Compass No. 609 May 2021

Service is taking the focus away from ourselves to the other person. It shows God’s love to others with a kind and willing heart.

In chapel and devotions this week and next, students and staff are focusing on the thread of service. Service is a value dear to the college and Lutheran education. If you walk into the foyer of the main administration building, you see these values and mission of our school on the wooden wall behind the front desk.

The word ‘service’ is on the bottom right corner of the wall. Service is a foundational value for us as a Lutheran school community because all of us need to be encouraged to take the focus off ourselves and connect with the needs of others. Service is about getting down and dirty, and real with another human being. It is about getting on the same level as the other person who is in need. Seeing the connection, the oneness we have with each person on the face of the planet.

In the Bible reading for chapel this week (Luke 7:36-50), we hear the story of a nameless woman who gatecrashes a meal that a religious person hosted for Jesus. The woman comes into the house uninvited and sits behind Jesus. She starts washing his feet with her tears and perfume and drying them with her hair. The woman lovingly serves Jesus while the religious leader explodes with anger over what she has done. Jesus speaks into the situation and talks of forgiveness and service. Jesus reminds us that to be forgiven is to know that we are deeply loved. That deep sense of identity that comes from knowing God’s love for us takes the focus off ourselves so that we can focus on the needs of others. That is the deep sense of service we want children, teenagers and all people in our school to learn, grow and mature in. It is more than simply helping others’, it is being motivated by God to take the focus off ourselves and onto the people around us in need. 

We pray; Gracious God, you have called us to look beyond ourselves and to serve the needs of our neighbours. Open our eyes to see where there is need in our region, our country and the world. Help us to learn to deny ourselves and to serve out of love and forgiveness. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

Having lived and taught for the best part of ten years in the United Kingdom over a decade ago, you’d be not too far off the mark in thinking that my lasting memory were the bitterly cold winters that I experienced. However, it is the slogan of supermarket chain Tesco’s, that has remained with me and brings back fond memories of doing the everyday, simple acts of food shopping, spending time with friends and eating a warm meal on those cold nights. “Every little helps’” has been synonymous with Tesco’s for decades and reflects the mission of helping the everyday shopper with their grocery bill. Likewise, at this time of year we should consider those who, in our community, are struggling to make ends meet. We are so fortunate to be in partnership with the Salvation Army once again as we come together as a community to contribute donations, of any size, of non-perishable food, household and personal items.  [1] https://www.tesco.com/ 

Year 7 Scientists

Teachers often talk about the hook to get learners engaged in an activity and of course examples are plentiful. The use of an egg in Year 7 Science last week certainly had my attention. With a focus on Newton’s laws of motion, specifically the second law, students collaborated in small groups to create a protective casing for their egg. Furthermore, with the use of a plastic bag to create a parachute, students launched their egg from a height. There was great anticipation as the egg landed; had it survived intact, or cracked as it came into contact with the ground below, and how was Newton’s second law applied here? Pleasingly, for some their egg survived. However, it was the thinking of those that needed to re-consider their design that was visible and reminded me of the acronym F.A.I.L. (First Attempt in Learning). I thank Mr Alex O’Connor and the scientists of 7A for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of their lesson.

Restorative Practices

In February this year, I wrote of the key steps involved in a Restorative meeting. I would like to flesh out the first step; the invitation. Essentially, this involves the facilitator of the meeting to formally invite those involved in the process. Ideally, this is a face to face conversation with each participant individually. Whilst it is not necessarily a time to bombard the participant with information, it may be that the person involved requires further clarity on what the meeting will involve. Nonetheless, there would ordinarily be anywhere from several hours to a day before the participant needs to decide on their involvement. Parents too, would be informed of the process. It is during this time that I encourage parents and carers to engage in conversation with their young person to guide them on their involvement or not. It is for many a big step to accept the invitation and whilst it may elicit feelings of angst and frustration, it is also the first step to repairing the harm that has been caused by one or both of those involved.

Uniform

I would like to thank the vast majority of our students for the way they are presenting themselves each day. I would encourage however, some of our young boys to purchase a new pair of school socks that are the appropriate size. Items can be purchased online through Flexischools or an appointment can be made through the main office (07) 5436 7300.

Open Day

Finally, I thank all students who were able to assist last Sunday to showcase the amazing school they help to create. The maturity and confidence of students, regardless of their age or the role they played, was evident to all and formed the basis for positive feedback from many families and staff.

Mr Ben Ryan, Director of Students

Schools in Australia participate annually in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. Please find more information about the NCCD in the attachments.

The link to the NCCD factsheet is here: https://www.nccd.edu.au/

The link to the NCCD letter is here

Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Learning Enrichment

Last week saw the Year 4 classes head to QCCC Mapleton for their Outdoor Education program.  After a morning of preparation at the College, the students wheeled their luggage to the awaiting buses and headed up the highway full of excitement and enthusiasm.  The first afternoon was the long awaited “Mud Challenge”, mimicking the days of the indigenous Bunya gatherings. Students earnt rewards by completing challenges like scrambling through the fig tree roots, building bridges to cross creeks and wading through mud.  As the skies turned dark and the storm approached, we headed back towards the comfort of warm showers and the dorms.  Our night was filled with delicious food, stories from long ago shared by local Kabi Kabi man Kerry Neill and we got to try lemon myrtle tea before bed.

The two days saw us blessed with blue skies as we continued our outdoor learning.  We looked at the impacts of colonisation on indigenous people and what life on the missions was like.  We had an art experience with local Kabi Kabi artist Jessica, got to try our hand at throwing spears and boomerangs with indigenous man Eli.  We were taken back to convict times in a role play that required us to build a raft to get across to Van Dieman’s Land before finishing the day with a bushtucker walk with Ochre Bee, where we learnt the indigenous use for many of the local rainforest plants.

I would like to thank the staff who supported students in their outdoor learning over the three days at Mapleton; Mrs Sarah Atkinson, Mr Joe Doran, Mrs Amanda Empson, Ms Pia Henriksen, Mrs Natalie Rollings, Mr Damian Davis, Ms Tegan Luker, Ms Karen McLean, Mr Kristan Fischer and Mr Cody Skinner. 

Ms Kim Wood, Head of Outdoor Education

A 7-year-old is the perfect student but destroys his bedroom and screams at his siblings after school. A 10-year-old snaps at her mother constantly, criticising just about everything she does. An 8-year-old cries every morning before school and clings to his parents each time they attempt to drop him off at school, sports events or birthday parties. A 12-year-old experiences headaches that make it difficult to get out the door on time. A 6-year-old can’t fall asleep at night. Though all of these behaviours appear unrelated and present different challenges, they have one common thread: anxiety.

For more information click on the link below.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/

Mrs Annie Williams College Counsellor

Thank you to all of our wonderful families who attend our monthly Friends of Pacific meetings in support of our College Community.  Last night’s meeting was well attended and lead to some very productive outcomes.

We are excited to see what’s to come in this 20th Anniversary Year.

Friends of Pacific meets on the third Tuesday of each month with our next meeting to be held on June 15th.  We meet in the College Library at 6:30pm and all are welcome.

Pacific Together

Pacific Together is a discreet helping-hand offered by Friends of Pacific, in conjunction with Pastor Tim, to College families in times of need. 

If you or someone you know within our College community needs extra support anytime during the year, the Pacific Together care group may be able to help in some small way or offer a care package in times of need.

We invite you to contact Pastor Tim Jarick or Pacific Together via FoP email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Quote of the Week

“Coming together is a beginning.  Keeping together is progress.  Working together is success.”

– Henry Ford and Edward Everett Hale.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

2021 Premier’s Reading Challenge

Registrations are now open for the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Students from Prep to Year Nine are challenged to read between fifteen and twenty books between now and the end of August. For more information and to register, go to https://readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au/.

Telling Stories Writing Competition

Students in Years 4-9 are invited to submit an entry for the Telling Stories Writing Competition. Win cash prizes for a story between 300-1000 words depending on year level. Entry forms and information have been emailed out to students and entries must be submitted via Ms Keen by 22nd August.

National Simultaneous Story Time

National Simultaneous Story Time was celebrated on Wednesday at 11am. Children in schools, at home and in libraries all joined together to read the same book at the same time. This year’s reading was even more special because it came from outer space! Astronaut Dr Shannon Walker, currently on board the International Space Station, read the book Give Me Some Space by Sunshine Coast author, Philip Bunting. Students from Kindy to Year 5 came together at the gym to watch the reading.

As part of the lead up to the reading, the library ran a number of space-themed activities. This week students created rockets out of pool noodles, launched bicarb-and-vinegar-powered rockets on the oval, created glittery stars and chalk pastel galaxies, and went for a space walk via virtual reality. Our library aide, Mrs Griffin, made a fabulous display with a model of the International Space Station and an astronaut suspended from the library ceiling.

Ms Narelle Keen, Teacher Librarian

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

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