Compass no 668 - November 2022

The College Council has approved the 2023 fee schedule. There will be a general increase of $80 - $120 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 for the continuing improvement of facilities. 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 

This week, the College welcomed back the Year 12 cohort after engaging in three weeks of external examinations.  The Alternate Days Program, commencing Wednesday 16^th November was full of opportunities for staff, students, and families to reconnect, celebrate, and farewell Year 12 students. 

On Wednesday 16^th November, the 2022 College Captains and Vice Captains hosted a relaxed BBQ Breakfast, inviting all Year 12 students, parents, and staff to join in connection and celebration as the cohort commenced their final rites of passage of farewell and graduation.  This occasion has become a wonderful tradition of Year 12 students thanking staff and parents for the contributions they made to their Pacific journey.

During the Alternate Days Program, the Year 12 students engaged in their Graduation Art Tile Project, another wonderful Pacific tradition that provides students with the opportunity to design and paint a canvas tile that symbolises their Pacific journey.  The cohort also connected for the last time with their Year 2 buddies and planted a tree beside the College’s Labyrinth to grow alongside other trees planted by previous graduating classes. Heads of House farewelled their House groups and Pastoral Care Group teachers held special farewell breakfasts to farewell individual students.

Each year, the cohort also engages in a QLD Police and Law presentation, another highlight for this year’s graduating class.  In between the many sessions and activities, the graduating class of 2022 enjoyed a pizza lunch, rehearsed their Graduation song, practised their formal dance and took part in the 2022 Sports Awards.

As we farewell our graduates at tonight’s Year 12 Graduation, held at Venue 114 Kawana and at tomorrow’s Farewell Chapel, Guard of Honour and Formal, we thank each Year 12 student for their calm and positive finish. We wish every blessing to the Year 12 Graduates as they take their next step.

Year 10 and Year 9 Leadership Days, Week 8

Next Tuesday 22^nd November, Year 10 students will have the opportunity to engage in their first Leadership Day with a focus on building a strong and cohesive cohort to commence 2023 with purpose, a sense of ownership and accountability.  The day will also include a discussion on leadership opportunities that exist within the Senior College and preparing students for these opportunities.

Year 9 students will also have the opportunity to engage in a Transition into Senior College Day on Thursday 24th November with a focus on building on their capacity as Middle College leaders to become leaders of Year 10 next year.  Year 9 students will be engaged in activities that will support their ability to lead one on one discussions, and small group activities within their Pastoral Care Group. Throughout the day, students will learn about Pacific’s Peer Mentoring Program, which will see all Year 10 students as peer mentors of Year 7 students.  Students will also have the opportunity to nominate as a 2023 Peer Mentor Leader, a position to lead their cohort as they support and grow Pacific’s Peer Mentoring Program.

Ms Leigh Finter, Acting Director of Students 

Congratulations to the transitioning classes of 2022

As the year ends, I would like to take the time to reflect on the journey of the current Year 5 students. Toward the end of last year, we began meeting as small groups to chart a course as they prepared for their final year in the Junior College. As a cohort, they have continued the legacy of service in action through the Gawun program. Not only has it been heart-warming to see the interactions and support that our Gawun leaders have provided, they too have learnt more about themselves as individuals and as leaders. Their involvement in playground events, encouraging learning with younger students and supporting our Foundation College on the school grounds in the mornings, has provided tangible examples of the impact that our young people can have on each other. They have set an admirable example to their buddies in Prep also.

I would like to thank the transitioning class of Year 5s in 2022 for the dedication shown to their learning, their warmth and sense of humour and their commitment to many important causes both within the College and in the community. As a Junior College, we look with interest as to what the remainder of your journey at Pacific will hold.

We also acknowledge our Year 2 cohort as they transition from the Foundation to the Junior College. We celebrate the gifts that have been nurtured through your time in the Foundation College and we look forward to continued growth as you enter your next phase of learning. We are excited to welcome the cohort into our new Junior College Learning Space at the beginning of next year.

Wellbeing growth

As this is my last Compass article for the year, I would like to make special mention of Mrs. Sarah Atkinson, Mrs. Shelley Hogan and Mrs. Kirsty Ridley who have provided meaningful assembly messages that offered clear and relevant direction of the social and emotional path of students in the Junior School. Pastoral care of students and the promotion of the message at school and home provide a connection so parents, carers and teachers can work in partnership in the nurturing of our children.

Extracurricular opportunities

During the last week, we have had the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of students through music experiences and sporting awards. The Year 5 and 6 concert band along with the Year 3 and 4 strings students provided the platform to celebrate the amazing talent throughout those years and also provided a snapshot of the individual growth of students, some of whom have been involved in instrumental music for four years. Both were well attended by the wider community and it is great to be able to share the music experience with an audience once again. I would like to thank Mrs Helen Williams for her leadership of this program as well as Mrs Carlie Purkis and Mr Paul Cusick for their continued leadership of Music across the Junior College.

This week’s sporting awards showcased the wide and varied sporting choices that are provided by the College. From House carnivals and SCISSA sport, to run club and board riders, students are provided with an enormous choice to become involved in many areas that help build individual capacity. It is often said that sport doesn’t build character, it reveals it. The friendships, camaraderie and healthy competitiveness that are promoted through sport here at Pacific are a credit to our Head of Junior Sport, Mr Darren Hooper, who leads a committed team that continues to build a healthy sporting culture here at Pacific. I would like to thank all teaching staff and sports coaches for their support of the program and the benefits that it brings.

Ceremonies and celebrations

In the next fortnight, we will begin to formally commend the achievement of our Junior College students, staff and families with the Prep-5 Closing Service on Monday 28^th of November. An email setting out more specific details was sent home this week.

End of Year functions

As has been the case for the majority of the year, students sharing of food is not permissible for the end of the year class parties and events. These guidelines extend to the bringing of food items such as candy canes and lollies for distribution to other class members. We ask you to follow the direction communicated by your child’s teacher regarding end of year functions.

Gratitude

Saying thanks and expressing gratitude is a large part of what we promote here at the College. In my privileged position, I would like to express my thanks to the College community. My youngest son graduates this week, and therefore marks the end of my ten-year journey as a parent here at Pacific. It is often looking backwards that we see the now. When a child moves through this College, every interaction goes toward shaping that person as the young adult we see today. Thank you to everyone that has guided and shaped the students that will graduate this week. As a family, we have been truly blessed to be a part of the wider Pacific community.

Wishing everyone a blessed and safe Christmas break.

Take care and God bless.

Mr Damian Davis, Head of Staff and Students P-5

Girls in Computing – Free event at Uni of Qld (Years 7-12)

Thursday 1^st December, 6.00pm-7.30pm at The University of Queensland (UQ)

The Girls in Computing event at The University of Queensland (UQ) provides an excellent opportunity to discover the exciting and endless career options available in technology, software engineering and computer science.

• Hear from industry leaders and UQ Alumni as they share their experiences and provide advice to the next tech generation.

• Find out about exciting career opportunities available in technology, software engineering and computer science.

• Meet our female students and see what projects they have been working on during the year.• Find your interests by talking to representatives from student clubs and societies including UQ LIT (Ladies in Technology), Design Society UQ, UQ Computer Society, UQ Ventures and more.

• Visit information booths tailored for both parents and students – learn more about careers in tech and have your questions answered.

• Get hands-on with fun activities!

Get event details and register by 25^th November here.

Part-time job opportunity (Years 11 and 12)

A local Chiropractic Clinic is looking to hire a student for work on Saturdays and possibly more if they are carrying on into further education. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Helen-Marie Sutherland at omwellness4551@gmail.com.

NIDA Acting Bootcamp (Years 10 and 11)

Monday 9^th January 2023, 10.00am - Wednesday 11^th January 2023, 5.00pm

Brisbane TBC

A fast-paced intensive course for acting recruits: build skills in improvisation, character and scene work.

Course components:

• Improvisation: Discover the key principles and improve your spontaneity as a performer.

• Characterisation: Participate in practical exercises under the guidance of an industry expert designed to provide you with tools to create diverse character depictions.

• Technique: Unpack NIDA’s acting technique to identify the given circumstances of your scene, apply actions and pinpoint your character’s objective with ease.

Find out more here.

Work Experience at QPAC

Do you have an interest in live theatre and technical production? The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) regularly takes on Year 11 and 12 students for work experience.

Our program generally offers experience across the technical disciplines of production; specifically lighting, staging and sound technology. Placements take place during a 5-day block week (Monday to Friday) from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Availability of placements is dependent on show and venue activity.

Work Experience Placements need to fit the following criteria:

• Currently studying in Year 11 or 12 secondary students

• Possess demonstrated interest in the Performing Arts – particularly in live theatre and technical production

• Available to do work experience at an allocated time

To apply for a placement, you will need to write to our Work Experience Coordinator outlining the preferred time period, the type of work experience requested and the skills and experience which relate to the work experience being requested.

Learn more here.

Quantum Computing School Summer Camp (Years 9-12)

Monday 16^th January 2023, 9.00am - Friday 20^th January 2023, 5.00pm

Online

Applications open soon for the 2023 SQA Quantum Computing Summer Camp — delivered by Qubit by Qubit (QxQ), a leading educational organisation in quantum, in collaboration with Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA).

Join us to dive into quantum computing during our 1-week summer camp designed for high school students. Learn about the fascinating world of quantum physics, to explore quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement.

The summer camp includes special workshops where you’ll learn how to code quantum gates and circuits — the building blocks of quantum algorithms using IBM’s quantum coding language, Qiskit.

Held virtually on 16^th – 20^th January 2023 with a bonus day in person, the summer camp will be open to Australian high school students (Years 9-12) and recent school leavers.

No prior quantum or coding knowledge is required or expected, and there are many full scholarships available! Scholarships are prioritised for students underrepresented in STEM.

Find out more here.  

UniSC Emeritus Professor Paul Thomas AM and Ms Anita Grunau Scholarship (Year 12)

Value: Up to $25,000 AUD

Open/Closing Dates: 1^st September 2022 – 30^th November 2022

Emeritus Professor Paul Thomas and Ms Anita Grunau aim to support tertiary education for a USC student who demonstrates outstanding academic potential but faces financial or other barriers to completing a degree.

Find out more here.

Griffith ICT Academic Excellence Scholarship (Year 12)

Value: $5,000 AUD

Open/Closing Dates: 1^st September 2022 – 16^th January 2023

The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage Year 12 school leavers to undertake undergraduate studies in Information Technology on a full-time basis. The aim is to assist potential applicants in an IT career path.

Find out more here.

TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarships (Year 12)

Value: Up to $10,000 AUD per year

Open/Closing Dates: 3^rd October, 2022 – 9^th December, 2022

Up to 10 TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarships are awarded each year, to support exemplary Queensland students to pursue tertiary studies.

Find out more here.

Aspiring Teacher Grant (Year 12)

Value: Up to $5,000 AUD

Open/Closing Dates: 3^rd October, 2022 – 9^th December, 2022

If you have decided to become a teacher, our Aspiring Teacher Grants will help you to get started.

Find out more here.

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

Summer Reading Club

These summer holidays, adventure awaits your child through Sunshine Coast Libraries’ free Summer Reading Club. Whether going away or staying home, children can win fantastic prizes by embarking on three quests outlined in a Summer Reading Club Adventure Map. Just join up online or within a branch and either download the map or collect it in person from your local Sunshine Coast Library to be involved. Prizes include a torch and library bag, and if all three quests are completed children go into the draw to win a $50 book voucher! Better still, the quests encourage your child to keep reading and learning through the summer holidays. So, don’t miss out on the fun! The Summer Reading Club will be held from 1^st December 2022 to 31^st January 2023. To find out more about the Summer Reading Club, Sunshine Coast Libraries and their exciting holiday programs visit library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

Borrowing and Overdues

Next week there will be no borrowing as the library is undergoing a stock take. Students are encouraged to return all their library books, textbooks, music books, IT equipment etc. next week. An email will be sent home to tell you what your child has on loan. Once children have returned all this year’s items, they may borrow as many books as they like in Week 9, to read over the summer holidays.

Ms Narelle Keen, Head of Library

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)

17       Years 4-6 Sports Awards (12.00pm – 1.00pm)

17       Years 7-12 Sports Awards (2.15pm – 3.15pm)

17       Year 12 Graduation

18       Year 12 Farewell Chapel (8.30am)

18       Year 12 Formal

24       P-2 Swim Carnival (9.00am-11.00am) - Kawana Aquatic Centre

25       K-5 Carols (5.00pm) - College Gymnasium

28       P-5 Closing Service (8.45am) - College Gymnasium

29       Years 6-11 Closing Service (6.30pm) – Caloundra Events Centre

29       Academic Year Concludes