Compass No. 586 September 2020

As we go into the holidays from a long term, here is a prayer I have adapted from the cartoonist Michael Leunig. It celebrates the new life and growth we experience at this time of the year and the gift of faith that God creates in us.

Dear God, we celebrate springs return and the rejuvenation of the natural world. Let us be moved by this vast and gentle insistence that goodness shall return, that warmth and life shall succeed. Help us to understand our place in this miracle. Let us see that as a bird now builds its nest, bravely, with bits and pieces, (so faith is built in us as humans). It is… the miracle of spring; the creation of faith. Amen.

(Michael Leunig from “When I Talk to You: A Cartoonist Talks to God” Riverside: Andrews McMeel, 2006.)

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

This certainly has been a year like no other and, as another term comes to an end, it is important to take time to reflect on what we have accomplished as a school. Term 3 has seen a range of activities and new experiences in the Senior College and it has been pleasing to witness the growth, responsiveness and adaptability that students have demonstrated. We have experienced a range of co-curricular and curricular achievements, in amongst mock exams, tests, assignments and other pressures of school life. There have also been sporting contests, academic challenges, musical feats, artistic ventures and drama performances throughout the term. We also look forward to Term 4 as the Year 12 cohort prepares for their external assessments before finishing their learning journey in November. We wish them all the very best for their final preparations.

We also wish Year 11 students all the best for their exams early next term, following which they will begin to transition into their final 12 months at Pacific. This also marks the start of the Year 10 cohort’s journey into leadership opportunities and a start to their influence throughout the school.

Term 3 is a busy one and I congratulate you all on your successes throughout. Take the time to reflect on what you have accomplished and I wish you all a very safe and blessed school holiday period.

Sleepout for the Homeless

This Friday, 42 Senior College students will be attending the annual Sleepout for the Homeless in the College gym. The purpose of the event is to raise much-needed funds for the Salvation Army to assist with their work for the homeless on the Sunshine Coast. Staff and students will spend Friday night sleeping on cardboard boxes to experience the harshness that some face every night of the year.

Well done to the College Captains for their promotion of this cause.

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College Students

A new study of 8 to 11-year old children has revealed an association between heavy television use and poorer reading performance, as well as between heavy computer use and poorer numeracy. The Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne released the findings earlier this month following the study conducted by Lisa Mundy and her colleagues.

Previous studies of children and adolescents have found links between use of electronic media (such as television, computers, and videogames) and obesity, poor sleep and other physical health risks. Electronic media use is also associated with better access to information, technology skills and social connection. However, comparatively less is known about links with academic performance.

More than 1,200 Australian children were involved in the study, which used national achievement test data to measure the children's academic performance at baseline and again after two years. They also asked the children's parents to report on their kids' use of electronic media.

The researchers found that watching two or more hours of television per day at the age of 8 or 9 was associated with lower reading performance compared to peers two years later; the difference was equivalent to losing four months of learning. Using a computer for more than one hour per day was linked to a similar degree of lost numeracy. The analysis showed no links between use of videogames and academic performance.

By accounting for baseline academic performance and potentially influencing factors such as mental health difficulties and body mass index (BMI) and controlling for prior media use, the researchers were able to pinpoint cumulative television and computer use, as well as short-term use, as associated with poorer academic performance.

These findings could help parents refine plans and recommendations for electronic media use in late childhood. Future research could build on these results by examining continued associations in later secondary school.

The authors add: "The debate about the effects of modern media on children's learning has never been more important given the effects of today's pandemic on children's use of time. This is the first large, longitudinal study of electronic media use and learning in primary school children and results showed heavier users of television and computers had significant declines in reading and numeracy two years later compared with light users”.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

Teenagers need to know that challenging situations might make you feel upset and angry, too, but acknowledging and talking about these feelings shows them that it’s okay to feel this way.

Negative emotions may not disappear overnight but talking about things will help your teen to process and accept what’s happened. Teenagers need to be reminded that change is a normal part of life and that it can help us to develop strengths such as courage, flexibility and resilience. Learn more at: https://parents.au.reachout.com/

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Community Connect

A reminder that PLC Community Connect is now live on the College website. Community Connect is an initiative of Pacific Lutheran College and Friends of Pacific, which aims to unite, build and strengthen connections within our community.

To connect with businesses in our community, visit: https://www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au/.

As a past or current family of the College and a business owner, we encourage you to list your business in our free online directory. To be part of PLC Community Connect, simply visit the above link.

Pacific Together

This year has been tough for everyone, but for some more so than others. If you or someone you know within our College community needs extra support anytime during the year, please contact Pastor Tim Jarick or the Pacific Together FoP team. The Pacific Together care group may be able to help in some small way during times of need. Simply email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Quote of the Week

“Families are the compass that guide us. They are inspiration to reach great heights and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” – Brad Henry

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th October at 6.30pm. Details will follow next term.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

We wish all Pacific families a relaxing and refreshing spring break.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

This week, Year 6 students enjoyed a visit from Cr Peter Cox. He spoke with students about the Sunshine Coast Council’s wide range of roles and responsibilities. Students heard how the Council supports the region economically, environmentally and socially. They also learnt about Council’s energy consumption and sustainability, environmental programs that support local beaches and community initiatives such as public transport and sporting hubs.

Thank you to Cr Peter Cox for his informative talk.

Mr Stuart Pohlner, Year 6 Teacher

Basketball

Last Friday evening, I had the opportunity to watch our Senior E Boys play in their grand final against Matthew Flinders Anglican College in the Sunshine Coast Schools Basketball Competition. In what has been a difficult year with sport, it was great to see these students have the chance to play in a final. The game was close for the first three quarters with both teams taking the lead at various points. The PLC boys held off a determined Flinders’ team who fought all the way to the end. Congratulations to the team and also to Ethan Hall who coached the boys during the season.

In other intermediate and junior basketball games, the Junior B Boys had a strong win over St John’s College. A special mention also to the Intermediate C Girls who recorded their first win in the competition since 2019! The girls have been fighting hard for 18 months in both basketball and volleyball and managed to come away with a narrow victory on Friday against a physical and tall Good Shepherd Lutheran College team. Well done to all the girls and to Mrs Leah Croke for her coaching!

A reminder for all senior basketball players to please return their playing shorts and singlets to Mrs Natalie Campbell if they have not already done so.

Rugby

On Wednesday evening, our Under 14 boys played in the 3rd vs 4th final of the Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools Rugby Competition against Chancellor State College. Chancellor dominated in the first half in both possession and points and went into half time with a handy lead. The PLC boys managed to fight their way back into the game in the second half but unfortunately went down by two tries at the end of the game.

 This now concludes the 15-a-side rugby competition for the year. Students are now looking forward to the SCISSA Rugby 7s competition which begins in Week 2 of next term. We have eight teams signed up for this competition which is fantastic.

Participation in rugby has significantly grown this year under the leadership of Mr Josh Cummins along with teacher contributions from Mr Alex O’Connor, Mr Andrew Block, Ms Kristie Brock and Mr Josh Danzey who have all given time to coach and train teams. Well done to all players and coaches!

Water Polo

On Monday evening, both our Junior A and Intermediate A Girls played at Sunshine Coast Grammar. The Junior A Girls played their first game of the season with a number of students playing their first ever game of water polo. Congratulations to the girls who were able to record a win over Grace Lutheran College.

The Intermediate A Girls played Sunshine Coast Grammar in a very close and entertaining game. The girls are still yet to taste victory in the top competition this season and went agonisingly close on Wednesday to only go down 10-11 at the end. Well done to Sophia Heinz who was announced as the most valuable player in the game.

SCISSA Gala Day

Last Thursday, Year 4-6 students had the opportunity to participate in their first Gala Day of 2020. Students had been training all term and were very excited to finally have the chance to put these skills into practice in a competitive environment.

Well done to the following teams who won their division on the day:

• Year 5/6 Division A Girls Volleyball
• Year 5/6 Division A Girls Basketball
• Year 5/6 Division B Girls Basketball Pool 1
• Year 5/6 Division B Girls Basketball Pool 2
• Year 4 Flippaball

Students continue in their SCISSA sports in Term 4 with another Gala Day planed for Week 5.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Sport

Last weekend, our final round for the season was held at Pacific, with 13 of our 14 teams at home. Our U13, U14 and U15/16 teams all came away with resounding wins and we particularly congratulate our U14 Eels on finishing as runners-up in their division. Once again, we thank the set-up and pack crew, the BBQ crew, our club photographer Shannon and all the SCCSA families for checking in and out via the EVA app.

2020 Presentation

It was wonderful to still celebrate the achievements of each and every player within our club at the 2020 Presentation, albeit in a very different format to usual. The players were each able to enjoy a Guzman Y Gomez (GYG) treat bag and we thank the Birtinya and Kawana GYG stores as well as Laserzone Kawana for their continued support throughout the season with Player of the Match Awards.

For 2020, we were delighted to present:

• Trophy and photos to individual team players.
• Coach and Manager appreciation gifts.
• 5-year and 10-year volunteer trophies.
• 5-year player trophies.
• 10-year players (Lachlan Whincop and Alex Lee) with their player trophies and 10-year jackets. Lachlan and Alex will be invited to join SCCSA at their 2021 Adermann Awards ceremony to celebrate their achievement and commitment. 

Additionally, we congratulate the following 2020 Representative players for their commitment to continuous training and friendlies while many of the official tournaments were cancelled for the season: Chase McKinnon, Kauan Gogarty, Luca Francesconi Silveira, Joseph Harrys, Angus Friend, Zac McCarthy, Patrick Dale, Zaida Williams, Jesse Tullio, Alexander Lee and Astrid Williams.

We thank all club members for being so resilient and flexible in adjusting to this modified season. Additionally, we acknowledge our Coaches and Managers for guiding players and parents through COVID-19 protocols so well. We thank our sponsors for their support of our club over the years – Jetts Fitness, Peninsular Beach Resort, Green Beginnings, Travel Associates, Harmony Landscapes, Lazerone and Guzman Y Gomez. A big round of applause also goes to PLC admin staff, as well as Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Mr Mike Healy, Mr Mick Vidulich, Mr Darren Hooper, Ms Marg Gunn and Ms Steph Scarlett for their varied and continued support of the club. We also acknowledge PLC groundsmen, Chris, Craig and Damien for their preparation and maintenance of the grounds.

We’ve been so proud of every participant and helper in Pacific FC this year and we hope you had as much fun as we did.

For a full wrap up of the presentations, follow the Pacific FC Facebook and Instagram pages.

Upcoming Events

⚽️ K3 Holiday Camp at Pacific from 28-30th September. Book via: https://k3coachingaus.wufoo.com/.
⚽️ 2021 SCCSA Rep Trials and Preparation sessions for current U8-U16 players in October.

For further information, please email: PacificFC@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Mrs Rita Williams, Pacific FC President

We are pleased to announce that we will move forward with fortnightly public worship services at 14 Bombala Terrace on the first and third Sunday of each month. Our care is for the vulnerable and wider community with the resources we have at one location.

The next service for this month is this Sunday 20^th September at 8.30am, 9.30am and 10.30am, all with Holy Communion.

Bookings are now available by clicking here, or follow us on Facebook and visit our Church webpage. Please contact Janelle on 0488 556 150 for booking assistance.

Weekly online worship for St Mark’s is also available at our Church webpage or Facebook page.

All are welcome.

Pastor Ray Morris, St Mark’s Lutheran Church (0429 856 532 or lutherancaloundra@gmail.com)

Pacific Lutheran College is fundraising with Entertainment™ again this year. Order your Entertainment™ Books and Entertainment™ Digital Memberships today and 20% of the proceeds will go towards Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre. For a limited time, when you purchase an Entertainment™ Book, an additional $10 or $20 will also be donated to our Early Learning Centre.

To order your book or digital membership, visit: https://www.entertainment.com.au