Principal's Log

We congratulate Year 9 student Joseph Higginson who has successfully completed a Senior Astronomy Course through the University of Southern Queensland. Joseph is the youngest student to have completed this 12-month course. Well done to Joseph on this outstanding academic achievement.

Over the weekend, the KidsFORKids Concert was held at Aussie World to raise funds for two Sunshine Coast children undergoing cancer treatment, including our Year 10 student Declan Walker. Pacific student Sam Aitkin and his brother Tim, of Hoo8hoo, along with a number of their peers, initiated this successful community event. We are pleased to report that $20,060 was raised, which will be split equally between the Walker and Harry families. Thank you to our community for supporting this very worthwhile cause.

On Saturday, it was exciting to watch the PLC Fillies win their grand final match by taking the lead for the first time with three seconds remaining on the clock. It took great heart to come from six goals behind at half time. The girls can be proud of the good spirit and teamwork they showed and we thank coach and manager Mrs Dee-Anne Gorham for her support of this team. PLC Netball Club then celebrated their growth this season at the presentations on Sunday. We thank all of our netball parents for their support, the players and umpires and the committee of Mrs Julie Hoffman, Mrs Bianca Moffitt and Mrs Sophie McKenzie. It has been good to see the growth this year in our netball club.

It was exciting to hear that our Senior B Girls and Senior B Boys touch teams also won their grand finals last night. What pleased me most was the report that they played with great spirit and sportsmanship and represented themselves and the College well. Well done to our touch players and thank you to coaches Mr Darren Lawrence, Mr Andrew Block and Mr Kurt Jones.

As a College we also recognise the very significant contribution of Mr Ian Barnes who has been President of Pacific Soccer for the past six years. We thank Ian for his generosity of time and spirit and his calm, kind and good-humoured leadership of the soccer club, which has seen it grow from strength to strength. I encourage everyone to read the tribute from the Pacific Soccer Club at the lead of their article this week. We appreciate that Ian will remain as a support for the incoming President and Vice President as his son Isaac completes Year 12 next year.

Next term we will be welcoming returning teachers Mrs Wendy Wescombe and Mrs Shelley Hogan from maternity leave and Mr Darren Hooper, Mr Terry Clark and Mrs Amanda Empson from long service leave. We thank Mr Brian Ashley, Mr Kurt Jones, Mr Scott Massie, Mrs Lara Stiller and Mrs Belinda Vivash for their leadership of young people’s learning in their time at the College and wish them every blessing for the future. We also thank Mrs Natalie Campbell who has done an outstanding job in Mr Hooper’s absence as the Acting Head of Junior Sport in addition to her normal role.

Next term our Director of Teaching and Learning Ms Sue Arahill and Middle and Senior College Biology and Science Teacher Mrs Gisela Hohls will be taking long service leave. We thank both of these ladies for their very significant contribution as very capable leaders and teachers of learning and wish them a well-earned time of fun, rest and rejuvenation. Mrs Rae Hall will become the Acting Director of Teaching and Learning while retaining her current role of Head of Middle College Teaching and Learning. Ms Rebecca Ross who has worked with Ms Arahill in recent years to check and finalise the Year 12 certification processes will take on a new role of Acting Head of Senior College Studies while also retaining her role as Head of Science. Mr Jeff Goodwin will teach Ms Arahill’s Year 12 Maths C class and Mr Luke Dutney will be teaching Mrs Hohl’s classes.

Our Head of Humanities Mrs Elley Wood is taking maternity leave from the start of next term. We thank Mrs Wood for her professional and capable leadership of student learning and wish her and her partner John, God’s richest blessings as they move into this new exciting phase of their lives. Mrs Tina Cox will be the Acting Head of English and Humanities in Mrs Wood’s absence and Ms Alisha Janssen will be the Acting Head of Middle College Humanities. Mr Terry Rubesaame will be teaching Mrs Wood’s classes in Term 4. 

Our College Nurse Ms Sharon Dean is taking up the opportunity to take on a new role from the start of next term. We are delighted for Ms Dean that she has the opportunity to expand her career. We thank Ms Dean for her care of students, staff and their families in her time here as College Nurse and thank her for the leadership she provided in enhancing the policies and procedures for a very high quality health care space within our College. 

Over the holiday break families will be receiving a letter from me providing details about arrangements for next term and next year. It is important that families read this carefully. This will include details of changes to pedestrian movement as a result of roadworks being conducted by Main Roads near the College from the start of next term. Families are also encouraged to read the Upcoming Roadwork and Changes to Pedestrian Traffic Near the College notice in this newsletter and plan for the changes occurring next term.

We give thanks to God for the rich blessings he provides to this community and for the people of Pacific. Over the school break, we trust that you all enjoy time with family and friends and for those who have holidays, a time of rejuvenation. Thank you for your gifts of time and support.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal