Compass No. 618 August 2021

It was only last Tuesday when our whole student community was in the Gym watching Kaylee McKeown win a gold medal. Now a week later, the school site is pretty much devoid of students as they and many staff are home-schooling. The change, if you are on-site at school, is dramatic. A week certainly is a long time in our COVID world where schools, organisations, businesses and families need to quickly pivot upon announcements by the Chief Health Officer.

The change back to home learning brings its own set of challenges and expectations. Teachers need to have their lessons online and ready to go. Students need to focus on their learning and connect via screens yet have time to unwind, exercise and re-energise. Parents have to juggle work commitments, and all of us have to remember how we used Teams and Zoom and the differences between them.

The expectations of learning in a digital online world are slightly different too. In the classroom, there is human contact and the presence of a teacher. In home learning, teaching and learning still occur, and for some, it is easier, for others, harder. But nothing beats real life human presence of a teacher to encourage, coach, mentor and support each person’s learning. Students at home being motivated to stick to a routine, getting up in time for class, checking in with their teacher, listening to tasks, focusing on their learning, putting aside distractions that are generally not at school, presents a different set of expectations and challenges. It is amazing how well our school community, students, staff and families have worked with these changes.

Amid all these changes, the uncertainties around lockdowns, and the worries about the spread of the virus in our communities, the promises of God in the Bible are worth holding onto. As a community, we hold onto these promises because, in them, God holds onto each of us. One such promise from the Old Testament is this one, said to Moses’ successor Joshua; Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. A hope-filled promise of comfort in our times.

In these times of home learning, may God bless you with strength and courage. May you be blessed with the presence of teachers and the connection of loved ones. And when you spend time away from your screens, may you be energised by this promise of God “for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

It is pertinent that this week’s character strength focus is perseverance. Described as being ‘hardworking and finishing what has been started, despite barriers and obstacles that arise’ (Institute on Character, 2021), both senior students and specialist senior teachers have had to pivot again and quickly face the realities of learning from home, with a range of uncertainties and changes to their assessment calendar.  Despite the rapid succession of lockdown announcements and extensions this week, Monday morning saw senior students adapt quickly and reacquaint themselves with Microsoft Teams and NAV to access curriculum, learning tasks and connect with their classroom teachers.  Students’ demonstrated the ability to calmly persevere and make quick adjustments to how they normally learn, to confidently accomplish online learning tasks whilst they prepare for their assessment, study for upcoming exams and forge through the uncertainty of what may or may not come next.

The Year 12 College Captains and Vice Captains also shared their thoughts on perseverance, which included organising oneself this week to support their online learning experience.  Activities that supported the growth of perseverance included scheduling breaks and sticking to them and acknowledging small wins along the way.

It is important for Senior Students to utilise the Continuous Learning - Senior College document to keep track of the College’s expectations of home learning and connect with wellbeing staff if they require support throughout the day. 

Ms Leigh Finter, Acting Head of Senior College Students

The guidance below can help us all make the best of learning online. It can help you be ready for some of the more practical aspects of learning from home.

1. Establish routines and expectations

It is important to develop good habits from the start. Create a flexible routine and talk about how it’s working over time. Chunk your days into predictable segments. Help students get up, get dressed and ready to learn at a reasonable time. Everybody make your bed! Keep normal bedtime routines, including normal rules for digital devices. Adjust schedules to meet everyone’s needs but don’t default to staying up late and sleeping in.

2. Choose a good place to learn

Your family’s regular learning space for occasional homework might not work for extended periods. Set up a physical location that’s dedicated to school-focused activities. Make sure it is quiet, free from distractions and has a good internet connection. Make sure an adult monitors online learning. Keep doors open, and practice good digital safety.

3. Stay in touch

Teachers will mainly be communicating regularly through our online platforms and virtual learning environments. Make sure everyone knows how to find the help they need to be successful. If you have concerns, let someone know.

4. Help students ‘own’ their learning

No one expects parents to be full-time teachers or to be educational and content matter experts. Provide support and encouragement and expect your children to do their part. Struggling is allowed and encouraged! Don’t help too much. Becoming independent takes lots of practice. At Pacific, your child usually engages with others students and any number of adults hundreds of times each day. Many of these social interactions will continues from a distance, but they will be different. You cannot replace them all, and that’s OK.

5. Encourage physical activity and exercise

Living and working at home, we will all need some room to let off steam. Moving (independently and together as a family) is vital to health, wellbeing, and readiness for learning. It’s a great opportunity to practice exercising ‘alone together’ with digital workouts and online instructors. Set new fitness goals and plan hands-on, life-ready activities that keep hands busy, feet moving, and minds engaged. You may want to think about how your children can pitch in more around the house with chores or other responsibilities. Now’s a good time to think about increasing personal responsibility and pitching in.

Thank you so much for all you are doing at home in supporting your child’s learning.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

The Stanford University has an amazing free online course for students about how to learn math. I am so excited about the benefits of the course that we are asking all students in Year 7 to complete it during Term Three. I would like to request parents involvement in the learning process, along with your child. I think it will change the way you think about Mathematics.

Starting in Week 5 students will work through one of six lessons each week. Lessons take approximately 20 minutes to complete but with the shared language, teachers and parents can continue the discussion beyond the course. Below is an introduction from the Stanford University course information. If you have had past negative experiences with Maths, this will help change your relationship to one that is positive and powerful.

How to Learn Math combines really important information on the brain and learning with new evidence on the best ways to approach and learn math effectively. Many people have had negative experiences with math, and end up disliking math or failing. This class will give learners of math the information they need to become powerful math learners, it will correct any misconceptions they have about what math is, and it will teach them about their own potential to succeed and the strategies needed to approach math effectively. If you have had past negative experiences with math this will help change your relationship to one that is positive and powerful. The course will feature Jo Boaler and a team of undergraduates, as well as videos of math in action - in dance, juggling, snowflakes, soccer and many other applications. It is designed with a pedagogy of active engagement. https://www.edx.org/

Your child will complete the course in class and as part of the weekly homework, but I encourage you to also enrol or work through with your child.

Ms Patricia Hosking, Head of Mathematics

Again, we find ourselves in lockdown, where for many, music is a very welcome outlet.  Whether it be playing or listening, I would encourage all students to connect with music in some way. It could be by practising their chosen instrument or even putting some music on in the background. For the younger Year 3 and 4 students, this may be getting out your strings instrument at home and having a go.  You might be surprised by what you can do! For Year 5 and 6, keep practising your band music - it really does make a difference and can be a welcome distraction to the demands of your school timetable. 

After many weeks and months of rehearsals, the Pacific singers and musicians were disappointed not to be able to showcase their efforts at the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod over the last week.  The committee is hoping to reschedule the events and hopefully the students will be able to play in the not too distant future. You will be updated with dates for performances as information becomes available. 

It has been very pleasing to hear about the online instrumental lessons that have been happening during the last few days. After the success of online lessons during lockdown last year, our Instrumental Music Tutors have been able to get straight into online lessons again, meaning that learning has not been disrupted. The online learning format brings an added dimension to instrumental lessons for students, having to learn how to tune and set up the instruments and then really listening to themselves and self-adjusting. Whilst we are very much hoping to return to face-to-face music lessons shortly, it would be wonderful to see many more students having a go at online music lessons if the necessity arises. 

If anybody would like to use their time at home to begin learning a new instrument, then please get in touch at helenw@pacluth.qld.edu.au and I will be able to help you. 

Mrs Helen Williams, Head of Instrumental Music

As the nation remains on alert and in various stages of lockdown, restrictions continue to be mandated. And we, as a society, persevere to do the best we can to navigate this post-COVID era.

Young people and adults will vary in how they respond to these periods of lockdown. Young people can’t choose what happens to them, but they can choose how to respond. Encouraging them to use programs such as Moodgym, will help them change their thinking.

Wellbeing advice for students has been uploaded to NAV.  Families are encouraged to familiarise themselves with this document.

If your young person wishes to talk to someone outside of the family unit, encourage them to call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 - anytime, any reason. Alternatively, they can chat online at kidshelpline.com.au

Kids Helpline has also created some resources specifically relating to this topic for young people who may be struggling during lockdown. Click on the link below for more information

https://schooltv.me/

;

Mrs Annie Williams College Counsellor

We will maintain our communication with Aussie World in regard, to our 20th Anniversary Birthday Celebration. In the planning for the event, the safety of our community has been a priority with different contingencies having been planned.  We will keep you updated on any changes.

Pacific Together

Pacific Together is a discreet helping-hand offered by Friends of Pacific, in conjunction with Pastor Tim, to College families in times of need. 

If you or someone you know within our College community needs extra support anytime during the year, the Pacific Together care group may be able to help in some small way or offer a care package in times of need.

We invite you to contact Pastor Tim Jarick or Pacific Together via FoP email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Quote of the Week

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.”

- Walt Disney, Mulan.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

The library has lots of online resources to assist students with their assignments, and library staff are just an email or phone call away if you need assistance. Our LibGuides have been set up to provide research help for students - collecting webpages, videos and databases on their topic, as well as tutorials on how to conduct research.

We also have an extensive ebook collection to support reading in the middle and senior college. Library lessons have continued as normal this week via Nav.

Book Week Costume Parade

Book Week is fast approaching and this year our costume parade will be on Monday, 23rd August at 8.30am on the grassed area outside the hall. All students in P-6 are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite book character. There will be a photo booth in the library at lunch time for students to get their photo taken.

Dress Up Day

Ms Narelle Keen, Teacher Librarian

Due to the current lockdown, all competitive sports are on hold. Updated draws will be sent through to students and parents are soon as further information is released. The changes will particularly impact Basketball and the beginning of the Intermediate/Junior Season.

Basketball

The Sport Department is putting out an urgent plea for all students to go through their cupboards to find any PLC Sport specific uniform items and return them to the Sport Office. This includes Netball dresses/shirts, rugby jerseys, general playing shirts and singlets. You might even still have some from previous years. Regardless of how long they have been there, we would love to have them all back! We don’t want families to have the unfortunate surprise of being charged for missing uniforms at the end of the year.

It is getting harder and harder to kit out students due to missing uniform items and we want to make sure our teams all look the part when the play in their competitions. This check will be important particularly for senior students who need to have everything returned from the uniforms registered to them before we can sign off on their exit forms.

Rugby players will need to return theirs even if they are playing Rugby 7’s in Term 4 as they may be in different teams. Once we have all the Rugby uniforms back, we can get the sets together and prepare for the upcoming season.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to have a look for these uniforms and helping to create a consistent approach to our school’s presentation in the sporting community.

Mr Cameron West-McInnes, Head of Sport

7-8       Duke of Edinburgh – Adventurous Journey

9          Year 4-6 SCISSA Training (3.15-4.15pm)

12-13  13-19 Yrs District Athletics Carnival

16        Year 4-6 SCISSA Training (3.15-4.15pm)

16-20  Science Week

19        Year 4-6 SCISSA Trial Game – ILC

23        Year 4-6 SCISSA Training (3.15-4.15pm)

23-27  Book Week & ICAS Science Competition

26        Year 4-6 SCISSA Trial Game- MFAC

30        Year 6-7 Author Visit

30        Year 4-6 SCISSA Training (3.15-4.15pm)

31        Year 12 Mock External Exams Commence

31        P-2 Author Visit

31        Year 9 Outdoor Education Information Evening (6pm)