Compass No 724 - May 2024

This week across Australia, we have been asked to pause, reflect, and act upon the notion of Reconciliation for First Nation’s Peoples and what that means for all Australians regardless of background, culture, or ethnicity.

All Australians are encouraged to consider the past and present effects of our shared story and the historical impact it has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during this week, which is marked from May 27th to June 3rd. The date of the 27th of May is significant in history, marking the historical decision in 1967, to provide First Nation’s People with the right to vote, and it includes other days significant to First Nations People namely, National Sorry Day 26th May and Mabo Day 3rd June.

These days of First Nation’s significance provide an opportunity to acknowledge how decisions made in the past, continue to impact the nation today. Reconciliation Week seeks to create a more cohesive and welcoming community where everyone is respected and valued via truth-telling, storytelling, and community involvement.

This year’s theme “Now, More than Ever” calls all Australians to encourage Australia's Reconciliation Journey to be undertaken, regardless of past division and disruption. 

Education has the power to provide a greater understanding of the rich history and resiliency of First Nation’s communities by taking part in events that foster cultural awareness and conversation. To acknowledge historical injustices, validate the experiences of First Nation’s Australians, and commit to meaningful efforts that close the gap between cultural groups.

Through our assemblies, devotions, and breaks, the college has intentionally provided the space for reflection, conversation, and education around reconciliation. These opportunities have been led by students and staff alike. They empower our community to engage and to speak up not only about the importance of reconciliation but also to be advocates of change now and in the future.

This week’s thread surrounds the notion of compassion. Compassion sits at the very heart of reconciliation. It requires patience understanding and perspective taking. This journey is not linear and not straightforward, it requires support and at times, recognising painful truths. But mostly it involves working together to create a shared vision of an inclusive Australia.

Take care and God Bless.

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

Over the next few weeks, there will be a strong focus on student mobile phone use and uniform expectations. At the Middle and Senior College assembly this week students were reminded of our polices and expectations. Parent support in ensuring students meet uniform expectations, including while in the community would be appreciated.

Mobile Phones & Ear Buds

• Mobile phones should not be seen or used during the school day by students.

• Students are not to use their phone during the school day from 8.00am until the end of the school day. To assist in this, phones brought to school by Junior and Middle College students are to be kept secure in lockers or bags at the owner’s risk. Senior students may carry them with them but should not be using them during the day.

• Students are not to be wearing headphones or earbuds while on campus and can do so only with medical/academic accommodations or when directed to do so by teachers.

• Phones should not be used in any manner or place that is disruptive to the normal routines of the College or to other persons in the College. These guidelines also refer to the use of mobile phones during excursions or other off-campus sanctioned activities.

Makeup

• No makeup other than medicated skin products are to be worn when in College uniform.

• Lip-gloss is not allowed to be worn.

• Nails should be natural and cut to meet safety standards of all activities. Only clear nail polish can be worn.

Ties and socks

• There will be a focus on male students wearing ties correctly and wearing navy/black socks with long pants for Seniors and long socks for Year 6-9 boys.

• There will be a focus on female students wearing PLC branded socks with day uniform and both female and male students wearing PLC branded socks with sports uniform.

Thank you for your support of strengthening our College uniform and mobile phone expectations with our Middle/Senior College students.

Mrs Leigh Finter, Director of Students

Year 10 Career Guidance and Subject Selection Conversations Term 2 and 3

Year 10 is an exciting time, with it come big decisions. Students can choose which subjects to study in Years 11 and 12. And while the idea of finally only doing their favourite subjects is great, the pressure can also feel huge. Many students may not know what they want to do post-school. There is still plenty of time to decide and plan for their post-school options.

At PLC, we have started exploring career conversations to assist students in identifying possible career goals, we then look at pathways to help them achieve them. After these conversations, we will get into the business of picking subjects. In Week 4, students participated in a workshop to explore Career Clusters; students by now have completed the quiz and received a Ponder Profile, designed to help them think about the types of work that might suit them and their interests. Students were asked to reflect on the report, take the time to do research about the clusters, engage in a conversation with an adult, ask others to review the profile, interpret the result, and start sharing ideas about possible pathways.

Students have all received an electronic pre-career interview questionnaire, to assist them in unpacking the following

•  What motivates them

•  What they are interested in

•  What is in their future

•  Favourite / Least Favourite subjects

•  Which subjects do they think they might continue with in Years 11 and 12

•  Level of interest in further study: Certificate / Traineeship / Apprenticeship / Diploma Degree

•  Activities outside of school

•  Goal setting

We encourage students to work through this with a trusted adult prior to the preliminary career interviews, which have been scheduled to take place across Week 8 with students. The Year 11 Subject Expo follows this in Week 1 of Term 3 to help students take a deeper dive into subjects offered at PLC and the different external study offerings that might form part of their Senior Education and Training Plan (SET Plan). Students who require further career conversations to finalise their SET Plan can book a consultation in early Term 3 with the Head of Career Development.This is an exciting stage of a student's career development journey, so we hope you enjoy the opportunity to learn together what their future could hold.

Five Questions- to ask while you’re a student on work experience

Work experience is invaluable to help you gain hands-on experience in your chosen field, explore potential career paths, and develop essential skills for your future. By actively engaging in the experience and asking questions, you can make sure you’re getting the most out of your placement. We have a number of PLC students across Years 10, 11 and 12 who have arranged their own work experience opportunities for across the June School Hoildays. Here are 5 key questions you should ask while you’re a student on work experience.

1.What are the primary responsibilities and daily tasks in this role? Understanding the day-to-day activities and expectations of a job can provide you with a clearer picture of what a career in that field entails. This way, you can find out whether it sounds like something you would want to do every day.

2.How do the skills and knowledge I’m gaining (or will gain) in my studies apply to this job? Connecting the knowledge acquired in the classroom to real-world work situations can help you understand the different places your studies can take you in the future. It can also help identify any gaps in your knowledge or skills before you jump into the workforce.

3.What are the most challenging aspects of this job, and how do you overcome them? Learning about the challenges professionals face in their roles and the strategies they employ to address them can help you develop resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills – skills you can use not just in your job, but your daily life too.

4.How do you see this industry evolving over the next few years, and what can I do to stay competitive? Gaining insights into industry trends and potential changes can better prepare you for the future job market, ensuring you remain competitive and up-to-date with relevant skills and knowledge.

5.Can you recommend any resources, professional associations, or networking opportunities that could help me? Expanding your professional network and staying informed about industry news and opportunities can be a big help as you progress in your career. By seeking advice from experienced professionals, you can identify valuable resources to help support your growth and development in your chosen field.

Mrs Veronica Sanmarco, Head of Career Development

This week’s presentation from The Resilience Project focuses on Gratitude.

Gratitude is paying attention to the things that we have right now, and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise this by noticing the positives that exist around us.

Research shows that practicing gratitude rewires our brains to overcome the negativity bias (which can lead to anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.

View Part 2 of the series here:

Part 2 - Gratitude: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-hugh/

There are many ways in which you can practise gratitude, including starting a gratitude journal. You can simply use a notebook to list three things that went well for you each day or use a more comprehensive Wellbeing Journal, like those created by The Resilience Project.

Another easy, and useful tip to practice gratitude is by replacing the word ‘have’ in sentences with the word ‘get’. For example, ‘I have to go to work today’ can be replaced with ‘I get to go to work today’ – the later reminds us that we are indeed fortunate and should feel grateful that we get to work today, when other people may not have such an opportunity.

Source: Psychology Today

For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.

Mr Brendan Macaulay, Head of Student Support

Year 1 Library

This term in library classes, Year 1 students have been looking at design thinking. We have been reading books about being designers and engineers and then working as a group to design a vehicle. Students used cardboard and other craft materials to create their vehicles using Makedo plastic tools such as screws, hinges and saws. We photographed their vehicles in front of a green screen to create images of the students driving.

Ms Nell Keen, Teacher Librarian

The Uniform Shop stocks all the College’s Winter Uniform requirements.

All students in Year 10-12 require the Formal Blazer for Winter.  Male students require trousers, belt, and tie.  A trouser and blouse option is available for Female students if they would like. Micro-fibre tights are also available for winter in addition to the dress.

Middle College (Years 6-9) Male Students need to wear a tie with the winter uniform. 

Junior college students can purchase the V-neck knitted jumper to wear with their Formal Uniform.  Trousers are available for male and female students as well as ribbed tights to wear with the dress (only) for female students. Sports jackets and tracksuit pants are available to purchase to wear with the sports uniform only.

For Prep Students, the sports jackets and tracksuit pants are available for purchase. These are worn with the sports uniform from Prep to Year 12.

Please see the College Uniform Guide here for more information.

If you have any questions regarding the Winter Uniform requirements, please contact Peta King at the Uniform Shop via the number below.

The Uniform Shop opening hours are:

Monday – Thursday 8.00am – 10.30am

Tuesday Afternoon from 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Please contact the College’s Main Reception on 5436 7300 to make an appointment.

Flexischools orders are also available for your Uniform needs. These orders are completed Monday - Thursday and delivered to the students’ classrooms in the Foundation and Junior College and to the PCG pigeonholes in the Wellbeing Centre for Middle and Senior College students. Please ensure ordered uniforms are collected promptly to ensure that they do not go missing.

Secondhand Uniforms

To Sell

Current Uniforms will be accepted, except for; sports uniforms (polo and shorts), socks, swimwear, and shoes. Blazers are accepted with a current dry-cleaning receipt attached. Clothes must be freshly laundered, in good condition and free of pet hair.

Items will not be accepted if they are faded, or have; thin fabric, visible repairs, stains (including underarm sweat stains), worn patches and fraying hems/sleeves, broken zippers/buttons, and rips or tears. Uniforms that are not accepted may be discarded at the discretion of the Uniform Shop.

Please label items, place in zip lock bags and deliver to the Uniform Shop when open. Payment details: The Uniform Shop will provide payment via your school fee statement at the end of each term when items have been sold. A 50% fee of the sale price of each item will apply to cover school administration costs.

To Buy

Prices and stock vary on condition and on what items are available. Please make an appointment to come in and view secondhand items.

Mrs Peta King, Uniform Convenor

Coffee & Chat – Come and say ‘Hi” and find out about Friends of Pacific.

Hosting events is only possible thanks to the efforts of those in our College community who give so generously of their time.

We would like to say Thank you to our Volunteers with a FREE COFFEE at the Coral Café;

Date: Friday the 7th of June

Time : 7:45 am-8:15 am

Volunteer Opportunity: Gala Day – Thursday the 6th of June 2024

Pacific’s 2nd Gala Day is fast approaching, and we will have our BBQ, drinks and snacks available, however we need more support and we are seeking volunteers for our BBQ. If you can assist for 1-2 hours we would really appreciate you registering below.

https://volunteersignup.org/Q97QT

 More Info about our Friends of Pacific Trivia Night  - Friday the 16th of August – this will be a great night filled with laughter and friendship for music lovers. Tickets will be available mid June – there are limited tables so you will need to be quick!! Like our Facebook page  Pacific Facebook page for regular updates for this great night.

This year, we have streamlined our induction process by using a flexible delivery platform where

volunteers work through the Volunteer Handbook, complete an electronic form, and upload relevant

documentation. The Volunteer Handbook is accessible via the parent portal in Nav - PLC Navigator - Community (pacluth.qld.edu.au) To access this link, you will require your PLC parent log in. This ensures transparency and

accountability of volunteers intending to be involved. If you are unsure of how to access the Handbook

via Nav, please contact our IT department via ithelp@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Any questions please feel free to contact the Committee – fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Have you heard about Pacific Together?

Pacific Together is a care-based service offered by Friends of Pacific to College families in times of need. If you, or someone you know within our College community, needs extra support during the year, the Pacific Together care group may be able to help in some small way or offer a care package. Please contact Chaplain Mr Mark Hauser- mhauser@pacluth.qld.edu.au

If you would like to support the continuation of the care-based service through a financial contribution, we invite you to contact Pacific Together via email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Click here to follow our Pacific Facebook page.

Ms Jan Watman, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

 7-12 Inter-House Athletics Carnival

Last Thursday we were blessed with fantastic conditions to run our Year 7-12 Interhouse Athletics Carnival at the University of Sunshine Coast Sport Complex. Thank you to all students and staff who helped make the carnival a fantastic day out. It was great to see so many of our students involved in track and field events across the day with some great individual performances on show. Congratulations to Buran House for winning the Overall House Champions Trophy!

 A special mention goes to our new record holders for their outstanding achievements. 

Congratulations to our Runner Up and Age Champions from the 2024 Athletics Carnival;

Competitive Sport News:

Monday Night Netball

Semi Finals:

Well done to all our semi-finalist netball teams for their performances on Monday night. It was an incredible achievement for PLC to have 7 out of 9 teams make it to the penultimate match of the season.

Congratulation to two of our Junior teams who will be progressing through to Grand Finals.

• PLC Crystal - Junior A Reserve
• PLC Garnet - Junior C

We will pass on the final schedule for these teams soon!

One last special mention is for the grit and determination shown by to our Junior team, PLC Topaz who have only played with

7 x players this term and last night they only had 6 players on court for their semi-final. There are many first-year players in this group and it is fantastic to see them represent PLC so well.

Student Acknowledgements

•   Congratulations to Chase McLady for his selection in the 13-15 yrs Sunshine Coast Touch Football team. We wish him all the best at the upcoming State Championships.

Mr Cameron West-McInnes, Head of Sport

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, 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)

May

29-30  District Secondary Athletics

30       District Primary Athletics

30       Instrumental Tutor’s Concert

31       Caloundra Show Day

31       Intermediate Schools Cup Volleyball

June

3-5      Year 8-9 Middle College Exams

3-7      Year 10 Exams

6         Years 4 – 6 SCISSA Gala Day 2

11       Year 11 2025 QCE Information Evening

14-16  Year 12 Retreat

18       K-3 Colour Splash

18       Friends of Pacific Meeting

19       K-12 Chapel

19       P-2 Cross Country

19       Ensembles Concert

19       Term 2 Concludes