Compass No. 608 May 2021

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

James 4:6

The following text is a guided meditation on humility that I used with the college staff this week. If you can, find a quiet place as you read this reflectively.

Let’s be grounded, that’s what humility is all about. Let’s put our two feet firmly on the floor, our backs straight on the chair, and take a deep breath and relax. Let’s take a breath and feel the tension in our neck and shoulders subside as we breathe out.

Let’s still our minds now as we picture these words of Jesus being spoken to us; Blessed are the meek, the humble, for they will inherit the earth.

Picture Jesus beside you, speaking these words to you. Blessed are the humble. You might not consider yourself humble, but Jesus is there in front of you, speaking these words humbly to you. The one who came from God to earth, to humble himself for you, is speaking these words to you.

As you hear these words, Blessed are the humble. Let them sink into your head and your heart. As they filter through you, you know where you are not humble in your life. You know the places inside you where there is no humility. You know the times when you have been far from humble with other people. The times that pride and selfishness have surfaced, the times it has come out in your relationships.

But Jesus is beside you, not demanding humbleness from you but calmly reassuring you. Blessed are the humble, the grounded, those aware of what is happening inside them. 

You know the pride inside you but God gives grace to the humble. That is what you need, that is what Jesus is offering you, placing in your hands and in your heart as he speaks these words.

You are in Jesus’s presence, and he gives you grace, the grace to be humble, to be aware of your inner compulsions, your automatic reactions, the grace to think of yourself less, to focus on the needs of others, the grace to show humility to those dear and near to you.

And that is enough. That is all you need for this moment, this day, as your life unfolds. That is God’s desire for you. To give you himself, his presence, his son, his life, his grace, his humility. That is all you need for today. God gives grace to the humble.

Let’s open our eyes, now, as we pray…

Lord Jesus, open our hearts and minds to the people, places and spaces where humility is present. Help us to humble ourselves, confess our pride, and draw on your grace which you promise to us, your grace which has the power to change us. Give us humility as we interact with each other today. Amen.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

Following the success of the Term One Year 12 trivia night, the Academic Pacific Action Group held another Academic trivia night for the Year 11s to be a part of. It was great to see more than half the cohort give up their Friday night to attend an evening of fun, entertainment, and competition together. Once again, the range of activities and questions allowed for 100% engagement from all, and the highlight is always the dance-off competition. Congratulations to all who participated and especially to the PLC staff team for putting forward a decent challenge to the students! Well done to the Academic PAG leaders and members (Mrs Tina Cox, Chelsea Kidd, Ayanna Nath, Hayley Young and Tanushi Nath), for their initiative and coordination of the event. 

Year 12-2 Connections

Last week, the Year 12 cohort continued their connections with their Year Two ‘buddies’ when both year levels came together to engage in some fun and connection. The Year 12s helped their Year Two buddies to write Mother’s Day cards and wrap gifts for them to give to their mothers on Mother’s Day last week. The connections between these two grades continues to grow and foster strong connections that will last throughout the year, making the Year 12 graduation in November special for both year levels. A special thanks to Mrs Kirsty Ridley, Mrs Jodie Connors and Mrs Tanya Graves for their organisation of the session.

Senior College Assessment

Now is the time for our Senior College students to start preparing for the assessment period. Year 12 students have had numerous assessment pieces already due throughout the term; Year 11 students are also about to come to the point where assessment schedules start getting full; and the Year 10s have their exam block later in the term (week 8). I would encourage all students to maintain their focus in each and every lesson in order to maximise their learning. Class teachers are there to help all students, but there are also other support people for students if they start to feel like they need help. Pastoral Care Group teachers and Heads of House are wonderful resources for support, and they are always happy to help students where they can. I wish all the Senior College students all the very best throughout what is a busy term, and look forward to hearing the positive stories about their learning.

God bless.

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College Students

This week on Senior Assembly we acknowledged and celebrated the application, persistence, and commitment shown by our Year 12 students towards their learning over the last six months. Academic Endeavour Awards were presented to students who demonstrated excellence in formulating their academic goals, fully engaging with subject matter, making outstanding contributions to the classroom environment, and collaborating with their peers. These students received 5s for the majority of the Learning to Learn and Learning to Do categories on their recent Term 1 reports. Academic Excellence Awards were presented to students who shone in all subjects. More specifically, these students achieved A’s in five out of their six subjects with no one grade lower than a B, highlighting their dedication and focus towards their learning. 

Students across the Middle School as well as Years 10 and 11 are encouraged to maintain their focus and dedication to their study across the remainder of the semester, with Academic Endeavour and Excellence Awards being presented to this group at the start of Term 3.

Students who received awards on Tuesday included:

Ms Anne-Marie Gerlach, Head of Learning Senior College

Focused on growing a love of learning through providing a nurturing environment where children's curiosity leads them to discovery, Pacific Lutheran Early Learning provides a strong foundation for children prior to their entry to school. Families enjoy growing with their children in a supportive learning community founded on Christian values.

Pacific Early Learning invites you to attend our Open Mornings on:

• Monday 17th May 9am-10am
• Tuesday 18th May 9am-10am
• Wednesday 19th May 9am-10am
• Thursday 20th May 9am – 10am

Here is the link for the Early Learning Centre visitor – please register if you would like to speak to our staff and see our wonderful environment https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TWPZG2F

We look forward to welcoming you!

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

Your mental wellbeing is the unique way that you handle your emotions, respond to stress and also your general outlook on life. Having a healthy sense of mental wellbeing has many benefits. It lifts your mood, promotes resilience in difficult situations and helps you get the most out of life. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live or how you’re feeling – taking a few moments for yourself each day will help you be a happier and more resilient you. https://mentalwellbeing.initiatives.qld.gov.au/

Mrs Annie Williams College Counsellor

Our next Friends of Pacific meeting will be held on Tuesday 18 May from 6.30pm in the College Library.

All welcome to attend!

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

Give Me Some Space by Philip Bunting

Give Me Some Space is the picture book that will be read aloud for National Simultaneous Storytime - a special national celebration of reading. The year the chosen picture book will be read aloud from space by a NASA astronaut. It’s the perfect book to be read aloud in space as it’s all about one girl’s love for all things space. Una wants to become an astronaut. She has big plans for her life in space. But there are some challenges she must face in getting there. This picture book is lots of fun and the library is super excited to celebrate it and all things space over the next two weeks.

From Space to Core: A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Guy Holt

This book literally takes the reader on a journey from 408km above the Earth to the Earth’s core. Along every metre down the book highlights some incredible facts about human-made objects, things about the atmosphere, physical structures of the Earth, flora and fauna and things found in the sea. The whole book needs to be read on the side to make the most of the long spreads. There are so many cool things and facts to learn - like the height reached by the Lego mini figure that was launched by two Canadian teenagers and the height of the first private space flight. Did you know, the deep-diving submersible, designed to reach the bottom of the Challenger Deep at 11,034 metres below sea level, was made in Sydney? There is lots to explore and enjoy with this non fiction book.

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman

Join a group of space cadets fresh out of Aurora Academy and ready for their first missions. The only problem is they are the misfits of the Academy, oh and they have to work with a girl who has just been rescued from inter dimensional space and woken from two centuries of cyro-sleep. She might also be the reason for the start of a galaxy-wide war. Lots of sci-fi adventure set in deep space, The Aurora Cycle series is lots of fun and you can borrow the first two books in the series from the PLC Library.

Ms Madison Dearnaley, Teacher Librarian

THREE SHOWS SOLD OUT!

FINAL TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE FRIDAY 21ST MATINEE – 12PM www.theeventscentre.com.au.

DON’T MISS OUT!

‘GREASE’ IS THE WORD!

Mrs Janine Delaney, Director

Winter is nearly upon us and it is time for Jumpers and Jackets.

The Uniform Shop currently has a full range of Formal Jumpers in stock for Year 1-12 students. Currently Sports Jackets for Prep – Year 12 are in stock in sizes 4 and 8-14 as well as L-XXL. All other sizes in Sports Jackets are on order. They will be available for order on FlexiSchools once the stock arrives in store, so please keep an eye on the website.

Trousers for all Year 10-12 students are available in store and online for the Winter Uniform. A reminder that blazers are a requirement for Years 10-12 as part of the Winter Uniform.

If you need to come into the Uniform Shop for a fitting, please ensure you make an appointment by calling the Main Reception on 5436 7300. The Uniform Shop hours are Wednesday to Friday (term time) from 8.00am – 10.00am.

Mrs Peta King, Uniform Shop Coordinator

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)

16                        Open Day

17                        SCISSA Training

18                        Friends of Pacific (6.30pm)

27                        Under Eights Morning

21-22                  Senior College Musical - ‘Grease’

27                        Year 4-6 SCISSA Trial Game - GSLC

28                        Caloundra Show Holiday

31                        Year 4-6 SCISSA Training