Learning Together

Every Monday morning, our Junior College assembles to hear about what has been and is happening around our College. This connection time allows for holistic messaging that reflects the thread for the week as well as expanding on key teachings of our College ethos and ‘You Can Do It’ lessons. Our alternating split assemblies in Foundation and Junior College cohorts, allow us to better tailor our messages to a more specific audience. New audio equipment under our Junior College buildings has supported our split assemblies effectively.

This year, we continue the implementation of ‘Pacific Way’ across the Junior College. Our intentional focus includes developing a sense of self, managing interactions with others and deepening connections with spirituality, service and the environment. Our Junior Diaries address our expanded message for the week and in recent weeks we have focused on what it means to be Independent and Responsible in all areas of College life.

Our College theme of Wonder, Creativity and Discernment sits seamlessly into our philosophy regarding Pacific Way. The theme will be explored further through our assemblies and where these intentions are driving and evolving learning. Students will have the opportunity to contribute to what is valued and reword what our over-arching statements will mean to individual year levels as well as dissect beacons, unique and valued experiences in year levels. Student voice allows these documents to evolve and provide the touchstones and certainty as we support our students now and into the future.

This term’s theme for “You Can Do It” surrounds relationships and connects seamlessly to our “Learning Together” Pillar. At our assembly last week, Mrs. Atkinson's presented the ‘You Can Do It’s’ structure to better understand what positive relationships look like to us. During the term, concepts such as connecting with others, understanding peer pressure, and solving conflict productively will be covered.

Friendships are not always straightforward. Part of our understanding of relationships is recognising that problem solving and differences of opinion are entirely normal. They are part and parcel of the whole picture. All of us are human and err from time to time but what this does provide is that as individuals, we all have thoughtful awareness from which to navigate. Our restorative framework provides the scaffold from which to mend relationships that from time to time, wander off track. The mercy that out faith provides empowers us to offer true forgiveness.

We look forward to supporting our students when working with each other areas across all areas of the College and thank Mrs. Atkinson for her leadership.

Parent Connectors and Volunteering

The involvement of parents and extended family members has always been a hallmark of the success of the College. There are numerous ways that the wider community may wish to be involved with College life and support the range of College activities.

The role of a Parent Connector is to serve as a link between the College and our community through a range of activities such as welcoming new families and providing social opportunities within year levels. At times, Parent Connectors will also be called upon to support the various functions and events held by the College and Friends of Pacific. We are hoping that we may have several connectors per year level to provide support for each other and the wider community.

Parents and guardians have the opportunity to be involved within the College as a volunteer. Volunteering plays a pivotal role in parent and student engagement and community connection. Creating strong ties to the people around us is important for our wellbeing and being a volunteer is not only rewarding but is a great gift to others. Volunteers have rich opportunities to give service through schemes like parent reading, excursions, assisting at College events supported by Friends of Pacific like, SCISSA Gala Days, our Annual PLC Open Day, Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls, inter-house Swimming and Athletics Carnivals and the biannual OCEAN fest, a large-scale event which provides the opportunity to celebrate the caring community which surrounds our students.

Legislation surrounding volunteering requires all persons to complete an induction process to volunteer in any capacity across the College. Previously, this process has required a series of Zoom sessions run during the year, however, the College is in the final stages of adapting this process to a more flexible delivery system.

If either of these opportunities interests you, please respond to the correspondence being sent out via email early next week.

Take care and God bless,

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