Flexible Thinking

At last week’s assembly, Mrs Hogan and Mrs Ridley presented the students with practical ways to turn our thinking around when faced with challenges. Flexibility within our thinking is sometimes a work in progress for all of us and whilst the brain is still maturing, a common challenge for our young people.

During the assembly, our students read a story called A Little Spot of Flexible Thinking. Adapting to change can be hard and it challenges our students to compare their thinking to a big oak tree that is rigid, fixed and may easily break during a change in the weather or to a palm tree that moves and sways with the breeze, flexible in movement and can easily bend when the weather fluctuates. At times, a prompt such as finger breathing helps young people return to their upstairs brain and regain some flexibility in their thinking.

We also met “Flexy Rexy”, a dinosaur whose limbs stretch and change but eventually, return to their original position. Many times, this week I have noticed students talking to each other about being like Flexy Rexy when faced with a challenge or change! Peer mentoring and guidance at its finest.

School TV

An essential element of education at PLC is the recognition by parents, staff and students that the success of each child’s education relates to a cooperative approach and effective communication.

Today parents face many modern-day challenges in raising happy, well and resilient young people. Whilst a great deal of information is available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance.

The information on SchoolTV is easily digestible in video and newsletter form and includes insights and input from a leading professional in child and adolescent development, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. SchoolTV is designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies. Topics include Anxiety, Diet and Nutrition, Dealing with School Transitions, Online Safety etc.

Parents can access the site at http://pacificlutheran.qld.schooltv.me/ and click on ‘Launch SchoolTV’

Sport

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the Years 3-6 Athletics carnival. This day provided an opportunity for our students to engage in a range of events that physically and mentally challenged all involved. The participation and house spirit were evident from the start. Congratulations to Bula House who was awarded the house spirit award, and Wira House, who won the accumulated points award. Congratulations to those students who will progress to represent the College at a district level and to those who gave their all on the day.

Today our Year Four and Five students attended the second Gala Day across various venues on the coast. All coaches reported a successful day of enjoyment and competition. Being a part of the SCISSA network allows these opportunities to take place. We thank all the coaches and staff involved in planning and implementing these unique sporting experiences. Special mention to Mr Sam Irwin, a part of our excellent ground staff who worked tirelessly to prepare fields and playing surfaces at Meridan Fields to facilitate our hosting of sports here at the College.

Sport is an integral part of the co-curricular program here at Pacific and one that is heartily embraced by the student body. The benefits that sport provides are unable to reach its full potential without the leadership of Mr Darren Hooper and Mrs Lisa Muir, who ably assist all sporting programs across the Junior College and the many teachers who take SCISSA teams during the term and assisted ably during our athletics carnival. We are grateful for the many gifts they bring to sport here at Pacific.

Take care, and God Bless.

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