Principal's Log

There has been considerable commentary about the purposes and uses of NAPLAN in the media over the past month.  The detailed data returned to schools is one of the important pieces of information that teachers can use in conjunction with other information to identify areas of strength and development for individual students and cohorts.  Simplistic misuse and over emphasis on the data in the public arena and within schools can lead to a narrowing of curriculum that limits growth opportunities for other very important areas of learning. 

At Pacific we see the development of literacy and numeracy skills as one of the important areas for development alongside the development of understanding within and across other discipline areas, the development of 21^st century skills which includes the intentional nurturing of thinking and communication skills, creativity and social and emotional capacities and the fostering of personal wellbeing.

While there may be some question about the comparability of data generated by students who have completed the tests online compared to those who have completed it using paper, the data remains useful to us as a college to identify relative areas of strength within the cohort and for individuals. 

Pacific cohorts and individuals performed well with all year levels performing above and in many instances well above state and preliminary national means for all dimensions of the tests.  Of particular note has been the improved performances in writing across the College which has been an area of focus for us. We will forward individual reports to families once the reports reach the College.

We wish the PLC Thoroughbreds and the U11 PLC Palominos netball teams and the U11 Pacific Seals soccer team who have reached the finals of their respective Saturday competitions all the best as they compete this week.  We thank both parent groups who have led these clubs as coaches, managers, volunteers and supporters.  A particular thank you to Netball president Mr Trevor Colton and his committee and Mr Matt Gigney and his committee for their generosity in time and commitment to providing ongoing opportunities for young people to grow through engagement in these netball and soccer competitions.  All parents involved in these clubs play a very important role within our community and we thank you for your support.

We give a prayer of thanks for the role that Dads play within our families and community and wish all of our Dads a happy Father’s Day. 

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal