Compass No. 630 November 2021

From the Principal

We Will Remember Them

As we commemorate Remembrance Day, we remember the sacrifice of all those who have and continue to serve in the defence forces to protect our freedom. There is an increasing understanding of the significant short, and long-term impacts experienced by our Defence Personnel. We owe a deep sense of gratitude to the men and women and their families who have given so  much that we might live in peace and abundance. 

We say a prayer of thanks for the service of our Defence men and women and their families, and pray for those who continue to be impacted by war and conflict.  We also pray for the people and leaders of the world that we might find ways to live in peace together.

 
Principal's Log

At our Middle and Senior College and Junior College Chapels this week, we have paused to reflect on the sacrifices made by our Defence Personnel as part of our commemoration activities. Staff and students paid their respects by wearing red poppies and benefitted from listening to Pastor Tim talk about the history of why we wear the poppies as part of our remembrance activities.  We thank Year 11 student, Lachlan Eden for playing the last post and commend our students on the respectful way in which they have engaged in these remembrance activities.

The Year 4 to 8 production of Annie was a wonderful showcase of student talent.  Effective and creative direction, choreography, set design, costuming and stage craft enabled the story to unfold in an entertaining and professional way.  We congratulate all of the students on their performances and contribution to the staging of such an entertaining and professional production.  We thank and congratulate Mrs Kristy Astwick and Mr David Simpfendorfer for their direction, Mrs Tracy Hickey for costuming and creative input, past student Courtney Callaghan for the choreography, Mr Damien Nolan for set construction and the team of staff and students who supported the production in a variety ways, including our senior students who provided strong backstage leadership.  Thank you to our parents who have supported the rehearsals and to our community who were a very appreciative audience.

Year 9 and 10 students enjoyed sharing their learning with parents and staff at the STEM Showcase on Wednesday afternoon.  It was a joy to listen to students explain the thinking behind their designs and the learnings that had been generated as they collaborated in the construction and refinement of their roller coasters, underwater drones, optical devices, prosthetics and solar cookers. Many students shared how their involvement in this program has inspired them to deepen their engagement with STEM learning and consider careers in a range of related fields including engineering and health. We thank Mr Wes Warner and Mrs Claire Richards for their leadership of the STEM program, and parents and students for their support of the Showcase.

We wish our Middle College and Year 10 students all the best as they prepare for their upcoming exams. Year 10 students commence their exams this Friday and Year 7-9 students next Tuesday. Communication about these exams has been provided by Mrs Rae Hall (Middle College) and Mrs Anne-Marie Gerlach (Year 10) via email and can be found on NAV.

Last Friday was Tuckshop Day and we thank Mrs Shea Moor, Mrs Bev Saunders, Mrs Rachel Dixon and Ms Saran Litt for the great service they provide to our community. Many of us appreciate the extra effort that our Tuckshop team make to ensure that the Tuckshop provides a very special service for our community. Community members are asked to note that due to our Tuckshop team all being involved in Year 12 final day activities on Friday Nov 19th, the Tuckshop will be closed and there will be no food service on that day.

The College Council has set the fees for the 2022 school year. The Council is always mindful to keep a balance on keeping fees as affordable as possible while enhancing services and facilities. Details of these fees can be found on the website and in the notice that follows.  Families who have questions in regards to fees are encouraged to make contact with Mr Mike Healy our Business Manager.

We thank God for the service of our Defence Personnel and for peace in our world.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal 

2022 School Fees

The College Council has approved the 2022 fee schedule. There will be a general increase of $45 - $70 per term in the tuition fee across all year levels. This increase was arrived at after careful consideration of the current context, expected wage increases, and funding the continuing improvement of facilities. There have also been some minor adjustments to the resource levy across Prep to Year 6, reflecting changes in book pack costs. The updated fee schedule can be found here Procedure and Fees | Pacific Lutheran College

If parents have any queries regarding fees, please contact the Business Office.

Mr Mike Healy, Business Manager

From the College Pastor

Remembering Flowers

Have you ever wondered why we wear flowers to remember the end of a war? Why is a flower used to remember dead soldiers? Well, the answer lies mainly with the stories of these two people; a Canadian Colonel, John McCrae and a French teacher and humanitarian Madame Anna Guerin.

John McCrae was a Canadian doctor who served as a soldier and surgeon during World War One. Whilst serving on the battlefield in Belgium, one death, in particular, affected him greatly. A young friend and former student from Canada was killed. Later that day, McCrae performed his friend’s funeral in the absence of the chaplain. The next day McCrae expressed his grief by composing a poem known as ‘Flanders’ Field’. The poem describes the poppies that marked the graves of soldiers killed. When McCrae wrote this poem, he could see the wild poppies that sprang up in the war-torn fields blowing in the wind.

During World War One, Madame Anna Guerin was a French teacher, lecturer, and fundraiser in the United States. Anna raised money to support the people of France affected by the war. She became known as “The Poppy Lady from France”. Her idea was for all World War One allied countries to sell and wear artificial poppies made by French widows and orphans. The poppies were to be an emblem for remembering those who gave their lives during the war. At the same time, the poppies would raise funds to support the families of the fallen and those who had survived. Anna was first inspired by John McCrae’s poem. 

Remembrance Day this year marks 100 years since the first poppy was sold in Australia. On Armistice Day, November 11, 1921, one million silk poppies that were made in French orphanages were imported to our country. Each poppy was sold for a shilling (10 cents), with half of the money going to a charity for French children, while the other half stayed in Australia to support returned servicemen and their families. Today, the RSL continues to sell poppies for Remembrance Day to raise funds for their supporting veterans. They are an exact replica in size and colour of the poppies that bloom in Flanders’ Fields which McCrae saw.

Why do we wear a red flower on a day that remembers people who have died in war? Why do we remember their deaths with a beautiful flower? Through the red poppy, we remember the blood that soaked the ground of the battlefields of Belgium. We use the poppy as an emblem to honour the dead in war and to help the living survive.

The meaning of the poppy also connects with Christians. Christians honour someone who died and shed his blood for them. Jesus’ death gives life and purpose that we would live out our faith by helping our neighbour.  

As we remember the sacrifice of those who have fought and died in war for us, may the red poppy also be a reminder of the blood of Jesus shed for us to give us new life and hope even in the face of war, death and violence. Amen. 

Blessings

Mr Tim Jarick, College Pastor

From the Head of Senior College Students

2022 Senior Student Leadership Design Thinking Workshop

Last Friday 5th November, the 2022 Senior Student Leadership team participated in a 90-minute Design Thinking workshop, facilitated and led by Mrs Marnie Whittaker and Mrs Lara Masselos. The workshop commenced with an open-ended question that permitted the leaders to ideate creatively and beyond any limitation. The leaders then focused specifically on their area in 2022, College Captains and Vice Captains; Pacific Action Group leaders and House Captains and Vice Captains zoomed into their ideas and will take these ideas to their corresponding student meeting this week. 

Pacific Action Group Meeting Invitation Year 6 to 12

Students from Year’s 6 to 12 are invited to attend a Pacific Action Group meeting and have their ideas heard and become involved in the College’s exiting vision for more student led initiatives, events and competitions in 2022.  Meetings occur every fortnight at lunchtime (1:05pm) and room allocations are shared on student notices.  Here is the list of Pacific Action Groups:

  • Academic Pacific Action Group
  • Cultural Pacific Action Group
  • Environmental Pacific Action Group
  • Spirituality and Service Pacific Action Group
  • Sport Pacific Action Group
  • Wellbeing Pacific Action Group

Focusing on Year 10 Examinations

All the best to the Year 10 Cohort as they commence their Semester Two examination block from Friday 12 November to Thursday 18 November 2021.

Students are expected to be present and attend Pastoral Care Group (PCG) on Friday 12th prior to their English examination.  For all other days, students should be present on campus for Session One examinations by 8.15am for an 8.25am exam start.  For Session Two exams commencing at 10.45am, students should be present on campus by 10.30am.   

Students remaining on campus between examinations or post their examination must be engaged in meaningful independent work in the nominated supervised study space. Students are not permitted to leave the College between exam sessions. On days when students do not have exams they are not expected to be at the College.  

At all times while on campus, students must be dressed in full formal school uniform and normal College behavioural expectations apply.

We encourage all students to maintain their revision and study habits as they prepare for their end of semester examinations and the submission of their assignments

Ms Leigh Finter, Head of Senior College Students

From the Head of Learning K-5

Ready for Prep

The start of the Prep year can not only be daunting for children, but for you as parents too. For parents, there are healthy lunchboxes to plan, car park drop-offs to coordinate and uniforms to organise. Many parents may worry: will their child make friends? Will they grasp the knack of reading? And even, will they stay awake for the entire school day?

At Pacific, we want parents to feel completely confident in our ability to handle your child’s big feelings. It’s our job as teachers to make our new Preppies feel comfortable and to show them how to make new friends.

We have a whole bag of tricks to help create a sense of family and unity from day one. Prep is so much fun! Parents can trust that we will support your child to manage all their emotions, from exhilaration to excitement, and even a little nervousness. By morning tea on the first day, it is smiles galore and we love to see every child embracing the adventure of learning.

The primary focus of Term 1 in Prep is building relationships, establishing values of kindness and respect, and developing core early literacy and numeracy skills. This conscientious approach ensures that each child is known and appreciated as a whole person who is very important to our Pacific family.

We love Term 1 because it’s a happy and warm time that we spend getting to know one another. The children spend a large part of each day talking, singing, making, drawing and laughing about the things we love – our families, our pets, our bikes and scooters, our grandparents and cousins, our favourite books and songs, our trips to the beach and our holidays camping.

We teach children about valuing difference and accepting people as they are. It’s beautiful to see the strong class bonds that form as they get to know each other better each day.

Some advice from me:

  • Believe that your children will make the transition well and build their excitement about starting Prep, rather than focusing on their concerns.
  • Read, read, read and then read some more. A rich vocabulary is the best advantage in starting school.
  • Ask lots of “why’” questions as this helps prepare them to think, to justify and to consider alternatives; use play as the basis for these questions.
  • Assist with building your child’s organisation and independence. They are so very capable and simply require the encouragement, support and belief in them that they can carry their own bag, unpack their lunch and change their shoes.

Prep is a wonderful year! It is full of fun, friends, warmth and connections, as well as an incredible amount of learning. Children are encouraged to thrive and embrace every opportunity to be independent and to grow. You just wait – you will be amazed at the leaps and bounds they take in their learning and social skills over the year. We encourage families to enjoy this exciting time. It flies!

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

Food for Thought

Signs of Grief in Children

When a child grieves the loss of a loved one, you might not even realise that they're grieving. Kids process and display complex emotions differently than adults. However, that doesn’t mean the grief is not happening and that your child isn’t affected by their emotions. What's more, children aren’t too young to grieve.

Grief in children is tricky because younger children may not understand the concept of death and its permanence. A child might believe that death is temporary, particularly because so many cartoons show a character being mortally wounded and then coming back to life. For more information click on the link below

https://www.verywellfamily.com/

Mrs Annie Williams College Counsellor 

Friends of Pacific

Junior College Christmas Carols BBQ

We are looking forward to assisting at the Junior College Christmas Carols on Friday 26th November by hosting a BBQ from 4pm – 6pm.

We would love to hear from any Middle and Senior College helpers (Year 6-12 students) and College families who are able to assist at this event, your help would enable junior parents to fully enjoy the concert.

Please contact us at Friends of Pacific if you are able to help with the following:

  • Set up (2.00pm – 3.00pm)
  • Serving (4.00pm – 6.00pm)
  • Pack up (6.00pm – 6.30pm)

Pacific Together

Pacific Together is a discrete helping-hand offered by Friends of Pacific, in conjunction with Pastor Tim, for 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

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

College News

Cooroora Woodcraft Show

Congratulations to Year 10 students Dion, Sofia and Jewel who were awarded places in the Cooroora Woodcraft Show school’s competition at Cooroy over the weekend. They received cash prizes thanks to the show sponsors, Bullock Manufacturing. Thanks also to the other PLC students who exhibited their work.

Dion Owen - 1st Place (Junior Category) Burdekin Plum Round Coffee Table

Sofia Aronsson -2nd Place (Junior Category) Camphor Laurel Plant Stand

Jewel Jamieson – 2nd Place (Senior Category) Camphor Laurel Folding Picnic Table

Mr Ben Dutton, Teacher – Industrial Technology & Design

Totally Red

Come along on Wednesday 24th November and support the amazing Year 10 Drama class, who are very busy preparing a hilarious show aimed for a young audience titled ‘Totally Red’! This entertaining performance takes the audience on a ‘Red Riding Hood’ Journey through some of the major Theatre and Music styles in history; Storybook Theatre, Melodrama, Shakespeare, Avant Garde, Rap and of course, Musical Theatre! Your gold coin donation will support The Cancer Council. We hope to see you there.  Please read the poster for details.

Mrs Janine Delaney, Head of Drama

Tuckshop

The Tuckshop will be closed on Friday 19th November due to Tuckshop staff attending Year 12 Farewell celebrations.

Ms Margaret Gunn, Director of Staff

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is open every morning from now until Friday 26th November.  Please book an appointment with Reception to get your uniform needs for next year. 

Remember if you have a student transitioning from Prep to Grade 1 or Grade 5 to Grade 6 you will need to look at purchasing Formal Uniforms. Students going from Grade 9 to Grade 10 will need Blazers for Rite Journey on 25th November.  Boys will need trousers for Closing service and Girls will require the dual coloured tie for Grade 10.

Girls Shorts have arrived and are available to purchase in store.  These pair with the Formal Blouse and are for wear in the school setting only.

Mrs Peta King, Uniform Shop

Community Service Opportunity – Disabled Surfers Association

Year 10 or 11 students who would like to volunteer at the upcoming Disabled Surfers Association event are encouraged to sign up at the Wellbeing Centre or send Mr Dutton an email. This event will be held at Maroochydore Beach on the morning of Saturday 27th November. Participating students will be required to organise their own transport. For further information, please contact Mr Ben Dutton bdutton@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Mr Ben Dutton, Teacher – Industrial Technology & Design

Library News

Book Prizes for Academic Awards

Students in Years 6 to 11 who are receiving an Academic Excellence Award were emailed this week about how to select their book prize. Could parents please remind students that selections need to be made by this Friday, 19th November?

Craft Activities in the Library

Over the last couple of weeks students engaged in activities such as making paper pumpkins for Halloween, creating beaded keyrings, making a paper rocking horse to celebrate the Melbourne Cup and commemorating Remembrance Day by making poppies.

Ms Narelle Keen, Head of Library

Sport News

Competitive Sport Results

SCSS Basketball

Congratulations to the Intermediate Boys Team 1 and Junior Boys Team 2 for making the Grand Finals in their divisions. We wish them the best of luck for the games on Friday!

SCISSA Soccer

It was a tough week for our girls with a narrow loss to Good Shepherd. As they are now in combined second place, it will be a wait to see if they will compete in the Grand Final on the 17th of November. The boys have had a challenging season in the A division but have put in some terrific performances to push some highly competitive teams.

Intermediate B Girls:    PLC 1  GSLC 2  MVP: Roze Stockwell

SCISSA Volleyball 2022

We have recently asked students in Years 7-9 to register their interest to participate in Junior/Intermediate SCISSA Volleyball next year. As this group plays in Term 1, we are keen to begin planning teams based on the number of interested students. Students need to register their interest on the Sport Nav page

Uniforms

We are asking all sporting students to urgently check their cupboards and drawers for sports uniforms. There will be a stocktake in the next few weeks and we would like all uniforms to be returned. Please make sure students return the uniforms to a teacher or at least with a sticky note so that we know who has returned.

Student Acknowledgements

Congratulations to Holly Targato who recently competed in the regional Little Athletics Competition. She won 4 out of her 5 events and will be heading to the State Competition in Brisbane. Well done!

Mr Cameron West-McInnes, Head of Sport 

St Mark’s Lutheran Church

Worship @ St Mark's

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)

Upcoming Dates

November

12-18   Year 10 Exams commence

15        Year 3-4 Strings Concert (2.15-3pm)

16        Year 12 External Assessment Concludes

16-18   Year 12 Alternate Days

18        Year 4-6 Sports Awards (12-1pm)

            Year 7-12 Sports Awards (2.15-3.15pm)

            Year 12 Graduation – Venue 114

19        Year 12 Farewell Chapel (8.30am)

            Year 12 Formal (5pm)

23        Year 10 Leadership Day 2

25        Year 9 Rite Journey Homecoming (5pm)

26        K-5 Carols Evening (5pm)

29        P-5 Closing Service

30        Year 6-11 Closing Service

            Academic Year Concludes