Grandparents and Special Friends' Day

Every year in Term 4, we have the privilege of opening our doors and welcoming our grandparents and special friends into the College. The gym is always filled with smiling faces, beaming with pride. This year, our celebration will look slightly different but the sentiment remains the same. When I reflect on my own experience of spending time with my grandparents, the memories are slightly grainy but I am instantly taken back to a special time and place, usually with extended families and always being made to feel you’re the only thing that mattered. Grandparents seem to have a particular ability to impart love unconditionally and knowledge in a way that way that is wise but unthreatening. The role that extended family play in our young people’s lives cannot be underestimated. The support and care they provide enriches our community and the lives of the students in it. Even though this year you will be unable to partake in the delicious catering that is usually provided, or learn side by side in our learning spaces, we celebrate your importance. Our Junior College has been busy preparing keepsakes and our Prep students have been tasked with preparing the Grandparents’ Day Chapel, which will come to you virtually. We look forward to welcoming you back on campus in the future.

Day for Daniel

Next Friday 30th October is Day for Daniel. As parents, we are all familiar with Daniel’s story and appreciate the great work his parents have done through the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. This day reminds us of the need for gentle conversations around child safety and to remind students to take care when travelling to and from school. This message is centred around reminding students not to get into cars or go with strangers. There are excellent resources available online to support this important message of child safety, a few of which are listed below.

• http://www.danielmorcombe.com.au/
• http://www.napcan.org.au/
• http://www.mychildsafety.net/stranger-danger.html

Events

On Wednesday I was fortunate to attend Pacific’s annual junior surfing competition, the Pacific Pulse, which involves six schools from our local area. The Pulse provides a unique opportunity for students to represent their school in a team environment but with a focus on personal competency and improving skills. Surfers are not eliminated during the day and are able to surf two heats for their school, building points for their team as well as personally. This competition has been running for 15 years and was a great success again this year. Thank you to Mr Darren Hooper and Mrs Natalie Campbell for their leadership and organisation and to all staff who assisted on the day.

Next Wednesday our Year 3 students begin the first of their many Outdoor Education experiences through the College. They will leave for two days and one night at Alexandra Headlands. We wish them all the best for their inaugural camp and we thank Head of Outdoor Education Ms Kim Wood for her preparation and dedication of learning in the outdoors. We look forward to hearing about their adventures on their return.

Water Bottles

Parents are reminded that students need to bring a named 1-2 litre water bottle for use throughout the day as the bubblers are still turned off.

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