Principal's Log

We commend our students and staff on the way they have shown their respect through high levels of participation in the Caloundra RSL March, other activities across the Sunshine Coast yesterday and through our Anzac Day services at the College on Wednesday. At the conclusion of the Caloundra RSL Wreath laying ceremony, Mr Steve Eaton (OAM) expressed his appreciation for the role that students of all schools and our Marching Band played in remembering the service of Defence Personnel.  Staff and students valued Mr Eaton's explanation of the meaning of the Ode, the Last Post, and the Reveille and Mr. Adam Jackson’s reflections about his time as a serviceman in Australia and Afghanistan at our College services on Wednesday. We thank Mr Eaton and Mr Jackson for their service and thought provoking messages. We thank Chaplain Mark Hauser for leadership of our services, Cadet’s Hayden Hurford and Archie Palmer and students, staff and parents for their respectful engagement in Anzac Day activities.

Our students also played a tremendous role in welcoming new families into our community at our Open Day on Sunday. Over 200 students across Years 5-12 volunteered to lead tours throughout the afternoon. Students also played important roles as part of ensemble groups, shared snippets of the upcoming Year 8-12 production of Sense and Sensibility, played in music ensemble groups, supported the hospitality department in providing very tasty food and beverages and led activities in various subject displays. The Friends of Pacific team added to the welcome of the afternoon through provision of a BBQ. It was a very successful day, despite the wet weather where a very large number of new families enjoyed the opportunity to connect with community as they learnt more about the approaches to learning and the opportunities available at the College. We thank all students, staff and parents for making the afternoon such a success.

Last Friday we enjoyed staging our Year 3-6 and Year 7-12 Cross Country events. There were high levels of participation and spirit at both events with students, staff and parents enjoying the new course layout and the sunshine. We congratulate all students on their participation, Wira House who won both carnivals and Wira and Bula for winning the Year 3-6 and Year 7-12 Spirit Awards respectively. We thank Mr Darren Hooper, Mr Cameron West McInnes and Mrs Lisa Muir for their overall leadership and all staff, students and parents for making the day such a success. We wish all those students representing the College in the upcoming Independent District Cross Country all the best.

Parents and students who access Meridan Fields to travel to and from school and for sporting activities are reminded that there are anticipated road and pedestrian pathway closures that will restrict the access of pedestrians and cyclists to Meridan Way from 30th April to 2nd  May.  Details of closures and how to obtain transport vouchers as a result of these works by Unity Water are contained later in this newsletter and have been emailed home on Friday the 19th of April.

We say a prayer of thanks for the service of our Defence Personnel and their families and that God would protect and care for them. We pray for all those impacted by war, conflict and division and that God would cater for their needs and bring peace.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal