Compass No 663 - October 2022

Serving others is something that I feel we focus on heavily at PLC. Service is an integral part of a Pacific education and is seen in many of the big things that we do throughout a calendar year. Events like the Red Shield Appeal, International Women’s Day and Father’s Day breakfasts, Disabled Surfers Association days and Orientation Day involvement are some of the most notable and publicly recognised ways that we can help others who are in need. And this is excellent! The PLC community shows their generosity and serves others in meaningful ways more and more every year. However, Jesus tells us that even more important are the deeds that are done in secret. True service to others (service from the heart) should come from the heart and there should be no thought of or need for recognition for what you do.

This concept is easy to understand, but how hard is it to do?

I often find myself doing things for others in secret, but deep-down questioning “why am I even doing this? No one will ever even know that I did it or that what I am doing is even being done”. Matthew 6:1-4 addresses this mentality by saying “They announce what they do in the synagogues and on the streets. They want to be honoured by other people. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward”. Jesus addresses this need for recognition and challenges the intentions (the heart) of why we serve. True service to others should not need any reward, whether it be recognition, acceptance or even a change in someone. We serve because Christ served us.

I am sure that there are plenty of people who have influenced me in deep ways that I am never going to realise. But God see’s it…. And that’s all the reward and recognition that we should need.

Mr Mark Hauser, College Chaplain

Tuesday this week saw 65 new students arrive on the campus for their orientation into PLC Middle College. Joining them were our current Year 5 and 6 students. What a wonderful day of integration, connection and celebration. The energy and enthusiasm from parents, students and staff were infectious as the sun shone on what proved to be a wonderful initiation into everything that is Pacific Lutheran College.

Students were given a physical tour of the grounds as well as a taste of many different aspects of schooling in Years 6-9. It truly was an uplifting day for both staff and students followed by an information evening for parents to begin to understand what makes a student at PLC in Middle College flourish.

A big thank you to Mrs Leanne Bevis for her tireless work behind the scenes in organizing this event. We wish all students and families a safe, calm transition into Middle College in 2023 and look forward to seeing them contribute to our College.

Mr Brett Kersnovske, Head of Students Middle College (Acting)

The start of the Prep year can not only be daunting for children, but for their parents too. For parents, there are healthy lunchboxes to plan, car park drop-offs to coordinate, uniforms to organise and stationery orders to process.

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 – where there are three Prep classes, each with a teacher and teacher-aide – parents are reminded that the Prep teachers “have got this”. We want parents to feel completely confident in our ability to handle their child’s big feelings.

Our teachers make our new Preppies feel comfortable and 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 their 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 each of our students embracing the adventure of learning.

The primary focus of Term One in Prep at Pacific 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 the Pacific family.

Some things to consider:

•          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, 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 grow.  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 Teaching and Learning K-5

On Friday 14^th, nine Pacific students will travel to Melbourne for the weekend to participate in the 2022 Future Problem Solving National Competition.

Emily Studiman (Year 9), Oliver Friend (Year 8), Isla Lendrum (Year 8) and Amy Richards (Year 7), will be competing in the Global Issues Problem Solving section of the competition. Students will be presented with a scenario on the topic of ‘Mining’ and will be required to respond by completing a booklet, identifying the problems, selecting the underlying problem, preparing 16 solutions, and developing an action plan to address the possible future global issue. Students are then required to develop and present a short skit which displays and promotes their action plan to a live audience.

Year 7, Pacific Plus Students, Jax Bautista, Hunter Fullard, Aidan Kemp, Nathan Russell and Declan Bancks will be competing in the Community Problem Solving section of the competition. The students have prepared and submitted their competition entry on a perceived problem which they have identified within the community - student computer gamers who are exposed to too much blue light. Students have built a website and designed a brochure which they will present at a community problem-solving fair. A part of the presentation of their community problem solving project also includes an interview in front of a panel of judges.

It is a great achievement to be invited to compete at the National Future Problem Solving Competition. We are extremely proud of the students’ achievements so far. We wish our students well as they prepare to participate in this challenging but fun learning experience.

Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Learning Middle College and Mrs Linda Sydes, Teacher

Future Problem Solving Coaches

Music has started back with a bang with 5 Senior students attending the State Honours Ensemble Programme in conjunction with Griffith University during the last weekend of the school holidays. Hayley K, Ruby C, Jack S, Brooke W and Dexter W all spent 4 days rehearsing and working with industry professionals in their specific ensembles. The weekend culminated in a showcase concert for each ensemble in the iconic concert hall at the Brisbane Conservatorium of Music. Congratulations to all.

Term 4 is certainly shaping up to be a busy one with the PLC Soiree, Grandparents Day, End of Year concerts, Carols and farewelling our Year 12 Music students. So, keep an eye out for information on all of the upcoming events.

Looking forward to 2023, if your child is currently enrolled in a private instrumental lesson these will automatically roll over into 2023, so there is no need to submit a new enrolment form. However, if you would like to change anything for 2023, then please get in touch at (helenw@pacluth.qld.edu.au).

Mrs Helen Williams, Head of Instrumental Music (P-12)

SAT Practice 22^nd October – register now

Did you know PLC is the Sunshine Coast’s only SAT testing centre? The SAT is an exam used by most universities in the USA and by many universities in other countries, as part of their applications and admissions processes. The last testing session for this year is on Saturday 3^rd December, and students can register for the test here.

We are offering a free practice session for interested students on Saturday 22^nd October 2022, from 8.00am – 12.00pm. Students who register for the practice session will take an authorised practice test under full test conditions. It’s a great way to see whether the SAT is for you or to get some solid practice for the real thing. If you are interested in attending the practice test, please email Wanda Hayes (whayes@pacluth.qld.edu.au). Students who have not registered their interests will not be admitted on the day.

Online resources to support your career thinking and planning

There are many resources available online to support young people as they consider their future options and make decisions. Some of those online resources are better targeted to be helpful for school students, who are deciding about subjects and courses as well as about future career paths. The following are my recommendations about which platforms are most useful for each of a range of purposes. In each case, students will need to sign up on the website, and it’s recommended they use their PLC details.

If you want to do a career quiz

My Future – public website; sign-up required

QUT Match My Skills – public website

Your Career – public website

PLC Careers – subscription website only – click here and use your PLC email address to create an account

Finding occupations that are linked to subjects you enjoy

My Future (Career Bullseyes page) – public website; sign-up required

Study Work Grow (Career Bullseyes page) – subscription website only – click here for information on how to create your account

PLC Careers (Career Targets page) – subscription website only – click here and use your PLC email address to create an account

Getting information about occupations, including study pathways

Study Work Grow – subscription website only – click here for information on how to create your account

PLC Careers – subscription website only – click here and use your PLC email address to create an account

My Future – public website; sign-up required

Help with your resume or job applications

Study Work Grow – subscription website only – click here for information on how to create your account

PLC Careers – subscription website only – click here and use your PLC email address to create an account

Getting some virtual work experience

Forage – PLC-specific webpage – sign-up using your PLC email

Grandshake – public website – sign-up using your PLC email

PLC Careers (Virtual Job Experience page – under “Workplace Learning”) – subscription website only – click here and use your PLC email address to create an account

Finding courses in a particular field

QTAC Course Search (Queensland courses only) – public website

Course Seeker (Australia-wide courses) – public website

TAFE Queensland (Queensland courses only) – public website

Comparing university courses

ComparEd (Australia-wide courses) – public website

University websites – various public websites

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

Supporting your teenager through their final school exams can be extremely daunting for parents. However, maintaining a calm household will ensure your child has the best chance of success.

To perform at their best, students will need regular and adequate sleep, a healthy diet, daily exercise and regular reassurance from parents that their success in life does not depend on their final mark. Many students will experience high levels of anxiety during this time, so it is important that their mental health is looked after as well as their physical health.

Students should do plenty of practice exams, focusing on questions they don’t understand and always getting feedback from teachers. Parents should try not to worry if they feel their child isn’t studying enough. Sometimes students need to experience the consequences of their choices as they do not have the maturity to associate effort with the outcome. Getting a bad mark will not be the end of the world, but more of an inconvenience.

SPECIAL REPORT: Year 12 Exam Stress | Pacific Lutheran College (schooltv.me)

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Pacific Lutheran College Soiree – Amongst the Stars

Saturday 29^th October – from 5.30pm at Pacific Lutheran College

Get your friends together to celebrate our 21 years at the gala Soiree Amongst the Stars. See the Pacific landscape transformed as never seen before.

Don’t miss Luke Dickens and his band, runner-up in the 2008 season of Australian Idol performing on the night.

Our fabulous hospitality department will serve up signature canapes all night long and our bar will be humming.

This is an 18+ event.

Purchase your tickets here.

Next Meeting

Please join us for the upcoming meeting on Tuesday 18^th October – 6.30pm in the College Library.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

Learning chess has been shown to improve overall performance at school by nearly 20% compared with children who have not.

Pacific Lutheran College are offering weekly chess classes after school on Tuesday afternoons, from 3.00pm-3.45pm.

These weekly classes will help improve;

• Creativity
• Memory
• concentration
• planning skills
• independent decision making
• general aptitude for learning
• problem-solving and
• teamwork.

To book online, scan the QR code on the attached flyer, or go to chessmates.com.au/schools

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, 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)

14       Future Problem-Solving Nationals

18       Friends of Pacific 6.30pm

21       Grandparents and Friends Day

22       Year 9 Outdoor Education students return

29       PLC 21st Birthday Soiree – Amongst the Stars