Principal's Log

It has been great to watch the Year 12 students finish this week as they have completed a labyrinth walk with Pastor Rick Zweck and created a canvas tile with Mrs Denise McMahon. They have also learnt about a variety of topics from external presenters including personal safety from the Red Frogs team, wellbeing and health from Headspace and medical personnel, investments from the Commonwealth Bank, travel issues from the Students Travel Association and legal matters from Queensland Police. This week has been an important mix of rites of passage and information helpful for the next phase of their lives. Well done to all Year 12 students for the way they have engaged in the week and to Miss Kim Stone for her organisation of a very worthwhile program. We look forward to the Graduation Service, Chapel and Formal over the coming days.

This week, students across Years 4 to 12 also enjoyed the Sports Awards where former Australian Rugby League player, Trevor Gillmeister, spoke about the importance of work ethic in all aspects of life. Students took a lot from his presentation that included the need for persistence, the importance of serving others through involvement in charities, respecting people equally and to live with courage in the face of adversity. Mr Darren Hooper, Mr Mark Hauser and Mrs Natalie Campbell organised a very polished and enjoyable presentation ceremony and we thank them and all team coaches for their leadership of sport this year. Well done to all students for their generous support of team sport throughout the year. It has been a year of considerable growth. 

The final vocal and piano concert on Tuesday afternoon saw students showcase their talent in very high quality performances. Well done to all students and to Mr Adrian King and the instrumental teachers for nurturing the growth of students’ musical talent.   

Our Year 6 and 7 robotics teams also performed very well at the First Lego League competition at Grace Lutheran College, Redcliffe over the weekend. There were over 40 teams involved with each being required to present a research project, complete programming challenges and answer design and programming questions from a panel. Our Year 6 team were presented with the Teamwork Award. We thank Mr Andrew Block and Mrs Toni Fisher for the leadership of these teams and congratulate our team members for representing themselves and the college well.

The Friends of Pacific Annual General Meeting provided the opportunity for us to thank the Friends of Pacific committee for the service they have given to the college for 2015. We deeply appreciate the role that the committee members have played in providing connection with our college community. This year, President Mrs Tracey Hindmarsh, Vice President Mrs Allyson Sarvari, Treasurer Mrs Sanet Strong, Secretary Mrs Kath Barry and Fund Raising Coordinator Mrs Mel Pollack capably led the committee. We were pleased to see committee members being prepared to continue in their roles and being elected to these positions for 2016.

We pray for all people of the world affected by conflict and that God would bring peace into the hearts of people so that all are able to see and value our common humanity. We pray that God would bestow life’s richest blessings on our Year 12 students and their families as they journey forward.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal