Principal’s Log

Both of our End of Year Services, have celebrated the tremendous learning and growth that has occurred over the year. In these services, we have reflected on the centrality of wonder, creativity and discernment in enabling us to flourish as young people and as adults. Our sense of self, our relationships with each other, the planet and with God, our motivation and capacity to engage as learners and to live with purpose are strengthened through our capacity to engage our curiosity, bring wonder into our reflections, to be creative and to be discerning. These dispositions enhance our wellbeing, our ability to live as whole people connected and contributing, and our engagement with leisure and work.

When we reflect over the year that has been, we have lived and learnt best where we have brought a sense of wonder and curiosity, engaged creatively, been resilient, adaptable and flexible, brought new thinking to life and been discerning.  We have grown in our capacity to engage in productive struggle, understanding that learning occurs at the point of challenge. It is as we have engaged in the challenge of learning across all dimensions of life, that we have grown important skills. As well as being critical for us to flourish as people, we will recall that many of these capabilities were also those highlighted within the top 10 skills identified by the World Economic forum as being most valued by employers across all employment types around the world. Embracing challenge with a sense of wonder, creativity and discernment is how we grow, learn and live best.

We have seen these dispositions come to life through all the daily interactions of this community. They have been visible as students have engaged and learnt and led new initiatives and as staff have been committed to learn and grow and prompt wonder, curiosity and discernment across all dimensions of life. These dispositions have also been evident as our parents have provided opportunities for growth through their engagement with the Friends of Pacific, Pacific FC, PLC netball and volunteering to support a range of activities. We celebrate the growth of all our students and thank students, staff and parents for their tremendous generosity of spirit and heart for growing their gifts to make a difference. We thank parents, students and staff for their support of these events which were wonderful celebrations of growth and connection. A particular thank you to Mrs Michi Hauser, Mr Damian Davis and Mrs Sue Zweck and their teams for their leadership of these events.

We celebrate with our two Pacific robotics teams who competed at the Gladstone First Lego League Nationals, part of 42 qualifying teams. While neither team qualified for the international event, both squads made us incredibly proud with their hard work and perseverance. The Year 8-9 team soared with a 2nd place Innovation Project Award. Their growth was evident, earning "Accomplished" and "Exceeding" ratings from the judges. They were also nominated for the Rising All-Star Award – a team to watch in the future. Judges praised their smooth presentation, impressive prototype, and expert use of 3D modeling. In their first-ever competition, the Year 7 and 8 team impressed with their project, robot design and core values, earning top ratings across the board. Nominated for the Motivate Award, they showcased amazing teamwork, communication and enthusiasm.

At year’s end, we farewell and thank Foundation College teacher Mrs Leonie Prout for her service since 2008. Through her deep knowledge of her individual students, Mrs Prout has provided strong support to our Year 1, 2 and 3 learners and their families and made a valuable contribution to our P-5 team. We also thank Middle and Senior College Mathematics and Science teacher Mr Graham Kanowski and Middle and Senior College English and Humanities Teacher Mr Josh Zanker. Both Mr Kanowski and Mr Zanker have been committed to the learning of their students and made valuable contributions to their teaching teams and departments. We wish Mrs Prout, Mr Kanowski and Mr Zanker every blessing for the future.

We farewell and thank contract teachers Industrial Technology and STEM teacher Mr Noel Badaja, Japanese teacher Mrs Kana Chan, Middle and Senior College English and Humanities teacher Mrs Tammy Schinariol, and Middle and Senior College Mathematics and Science teacher Mr Jack Best. We have greatly appreciated the strengths and gifts that these staff have brought into our community and wish them well for their future pathways.

We thank our Director of Learning Ms Sue Arahill for her capable leadership of the mathematics department this year and support of the day to day running of the College, including the development of the timetable while Director of Staff, Mrs Kim Bonello was on leave in the first semester. We have appreciated Ms Arahill’s capable leadership in both areas.

As we look forward to 2025, we are pleased to announce that Mr Nigel Farley will take on the new role of Head of Student Engagement Senior College and Mr Andrew Doyle will be Head of Mathematics. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Ruth Wydell to our Mathematics and Science team. Mrs Wydell comes to us from St Monica’s Catholic College, Cairns and is a QCAA Endorser for Chemistry and an External Marker for Chemistry and Maths Methods and led the establishment of ‘Radical Maths’ programs with James Cook University in Cairns. We also welcome Mrs Jana Sajtos-Hobbs who has been Head of Mathematics at the Grace Lutheran College Caboolture and is a QCAA Confirmer and Marker for General Maths, Mr Adam Burton from Caloundra City Private School who has previously been a member of a QCAA Maths C panel and Mr Rob Pride who is an experienced Modern History, Legal Studies and Humanities teacher from Caloundra City Private School. We look forward to the return of Mr Scott Massie, Mr Steven Healy and Mrs Kate Vaney returning from leave in Term 1.  We look forward to the leadership and contribution of these very passionate, capable and experienced educators to our College community.

We are deeply grateful for all that staff, students and parents have contributed to our community this year and wish everyone a happy and blessed Christmas. We pray that God would bring joy and peace into our hearts and that all members of our community are refreshed by the change of rhythm that school holidays bring. We pray that God would provide for the needs of all people of the world and guide leaders to be wise in their care of people and the planet. God Bless and thank you!

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal