Compass No 665 - October 2022

Last week was a special celebration for the P-5 students and their grandparents when they came together to celebrate their lives together. It was great to see so many grandparents, parents and special friends of our students visit the College and support each other.

In the chapel service last week, we explored what the Bible has to say about the importance of older generations and the valuable wisdom they impart to younger generations to guide them in the right paths. There are numerous references to this throughout the Bible and many ancestors in many cultures are revered above all else. You just have to look at the influence of some of the biggest names in the Old Testament to see this – Noah, Abraham, Jacob and Esau are all great examples of people whose age and standing in society were essential to the guiding of family lines and future generations.

But it is the unconditional love that parents and grandparents show toward their family, that is the most important part of being a grandparent. Without even knowing it, this unconditional love that is seemingly an unwritten law of grandparents all around the world is the exact reflection of God’s love for us all. Despite our failures and mistakes, God (like our grandparents) still loves us and accepts us despite these flaws. Even when we hurt God, he is still there to welcome and love us and there is nothing that we need to ‘do’ in order to ‘earn’ his (or our grandparents’) favour. It is unconditional and everlasting because of who we are. And that is something worth celebrating!

Mr Mark Hauser, College Chaplain

As we draw closer to the end of 2022, the excitement and energy around the leadership positions that our Middle College students can aspire to in 2023 is building. Our Year 8 students are diving deep into Leadership conversations with their respective Heads of House this week, as they look to apply to be a Year 9 Leader in 2023. Students will receive an application form in their Personal Development lesson as the initial step to show their interest in such a position. I encourage all students to reflect on the strengths they possess and can ultimately share with our community if they were to obtain a leadership role in the new year.

Year 5 students will also have a Leadership seed planted when they have time to connect with me as the Head of Middle College students to gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the newly established Year 6 Pacific Action Group Leaders for 2023. The energy these students brought to the recent Middle College Orientation Day was infectious and I am excited about how this will permeate through the Action Groups in 2023.

We are looking forward to the enthusiasm and initiatives these new students will bring to these roles as they look to cement the great work already done by the current Captains and build on and leave their own unique stamp on the roles.

‘Leadership is not about titles, positions, or work hours. It’s about relationships’ ~Jim Kouzes

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

This information has been sourced from the Early Years Learning Framework Developmental Milestones booklet, developed by the Community Child Care Co-operative for the Department of Education.  Your child is ready to transition to school when they are reaching the following milestones:

•          Enjoys playing with other children – provide your child with opportunities to interact with others through a kindergarten program, early childhood education and care service or playgroup.

•          May have a particular friend – encourage friendships with other children by providing opportunities for interactions

•          Shares, smiles and cooperates with peers – encourage your child to interact by role modelling good communication skills; showing your child how to enter social situations e.g. smiling; and discussing social ‘rules’

•          Jointly manipulates objects with one or two other peers – again encourage interaction with others in social and play situations by providing a range of toys and other resources

•          Developing independence and social skills they use for learning and getting on with others at Kindergarten and school – support your child to be independent e.g. opening their own lunchbox; tying their own shoe laces; putting on sunscreen

Brain development from birth

Essential brain development occurs in the first years of a child's life. When you look at the years in which the main brain development is made and the effect this development has in schooling and later years, the importance of positive experiences in the early years is clear. As a parent or caregiver, you can support your child's early development by providing a safe and nurturing environment with learning opportunities and minimal stress.

Ante-natal

Your child's brain has already started developing. All 5 senses begin to function before birth. During this time, prenatal sensory experiences help shape the brain and nervous system.

2–6 months

Significant 'wiring' of the brain occurs in the first years of a child's life and your baby's brain is developing as a result of the experiences and relationships they are exposed to each day. Babies learn emotions through observing their parents and caregivers, and how they react to various movements and sounds such as crying, yelling, smiling and cooing.

6–9 months

By 9 months your child's brain has already undergone a rapid growth spurt that helps form connections between what they see, hear, feel and taste. Playtime and interactions with parents and family members provide key learning opportunities for early development.

3 years

By 3 years of age, a child's brain has around 1,000 trillion brain connections (synapses). The early years are a rapid period of brain development which can be fostered by positive relationships with parents and optimal community environments for families and children. Engaging with your child and providing a safe environment and physical care to your child has a significant impact on your child's development.

3–5 years

By school, a child's brain development is built upon the now solid foundation created in the first 5 years. It is more difficult for children to take advantage of learning environments, such as school if they have not had optimal early learning experiences or a nurturing home environment.

Adolescence

When adolescence is reached, brain synapses will number around 500 trillion, a figure that remains relatively steady into adulthood. Brain development prioritises the connections used most often, resulting in 'pruning' of the brain networks and circuits.

If you have a child who will be starting Prep in 2023, please contact the school office 54367313.

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

Mater Education - High School Health Adventure (Years 10 and 11)

Brisbane: Monday 28^th November 2022, 8.30am - Tuesday 29^th November 2022, 3.30pm

Are you a Year 10, 11 or 12 student interested in a career in the dynamic and fast-paced world of healthcare? Mater Education’s High School Health Adventure program is for you!

High School Health Adventure is a program that has been designed to create a realistic experience of a day in the life of a health professional. The utilization of simulation with manikins, skills stations, digital technology and case-based scenarios helps to create this real-world learning in a unique environment for high school students.

This hands-on, immersive experience will cover basic health professional understanding of anatomy and physiology, give students hands-on experience in managing patients requiring basic life support and emergency response, and supporting patients and their families through medical procedures such as surgery and childbirth.

Find out more here.  

 

Queensland Ballet - 2022 Junior Summer School (Years 2 and 3)

Tuesday 13^th December 2022, 8.30am - Friday 16^th December 2022, 12.30pm

Queensland Ballet Academy

We are delighted to offer a December Junior Summer School exclusively for younger dancers aged 7.5 – 9 years.

Across this 4-day program, children will enjoy foundational training in classical ballet, character dance, repertoire and contemporary dance classes under the guidance of Queensland Ballet Academy’s world-class faculty. On the final day of this event, there will be a viewing day for parents/carers to see what their child has learned in classes throughout the week.

Registrations close on Wednesday 7^th December.

Find out more here.  

 

Queensland Ballet - 2023 Summer Schools (Years 4 – 12)

Monday 9^th January 2023, 8.30am - Saturday 21^st January 2023, 5.00pm

Queensland Ballet Academy

Summer School offers dancers aged 10 to 18 years the chance to further their training in a culture of collaboration and excellence.

Queensland Ballet Academy’s esteemed Faculty are ready to mentor talented young dancers during these established Summer School programs.

The Summer School program includes classes in classical ballet technique, pointe work, repertoire, character dance, contemporary dance, and male technique (subject to the number of male participants).

Students also participate in informative discussions with a variety of professionals from Queensland Ballet, the broader industry and/or affiliated health fields. On the final day of this event, there will be a viewing day for parents/carers to see what their child has learned in classes throughout the week.

Registrations close on Monday 2^nd January 2023.

Find out more here.  

 

UQ - Queensland Biology Summer School (Year 11)

Tuesday 17^th January 2023, 9.00am - Thursday 19^th January 2023, 4.30pm

The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia Campus

The UQ Queensland Biology Summer School (QBSS) will provide you with a deep dive into contemporary topics in ecology, conservation biology, plant science, and zoology and how these disciplines apply to the management and use of our environment and the workplace.

What’s involved?

•          Live and breathe biology and related disciplines: explore contemporary topics in biology including ecology, conservation biology, systematics, environmental management, plant science, zoology, and quantitative biology (aligned with the subject matter in the QCE and IB Biology syllabuses) through interactive lectures, practicals, and tutorials.

•          Gain scientific skills in literacy, communication, collection and analysis of biological data (useful skills for QCE Internal Assessment 2: Student Experiment and IB Extended Essay).

•          Study with biologists who are passionate about their subject – from leading researchers to teaching specialists, and current students at the start of their research careers, all eager to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with you.

•          Consolidate your learning with quizzes at the end of each day.

•          Make friends with students from around the state and discover how much fun it is to be around people who love biology.

Applications are now open. To attend QBSS you must be commencing Year 12 in 2023 and taking QCE Biology or IB Biology.

The registration deadline is Sunday 27^th November 2022.

Find out more here.  

 

Transition to university information evening (Year 12)

The University of Queensland invites you to participate in a transition to university night, hosted by Andrew Bannerman from the Future Students Australia team.

This event is aimed towards Year 11 and 12 students who have chosen university as their next step after high school. Students are provided with detailed information regarding ATAR advice and responding to their university offer, how to enrol in university and plan a timetable, as well as a panel of current UQ students from the Sunshine Coast region who will share their tips to a successful transition from high school to university. Although it is UQ-focused, the information can be applied to general university study.

Audience: Students, Parents, Carers and Guidance Officers

Date: Wednesday 9^th November

Time: 4.30pm – 6.00pm

Location: Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Lecture Theatre

Click this link to register.

 

Jobs for students interested in Health and Aged Care (Years 10, 11 and 12)

St Mary’s Aged Care in Pelican Waters have adjusted their rosters to include a short shift in the afternoon, which is designed to give young people (from the age of 16) experience in providing personal care to the elderly.

There are so many reasons why this would be an excellent starting point for any students that are considering a career within the Health Care industry:

•          as it provides real industry experience to include in your resume; and

•          it gives you an opportunity to learn more about Health and Aged Care, and decide whether or not it is a long-term career prospect for you; and

•          you will receive training in critical Health and Aged Care skills including manual handling and infection control; and

•          you will be working with Health Care professionals who will become part of your network, and could support you in your pursuit of a career in Health or Aged Care; and

•          pay and conditions are also better than many other jobs targeted at students. 

If you are interested in this wonderful opportunity, please see the attached flyer, which includes details on how to apply.

 

Feed your mind, Feed the world (Years 10 and 11)

The University of Tasmania is offering Science students a first-hand look at the booming Tasmanian agriculture industry with the 'Feed Your Mind, Feed the World' 2022 experience.

'Feed Your Mind, Feed the World' is a three-day camp in December 2022 for Year 11 and 12 students wanting to learn about exciting career opportunities in agricultural science.

Students will see first-hand the science behind some of Tasmania's leading agricultural businesses, including a robotic dairy, commercial flower producer, cider orchard, vegetable processor and more.

This year, the University of Tasmania is sponsoring up to 10 students outside of Tasmania. Sponsorship includes:

•          a return flight from their nearest Australian capital city to Launceston

•          accommodation and meals for the duration of the event

•          airport pick up and drop off

Students can find out more and apply on our Feed your mind, Feed the world webpage.

Applications close on 4^th November 2022.

For more information about the experience, please contact (03) 6226 1753 or email harriet.walker@utas.edu.au

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

Teenage gatherings provide young people with important opportunities to interact and build on their social skills and experiences. Celebrations, partying and socialising are a fundamental rite of passage and one of the most important aspects of a young person’s life. However, it is possible for the best young person to get carried away with their peers and the euphoria of the moment.

For parents and caregivers, keeping your young person safe can at times feel daunting and is often a compromise and a challenge. Most teenagers try to do the right thing most of the time, but your leadership as a role model is crucial. Your child may appear to be physically large and mature, but this is not necessarily matched by their emotional maturity and responsibility in behaviour.

Every party has the potential to get out of hand as sometimes it’s hard for young partygoers to make good decisions. Communication and regular discussions are vital, particularly because young people are often faced with peer pressure to do things they prefer not to engage in. Hosting a celebration at home or at a venue can be a fun and memorable event but it is important to agree on the ground rules well before your event is announced to ensure there are no misunderstandings later on.

If hosting an event, you owe your guests a ‘duty of care’ and should ensure all reasonable steps are taken to keep partygoers safe. This Special Report provides caregivers with a list of things to consider when planning a celebration. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://pacificlutheran.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-guide-safe-partying

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

The countdown is on for this Saturday’s Soiree Among the Stars. Join with us to celebrate Pacific’s 21 Years of learning and growing together. It will be a time to celebrate all that our College community has achieved.

Gather your friends and family for an evening of quality music, shared memories and laughter. Our fabulous Hospitality department will serve signature hot, cold and dessert canapes all night and our bar will be humming. This is set to be a magical evening to celebrate with friends, tickets are still available at Soiree Amongst the Stars.

Ticket sales close at 3.00pm Friday 28^th October.

Saturday 29^th October from 5.30pm at Pacific Lutheran College.  This is an 18+ event.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

Competitive Sport News

Basketball

Well done for another great round of competition. A few teams that needed wins, unfortunately, didn’t quite get there last week. Well done to those (regardless of the score) who kept on persisting and represented the College well once again. A big thank you to all teams for your commitment throughout the season. We had a few Year 9s (and one coach) turn up to play after being away for two weeks on camp!

Please note that for most teams, this week will be your last week of the season. Could all who are finishing up please return their uniforms asap. Players will need to bring them to Mrs Muir and sign them back as returned. Anyone who does not return uniforms may be charged a fee to cover the replacement cost.

There are a few teams who will be depending on this week’s results as well, so all the best to you. A special mention goes to the Intermediate B Boys, Junior C Girls and Intermediate A Girls teams who have all qualified to play semi-finals regardless of results this week.

SCISSA Rugby 7’s

Congratulations to all players again on another successful night of Rugby. It was exciting to see the high physicality and competitiveness shine through in all the games last night. Our U13 boys and girls had a fantastic opportunity to play on an immaculate Sunshine Coast Stadium field for their games last night. Our 13 girls are continuing to go from strength to strength, defeating both Matthew Flinders and Suncoast Christian College in some tight, hard-fought games. Our U13 boys started steadily, posting a draw against Matthew Flinders and following this up with a convincing defeat of Suncoast. Our U14 boys continued their successful run in their season defeating Good Shepherd and Nambour Christian College while achieving a draw against a tough St Andrews side. Finally, our U16 girls continued their undefeated streak in their season overcoming Glasshouse in what was a physical and skill-filled match and backing this up with a convincing win against Immanuel Lutheran College. Out of the 5 teams we have nominated in the competition, 4 of those teams have continued to remain undefeated, an incredible and successful feat! Well done to all the coaches, parents and players on their continued spirit and sportsmanship in all our fixtures.

SCISSA Tennis

Currently, we have 2 teams of Middle College students representing PLC in SCISSA Tennis Fixtures. Our students have competed to their best in their games, with players showing improvement as the term progresses. It has been a bit of an inconsistent start with some weather issues, but it is great that we had our games go ahead last night. Team 2 had a successful night at Matthew Flinders, taking the matches to a draw, but winning on points.  Team 1 are playing well in a tough division coming up against a strong Senior students’ teams in fixtures. Best of luck to all.

Years 7-10 Friday Sport Week 6-8

Week 5 will see the conclusion of our regular Friday Sport program for Years 7-10 students and we will move into 3 weeks of alternate sporting activities. Students who have been involved in 2 or more PLC competitive sport teams throughout the year have been given the option to register their interest to participate in Beach Activities at Kings Beach in Weeks 6-8. Students need to have registered their interest on the Sport NAV Page by the 28^th of October to be considered. Information and a request for parental consent will be sent out early next week to successful students. For students not attending the beach activities, we will be running rotational inter-house challenges during Friday Sport time for the remainder of the year.

St Andrew’s Relay Carnival

PLC will again be taking a team to the St Andrew’s Relay Swimming Carnival which will be held on the 22^nd of November from 2.00pm- 7.00pm. This event is for students in Years 3-9 and is a great swimming event to finish off the year. Students will be invited to take part in this carnival based on their performances at the Interhouse Swimming Carnivals. Information and a request for parental consent will be sent out to selected students’ families in the coming weeks.

Key Sport Dates Term 4

Thursday 3^rd November: Ballinger Cup Senior Hockey Challenge

Thursday 17^th November: Sports Awards Assembly

Tuesday 22^nd November:  St Andrew’s Relay Carnival

Mr Cameron West-McInnes, Head of Sport

 

This is a partnership between Volleyball Australia and the Queensland Academy of Sport. The Emerging Talent Volleyball Program has been established to provide a high-performance practice environment for athletes that have been identified as having the potential to play volleyball (beach and/or indoor) at state, national and international levels with a further goal to develop athletes to compete at the Olympic Games.

Athletes do not need to have any volleyball experience, but a desire to learn.

Click on the link for further details and information.

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)

27       Year 3 Outdoor Education program departure – returning 28th October

28       Day for Daniel – P-5 to incorporate red into the College uniform

29       PLC 21st Birthday Soiree – Amongst the Stars

November

2         Prep 2023 Information Evening 5.00pm

3         Year 4-6 SCISSA Gala Day 4

10       Year 7 School Based Immunisations

11       Pacific Pulse