Compass No 458 - May 2017

It was also heartening to see many of our Year 12 students take on the challenge of the Cancer Council’s Relay For Life last weekend through their own initiative in what is a very busy time for them. Through their efforts, they raised over $1500. Over the past few weeks we have had a community focus on raising funds and collecting donations for the Salvation Army who provide considerable support for individuals and families who struggle to access the basics of life in our local area. We thank families for the large number of items they have donated and the students, parents and staff who will participate in the Red Shield Door Knock Appeal this weekend. Thank you to Mr Brendan Delaney, Miss Kim Stone and Mrs Leanne Bevis for their coordination of this initiative.

Well done to our volleyball and netball teams on the completion of their seasons. A particular mention to our Year 9 girls volleyball team and coaches, Mrs Marg Gunn and Mrs Deb Turner, for a strong season that saw them finish in third place. Well done also to our Senior B netball team coached by Mrs Mel Pietrala who reached the semi finals and narrowly lost to Mountain Creek in a tightly contested match. We thank all of our netball and volleyball coaches (netball: Ms Leigh Finter, Mrs Mel Pietrala, Miss Georgina Snelling and Sophia Rule; volleyball: Mr Mark Hauser, Mr Brett Kersnovske, Mrs Marg Gunn and Mrs Deb Turner) and Ms Leigh Finter for her coordination of the Pacific Monday night netball teams.

Congratulations to our cross country runners who finished fourth in the Years 7-12 and fifth in the Years 4-6 District Cross Country event held last Thursday. All of our students ran with good spirit and can be proud of their efforts. We wish those students who have been selected to represent the district in the upcoming regional carnival all the best. Thank you to Mr Brett Kersnovske, Mr Darren Hooper, Mrs Natalie Campbell and Mr Stuart Pohlner for their leadership and development of these teams. 

This weekend we will be advertising for teachers to replace Mrs Holly Humphrey who has resigned to take up further study in the learning support area, Mrs Julie Darr who will be taking long service leave during Terms 3 and 4 and our teacher librarian Ms Nell Keen who will be taking maternity leave from mid-August this year. We appreciate the service given by these women to this community and wish them well as they prepare for the exciting changes ahead of them in the coming weeks. We will formally express our thanks to each of them as they move into the next phase of their lives.

May God give us generous hearts to support those in need. We pray for the families of people affected by the bombing in Manchester and for all people in the world who are affected by conflict and war.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal

Negative Habits of Mind greatly fuel emotional discomfort. These negative habits of mind include self-downing, the need to be perfect, the need for approval, the ‘I can’t do it’ or ‘I can’t be bothered’ mindsets and being intolerant of others. This week, I would like to continue sharing some strategies from the You Can Do It Program, which may help eliminate or balance these negative mindsets.

The need for approval can be detrimental to a child developing resilience.

To Eliminate ‘Needing Approval’

In order to help a child who is overly concerned with what others think about them, you should find an opportunity to explain that while it is nice to be liked and approved of, you do not need the approval of teachers or friends all the time. The following should be communicated:

“There are very few things we actually need in life and these include food, shelter and clothing. It may feel like we cannot stand it when someone disapproves of something we did or that it is the worst thing in the world to be teased or criticised. However, it is important to know that while it is not pleasant, it is something that you can put up with and survive.”  

You should emphasise to your child that while it is preferable to try to be accepted and approved of, it is equally important to be ‘independent’ and to try new things even if others think you are silly. Try to eliminate your child’s dependency on seeking your assistance with schoolwork and their fear of being criticised for not having done it well enough.

Suggestions to eliminate your child’s needs for approval include:

• Encourage your child to complete his/her schoolwork independently. If your child has a question, you should use the Praise, Prompt and Leave procedure (e.g. say something positive about what you child knows or has done, provide a brief prompt about the next step and then walk away).
• Recognise your child when they complete work independently.
• Teach your child not to judge or evaluate his/her work until after a certain period of time.
• Don’t give your child too much attention when he/she expresses negative feelings about work.
• Encourage your child to participate in social activities, rather than avoid them.
• Acknowledge your child when he/she has ‘survived’ being in social situations he/she experienced as stressful. Say: “See, you are strong enough to put up with unpleasantness”.

Mr David Druery, Head of Staff and Students P-5

In April, the Sunshine Coast University Hospital officially opened to the public. Pacific has scheduled a stop in the precinct at the bus stop behind the private hospital. If you would like to take advantage of this stop, please contact the Business Office for further details.

Mr Mike Healy, Business Manager

On Monday 8^th May, six Year 11 Business Management students travelled to QUT Caboolture to enter into the QUT School Business competition.  Students competed against 20 other local high schools by reviewing a real-world case study on Aussie World. They had to analyse the problem and develop three key initiatives to attract more 13-20 year olds to the theme park. Students prepared a report for management and presented a 6-8 minute video to a panel of leading local business experts and QUT Business School representatives.

Our team’s three key initiatives focused on the entertainment section of the theme park. These included booking more touring bands and local bands on a regular basis, providing shuttle buses from Maroochydore and Caloundra when these events were on and connecting the skirmish centre with the local high schools to create a school league. The communication strategy to involve the 13 to 20 year olds involved CFM. Throughout the day the students learnt a lot about marketing and consumer behaviour

Students received a participation award and a $500 scholarship to attend QUT Business School when they graduate from Pacific. I am very proud of how the students conducted themselves throughout the day and the way they applied themselves to new work that they had not seen.

Mr Wes Warner, Head of Business Education

Last Thursday, the Junior College production held their first rehearsal for ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’. Both staff and students were very excited to begin the rehearsal journey together. We look forward to bringing this classic story to the stage in October. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for our ‘Meet the Cast’ series.

Mrs Laura Bonner and Miss Anita Morton

Congratulations to Year 7 student Tim Bange who has been selected in the Sunshine Coast U12 Touch Football Team. The team was selected from seven district teams and will travel to Ipswich from 17^th – 20^th August to play in the State Championships. The district team that Tim was part of finished a close second to Caboolture at the regional carnival and also won the team shootout challenge trophy for the third consecutive year.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Junior Sport

Pacific Lutheran College is fundraising with Entertainment™ again this year. Order your NEW 2017 | 2018 Entertainment™ Books and Entertainment™ Digital Memberships today and 20% of the proceeds will go towards Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre! To order your book or digital membership, visit: https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/230p536.