What does pastoral care look like at Pacific?

A few years ago, the senior design students were challenged to design a logo that encompassed the essence of what Pastoral Care looks like at Pacific. Mikaela Swan’s design was selected, after votes from students and staff were considered.

As the logo reflects, Pastoral Care is a combination of methodology, research and interpersonal skill building. The imagery of interconnected community reminds us that Pastoral Care is a collective experience and for us to flourish in this journey, we are reliant on each other.

At the centre of the logo lies the empty cross. This intentional placement reminds us that our connections, choices and processes are performed with Christ guiding us. We can hang our disagreements and troubles on the cross, safe in the knowledge that we build strength through weakness.

Central to the logo are our three core values of ‘Care, Dignity and Respect’. At assemblies this term, we will continue investigating and explaining what these words mean to us as community.

Last Monday, I spoke to Prep – Year 5 students about ‘Care’ and how we exhibit care. After visiting several learning spaces for guidance, we decided that Care at Pacific falls into three main areas; care for the environment, care for others and care for self.

Perhaps the most insightful statement came from a Year 5 student who summed up our thinking: “Care at Pacific is bigger than one person. It is about being part of something bigger than yourself. When we care for each other, we make the world a better place”.

Stopping the Snowball

At assembly, we have also been discussing how we can stop problems that we encounter from becoming bigger. I used the analogy of a snowball rolling down a hill. When a snowball starts, it begins small and is easily stopped. However, if left unchecked, a snowball grows, becoming unstoppable and eventually damaging everything in its wake. Luckily there are many techniques we can use to stop a problem from growing into an uncontrollable snowball.

One such tool is the ‘high five hand’ (Speak Friendly, Speak Firmly, Ignore, Walk Away, Report). Students are reminded that if they are involved in or witness problems, they have a range of strategies to call on that aim to solve potential issues between students. The ‘high five hand’ provides quick and easy strategies to solve problems proactively.

Ride2School Day

National Ride2School Day is next Friday 13^th March and we encourage our students to get involved! Using active travel to get to and from school means:

• children arrive at school feeling more alert and ready to learn;
• there are fewer cars on our local streets, which improves road safety around our school; and
• it helps students to achieve their recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity each day.

The Sunshine Coast Council is offering great prizes this Ride2School Day, including bike shop vouchers valued at $500, $200 and $100. To go in the draw, register your children online before 5.00pm on Friday 13^th March. Children can ride, scoot or skate to be eligible.

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

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