Principal's Log

The final celebrations for our 2020 graduates were uplifting. Warmth and appreciation permeated all three graduation events. Throughout the Graduation, Year 12 Chapel, Guard of Honour and the Formal there was strong positive energy as graduates, their families, staff and students celebrated their journey. We thank our community for the way they have again creatively adapted to changed conditions to celebrate with our graduates. We congratulate and wish our graduates all the best in the next phase of their journey. We thank everyone for the part they have played in the support of our 2020 graduates through their journey and their final celebrations. We particularly thank Mr Mark Hauser and Mrs Leanne Bevis for the coordination of the graduation activities.

Congratulations to Year 6 student Phoebe Shearer who has won the Year 5-6 investigation division of the UQ Science Competition with a project about making her own aquaponics eco-system. She has also won an Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology bursary to continue with her investigations. These bursaries were highly competitive with only four being awarded to Prep - Year 12 students across Queensland. As a winner of the state competition, Phoebe was then nominated to enter the primary division of the national BHP Science and Engineering Awards where she is now one of 24 finalists from across Australia. We congratulate Phoebe on this outstanding achievement and look forward to hearing the results of the competition, when they are announced in February 2021. Well done to all Year 6 students who were entered into the competition and thank you to Mrs Linda Sydes for her leadership and inspiration in supporting our Year 6 students to engage in rich science learning.

We also congratulate Amelia Nightingale who has been awarded both the Bronze Certificate and the Silver Certificate in the ASDAN International Academic Awards. ASDAN awards are international awards, following the same structure as Duke of Edinburgh awards, but are based on community involvement and academic endeavour to foster self-confidence, self-awareness and an understanding of how to be a successful learner. Amelia has focused on a number of areas, working on the challenges at home, in her recreational activities and at school. Thank you to Mrs Jo Belchamber, Ms Kate Vaney, Mrs Colleen Beattie, Mrs Ceilidh King, Ms Roslyn Grewar and Mrs Janine Delaney for their support of Amelia. She has also been awarded a QCE point for her endeavours.

This week, we celebrated the growth and talent of our music students through a range of concerts, held both live and virtually. On Monday evening, our Senior Ensembles Concert was held in the gym while links to our Junior / Middle Ensembles Concert, Year 3-4 Strings Concert and Year 5-6 Multi-Instrumental Concert were emailed to families. Well done to all students on their enthusiasm and growth this year. The senior ensembles concert was an excellent showcase of talent. In a year where performances in the Arts have been limited, it was a delight to be entertained by our musicians. Thank you to our students and staff for the considerable time they have given in continuing to enhance the quality of music at the College. In particular, we thank Mrs Aleisha Tuaine, Mrs Helen Williams, Mr David Simpfendorfer and the instrumental tutors for their leadership of music at the College.

At years end we will farewell Head of Mumba House, Mr Damien Evans. Mr Evans has played an important role in the initial incorporation of digital technology into learning and in supporting students through his role as Year 7 teacher and Head of Mumba House. We wish him all the best as he takes on the role of Director of Learning and Innovation at Trinity Lutheran College, Mildura. We will also farewell Visual Art teacher Dr Kym Rodgers who is going to devote her time to her career as an artist, on both a local and international platform. She contributed strongly to the shaping of the Visual Art curriculum at Pacific. Dr Rodgers (Tabulo) has provided a unique opportunity for students to engage in and explore art through her research of abstract comics. We celebrate that she will continue as the Department’s artist in residence for 2021, providing further opportunities for students creative-thinking.

We also farewell contract teachers, Dr Ashwita Venkatesh, Ms Emma Angel, Mrs Jess Baker and Mrs Gina McCarthy. Dr Venkatesh has formed strong bonds with her Middle and Senior College students who have valued her strong encouragement and care. Ms Angel has supported our Prep students to grow as she has nurtured them as learners across all dimensions of their lives. Mrs Baker worked effectively with our Junior and Middle College HPE students to grow their skills and also provided assistance to the Sport Department at various carnivals throughout the year. Mrs McCarthy provided strong support to Middle and Senior College Design students who greatly benefitted from her experience as an architect. We express our deep appreciation to Dr Venkatesh, Ms Angel, Mrs Baker and Mrs McCarthy for their strong contribution to our community and wish them every blessing for the future.

We thank Mrs Wendy Wescombe and Mr Alex O’Connor who have capably led the Middle and Senior College Mathematics Departments this year. They can both be proud of the growth they have supported and we look forward to their ongoing contribution to the College as leaders within our community.

In 2021 we look forward to welcoming Ms Patricia Hosking as Head of Mathematics who has previously been Head of Mathematics at St Aidan's Anglican Girls School and The Southport School and the Principal Stem Advisor (Teacher in Residence) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT); Mr Gregg Elliot as an Art teacher who has had extensive experience as the Head of Visual Art at Nudgee College, worked within the QCAA as a Senior Education Officer (Art) and is currently at Immanuel Lutheran College as the Year 12 Coordinator and an Art teacher; Mrs Abigail Blessing as a Mathematics and Science teacher who was previously a STEM advisor for QUT and has taught extensively in the United Kingdom and Australia; and Miss Kathryn Eccles as a Foundation College teacher who has 10 years experience teaching in the early years at a number of schools.

We wish Head of Learning Middle College Mrs Rae Hall, every blessing as she takes some very well earned long service leave in Term 1 of next year and congratulate Mrs Jo Belchamber who will have the dual role of Acting Head of Learning Middle College and Head of Learning Enrichment for Term 1 of next year. We also wish Junior College teacher Mrs Leonie Prout every blessing as she takes a year of leave in 2021. We also congratulate Mr Josh Danzey who has been appointed as the Head of Mumba House from the start of 2021 and look forward to welcoming Mrs Marnie Whittaker and Mrs Susie Naidu back from maternity leave.

We thank Mrs Allyson Sarvari for her strong service to our community through her role on the Friends of Pacific. Allyson has been a passionate supporter of the College and been very generous with her time for 16 years, hosting food and drink stalls at athletic and surf carnivals, carol evenings, Open Days and of course, the biannual OCEANfests. She has been a driving force behind our volunteer triathlon crews, the legendary Golf Days, as well as many other external community activities. We also thank Mrs Erin Carter for her support of the College through generous sponsorship and various roles on the Friends of Pacific Executive. We thank both these women and wish them every blessing for the future.

As the academic year comes to a close, we look forward to celebrating the Year 9 Rite Journey Homecoming, Year 3-5 Academic Awards Ceremony, K-5 Christmas Carols and Closing Services with families over the coming days. Parents are encouraged to continue monitoring their emails for details of these events.

2020 has been an extraordinary year that has provided tremendous opportunities for growth. We can be proud of the role that we have each played as staff, students and parents in enhancing a culture that supports young people to grow richly. Thank you for all you have given and been for each other. God has blessed us richly through the people of this community.

May God continue to bless us richly and keep us safe over the Christmas break. God Bless!

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal