Compass No 638 - March 2022

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1

This single verse tells us much about the season of Lent and Lenten practices.

One, is that Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days. The number 40 comes up several times in stories in the Old Testament, and now here in Luke, Jesus is tempted by the devil in the desert for 40 days. For Christians today, Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter Day. It can be seen as a “wilderness” time where fasting is undertaken, and the subsequent temptations are faced as we are tested from what is given up. 

Two, while Jesus was tested in the desert, he was led by the Spirit and full of the Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus was tempted and tested while he fasted in the desert, he was at the same time led by the Spirit. In the following verses in this story from Luke, we read that with each specific temptation, Jesus experienced the Holy Spirit, who each time took him into God’s word. This was how Jesus passed through this testing—going back to the word of God and the promises of God.

Three, this can be our strength and protection, too, in times of testing we experience in our lives and world. God promises his people that he will never leave us or forsake us. In this Lenten story, Jesus has survived and overcome temptation and testing. On Easter Day, Jesus conquered death and the grave. After this, the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples, the church and all God’s people throughout the world to renew, refresh and revive troubled hearts and minds. This is the same Holy Spirit given to us through God’s word when we are tested in our times of trouble and turmoil. The Holy Spirit also gives us hope. Hope that with the presence of God and his word, we have the strength to go through the challenges of life.

May God’s Spirit fill you with hope and his strength in your “wilderness” times.

Rev. Tim Jarick, College Pastor

Senior Academic Trivia Afternoon - Monday 7th March

With the easing of some COVID restrictions at Pacific, the Pacific Action Groups (PAGs) have already made the most of this window of bringing student community together to celebrate, compete and action ideas and initiatives, commencing with the Academic PAG’s Senior Trivia afternoon, held on Monday 7th March.  Teams from across the Senior College, as well as two teacher teams competed in a friendly trivia afternoon, including the choreography and performance of their teams’ own dance.  It was a much needed and very successful afternoon of laughter and positive energy from all participants.

Prep - Year 12 Clean Up Australia Day- Tuesday 15th March

The Environmental PAG has registered the College to attend the annual Clean Up Australia Day, this Tuesday 15th March, Week 8.  Students will have the opportunity to sign on and register their interest at the Pacific Action Group Market Day Lunch stall, held on Thursday 11th March.  Students who register will meet the Environmental PAG at 1:00pm, outside the Library on Tuesday 15th March to commence clean-up of the College.

Harmony Day and Pacific as a Peace Place Day- Friday 18th March

On Friday 18th March students in Years 5 – 12 will have the opportunity to have a voice about their experience as a Pacific student so far in 2022.  The annual Pacific as a Peace Place survey will focus on students’ experiences of connection and sense of belonging, as well as areas of concern and reflection about follow up processes.

Pacific as a Peace Place Day also coincides with National Harmony Week, which celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity, and provides opportunity to reinforce the importance of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging. 

The Cultural PAG will lead a whole College activity during pastoral care classes that celebrates each person’s unique, individual identity and our connection as community.  Staff, students and parents will see a chain of individually designed hands linked together throughout the College to demonstrate our celebration of being a culturally diverse connected learning community.

Disco- Friday 18th March

In support of National Harmony Week and Pacific as a Peace Place Day on Friday 18th March, Prep-Year 5 students are encouraged to wear the colour orange for a casual dress day and bring a gold donation to their classroom teacher. Funds raised through the casual dress and disco will be used to support the Australian Lutheran World Service, Children of War Crisis in Ukraine.

To avoid the need to change for sport in the afternoon, Year 6 – Year 9 students will not have a casual dress day on the Friday but are encouraged to wear orange to the disco and make a donation at the door.

For more information, including times, cost, and purchasing of tickets for the disco, please click the link here.

Ms Leigh Finter, Acting Director of Students 

The Pacific Plus program is now underway, with students in Years 6, 7 and 8 now meeting weekly to extend their thinking together.

Students in Pacific Plus will engage with the following essential questions:

• Year 6: How might we use our gifts and abilities to develop agency in our learning, and to embrace academic excellence?
• Year 7: How might we use our God-given gifts and abilities to seek to do our personal best and use these talents in the community to serve others?
• Year 8: How might an awareness of different thinking skills (including how and when to apply them) provide the foundations of my learning within and beyond school?

Pacific Plus students will develop independent inquiry questions that sit within the scope of the essential questions. With teachers as mentors, they engage with the problem-solving process to see their inquiry question through to a culminating performance of understanding. Concept knowledge, creativity and intuitive theory formation are embraced and developed in an ‘academy style’ approach where teachers learn alongside the students.

Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Learning Middle College

Home learning is an expectation for our students.  The nature of the activities will vary, so it is best to discuss expectations with your child’s teacher. All educators agree that reading is the most valuable home learning a child can do and should become a daily habit.  Parents can help children develop sound study habits from a young age, which includes establishing a predictable routine, encouraging effective use of time and helping them to be organised. There will be no new content given for home learning across P-5- it will be work that has been taught in class. The following routines can assist families to create effective home learning environments.

• Establish a predictable routine. If home learning is done at the same time each night, getting started is usually less of an issue.
• Make home learning time as enjoyable as possible. When sharing a book, make yourself comfortable, be involved in the story and enjoy yourself.
• Establish a good working environment for students.  Make sure they have a quiet area (away from distractions) that is well lit and with good ventilation. A table or a desk makes a good workspace.
• Encourage children to work reasonably quickly and efficiently. Have a set time limit which they should stick to. A little work each night is more productive than packing it all into one weekly session.
• Encourage children to become organised by planning home learning around their extracurricular activities. A weekly planner or diary will help older students to organise themselves.
• Keep explanations simple and practical when helping a child. If they become upset or frustrated and the atmosphere becomes tense, stop helping.
• If your child has a problem, talk about the best way to find a solution. Perhaps between the two of you it can be worked out.
• Be realistic and don’t expect to solve all home learning difficulties.  When in doubt, send a note to your child’s teacher letting him/her know the problem.  They will appreciate being informed.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Teaching and Learning K-5

Communication is an important part of our everyday lives. In the LEC we try to always speak in love, with kindness and care but I don’t always get this right! I am a work in progress. Reflecting on God’s word in Philippians 4v8, I can hear my mother’s voice, as she shared God’s word with me: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

How can children and teenagers talk to their parents and caregivers?

As a young person it is sometimes hard to talk about things that bother us, ask for help and get advice. Students may worry about: What do I say? How do I say it? What will my parents think? They’ll be cross! So, then we just ask our friend/s, who sometimes don’t know the answers either.

Tips for young people when talking to parents:

• It is never too late to start talking to you parents.
• Talk about everyday stuff — and do it every day (this makes it less awkward and builds a bond).
• Find something to chat about each day. You can keep it brief and casual like:
  • Share a fun post or picture.
  • Tell your parents about a school project.
  • Even asking about what's for dinner, can keep you feeling close.
• Do things together that you both enjoy:
  • Go for a walk, work out together, ask about something your parent is interested in.
  • Cook, eat, play, make music, help or just hang out together. This gives you a chance to have a casual chat.

How to talk about difficult topics

Maybe you need to break bad news to a parent. Maybe you're feeling scared or stressed about something. Or there's something personal you want to share, like a special person in your life.

To help you prepare, you can:

• Think about what you want or need from your parent.
• Think about how you feel. Put feelings into words. For example:

• "I want to tell you something that's pretty personal. And I'm worried about how you'll react. But I want to tell you anyway."
• "I need to talk to you. But I'm afraid I'll disappoint you."
• "I need to talk to you about something. But it's kind of embarrassing."
• "I have something to tell you. I'm not proud of what I've done, and you might be cross. But I know I need to tell you. Can you hear me out?"

• Practice what you are going to say.
• Pick a good time to talk. Find a time when your parent isn't busy with something else.
• Keep trying to connect with your parents, if at first you don’t succeed – don’t give up!

You can get more great advice from Teens Health: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html

Mrs Chantal McAllister, Head of Learning Enrichment P-12

It is important that students develop agency as independent learners. Students can use the textbook and interactive tutorials through Cambridge Go, NAV, online resources such as https://www.purplemath.com/ , https://www.mathsisfun.com/ or my personal favourite, https://www.khanacademy.org/. These are a great way to access extra practice of the range of skills required and extra assistance in understanding a concept.

When difficulties arise, individual assistance can help to improve understanding. All the Mathematics teachers are aware of this and allow time in lessons. Students should make use of all opportunities to ask their own teacher for assistance in class and to let them know if they are struggling.

As another facility, members of the Mathematics department provide free support sessions to provide further assistance to students who are experiencing difficulty. Teachers may rotate and are an indication only. Students can turn up to the room below and ask for help with a specific difficulty, homework question or complete study. Students need to attend the session at the starting time and ensure that they record their name on the attendance roll.

Ms Patricia Hosking

There are currently several traineeships available, based in Caloundra, in the areas of Business, Hospitality or Supply Chain/Logistics. If you are interested in receiving more information, please email me as soon as possible – these vacancies are filled very quickly.

Thinking of moving to Brisbane for next year and wondering where to live? (Year 12)

Pacific Lutheran College Year 12 families are warmly invited to participate in the 2022 Residential Living Expo, to be held on Monday 30 May from 4:00-6:00pm, at Sunshine Coast Grammar School.  

This free community event allows Sunshine Coast families a chance to connect with a range of Brisbane-based residential colleges and student accommodation providers, to discuss living options in Brisbane for prospective university students. Partnering universities will also be in attendance, and will be able to answer questions about studying at their university.

Study a university subject while you’re still at school (Year 11)

Several universities offer Year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to study a university subject. Subjects are often available online, as well as on-campus, so students have access to these programs in Brisbane universities, as well as at USC. If you are interested in investigating this option, please email me to make an appointment as soon as possible to discuss the possible impacts of studying at uni while you are still at school. In the meantime, USC is holding an information night for it’s program, called Head Start. The information night is an online event on 22nd March, from 5:30 to 6:30pm. You can register for this event here.

TAFE Trade Taster program applications are now open (Year 10)

Trade Taster programs allow Year 10 students to test out 2 or more trade study areas before committing to a full course. These programs are free to eligible students. Programs are offered at both Mooloolaba and Nambour TAFE campuses as well as at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute at Birtinya. Students attend the TAFE campus for one day a week, for 7-9 weeks.

The programs on offer this year are:

At Birtinya: Health Skills taster (8 weeks)

At Mooloolaba: Community Services skills taster (7 weeks) or Salon Assistant skills taster (7 weeks)

At Nambour: Construction and Engineering trades taster (9 weeks)

Applications for all these programs open on Thursday 10 March (today!), and they always fill quickly. Students are advised to get their application in immediately. You can access information about the application process here. You will need a Unique Student Identifier (USI) to apply: you can create a USI here.

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

World-renown German composer and pianist, Ludwig van Beethoven was once quoted saying “Music can change the world”. This quote has resonated significantly recently. Between COVID restrictions, unrest between countries, and damaging weather around our great state, music has been a way to soothe the soul and bring some light into these challenging times.

Week 7 brings light to the Music world at PLC with all our ensembles being able to commence. Whilst some ensembles have been able to start a little earlier, we are so excited that all groups are back singing and playing music! Monday saw the Pacific Senior Voices group being able to sing again, and the Pacific Junior Voices will start on Tuesday. Our concert bands, rock bands, stage band, orchestra and string groups continue to develop and have begun to build their 2022 repertoire. The buzz of excitement is infectious, and we cannot wait to show you what we have been working on at various upcoming events and concerts!

Classroom music lessons have also been able to introduce instruments and singing again this week. Our Year 2, 3 & 4 classes have been working on writing their own ostinato patterns in groups and playing these on various musical instruments. If your son or daughter has been coming home talking about fruits in Music, no need to be afraid, no fruit salads are being made! Learning rhythmic patterns and notes have a direct correlation to syllabic text, and by using fruit names, students have been able to understand beats and symbols to represent the musical sounds.

If you have any questions regarding the music programme at PLC, or if there are any budding musicians out there that would like to join an ensemble, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Helen Williams (helenw@pacluth.qld.edu.au), Mr Paul Cusick (pcusick@pacluth.qld.edu.au) or myself (cpurkis@pacluth.qld.edu.au).

Mrs Carlie Purkis, Head of Music

Your child lives in a very complicated social world. This has always been true for children: all parents can remember their own tears or rage at the cruelty of another child; all parents can remember wanting desperately to be accepted and approved of by other kids. Most of us can remember, at some point in our lives, longing for a best friend. Click on the link below for more information.

https://www.ahaparenting.com/guide/socially-intelligent

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

 

Our PLC Annual General Meeting will be held next week on Tuesday 15th March.

The AGM will commence at 6.30pm in the PLC Library.

Everyone is welcome!

If you have any questions regarding the AGM, please forward correspondence to fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

Book Club order forms went out to students in Years P-7 this week. Orders must be placed online by this Monday, 14th March.

LibGuides

Students in Year 9 Science can access the libguide for their current assignment here: https://libguides.pacluth.qld.edu.au/9physics  The password is “plc”.

Lunchtime Activities

To cater for the different needs of students, both junior and senior areas of the library now have designated quiet zones and active zones. Students in the quiet zones are engaged in reading, working, art and craft, or other quiet activities. Board games, group work and other noisier pursuits are allocated to the active zones. 

Students this week used felt to construct these cute penguins.

  

Ms Narelle Keen, Head of Library

10 – 12 Years District and Regional Swimming Selections

With the unprecedented start to this year of sport through COVID and the recent floods, district and regional swimming carnivals were unable to proceed as normal. However, students were still able to trial for these teams through a paper nomination process which was used to select a squad.

Independent District Swimming Selections

Congratulations to Euan Lengenberg, Harlen Smith, Sam Schefe, Eleanor O’Connor and Macey McFadden who were selected in the Independent District Swimming Team based on their nomination times.

Sunshine Coast Regional Swimming Selections

Due to the recent floods, the Regional Swimming Carnival was also cancelled. Times submitted for the District Swimming Carnivals were then used to select a Sunshine Coast Swimming Team to compete at the QLD State Swimming Championships. Congratulations to Euan Lengenberg and Harlen Smith who were selected in this team.

Years 3-6 PLC Cross Country Carnival

The Years 3-6 Inter-House Cross Country carnival will take place on the last day of Term One, Friday 1st April from 10:45am - 1:00pm, at Meridan Sports Fields adjacent to the College.

All students are to wear their house sports shirt on the day.  Shoes must be worn at all times and hats should be worn when not racing.  The course has a high potential to be muddy after the recent rain so I would encourage students to wear old runners and bring a plastic bag, towel and a spare sports uniform to change into after the race. Students will also need to bring their own plastic drink bottle for use before and after their race.

Course Distances and Order of Events - Updated

*Race times are only a guide and may be earlier or later than anticipated.

10:45am            Students move over to Meridan Sports fields

11.00am            8 Yrs. Boys/Girls (born 2014) 1km

11.20am            9 Yrs. Boys/Girls (born 2013) 2km

11.40am            10 Yrs. Boys/Girls (born 2012) 2km

12.00pm            11 Yrs. Boys/Girls (born 2011) 3km

12.20pm            12 Yrs. Boys/Girls (born 2010) 3km

12.40pm            Presentations

Year 5 /6 Sunshine Coast Primary School Water Polo Competition

Well done to our Year 5/6 Primary school water polo team who have been playing in the Sunshine Coast Primary Schools Water Polo Competition. On Monday night they played St Andrews 2 and went down in a very close game 5-6.

Thanks to Mrs Fiona Schefe who is coaching the team and PLC parents who have been supporting the team each week.

4-6 SCISSA Training – Monday Afternoon

SCISSA afterschool training will continue next Monday afternoon from 3:15 – 4:15pm.

If your child is unable to attend training, could you please send a short email to PLCJuniorCollege@pacluth.qld.edu.au

 

Year 7-12 Sport

Competitive Sport Results

Monday Night Netball

Well done to our PLC netball teams for some great performances in the first round of the Sunshine Coast Schools’ Netball Competition.

 

SCISSA Volleyball

With most teams having a bye this week, it was up to the Intermediate Boys Team 2 to represent PLC this week. They played a spirited game against Suncoast, playing all the way to a third set where they were finally defeated after taking the final set to 19-17. It was a valiant effort from all our players. Special mention goes to Caleb Donohue who was the MVP for the match.

Competitive Sport News

Term 2 Competitive Sport Sign Ups

A reminder that until next Tuesday students will have the opportunity to sign up for more Term 2 competitive sports on the 7-12 Sport NAV page. Some Term 2 sports (Yr 11-12 Volleyball, Yr 7-10 Soccer and Yr 7-12 Rugby) have already had their sign on, however any interested students in these sports should email Mr West-McInnes to register their interest. Please note that MNN Netball will also be ongoing next term.

New sport options that are available to sign up for via NAV are Yr 7-12 Basketball, Yr 7-12 Vicki Wilson Netball and Yr 7-10 Mountain Biking. Please note that while the sign up for Yr 7-12 Basketball will be this term, the competition does not begin until Term 3. The early sign up is to assist with planning for teams, coaches, and training.

As per this term, students who aren’t involved in a competition sport next term will need to select a sport from the Friday Sport Survey, which will be open from now until next Tuesday on Nav.

Fraser Coast Rugby 7’s

Our U13 and U15 boys Rugby 7’s teams will be competing next Friday in the Fraser Coast 7’s tournament in Hervey Bay. Players will be given final details during this week’s training sessions. Students will need to travel to the carnival in their sport uniform and bring their playing kit and boots in a bag. Jerseys will be given out at the venue to players. If you have any questions about the tournament, please contact Mr Josh Cummins at jcummins@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Interhouse Carnival News

A reminder that our Years 7-12 Interhouse Cross Country Carnival will be held on Friday 1st April, from 1.30-3.00pm at the Meridan Sports Fields. We are very excited to run our first Interhouse Carnival of the year after a very disrupted start. Students who wish to get some running training in before the event are encouraged to come to Running Club on Tuesday mornings. We have a running coach to help students who want to take their running further, with a particular focus on District competitions. Students who wish to come along to Running Club need to register their interest with Mrs Kim Kiernan kkiernan@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Student accomplishments

Well done to Emily Lengenberg, Isabella Stammers and Alexander Monroe for their selection in the 13-19 Years Sunshine Coast Swimming Team that will compete in the upcoming QLD State Swimming Championships.

Congratulations to Georgia Frohmuller for her selection in the Sunshine Coast 13-15 Years Netball team that will compete in the State Netball Championship next term.

Mr Cameron West-McInnes, Head of Sport

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 can meet together each week for worship. As we do this, there are still physical distancing, signing in, and hygiene requirements we need to follow 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)

12       Music Scholarship Test

15       Prep Vision Screening

18       Pacific as a Peace Place Day

19       Academic Scholarship Test

23       Year 10 Peer Mentoring and Leadership Day