Compass No. 548 September 2019

When you read God’s Word, you must constantly be saying to yourself:
“It is talking to me, and about me.”
- Soren Kierkegaard

Muslims, Jews and Christians are sometimes called ‘people of the book’. It is an Islamic phrase, but it is a reminder of some of the common stories of our sacred scriptures and how important we view reading, learning and meditating on these writings. Christians, Jews and Muslims share some of the same prophets and stories in their scriptures. Each religion says their book is from God, but there are significant differences, particularly between the Koran and the Bible.

We are also called people of the book because books are an important part of Christian faith, culture and life. Libraries have been valuable centres of learning in Christian countries and communities. From the monasteries of Western Europe to the great universities of England, the Christian Bible has greatly influenced western culture and history, literature, language and law, art and music, politics and poetry. The Bible is the most read book of all time, outranking popular contenders like the Koran, Harry Potter, Mao Zedung’s works and even Ikea catalogues!

One of the reasons for this is that the Bible has the power to change people. Unlike any other book in history, the Bible’s main message is to point people to Jesus, who is unique. Jesus was a real historical flesh and blood person, whose life, death and resurrection are recorded by eyewitnesses in the gospels. If you find it hard to interpret the Bible, Jesus is the key to unlocking it’s meaning for us. Christians believe that by reading the Bible, God gives us His Holy Spirit so that we grow in faith in Jesus. Ultimately, this is why billions of people have read the Bible; it has the power to change us, through encountering who Jesus really is, God.

Bono, the lead singer of rock band U2, once said this to a music journalist about what he encountered in the Bible; “You see at the centre of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you; an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics, every action is met by an equal or an opposite one…And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.”

No matter who you are, every human being is searching for grace, truth and love. Through reading God’s word, Jesus promises to give us these things and change us to be the people God intended us to be. ‘People of the book’ who are ‘People of Grace’.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

It is quite remarkable to think that Stanthorpe and surrounding communities will, based on the latest data and usage figures, run out of water by the end of the year. Whilst by distance they are several hundred kilometres away, there are people who are bringing their plight to our doorstep. The Sunshine Coast Water Angels provided support to our rural neighbours by seeking donations of bottled water to send to drought-stricken Stanthorpe. Thank you to Mrs Peta Griffin and Mrs Libby Anderson for their leadership of this initiative and thank you to members of our community, who together donated more than 800 bottles of water!

A reminder that the Year 6 Canberra Tour will be held early next term from Sunday 13^th October to Friday 18^th October. This tour is a significant learning journey for our young people and brings to life the many hours of learning that has taken place at school in the lead up to this experience. We thank Mr Nick Tait for his leadership in planning and coordinating this experience with the Year 6 teachers of Mr Stuart Pohlner, Mrs Linda Sydes and Mrs Kim Kiernan and support staff. Year 6 parents who require further information can contact Mr Nick Tait directly (ntait@pacluth.qld.edu.au) or your child’s class teacher.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Pacific community for what has been a positive and productive term. I hope that over the holidays our young people reflect on the term that has been with a sense of pride in their achievements and a resolve to engage in new learning at the commencement of Term 4. May you all have a safe and relaxing break.

Mr Ben Ryan, Director of Students

On Monday, 26 students from Years 2-8 represented the College in the Sunshine Coast Schools Chess Tournament. All students enjoyed the day and played very well. The team of Shyam, Rylan, Joshua and Catherine placed second on a countback in the Primary B Division and in individual results, Liam placed second in the A Division and Shyam finished in first place in the C Division.

Thank you to Mr Scott Crompton and Mr Norman Stone for their coaching and supervision of students at the tournament.

During Term 4, the Junior College Chess Tournament will be held. Students will be able to compete in either the U10 age division or 10yrs + division.

A reminder also that after school chess lessons will continue during Term 4 on Tuesday afternoons, commencing on 15^th October. Lessons will be run by Chess Mates. Chess Mates teach younger students through songs and stories and with older or more advanced students, they focus on openings, strategies and forward planning. Lessons are held from 3.10pm to 3.55pm and cost $10 each.

A Chess Mates registration form and a College consent / medical form will be available this week. If you would like your child to participate in these lessons, please complete all forms and return to Mrs Sue Kleinschmidt in the P-5 Student Admin. Payment for lessons is completed online directly to Chess Mates. Please note, students who have already registered with Chess Mates do not need to re-register.

If you have any questions about the classes please email: info@chessmates.com.au.

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

As events of violence and terrorism are more common and regularly reported in the news, an increasing number of children are being affected by exposure to these frightening stories. There are a number of strategies parents can use to ‘protect’ their children. Click here to learn more.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Information regarding the 2020 Book Packs will be sent out with the Principal’s letter over the upcoming school holidays. However, please note there are changes to the process across Prep – Year 5. From 2020, stationery resources and textbooks for Prep – Year 5 students will be supplied by the College as part of the Resource Levy within the school fees. The stationery resources and textbooks will be supplied to students by their classroom teachers on their first day of the school year. Year 6-12 students will still receive book lists as per normal. Any questions relating to this matter can be directed to our Purchasing Officer, Mrs Sanet Strong on sstrong@pacluth.qld.edu.au or 5436 7344.

Ironman 70.3 Volunteers

On Sunday, 22 volunteers from Pacific supported athletes from across the globe at IRONMAN 70.3. It was great to have a broad range of students, parents and staff from across our community get involved. For our efforts, Friends of Pacific will receive a cash donation, which will help raise further funds for the installation of water refill stations at the College. Thank you to everyone who gave of their time and to Mrs Allyson Sarvari for her leadership and organisation of our team. We look forward to continued involvement with the event in the future.

Next Meeting

Please join us for our next meeting at 6.30pm on Tuesday 17^th September in the library. Our 2019 College Captains, Michael Hewitt and Rebekah Pierce, will be providing an insight into their time at Pacific including how it has prepared them for life outside of the College and what their future plans are.

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson

Students and parents are advised that the library will be closed for the rest of the year while building works are underway. Shelves have been set up in the library foyer so that students may still borrow books, but the main body of the library will not be accessible. Students may still wait in the library foyer after school.

Congratulations to Jasmin Groves and Sebastian Box who won our scavenger hunt celebrating the 150th anniversary of the periodic table. They collected 22 of the chemical elements and each won books and a movie pass!

Overdue notices will be emailed to parents this week. Please encourage your children to return their books before the end of term.

Ms Nell Keen, Head of Library

There are lots of programs to boost our children's literacy, many offer quick fixes and some are very expensive but, do they work? Before parting with your hard-earned cash and subjecting your child to hours in front of a computer or program, it is worth doing some research. SPELD QLD provides a good starting point for information: https://www.speld.org.au/. Whatever program you embark on, it is important to note, there is no magic formula. For any program to be successful, it requires practice, time and energy. It is also important to remember that parents are key stakeholders in their child's literacy journey, particularly if there are underlying difficulties. Here at Pacific, we use MiniLit and MacqLit literacy intervention programs to support children in Years 1-2 and 4 -5 respectively. We also use Nessy Reading and Spelling for students in Years 3 and 4. Each of these are evidence-based programs supported by Dyslexia UK and Dyslexia Australia. If you suspect your child of having difficulties with reading or writing, it is important to speak with your class teacher as soon as possible. If you have questions or would like more information, you are also welcome to contact me via email: staverner@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Ms Sara Taverner, Head of Learning Enrichment P-5

Beauty and Barbering

The Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre (SCTTTC) is introducing two new programs next year. From 2020, SCTTTC will offer a dual certificate course in Hairdressing and Beauty and a certificate course in Barbering. SCTTTC also offers Certificate II Salon Assistant, Certificate II Retail Cosmetics and Certificate II Salon Assistant (Barbering). Click here for more information.

Trade Courses in 2020

SCTTTC offers Certificate courses in Electrotechnology, Plumbing, Automotive, Construction, Aviation, Built Environment and Design, Beauty and Hairdressing. You can find out more about these courses at an information evening for students and parents on Tuesday 29^th October. Click here to learn more about this event.

Expressions of interest to join any of these programs in 2020 are now open. Applications will be accepted later this year. Contact SCTTTC to obtain an expression of interest form or visit: https://sunshinecoastttc.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx.

USC is holding an information evening for students and parents on Thursday 19^th September at their Sippy Downs campus, from 4.30pm to 6.00pm. The evening will include information on the HeadStart program, as well as information about pathways to tertiary study at USC, including their Diploma courses and the Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) program. You can register for this event at: https://www.usc.edu.au.

Students considering studying at QUT can visit during the September school holidays to tour the campuses, collect course information and attend a seminar about applying to QUT, upgrading pathways, life as a university student, study costs and more. You can register at ‘Get Ready for QUT’: www.qut.edu.au

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

Mr Brett Kersnovske, Head of Sport

The Uniform Shop is open from 8.00am to 9.30am every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Orders can be placed online via www.flexischools.com.au and will be delivered to your child the following day.

Mrs Peta King, Uniform Shop Convenor