Compass No. 596 February 2021

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful. Jesus in Luke 6.

These are some of the hard sayings of Jesus. They are tough words to hear because we find it hard to put into practice; loving our enemies. It’s not that complicated, yet it is at the bottom of much of Jesus’ teaching and a challenge to each of us in all of our relationships. 

It is also a saying that speaks to our thread this week of personal power. Personal power is the strength, confidence and competence that we gradually acquire as we mature into adulthood. Personal power is learning that we can manage and control how we react to people, even though we might not manage and control how other people react to us. It is about controlling our emotions, behaviours and thoughts rather than the emotions, behaviours and thoughts of others controlling us.

Jesus does not want us to live in hate or fear, simply to love our enemies, to practice generosity in the face of pressure. When we are tempted to react negatively to someone’s behaviour we have the composure to stop, and show a different response of gentleness, that is personal power. That is the opportunity each of us has to use our power positively. As a school, we work with students to grow and develop as people who are self-aware and regulate their emotions and behaviours towards others, especially towards those who push our buttons.

That is the challenge we have from Jesus to treat people with kindness, to show generosity to them. To be merciful rather than to retaliate. Not reacting in destructive ways to others but having the capacity to regulate ourselves and show grace.  May God bless each of us with his mercy as we learn to love our enemies.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

This week marked two significant events in the life of senior college students, with students across two year levels being involved in their first Leadership Days for the year.

The Year 12 Leadership Day began with the College Captains organising a special morning breakfast for the Year 12 cohort to come together to enjoy. This was very well-attended and was a great way to start their day as a group, before they joined with the Lutheran Youth of Queensland facilitators for a day of connection and setting their vision as a group for their final year. At the end of the day, they joined in a special ceremony where they were welcomed into Year 12 by being presented with their Year 12 badges and Senior jersey’s by Dr Dolling, as well as meeting their Year 2 buddies for the year. This is a special connection between the two year levels and one that forms strong bonds between many Year 12 and 2 students.

It was a pleasure to be able to watch the cohort throughout the day and see how they have grown over the past three years, participating at such events. I thank the LYQ crew for their enthusiasm and energy throughout the day, the Year 2 teachers for organising the Year 2s to present the 12s with some lovely cards, and the Year 12 cohort for their participation. We wish all the students in this grade all the very best for 2021 and look forward to celebrating with them at the end of their journey in November.

Following the success of the Year 12 experience, on Wednesday the Year 10’s also spent the day with the LYQ team for their first Leadership Day at the school. There was high energy amongst all involved. The purpose of the day was to explore how students interact with each other and how the cohort can come together to lead each other throughout the year. The students will have another opportunity to reflect on the year in Term Four, when they come back for their second Leadership Day for 2021.

I wish all the Senior College students all the very best throughout the year and look forward to seeing them all grow and develop academically, culturally and in their leadership capacity. A reminder that the Year 10s have an information evening next Tuesday night from 6pm, and all students and parents are encouraged to attend.

Date claimers for all to take note of over the next week:

• Tuesday 9th February: Yr 10 information evening from 6pm. All parents and students are invited to attend.
• Wednesday 10th February: 7-12 Interhouse swimming carnival.

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College Students

Numerous pieces of research conducted and commissioned have discovered the profound benefits of reading for a child’s development. One study details the effects of reading on later literacy skills, facilitating social interaction between adults and children, and encouraging children to engage with the world around them. It also states how reading can be a stable source of information throughout a child’s life. This stability allows them to access text in a constant fashion and can be especially beneficial for children growing up in challenging circumstances.

There are multiple other benefits that reading can have on a child’s development, including:

Assisted cognitive development. Cognitive development refers to how we perceive and think about our world in reference to our intelligence, reasoning, language development, and information processing. By reading to children, you provide them with a deep understanding about their world and fill their brains with background knowledge. They then use this acquired background knowledge to make sense of what they see, hear, and read, which aids their cognitive development.

Developing empathy. When we read a book, we put ourselves in the story in front of us. This allows us to develop empathy as we experience the lives of other characters and can identify with how they are feeling. Children can then use this understanding to empathise in the real world with other people. Additionally, children will gain a greater understanding of emotions, which can help them understand their own emotions and those of others. This helps dramatically with their social development.

Gaining deeper understanding. A book can take us anywhere: to another city, to a different country, or even to an alternative world. By reading a book, a child learns about people, places, and events that they couldn’t learn otherwise. This gives children a deeper understanding of the world around them and cultures that are different from their own.

Building stronger relationships. If a parent reads with a child on a regular basis, then they will undoubtedly develop a stronger relationship with them. Reading provides parents with an opportunity to have a regular and shared event that both parent and child can look forward to. Furthermore, it provides children with feelings of attention, love, and reassurance which is key for nurturing and wellbeing.

Reading is a powerful, fulfilling, and rewarding activity. Not only does a book act as a comfort and a friend, it also acts as a teacher and can teach children all about themselves, their world, and the cultures within it. Reading with children has numerous benefits and is something all parents and teachers should encourage.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

During this time of transition, parents and carers need to be supportive, but also realistic in their expectations. This is an important milestone in your child’s life. There will be feelings of exhilaration, but also the fear of the unknown. Therefore it will be important for parents and carers to be vigilant in monitoring their child’s mood and mental health during this time. They could easily become overly anxious.

In this Special Report, there are a number of strategies offered that can make this transition period smoother and start things off on the right foot! We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report

https://pacificlutheran.qld.schooltv.me

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

New Families Welcome Breakfast

What a way to end the first week! The New Families Breakfast was a fabulous opportunity for our families, 2021 and 2020 leaders, staff and FoP members to meet and greet. We were treated to a wonderful array of goodies from our hospitality team and soulful tunes from two very talented PLC students, Frank and Louis. We are very grateful we can run an event such as this and kick off the celebrations for our 20th year!

Celebrating 20 years

As a member of Friends of Pacific, you have the opportunity to model, guide, evolve and involve your community - all while meeting new people. So, I extend a warm invitation for all parents, caregivers and staff to join us for our AGM and first meeting for the year on Tuesday evening, February 16th at PLC.

It’s so important as parents and caregivers to be involved in the community ourselves. Our children’s transition into adulthood is strengthened with positive role models such as those found at Pacific. Children thrive when they develop healthy relationships with important people within their community. Children ultimately benefit when encouraged to get involved with activities that are about giving to the broader community and world.

For those old enough, take a moment and cast your mind back to when you were twenty. Perhaps you were at uni, or working or taking a gap year (back when you could travel). You could vote, probably had your driver’s licence and were starting to pay taxes. You had become your own person. Your unique character was formed, modelled and guided by family, friends, teachers and the community.

And so it is with Pacific Lutheran College. Under the guiding hands of Dr Dolling and staff, Pacific has come of age. Creating traditions while creating innovations. Evolving and involving, just as the Sunshine Coast community has evolved.

This year, Pacific, with Dr Dolling as Principal, celebrates 20 years. In recognition of the event, FOP and the College Council presented Dr Dolling with a commemorative pin created by PLC parent and jewellery designer, Rita Williams at the recent Year 6-12 opening service.

We thank Dr Dolling for her service, commitment and guidance throughout the 20 years. 

Mooloolaba Tri Volunteering Opportunity

Pacific is volunteering at the Mooloolaba Tri on Saturday 13th March, 10am - 4.30pm, 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 assisting competitors to rack their bike prior to the race on Sunday. 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 Ange in the Middle College Office or Mrs Jenny Lee.

Upcoming Events:

• 2021 AGM and general meeting - Tuesday 16th February, at 6.30pm in the PLC Library. All welcome. Please register your attendance via email.
• Moo Tri Volunteer Team – Saturday 13th March – Register here

For any queries, please contact us via email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

It was lovely to speak to so many parents at the parent information evenings this week. I mentioned that we provide a range of online resources to support students in their learning. To access those, please bookmark our library home page.

For middle and senior college, go to https://library.pacluth.qld.edu.au/

Here you will find are library catalogue, ebooks, LibGuides, databases, our online encyclopaedia and videos on research skills.

 For junior college go to https://library.pacluth.qld.edu.au/oliver/junior.do?_open=1

Here you will find the library catalogue, DK Findout, KidCyber, World Book Kids and KidRex.

Book Club

Our first issue of Book Club was sent home this week. Book Club forms come out twice a term. If you wish to place an order, it must be done online. We no longer accept cash orders.

Lunchtime Activities

This week, students in the primary school designed a carriage to carry a Lego character safely down a zipline using only paper, sticky tape and paper clips, and created ninja figurines out of pipe cleaners, straws and beads. The secondary students designed and created kaleidoscopes.

Ms Nell Keen, Head of Library

A big congratulations to two of our students, Brooke Williams and Yasmin Richters for their recent achievements in Netball. Brooke Williams has made the USC Thunder Academy Programme and Yasmin has made training partner for the USC Thunder Ruby Netball team, which involved a very intensive selection process.

Brooke Williams pictured

Congratulations also to Zara Richters on her selection in the QLD Cyclones Surf Lifesaving team. A huge achievement!

We want to celebrate our students’ sporting successes with the Pacific community so please let Mr West-McInnes know of notable achievements in sport as they happen throughout the year.

Swimming Carnival

A few important bits of information for our Yr 7-12 Carnival coming up on the 10th of February.

• Parent spectators are allowed to attend the carnival. Parents will need to sign in at the pool and there is a small fee to enter. Parents will be provided a tent area to set up chairs away from the students in the grandstand as per Covid Safety Plan.
• Students may purchase food from the Kiosk using cash or cashless payment methods. Students should make sure they have plenty of water with them for the day.
• Students not in competitive races will still have opportunities to participate in various events and get points for their house, and we encourage all students to find a way to be involved on the day.

Competition Sport

Competitive sport starts Wednesday10th February for SCISSA, Yr 7-10 Volleyball and 11-12 Soccer. Students who have signed up for these sports will have information sent through to parents soon. If there are any questions or concerns regarding how competitive sport afternoons will run, please contact Mr Cameron West-McInnes or Mrs Natalie Campbell.

Operoo

Last year, CareMonkey (the mobile health and safety program used by our Sports Department) rebranded and are now called Operoo. You may at times see communications relating to either of these programs, however moving forward in 2021 we will be referring to Operoo as our sports communications program. 

Thank you to the many families who have created and/or updated their Operoo accounts and student care profiles. Please remember, your profile and account are owned by you and as such, the College cannot update any details on your behalf i.e. email addresses.

For new families, if you have not yet seen an invitation to create your child’s profile, please check your Junk Mail folder in the first instance. If you cannot find the email request, please contact our Sports Aide Mrs Natalie Campbell: ncampbell@pacluth.qld.edu.au. Emails will come from Operoo Administrator and will generally have a subject heading stating, “Pacific Lutheran College is requesting…”.

If you require assistance with this program or your profile set up, please contact Mrs Campbell.

Upcoming District and Regional Sports Trial Dates

Sunshine Coast School Sport provides students with pathways in the representative school sport program. There are a range of district and regional sport trials coming up. If you would like your child to trial for any of the sports as per the attached, please contact Mrs Natalie Campbell (ncampbell@pacluth.qld.edu.au) to register your interest prior to the closing date listed. 

Roar Active Program

The Roar Active Program is being held across four dates in February and March for students in Prep – Year 6. For details of the program, click here.

Caloundra Hockey Sign On

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Junior Sport and Mr Cameron West-McInnes, Head of Sport

More than 50% of our teams are already at capacity with many of the others almost full.

We currently have vacancies in the following teams:

• U8 Girls Year 3 – females born 2012/2013
• U9 Mixed Year 3 – born 2012/2013
• U13 Barracudas – Year 7 males and females players born 2007 and 2008
• U15 Cobras – Year 10 or Year 11 males and females born 2004/2005/2006

To register for U6-U16 (Prep-Year 11) male and female teams, visit:https://www.pacificsoccerfc.com/registration

Saturday fixtures for the 2021 season will commence on 6th March.

We have a number of exciting initiatives planned for 2021 as we celebrate our 20th anniversary.

Look out for the celebrations throughout the season.

• PFC Guzman y Gomez Birthday Club
• Anniversary gear
• 10-Year player jackets
• Fun days
• Prizes and giveaways
• New programs and opportunities
• K3 Coaching
• Social opportunities for parents
• Growth mindset sessions

Free Come & Try sessions

Our first Come & Try session on Monday was AWESOME! Plenty of new U6-U8 players took to the field with K3 Coaching to run, kick and have FUN!

2nd Free ‘Come and Try’ session – all players are invited!

• Club House open Saturday, February 6th from 8.30-10.30am
• Come and Try Session from 9-10am
• Held on the Pacific Lutheran College main oval on Red Cedar Drive. Meet at the soccer canteen.
• Bring a water bottle, shin pads and boots.
• To attend this session, RSVP to: PacificFC@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Here’s to another season full of friendship and fitness.

Mrs Rita Williams, Pacific FC President

Sharing a common mission and ministry with Pacific Lutheran College

“Growing in faith and sharing God’s love with others”

Weekly worship services are held at 14 Bombala Terrace Caloundra at 8.30am and 9.30am. We are thankful that we are able to meet together each week for worship. As we do this, there are still physical distancing, signing in, and hygiene requirements we need to follow in order to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our community.

Our worship services are intergenerational with a blend of traditional and contemporary.

You’re welcome to follow us on Facebook and visit our Church webpage.

All are welcome at any of our services.

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

5                          Year 7 Camp Returns

8                          Year 9 Rite Journey Departure (5pm)

9                          Academic Award Ceremony

                            Year 10 Information Evening (6pm)

10                        Year 7-12 Swimming Carnival (Nambour

12                        Music Camp departs