Compass No. 570 May 2020

From the Principal

Quality in Simplicity

Recently, a lot of people have reflected that they have rediscovered simple pleasures and built stronger relationships through these times of broader community restrictions. People have enjoyed the opportunity to spend more time with their family and do simple things like walk and ride together. As people, we have a need for strong connection and moments of stillness.

There are several mentions in the Bible where Jesus withdrew from people to rejuvenate and connect with God. As we slow down, we have greater opportunity to see God’s presence in the world around us and the importance of His relationship with us. Being open to God’s Word and constant presence strengthens us and enhances our lives.

Principal's Log

We have enjoyed welcoming back our Prep, Year 1, Year 11 and Year 12 students. There were squeals of joy coming from our Prep and Year 1 students as they saw each other and their teachers again. No doubt there were some mums who also appreciated the opportunity for their children to return to school. Our senior students and teachers also had extra bounce in their steps and big smiles as they reconnected this week. It is a credit to our senior students and teachers that they are feeling very well placed with their learning as they have returned.

As part of the new senior certification processes, samples of Year 12 work for every subject from every school are sent into the QCAA for review. Teachers across the state have been appointed as Confirmers, Lead Confirmers and Chief Confirmers to review the results given for the work by schools. We thank and congratulate Mrs Claire Richards (Lead Confirmer – Physics), Mr Jeevan Soorya Dhas (Physics), Mrs Janine Stone (Digital Solutions), Mrs Rae Hall (English), Mr Gary Graves (Health and Physical Education) and Mrs Michiko Hauser (Chief Confirmer – Japanese) for taking the time to train and then act as confirmers for the QCAA.

We will continue to follow the government advice about the ongoing return of other year levels to school and at the time of writing, we expect that this will occur on Monday 25th May, as per the Premier’s earlier announcement. We will communicate this to families once this announcement is formally made by the Premier and advise of the conditions around student return.

We continue to refine ways to enhance hygiene and social distancing and have appreciated the support of our parents, particularly during student pick up and drop off. We have staggered finishing times to reduce congestion. We have shortened the Prep – Year 2 lunch breaks so that they can finish their day early and students on campus can be in the Prep – Year 2 car park at 2.50pm. Year 3 to 5 students finish at 3.00pm and the Year 6-12 students are finishing at 3.05pm. We ask that families plan to come close to these times, rather than earlier, as it does lead to congestion while parents wait for children to finish school.

An email has been sent home this week in regard to senior sport, access to the Uniform Shop and use of Flexischools to order uniforms and tuckshop. Families are asked to ensure they have read the communication.

We thank God for all the many blessings He gives us each day through family, friends, the service of many and the beautiful place that we live in.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal

From the College Pastor

Do Your Best

“Do your best” is a phrase we often use with students in schools and more generally with children and young people. It’s a phrase we use to encourage students in their learning, to have a go in developing their skills and to motivate them, whatever their ability. Fitness fanatics are always on a quest to do their best; they track and then set goals to improve their personal best. As people who are willing to learn, we strive to do our best for our children, for our students, for ourselves individually in life.

There’s a quote that is attributed on the 3rd Century Christian, St Jerome that has been used in our Australian culture; “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better, and your better is best”. Before the invention of the motor vehicle, this quote was put on the back of water carts that were horse-drawn and used in WW1. Then in the 1980s and 90s, the company Telecom used this quote in an advertising jingle that got stuck in people’s minds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz-DYczfor0).

This value of quality, of doing your best is important but not just for the sake of motivating others or to produce better outcomes for a business. In our community, we encourage students to do their best in learning and in life because we believe God has created the world with quality and has given all of us snippets of that quality in the gifts and talents we have. Our job as a school is for students and staff to learn to use these abilities we have from God in the best possible way, to create quality, to relate to others in quality, all for the sake of others. This is why we encourage people to do their best, because of the quality God freely gives us.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

From the Head of Senior College Students

Welcome Back Year 11 and 12!

This week marked the start of a long-anticipated return to school for our Year 11 and 12 students. Their enthusiasm and adaptiveness to a different learning environment should be commended and it was great to finally have face-to-face contact with students, who teachers have been interacting with behind a screen. The one thing that has really stood out to me throughout this week was the strong sense that we are all learning together during this time and adjusting to what the ‘new normal’ looks like at school. With any change to the norm comes challenges and set-backs, so the patience from all students, parents and staff over the past four weeks has been appreciated.

We thank the College Captains for their thoughtfulness and leadership during the online learning phase and the warm welcome they provided to our returning students on Monday. It was a great way to spread some kindness and positivity as students entered the school grounds. Their dedication to delivering news and providing messages of hope and inspiration to all students across Prep – Year 12 has been exceptional and has helped us all in these challenging times.

One thing that Year 11 and 12 students have found however, was that school “as we know it” has changed upon their return. We have all been hit hard with the reality and importance of maintaining our social distance between each other while at school, which should also extend into the wider community for the safety and protection of all. We look forward to welcoming back our Year 10 students in the coming weeks and pray that they are all keeping safe.

Finally, I would encourage all students to seek help and support if they are struggling in this period, whether it be academic, pastoral or emotional support that is needed. Even though you might be away from school, the support networks that we have in place are still there for you. So please reach out so we can assist.

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College Students

From the Head of Staff and Students P-5

Welcome Back Prep and Year 1!

On Monday morning, there was a buzz about the College as our enthusiastic Prep and Year 1 students returned. Teachers and staff were so excited to see them and students were also eagar to connect with their peers and resume classroom learning. We look forward to welcoming all our Year 2-5 students back to the College in the near future.

We thank all Prep – Year 5 students, whether at school or those engaging with online learning, for the way in which they have adapted to the changes and the health and wellbeing measures introduced at the College to ensure the safety of all. As we move toward further year levels returning, these measures like social distancing, sanitising and equipment restriction will remain in place until government advice changes.

You Can Do It

This term in assemblies, we will be examining the elements that contribute to our You Can Do It Program (YCDI) that is part of our curriculum at the College. The YCDI Program has been developed to build social and emotional capacity in students. These elements form the basis of our in-class awards that recognise students using these capacities in their lives and learning. This week we examined confidence and the role it plays in our lives.

The YCDI program gives examples of work confidence and social confidence and how they differ. Confidence looks different to us all and might be trying something new or making conversation with someone who we don’t know. It also identifies what attitudes we need to build our confidence. We need to:

Be accepting of ourselves – we are enough and everyone makes mistakes. No one is perfect.
Take risks – give new things a go, regardless of the outcome.
Be independent – problem solve for solutions by yourself.
Believe in ourselves!

We all are faced with situations and problems that require confidence. This has been especially relevant over the last few weeks as we have all needed to be confident to face unknowns and unfamiliar situations. Keep watching our digital assemblies for how people around us build their confidence and use it to their advantage!

Prep - Year 5 Drop Off and Collection

With Prep and Year 1 students returning this week, the morning and afternoon drop offs have required some significant changes. As communicated previously, the Prep – Year 2 car park is for parents of Early Learning Centre children and our Foundation College students. Students in Year 3-5 are to be collected from the second, Year 3-12 car park.

We are continuing to refine the process for drop off and collection. The Prep – Year 2 timetable has been adjusted so their school day concludes at 2.50pm. Parents arriving prior 2.45pm in the Prep – Year 2 car park should park in the spaces provided and leave the drop off zone free. The drop off zone will be opened at 2.45pm. Parents are also asked to display their laminated name card prominently so staff can assist with the prompt collection of children. Staff will be available to walk students to car spaces. We thank you for patience regarding this matter as we continue to improve our processes.

Thank You

We acknowledge and thank our wonderful parent community as we have also adjusted to our new normal. We thank you for taking the time to read correspondence from the College that highlights changes to our normal routines and methods. Your understanding and patience has been greatly appreciated.

Take care and God bless.

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

Food for Thought

Parenting: From Good Intentions to Poor Outcomes

All parents know that parenting is not easy. Having children and raising them presents innumerable challenges and surprises, but also immense joy and connection. Impulses to involve ourselves in our children’s lives often come from a sense of duty and of unconditional love. However, we can harness those desires to give the most we can to our kids to build their resilience and independence. Learn more at: https://www.gottman.com/blog/helicopter-parenting-good-intentions-poor-outcomes/.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

St Mark’s Lutheran Church

Keep in Touch

Pastor Ray Morris

0429 856 532

ray.morris@lca.org.au

www.stmarkslutherancaloundra.net

Pastor Ray, St Mark's Lutheran Church

Compass No. 570 May 2020

LEARNING JOURNEY

ENROLMENTS

NEWS

MY PLC

Growing people to make a difference