Compass No. 624 September 2021

The college will be celebrating its 20th birthday with a special chapel service for students, staff, parents, and guests early next term. In preparing for this service and thinking about the origins of our College’s name, I wondered what bible verse might sum up who we are?

The word Pacific means peace, so a few passages/stories from the New Testament about peace came to mind. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God from Matthew 5:9. The miracle story from the gospels of Jesus calming the storm after falling asleep in the boat with his anxious disciples. Alternatively, Philippians 4:7, which is sometimes heard in church services at the end of a pastor’s message; And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. However, the more I reflect on it, the more the words of Jesus from John 14:27 seem to sit well with my understanding of the culture of our school; Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Or to condense it, Jesus says to his disciples and us; Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

One of the things many people new to our community notice when they first walk around the school campus is its peacefulness. Physically no loud bells and public announcements are blaring from speakers around classrooms and buildings. The campus also is planned to take advantage of the green space of the ovals and the patch of rainforest on the edge of the site. Relationally we are a school that seeks to use restorative practices when there are broken relationships we have to work through. And at the core of our college is Jesus and the gifts he gives us as we live out our Christian identity as a learning organization.

Peace is one of the gifts that Jesus gives his followers. After he rose from the dead on Easter day, he said, “Peace be with you”. This peace Jesus gives us is unlike the peace we experience in the world. This gift is not the absence of conflict, but a deep sense of contentment and wholeness that infects all we do, say and be. This peace reassures us that we belong to God, and nothing will separate us from his loving presence with us. This verse from John, this peace from Jesus, gives meaning and shapes all our learning and living here at Pacific Lutheran College.

God bless you with his peace these holidays. 

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:4)

As the end of term approaches, it is important for all to persevere to the finish line.  It is very easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel and want to rush towards it, knowing that on the other side is rest; however, when it comes to finishing well, it means completing tasks well; it means wearing uniform proudly; it means conducting ourselves with integrity and emotional intelligence; it means being gentle and kind to others and most importantly ourselves.  The term will finish, that is fact; the work will get done, that is fact. It is the quality of the work and how we conduct ourselves on route towards that finish line that counts.

The end of the term has included a range of activity across the Senior College.  The Year 11 and 12s participated in the 3rd Senior Sleep out for the Homeless in the College Gymnasium on Friday 10th September.  The students raised $520 and donated bedding and blankets to support the important work of Integrated Family and Youth Services (IFYS).  These donations will support IFYS in their provision of crisis shelter and temporary accommodation for young people aged 16-25.  As a relatively cool evening, it provided a reflective opportunity for students to grow in their gratitude for the necessities of shelter, water and food.  Thank you to Mrs Leah Croke, Ms Angela Hill and Mr Alex O’Connor for their support and attendance.

As the Year 12s returned from their mock examinations they were welcomed back by their teachers and peers and treated to a morning tea slice on Monday from the tuckshop. 

As well as preparing for external examinations, the Years 12s have been rehearsing their Graduation song and dance skills in preparation for their formal in November.

I look forward to working with the 12s over the next few weeks to ensure their finish is everything that they have hoped and worked hard for.

Ms Leigh Finter, Head of Senior College Students

During Term 3, students from Years 2 to 5 participated in Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in Mathematics and Reading Comprehension, designed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

PAT tests are designed to assess each students’ current capability against the appropriate standard for their age. Unlike NAPLAN, the PAT assessments are run each year in Term 1 and Term 3 and have instant results given to teachers. There is no student/parent report.

As student data is available to our school as soon as the student completes the test, it is a valuable and researched based source of information on each students development. We can immediately use PAT data towards better understanding each student in Maths and Reading. We also use the results to track each students development from year to year, noting what potential misconceptions reoccur. This information is then used to better tailor our teaching programs, communicating with students on their goal setting and in the celebration of growth.

The PAT testing process is explained to all students by teachers and should be not seen as a stressful pass or fail assessment. We do not teach to the test or promote unnecessary attention to the testing process. Instead, students will be encouraged to view the tests as a way for teachers to learn more about their capabilities and for the results to encourage better learning programs that will help them improve.

We also use the data as part of our selection criteria for creating extension groups.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

The USQ Television and Radio Two Day Experience on 21st and 22nd September is designed for years 10, 11 and 12 students who have a high interest in the industry and future aspirations to study a Bachelor of Communication and Media (Television and Radio) or a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Film, Television and Radio).

Places are limited to 35 school students (25 Television and 10 Radio), who will have the opportunity to engage with USQ academics, Dr Ashley Jones and Spencer Howson, current students and our industry partners. The event will outline some of the opportunities and the future needs the industry is facing and give attendees a chance to experience the industry first-hand.

Parents are invited to the final session on Tuesday (2:45pm - 4:00pm), where students will present their TV program and Radio shows, and be presented with their Certificate of Attendance.

For more information and to register, go to https://usq.edu.au/

Bond University’s Personal Open Day (Year 11 and 12)

The Bond student experience is renowned for its personalised approach to education - and they want you to experience it all for yourself with an all-access pass to Bond.  Introducing Bond's Personal Open Day! 

Personal Open Day is all about you - your passions and ambitions - and is your opportunity to see how Bond can help you to realise your full potential. Year 11 and 12 students can access this exclusive experience by reserving your spot, and Bond will be in touch to create a fully personalised itinerary for you.

For more information or to register, go to https://bond.edu.au/

Bond University’s Personal Open Day (Year 11 and 12)

If you are interested in studying in the USA, there are a number of useful information webinars on offer over the holidays. These sessions provide information on how the application process works for US colleges (universities), or information on college sports scholarship pathways. The following sessions are available:

• Student Information Session from Brown University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania & Princeton University (all Ivy League universities): Saturday, September 18th, 10:00am AEST. Information & registration: https://apply.college.columbia.edu
• Study in the U.S. General Information Session - EducationUSA to provide an overview of the process for applying to U.S. universities. Relevant for all students. Wednesday September 22nd, 1:00pm AEST. Information & registration: https://bit.ly/3DBfTVP
• The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Pathway: Hear directly from a NJCAA representative to learn about their college sports pathway. This session is for students who are looking for a sporting scholarship. Tuesday September 28th, 10:00am AEST.  Information & registration: https://bit.ly/NJCAASept28
• The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Pathway. Hear directly from a NAIA representative to learn about their college sports options. This session is for students who are looking for a sporting scholarship. Wednesday September 29th, 10:00am AEST.  Information & registration: https://bit.ly/3DFKAsD

Defence Force Recruiting information sessions (Year 10, 11 and 12)

Here are the details of upcoming Defence Careers information sessions on the Sunshine Coast.

Women in Defence – Careers and Coffee - Wednesday 29th September, 3:00pm at CK Wholefoods – Maroochydore Homemaker Centre.

Defence Careers - Thursday 29th September, 6:00pm at Rumba Resort, Caloundra.

Registrations are essential. To register for a session visit https://www.defencejobs.gov.au

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

Taking care of your spiritual, physical, psychological, and social needs will help you feel your best so you can be the best parent you can be. It’s important to set aside a little bit of time for self-care even when you feel like you don’t have a single second to devote to yourself. While there are many different self-care strategies for parents, it’s important to experiment with them to figure out which strategies work best for you. Click on the link below for more information

https://www.verywellfamily.com

Mrs Annie Williams College Counsellor

Warm wishes to all our Pacific family for a safe and happy holiday. May the well-deserved break find us all rested up and prepared for an exciting and productive Term Four.

Aussie World Family Fun Night

Aussie World Family Fun Night 22 October 2021, 5 – 9pm

Aussie World Family Fun Night is fast approaching, so don’t forget to pre-purchase your tickets at Flexischools Aussie World Tickets or scan the QR code to link.  Only 5 weeks to go!

Quote of the Week

“Those who overcome great challenges will be changed, and often in unexpected ways.  For our struggles enter our lives as unwelcome guests, but they bring valuable gifts.  And once the pain subsides, the gifts remain.  These gifts are life’s true treasures, bought at great price, but cannot be acquired in any other way.”

- Steve Goodier.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

A group of Year 9 Speech and Drama students had the chance to see a live theatre production of ‘Ishmael’ on Saturday at the Cremorne Theatre, QPAC. 

The play was a Dead Puppet Society production set in a futuristic world and based on the novel ‘Moby Dick’ by Herman Melville. What made this production unique was the fact that the audience had a full view of not only the actors performing, but also of the sides of the stage where they manipulated cameras focused on miniature sets. These camera shots of the miniatures were then projected onto the backdrop creating different scenes for the actors to perform in. 

We stayed for the actors’ Q&A at the end of the performance and got to hear all about the creative process from the directors of Dead Puppet Society. It was truly an amazing collaboration of multimedia, IT, art, music and drama. 

Mrs Lisa McKibben, Speech and Drama Tutor

Our middle and senior students have access to our ebook collection at https://plcs.wheelers.co/ by logging in with their school user name and students ID number.  If you’re looking for something to read over the holidays, why not browse our huge range of ebooks and download one to your device?

Study Guides for Senior Students

The library has purchased a number of study guides to assist senior students with their preparation for assessment, including the brand new Oxford Study Buddies.

Ms Narelle Keen, Head of Library

2021 SCCSA Adermann Awards

Congratulations to the following Pacific players who received recognition at the SCCSA Adermann Awards Presentation last Friday night:

• Tom Ackhurst (U13 Pacific Barracudas) was named the U13 Adermann Award Winner
• Patrick Dale (U15 Pacific Eels) nominee award for the Terry Reynolds Representative Player of the Year
• Alex Lee (U16 Pacific Cobras) nominee award for the Terry Reynolds Representative Player of the Year

The criteria used to select the nominees are, ‘a player who not only played soccer to his/her highest standard, but also was respectful to team members, coaching staff and referees, whilst approaching training and representative duties off the playing field in an exemplary manner’.

Congratulations to the following players who received their 10 Year Sunshine Coast Churches Soccer Association Award:

2021

• Cooper Whatham (U15 Eels)
• Luke Harrys (U15 Eels)
• Blake Dines (U15 Eels)

• Macy Winter (U15 Eels)
• Henry Friend (U16 Cobras)

2020

• Lachlan Whincop (U16 Cobras)
• Alex Lee (U16 Cobras)

K3 Coaching Camp at PLC

Book now for the K3 Coaching September Holiday Camp at Pacific Lutheran College - Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th September 9am-12noon.

To register go to this link.

2022 SCCSA Representative Trials

The first trial for U9 (2013)-U18 (2004) groups will be held on the 23rd October from 3pm-6pm at two locations. After that first Saturday, the coaches will run a further two (or more) sessions midweek at a venue they have organised and we ask all players to try to attend all sessions. To register, go to this link.

Chaplain's Award Nominee’s at Sunshine Coast Churches Soccer Association Awards Night

The Chaplain's Award is presented each year to a volunteer, administrator, player, or group to provide an outstanding service to the community, including their involvement in soccer This year we had two of our hardest working yet extremely modest heroes nominated.

• Nicole Harrys
• Jenny Lee

Congratulations to these two power houses of the Club!

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 9.00am. 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)