Principal's Log

We are excited to launch our new Strategic Plan 2023-2026 in this year’s Compass Review. When we look to the future, the importance of young people being thoughtful, highly skilled and having the capability to flexibly and confidently exert their agency to improve their lives and the lives of others has become increasingly apparent. As different agendas emerge for education it is important to take a holistic view and consider how every element of the schooling experience is contributing to the shaping of confident, capable learners who can make a difference both now and into the future. The shaping of the strategic plan within the Four Pillars of Learning to Be, Learning Together, Learning to Learn, and Learning to Know and Do provide direction and agility to act on what is important and incorporate the changing contexts that will emerge over the lifetime of the plan. The plan has been informed by the feedback provided by the 2021 MMG whole school survey, annual surveys and the parent, students, staff and College council input at the Strategic Planning Day last year.  At the strategic planning day staff, students, parents and College Council members also drew on the research of the OECD, Harvard’s Project Zero team and learning associated with positive psychology, wellbeing and Lutheran theology.

Within the Compass Review, we highlight a number of areas where staff, students and parents have already begun to bring the plan to life. We are particularly excited about the very significant contribution of students to the production of the plan and the leadership they have shown in bringing aspects of the plan to life.  I recommend the Compass Review to you as a wonderful celebration of thinking, planning, action and achievement and encourage all families to use the QR code to link through to our strategic plan which can also be found on our website.  From the introductory article through to the celebrations of our alumni, there are strong themes that emerge. We celebrate and are grateful for the contributions of staff, students and parents and particularly thank Mrs Sam Barrass for her leadership in the production of the Compass Review.  The Compass Review will be sent home with the oldest child on Friday, July 28^th and will also be available through the publications section on the College’s website.

Last Friday evening, the College grounds were transformed into an outdoor theatre for a significant new event on the College calendar, ‘Immersive Light’. An intimate audience was treated to an innovative light projection which celebrated the Pacific Arts – Drama, Dance, Film and Media, and Music. Mrs Denise McMahon, Head of Visual Arts worked closely with re-known filmmaker and digital installation artist, Donna Maree Robinson MCA, to create a spectacular rhythmical narrative that danced around the two-storey L Block building, wrapped in the darkness of the night sky. The sound and visual light display showcased student learning in the visual and performing arts in a powerful way. Congratulations to all students and staff, particularly Mrs McMahon, and all involved for creating such a memorable event.

Our talented Pacific dancers have showcased their incredible skills at the Dance X Competition this year which was held over the weekend at Glasshouse. We are incredibly proud to share their outstanding achievement of placing second in Lyrical dance and Jazz, making them eligible for the State Competition. The dance performances and results are a testament to the incredible dedication, talent and teamwork within the Pacific Dance Academy. Special thank you to Zoe Clewett, past PLC student, for her talented choreography, Mrs Borak, our Performing Arts Aide and Mrs Astwick, Lead teacher of the Pacific Dance Academy.

We also congratulate our Primary District Athletics team who placed 2^nd overall at the Independent District Athletics Carnival on Tuesday. This is our best result at this level of competition. Congratulations to our under-11 girls who were also awarded age champions. Well done to all students who represented the College and for the many hours and hard work which went into training during Term 2. Thank you to Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Junior Sport, Pacific staff and parents who supported students at the carnival.

We welcome Mr Brendan Macaulay as the Head of Student Support to the College this week.  Mr Macaulay comes to us from St Johns, Nambour. He has extensive experience in providing counselling and support services to students. In line with student input as part of our 2023-2026 strategic planning process, Mr Macaulay will provide counselling services to students and work with the pastoral, personal development and learning enrichment teams to develop, enhance and deliver programs that aim to develop students’ social-emotional capacities and mental health. We are excited about the expansion of this role to proactively support student growth in these important areas.

We are pleased to announce that Mrs Veronica Sanmarco has been appointed as the Head of Career Development at Pacific. Mrs Sanmarco has led the University of the Sunshine Coast Access and Diversity unit over the past 7 years and has extensive experience in supporting people in their career development through education, career counselling, employment services and advocacy roles.  Mrs Sanmarco has been a member of the QTAC Educational Access Working Party and has strong links with industry groups and universities.  Mrs Sanmarco has also been a member of the College’s Beyond Pacific working party and is looking forward to continuing and expanding on the innovative work in this area. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Sanmarco into our community on Monday, August 28^th. We thank Mrs Wanda Hayes who continues to provide support for senior students and their families through this interim phase.

We are excited to come together for an evening of celebration on Friday 18^th August at the PLC OCEANfest One World 2023 Festival. We encourage you all to pre-purchase your Unlimited Ride Passes and OCEANfest currency through Flexischools and support the College in the Cent Auction and Raffle. Local businesses and individuals have been extremely generous this year resulting in some wonderful prizes to win on the night. Raffle items are listed in more detail later in this email. We look forward to sharing this great event together.

We say a prayer of thanks for the rich blessings that God has brought into this community. We pray that God will help to seed our hearts with all things good.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal