Students P-5

Collaborating with compassion.

Over the last two weeks, our nation has been transfixed as the Olympics has once again captivated our nation. We have marvelled at the athletes’ skill levels and the backstory of individuals and of nations. What is always evident in any high-level tournament is the level of collaboration and teamwork necessary for any given team to succeed at a high level.

 At this week’s assembly, we considered how we collaborate with compassion in the outdoors and how our words and actions build positivity within any group. When faced with new challenges, language and attitude inform others of our priorities for them and ourselves. Quite often, when we sense inner weakness, we deflect through unkind actions and or words. Regularly, when playing and interacting outside, young people can become fixated on their skills and individual talents rather than the competencies involved in collaboration, thinking that 90% of success is talent, 10% collaboration and hard work, or what they can do, rather than who they are. As we move through life, we know the opposite to be true.

Commitment to the cause through positive actions carries far more kudos for those around us. As our young people engage in the outdoors, in structured and unstructured experiences, we are prioritising the commitment of collaboration through positive thoughts, words and actions. By developing our individual competencies, we positively embrace the teaching embodied in our “Learning Together” pillar.

Service in action

Over the past weeks, the P-5 community has supported and been exposed to several initiatives from Middle College students involved in the Pacific Plus Extension Program. The Pacific Plus students introduced their original idea of providing travel buddies for children on extended absences due to illness or circumstances. This is an excellent example of service in action and a tangible way for our young people to see how a small action can make a big difference.  As a College, we thank the Pacific Plus team for thinking about and developing this project, and we look forward to being involved in more projects in the future.

Our Year 5 “Kids in Action” team are busy preparing their presentations for their upcoming conference. This year’s theme of HEAR on Country: Are you listening? encourages schools and their student delegates to be curious in exploring their own personal relationship and responsibility to Country and each other, to create a promise of connection and care.

The KIA team has also been responsible for forming the Environmental Eagles group, promoting the removal of rubbish and waste around the college. This group has championed the individual responsibility of all in how we dispose of our waste. It is a common sight for our Foundation and Junior students to freely give their time to eradicate waste in the college grounds.

We are looking forward to our annual book week next Monday and special thanks must go to our hardworking library team for their planning of author visits last week, and exciting activities in the library space each day this week. Thank you to the wider community for the time and effort you have invested in this day and we look forward to experiencing the many exciting costumes on the day!

Year One Excursion

This term, our Year One cohort has been investigating life in bygone eras. As part of this learning, students have been researching artefacts, toys, and clothing from yesteryear and comparing them to how these have changed into what we see and wear today. Earlier this term, the students dressed themselves to match these eras, and last Friday, as part of a lived experience, the students visited the Caboolture Historical Village, which contains many examples and experiences that have been part of the past. From all reports, the students were amazed that phones were so big and that cameras were actually a thing and not part of a device! Thank you to Year One staff for organising such a rich learning opportunity.

Attendance and student absentees

As a crucial part of the safety and well-being of students, all absences involving students require formal notification through our P-5 reception. This includes late arrivals that occur after our official commencement of school at 8:25 am. We ask that all parents and carers sign their children in after this time, and if a need arises for students to leave the campus before 3:00 pm, we ask that this procedure is also followed. The adhesion to this policy ensures we are aware of all students and their whereabouts on the college grounds.

Take care, and God Bless.

Mr Damian Davis, Head of Staff and Students P-5