Compass No. 537 June 2019

Possessing grit is one of the key determining factors for success. Learning through disappointment and keeping eyes set on long term goals are important habits of mind to develop. People with grit have the emotional stamina to keep going when others give up. Having the mindset of ‘I haven’t achieved this yet’ keeps our minds focused on what can be done. At the end of semester, we see results from assessments, competitions, performances and other changes around us. Having a growth mindset means we can stand back from situations, switch down emotional reactiveness and focus on positive next steps. In our families, friendships, community groups and workplaces, we can encourage grit in each other by focusing on what we have learnt and what can be done. Ash Barty modelled great grit last week in her semi-final match of the French Open where, after being 5-0 up in the first set and losing it 7-6 in a tie break, she went on to win the match. Ash had the mental strength and grit to switch down the negative voices and focus on playing each next point well. 

Life is filled with challenges and opportunities. God does not take these away from us. We grow grit and character by learning with humility through both. God promises that He walks with us through all of the circumstances of life. We can pray for His strength and guidance and let go of our fears and frustrations. We can step forward boldly.

As a College, we have been exploring the family boundaries thread. This week, I have focused on the fact that parents are always aware of their children’s whereabouts. A parent’s job is to know and be concerned about their child’s whereabouts and wellbeing. But how do parent’s do this as their child begins maturing and becomes more independent?

There is a great story about a young teenage boy who did not let his parents know where he was going one day. The family was on holidays in the city and were about to travel home. The boy’s parents were so engrossed in what they were doing that at first, they did not notice that their teenager wasn’t with them. The teenager didn’t text, message or contact his parents to let them know where he was. He was busy doing his own thing, oblivious to not being with his family. Sometime later, the parents realised their son was missing and went on an anxious search to find him. They were worried, but finally, they found him. If you are the parent of a teenager, has this scenario ever happened to you? If it has, you have something in common with Joseph and Mary, the earthly parents of Jesus. This is the only story we have recorded in the Bible of Jesus’ teenager years; the story of a rebellious teenager crossing family boundaries and not letting his parents know where he was.

As teenagers get older and become more social, spending time away from home with friends, boundaries can get pushed and tensions build. Parents can get anxious about the safety and whereabouts of their teenagers. Some of the questions that are often asked at these times are; “When are you coming home? Who are you going out with? Where are you going?”. Older teenagers can feel like they are being bugged by their parents, but parents and caregivers simply want to know they are safe. Family boundaries regarding the whereabouts of children are necessary and might sometimes need to be negotiated as teenagers mature. When mistakes are made and trust is eroded by poor choices and dishonesty, it takes time to rebuild. However, families are the best place to practice forgiveness by encouraging acknowledgment of mistakes, model forgiveness and learn how to rebuild trust in difficult and tricky relationships.

A prayer for families; Lord God, families can be messy places to grow up. Give our parents and family members forgiveness as we live together, learning to love one another and be at peace in our relationships. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Well done to all senior students on the completion of their Term 2 exams. This term is an exceptionally busy one and having exams in amongst the busyness can be an adjustment. Year 10 students were adjusting to their first experience with block exams; Year 11 students adjusting to a new curriculum and exam format; and Year 12 students were adjusting to the demands of being in Year 12! It was, however, great to witness students’ positive attitude and commitment to their academic endeavours. We also wish the Year 12 students all the very best for their QCS Test practice on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Last Friday, Year 5 students, under the guidance of teachers and with support from families and friends, ran a Market Day. Students presented a great variety of creative, innovative and tasty products, all of which proved hugely popular with customers.

At assembly over the past two weeks, our focus has been ‘everyone can make a difference’, as coined in the song “My Own Two Hands”. Sometimes we think our individual efforts are pointless – for example, it’s not worth picking up rubbish because environmental pollution is an enormous worldwide issue.

In this context, the Market Day was not only a culminating activity in Year 5 HASS: Business and Economics’ Entrepreneurial unit, but stalls raised in excess of $1780 for the Australian Lutheran World Service, thereby making a difference in the lives of many!

Even when issues or problems seem insurmountable, using our own two hands to make the world a better place does make a difference, locally, nationally and globally.

As part of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students With Disability (NCCD), the College is required to provide the following information to the Australian Government Department of Education and Training on each student with a disability:

• The student’s year level;
• The student’s category of disability (i.e. physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional); and
• The student’s level of adjustment (i.e. support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive adjustment).

For further information about the NCCD, visit: https://www.nccd.edu.au/. If you have any questions, please contact our Head of Learning Enrichment, Mrs Jo Belchamber on 5436 7300 or jbelchamber@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

The Voices on the Coast Literature Festival is on Thursday 18^th and Friday 19^th July this year. Students in Years 7-12 are invited to attend on Thursday 18^th July and students in Years 4-6 on Friday 19^th July. Students can see authors, poets, illustrators and performers, purchase books and get them signed, and experience the atmosphere of the University of the Sunshine Coast. More information on the presenters can be found at: https://voicesonthecoast.com.au/cmspreview/votc19/program.

Year 7-12 students who are interested in attending need to return their forms by this Monday 17^th June. Students in Years 4-6 who wish to attend can pick up forms from the library this week and return them by Monday 24^th June. Places are limited, so students are encouraged to get in quick.

On Saturday 8^th June, the Pacific Robotics Club participated in the Sunshine Coast Robotics Competition held at Good Shepherd Lutheran College. We entered seven teams in the competition – three teams in the primary section (Year 6 and 7) and four in the secondary division.

The standards of the engineer design and the level of strategic coding reached new heights this year and added to the fierce competition on the day. Teams took part in sumo matches, repaired robots, made design alterations in response to competition on the field and also watched other teams compete.

Six of our seven teams made the finals and our Year 6 and 7 team were awarded second place in their division after a gruelling knockout grand final! Congratulations to team members Tamsyn and Kelsey Doyle.

Well done to all teams for their hard work and sportsmanship on the day. Thank you to the parents who joined us at the competition and supported the students. It was a fabulous day with more to come.

Mrs Janine Stone, Head of Information Technology

The Pacific U17 Rugby 7s season came to a finish last night with the team playing in the grand final against Suncoast Christian College. It was a very close game with Pacific heading in to half time with a 14-5 lead. Suncoast came out strong and clawed their way back to 14-12 with only one minute to go. Despite an amazing full field effort from Sam Larsen, Suncoast eventually prevailed across the line to seal their win.

It was an absolute credit to the boys for the way they conducted themselves throughout the season and in the match last night. We congratulate all players on their season and thank Mr Chris Mundey for his leadership of the team.

Last Saturday was one of the coldest so far for soccer but our teams made the best of it! Our U6 Sharks received their Gelatissimo reward. Great teamwork, Sharks! Thank you for the photo, Cindy.

Our U9 Razors chalked up a 5-3 win on Saturday! Congratulations to all the players on their champion team spirit. Thank you for the photo, Linnelle.

Pacific FC Coaches and Managers

On Wednesday 19^th June, we will be holding an informal session for coaches and managers from 6.30pm to 7.00pm in L14 at the College.

Our professional soccer coaches from K3 will be on-hand, in addition to Mason from Kawana Forest Fitness and the management committee, to listen to your feedback and suggestions.

This is a good opportunity to offer constructive suggestions on how we can improve and enhance soccer at Pacific. Families are invited to pass on constructive suggestions to their team coaches and managers so it can be shared on the night. Under the SCCSA framework, Pacific FC is operated entirely by volunteers for the benefit of the players and parents. We thank you for your continued support and contribution towards the Club’s success.

Mr Zane Russell, Pacific FC President

Pacific provides opportunities for children and parents to operate savings accounts with the Lutheran Laypeople’s League (LLL). The LLL is a charitable financial institution which provides savings accounts and has been trusted since 1921.

The LLL has a variety of savings accounts: personal and joint accounts; guardian accounts for children; and Business accounts, including self-managed super funds and not-for-profit organisations.

LLL Savings Accounts have many features, including:

• A great interest rate;
• No fees or charges at all;
• Internet banking;
• No minimum balance or deposit requirements;
• No ‘bonus’ interest hurdles; and
• Your money is available to withdraw at any time.

For further information regarding the LLL, visit the College’s Business Office or www.lll.org.au.