Principal's Log

Pacific Lutheran College was one of 16 schools selected by Independent Schools Queensland to participate in the ISQ Curriculum Innovation IDEAS EXCHANGE in Brisbane.  Each school was given 10 minutes to pitch their idea to university and industry representatives as well as share ideas with other schools. Our Head of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Business, Mr Wes Warner and I were delighted to showcase student learning in the Year 9 and 10 STEM elective subjects.  Learning in these subjects involve students developing and solving problems utilising cross curricular learning in the areas of digital technology including robotics, underwater drone technology and the designing and building of bionic hands, mathematics, environmental science and optics. 

We have begun conversations with one industry partner who valued the way in which the skills of innovation, critical thinking, collaboration, entrepreneurship, communication and problem setting were integral parts of these learning experiences.   We thank Mrs Marnie Whittaker, Mrs Claire Richards and Mr Wes Warner for their innovative leadership and our Heads of Department in the areas of Science, Information Technology, Industrial Technology and Mathematics who have worked collaboratively with our team to shape rich learning.

As part of our process of capturing where we are, every two years, staff, students and parents are invited to participate in the Quality Schools Survey conducted by Lutheran Education Australia.  All students across Years 5-12, all staff and all parents will have the opportunity to complete this survey. 

The survey provides very important information for the future planning of the College, including the shaping of our strategic plan which is due for renewal this year.  Parents involved in the survey will have received an email this week from Dr Jean Thompson at surveys@radii.org (Research Australia Development and Innovation Institute).  All families are encouraged to take this opportunity to contribute to the shaping of the College’s forward thinking.

As well as possessing capacities for creativity, critical thinking, communication, entrepreneurship, innovation, digital proficiency and social emotional capabilities students also need high levels of skills in literacy and numeracy.  Engagement with NAPLAN provides Pacific and our parents with useful data in this one dimension of schooling at an individual and cohort level.  We wish our Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students involved in these tests next week all the best.

To all of the wonderful Mothers  - Happy Mother's Day!  I hope you all enjoy being celebrated and appreciated this weekend.  Thank you for being an integral part of our school community.

May God grant us the insight and humility to walk graciously together into new hope filled futures.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal