health. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition and we always welcome your feedback.

If you have any concerns about your child, please contact Mrs Annie Williams for further information.  Here is the link to this month’s edition http://pacificlutheran.qld.schooltv.me/newsletter/body-image

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor, Mr David Druery Head of Staff and Students P-5

We’re counting down to Aloha OCEANfest 2018! Only 2 weeks to go!

PRE ORDER YOUR RIDES PASS AND CURRENCY:

• Visit https://flexischools.com.au online before 5pm, August 16 or
• Visit either of the Ticket Stalls outside the Coral Café and Prep from next Thursday (9-16 August)

To see all of the rides and amusements on offer, visit Flexischools or the Facebook page called OCEANfest 2018 or the PLC website page.

PRE ORDER YOUR TIKI GRAZING BOX

Filled with a tropical array of grazing bites, this box for two, brought to you by our wonderful friends at Fowler Lawyers and the Coral Café, is the perfect accompaniment to drinks. Available for collection on Friday August 17, from 3.00-8.30pm at the Tiki Bar. Visit https://flexischools.com.au to pre-order.

RAFFLE TICKETS – over $15 000 worth of prizes must be WON! 

Visit Flexischools online to pay for your Raffle books or to order additional books. Did you know we also have loads of prizes for booksellers and buyers?  Don’t miss your chance to WIN a Weareco Uniform Gift Voucher or a lunch at La Maison du Patissier, plus more! Please return your book/s before Wednesday August 15 to the Main Office. To see a list of our generous sponsors, please head to the Aloha OCEANfest Facebook page.

CENT AUCTION BASKETS

Thank you to all families who have generously contributed towards the Cent Auction Baskets and PCG gift items. A selection of these baskets will be on display at the Coral Café Ticket Stall next week.

BIG KAHUNA LIVE AUCTION

We have an amazing array of items that will be auctioned off in the TIKI Bar on Friday August 17! We thank our generous sponsors for making the BIG KAHUNA LIVE AUCTION an event not to be missed.

SIGNUP.COM

All College families will now have received an invitation from PLC Admin to volunteer at OCEANfest via Signup.com. The link to volunteer for the event is: http://signup.com/go/CUZmKto

We encourage your family to sign up and support your parent reps with the year level stalls as they have spent considerable time organising and planning for OCEANfest.

NEXT FOP MEETING: Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Our next Friends of Pacific meeting will be held on Tuesday, 21 August from 6.30pm in the College Library.  All welcome to attend.

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson 

OSHC this week has been buzzing with themed activity to do with geology and business from all the children. Our main focus this week has been the investigation of gems, crystals and mining. The children have created a research station with a number of different rocks as well as a laptop and books to help with their research. The children love to take care of the environment and have begun a compost area. They have linked this to a science area inside which will focus on the garden, soil and plants. Learning about different cultures and the children’s heritage is also of interest to the children at the moment with the children sharing where their family is from and creating flags from different countries. Please feel free to come in and have a look at what the children are doing.

Mrs Natalie Sorbello, Educational Leader

Book Week is coming! Prior to that we will have Book Fair 13^th-16^th August and Author visits for Prep-Year 8 on 6^th,7^th,8^th of August.

Mrs Nell Keen, Head of Library

Yesterday Year 3 went to visit the Caboolture Historical Village. There were gems, display rooms, spooky train rides and much more. The students have written the following three reflections for you to enjoy.

Gem digging was awesome.  We got a bucket of sawdust with gems hidden in it. It was SO much fun to sieve the sand away from the gems. The best bit was that we could keep our gems.

Then we had the spooky train ride.  The first time we went around the track there was a bushranger with a gun in his hand!  Then we went through the spooky tunnel and screamed as loudly as we possibly could.  Then the second time we went past the bushrangers there were two.  The new one had a ginormous gun and he stole a box of gold off the children – but the key was lost.  So, he shot the box open and it had twenty, seven-pound notes in it and they gave one to every person.  But then they shot a chicken in the tree – but I knew it was fake.  Then they threw a fake snake into my carriage!  I screamed even though it was fake.

The funniest thing about our excursion was we saw a bright pink water bottle actually IN one of the display toilets (thunderbox).  I laughed and giggled a lot.

The trip to Caboolture was awesome and Year 3 learnt SO much about how people lived 100 hundred ago.  If you haven’t been to the Caboolture Historical Village be sure to make the trip as it is a great place to visit, and it’s so much fun.  We definitely enjoyed getting a lolly from the lolly shop – but don’t tell anyone!

By Kayla Sanderson 3D

On Thursday we went to the Caboolture Historical Village. It was really interesting because you could go into lots of buildings from the past. It looked like a village with houses that were much more basic than they are today. There were very small shops, not big ones like the IGA. There was a small sweet shop (Lucky them, lollies were only 1c. Imagine $1 for 100 lollies!). I would not have liked to have something wrong with my teeth in those days because the dentist tools looked like torture machines. At the jail house I don't think the police were very careful because they gave the criminals toothbrushes which they could sharpen into knives and blades. The jail didn't look too uncomfortable, but I still wouldn't like to be there because there wasn't much space.

I liked going into the schoolhouse because I really liked lifting the desks up. It was small and cosy. Schools were very strict then. I would have not liked to have got the cane in those days - one slap on your hand for talking in class and six slaps for being rude to a teacher! There was a train and we had to find the bushrangers who pretended to shoot a small chicken from the tree. I really enjoyed being given fake English money.   

By Isabel McKeown 3A

On Thursday, July 26^th, the Year 3 students had the opportunity to visit the Caboolture Historical Village.  Here we learnt about early Australian history and our local area.

We had great fun participating in a range of activities including learning how clothes were washed in the past and being involved in a bushranger hold-up.  It was interesting to see what hospitals and prisons looked like many years ago.

My favourite was learning about the first fleet arriving in Sydney in 1788 and bringing home gems that I sieved.

Thank-you so much to the teachers for organising a wonderful day and the parents who came to help.

By Amy Richards. 3A

UQ Open Day Sunday 5^th August

Download the app to plan your day from program details https://future-students.uq.edu.au/open-day/#get-the-app

Parents Defence Careers Night - Maroochydore

The Australian Defence Force offers a variety of ways for entry, through university to direct entry. What's right for your son, daughter or students? Come to an information session to find out more. Monday 6^th August. Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm Location: Mantra Mooloolaba, Corner Mooloolaba Esplanade & Venning Streets Mooloolaba. Details and Registration: https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/events/events-detail/o0yafoc

WEP Student Exchange Information Session - Brisbane (Spring Hill)

What is Student Exchange? Who is WEP Australia? Where and when can I go? Have all your questions and more answered at one of WEP’s public information sessions! You’ll get to meet the WEP team and returned students from your local area! Are you coming? Let us know and we’ll save you a seat! Tuesday 7^th August. Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm Location: Fulton Trotter Lounge, 129 Leichhardt Street Spring Hill. Details and Registration: https://wep.org.au/lets-talk/sessions/

Projects Abroad – alternate schoolies

For those who want to mark the end of their school education with something different, with more than just a week-long party, picture this: you travel to a developing country and immerse yourself in the culture, you make a positive impact to your world and you do this alongside volunteers from all over the globe. You can go by yourself or with a bunch of your friends on a two-week volunteering journey to Sri Lanka, Samoa or Thailand. Here you will help to support disadvantaged children in education and care activities in local kindergartens and care centres, as well as grassroots healthcare campaigns, outreach work in the wider community and conservation activities.

The Alternative Schoolies programmes run for two weeks from the 1st December- 14th December, right after you've finished your exams. The projects are structured to give you a variety of hands on, worthwhile and rewarding work - as well as the chance to take a little time out to relax and take in the sights of a wonderful country we hope you will come to regard as a second home. https://www.projects-abroad.com.au/projects/alternative-schoolies/

CQUni Brisbane Open Day

Get to know CQUniversity a little better at one of our upcoming Open Day events. Whether it’s in relation to your course of interest, student support services, or anything else to do with studying with us, our staff will be on hand to provide you with the answers. Plus, you can tour our facilities, participate in interactive and information sessions and get a feel for what life at CQUniversity could be like for you. Wednesday 8^th August. Time: 3.00pm - 6.30pm Location: CQUniversity Brisbane, 160 Ann Street, Brisbane. Details and Registration: https://www.cqu.edu.au/calendar/event-items/open-day/brisbane-open-day4?��

Griffith University Open Day

Saturday 11^th August. Details and Registration: https://www.griffith.edu.au/open-day

Mrs Natasha Purcell, Careers Counsellor

Mr Brett Kersnovske, Head of Sport

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! 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

1-3       Year 8 Camp – Glastonbury

1-5      Seishin Visit (inbound)

6          Yrs 4-6 SCISSA Training (3.15 - 4.15pm)

7          Yr 9 Camp Information Evening (6pm)

9          Australian Mathematics Competition

12        Thread: Parent Involvement in School.

            PERMA: Accomplishment, Engagement

            St Mark’s @ Bombala Hymns – We Love

13        Trimester 3 Commences

            Yrs 4 - 6 SCISSA Training (3.15-4.15pm)

            Yrs 7-12 Schools Water Polo Begins

14        Junior College Science Expo

            ICAS Mathematics Competition