P-5 News

Leading by Example

In the development of the Pacific Way years ago, it was decided that we required a symbol that embodied the inherent nature of what we were trying to achieve by guiding our students on their journey.

It was decided that a lighthouse captured this vision perfectly. A light that shone the way whilst acknowledging the possibility of what lies beneath.

This week at assembly, we revisited this idea with the specific link of leading by example. All of us, in our words, actions and thoughts, have the capacity to lead by example and know that small actions can lead to big consequences. This was exemplified by a domino stack collapsing. One small push can impact all the dominos around. The one falling domino had consequences on those around it.

Traditionally, we may have thought of consequences as potentially negative. But when we stop and think, all actions have consequences. Some are applied by others, but most occur naturally. When we decide to impact our relationships negatively, we may have some adult involvement in the resolution, but mostly, it is naturally occurring consequences such as emotional and social harm and deep impact to relationships that do not require any external input. They just happen as a result.

However, the same applies when we lead by example in our learning and relationships. We feel good about ourselves; we make others feel good, and we grow our capacity to shine the light on others.

It is a privilege to witness this every day at the college. Small actions by students and staff, such as including others in a game, maintaining the waste in the playground, and committing to our best in our learning and organisation, all set an example to others about what lifelong learning and growth entails and to be that lighthouse for others around us.

Kids in Action

Our Year 5 students were once again involved in this year's Kids in Action Conference at the Sunshine Coast University last week.  This conference is a partnership between the Sunshine Coast Council, Local Elders and First Nations Peoples and students across both the Sunshine and Noosa Councils. Kids in Action allows students to take the lead and build workshops and resources for other Sunshine Coast students to participate in. This year's theme was HEAR on Country; Are you listening? The conference provided a platform for students to address what they heard from others and proactively seek solutions that focused on the environment.

In response, the students developed a presentation that addressed the reasons for unkind behaviour and prejudiced remarks toward others, utilising an emotional regulation scale based on local animals. They also cleaned and packaged the nearly 20,000 plastic bottle caps collected by students across P-5 and have been working with Middle and Senior College staff to have them recycled into keyrings as a constant reminder of the role discarded plastics play in our environment.

Congratulations to all involved and a special thank you to Year 5 teacher, Mrs Luanne Pollard for her continued leadership in this area. We look forward to being a part of the Kids in Action again next year.

Thank you

As the term comes to an end, on behalf of the college, I would like to express our appreciation to the wider community for your continued support and encouragement of learning, events and co-curricular activities. We truly would not be successful without your help and dedication. All the best for the end of term break.

Take care and God Bless

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