Principal's Log

It is good to see young people engaging in the full rhythm of school with students participating in early morning and afternoon music ensemble practices, sports training and matches as well as engaging in a variety of other activities and competitions.

I commend the article on Thinking Routines written by Head of K-5 Learning Mrs Sue Zweck as one that is useful to give insight into the learning at the College. The intentional development and making different types of thinking visible is important throughout the whole of the learning journey at Pacific.

Year 12 students are completing trial examinations over this next three week period. The examinations, which are being completed under similar conditions as their final external examinations, will consolidate test awareness and highlight areas for further focus in their study. Year 10 and Middle College students are also completing assessment through this period. It is important that all students maintain regular study habits and a steady, calm approach to revision as they prepare for these assessments and then use the feedback provided as a stimulus for ongoing learning. We wish all students the best for their preparation and engagement and learning through these assessments.

Our team of senior debaters have performed very well, winning all but one of their debates. They now look forward to competing in the finals and honing their skills even further. We congratulate Noah Beasley, Alexander Jose and Lachlan Buchanan and wish them all the best as they work towards the finals later this term. A particular thank you to Mrs Ceilidh King and Mr Alex O’Connor for coaching these students.

It was good to see and hear the start of our Open Boys rugby game against Good Shepherd Lutheran College last night. I was impressed with the teamwork, skill and sportsmanship on display. It was the first time for many years that we have had a senior boys team play at the College and they can be proud of their performance. After being down at half time, the boys fought back to be within one point at the end of the game. Well done to our boys and to coach Mr Josh Cummins.

Our basketball teams have again had a successful season, with four of our six senior teams progressing to the semi finals. We congratulate all of our basketball players and wish those in the semi finals all the best. Thank you to Mr Mark Hauser and his team of coaches.

Well done to our three CyberTaipan teams who participated in round two of the competition last Friday. Over a six hour period, Senior College students worked in their teams to analyse three different systems online using the WebEx platform. Against 87 other teams from around Australia, our teams performed well, placing in the middle of the scoreboard at the conclusion of the competition. Thank you to Mrs Janine Stone for her leadership of this experience.

We say a prayer of thanks for the Dads and men in our community. We pray that God continues to encourage and give joy to our men in all of the different roles they fulfil including the special role of fatherhood.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal