Student Voice

Last week I took great delight in watching several short video clips that focused on the elements of plant and animal cells. There is something quite special about being able to ‘see’ what can only been seen under a microscope. Our Year 8 scientists continue to dive deep into some challenging concepts in a manner that evokes curiosity, collaboration and focused questioning. As Albert Einstein said, “The important thing is to never stop questioning”. As a place of learning, my hope is that all students at Pacific continue to ask questions to quench their thirst for new information and ways of doing things.

You may recall Dr Bronwyn Dolling’s explanation of this year’s theme, excellence through student agency and efficacy. Additionally, it is the attention we will continue to give to student voice that will support the foundations for building students’ agency and efficacy. Significantly, there has been a renewed focus on student leadership at the College and the microscope has been well and truly placed over this domain at Pacific. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of leadership at any level is to listen. Consequently, this message of listening to student voice will permeate across the College as our leaders settle into their respective roles. I encourage all students to channel their voices with purpose through the various leadership teams, including the Pacific Action Groups and Connect and Empower spiritual collectives.

Middle College Leadership

Recently the Year 6 leaders attended the GRIP Primary Leadership Conference at Venue 114. They spent the day with Year 6 leaders from 30 other schools learning about leadership, showing generosity and bringing leadership ideas to life. It was a fantastic interactive day with lots of fun activities and ideas about ways leaders can support their peers. Thank you to Mrs Linda Sydes for her leadership and organisation of this day and I look forward to working with a dynamic group of young people. Year 9 Student Leaders also had the privilege of attending an Ecumenical Service at Good Shepherd Lutheran College. The students represented the College with distinction and together prayed, sang, listened and connected with a broad range of student leaders from across the region.

Mission Australia Youth Survey 2019

The largest of its kind in Australia, the Mission Australia Youth Survey unpacks the responses of 15-19-year-old students across a range of areas. Mission Australia has placed the students’ responses under the microscope and determined that mental health was the most important issue in Australia. I encourage you all to take a look at the outcomes of the survey in more detail at (Mission Australia Youth Survey 2019). At Pacific, we also seek to understand what our student community is thinking across a range of areas and as such will conduct the Pacific as a Peace Place Survey towards the end of Term 1. The data we collect informs how we respond and educate key stakeholders in ensuring Pacific continues to be a place where students feel safe and included and can thrive.

Prep – Year 9 Disco

Please save the date for our upcoming Prep – Year 9 Disco on Friday 27^th March. Last year we attracted more than 400 students to the disco and this year should be just as popular. More details will be made available in the coming weeks.

Mr Ben Ryan, Director of Students