Compass No 682 - May 2023

We are moving into our winter uniform on Monday 8^th May. Senior students are required to travel to and from school in their blazers. Male Middle and Senior College students will need to wear ties and long pants for Senior students.

As we return to normal operations, Middle and Senior College students will return to travelling to and from College in their formal uniform and are required to get changed into and out of their sports uniform for double PE lessons. Expectations for changing into the PE uniform for practical lessons were detailed to all students at this week’s Middle and Senior College assembly.

As we approach the colder months, families are also reminded that formal jumpers should only be worn with formal uniforms; and sports jackets are to only be worn with the sports uniform.

Having been working at Pacific for almost 19 years, something that has always been at our core is the emphasis on service. Term Two affords a range of opportunities for all students to demonstrate service in genuine and authentic ways.

We have already had students involved in the ANZAC Day services and march last week, as well as the opening of the Year 3-5 building on Friday as students demonstrated service to the community with their attendance and involvement in these. There is also a range of ongoing opportunities like the production of the musical Pippin (which is only a few short weeks away from opening night). This Sunday is the College’s annual Open Day. It has been great to see the overwhelming response from students volunteering their time over the weekend to be a part of serving the College through involvement in various subject areas, performances and running tours for prospective families. 

There are many more opportunities for service that students can be involved with throughout the year, starting with the Red Shield Door Knock Appeal. At the Middle College assembly, we were given details about the ways in which all can be involved in supporting the community, and I would encourage all who are able, to help support our broader community. Students and families can do this with their time and donations throughout the month of May. I’m sure that once again, Pacific will be at the forefront of the Red Shield Appeal, demonstrating our care and service to our community.

Mr Mark Hauser, Director of Students

Daily 5 is a literacy framework that instils behaviours of independence, creates a classroom of highly engaged readers, writers, and learners, and provides teachers with time and structure to meet diverse student needs. Because it holds no curricular content, it can be used to meet any school, state, or national standards. Daily 5 classrooms at Pacific produce productive, highly engaged students who develop a true love of literacy.

During Daily 5, students select from five authentic reading and writing choices, working independently toward personalized goals, while the teacher meets individual needs through whole-group and small-group instruction, as well as one-on-one conferring.

The 5 parts of the framework:

1. Read to Self– This is essential to our literacy block. During this time students are each equipped with books, seated alone, and read independently on texts that are best suited to their learning needs. We spent a lot of time at the beginning of the year building the stamina needed to be successful.

2. Work on Writing – This is a highlight component for many students.  Students have been provided with a Writers Notebook where they can select to write texts based on their interest levels. We also use our Literacy book when we focus on writing genre and structure.

3. Word Work – As part of our school agreement, we use the Soundwaves Spelling Program for our word work component. Throughout the week students participate in a whole class sound introduction workshop and then work independently or in a small group on activities to support their learning.

4. Read to Someone – We complete this rotation twice a week. This has been particularly beneficial for developing fluency and comprehension skills. Students really look forward to these sessions.

5. Listen to Reading – Throughout the week students listen to a variety of texts sometimes read by the teacher, another student or on an electronic device. Recently we have incorporated a ‘shoulder buddy’ system within the classroom where we listen to each other read and answer questions based on a specific comprehension strategy.

Using this framework has been very beneficial in growing students’ literacy independence, across P-5.

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

Griffith Creative Arts Open Day 2023 (Years 10-12)

Sunday 21^st May 2023

Designed for those thinking of a creative career, the Creative Arts Open Day is the best way to discover the variety of degree options from design, visual and creative arts, music and performing arts, film and animation, industrial design and architecture.

Find out more here.

 

UQ Career Pulse (Years 10-12)

Wednesday 31^st May 2023

Explore the exciting career paths open to you at UQ’s free, career-focused event for high school students.

You’re invited to participate in our engaging and interactive career-focused sessions run by our academic staff.

You’ll have the chance to identify your strengths and interests and find out how to turn these into a fulfilling career. It’s also the perfect opportunity to see UQ’s beautiful St Lucia campus and check out our state-of-the-art facilities too.

Find out more here.

 

UQ InspireU Camps (Years 7-12)

The University of Queensland offers a range of free careers-focused camps for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 7-12. All camps will run during the June-July holidays, and applications for all camps are due by 26th May. There are three different camps: summary details of each camp are provided below. In each case, all costs during the camps (including accommodation costs where applicable) are covered by UQ. If you are interested in attending any of the camps, please contact Mrs Wanda Hayes for more details and the application forms.

1. The InspireU Early Engagement Camp (7 July) provides an opportunity for Year 7, 8 & 9 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Southeast Queensland to participate in a one-day experience at the St Lucia campus at the University of Queensland.  This camp is perfect for students who are planning to attend university and would like the opportunity to explore what degree to study in the future and to build their knowledge about university.  

Students are given an opportunity to meet staff, facilitators and start to build relationships. The program is delivered in collaboration with the current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students and UQ’s faculties.  Students will get to attend jam-packed, engaging sessions which will include a hands-on component and get to explore UQ.

2. The InspireU Year 12 Camp (2-7 July) provides an opportunity for Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across the country to participate in a week-long camp. This camp is perfect for students who are planning to attend university and would like the opportunity to explore what degree to study and to build their knowledge about university. 

Students are given a holistic experience of university life which is delivered in collaboration with the current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students, UQ’s faculties and industry partners.  This camp will assist students in preparing for university and make the transition easier.

3. The InspireU Health Science Camp (25-30 June) provides an opportunity for Year 11 and 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across the country to participate in a week-long camp. This camp is perfect for students who are planning to attend university and would like the opportunity to explore what degree to study and to build their knowledge about university.  The program exposes students to a wide range of career and study options available to them at UQ.

Students are given a holistic experience of university life which is delivered in collaboration with the current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students, UQ’s faculties and industry partners.  Students will get to attend jam-packed, engaging sessions which will include a hands-on component.

 

Level Up High School Student Health Careers Event (Years 10 and 11)

Level Up is a Virtual Event, run by Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service for local school students. It consists of a series of online presentations by health professionals. The event runs from 9.00am to 12.00pm on Thursday 18th May, and the program is attached.  Please note this is not a highly interactive event: students will be watching and listening to presentations for most of the three hours but there will be some time for questions. Students must attend at their own school, so we will be offering places to interested students to watch the event together in a supervised room. If you would like to attend, please send your expression of interest to Mrs Wanda Hayes, outlining your reasons for your interest in the event. Please ensure you check your assessment commitments for that week before applying to attend. Expressions of interest will be received up to 10.00am on Monday 8^th May. Places will be allocated after a review of all expressions of interest.

 

Are you interested in a career in fashion? (Years 10-12)

Fashcamp invites Years 10-12 students to explore their career potential in the exciting world of high fashion. During this three-day workshop running 27^th – 29^th June at UniSC Sunshine Coast, students will learn how to direct a photoshoot, fashion forecasting and fashion styling as they prepare for a runway experience guided by our innovative fashion educator and researcher. More info here.

 

ADF Gap Year Online Information Session (Year 12)

Wednesday 10^th May 2023

Wondering what to do with your time after finishing school? Consider doing a Gap Year with the Australian Defence Force (ADF)!

Spend 12 months with the best of the best as you get paid to experience life in the Navy, Army or Air Force, having unique life experiences and making lifelong friends along the way.

Come along to an upcoming info session where you can speak to military personnel about what an ADF Gap Year has to offer you.

Find out more here.

 

QSFT Career Pathway Information Session (Years 11 and 12)

Saturday 13^th May 2023

Are you looking to kick-start your career in the screen & media industry? Want to discover more about the industry and the opportunities?

Come along to the Queensland School of Film and Television’s (QSFT) next Career Pathway Information Session.

This is the perfect opportunity for you to gain knowledge about the Screen & Media industry and career pathway options. You will hear from industry professionals & QSFT trainers for the most up-to-date insights.

Find out more here.

 

2023 Aviation Expo (Years 9-12)

Saturday 3^rd June 2023

The Aviation Australia Expo in Brisbane showcases the burgeoning aerospace industry, with a significant focus on aviation skills development, careers and employment opportunities.

The Aircraft Experience Zone will once again be a major attraction, featuring a range of iconic aircraft that visitors will have the unique opportunity to experience up close.

The Aviation Expo also features dozens of exhibitors from the aviation, defence and education industries who will inspire and educate visitors about how to launch into a career in aviation.

There are many activities for visitors to experience, including cabin crew evacuations, avionics demonstrations, insight into an operational hangar environment, roving entertainment and careers seminars.

Find out more here.

 

School-based Traineeship at Maroochy RSL (Years 10 and 11)

Maroochy RSL is recruiting a school-based trainee, who is interested in pursuing a career in Hospitality. School-based trainees take on a paid part-time job with the employer and complete a Certificate course while also studying at school. A school-based traineeship is a great way for students to gain practical experience and develop valuable skills that will help them in their future careers.

Applications are invited from enthusiastic and motivated PLC students. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with Maroochy RSL’s team and learn about various aspects of the industry. They will receive on-the-job training, mentoring and support to help them develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the industry.

If you are interested in applying for the job, please send your resumé highlighting relevant skills, experience or achievements to either Mr Ian Learoyd or Mrs Wanda Hayes.

 

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

"Taking responsibility for our children’s emotional health is a great first step in helping our boys express themselves,” says psychotherapist Dana Kasper. "Emotions of sadness and frustration are innate within each of us, young and old. They tell us we are alive."

Here are tips on helping teen boys express their feelings — including the sad ones — in healthy ways, and a few reasons why sharing and being allowed to express those feelings is healthy and important.

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/02/28/teen-boys-express-feelings_n_15065192.html

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Mother’s Day Stall

Our volunteers are excited to see the students make their special purchases next week. Huge thanks to Teena Thompson for her coordination of the Mother’s Day stall.

Volunteers for Open Day BBQ

We’re looking for registered and inducted volunteers who can assist with the BBQ at this weekend’s PLC Open Day on Sunday 7^th May, particularly from 1.30pm for the afternoon, including pack up until 4.00pm. We will be there from 10.30am for set up so if you have some time to spare throughout the day, please get in touch. If you require more information or have any questions, please email fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au. Come along and have some fun!

Next FoP Meeting

We’d love to see you at our next meeting, on Tuesday 16^th May at 6.30pm in the College Library. You can RSVP by emailing fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au. All agenda items should be submitted via email before 5th May. Come along, meet some new people and find out how you can help connect our community.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Carly Lovell, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

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)

7         PLC Open Day

9         FoP Mother’s Day Stall

10       Year 4 Camp departure (returning Friday 12th)

15       Year 4-6 SCISSA Training (3.15pm-4.15pm)

16       Friends of Pacific (6.30pm)

19       ‘PIPPIN’ Senior Musical (19th and 20th)

23       School Photo Day