Principal's Log

Final offers are soon to be made to the Year 12 cohort of 2017, for the start of 2018. We congratulate and celebrate with each of them on their achievements, including Olivia McCluskey, Alli Whitmore and Paige Layfield who each attained an OP 1. As a cohort they performed very well, with 62 of the 80 students (77.5%) being OP eligible, compared to the state average of approximately 50%. Of the Pacific cohort, 99% completed QCE, VET or SAT qualifications. The performance across OP 1-5 was particularly strong with 29% of our OP eligible students achieving this result, compared to the state average of 22%. 

Students have been successful in moving into diverse pathways. These include Olivia McCluskey gaining entry into the highly competitive course in medicine offered for the first time on the Sunshine Coast. Olivia is one of five Sunshine Coast students to be accepted into the group of 20. Other students were accepted into physiotherapy, veterinary science, fine arts, highly competitive theatre performance courses, business and economics, psychology, creative arts, law, health and apprenticeships in electro-technology and construction. Some of these stories have been featured on our Facebook page. As well as being well equipped with academic and vocational skills and understandings, each of these young men and women takes forward important learnings about values and social emotional capacities that will stand them in good stead to make a difference in their various vocations. We look forward to hearing about each of their onward journeys.

Year 7 students have been enjoying their time away on camp and will appreciate the forecast cooler weather towards the end of the week. This is an important time for students from different backgrounds to get to know each other and form new connections. Time is also spent on helping young people to get to know themselves better, including who they are in relationship to others and to God and to appreciate their natural surrounds. Experiencing different types of outdoor leisure activities also enriches young people. We look forward to hearing great stories on their return and thank Mr Andrew Block, Mrs Leah Croke, Miss Alisha Janssen, Mr Nick Tait and Dr Peter McMahon, along with past students who have acted as leaders on this experience.

The Year 7 camp is the final outdoor experience organised by Dr Peter McMahon before our new Head of Outdoor Education, Mr Nick Tait takes over this responsibility. Dr Peter McMahon’s tremendous passion and generosity of spirit has enabled him to develop a unique outdoor education program that has enriched the lives of both adults and students since he joined the College in 2004. We celebrate with him what he has achieved and thank him for his service to the people of this community as Head of Outdoor Education. We all look forward to the benefits he will continue to bring to many in his continuing role as Head of Bula House.

We thank Year 11 and Prep – Year 5 parents and students who took the opportunity to learn more about their next phase of learning through attendance at the parent information evenings this week. The valuable information shared, helps strengthen the partnership between teachers, parents and students in optimising young people’s learning outcomes across all dimensions of their lives. We thank our staff for their leadership of these evenings.

Congratulations to all Year 3-6 students who participated very well in their Swim Carnival today. Their enthusiasm and house spirit was not dampened by the weather as they engaged in healthy, spirited competition. We thank Mr Darren Hooper and Mrs Natalie Campbell for their organisation and adaptability in staging a successful carnival in changing conditions. Thank you to all parents who attended and to staff for fulfilling their roles well and contributing to the success of the carnival.

The installation of large fans in the gym this week has been greatly appreciated by staff and students. This was the final phase of the College’s temperature control strategy for our existing spaces. We thank the Friends of Pacific for their contribution to the purchase of the fans. Smiling faces emerging from the gym have told a great story.

We pray for God’s guidance in helping each of us to respond thoughtfully to the situations we encounter.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal