Compass No. 520 January 2019

Welcome to the 2019 Pacific adventure!  We adventure together as Prep, Year 6 and Year 10 students who enter the  Junior, Middle and Senior College for the first time, Year 12s who will complete their final year of schooling, Year 11 students who will be learning through a new senior certification process, continuing and new students across Years 1 to 9 who will all encounter new experiences and opportunities as they engage in a new phase of learning and K-12 staff, College Council members and family members who will likewise experience the new.

When you think of being on an adventure, what are the words that come readily to mind?  Perhaps they are words of excitement, energy, fear, unknown, challenge, achievement, fun and wonder.  Helen Keller said, “Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all”. 

There is deep learning as we engage in the adventure of ideas and experiences.  How would viewing life and experiences as an adventure change your mindset?  When viewed as an adventure, the new, the tedious, the fun, the uncertain, the obstacles, the exhilaration, the ordinary, the surprising are all parts of an ongoing adventurous journey filled with possibility.  There is opportunity for greater perspective and resilience and joy in the unknown.  In the ordinary there is always the possibility of the extraordinary.  We have a choice of seeing the adventure in the everyday and in every moment. It is within our reach if we are bold enough.  When we look with a sense of adventure there is curiosity and wondering in all that surrounds us, there is a joie de vivre. 

This year we all are invited to be on an adventure of learning new ideas and skills, learning more about ourselves, learning more about others and how to grow effective relationships, learning about how we think and learn and the joy of making a difference in someone else’s life.  God has given us a rich playground to grow in, and created each of us with unique skills, capacities and character.  We come together each with different gifts as part of a common adventure and with common purpose. 

Our adventure has started well with high energy and warmth as staff and students have returned to College this fortnight and settled quickly into the rhythm of learning together.  Welcome to everyone and a particularly warm welcome to our over 150 new students, their families and new staff. 

There has been a very good vibe including at Wednesday’s Middle and Senior College Opening Service where we installed new staff and the student leaders for 2019 and rededicated ongoing staff.  Mr Kerry Neill provided an interesting and meaningful reflection on the valuing of those who have come before us as part of his Welcome to Country. 

I am always amazed at the quality of our music performances on the second day of the school year and congratulate our string ensemble. and soloist Sam Henderson on their uplifting performances.  Thank you to students, parents and staff for your energetic and warm engagement in the evening.

It was a delight to see the P-2 car park being able to be accessed on Tuesday and we look forward to the final works in this area being completed, including a drop off lane in the coming days.  The Admin and Year 5 classroom building are awaiting some final modifications to meet the Certification of Classification.  As soon as we receive the certification the Year 5 students will move into the new building.  We have greatly appreciated the calm, positive and purposeful way our parents, staff and students have responded to changes as they have occurred throughout the adventure of the construction phase.

Over the holiday period our Tuckshop Convenor, Mrs Carrie Dickson has resigned to take up another career direction and Mrs Lisa Wallis has also resigned as our Communications and Community Liaison Coordinator.  We thank Mrs Dickson for her years of service in the tuckshop and Mrs Wallis for her role in extending the profile of the College over the past year.  We are appreciative of Mrs Shea Moor acting as Tuckshop Convenor for this year while we review and plan for improved service in consultation with our community.  We are delighted the Mrs Stephanie Scarlett will be returning in mid-February as the Communications and Community Liaison Officer.

We are looking forward to our adventure together this year where we journey with God as our guide and encourager.  May God empower each of us to recognise and use the giftedness we possess to lift ourselves and others to a higher way of being.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal

As we begin a new school year with commencement services, new classes and teachers, timetables, subjects, new surrounds and new students, we are mindful of the thread for our first two weeks; care. In our college community, we have threads which are the themes and Bible stories/passages which we focus on in chapels, devotions, prayers and newsletter articles. These threads are repeated fortnightly over a three-year cycle and provide a framework for the worship life of our College community. The threads weave into the fabric of our College the wisdom of the Christian tradition and Lutheran theology, the learnings of Positive Psychology and our culture of thinking, learning and reflection here at Pacific.  

So, as we get used to the routines of a new school year, the thread of caring is a very timely theme. For some parents new to our community, the sense of care, community and focus on students and their learning is something that might have attracted you to PLC. Lutheran Schools are known as places of care, where staff place great value on caring for students, their needs and their families. We are concerned about student wellbeing as well as student learning. We have processes, people and systems in place for this. They are not all perfect, but we do our best to focus on and care for the people of our school community.

We encourage a culture of care at Pacific not just because we want people to perform better at school. We care for people because God deeply cares for us. One of the most famous verses of the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16). This characteristic of God, that God can’t help but care for, love and provide for people, is at the heart of what we do at Pacific College. This deep action of God is our motivation and the reason people sense something different about our school culture. We are a learning community centred on Jesus Christ and the gospel, the gospel that shows us the depth of God’s love and care for us.

So as the new school year rolls on, may you experience the care of God through the members of our college community and may you be encouraged to undertake simple heroic acts of care for others.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor 

There was a palpable energy emanating from the students as they arrived back on Tuesday after a well-deserved break over the summer. It was evident that there were many stories to share between friends and staff as they caught up in their Pastoral Care Groups (PCG). I was most impressed with the way students presented themselves as they entered the College, wearing their uniform with pride. I sincerely hope that this zest for life continues deep into the year. The commencement of any academic year is always a time for fresh starts blended with a sense of hope and purpose for new learning and the excitement of the challenges that awaits each student. Some challenges may be obvious to students or some may arise out of their own curiosity for learning new things. Regardless of what the challenge is, it is my hope that this year every student is made to feel a little uncomfortable. What might appear to be somewhat unfair in their eyes, it is only through being challenged to get out of their comfort zone that the experience of trying new things will enable personal growth. It is an important aspect of education that we are consistently stimulating the hearts and minds of our young people to step out of their comfort zone in order to reach their true potential; a potential that we believe has already been created by God through the gifts that each has received.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all families associated with the Pacific Lutheran Community and especially to those who are joining the PLC community for the first time like myself and my young family. I hope that together we can support each other on our journey this year.

Mr Ben Ryan, Director of Students

Welcome to Pacific Lutheran College in 2019. It is a great pleasure to be standing in the position of Head of P-5 Staff and Students whilst Mr David Druery is on long service leave this term.

It has been wonderful to witness the excitement and enthusiasm with which students have entered into the school year. They have returned to the college invigorated after the vacation and along with staff look forward to an exciting year of learning and growing together.

P-5 Information Evening

On Wednesday 6^th February, the P-5 Parent Information Evening will be held. The night will commence at 6.00pm in room L14. Following a number of short introductory talks, parents will move to their child’s classroom where class teachers will outline their programs for the year and their expectations in regard to academic programs, behaviour and assessment.   As the learning journey at Pacific is an adventure shared between staff, students and families, I would encourage parents to attend the evening.

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 with, attendance at appointments or attendance at Outside School Hours Care) and exemption from participation in sport, specialist lessons or activities due to injury or illness.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. This is usually the most efficient means of communicating although, if plans communicated in the morning change during the day, it is best to ring these changes directly through to student administration on 5436 7300 so they can be passed directly onto your child or your child’s teacher.

Students in Year 3-6 make use of a diary that can also be used as a source of communication between school and home.

Teachers in Years Prep - Year 2 classes can also be contacted through communication books which parents can write in informing teachers of changes to routines or 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 all students in regard to their travel arrangements, attendance at appointments and their appropriate levels of involvement in sport, specialist lessons or activities.

Use of Playgrounds After School.

After school, once children are released into their parent’s care from their classroom, I would ask that parents be vigilant in monitoring their children’s behaviour whilst on the College grounds and reinforce the College’s standards of acceptable and safe play. Please also monitor your children’s use of play equipment.

Hats

A reminder that the College hat is an important element of the school uniform.  A number of students are presenting to school 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. Could all parents/guardians please ensure that children are bringing/wearing a hat to school each 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.

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 being forwarded to their child’s class teachers.

P-2 and 3-5 Drop-Off

With our newly refurbished carpark nearly fully functional, it is a timely reminder that as the school grows, this carpark is reserved for parents and carers of students in Prep - 2. All students in older years, are to use the senior drop off or carpark at the Western side of the College.

I look forward to working with you and wish you many blessings as you begin another year in our College community.

Mr Damian Davis, Acting Head of P-5 Staff and Students

Open your internet browser and type the address http://www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au/ to go the College’s official website. On the home page select ‘My PLC’. From here, you can access the College library and the Parent Lounge, using the following logons:

Username: your five-digit family account number.

Password: your BPAY reference number.

*When leaving the Parent Lounge, it is important that you end the session by using the ‘logout’ option.

All children are capable of extraordinary things. There is no happiness gene, no success gene, and no ‘doer of extraordinary things’ gene. The potential for happiness and greatness lies in all of them and will means different things to different kids. We can’t change that they will face challenges along the way. What we can do is give them the skills, so these challenges are never able to break them. We can build their resilience.

The link below will give you 20 practical, powerful strategies all backed by science.

http://www.heysigmund.com/building-resilience-children/

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Welcome to Pacific Lutheran College Breakfast

The Friends of Pacific mission is to ‘bring college and community together’. We achieve this through a variety of events and opportunities throughout the College calendar. These connections grow from strength to strength each year. The first event for 2019 is the free Welcome Breakfast to be held in the Music Courtyard from 7.00am – 8.15am, Friday 1^st February, 2019.

Thank you to the families who have RSVP'd. We look forward to a wonderful morning where students and parents can interact while a variety of breakfast items are served. Should you wish to purchase a barista made coffee from Coral Cafe, please bring a reusable coffee cup. We look forward to seeing you there.

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson

Welcome back to a new year in the library. We are looking forward to another busy and exciting year with lots of events being planned such as author visits, Book Week, the 50^th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Technology Tuesdays, Code Club, Choc Lit, the Book Fair and much more. Come in and visit us to borrow books and to see what’s happening in our library space.

Ms Nell Keen, Head of Library

Parents are invited to attend a Music information evening regarding the Instrumental Music Programme at Pacific. The evening will cover topics such as instrumental lessons and the instruments that are provided by Pacific, ensembles, orchestras, choirs, concert bands and rehearsal times. The evening will also provide an opportunity for parents to meet some of the instrumental staff.

Mrs Helen Williams, Head of Instrumental Music

Over the Christmas holidays several PLC students played in both QLD State Titles Water Polo (December) and Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (January). Congratulations to the following students on their achievements.

Macey Winter 7D, B6 14 Years State Titles for North Brisbane Polo Bears and 14 Years AYWPC for Sunshine Coast.

Cosi Winter 10C, B6 16 Years and 18 Years State Titles for Sunshine Coast and 16 Years AYWPC for Sunshine Coast (25 goals).

Cooper Schwab 9D, B3 14 Years State Titles for Sunshine Coast and 14 Years AYWPC for Sunshine Coast.

Salvador Alfaro 9A, M8 16 Years State Titles for Sunshine Coast and 16 Years AYWPC for Sydney Uni Lions.

Mr Brett Jones, Middle College Teacher

Welcome back to the start of 2019 of Junior College Sport. The first term always starts quickly and there are already a number of sporting activities starting over the next few weeks.

Inter-House Swimming Carnival

As always swimming starts the year off in sport with students participating in inter-house swimming trials at Kawana Aquatics Centre, this week.

Depending on where students finished at these trials, they will be seeded in either A, B or C divisions for Thursday’s Year 3-6 inter-house swimming carnival held at the Beerwah Aquatic Centre. The carnival will begin around 9:30am and will be finished by 2:30pm. Students will need to be in coloured house shirts and PLC togs and travel to and from the carnival by bus from school.

If there are any parents who are able to assist at the swimming carnival (Thursday 7^th February) with timekeeping, please send an email to either Mr Hooper dhooper@pacluth.qld.edu.au or Mrs Campbell ncampbell@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

SCISSA Sport

For families new to the College, SCISSA is the inter-school sport competition that Pacific Lutheran College students participate in. Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 train and play in various sports during Semester One and Two in preparation for a Gala Day at the end of each term. Students also have the opportunity to take part in two interschool trial games each term which are played during school time on Thursdays.

Sport choices will be communicated to students next week. Students will have the opportunity to select two sports they would like to try before committing to one sport for Semester One.

SCISSA will begin during week three at sport time (1.40 – 3.00pm). Students will then start Monday afterschool training for these sports on the Monday 25^th February (Week Five). Afterschool training dates for each term can be found on the College calendar.  

More detailed information was sent out to parents last week via Care Monkey regarding SCISSA trials and the sports available to students.

Armidale Rugby Carnival

The Armidale Rugby Carnival is a yearly event that Pacific has attended since 2009. This year the carnival will be held over the weekend of the 12^th, 13^th and 14^th of April.  Students travel by bus to Armidale and stay in boarding accommodation at The Armidale School. The carnival is attended by up to 50 schools and clubs from around Queensland and New South Wales and offers students the opportunity to play four shortened games on Saturday and a final on Sunday.

Past students from Pacific have enjoyed attending this carnival and it has been a highlight on the College calendar for many years.

Next Monday afternoon from 3.15 – 4.30pm we will run our first training session for 2019 for students interested in attending this event. If your child is turning 11 or 12 in 2019 and hasn’t already indicated their interest in attending this carnival, please contact Mr Hooper for further information asap.

A selection trial will be held the following Monday 11^th February to select a squad which will represent the College at this carnival.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Junior 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

We are very excited to have a new menu which has a focus on freshly made options, made in-house daily.  Please find attached a copy for your reference.

You can order online via Flexischools until 9am, via the brown paper bag system or at the Tuckshop counter.  Eftpos facilities are available. Please drop by the Tuckshop and say hello to Shea, Bev, Emma and our fantastic volunteers when you are next passing.  We look forward to seeing you all over the coming weeks.

Please note our new email address:  tuckshop@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Mrs Shae Moor, Tuckshop Convenor

1          Families Welcome Breakfast (7.00am)

1          P-5 Opening Service – Gym (8.45am)

1          Year 7-10 Swim Trials (12.30-3.00pm)

4          New Student ID Photos

4-8       Year 7 Camp (Lake Somerset)

5          Music Information Evening (5.30pm)

5          Yr 11 Information Evening (6.00pm)

6          Yr 11-12 SCISSA Soccer Begins

6          P-5 Information Evening (6.00pm)

7          Year 3-6 Swim Carnival Beerwah Pool (9.00am-2.30pm)

11        Yr 10 Information Evening (6.00pm)

12        Year 9 Rite Journey Departure (5.00pm)

12        Yr 9 Camp Information (5.30pm)

12        Middle College Information Evening (6.00pm)

13        Yr 7-10 SCISSA Volleyball begins

13        Yr 10-12 Drama Excursion

14        Yr 7-12 Swim Carnival Nambour Pool (8.30am-3.00pm)

15        No Sport Yr 7-12 (Thursday lessons)