Principal’s Log

There has been a lot to celebrate this week, within Pacific and the broader community. We  have been inspired by and celebrated the achievements and performances of the Olympians, and particularly Pacific graduate Kaylee McKeown’s amazing 100m backstroke win. Kaylee’s determination, courage, grit and commitment to strive for a dream inspires us to dream big, aim high, and invest to learn, grow and improve, valuing the people who support and encourage us on the journey. Many of us will have punched the air and given shouts of joy as Kaylee touched the wall in 1st place breaking the Olympic record. As a community we applaud this outstanding achievement and wish Kaylee all the best for her remaining events. Go Kaylee!

Our musicians performed very well at the recent Sunshine Coast Junior Eistedfodds. Our Senior Strings, conducted by Mrs Helen Williams, came 2nd in the A division string competition, and the Concert Band, led by Ms Krist-Elle Hill, won their section on their first time of entry into the competition. The high quality performances of both of these groups generated a lot of excitement in Sunshine Coast music circles about the growth and strength of the Pacific music program. Congratulations and thank you to our musicians and to our talented music team led very capably by Mr Paul Cusick, Mrs Helen Williams and Ms Krist-Elle Hill. Thank you to our parents for your enthusiastic support of our musicians.

As up and coming swimmers, we congratulate Lily Costa and Kyle Huxley on their successes at the Schools Australian National Swimming Championships. Lily won Gold in the 11 Years 100m Freestyle, Silver in the 11 Years 50m Freestyle and placed 5th in the 200m Individual Medley and Kyle came 5th in the 11 Years Butterfly. We also congratulate Emily Lengenberg on her recent success at the Wide Bay Short Course Championships. We wish all three swimmers all the best as they continue to grow and develop.

There was also tremendous energy as our current Year 7 and 8 parents took advantage to connect with Heads of Department and teachers at the Year 8 and 9 Subject Expo on Tuesday night. We thank our teachers and Heads of Department for the energy and creativity that goes into the production of these courses and for sharing this with students and parents on Tuesday evening. Thank you to our parents and students for taking the time to learn more about the next step of your learning journey.

We welcome back Head of Learning Middle College, Mrs Jo Belchamber from leave. We thank Mrs Michiko Hauser who has very capably fulfilled this role over the first three weeks of this term. We thank both Mrs Hauser and Mrs Belchamber for their organisation and leadership of the Year 8 and 9 Expo evening.

In a big week for our community, we thank our families for welcoming and hosting our Seishin visitors and look forward to celebrating the special role that Grandparents and friends play in our lives and community.

May God equip us to make the most of our gifts and talents and to grow in our understanding, appreciation of and care for people and the planet.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal