Compass No. 561 February 2020

This week at the Middle / Senior College Chapel, students were encouraged to reflect on a time in their lives when they showed integrity and a time when they did not show integrity. I reflected on two stories from my own life, where I had and had not demonstrated this character trait. The question then put to students and staff was; what stops you from acting with integrity? When I discussed this with the person next to me, we thought of the fear, judgement, pressure we put on ourselves and our perceptions of what others think of us. All of these things can contribute to stopping us from acting and being people of integrity.  

We all have blockers that can stop us from acting on our values and being the people God created us to be. When we act alone or are in a position where we feel pressure from our peers, it can be very hard to stand firm and stick our necks out for what we know is right and true. Conversely, working in a community where others share our values can help us to show integrity more easily and in turn, help shape our character as we work together holding integrity in common. Choosing to practice our values in the face of opposition or pressure, from others or ourselves, grows grit, determination and persistence.

The good news is that integrity can be grown in us, as God shapes, moulds and transforms our character. Surrounding ourselves with people who share our common values and rubbing shoulders with people of integrity helps this character trait come alive in us. 

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

It has been a busy start to the year in the Senior College with a variety of important events having taken place. Over the past two weeks, Year 10, 11 and 12 students and parents had their respective information evenings where important details about curriculum and tertiary requirements were discussed. I encourage all students and parents to speak with Mrs Wanda Hayes or Ms Anne-Marie Gerlach if they have any questions or concerns about study pathways, subject selections and/or tertiary information, as they bring a wealth of information to the College. We thank Mrs Hayes and Ms Gerlach for their time on these nights.

Last week, the Year 12 cohort continued their connections with their Year 2 buddies when students came together for their first ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’. The Year 12 students were as excited as their Year 2 counterparts and it was an entertaining lunchtime witnessing the interactions between these groups. I congratulate the Year 12 students on their mature approach to working with their buddies and how involved they were in forming strong bonds. A special thank you to Mrs Leonie Prout, Mrs Jodie Connors and Mrs Tanya Graves for their organisation of the lunch. I look forward to seeing these important relationships and bonds continuing to grow throughout the year.

On Tuesday this week, the annual Ecumenical Service took place at Good Shepherd Lutheran College. Our Year 9 House Leaders attended the excellent service, which focused on the need for leadership and service that is reliant on God’s help and assistance. There were strong themes of compassion, kindness, peace and gratitude and it was a timely message for us all as we begin a new year. It was also a great opportunity for our Year 9 leaders to connect with students from other Sunshine Coast schools. Well done to our students for their involvement and the way they conducted themselves at the service. I pray that we all take these messages forward this year.

God bless.

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College Students

Last week, Class 5L presented a chapel around the thread of integrity. During the chapel, students were shown a reading of the book ‘The Empty Pot’ by Demi. The Empty Pot is the story of Ping, a boy growing up in China, who has a passion for flowers and the environment. The Emperor, who shares Ping’s passion for nature, recognises that his time to find a successor has come and he decides to let the flowers choose for him. He summons children from across the land and hands each one a single seed with the instructions to tend to it and in a years’ time, present what they have been able to grow. Try as he might, Ping could not get his seed to grow and is devastated to see all the flowers and blooms that the other children have been able to produce over the year. But as the Emperor views these flowers, he is far from pleased. Until he reaches Ping and the empty pot. The Emperor smiles broadly and announces to all, “I have found the one person worthy of being Emperor. I do not know where you have obtained your seeds from, as the seeds I gave you have been boiled and could not grow. But I admire Ping who has the courage to stand before me with an empty pot. I reward him with all the riches of the land.”

This story teaches us about honesty, truth and courageousness. I know I reflected deeply on what it means to be true to yourself, carry yourself with integrity and trust that the outcomes, whatever they are, provide an opportunity for growth and strength. Thank you to Class 5L for this powerful message.

The message of ‘The Empty Pot’ also has special implications as we continue to spend increasing amounts of time in the digital world. It is estimated that this year, 4.5 billion people worldwide are using the internet through desktops, tablets and laptops and an astounding 22.31 million people interacting with the internet in Australia alone (https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2020-australia).

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 technologies and inform our children about how to be safe and remain vigilant in a virtual space. The ever-expanding use of the internet and digital platforms are continually increasing the agency and efficacy of our young people and their learning needs. As this continues to expand, we also need specific instructions about promoting agency and efficacy whilst on-line.

At the College, we take digital citizenship very seriously. This year we have broadened our uptake of the eSmart digital licence through the Alannah and Madeline Foundation to include both the Foundation and Junior Colleges. Years 3, 4 and 5 will continue to use the primary digital licence and for the first time, the Prep – Year 2 classes will use the ‘Digital Licence with Buddy’ program that deals with digital citizenship at an age-appropriate level and will be delivered as a whole class activity. Learn more about the Digital Licence with Buddy program at: https://static-digitallicence-com.

The added benefit of working with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation is the input from experts in the field such as The Office of the E-safety Commissioner, Michael Carr-Gregg and Google. Their website has many excellent resources to better understand Digital Safety and Citizenship and can be accessed at: https://www.esmart.org.au.

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

Pacific Lutheran College invites our community to celebrate International Women's Day at our annual breakfast on Friday 6^th March from 7.00am. Bring the entire family to enjoy student performances and delicious food prepared by the Pacific Hospitality students.

This year's International Women's Day theme is #EachforEqual. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements. So collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.

Click here to download the event flyer, which includes an RSVP form.

Thank you to everyone who attended our first meeting for the year on Tuesday. It was wonderful to see plenty of new faces amongst the group. FoP gatherings are a great opportunity to meet other parents at the College and be kept in the loop with our upcoming events. Some of the main points discussed included:

• Principal’s 2020 update;
• Opportunity to be a P-12 parent representative;
• Call for Mooloolaba Tri volunteers from Year 9-12 students and parents;
• Term 1 College Dance planning; and
• Call for an OCEANfest 2020 coordinator and a vote to move towards a more environmentally friendly festival.

If you would like to be involved in any of the events above, please contact us via email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 17^th March in the College Library at 6.30pm. Please join us for wine, cheese and a chat.

Mooloolaba Tri Volunteering Opportunities

Want front row tickets to the Mooloolaba Tri? Pacific is volunteering with the Mooloolaba Tri on Sunday 15^th March and we are looking for 20 parents and Middle / Senior College helpers who would like to join the Pacific / FoP volunteer team. It’s a six-hour commitment at Mooloolaba and promises to be a rewarding experience. Volunteers receive a t-shirt and food. Pacific will receive a donation for every volunteer we provide on the day. If you would like more information or can commit to helping out, please contact Mrs Allyson Sarvari on 0402 276 988 or email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

There are two volunteer timeslots available on the day:

• Sunday 15^th March – 4.45am start till 11.00am (20 people)

Quote of the Week

“The brain will be replaced by machines, but machines can never replace your heart.” – Jack Ma

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson

Last weekend, Pacific hosted its first Senior Ensembles Music Camp. After school on Friday, more than 50 students travelled to the Watson Park Convention Centre in Dakabin. The first evening was spent getting to know each other and the first ‘Massed Choir’ rehearsal was held.

On Saturday, students spent time rehearsing in their ensembles, which included the Concert Band, Pacific Senior Voices, Pacific Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Senior String Ensemble and more massed choir. A movie night in the evening was a great way to relax after a very busy day. Sunday morning was spent undertaking more rehearsals, before parents began arriving for the showcase concert. The standard of performance achieved in a very short amount of time was amazing and the concert was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Thank you and congratulations to all students. Our first Music Camp was a roaring success!

Below, senior student Chelsea shares a reflection of her camp experience.

“Music Camp 2020 was a great experience. Having a full day of intensive rehearsals allowed us to create pieces we were proud to perform in a very short amount of time. It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many great musicians and to learn from the fantastic teachers. The environment was very inclusive and as someone new to the music program, I felt immediately part of the ensembles and the collective group. We all formed some great bonds and it was great to meet and talk to so many like-minded, interesting people. I am so happy to be part of this stellar program and encourage everyone who has a passion for music to be involved.”

Mrs Helen Williams, Head of Instrumental Music

USC’s Headstart program allows students to study a university subject for one semester. The best time to participate in Headstart is during Semester 2 in Year 11. Please note that students who do Headstart will have to attend classes at USC outside of school hours and complete all assessments for their subject (the assessments will be exactly the same as for the university students who are doing that subject).

If you are interested in doing a Headstart subject, students and parents should attend the Headstart Information Evenings on 19th March. If you would like to discuss whether Headstart is right for you, please make an appointment to speak with Mrs Wanda Hayes. Learn more about Headstart at: https://www.usc.edu.au/learn/.

Registrations are now open for the Information Day for Interstate Students at the Parkville campus of the University of Melbourne on Friday 17^th April (during the school holidays). Registrations usually close within a few days as numbers are strictly limited, so if you would like to attend, you need to register immediately.

The day will focus on the application process, scholarships, student services, accommodation options and financial assistance. Participants will have an opportunity to ask current University of Melbourne students who have come from interstate about their experience and how they managed the transition. The program will also include accommodation tours for those interested with an option to join a college residential college community for dinner in their dining hall.

To register, visit: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/connect-with-us.

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

Last Friday, a team of Year 3-6 students represented the College at the 2020 Primary Lutheran Swim Carnival. All students swam well and displayed fantastic behaviour and sportsmanship. At the end of the carnival Pacific finished in third place in both the percentage trophy and the overall aggregate trophy. Well done to all students who participated and congratulations to Euan and Catherine who were crowned our champion swimmers of the meet!

We look forward to finishing the school swimming season this Friday at the Independent District Carnival, which will be held at St Andrew’s Anglican College.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Junior Sport

This year, Pacific will again offer the opportunity for Year 5-12 students to become members of the Pacific Boardriders (PBR). The program provides a structured opportunity to develop individual surfing skills and grow the culture of surfing within the College.

PBR sessions will be held on Friday mornings at locations around the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, dependent on prevailing conditions (primarily Currimundi Beach and Caloundra). Term 1 sessions will commence on Friday 28th February (Week 5). Sessions will also be offered in Semester 2 (Term 3 and 4).

Requirements for Participation

To be eligible to participate in PBR, participants must be able to swim and surf competently (negotiate the break and catch waves unassisted) in various surf conditions and provide all their own equipment (surfboard, wetsuit etc.). Parents are responsible for transporting their child to and from the session venue each Friday morning.

Due to stringent supervision and safety requirements, participation in the program will be capped at 24 students and will be dependent on individual competencies, including an ocean swim and board paddle, assessed by the teachers in charge.

Please note that these Friday morning sessions are not a ‘learn to surf’ program.

To register your child’s interest in this program, please email Mr Darren Hooper (dhooper@pacluth.qld.edu.au) to receive further information via CareMonkey.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Junior Sport

Mr Brett Kersnovske, Head of Sport

WE WANT YOU!

Enjoy keeping fit and having fun with your friends? Teams are filling fast for the 2020 season, but we still have opportunities in the following age divisions:

• U6 x 6
• U9 x 2
• U12-U14 Please enquire
• U15/16 x 2

The first games of the season are on Saturday 7^th March. Find out more at www.pacificsoccerfc.com.

MEET YOUR NEW TEAM

Come along to the Family Fun Day this Sunday 23^rd February from 4.00pm to 6.00pm at the Soccer Canteen at Pacific Lutheran College. While your player meets their new teammates, parents will have the opportunity to connect with other families from the team. Enjoy the challenge of the rock-climbing wall or the thrill of the wave slide. A BBQ will also be provided.

A reminder too that teams can’t begin training or playing until there are Managers and Coaches registered.

Mrs Rita Williams, Pacific FC President

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

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.