Compass No 644 - May 2022

Next Monday 9^th May students are to begin wearing the College Winter Formal Uniform. This includes long pants, belt and ties for Senior College boys, as well as blazers for Senior College students. Girls are able to wear neutral, navy or skin-coloured tights as an alternative to their formal socks on cold days. All items are available from the Uniform Shop. Please remember that we still require bookings for uniform appointments and can be made by contacting the main office 5436 7320.

Each May, Pacific Lutheran College supports the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. This is an important service-learning opportunity for all students from Prep-12 which involves the collection of non-perishable food items and household goods. These goods are collected by The Salvation Army Caloundra Branch and distributed to individuals and families within our local Caloundra community who need a helping hand.

The Salvation Army Caloundra Branch is extremely appreciative of the College’s support in the Red Shield Appeal, which is greatly needed this year with the continued effects of COVID-19, recent natural disasters, and the increased cost of living, impacting many individuals and families across Australia.

During this week’s chapel service, students heard the story of the rich man and Lazarus and reflected on how they can weave small acts of kindness and service to show gratitude for the richness of their lives through serving others. The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal is one of the ways we can serve our local community.

In Year 6 and within each Pastoral Care Group (PCG), students will collect a range of food and canned goods as well as household items that will be stored in each PCG and classroom. At the end of May, date to be confirmed in the coming weeks, students will be encouraged to wear the colour red and bring a gold coin or note to contribute to the Red Shield Appeal.

For more information about the extensive service that The Salvation Army provides to members of our local and national communities, please go to https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/red-shield-appeal/

More details on how your child or family can support the Red Shield Appeal can be found here.

Year 12 Academic Awards and Our Year 10 Badging for Senior College

This week, the College Captains led their first Senior College Assembly.  This time of connection and celebration is an important aspect of acknowledging individual academic achievements and individual pursuits. At this assembly, Year 12 students who achieved Academic Excellence and Endeavour Awards in Term 1 were recognised and celebrated amongst their peers and teachers. Year 10 students also received their Senior badge from the College Captains as a symbol of transition into Senior College.  The next Senior College Assembly will take place in Week 9 of this term.

Middle College Leaders Installed

At this week’s first Middle College Assembly, Year 6 Pacific Action Group Leaders and Year 9 House Leaders were installed in front of their peers, parents, and teachers, and celebrated for their recognition as leaders of the Middle College. The Middle College leaders will have many opportunities this year to represent their peers and the Pacific community at a range of College and wider community events. Two representatives from Year 6 will attend this month’s Australian Hospital Ship Centaur Memorial Service and Year 9 Leaders will attend the “Be Leaders in Connection” Youth Conference with other student leaders from the Sunshine Coast.

May God bless our Middle College leaders as they lead and serve our College community.

Ms Leigh Finter, Acting Director of Students 

Research shows attending playgroups benefit both children and their parents. The regular group supports children’s social development, eases the transition to school, and improves overall health while providing social and health support to parents, knowledge sharing, and learning opportunities.

At Pacific, we hold our playgroup “Little Blessings” every Friday during the school term from 9.00am to 11.00am in our Early Learning Centre.

While it is true children can play anywhere, playgroup has the added benefit of providing opportunities for playing with other children and practicing important social skills.

Importantly, playgroup also provides the opportunity where parents and children can play together, which is critical to children’s healthy development. By creating a space where parents and caregivers can spend time with their children, playgroups can enhance relationships through play.

The benefits of playgroup for children:

• Provide safe and nurturing environments where children can play and learn.
• Enhance healthy early brain development through play.
• Provide opportunities for children to create, invent, reason, and problem solve.
• Provide opportunities to build attachment between adults and children as they play together, and share time and experiences.
• Help children to learn social skills as they negotiate with peers, resolve conflict, take turns, share, and make friends.
• Help children to build resilience to enable them to cope with new situations and manage stress and adapt to change.

You are welcome to join us on Friday mornings. Please bring fruit for your child – we provide tea and coffee for you.

We look forward to meeting you!

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Teaching and Learning K-5

Students in Year 3, 5, 7, and 9 will be participating in NAPLAN online from Tuesday 10th – to Friday 13th May.

NAPLAN tests will be computer-based assessments this year. NAPLAN Online questions will be tailored to student responses, providing the opportunity for a more accurate snapshot of student understanding. The questions become more or less difficult, adapting to student progress and providing more precise results.

Benefits of sitting NAPLAN Online include a more engaging format for students familiar with using a device as a learning tool. Features such as a read-aloud function, a zoom tool, and an on-screen timer enable students to interact with test materials and develop successful test-taking behaviours, like awareness of time remaining. In parts of the numeracy test, students have access to online tools (a ruler, protractor, and calculator). Audio and visual alternative format questions increase accessibility for students with a disability so their understanding can be assessed on the same basis as their peers.

Preparation for NAPLAN Online includes bringing the required equipment:

• Headphones will be needed for questions with sound in the spelling, writing, and numeracy tests.  
• Laptops should be charged each night for the following day.
• The NAP Locked Down Browser should be installed on every student’s device and visible on their computer desktop.
• Students should bring a pencil and eraser for working out.

Parents and students are encouraged to visit the Public Demonstration Site and explore the range of question formats available. 

Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Learning Middle College

The LEC students are a huge blessing to our College. Each child who forms part of our happy learning environment contributes to creating a new world.

In this world, we accept each other for who we are, the gifts that we have, and the opportunities to laugh with each other, and somedays even be sad together.

I think about a LEC Year 11 student who is super cool, but still took time to comfort a distressed Year 6 student, with a gentle “It’s okay mate, I’ve been there – it gets better!” Or the senior student who willingly gave up his time to help calm an anxious Year 10 student, who was trying to make subject choices. It is remarkable to see a Middle College student read an entire chapter to a girl in his class, who struggles to read. The stories are endless and just another day in the life of the LEC.

I can only stand in awe of the mothers of these incredible individuals! You have done a remarkable job and we are so blessed to have your child come to the LEC. Please take some time to enjoy these tributes to mothers.

What do mothers say?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03dghxsf97s

What makes mothers happy?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt8nn9EPQKk

What makes kids happy?

Possibly the wisest words yet came from a LEC student when asked this question. He said, confidently and in his most sage voice, “Ummmm, our mums of course!” And this we say, is the truth!

Happy Mother’s Day to the best Mums in the whole world – because you have a tough job. Be blessed and know that the LEC team is cheering you on.

Mrs Chantal McAllister, Head of Learning Enrichment P-12

Study in Canada – Information Evening (Years 10, 11, and 12)

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is in Vancouver – with ski fields on one side of town and the ocean on the other side. It is a quality university – one of the top 50 universities in the world. One-third of UBC’s students are from other countries – the university welcomes and supports international students and offers great scholarship programs. A representative from UBC is coming to Pacific to meet with interested students and parents. Come to learn about UBC’s amazing range of degrees, its fabulous campuses, and what life is like at UBC. Save the date: 5.30pm, Friday 10th June. More information to come.

Thinking about studying Medicine next year? (Year 12)

Year 12 students who are considering applying for Medicine courses for next year should be registering to sit the UCAT this year. If you haven’t registered, or you don’t know what UCAT is, you need to make an appointment to speak to me soon.

Tertiary applications for 2023 (Year 12)

A quick reminder that university applications for next year do not open until August. There will be an information evening for students and parents on 26th July, where the process for applying will be explained in detail. Year 12 students should receive their QTAC books before the end of this term. When they arrive, I will speak with the students about how they can use the books to start preparing to do their applications.

UQ Junior Physics Odyssey (Year 10)

The Junior Physics Odyssey at the University of Queensland is a 3-day school holiday program where Year 10 students hear from physics researchers, meet current students and explore diverse topics in physics by participating in an exciting range of hands-on experiments and workshops. Get more information and register here. Hurry – applications close on 6th May.

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

Raising children can bring great joy as you watch them grow and develop into unique individuals. The relationship parents and caregivers have with their children will have a huge influence on their lives. Most parents learn about parenting ‘on the job’ and grow into their role with experience.

Whilst there are several parenting styles discussed in this special report, children benefit most when parents are warm and loving, providing clear guidance and support. Understanding more about different parenting styles and their effects on children will help you decide what kind of style you may want to adopt.

To help you determine which style of parenting you use, complete the quiz below. Once complete, a report can be emailed to you with your results.

https://pacificlutheran.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-parenting-styles

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

This week we celebrated Mothers’ Day in the library with a range of craft activities. Junior College students made gratitude flowers where they wrote special messages for mum on each of the petals. Senior College students had the opportunity to make cards for mum or to make pictures using scratch art or sand art.

Ms Narelle Keen, Head of Library

Sharing a common mission and ministry with Pacific Lutheran College

“Growing in faith and sharing God’s love with others”

Weekly worship services are held at 14 Bombala Terrace Caloundra at 9.00am. We are thankful that we can meet together each week for worship. As we do this, there are still physical distancing, signing in, and hygiene requirements we need to follow to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our community.

Our worship services are intergenerational with a blend of traditional and contemporary.

You’re welcome to follow us on Facebook and visit our Church webpage.

All are welcome at any of our services.

Pastor Ray Morris, St Mark’s Lutheran Church (0429 856 532 or lutherancaloundra@gmail.com)

10       NAPLAN week

11       Year 4 Camp – Mapleton

15       PLC Open Day

20       Dracula – PLC Performance at the Events Centre

21       Dracula – PLC Performance at the Events Centre

23       ELC Under 8’s Day

24       P-12 School Photo Day