Compass No. 578 July 2020

Next week, current Year 9 students and families will have the opportunity to learn about the exciting range of subjects offered in Year 10. The Year 10 Subject Information Evenings will be run via Zoom on Tuesday 28^th July and Wednesday 29^th July. Students and families will have the opportunity to hear from Heads of Department about the range of subjects available, our Head of Career Development and our Head of Learning Senior College.

Detailed information, including Zoom links, will be emailed to Year 9 families this week.

One of the major changes for families during the pandemic lockdown had been spending more time together at home. Whether it was supporting student learning at home, working remotely or just being in isolation and spending more time together, it was indeed a different way of being family. For some, it was a challenging experience with some family members struggling economically, emotionally or in other ways. But for other families, some people thrived through this increased time together under the one roof. It was amazing to hear that things like puzzles sold out, plants and gardening supplies increased more people were getting involved in activities such as baking, cooking and catching up on all those odd jobs around the house. The experiences we have had as we have spent time together as families will undoubtedly be one of those 2020 memories etched into our minds this year.

This week we continue the thread of family support. The Bible reading is a New Testament Passage that quotes and repeats one of the 10 commandments; “Honour your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” (Ephesians 6:2-3). Being kind within our families is one of the intentions of God within this commandment. Parents and children and all family members honouring, loving and respecting one another are what God desires so that we would experience wellbeing, support and long life in this basic unit of the community. But families can also struggle and be places where unkindness and separation can also occur. We support one another in our families and school community, we show kindness, love and care to one another, especially those closest to us because God has first shown His kindness, love and care to us. God promises wellbeing when His love and care are practised in our relationships. May you be blessed with this in your family.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

Last year, 36 students participated in a whole-day practical defensive driver training day in Brisbane. The feedback from both parents and students was highly positive. The course provides a valuable opportunity for any young driver, regardless of experience level, to be exposed to some of the dangers on the road and learn how to avoid tragedy, in a controlled and safe environment. The course operator has been running these programs for more than15 years.

Once again, Pacific is offering this opportunity for any students in Years 11 and 12. Statistics show that the majority of car fatalities occur within the first few years of driving on the road and most are due to lack of experience and knowledge. Therefore, it would be great to have as many young drivers attend the course as possible.

In order for this program to go ahead, we need at least 24 students from Years 11 and 12 to commit to taking part in the course. The driver day is scheduled for the Saturday 29th August at Mt Cotton in Brisbane. Students will travel via bus, departing the College at 6.00am and returning around 5.30pm. The cost of this valuable training course is approximately $300 - $350. If you would like to participate or would like more information, please contact Mr Mark Hauser (mhauser@pacluth.qld.edu.au) by Friday 27th July. From there, permission forms and final costs will be distributed to those who are interested.

Year 11 Leadership Day

It was a busy start to the term for the Year 11 students last week, who engaged in their second leadership day with the Lutheran Youth of Queensland team. The focus of this term’s session was about understanding the influence leaders can have in the community. I was impressed with the level of engagement that students maintained throughout the whole day, as well as the quality of their reflections and responses in both small group and whole group activities. I thank all students for their enthusiasm and involvement and look forward to seeing the cohort continue working together throughout the rest of the year.

In looking forward to 2021, the Year 11 cohort also begun thinking about senior jersey designs for their final year. Students have been given a range of designs to choose from, as well as the opportunity to design their own styles. A compilation of the top designs will be voted on for the overall jersey design for 2021 by the end of the term. I look forward to seeing what design the Year 12 cohort will be wearing next year.

Phones at School

All students and parents are reminded that under our new guidelines, phones must be left in bags or lockers while students are at school. Students have been reminded of this and stressed that phones should not be in pockets or out around the school grounds. If students need to contact parents at any stage throughout the day, they are welcome to do this from the Wellbeing Centre.

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College Students

What time did your child go to bed last night and was it about the same time as the night before?

Having a consistent and early enough bedtime during children’s younger years is likely to pay dividends when they are older, with research showing that children who have non-regular and late bedtimes are more likely to perform worse in reading and maths. The longer the irregular and late sleep patterns continue, the more likely it is that a child may suffer these cognitive effects.

Sleep and Bedtimes Impact on Academic Performance

Two authors of the UK study of more than 11,000 children, Professors Yvonne Kelly and Amanda Sacker from the department of Lifecourse Epidemiology at the University College London (UCL), explained that children with inconsistent bedtimes were more likely to have lower test scores and that the longer this irregularity continued between the ages of three and seven the more likely it was that a child’s test results could suffer.

Following children from the age of three until the age of seven, the researchers found that at three, about 20% of children had irregular bedtimes and by seven, about half of the children were going to bed at inconsistent times. Professor Amanda Sacker acknowledged that irregular bedtimes can be caused by family settings that can also influence academic performance. However, even taking into account socio-economic factors, television watching or night-time reading to a child, there was a clear link shown between consistency of bedtime and test performance.

How Do Children’s Bedtime Routines Impact Brain Development?

There are other studies showing that sleep disturbance, for example that caused by sleep disordered breathing (snoring and apnea), can be linked to behavioural and academic problems and even conditions such as ADHD. It is also clear that teenagers need more sleep than they generally achieve on school days – as a result of sleep deprivation, some teens show signs of less effective memory and increased difficulty problem-solving. Research also shows that three years old is an especially important time to have established a sleep routine and that there is a cumulative effect if a child goes to bed at irregular times – this means that the more years of interrupted routine, the more likely it is that a child’s test results will be affected.

Acknowledging that our lifestyles have changed, Professors Sacker and Kelly say “busy family lives could leave parents and carers feeling as though they do not have enough time with their children and it might be that bedtimes get pushed back or are not routinely in place”. However, because inconsistent bedtimes can affect brain development by disrupting a child’s circadian rhythm and reducing the brain’s plasticity, “sleep is crucial …including [for] processes to do with the embedding of new knowledge, memory and skills into” the developing child’s brain.

Another study of more than 8400 Australian children by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute states sleep disruption and sleep deprivation often lead to mental health problems and behavioural problems that have a wider effect on the child’s family.

Professors Sacker and Kelly emphasise that because early childhood is such an important time for cognitive development, policy-makers need to focus on supporting “families to provide conditions in which their young children can flourish”.

How Much Sleep Do Children Need?

• Babies: at least 15 hours sleep and up to 20 when they are very young
• Toddlers and Preschoolers (1-5 year old): about 12 to 14 hours sleep
• Primary School: about 10 to 12 hours sleep
• High School: at least 8 hours but up to 10 hours sleep

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

Along the way to being the best grown up version of themselves they can be, all kids will make plenty of mistakes. It’s how we learn and grow. All kids deserve someone who loves them enough to steer them back on course when they start to veer off. With love, attention and guidance, children can learn that kindness is the best way forward.

Learn more at: https://www.heysigmund.com/.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

ORDER NOW! Go to www.advancedlife.com.au and enter the code B7H 8V9 RRH.

Class order envelopes were distributed to every child this week. Whilst envelopes have been distributed, if possible it is preferred by the photographers that orders are completed online.

Orders for packages and sibling photographs can be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit advancedorder code (as per above). Portrait and group package orders are due by photography day. Sibling order envelopes are available from any of the College’s receptions.

Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than the day before photography day (Tuesday 4th August). Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed.

All students will be required to wear their full formal winter uniform through the day.

On Wednesday, nine Year 11 students proudly represented their houses in the final of the Public Speaking Competition. The theme for each speech was ‘inspire’ and students provided a diverse range of responses. Some spoke in general about what it means to be inspired or to inspire others, while others recognised specific individuals in their lives that gave them the motivation to be the best they could be. It was great to listen to the depth of their thinking and the confidence in which all students presented. The speeches were of exceptionally high quality and it was difficult to determine a winner, as they were all unique and special in their own ways.

Congratulations to all participants: Cosi Winter, Carys Mahoney, Chris Carde, Noah Beasley, Astrid Williams, Alex Jose, Connor Dines, Tanushi Nath and Holly Ubrihien.

Overall, Mumba took out the top points in the competition and the individual results were as follows:

1. Noah Beasley
2. Astrid Williams
3. Cosi Winter

We thank Mrs Tina Cox, Ms Jasmin Steven and Bailey Corneal as the Academic Pacific Action Group Captain, for their organisation of this event, along with the support of the Year 11 English teachers. Well done to all.

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College

COVID-19 hasn’t stopped universities running open day events this year – it’s just forced them to be creative regarding how they run them! I encourage all Senior College students and parents to consider attending as many of these events as possible, to get a feel for the different universities and get some of your questions answered. This year also offers students and parents a unique opportunity to get to know universities outside our SEQ region and maybe think about going further afield for university study in the future.

Below is an updated list of virtual open day events that are currently confirmed. There is a link for each that will take you to a webpage where you can register for updates as programs are finalised. Details on virtual events at other major universities are not yet available.

• Griffith University: Virtual Open House from now till 1st October learn more
• Bond University: Saturday 25th July from 12.00pm – 4.00pm learn more
• CQU: 1st and 15th August from 10.00am – 1.00pm learn more
• UQ: Sunday 2nd August from 9.00am – 6.00pm learn more
• RMIT (Melbourne): 8th and 9th August learn more
• ANU (Canberra): Virtual Open Week 22nd – 28th August learn more
• ACU: 29th August, 5th September or 12th September from 9.00am – 3.00pm learn more  
• QUT: 29th and 30th August from 10.00am – 2.00pm learn more
• USQ: 5th September learn more

ACU Guarantee

ACU Guarantee offers eligible Year 12 students a place at Australian Catholic University (ACU) based on your Year 11 results. While successful applicants must still complete their Year 12 exams, students can do so secure in the knowledge that your marks from Year 11 meet ACU’s entry requirements. Students may also enhance their entry score by including a short personal statement that gives ACU an insight into your personal circumstances and motivation for university study. Applications open on Monday 3rd August, with offers made as early as September.

Bond University Scholarships

Bond University has one of Australia’s most generous scholarship programs, featuring a range of full-fee and part-fee scholarships awarded to the best and brightest applicants. Scholarships are designed to reward and recognise students who have excelled in the areas of academia, leadership, community and sport; including but not limited to:

• Vice Chancellor’s Elite Scholarship – 100% tuition remission
• Bond University Indigenous Scholarship – up to 100% tuition remission
• Sporting Scholarships – up to 100% tuition remission
• Excellence Scholarship – 50% tuition remission
• Leadership Scholarship – 25% tuition remission

Applications are currently open and close on Sunday 9th August for the Vice Chancellor ‘s Elite Scholarship and Sunday 6th September for all other scholarships.

To apply, students need to complete the Bond University Study Application Form (apply.bond.edu.au) and the Scholarship Application Form (apply.bond.edu.au/scholarships) by the earliest closing date relevant to the scholarship(s) they are applying for.

Griffith Film School Experience Week – 21-25 September 2020

The Griffith Film School prepares the next generation of filmmakers, animators and game designers for creative and exciting careers in the global industry. Experience Week is tailored to current Year 12 students considering future tertiary study at the Griffith Film School.

During the week-long program, participants will choose a study area (Animation or Film and Screen Media Production) and be taught by a highly skilled, industry connected teaching team and gain theoretical and practical skills.

Participants will also complete a piece of work for their creative portfolio and get a feel for what it’s like to study at the Griffith Film School on Griffith’s vibrant South Bank campus. For more information, visit: griffith.edu.au/filmschool.

Government Support for Year 12 School Leavers

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (North Coast Region) provide a rank of information and support for recent school leavers. For our Year 12 student of 2020, it will be important to access all support available in their first year out of school.

The support DESBT provides includes:

• Providing updates on new departmental initiatives, subsidies, incentives and grants.
• Providing VET pathway information and advice.
• Potential employment or training opportunities.
• Relevant training programs and support (such as nearby Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects).
• Connecting you with information to assist in your job search or study pathway goals.

You can opt-in and then opt-out of this service at any time. To sign up for the service, you will need to complete this online form.

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

It’s Week 2 already and sport is starting to kick off for students across all year levels. Last Friday was the beginning of the Secondary Basketball Competition with our Open Boys and Girls teams commencing their seasons. This week also saw the beginning of the SCISSA Touch Football season and next week the Open Sunshine Coast Water Polo season begins. Good luck to all students who are representing the College in these sports.

Parent Spectators

A quick reminder that with current COVID-19 restrictions at school there is a blanket rule of no parent spectators at any training or games for both Pacific and inter-school sporting competitions. All schools are working under these arrangements. Thank-you for your understanding.

Rescheduled Athletics Carnivals

As mentioned last week, both the Primary and Secondary Athletics Carnivals have been rescheduled to Week 6 this term and will be held at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

• Year 3-6 Athletics Carnival – Thursday 20th August
• Year 7-12 Athletics Carnival – Friday 21st August

With the rescheduling of our carnivals, we have planned to reduce the number of events at the Year 7-12 carnival in order to fit everything in.

For students in the 13-18 years age groups, we will hold the Javelin and 1500m events prior to the carnival. These events will not be for house points but results from these events will be used to determine age champion results and also selection into our District Athletics team. The events will be held in Week 5 as follows:

Javelin and 1500m Events

• Javelin – Wednesday 12th August (7.00am – 8:00am on the Primary Oval)
• 1500m – Wednesday 12th August (1.00pm – 1:40pm on the Meridan AFL Field)

Under 12 High Jump Event

The under 12 high jump event will also be held prior to the carnivals on Tuesday 11th August from 3.20pm. Students from Year 7 who would like to be considered for district selection or intend on going for age champion will need to attend this event. Year 6 students who would like to compete in the district high jump event need to attend this afternoon as well as participate at their Carnival to earn age champion points.

This year due to COVID-19, there will be no regional or state carnivals, however the Independent District Athletics Carnival is still scheduled to go ahead in Week 9 on 7th and 8th September. Results from our athletics carnival will be used when selecting students to attend this event.

Surfing

Virtual Surfing Contest

A quick reminder that the Virtual Surfing Contest is nearing the end. Students who are registered have one week remaining to film themselves surfing or bodyboarding and submit this to Mr Darren Hooper by Friday 31st July. We have some great vouchers and prizes on offer!

District Surfing Trials

Well done to Sam and Kate Williams who both surfed at the Independent Surfing Trials this week. Kate finished in sixth place at the end of competition and Sam in second place. Sam has now qualified for the upcoming Sunshine Coast Regional Surfing Trials. Congratulation Sam and Kate.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Sport

Monthly Worship with Holy Communion on Sunday 16th August

14 Bombala Terrace, Caloundra

All welcome!

Choice of times: 8.30am, 9.30am, or 10.30am. Under the current guidelines, there is a maximum of 35 people allowed at each service, which run for 45 minutes.

All safety precautions are being taken including hand sanitising, social distancing, recording of people attending and sanitising and cleaning of high-contact surfaces between services.

Bookings are essential and can be made at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/worship-with-holy-communion-16-august-2020-tickets-114127404138

Phone or text Janelle for assistance on 0488 556 150.

Alternatively, online worship resources can be found on Facebook or our website.

Pastor Ray Morris – 0429 856 532

Pastor Ray, St Mark’s Lutheran Church