Compass No. 522 February 2019

When we take personal responsibility, we learn to make the most of any situation we find ourselves in. In this we recognise it is more the attitude we bring to a situation rather than the circumstance that dictates outcomes for us. Focusing on the things that we can change, and doing those things, builds efficacy, capacity, calmness and confidence. It is critical that young people develop this sense of personal responsibility for their learning and their wellbeing. Shifting inner and outer conversations from “they have” to “I can” changes our mindset to being proactive. 

God has created us with the capacity to make choices and not be mindless flotsam thrust this way and that by the currents of life. Praying for strength and insight into ways we can respond with confidence and strength and trusting that God is there with us, helps us to find the firm rocks to stand upon.

We were delighted to be able to begin the process of moving into the new Year 5 classrooms and Administration building in the latter part of this week. The Year 5 teachers and students were particularly excited to be able to learn together in their space from Thursday morning. The new classrooms provide a flexible learning environment that can be quickly adjusted to suit the needs of the learner and the context of the learning.

From next Monday, we will be fully operational out of the new administration building. All senior leaders are now in the new space. The front entry to the building is for public access. The Health Centre, Student Entry and P-5 sign in and out is at the rear of the new building. Parents wishing to see senior leaders can use either the front or rear entries of the building. The Heads of House will move to the Middle College office while the old administration space is converted to the Wellbeing Centre and an expanded staff area. Director of Students, Mr Ryan, will send an email to all Middle and Senior College families about the implications of these changes. Middle and Senior College sign in and out will occur out of its existing space. We are excited to be in our new space which increases the opportunity for teamwork and collaboration across K-12. As with all new buildings there are still some works to be done internally as well as the external landscaping, and we look forward to the full completion of the project which is expected to be at the end of Term 1. 

It was great to see so many parents at the Middle College evening taking advantage of the opportunity to connect and learn with each other and our Middle College leaders and teachers. Year 10 parents and students also received some valuable insights into making the most of their senior years learning experiences and career capability building at their information evening earlier in the week. We thank all parents for their attendance and staff for their leadership of these important events.

All parents have received an emailed invitation to attend an information session next Monday night with cybersafety expert Susan McLean. This is a constantly evolving area and I would encourage all families to attend to gain the latest information.

We look forward to the energy of today’s Year 6-12 swimming carnival and the week of learning ahead.

May God give us insight and wisdom to grow in our sense of personal responsibility.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal

Our thread for the next two weeks is responsibility, by that we mean that children and young people learn to accept and take personal responsibility for their actions. In families and at school we know that responsibility is best taught by example. Which adults in a child or young person, best model responsibility? Which adults model irresponsibility? Are there any outstanding ‘peers’ who model responsibility? When we make a commitment, do we follow through with action? What happens when we make a commitment but fail to follow through? What are we responsible for in our school; our home, our community, our country, our world? How should we treat people who fail to be responsible or leaders that neglect jobs given to them? What are young people responsible for in our modern world? These are some of the questions that come to mind when we dig deeper into this thread.

Jesus said some things that help us prioritize our sense of responsibility. He said; Do not be afraid…you have your Father’s kingdom…Store up riches in heaven that will never be used up…Your heart will be where your riches are (Luke 12:32-25).  We take responsibility for the things that are important to us. When we don’t care, we might be irresponsible towards others. In these words of Jesus, we are invited to consider what is really important in life. Since God cares for us, and God provides for us, we do not need to be busy crushing others for the sake of our own gain. Rather, we are able to set our hearts to a new level of responsibility, representing God’s heart in the way we care for God’s world and the people in it. We grow in our responsibility towards the world around us because we know we are safe in God’s care and that God sends us to do good to others in the world. Responsibility is something that grows from a sense of stability and peace that we are OK and will be OK in God.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor 

A couple of years ago I was shown a YouTube clip that demonstrated in under three minutes just how powerful a first follower can be when joining a leader. The narrator of this clip stresses the importance of the first follower in providing the leader with support so that the leader is not simply a ‘lone nut’. As the clip progresses it is evident that once a critical mass of followers is established there is no telling how many more people will be brought into the group and the energy and effort that is produced as a by-product. It is this clip which had me thinking not so much about the incredibly important role our student leaders have at the College, but rather the importance of the first followers in joining our leaders on their journey. PLC is incredibly blessed to have leaders representing the larger student body across various age groups. Nevertheless, I wonder who will be the first followers? Often it is easier to simply ‘hang’ at the back and avoid being seen to follow lest we appear out of favour with our peers. Whilst for many it may be a challenge, to be the first follower can indicate a strength of character and determination to make a real difference. Fortunately, being the first follower does not necessarily require one to dance wildly! In fact, in any environment one can be the first follower, whether it be in the classroom, on the sporting field or stage, online or in the playground. Regardless, it is important that the leader they are following is demonstrating the capacity to lead with a sense of purpose, responsibility and moral judgement. I have no doubt that over the course of this year all PLC leaders will lead well and I encourage all students to be the first followers so together we can achieve great things at PLC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ

Mr Ben Ryan, Director of Senior College Students

Staying safe online

As the world’s population continues to grow, so does the time we are all spending in a digital space. It is estimated that in 2019 there are 4.388 billion people using the internet through desktops, tablets and laptops and an astounding 5.112 billion people using smartphones to also access internet but more frequently, use social media.  (https://wearesocial.com/blog/2019/01/digital-2019-global-internet-use-accelerates)

Our children aren’t immune to the need to be tech savvy and we, as adults, can learn a multitude of skills from them. Whilst they spend more and more time in digital landscapes, it is essential that we are proactive in reminding them of the responsibilities that come with the use of digital devices and inform our children about how to be safe and remain vigilant in a virtual space.

Last Tuesday was Safer Internet Day. Safer Internet Day aims to ‘help encourage a better internet’, with this year's theme—'Together for a better internet' encouraging individuals to create a better internet by developing four, critical skills. We call these skills the 4Rs: ‘Respect, Responsibility, Reasoning and Resilience’.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/saferinternetday#resources

I spoke at Assembly about the connection between rules and our personal safety, regardless of the environment. Safer Internet Day serves as a timely reminder of the need to take stock of our experiences online and use the 4Rs as a way to enrich our time whilst in a digital space.

At the College, we take the subject of digital citizenship very seriously. All year levels engage in aspects of Cyber Safety with the addition of Years 4 and 5 undertaking the eSmart Digital Licence through the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation, as part of their conditions of use when entering into the BYOD program. Next year, we are broadening our commitment to Cyber Security across Years P-5 where all students will be formally taking part in the eSmart Digital Licence in an age appropriate way.

The added benefit of working with the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation is the input from experts in the field such as The Office of the eSafety Commissioner, Michael Carr-Gregg, and Google. Their website has many excellent resources to better understand Digital Safety and Citizenship https://www.esmart.org.au/esmart-libraries/cyber-and-digital-literacy-resources/ .

We are also very fortunate to have Susan McLean coming to the College on Monday 18^th February 2019 to speak to both students and parents about growing up online. Susan has vast experience as a former member of the Victorian Police Force before concentrating on educating students and parents about growing up in a digital world. The students will engage with Susan during the day with the parents warmly invited to attend an information session later that evening at the College. Information was communicated regarding this last week. Please contact the office if you require any further information.

Have a great week.

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

Mathematics Tutoring is held in L14 every Monday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. All students from Years 6 to 12 are welcome. Please bring homework or other study.

Mr Adam Doyle, Head of Department Mathematics

Susan McLean is Australia’s foremost expert in the area of cyber safety and was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years. Widely knows as the ‘cyber cop’ she was the first Victoria Police Officer appointed to a position involving cyber safety and young people.

Susan will be presenting to Year 4 – 12 students during the day and parents are invited to attend a session at 6pm in the evening in the gym.  Please RSVP for the parent session to PLCP-12@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Ozcare is providing free vaccinations conducted by an authorised team of Registered Nurses for all Year 7 and Year 10 students as part of Queensland Health’s annual School Immunisation Program.  All Year 7 and Year 10 students are being offered free vaccinations as recommended on the National Immunisation Program to protect against vaccine preventable diseases.

Year 7 students will be offered human papillomavirus (HPV) and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination. Year 10 students will be offered meningococcal ACWY vaccination.

A consent pack has been sent home. Please read the information booklet carefully, sign the consent card and return the consent card to the school nurse by Friday 22^nd February, 2019.

For more information about diseases, vaccines or School Immunisation Program, visit www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/immunisation/default.asp or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

Please note these vaccinations are being held Thursday 28^th March 2019 and not Thursday 28^th February as listed in the school calendar.

Mrs Maree Hooper and Mrs Sharon Middleton, School Nurses

People communicate all the time but communicating well, especially with those we are close to takes thoughtful, ongoing effort. In close relationships it is important to be able to communicate effectively about feelings, needs and wants as well as about ideas and opinions. The most important part of effective communication is listening. Children as well as adults will talk more if they are confident they will be listened to.

http://extension.missouri.edu/p/GH6123

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Invitation – all welcome!

Our first FoP meeting for 2019 is fast approaching. Please join us next week on Tuesday February 19 at 6.30pm in the College Library. This is your opportunity to meet other parents within the College and also be kept in the loop with the events ahead.

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson

February 14^th was Library Lovers’ Day and, to celebrate, the library held a giveaway of forty new books, including picture books, fiction and non-fiction. Students could write their name and the number of the book they wanted on a ticket and winners were drawn out on Thursday.

Ms Warren and myself had the pleasure of speaking at the P-5, Middle College and Year 11 Parent Information evenings over the last two weeks about the resources that the library provides to support student learning. We would ask that all parents familiarise themselves with the library home page and remind their students of the resources available for assignments.

Book mark the library home page at http://library.pacluth.qld.edu.au/oliver/junior.do P-5) or http://library.pacluth.qld.edu.au/oliver/libraryHome.do (6-12). Here students can search the library catalogue, download ebooks, access our LibGuides, search databases from the State and Sunshine Coast Libraries, and use research tools such as Library Webs, World Book, Kid Cyber and DK Findout.

The library staff are happy to demonstrate these tools in person if you wish to come in and visit us.

Ms Nell Keen, Head of Library

2019 has seen a positive start for the Music Department. There has been a significant increase in the number of students taking up Instrumental lessons here at the College. All of our tutors are experiencing greater student numbers and have been busy during the first two weeks of formal lessons. It was also pleasing to have some members of our Senior String Ensemble and Pacific Voices perform on the second day of school year at the Commencement Service. The level of performance was commendable given the lack of practice time. Congratulations also to Sam Henderson for performing a vocal solo at this service. The first week of term also saw some of our students perform at the Welcome Breakfast. Again, students from various year levels were willing to sing and play to entertain our families in order to add to a wonderful atmosphere.

All of our Ensembles began rehearsals this week. It has been a pleasing start with many new students joining these groups for the first time. However, there were many interruptions which may have led some students to forget the times of their group’s practices. Included this week is a copy of the Ensembles timetable. Hopefully we will have 100% attendance next week. I would encourage anyone who has any questions related to Instrumental Music to contact Mrs Williams (Head of Instrumental Music), or Mr Lake.

Mr Steven Lake, Head of Music

“Sometimes what you are afraid of is the very thing that will set you free”

This year saw our current Year 7 cohort become PLC Pioneers as they became the first to pilot our four day Introductory Expedition. It was a challenging experience on many levels – we had rain every day and it poured down every evening. Challenges lay within the physical and emotional elements of this journey and although demanding at times, students demonstrated great resolve and character in coming through the other side singing, smiling, and supporting each other.

Despite these challenges and lack of modern luxuries I have had the pleasure of watching this cohort blossom so remarkably from the energetic, nervous, vulnerable group that prepared for their Canberra Tour late last year. This was bolstered with the introduction of almost 40 new Year 7 students welcomed into the PLC community on this camp experience.

Their emotional growth and resilience has been extraordinary and they should walk proud and confident in the knowledge that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

Mr Nick Tait, Head of Outdoor Education

Inter-House Swimming Carnival

Last Thursday we were lucky enough to have fine weather for our Years 3-6 students to make their way out to the Beerwah Aquatics Centre for the Inter-House Swimming Carnival. It was fantastic to see so many students participating at the carnival and also the excellent student behaviour displayed throughout the day.

Congratulation to Bula house who were crowned the overall champion house at the end of the carnival. The final points standings for the day were:

Bula – 2578

Mumba – 2327

Wira – 1909

Independent District Swimming Carnival

The Independent District Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 22^nd February at Sunshine Coast Grammar Aquatic Centre (372 Mons Road Forest Glen). Students aged from 9-12 years will be notified this Friday if they have been successful in qualifying for this team. We have been waiting for the completion of the secondary swim carnival to finalise our Under 12 team before sending out information.

Please note that there is an earlier start this year with warm-up from 7.30 – 7.50am and the first event starting at 8.00am. A bus will be provided for students to and from the carnival and will depart from the school at 7.00am sharp. Please make sure your child is at school by 6.50am to allow us to depart on time. The carnival is scheduled to finish by 1.30pm so student will be back at school for normal afternoon dismissal.

Further information will be sent out through Care Monkey.

SCISSA Sport

Thursday SCISSA training starts this week with students already choosing two sports that they will have the opportunity to try this week and next week before committing to one sport for Semester One.

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.  

Athletics Training

This year Pacific is offering athletics training for students in the 9 – 12 years age group in preparation for the District Athletics Carnival in Term Two. The College has employed the services of Chris Brearley who is a qualified Level Two coach in sprints, relays and hurdles. Chris can also coach jumps and throws and is excited to work with our Pacific students to help improve in various athletic events.

Athletics training sessions will be run on Monday afternoons concurrently with our existing SCISSA program from 3.30 – 4.30pm.

These training sessions will only be offered to selected students who qualify by:

1. Representing the College at the 2018 Independent District Athletics Carnival.
2. Students who are aiming to make District selection this year.

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

Please note we have fixed a number of issues with our Flexischool Menu. Thank you to the parents/carers that have let us know of a few teething problems. Our apologies. We would be grateful if you could please email us if you notice any further problems with the website to tuckshop@pacluth.edu.au. Have a happy weekend!

Mrs Shea Moor, Tuckshop Convenor

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)

18        Susan McLean Cyber Safety Presentation

19        Yr 12 Information Evening (6.00pm)

19        Friends of Pacific (6.30pm)

22        District Swimming 9 to 12 years (8.00am)

25        Yr 7-12 Netball begins

25        Yr 4-6 SCISSA Training (3.15 – 4.15pm)