Start of Year
Start of Year
As usual, the year has commenced many rich opportunities for our College community to connect. Thank you to those parents and family members who attended the Welcome Breakfast and Prep – Year 5 Commencement Service last Friday and the Prep – Year 5 Parent Information Evening on Wednesday. Your support is much appreciated by both staff and students. It is the relationships and communication that occurs between staff, students and parents that are fundamental in shaping the positive community and the successful learning environment which exist at the College. If you were unable to attend the Parent Information Evening, please contact your child’s teacher regarding the information discussed.
Well done to all students who participated in the Year 3-6 Swim Carnival on Tuesday. The weather cooperated and we had a fantastic day with excellent levels of participation and many examples of individual and team excellence. Participating in a swimming carnival can sometimes present a unique set of challenges. At Pacific, we rely heavily on the concepts covered in the You Can Do It Program, namely Getting Along, Persistence, Resilience, Confidence and Organisation. It was fantastic to see so many students lean on these learnt skills to compete to the best of their ability and reach the end of the pool with a smile on their faces. A special thank you to the many parents who assisted on the day, without your support the event could not have happened. Thank you also to all class teachers and HPE staff for their work on the day and in setting up the site. We particularly acknowledge Mr Darren Hooper and Mrs Natalie Campbell for their leadership and organisation of the carnival.
At Pacific, our Pastoral Care model is based on the learnings of Lutheran Theology, Positive Psychology and Harvard’s Project Zero. Through engagement with these learnings, there is a proactive focus on growing students as whole people, including the social and emotional. At the College, addressing any problem between students focuses on dealing with issues that may arise through an emphasis on reconciliation, developing emotional resilience and inculcating a supportive culture.
Our approach to conflict resolution is through restorative practice. This approach focusses on the harm that has been done and the obligation this brings to those responsible to ‘right the wrong’ as much as possible. It’s an approach that seeks to develop in the wrongdoer an understanding of the breadth and depth of the harm their behaviour has caused so that they can make amends to those most affected. In this way, it’s an educative approach. It is a very much a collaborative process and one that requires discussion and time, focusing on building empathy and equality.
It also ensures that those who have been most affected by the wrongdoing have the opportunity to be involved in working out what has to happen in order to move forward. Circle times, small group discussion and dialogue are some of the tools we use in order to develop a productive path forward for students.
Every Monday, Prep – Year 5 staff and students attend assembly in the College gym. Assemblies provide an opportunity to connect as community at the beginning of the week and give guidance about upcoming events and matters concerning the Foundation and Junior Colleges. We also have the opportunity to celebrate our learning and social emotional development with our You Can Do It awards.
Friday morning also provides a chance to gather as a Prep – Year 5 community as we worship and honour our Christian Faith with student led chapel. Each week a different class is responsible for leading the worship service and reflect their understanding of the thread and Bible verse applicable to that week. Parents are warmly invited to attend both Assembly and Chapel, both of which start at 8.30am.
Parents are advised that the Year 5 Camp will be held from 11th – 14th August at Bornhoffen. Please note this in your College Calendars, which were sent home last week.
Chess Mates specialises in teaching chess to children of all age groups and skill levels. Younger students are taught through songs and stories, while older or more advanced students are taught openings, strategies and forward planning. Chess Mates is about making new friends and having fun while learning!
Classes are held at Pacific on Tuesdays from 3.00pm to 3.45pm. The cost is $14 per class. If you have any questions about the classes please either email info@chessmates.com.au or call Ash on 0415 256 452.
Mr Damian Davis, Head of Staff and Students P-5