Principal's Log

Earlier this week we farewelled our Seishin students who had enjoyed a week at the College.  We thank our host families, shadow students, staff and general community for the hospitality they shared with the Seishin visitors.  We also welcome two Seishin students, Mone Shimizu and Ririko Wada who will become part of our community for the remainder of this term.  They will join two Rotary International Exchange students Chloe Mear (France) and Camilla Barstad (Norway) who we also welcome warmly.  We particularly thank Mrs Michiko Hauser for her leadership of the sister school exchanges with Seishin.  Her attention to detail, heart for hospitality and professional understanding of Japanese culture ensures that all students, staff and families have the opportunity for rich learning experiences through these exchanges.

We congratulate Mr Wes Warner on his selection by the Google Earth Outreach team to lead a group of educators from the Asia Pacific region to develop resources and provide professional development on the new Google Earth.  Last week he travelled to Silicon Valley to join other educators from around the world to develop resources.  We look forward to Mr Warner sharing his expertise within our community.

There were many high-quality performances from our musicians as individuals and as part of ensemble groups at this year’s Eisteddfods.  We congratulate all of our musicians and in particular Elizabeth Wegener and Eden Williams who placed third in the Under 18’s class, our Junior String Ensemble who also placed third, our Junior Voices who received a highly commended and the Brass Ensemble who performed very well.  We congratulate all of our musicians and thank our music staff very capably led by Mr Adrian King and Mrs Aleisha Tuaine.

We were excited to see our netball teams perform strongly at the Vicki Wilson Cup last week, playing with a good level of skill, tenacity and sportsmanship.  We congratulate all players and their coaches Mrs Michelle Dufty, Ms Leigh Finter and Ms Mel Pietrala for the growth in College netball over the year.  It was particularly pleasing to see the Junior Navy team coached by Mrs Michelle Dufty reach the semifinals.

At the end of this year Mr Brendan Delaney will finish his role as Director of Students and Head of Middle College students at the College.  Mr Delaney has given great service to this community through his roles as Head of House as Head of Middle College students and then nine years in the combined role as Director of Students and Head of Middle College Students.  He has had a significant role in the shaping of the College culture through his strong leadership of the restorative processes and the incorporation of positive psychology into the College.  We look forward to more fully acknowledging the significant role Mr Delaney has played in supporting staff, students and their families at the end of year.

Mr Adrian King will be retiring as Head of Instrumental Music after 11 years of leadership of the College’s instrumental program and prior to that over 15 years as Head of Music at St James Choir School in the United Kingdom at the end of Term 3 this year.  Mr King’s passion for music, professionalism and excellent musicianship has seen the instrumental program at Pacific Lutheran College go from strength to strength.  Mr King has also made a very significant contribution to the culture of music on the Sunshine Coast through his leadership of various community ensembles and events.  The College will continue to benefit from Mr King’s excellent musicianship through his ongoing association with the College’s music and performing arts program.

The College will be advertising for these two positions over the weekend. We express our deep appreciation to both men for the very significant role they have played and pray that as they transition to this next phase they will have a strong sense of fulfilment in having served the people of this community generously and with great capacity.

May God grant us generous hearts to continue to support others in community.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal