Compass No. 588 October 2020

Have you ever given an important task to a young person knowing that a great deal depends on it being carried out successfully? Have you taken the risk of entrusting a significant job to a child or young person not knowing whether they will be able to complete it fully?

This is the situation that parents, teachers and employers find themselves in all the time. Putting trust in children, teenagers, and young adults allow them to develop, grow and mature. This is necessary as they gain confidence and begin to learn wisdom through the many experiences of life. 

This is the situation Paul found himself in when he was helping establish Christian communities across the Mediterranean. One young man that Paul completely trusted was Timothy. Paul entrusted the young pastor Tim with the task of taking the message of Jesus, the good news of His life, death and rising again to an emerging church in the north of Greece called Philippi. Paul’s complete trust and confidence in Timothy is evident in these heartfelt words.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon…For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare… you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. (Philippians 2:19-22)

You can tell by Paul's words, that he thinks Timothy brings great blessings wherever he goes, but what is not apparent to the reader, is that Timothy was actually very young, according to Christian tradition. Paul sees God at work in Timothy, regardless of Timothy's youth. This passage reminds us of our thread to cherish the passion and giftedness of young people.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

It is hard to believe that we are already into the final term of yet another year. It seems that each school-year passes us by faster than the last and it is easy for us to get caught up in the busyness of everyday life. Term 4 is a busy, but exciting term for everyone. There are many significant events and lots to look forward too – exams, Year 12 graduation, Year 9 camp and Year 9 students transitioning into the Senior College, basketball finals and holidays!

Last week, at a Year 12 Senior College assembly, we asked students to have ‘an attitude of gratitude’. It is always valuable to take a reflective step back and focus on the blessings that we have. Being grateful for the positive things in our life can benefit our perception of our current circumstances and can also help change the mindset of others around us.

So, as we navigate this final term together, I wish all Senior College students the very best for their studies and pray that we can all be thankful in whatever situations we find ourselves in this term.

Year 11 Drivers

Any Year 11 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 me directly.

Year 12 Celebrations

Parents and students who are attending Year 12 celebrations (Graduation, Final Chapel and Formal) are asked to please RSVP as soon as possible. Please also book a time with Mrs Leanne Bevis for family photos at the formal if you have not already done so.

Year 11 and 12 Exams

We wish senior students all the very best for their exams this term. Year 11 students have been in exams this week and I pray that they approached these with clear and confident minds. We also wish Year 12 students the best as they prepare to commence their external assessment block in Weeks 4-7, before their graduation activities. Please note that normal uniform expectations still apply and students are required to attend all exams in formal uniform (even on Fridays).

Ponytail Project

Throughout Term 3 and Term 4, Cosi Winter and Georgina Jones have been raising awareness and funds for the Cancer Council through their ‘Ponytail Project’. This year, Pacific has seven students across Years 6-12 who have signed up to have their ponytail cut off in front of their peers. So far, they have raised more than $1500 collectively for the cause.

On Tuesday 27th October, all seven Pacific students will gather on the oval to have their ponytails cut off. We will also be holding a casual clothes day on the same date, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Council. If you would like to donate, visit: https://www.ponytailproject.com.au/fundraisers/pacificlutherancollege.

Sleepout for the Homeless

On the last Friday night of Term 3, more than 30 Year 11 and 12 students volunteered to spend a night sleeping on the floor of the College gym to raise awareness and funds for homelessness on the Sunshine Coast. It was a great way to end a busy term, in community to serve others. Overall, the College raised more than $500 to donate to the Salvation Army for their work with homeless people in our local area. A big thank you to Mrs Michiko Hauser, Ms Angela Hill, Mrs Leah Croke and Mrs Jo Belchamber for giving up their Friday night to help supervise the event and well done to all who attended!

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College Students

We will soon begin the complex process of allocating students into classes for 2021. This is a process we take very seriously and many factors are taken into account when considering each child’s placement. These include student learning needs, gender balance, class target size and friendship groups.

Your child’s teacher knows how your child works in school, the intricacies of their relationships, their abilities and their passions. They have a clear picture of their academic performance, outcomes and their social connections.

Each child will have the opportunity to list a group of friends with whom they can work positively. Our aim is that each child will be with at least one friend on their list – not necessarily their first choice.

We use all the data we have to the make the best decision for your child and your family. The draft lists are rechecked by Mr Damian Davis and myself before they are finalised. Should you have any family needs or concerns, please email me: szweck@pacluth.qld.edu.au. Please also be aware that this process does not take into account requests for a specific teacher; we have an amazing staff who have your child’s best interests at the centre of their thinking.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

Many parents will attest to the fact that most boys are active, loud, rambunctious and prone to rough play, but this should not affect how a parent acts towards their son. The male brain is distinctly differently in its development. A boy’s physical maturity is often at odds with his mental and brain development.

Societal beliefs about how to raise boys can sometimes influence parents. Although we are not determined by our biology, it is a factor. It is important to support boys in their natural tendencies and nurture their strengths and abilities. Teach them the skills they need for their future and to develop a healthy identity. One of the most important determinants for a boy’s development is how secure they feel growing up.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will gain a better understanding into some of the more complex issues relating to raising boys. Visit: https://pacificlutheran.qld.schooltv.me/newsletter/raising-boys.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th October at 6.30pm via Zoom. All are welcome to attend. Please email your RSVP to: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

We are very excited for Book Week and can’t wait for the costumes, activities, competitions and activities, especially the animal farm!

This week’s Bookmark recommendations are all from the CBCA Book of the Year short and notables list. The winners will be announced at the start of Book Week.

Junior Readers

‘Tilly’ by Jane Godwin and illustrated by Anna Walker

Tilly lives with her many brothers and sisters. Sometimes her house can get a little bit loud and there isn’t much time for Tilly, but Tilly is okay with that because she has a secret – a secret box of treasures that she hides in a secret step outside her room. She loves to admire and play with her secret treasures. But one day, while renovating the house, something happens to Tilly's secret hiding space. This is a beautiful picture book, delightfully illustrated in soft watercolours. The story is also based on real events, which you can read about on the CBCA website: https://cbca.org.au/resources/tilly.

You can find ‘Tilly’ in our picture book collection.

Middle Readers

‘The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals’ by Sami Bayly

Some animals are not cute or cuddly. Some animals are rather ugly. But they are all important and special. Written and illustrated by Sami Bayly, ‘The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals’ challenges readers to look beyond conventional concepts of beauty and learn why these animals look the way they do and the survival and adaptation explanations behind their looks. There are more than 66 ugly animals to explore and learn about.

You can find ‘The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals’ in our non-fiction collection.

Senior Readers

‘Impossible Music’ by Sean Williams

If music was your everything, what would you do if you suddenly went deaf? This is the question Sean Williams explores in his gritty, upfront novel, ‘Impossible Music’. Questions about family, relationships, facing the future and following your dreams, even when they seem impossible, are the focus of this book. With a realistic teen male narrator, this book is gripping and compelling.

You can find ‘Impossible Music’ in our senior realistic fiction collection, as well as an eBook on the Wheelers ePlatform.

Ms Madison Dearnaley, Teacher Librarian

The National Careers Institute launched the Your Career (www.yourcareer.gov.au) website on 1st October. This website has been established as a one-stop-shop for people of all ages who are seeking to enter the workforce, or make a career change. It connects people to information about current labour market conditions and provides tools and resources to help people make career decisions, as well as acting as a job search portal.

On the website there are also special services targeting this year’s school leavers. The School Leavers Information Kit and School Leavers Information Service will help Year 12 students navigate the changed labour market as a result of COVID-19. Visit: https://yourcareer.gov.au/school-leavers-support/.

USC Headstart

USC’s Headstart program allows Year 11 and 12 students to complete a university subject while still at school – fee-free. Participants in Headstart attend classes and complete all the same tasks and assessments as university students. Their results are also included on their university academic record.

A Headstart subject isn’t used in the calculation of a student’s ATAR. But if they pass the subject, a single adjustment point will be applied if they choose to study at USC after Year 12. Students will also receive credit for that subject.

The best times to undertake a Headstart subject are in Semester 2 of Year 11 or in Semester 1 of Year 12. Applications are now open for students who wish to apply for Headstart in Semester 1, 2021. USC is currently reviewing its course offerings and some courses may be entirely online, which will make it much easier for students to participate. If you are interested in applying, please make an appointment to speak with me directly about your best options.

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

It has been good to see so many students engage in sporting competitions already this term.

Basketball

The basketball season recommenced last Friday evening for our nine junior and intermediate teams. It was a tough round for our teams with a number of close losses. Well done to the Junior D Boys who were able to come away with a win on the night.

There is only three weeks left in the regular season so good luck to all teams in these final weeks.

Soccer

The Year 7-10 SCISSA Soccer competition commenced last week with the College represented by a Junior Boys and Girls team. In last week’s games, the Junior A Boys went down in a narrow 1-0 loss to Immanuel Lutheran College with Connor Ransome named MVP for the team. The Junior A Girls played Suncoast Christian College, who proved too good on the night, winning the game 7-0. Amber Hetherington and Ayanna Nath played strongly for the team.

This week both teams played at home in wet conditions with heavy rain falling. Unfortunately, both teams were unable to come away with wins but thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to play in the rain, as you can see from the photos.

Rugby 7s

The secondary SCISSA Rugby 7s competition kicked off on Wednesday night with more than 80 Pacific boys and girls playing. With such strong interest, especially from girls in Years 8 and 9, we were able to enter eight teams in the competition, which is fantastic.

This week, all Under 13 teams had a bye round with the Under 15 and 18 boys playing at Maroochydore Rugby Union fields and the Under 15 and 18 girls at Matthew Flinders Anglican College.

Results from the night were as follow:

• Under 15 B Girls – Drew 5-5 against NCC, lost to SCGS 25-5 and lost to St Andrew’s 45-5
• Under 15 A Girls – Drew 5-5 against GCC, won against NCC 20-0
• Under 15 A Boys – Drew 14-14 against MFAC, lost against St Andrew’s 26-7, won 26-7 against GCC
• Under 15 B Boys – Won against GCC 24-12, lost to SCGS and lost to NCC
• Under 18 Boys – Won against St Andrew’s 17-12, lost to MFAC 33-5 and lost to GSLC 29-12

Water Polo

The Sunshine Coast Schools Water Polo Competition also recommenced on Monday evening with our Junior Girls and Intermediate Boys and Girls playing.

The Junior A Girls went down 18-4 to a very strong Immanuel Lutheran College team with Macey Winter playing strongly up front and Brooke Williams in the goals. The Intermediate Girls lost 17-4 in their first game on the night against Matthew Flinders Anglican College and won their second game 10-4 against Siena Catholic College. The Intermediate A Boys went down to St Andrew’s Anglican College 10 -3 with Jack Carmichael named MVP for the team.

Pacific Pulse Surfing Contest

We are looking forward to once again hosting the Pacific Pulse Surfing Contest next Wednesday 21st October with six primary schools from around the Sunshine Coast competing on the day. Our contest is one of the longest continuous running school surfing competitions, with this year marking its 15th year.

A massive thank you to our very generous sponsors who have made this year’s event possible.

• Bread and Barrels Accountants and Advisors
• Rob Williams Real Estate
• SOULS Thongs
• Beach Beat Caloundra
• Hurley
• Billabong
• Quicksilver

Without their generosity, our contest could not continue. We wish all competitors the best of luck next week!

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Sport

Get ready for Rep 2021

Current U8+ players (born 2012 up to 2001) are welcome to attend free pre-representative coaching sessions at PLC. The final session will be held on Thursday 22nd October from 3.15pm – 4.15pm. Please bring a water bottle and wear shin pads, boots and soccer gear. Register via email to: PacificFC@pacluth.qld.edu.au. Parents are to collect their children at 4.15pm via the front PLC car park.

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.

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