Compass No. 553 October 2019

We look forward to celebrating the opening of our Stage 9 Extensions which include the new Junior College learning space, Reception, Wellbeing Centre and space for our Administrative and Learning Executive. All spaces support the College’s innovative and contemporary approach to learning. The service commences at 8.45am in the College gym and all are invited to attend.

How do we keep our children and young people safe in our various communities? As parents, we care for them, provide shelter, food, education, love, affection, emotional support, boundaries etc. But if we switch locations across the globe, how do parents in Cambodia, South Sudan, or Papua New Guinea keep their children safe?

Parents the world over, whether in Australia or developing countries, need the support of extended family, friends, church, school, village, or broader global community to help raise children in a safe and secure environment. In developing countries an essential way that families provide safety for their children is through economic security. Having a job, that long term income, becoming self-sufficient and self-supporting, these are fundamental economic certainties that provide immense security for the next generation. They are economic realities we sometimes take for granted in our country. But overseas aid and development organisations like the Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) operate to give people a hand up to sustainability instead of a hand out that can lead to dependence.

In the rush to Christmas where Australians are predicted to spend more than 25 billion dollars (that’s $1325 per person), how can we rethink our habits of gift-giving? How could we support families to become more self-sufficient, safe and secure for the sake of their kids? ALWS has a Christmas Gift catalogue called ‘Gifts of Grace’ where people can donate a gift that will help people achieve better sustainability in developing countries like those mentioned. If you’d like to buy a gift that will count for someone in need across the planet, check out the ‘Gifts of Grace’ catalogues that are in the Main Reception and Wellbeing Centre from next week. Information on how to donate can also be accessed at: https://www.alws.org.au/.

May God bless you and your loved ones as you provide for their safety and consider how this Christmas you can help others around the world.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

The last two weeks have been a flurry of activity for the Senior College. There have been a number of students and staff involved in a range of different activities, that serve as a reminder of how special the Pacific community actually is.

Last Friday was an eventful day, with three major events. Throughout the day, the caring and positive attitudes of our students was on full display. For Grandparents and Friends Day, I heard wonderful stories of students giving up their time to help welcome visitors to the College, serve and prepare food, spontaneously assisting with clean up and packing up of events, all with a smile on their faces. Later in the afternoon, we had three basketball teams competing in grand finals around the Sunshine Coast. It was wonderful to witness the level of skill on the court, but more impressive was the amount of support from our community. The number of parents, students and staff who supported these games was remarkable and typified the communal feel of the school. The support was very much appreciated.

Finally, running concurrently with the basketball finals, was Viva La Arts. From 5.00pm the College came to life in a remarkable display of visual and performing arts. This was a student-initiative and was a culminating event that united different areas of the College into one night of celebration of talent and entertainment. Once again, it was amazing to see the level of support from the community as well as the dedication from our students in getting this event off the ground.

If that was not enough, a number of students (some of which had already been involved in Grandparents Day, basketball matches and/or Viva La Arts prior) gave up their time on Saturday morning to assist with the Disabled Surfers Association event. This gave students the chance to help others and bring joy to disabled youth on the coast. Then on Sunday, students, parents and staff also volunteered more time to help at the All Schools Triathlon event at Kawana.

This is a remarkable effort by all involved and we thank everyone who gave of their time. It is truly what I enjoy most about working at such a great school.

Year 11 Drivers

Any student who is driving to school needs to have completed a driver permission form and submit it to the Main Reception. Forms are available from the Wellbeing Centre and for more information, please contact Mr Mark Hauser.

Year 12 Graduation

Parents and students who are attending Year 12 celebrations (Graduation, Final Chapel and Formal) are asked to please RSVP as soon as possible. Please contact Mrs Leanne Bevis on 5436 7338.

Senior College Exams

We wish students all the very best for their exams this term. Year 11 and 12 students are commencing block exams in Week 5, and Year 10 students in Week 7. Please note that normal uniform expectations still apply during these weeks and students will be required to attend all exams in formal summer uniform each day (even on Fridays).

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College Students

Grandparents and Friends Day, which was held last Friday, was attended by more than 350 grandparents, family members and friends. Our special visitors attended Chapel and then spent time in learning spaces completing a variety of activities with students. A morning tea was provided for guests, before they attended a concert featuring a variety of solo artists, musical groups and ensembles. Events such as these enrich the learning experience for our students and strengthen the community bonds at the College. Thank you to all those family members who attended and to all the College staff and students who helped make the day such a success.

The Junior School Chess Tournament commences next week. The tournament features two age divisions – 10+ years and U10. The tournament is open to all Year 2-5 students. Students wishing to enter need to nominate by visiting the office and advising Mrs Sue Kleinschmidt.

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

Telling adults when something happens is not a bad thing at all. In fact, it shows many good qualities. However, there’s a fine line between telling and tattling/dobbing. It’s good to help our children understand what both terms mean and help them understand when it’s ok to ‘tell on’ their peers. For more information, visit: https://www.fabic.com.au.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Friends of Pacific would like to acknowledge the tremendous sporting spirit on display from students, parents and staff whilst volunteering at the All Schools Triathlon on the weekend. We are thankful for the efforts of all who helped from Pacific. A huge thank you to Mrs Allyson Sarvari for coordinating the volunteers for the event. As with the previous Ironman event, Pacific will receive a donation for every volunteer we provided, which will help us raise further funds for the installation of additional water coolers at the College.

More Volunteering Opportunities

We are next looking forward to assisting at the Noosa Triathlon this Sunday 3^rd November from 9.30am – 2.00pm. Volunteers receive a t-shirt and a cap and will generally be helping on drink stations. If parents and/or Middle and Senior College helpers (Year 6-12 students) are able to assist out at this event, please contact Mrs Allyson Sarvari on 0402 276 988 or email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

The Unexpected Benefits of Volunteering

There is no doubt the world would be a poorer place without volunteers. As Tisha Tolar explains, “From large-scale operations to small community events, volunteers are always needed. There are plenty of stories promoting the work of celebrities who volunteer their time and talents, but there are many more people that work silently without recognition. They do it for personal satisfaction and to make a difference in someone else’s life. Along the way, most volunteers reap many additional, also often unheralded, rewards.” Click here to read all about The Unexpected Benefits of Volunteering.

Next Meeting

The Friends of Pacific Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday 19^th November at 6.30pm in the College Boardroom. We encourage you to consider supporting Friends of Pacific by nominating or expressing your interest for the 2020 volunteer committee. It’s a wonderful way to connect with fellow parents and staff, learn more about what is happening on campus and support events that bring much joy to our student body. The AGM nomination form is available here.

The next Friends of Pacific General Meeting will be held at the College on Tuesday 19^th November, commencing straight after the AGM. Please join us for Christmas drinks afterwards.

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson

The Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools basketball season has come to end for 2019. There were 180 teams who competed throughout Semester 2 and Pacific had 15 teams participate in various divisions across six different age groups. It was certainly the most popular season of basketball that I have been a part of!

Eight of our teams finished in the top four in their divisions and last Friday, three played in grand final matches. They were the Junior A Girls, Senior D Girls and Senior A Girls. This was the first time that Pacific has had representation in a Senior A Division final of a Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools sport competition. These finals are regarded as the pinnacle of school sport on the Sunshine Coast and to make a final in any division is a remarkable achievement.

The Junior A Girls versed a very strong Mountain Creek State High School team who featured many Sunshine Coast and Queensland representative players. The girls held their ground throughout most of the game, but unfortunately went down in the last quarter. There were some standout performances from Katie Graves, Gabby Gorham and Imogen Hiley. Amedy Buchanan, April Romagnoli, Roze Stockwell and Maya Armitage also played exceptionally well throughout the season and it was a pleasure to see their development over the past 13 weeks. Well done, girls!

The Senior D Girls came into their grand final having lost only two games all season – one of these games was against the team they were playing in the final, Sunshine Coast Grammar School. The score line was very different this time around, with the Pacific girls claiming victory in a thrilling match! Congratulations to Tamika Cheney, Rebekah Pierce, Alyssa Rabnott, Ella Block, Tahlia McGregor, Lauren McCluskey, Lily Chamberlain, Georgia Harle, Vivienne Casley and Crystal Page on a great season. It was a great way to end your basketball careers at Pacific! Thank you to their coach, Mr Andrew Block.

Finally, the Senior A Girls took on Mountain Creek State High School in a match that very closely resembled the Junior A Girls final. Despite being up at the start of the match and having equal opportunity at scoring, the Pacific girls came runners up. It was a great effort by all the girls in a tough final, with particularly strong defensive efforts all around. It was the lowest score that Mountain Creek had achieved throughout the entire season, which is a credit to our team. We are already looking forward to the 2020 season with all of these girls still eligible to play in seniors again next year. Another great effort from Brooklyn Graves, Katie Graves, Gabby Gorham, Louella Hindmarsh, Phoebe Swan, Sophie Empson and Eliza Woods. Thank you to their coach, Miss Andrea Prinsloo.

Thank you to all students, parents and staff who supported our finals contention this year! There was great energy from the crowd and the girls and myself appreciated the support. Until next year!

Mr Mark Hauser, Basketball Coordinator

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.

This year the Uniform shop will be closing for stocktake on Tuesday 26^th November. Please ensure that, if you are in Year 9, that you have purchased your blazer, tie and trousers (for male students) and blazer and senior tie (for female students) before this date. 

If your student is commencing Year 1 in 2020, please see the below pictures for formal uniform requirements. All of these items are available in the Uniform Shop. Formal shoes for Year 1 are black leather lace ups. Skate shoes, high tops and Mary-Jane style shoes are not part of the uniform.

If your student is commencing Year 6 in 2020, please see the below pictures for formal uniform requirements. Year 6 students require a formal hat to be worn with their formal uniform. The bucket hat continues to be worn with their sports uniform. All of these items are available for purchase in the Uniform Shop. Formal Shoes are black leather lace ups. Skate shoes, high tops and Mary-Jane style shoes are not part of the uniform.

As the new year is always busy with new students, existing families are encouraged to make their purchases before the end of this term. Swimming trials are also in the first couple of weeks of school resuming next and all students in Year 3-12 are required to have school swimwear (or approved race swimwear) for both the trials and carnival. It is advisable to try swimwear on to get the correct fit. A full range of sizes will be in store from the beginning of November for both styles.

The Uniform Shop will be reopening on Monday 20^th January 2020 for new student fittings. For appointments, please contact the Main Reception on 5436 7300.

Mrs Peta King, Uniform Shop Convenor

Sunday Worship Times St Mark’s Church @ Pacific 9.30am Pacific Lutheran College (Entry via Red Cedar Drive, Meridan Plains) Google Maps St Mark's Lutheran @ Pacific   Are you looking for a friendly church where young people, old people, children, families and singles are appreciated, empowered and encouraged to grow as Christians? Everyone is welcome! Get in touch: Pastor Ray Morris 0429 856 532 ray.morris@lca.org.au www.stmarkslutherancaloundra.net

Pastor Ray, St Mark's Lutheran Church

Pacific provides opportunities for children and parents to operate savings accounts with the Lutheran Laypeople’s League (LLL). The LLL is a charitable financial institution which provides savings accounts and has been trusted since 1921.

The LLL has a variety of savings accounts: personal and joint accounts; guardian accounts for children; and Business accounts, including self-managed super funds and not-for-profit organisations.

LLL Savings Accounts have many features, including:

• A great interest rate;
• No fees or charges at all;
• Internet banking;
• No minimum balance or deposit requirements;
• No ‘bonus’ interest hurdles; and
• Your money is available to withdraw at any time.

For further information regarding the LLL, visit the College’s Business Office or www.lll.org.au.