Compass No. 556 November 2019

Before the account of the birth of Jesus in Luke’s gospel, before Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, before the angels appear to the shepherds in the fields, we hear the story of two pregnant women. Two pregnant women, one older Elizabeth and one younger Mary. Cousins living in different towns who catch up with each other to share their exciting news. The story in Luke 1:39-41 goes like this; at that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

In this story, Mary has baby Jesus in her womb and her cousin Elizabeth has baby John the Baptist in her womb. When Mary comes to visit Elizabeth, the two special babies draw close to each other and little unborn John leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. How amazing it is, that God’s plan to bring peace on earth includes such amazing things as unborn babies leaping inside a mother’s womb. Mary and Elizabeth were not especially famous for anything before God chose to be at work in them for the extraordinary message we know today as the Gospel of Jesus. God continues to be at work through ordinary everyday people to show his love to the world. From the smallest of school children to College Principals, God chooses ordinary people for extraordinary things. It is quite inspiring that we have a section of the Bible dedicated to this story of two women celebrating the babies in their wombs.

Do you have a student in Year 5 next year who would like to learn more about Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper? During Lent in the first term of 2020, Pastor Tim Jarick and Pastor Ray Morris will be leading a First Communion course again. Next year, Pastors Tim and Ray will also be offering Confirmation for young people in Years 6-9. Confirmation is a ministry in which young teenagers learn more about the Christian faith and the Bible. If you have children in these age brackets who are interested in preparing for their First Communion or Confirmation, please register your interest to Pastor Tim at tjarick@pacluth.qld.edu.au or 5436 7353.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

Last Friday we said farewell to our Graduating Class of 2019. There was a mixture of emotions following a tremendous couple of weeks in preparation for the graduation service, final chapel and formal. There was a great warmth in the manner in which we bid them goodbye and it was perhaps the tunnel formed by all students following Chapel, that highlighted for me just how grateful we are of the students’ contribution to our College community. Importantly, it is a time for all to reflect on the memories created and the legacy they leave behind.

The word farewell means to ‘journey well’, we often say ‘Godspeed’, which turns farewell into a prayer. Journeying prayerfully is to make the journey a pilgrimage. We hope the College has helped the Graduating Class of 2019 as they ‘journey well’ to name the presence of God in their lives. We thank all staff who played a role in the graduates’ formation and their parents for entrusting us to walk with them on their journey. I thank our Head of Senior College Students Mr Mark Hauser for his leadership of the Year 12 graduates this year.

This week we also said farewell, for a brief time, to the Year 9 students as they embarked upon their final compulsory Outdoor Education experience. For many, this is the culmination of a journey that had its beginning with their first camp experience in Year 3. For everyone though, this is an opportunity to set themselves challenges, to connect with nature, to connect with others and a time to connect with their interior selves as they experience a dawn to dusk solo. This program also coincides with the Rite Journey Homecoming ceremony that takes place on Monday 2^nd December at 5.00pm in the College gym. As the Year 12 cohort graduated from school, so too, our Year 9 students graduate from Middle College and transition into the Senior College, where they will continue to grow and mature into fine young adults.

Mr Ben Ryan, Director of Students

Swimming lessons for Prep – Year 2 students continue on Monday and Wednesday next week. If your child is attending swimming early in the day, please ensure they arrive at the College by 8.30am, as the bus will be departing with the first group at 8.35am. Students should arrive at the College in their swimmers and with sunscreen already applied (sunscreen will also be available at the College for students to use).

Last week was Skin Cancer Action Week. Unfortunately, statistics reveal that by the age of 70, two in three Australians will suffer from skin cancer. The damage leading to these cancers often occurs in childhood and adolescence. One of the best strategies in avoiding this type of cancer is to wear a hat. Unfortunately, each day a number of students are presenting to school without hats. 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.

On Friday 29^th November, the annual Carols Evening will be held at the College, commencing from 5.00pm. Food will be available after the concert. A flyer providing further details has been sent home this week.

On Monday 2^nd December, the Prep – Year 5 Closing Service will be held in the College gym, commencing at 9.00am. At the service, Academic Excellence and Endeavour awards will be presented to students in Years 3-5. The service also marks an important transition for Year 5 students who move to Middle College next year. All parents and family members are most welcome at this important event. An invitation with further details will be sent home next week. 

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

Most people would consider having high standards a good thing. Striving for excellence can show that you have a good work ethic and strength of character. High standards can also push you to reach your peak level of performance. For example, athletes often train long and hard to reach excellence in their sports. Perfectionism, on the other hand, involves a tendency to set standards that are so high that they either cannot be met, or are only met with great difficulty. For more information, visit: https://www.positivityblog.com/perfectionism-habits/.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

We also warmly thank the following parents for their service, who are now stepping down from their current roles; Penni Buchanan (2016 – 2019 Treasurer) and Lisa Ackerman (Executive). Teena Thompson will move from OCEANfest Coordinator to an Executive member position and represent the Junior College. We thank these parents for their commitment, time, energy and efforts in delivering a vast range of events to our Pacific community. I am honoured to be staying on as Chairperson in 2020. We also welcome new and returning members to the executive committee. My fellow committee members include:

• Vice Chairperson: Allyson Sarvari
• Secretary: Erin Carter
• Treasurer: Belinda Watman
• Executive Committee Members:
  • Rita Williams (Senior College)
  • Bron Butler (Middle College)
  • Teena Thompson (Junior College)
  • Alison Fergusson (Foundation College)
• 2020 OCEANfest Coordinator: Position open…please let us know if you are interested!

Click here to read the 2019 report.

Christmas Carols BBQ

Friends of Pacific will be hosting a BBQ at the upcoming Carols Evening on Friday 29^th November. Our senior student leadership team for 2020 will be helping out at the event. Look out for the ‘Containers for Change’ to aid in our campus recycling efforts.

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson

Over 50 students have been busy preparing for their auditions for next year’s Senior Production. Auditions are taking place this Sunday and have been made open to students who will be in Years 9,10, 11 and 12 in 2020.

Due to an initial change in the title of the production, we will be disclosing the ‘new’ production tomorrow for all those who are auditioning.

We wish them all well and will announce the cast list in the very near future. The Production will take place at The Events Centre in May next year.

Mrs Janine Delaney, Head of Drama

All students are asked to please return sport specific uniforms to the Wellbeing Centre before the end of term.

Rugby Union – Round Robin Competition

This term, a team of Year 4 and 5 students have been participating in a round-robin rugby union competition with Caloundra State School, Siena Catholic College and Talara Primary College. At this week’s round, four Queensland Reds players attended to answer questions and assist with refereeing. Students are enjoying the opportunity to further develop their skills in a competition environment, and we thank Mr Josh Cummins for his leadership of this experience.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Junior Sport

All students are asked to please return sport specific uniforms to the Wellbeing Centre before the end of term.

Wednesday 20^th November saw the Intermediate Boys SCISSA Soccer team play their grand final against Mathew Flinders. After beating this team the previous week 2 nil the boys were confident they could get the job done. They started the game very strong and had several opportunities to score but were unlucky not to find the back of the net. Against the run of play, Flinders slotted two goals and went into the half time break with a healthy lead. Mr Josh Danzey united his team at half time and the boys came out firing on all cylinders! They scored early to bring the game back into their reach, however time would prove to be the telling factor with the full-time whistle being sounded with a 2-1 win to Flinders. It was the teams only loss in the entire season but this didn’t dampen the boys spirits after the game. They can hold their heads up very high after a sensational season together. Well done!

Mr Brett Kersnovske, Head of Sport

As part of our ongoing series of People and Culture, we take an insight into the Club’s Community Liaison Manager Ann.

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

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.