Student News

2023 Ecumenical Service

Last week, I was fortunate to take a small group of our Year 9 Leaders to participate in the 2023 Sunshine Coast Ecumenical Service which is open to leaders across all the independent schools in the area. It was a valuable experience for the leaders as they formed connections with other school leaders their age and were able to worship together to start the school year.

As a part of the program, guest speakers shared their experiences as leaders and explained the significance that our words can have on others (both positively and negatively). This message is important for us as a Pacific community to understand, as our words can make a great impact in all that we do. Our interactions with one another have the power to positively shape the culture and feel of a community.

A strong focus for the students at Pacific this year has been centred around our core values of “Care, Dignity and Respect”. These values fit perfectly with what the speakers were talking about in relation to thriving school communities. When we approach each other with care, dignity and respect, our words are reflective of our values and what is important to us.

The Year 9 Leaders were all inspired by the service and the messages that were delivered, and hope to affect change in their roles this year.

Year 6 Leaders

This week, we celebrated the appointment of our newly elected Year 6 Student Leaders. Each Action Group leader was presented with their leadership badge at the installation service. They heard a great message from the Year 9 Leaders who promised to help the Year 6 group in their roles and to give them guidance and support throughout the year. The Year 6 Leaders are highly enthusiastic, and motivated and have already approached their positions with great energy. We wish them all the very best in their roles throughout the year, and I look forward to helping them grow in their capacity and influence in the College.

Sport: John Fihelly and Macey McFadden

Academic: Lucas von Plessen and Natasha Hodgett

Environment: Sophia Biddle and Evie Schenck

Wellbeing: Harry Pike and Maddison D’Arcy

Service / Spirituality: Bailee Kiernan and Autumn Meyerhoff

Technology: Jean-Luc Vermaak and Jamie Turner

Cultural: Zara Cammack and Lara Richards

Academic Learning

As we approach the midway point of the term, it is important for students and parents to be aware of any upcoming assessments that students may have. This year, we have had a greater focus on the organisation of assessment dates in student handbooks and parent access to this information also, on NAV.

Students in Pastoral Care Groups are also working on helping each other with their organisation and preparation for assessment periods through their mentoring and review of planners.

This can be a stressful time for students, but with prior preparation and a consistent approach to learning both at school and at home, students can put themselves in the best possible position for success. Personal Development lessons in the Middle College have also begun focusing on strategies to help with assessment, and now is a great time for parents and students to start getting serious about study and revision planners so that assignments and tests are more manageable and stress-free.

We wish all students all the very best in all aspects of their schooling throughout the rest of the term.

Mr Mark Hauser, Director of Students