Compass No 688 - June 2023

As we approach the end of another term, it is important to take a step back and reflect on all that has happened so far in 2023. It is remarkable to think about all that the College has been involved in over the past nine weeks – ANZAC Day, leadership days, Future Problem Solving competitions, District Cross Country, Athletics carnivals, music evenings, drama performances, Red Shield Appeal, parent conferences, SCISSA competitions, exam block, photo days and speech competitions just to name a few.

It has been a pleasure to witness the involvement and enthusiasm of all students who engaged with these opportunities and, for some, even got out of their comfort zone to try new things. Our involvement in all aspects of school life is important to the growth of the culture of the community as well as to the growth of the individual child. There are many more opportunities for all students to take part in in the back half of the year and I would encourage all students to continue to be involved in all the rich experiences that the College has to offer as we now look forward to the second semester.

This weekend, the Year 12 cohort goes on their “Year 12 retreat”, which is a valuable experience for them as they approach the final half of the year. This is a time of reflection, cohort bonding and refocusing for them as they look at how they are going to finish their schooling year. We thank Ms Finter and her work with the College leadership team in preparing for this valuable experience, as well as the range of staff who are giving up their weekend to enjoy the retreat with the Senior students. I know it will be a weekend that everyone will look back on fondly.

I also thank the Year 9 leaders for the work that they have been doing in the Middle College throughout the year so far. It has been a pleasure working with such an enthusiastic, driven and energetic group of young leaders. They have run assemblies, organised lunchtime activities, assisted at major events, served the community behind the scenes, taken chapel services and planned a range of initiatives for the Middle College throughout the rest of the year. They have also been invaluable in helping with the running of their respective houses as well. Often these leaders go about their role unnoticed but all with the goal of making Pacific Middle College a slightly better place each and every day.

On Tuesday 13^th and Wednesday 14^th of June, the Academic Action Group challenged Year 11 students to take on the theme of “What is Your Life Lens?” in the Year 11 Speaking Competition. Across the cohort, three nominees from each House were selected to present their interpretation of this theme. As an audience member, it was wonderful to sit back and listen in awe, as the Year 11 students shared their various life lenses and with that, the experiences, knowledge and depth of insight each student has on the many wonders and challenges that they face in the 21^st Century. A huge congratulations to the Academic Captains, Daniel and Beyonce on their leadership of the Academic Competition and ongoing support from Mrs Barone and Mrs Steven in growing the Action Group this semester. Results will be shared at next week’s Middle and Senior College Assembly.

Finally, we congratulate all students on their efforts and results in the recent exam and assessment block. The results of these give each individual student a guide on areas that they are doing well at but also tell a story as to areas that they still can work on to improve. Feedback from teachers is valuable for students to continually move forward in the pursuit of achieving the goals that they have set for themselves. We appreciate all the time and effort that students have put into placing themselves in the best possible position for success but also thank the teachers for their preparation and guidance of the students that they teach.

We wish everyone a safe and blessed break as we move into our mid-year holidays. I pray that all families can have good quality time with each other, and students can rest up and rejuvenate ready for Term Three.

Mr Mark Hauser, Director of Students

As a parent/carer/guardian, you will receive two written reports each year. These reports will help you understand how your child is progressing and how Pacific supports your child’s development.

Your child’s report will be accessed through the Parent Lounge by the end of the first week of the June holidays.

Teachers use the Australian Curriculum to plan, assess, and report students’ learning. The Australian Curriculum sets high standards for the content all young Australians should be taught and what they should know and be able to do as they progress through school. Each learning area has achievement standards. These standards describe in plain language what students should typically know, understand and be able to do by the end of each year level. You are encouraged to read through the standards for each subject area and year level, and when students are expected to achieve them, on the Australian Curriculum website: www.australiancurriculum.edu.au. The website also includes helpful examples of student work at different levels of achievement.

What are the requirements for student reports?

Written reports are just one way we communicate with you about how your child is progressing at school. All schools in Queensland provide parents and carers with two written reports each year that:

• report on all subjects studied by their child

• are based on a five-point achievement scale

• use plain language

• identify areas of strength and areas that need more development.

Teachers at Pacific use various assessment strategies and tools to gather evidence of student achievement concerning the achievement standards in the Australian Curriculum. Based on the evidence, teachers make an on-balance judgement to decide which grade best matches the standard the student has achieved.

There is an opportunity to book an interview with your child’s teacher at the beginning of Term 3 about their report (information will be sent to you after the holidays).

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

Career Clusters in focus (Years 10-12)

This is the final part in a 6-week series of articles, where I have been overviewing one of the 6 Career Clusters each week. Senior College students have access to information about the Career Clusters on the PLC Careers Hub and will have an opportunity to learn about the Clusters in their PD lessons.

So far, we have looked at Makers, Guardians, Coordinators, Innovators, and Informers.

This week’s focus cluster is Linkers.

Linkers support others to find the things we need and manage our purchases, services, recreation, and travel. Linkers are skilled at helping others, managing relationships, and working with other industry professionals, and they need strong communication skills and a healthy dose of patience and resilience. Linkers often work in hospitality, retail, business, and any workplace where there is a need to interact with members of the public.

In addition to their technical skills, important transferable skills for Linkers include Communication, Supporting People, and Collaboration. Does this sound like you? What jobs do you know that fit within this cluster? (Hint: my job role is mostly a Linker role!)

 

Trade Taster Programs at TAFE (Year 10)

If you are not sure what you want to do when you finish school, you can try out a range of trade and skill areas offered to you in TAFE Queensland’s Trade Taster Programs. You can test out a couple of different study areas without needing to commit to a full qualification or apprenticeship, so you can decide what industry is right for you.

Trade Taster Programs are delivered between five to nine weeks, depending on the study area. You will be required to attend one day per week for a full school day, over the duration of the program during a school term. TAFE has developed these programs to fit around high school subjects, so you can gain the advantage of kick-starting your career path, while you are still studying at school.

The Trade Taster Program is fully funded by the Queensland Government and is available at no cost to Year 10 students. The Trade Taster Programs won’t affect your VET in School (VETiS) funding entitlement.

There are three different Term 3 Trade Taster courses available at Mooloolaba TAFE Campus: Cookery, Salon Assistant and Community Services. At Nambour TAFE Campus, you can do a Trade Taster program that includes construction, automotive and furnishing units. Applications are now open for all of these courses.

For more information, including how to apply, click here.

 

Mid-Year start for some courses at TAFE Sunshine Coast (Years 10 and 11)

TAFE Queensland offers a number of TAFE at School courses in their mid-year intake at their Nambour and Mooloolaba campuses.

Courses available for a July start at Mooloolaba are:

• Cert II in Applied Fashion Design and Technology

• Cert II in Salon Assistant

Courses available for a July start at Nambour are:

• Certificate II in Animal Care

All the above courses run for 4 Terms, so they will finish mid-year next year. If you are considering taking one of these courses, please discuss your plans with Mrs Wanda Hayes, to make sure you understand how this course will impact your school program.

HOW TO APPLY

To submit your application for a TAFE at School course, please visit tafeapply.com and use the application code TQEC2302 to begin your application. You will need your Learner Unique Identifier (LUI) and Unique Student Identifier (USI) numbers. If you don't have a USI yet, you can head over to www.usi.gov.au to get one.

COSTS

You may be eligible for a range of fee-free TAFE at School courses, covered under VET in Schools (VETiS) funding, which is funded by the Queensland Government. The courses advertised as VETiS funded below are dependent on eligibility requirements. For further information, please refer to the VETiS website. Eligible students are entitled to one VETiS-funded program only.

If you have already accessed your VETiS funding through another course, you can still apply and enrol in these courses at the below full fee cost. Payment plans may also be available to assist with the payment of your course; however, if you’re under 18 you will need a guarantor. Applications will be subject to credit checks. For information about our withdrawal and refund policy, please visit the TAFE Queensland website.  

 

Generation Innovation Challenge (Years 10-12)

Got a big idea? Generation Innovation (GI) could help you turn your dream into a reality.

The GI Challenge is a unique opportunity for young minds aged 15-25 in the Sunshine Coast area to turn their innovative ideas into reality. This is a FREE 12-week program that provides participants with advanced business training, invaluable one-on-one mentoring, and essential connections with leading business people. And the cherry on top? A chance to win a $10,000 prize package!

We believe young people hold the entrepreneurial spirit we're looking for. Whether they aim to leverage new technology, revolutionize a product or service, or solve a societal challenge, we welcome ideas of all kinds.

Registration is simple and can be done through the Generation Innovation website: https://www.generationinnovation.com.au/. Don’t delay - registrations close on Friday, 21^st July 2023.

You can find more information on our flyer and key dates are attached. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

 

Upcoming University Open Days (Years 10-12)

Keep an eye on the calendar: we are coming into the Open Day season! University Open Days are a great opportunity to check out courses of interest, get a feel for a university’s vibe, and investigate accommodation options.

The following Open Days are coming up:

UniSC Sunshine Coast Campus – Sunday 16^th July (click here to register, and go in the draw to win a trip to K’Gari)

UniSC Moreton Bay Campus – Sunday 23^rd July (click here to register, and go in the draw to win a trip to K’Gari)

QUT Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove Campuses – Sunday 30^th July (visit the Open Day website to register for event reminders and go into the draw to win a MacBook Pro)

 

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

Parents are children’s references and often are their first friends. After all, they share their games and experiences. However, it’s natural that as children grow, they begin to create new relationships. They meet friends at school, in the neighborhood or with the children in their families. As this happens, how do you help them understand who is a true friend during this emotional growing experience?

We can’t choose the friendships our children have. This is especially true during adolescence, which is when friends often take the place of other interests and become the most important thing in their lives.

However, what we can do is guide them so that they know how to build valuable relationships in which respect and sincerity are valued.

https://steptohealth.com/how-to-help-your-children-learn-who-is-a-true-friend/

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Pacific Together

Pacific Together is a care-based service offered by Friends of Pacific to College families in times of need. If you, or someone you know within our College community, needs extra support during the year, the Pacific Together care group may be able to help in some small way or offer a care package. Please contact PLC Chaplain Ms Holly Gricks - hgricks@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

We were never meant to do life alone. We need the love and care of others, especially in times of need. If you would like to support the continuation of this care-based service through a financial contribution, we invite you to contact Pacific Together via email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au. Your contributions ensure that we can provide a care package for those in our community when the need arises.

Next FoP Meeting and OCEANfest Meeting

We’d love to see you at our next meeting, on Tuesday 20^th June at 6.30pm in the College Library. You can RSVP by emailing fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au. Come along, meet some new people and find out how you can help connect our community. Immediately following our FoP Meeting will be the OCEANfest Steering Committee catch-up at approx. 7.15pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

Friends of Pacific wish all College families a wonderful mid-year break. May there be much rest for our students who have had a busy start to 2023. Safe travels to those who are venturing beyond the Sunshine Coast, whether somewhere in Queensland, interstate or overseas. May your holiday be full of incredible moments. We look forward to seeing everyone in July.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Carly Lovell, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

We are promoting reading to evoke feelings this week in the library. Come into the foyer and see our display of books showing emojis of many emotions that books make us feel.

Try looking at the books we have on display to see if you have read them and if they made you feel a certain way. Books take us on many journeys that can take us away from the moment or take us on holidays. Whatever the experience they create such positive wellbeing where we can reset and refresh our brain.

Ms Gina McPherson, Teacher Librarian

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)

15       Ensembles Concert

17       Year 12 Retreat departure (returning 18th)

20       Friends of Pacific (6.30pm)

21       P-2 Cross Country Carnival

21       Term 2 Concludes

22       NZ Music Tour departs (returning 2nd July)

July

11       Term 3 Commences