Mutual Responsibility

Whilst moving through the classrooms last week, a new Prep student asked her teacher, “Who is that man?” A relevant and thoughtful question amongst a week of firsts. A conversation with the class ensued, and it was agreed that I could help them if they had a problem. A job title that I wear with pride! 

But the bigger question I began to ponder was, who am I to others? We are the storytellers in our own stories. How we speak and act informs those around us, what we value and how we would like to be perceived, both in moments of celebration and crisis.  Uncertainty is a constant amongst any typical existence, something we are getting well used to. Looking after ourselves is vital, and likewise, we have a mutual responsibility to support and encourage those around us to receive the same. 

I used the bowling analogy in assembly. Beginning bowling is hard when you start, and you are often left with many balls in the gutter.  However, when we use “bumpers”, we are readjusted toward our goal, and if not wholly successful, we are on our way to achieving our goals.  We must be the “bumpers” for each other in our daily life. A smile, helping hand, or random act of kindness is often all it takes.  

Pacific Way 

With much excitement, we have begun the implementation of the Pacific Way across the Junior College this year. The Pacific Way was born of a desire to develop a living document that would support people to grow as a community of individuals and learners, to develop faith and widen experiences in the outdoors. Statements have been developed by the Prep-5 staff and key leaders across the College that surround the notion of me, we, and see.  Intentional focus includes developing a sense of self, managing interactions with others and deepening connections with spirituality, service, and the environment.  

Sitting inside the Pacific Way are the beacons. Values and distinctive experiences make Pacific Lutheran College a vibrant and distinctive learning environment. The beacons direct and guide students at each year level by providing clear examples of opportunity and expectation.  

Our theme of Inspiring Hope and Enhancing Agency sits seamlessly into our philosophy regarding the Pacific Way. The structure is gentle and hopeful. It aims to increase agency in our students, staff and broader community by providing clear and precise signposts that we grow towards. Students have had the opportunity to contribute to what is valued and reword what our over-arching statements mean to individual year levels. The inclusion of students’ voices allows this document to evolve and provides the touchstones and certainty as we support our students now and into the future. 

We look forward to the first steps of such an exciting endeavour and to working with other areas of the College in the future. 

Carpark  

I want to take the opportunity to thank parents and guardians for their patience and cooperation around the use of the carpark spaces in the afternoon. As communicated previously, arrival times of 2.50pm for Prep- Year 5 families significantly reduces the stress on the traffic flow in and around the college in the afternoons. 

Students in Prep and Year 1 will continue to be collected from the first carpark, Year 2 Students and younger siblings will assemble at the flagpole for collection and students in Year 3-5 are asked to use the drop off space in the second carpark. 

Older siblings of Prep-2 students are also free to meet their siblings at the designated areas in the afternoon.  

Take care, and God bless. 

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