Principal's Log

We welcome everyone back to the start of Term 4 and thank our families for the thoughtful way you have adjusted to the change in the car park arrangements.  The flow of traffic through the upper car park is working surprisingly well in the mornings and the afternoons with the movement of P-2 students being assisted by staff and middle and senior college students.  You are asked to be especially vigilant when driving and reversing in the grassed parking space to ensure student safety.  Builders and engineers are working to develop a revised construction strategy which we expect will happen quite quickly.  Works however will continue to be delayed by wet weather and so we anticipate that the car park will be closed for a number of weeks.  We have approached the Sunshine Coast Council re access to the Meridan Fields through Red Cedar Drive but they were unable to accommodate this request due to planning restrictions.   The changes to routines, great support from staff and students and your patience and cooperation have assisted in reducing the impact of the lack access to the P-2 car park. 

This Saturday morning, College Council members, staff, students and members of the Friends of Pacific Executive will be involved in a consultative process as part of our strategic planning process for the next four years.  Staff, student and parent feedback provided through the Quality Schools Survey, Annual Review, Pacific As a Peace Place Audit and the Focus group sessions at the end of last term will also inform the strategic planning process. 

Mrs Anthea Brighton, our Head of Learning Enrichment P-5, has accepted a position at the Australian International School in Singapore and Mrs Natasha Purcell, our Careers Counsellor a position at Good Shepherd Lutheran College for next year.  At the end of the year we will more fully thank both Mrs Brighton and Mrs Purcell for the strong service they have given to our community and the significant difference they have made in the lives of many young people and their families.   We will be advertising for both of these positions over the weekend.

I am pleased to announce that Mr Ben Ryan will be our new Director of Students from the start of 2019.  Mr Ryan comes to us from St Augustines in Sydney where he has had the roles as a Student Formation Leader of Year 7, 8 and 9 students.  He has also had experience in schools in Western Australia and the United Kingdom.  Mr Ryan is a keen sportsman and involved in outdoor education within his school.  He will spend a number of days familiarising himself with Pacific in Term 4 before he and his family move to the Sunshine Coast over the holidays.

There has been tremendous energy and enthusiasm as staff and students have been rehearsing for the Shrek musical over the past term.  The sneak preview of Shrek that we enjoyed on assembly early this week indicates that it will be a very entertaining show that people of all ages will enjoy.  Tickets will be on sale from Friday of this week through The Events Centre online box office, more information can be found at - www.theeventscentre.com.au/whats-on/how-to-book/ or phone 5491 4240. We wish Directors Mrs Kristy Astwick, Mr Steve Lake and cast and crew all the best as they complete their final rehearsals in the coming weeks and encourage families to invite family and friends to what promises to be a very entertaining and talent filled production.

We look forward to welcoming back our Year 5 students and staff from camp and wish our Year 6 students and staff all the best for their time in Canberra.

May we all have eyes, ears and hearts ready to respond to the opportunities to serve.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal