Compass No. 590 October 2020

“Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.” – John F. Kennedy

The way that we treat, respect and care for children and young people is a measure for who we are as a society and who we will become in the future. In recent years, our country and institutions have had a shake-up as it became evident we had not adequately looked out for the children and young people in our care. We must protect the young, the vulnerable in our communities no matter what. In our task of protecting the young, we also need to be aware of how we do this in a way that grows independence and maturity. Parents have an inbuilt desire to protect their children from danger. This is necessary in a child’s early years. However, as they grow bigger and mature, that parental shield of protection can be loosened as our young people learn from their mistakes, their failures, their trials and grow in persistence, resilience, confidence and independence. Likewise, it is important for children and young people to grow their trust in God through questioning, reflecting with wise adults and having adverse experiences.

There is a story in the Old Testament of a young boy called Samuel who listened to God. Samuel’s story is a famous moment in the role of young people in God’s kingdom. In the story, God does not wait for Samuel to become an adult before God speaks to and is at work through Samuel. Even as a very young boy, Samuel hears God’s call and seeks to serve God. Samuel grows up and God blesses the whole people of Israel through Samuel’s work. There is even a book of the Old Testament that is named after Samuel. Samuel’s story gives great hope to young people who wonder where they fit in the world. Samuel would tell them – listen for God’s call and open your eyes to find places where you can serve.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

It is hard to believe that we are already at the mid-point of the final term of the year. Although Term 4 is shorter, there are many significant events and activities that take place. It is an important time for students across all year levels. For the Year 9 students, they have engaged in a two-week outdoor education experience and will transition from the Middle College into the Senior College. The Year 11 students have completed their final assessments for the year and are now focussing on their transition into Year 12. And, of course, our Year 12 students are in the midst of their external exam block, before their graduation in November.

We wish the graduating class of 2020 all the very best for the remainder of their external assessments and look forward to sharing in their graduation celebrations in a few weeks’ time. We thank the cohort for the way they have engaged with their final stages of their learning journey as well as for their contribution to the College during their time here. The 2020 College Captains have been a huge source of inspiration to many this year and I thank them for their commitment and effort over the past 12 months. The 2021 leadership team have had great role models to look up to and have also started their senior leadership journey strongly with some great initiatives.

Ponytail Project

This year, two senior students Cosette Winter and Georgina Jones worked together to promote and organise the College’s first Ponytail Project event, to raise awareness and funds for the Cancer Council. Four more students across Years 6-11 also registered to have their ponytails chopped in support of the initiative. After three months of planning and promotion, Jasmin, Ivy, Kate, Alicia, Cosette and Georgina came together for the chop in the gym earlier this week. With the help of professional hair dressers Vicki Barry and Sarah Bailey from Frangipani Cutting Crew, all six students had 20-30cm of their hair chopped off and donated to charity so it can be made into wigs for cancer patients. We congratulate all who participated, donated and supported this cause. Along with the proceeds of the College’s casual clothes day, the initiative raised more than $4400. Well done to Cosette and Georgina for their leadership and enthusiasm in supporting such a worthy cause. We look forward to this becoming an annual event.

Donations are still open for a short amount of time. For those wishing to donate, please visit https://www.ponytailproject.com.au.

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College Students

What can you do to help your child transition well?

The holidays before your child is due to start Prep is a wonderful opportunity to help grow some of the basic skills needed so they can manage themselves and transition smoothly into school.

1. Helping your child separate from you – when you are going to leave your child for a while, try these three steps, especially if they’re not used to being away from you:
   a) Connect with them at their level and tell them you are going to be leaving for a while and you will be coming back.
   b) Then allow 20 seconds when you hold them or stand close to them.
   c) Then, in some way leave – hand them over to the grown-up who will be looking after them while smiling and waving – and keep going. Hopefully the other person taking care of them will stand close to them helping them feel safe and connected. When you return, remember to reassure them that you told them you would be coming back.
2. Improving communication – help your child to listen and follow directions.
3. Improving literacy – nothing beats reading to our children to prepare them to grow a vocabulary that will enable literacy later. So please keep them off technology and engage in real human-to-human verbal communication as much as you can. Read signs, words on cereal boxes, sing songs, use funny rhyming, ask them questions and really listen and set up some pretend play opportunities like shops, being a pilot, have a tea party or play in a mud kitchen.
4. Organisation – gradually encouraging children to be more responsible with little things like remembering their drink bottles, their clothes, putting things away and tidying up. This can all happen in fun ways at home.
5. Avoid being too enthusiastic – please avoid being too enthusiastic about school with promises they will learn to read and become clever. Many 5-year-olds come home very disillusioned after the first week because they haven’t been able to learn to read yet.
6. Nurturing the teacher bond – to help children transition to another person as their safe grown-up, it can be helpful if you could find a photo of their teacher and have it in the visible place so you can talk about Mrs Jones or Mr Brown. This gentle way of familiarising them can help, however be careful not to overdo it. Parents should try to avoid speaking negatively about any teacher in front of your child.
7. Owning anxiety as normal – chatting to your child about anxiety and that it is normal to be a little bit frightened of starting something new is really important. Tell them that you have been a bit anxious starting a new job or a new school and that in a few weeks that anxiety will disappear as everything becomes normal.
8. Building friendships – building friendships and fostering connections with peers is an important factor in making school a positive place.
9. Life skills – the more things that your child can do for themselves, the more confident and capable they will feel. It does start with little things like dressing themselves, washing their own hands and being able to toilet themselves. It also allows them to have autonomy to make choices – would you like an apple or a banana in your lunch box? Building confidence and competence also takes place in the playground or your backyard. Allowing them to climb a little higher, swing a little farther or to try something they have never tried before are all risk-taking opportunities that are amazingly positive teachable moments, even when unsuccessful.

Please remember that as your little one starts their schooling journey you are still their number one teacher and coach. Also avoid comparing your child to other children. They are all unique miracles and growth, development and learning is not a linear thing. Relationships are the number one thing that helps children to thrive and flourish.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

During your child’s learning journey, there will no doubt be times when parents have concerns about their interactions or experiences with their teachers at school. While specific situations vary, it is important for parents not to jump to conclusions when your child shares their story about something that has happened. At the following link there are some basic suggestions that can help parents maximize the chances of a successful, positive resolution: https://www.washingtonpost.com/.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Thank you to all who attended the recent Zoom Friends of Pacific (FoP) meeting. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow parents and staff and in particular, hear of academic and sporting successes within the Pacific community. Planning for 2021 is underway and we invite all current and new Pacific parents and staff to attend our next general meeting on Tuesday 16th February at 6.30pm (Term 1 2021). As a committee, we voted in favour of also moving our AGM to this first meeting back, which hopefully can be conducted at the College. We encourage you to consider supporting FoP by nominating or expressing your interest for the 2021 volunteer committee. It’s a wonderful way to unite with fellow parents and staff, learn more about what is happening on campus and support events that bring much joy to our community. The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said that the fundamental principle of life is “to serve others and do good”. By understanding how to best serve and help each other, as well as different communities, we can see real benefits – not just for others but ourselves, too.

Over the coming weeks we will be highlighting some of the amazing efforts from throughout the years by our FoP members. To acknowledge and congratulate the people amongst us for their very valued contribution is an important part of giving back.

If you’d like to make contact with FoP, please email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

Congratulations to Middle College student Bridgette Cooper who placed third in her year level division of the Telling Stories Competition. The competition is organised by Mooloolaba Rotary in partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast and Voices on the Coast to encourage students across Years 4-9 to grow their creativity and writing skills.

Bridgette wrote a story titled ‘I Should Have Been More Careful’. To read her story in full, click here. Bridgette attended the official awards ceremony this week where she was presented with a medal.

Ms Nell Keen, Head of Library

The Music Department is pleased to announce its inaugural Ensemble Tour to New Zealand, scheduled for mid 2022! This exciting opportunity will be run in partnership with Student Horizons New Zealand Tour Group. On the 12-day experience, students will engage in a variety of music development opportunities including public performances and evening concerts. Of course, there will also be time for students to immerse themselves in cultural experiences and sight-seeing.

A Zoom information session will be held for families of students who are currently involved in the Instrumental Music Program. Families of students in Year 5-6, who are keen to continue in the program, are also encouraged to attend the Zoom session. The information session will cover the costs, itinerary as well as the pre-requisites for being involved in the tour. Families will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Date: Wednesday 11th November 2020

Time: 6.00pm

Details have already been emailed out to our existing ensemble families. However, if you’d like to attend, please email Mrs Helen Williams to receive the Zoom link: helenw@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Mrs Helen Williams, Head of Instrumental Music and Mrs Aleisha Tuaine, Head of Music

Middle College student Katie Graves has just returned from Townsville after representing the Sunshine Coast in the Under 15 Girls Regional Basketball Team at the State Championships. After four days of competition, the U15 team finished in third place! Well done to Katie and the U15 team on this achievement!

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Sport

Get ready for Rep 2021

The inaugural Churches Futsal Tournament will be held on Saturday 28th November at the Caloundra Indoor Stadium.

You are invited to register using the link: https://playerhawk.com/competition/20. Details for the tournament are as follows:

• Price $210 per team (all fees include player registrations and insurances).
• Maximum of 7 players per team.
• Game times will be notified once the draw has been finalised. As a guide, usually the younger age groups begin at 8.00am followed by respective ages and the finals will commence around 3.00pm.
• Each team will play a minimum of three games. The top two teams from each age group will play a fourth game by advancing to the grand final.

Mrs Rita Williams, Pacific FC President

We are encouraging existing families to arrange your back to school requirements prior to the end of this term as bookings in January will be limited. To make an appointment, please contact the Main Reception on 5437 7300. If uniforms purchased this year need to be exchanged, this can be arranged in the new year (providing the items are still in their original condition and haven’t been worn).

If you have a student in Year 5 going into Year 6 next year, they will require new uniform items. This includes a formal hat for girls and Middle College formal shirt, shorts, hat and tie for boys. Both boys and girls transitioning from Prep into Year 1 next year will require formal uniforms. Swimwear is also required to be worn by all Year 3-12 students for the Swimming Carnivals in Term 1 next year. Please arrange an appointment to try swimwear items on as they cannot be exchanged or refunded once purchased.

Blazers have arrived for Year 9 students and again, appointments can be made to purchase these through the Main Reception.

Mrs Peta King, Uniform Shop Coordinator

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