Compass No. 508 August 2018

Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness” …

So God created humankind, in the image of God he created them.

Genesis 1:26a, 27

Our God is a creative God, a God who brings the universe into being through his creative impulses. And this God has given this creativity as a gift to all his people. People who are created in his image. This is one of the meanings of these above quoted words from Genesis. As members of humanity we are created in the image of God. Therefore, we share in the creativity that emanates from God. This means schools and educational systems are so important in the process of cultivating creativity in the hearts and minds of students. Through schools God uses teachers and staff to encourage the next generation of problem solvers, scientists, musicians, designers, artists, mathematicians and musicians to tackle the challenges of the world, create objects of beauty, and give expression to those things that give us meaning and purpose in life. When we are creative and sit back and view that creativity, for a moment we are connecting with the God who sat back and viewed his creation and said that it is was good, extremely good. That is the deep satisfaction that can come our way when we tap into the creativity that God has woven into us. 

That’s why it is important that students hear from their teachers and from parents that they are creative. Every child, young person and adult has the God given potential to be creative and to learn to be creative. It’s not just those creative geniuses of history, artists and musicians like Michelangelo, Bach, Beethoven, Picasso or Aretha Franklin who are creative. It’s not just the students we see in front of us at assemblies or other school events who perform music, dance, or sing who are creative. We may sit back and think that they are creative, unlike us. But the truth of the matter is that God has made each of us with unique and varied gifts of creativity. Creativity involves much more than being talented musically or artistically. Creativity involves originality, adaptability, generating new ideas, problem solving, thinking outside of the box. As well as being born with natural creative ability, for each of us there are also creative skills we can learn to develop and grow. Skills that are really needed in today’s complex changing world and skills that every student is encouraged to develop as they learn at Pacific.

There are numerous ways we can cultivate our creativity that God has given us. But more of that will be included in next week’s newsletter. To finish off, be encouraged in the image of God, in the creativity God has given you, your children, our teachers and staff at Pacific and in other schools, and in all of humanity. And as you help grow and cultivate that sense of creativity in the ones close to you. May you continue to be a blessing to others and the whole world as you reflect the image of God.

Ps Tim Jarick, College Pastor

A recent article on Purpose written by Rhiannon McGee the head of Positive Education at Geelong Grammar School had me thinking about Purpose here at Pacific. According to Bronk [2014] most definitions of purpose feature three elements: commitment, goal directedness and personal meaning. In addition to this, he posts that there is a fourth component, a focus on impacting the world beyond-the-self. The development of purpose is closely identified with the development of identity. Research shows that in adolescents’ purpose can be viewed as a defining feature of wellbeing.

At Pacific we encourage individuals to discover purpose in personally meaningful ways such as the altruistic caring for others and in creative, sporting and spiritual pursuits. The Red Shield Appeal, Cambodia trip, Productions, Art classes, Chapels and camps can all help individuals develop a sense of purpose. It is not surprising that there is research highlighting the relationship between purpose and academic achievement as purpose inspires greater grit and self-efficacy in young people. Whilst pursuing goals related to our purpose may cause stress at times, it is likely that purposeful individuals are better equipped to weather those storms and understand the longer-term rewards associated with them.

Our pastoral care teachers are finishing of their care conversations with students based on their semester reports. This is a way of engaging young people in what matters to them and gives them a chance to reflect on their personal values and aspirations. This helps students to develop longer term authentic goals. Coaching conversations are perhaps the most effective context for goal setting and developing purpose. Finally, I would like to thank the pastoral care teachers for this very positive experience for our students over the past few weeks.

This week the students got behind the Australian farmers by supporting the fundraising of the Drought Angels. If any parents would like to contribute to this much needed cause they can leave donations at the Middle/Senior office.

Mr Brendan Delaney, Director of Students

Last week I had the pleasure of joining Year 4 students and their teachers on their outdoor education camp at Alexandra Park at Alexandra Headland.  The Outdoor Education Program at the College is a well-planned, sequential program extending from Year 3 to Year 9. It provides to all students the opportunity to develop a variety of interpersonal, leadership and problem-solving skills in a challenging, exciting and carefully controlled outdoor setting.  Research carried out over many years suggests that such experiences can be the most significant, memorable and defining events experienced by children during their schooling. Thanks to Mr Tait - Director of Outdoor Education, for coordinating and planning such an excellent program.

Under clear blue skies, the Year 4 students and their teachers left the College on Thursday morning and returned to the College excited, if not a little tired on Friday afternoon. Whilst at Alexandra Park they completed a variety of activities including raft building, initiative games and a variety of activities aimed at developing cooperation, teamwork and confidence. The students participated enthusiastically in all activities.  Thanks to the Year 4 class teachers, Mrs Empson, Mr Compton and Mr Davis and Outdoor Education Aide, Tegan, for the way that they cared for and supervised the children whilst on camp. On Friday, even after a late night their leadership, professionalism, humour and enthusiasm made the camp a very successful, worthwhile and enjoyable experience for all the students. 

P-2 Athletics  

The day has almost arrived!  Over the last weeks P-2 students have been busily preparing for their Athletics Carnival which will be held on Monday 3^rd September.  The Carnival will start at 9.00am and will be completed by 10.30am. Parents are most welcome at this exciting event.

Mr David Druery, Head of Staff and Students P-5

Pouting, sulking and whining are three of the most annoying ways that kids communicate their displeasure, anger or frustration with a situation. This behaviour is not just limited to young children, either—teens do it because they haven’t always learned the skills to express their frustration in an appropriate way. Simply put: it works for them.

“The behaviour will continue as long as you continue to react to it”

For more information click on the link below.

https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/moody-kids-how-to-respond-to-pouting-whining-and-sulking/

Mrs Annie Williams, School Counsellor

ALOHA OCEANfest: Announcing our WINNERS!

Colouring Competition

Congratulations to all our colouring competition winners especially our overall winners; Matthew (Year 2) and Emily (Year 3)! Congratulations also to each of our year level winners and highly commended entrants. Prizes were presented at Junior Assembly on Monday. Thank you to everyone who entered. There were so many wonderful entries adding a bright splash of colour and fun to our ALOHA OCEANfest. Thank you to our generous sponsors; Mrs Shannon Russell, Amazen Puzzles and Games, Gelatissimo Kawana and Boost Juice Caloundra for your support.

Aloha Raffle Prizes

Congratulations also to Christen Hagan! Christen has won the stunning 18ct Pure White Gold Ring with Natural Tanzanite and Diamonds valued at $5000. Thank you to Mrs Rita Williams and her team at Sunstate Jewellers, Moffat Beach for the very generous contribution to our Aloha Raffle.  For a full list of all our lucky Aloha Raffle Prize Winners and Sponsors please CLICK HERE. Book Buyers Prize Winners will be announced next week.

Auction Prize: Junior Car Park   

Father’s Day Stall: Gifting + Volunteering 

 Our annual Father’s Day Stall this week was a great success with many excited buyers! 

Thank you to Teena Thompson and Sanet Strong for your time and effort in the lead up and to all our volunteer parents who helped on the day! Our wonderful volunteer parents and staff make these events possible and we greatly appreciate your time, effort and support.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 18 September

Our next Friends of Pacific meeting will be held on Tuesday 18 September from 6.30pm in the College Library. All are welcome to attend!

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson

Thanks to everyone in P-5 who helped celebrate Book Week last week by dressing up as a book character and getting involved in the Book Week fun. Book Week is a reminder of how vital a love of books and reading is to a child’s development.

 A number of competitions were also run during Book Week and we congratulate everyone who made the effort to enter. Well done to Will and Henry Fowler for winning the edible book competition with their entry of ‘There’s a Big Green Frog in the Toilet’. Thanks, Mrs Beattie and the Year 12 Hospitality class for judging. The Selfie Shelfie winner was Stella and Holl, who won the Lego scene competition and Schyler, got the closest guess in the Choc Coin Treasure Jar competition.

Free Audiobook Trial

Until the end of September, the library has a free trial of audiobooks. They can be accessed through our ebook portal at https://plcs.wheelers.co/ or via the library web site, in the same way as the ebooks. Have a look and try them them out over the next few weeks.

Ms Nell Keen, Head of Library

Thank you for your interest in the 2018 STEM / Science Week competition.  To be eligible for the prizes, you are to choose an issue in Australia (for example: pollution in local creek). 

• Brainstorm ideas for an invention that could be useful in helping to solve the identified issue.
• Write a description of your invention, including saying why it would have the ability to help solve the issue.
• List the types of Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics (STEM) skills someone would need to create or use this invention.
• Present your findings in a video or presentation.

If you require any more information, please come and see me in the S6 staffroom.

Mr Wes Warner, Head of Innovation, Entrepreneurialism and Business

Medicine Experience Day UQ

MedView will be hosting in Brisbane, a Medicine Experience Day called ‘A day in the life of a doctor’ for students and parents in Brisbane and surrounding areas. This unique event will give students (and parents) an opportunity to learn valuable medical and surgical skills, speak one-on-one with doctors and medical students, and put themselves on a path to a successful career as a doctor.

Details

When: Saturday 29th September 2018 (September school holidays)

Where: The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus. (Exact rooms to be confirmed)

Who: students and parents interested in medicine, years 10-12

Registration: $10 for prospective medicine students, free for parents/guests!

register online at bit.ly/MedBrisbane

The interactive session will also cover:

• Career options in medicine
• Workshops (clinical skills, surgical skills, & case-based learning)
• Tips and tricks for UMAT, GAMSAT and Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
• Academic requirements for top universities and resources to help you meet them
• Life of a medical student (pre-clinical and clinical years) and doctor career experience opportunities
• Leading speakers amongst Queensland's best Surgeons and Physicians will be in attendance. To be announced in the next week

Tafe Open Day

Mooloolaba Campus Open Day

Mooloolaba Campus
34 Lady Musgrave Dr,
Mountain Creek 

When: 10:00am - 2:00pm on Friday 12th October

Subject Areas: Hospitality, Cookery, Tourism & Events, Fashion, Hair & Beauty, Early Childhood, Sport & Fitness, Health & Nursing, IT

Nambour Campus Open Day
Nambour Campus
91 Windsor Rd,
Burnside QLD 4560

When: 10:00am - 2:00pm on Friday 12th October

Subject Areas: Trades, Screen & Media, Music & Sound Production, Visual Arts, Photography, Graphic Design

Mrs Natasha Purcell, Careers Counsellor

4-6 SCISSA Gala Day

The Term 3 Gala Day is fast approaching on Thursday 13^th September. All students from Year 4 -6 will take part in various sport and activities. A parent’s information letter was sent home this week via Care Monkey outlining plans for the day.

Please note that students will need to arrive at school by 8:10am on this day and make their way to the front oval between the gymnasium and the front car park for roll call.  It is important that all students arrive on time as some teams need to travel to Noosa and will need to leave on time to make their first games.  All teams, with the exception of Dance, will be travelling.  Staff and students will board buses at 8:25am to make their way to the venue for warm up prior to the start of first round games at 9:30am.

P-2 Athletics Carnival

Students are very excited for the Prep – Year 2 Athletics carnival which is on next Monday, 3^rd September. The carnival will be held here at the College on the main oval and will start at 9:00am sharp. All students need to wear their coloured house shirts on the day and parents and friends are welcome to attend.

All students will receive a participation ribbon at the end of the carnival with the emphasis on student participation and house spirit.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Junior Sport

The Uniform Shop is open from 8.00am to 9.30am every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Orders can be placed online via www.flexischools.com.au and will be delivered to your child the following day.

Mrs Peta King, Uniform Shop Convenor

Calling all parents, grandparents and friends of the Pacific community! If you can volunteer for only 45 minutes, (from 12.45 to 1.30pm) then we'd love to hear from you! We have volunteer positions available to serve at the front counter.  We would love to see some new faces at the Tuckshop this term! Your time and effort will be most appreciated by staff and students. If you are unsure about what is involved, please feel free to pop in, meet our Tuckshop Convenor and have a look around. There are jobs to suit everyone and it’s a great way to meet new people and lend a helping hand. Click here to download the Volunteer Form.

Ms Carrie Dickson, Tuckshop Convenor

Pacific provides opportunities for children and parents to operate savings accounts with the Lutheran Laypeople’s League (LLL). The LLL is a non-profit financial institution established in 1921. All LLL Deposit Accounts are ‘at call’ accounts and there are no fees or charges. All LLL deposit accounts have an attractive rate of interest with no ‘Bonus’ rate hurdles to jump.  The LLL pays a $5 gift to the first savings account opened for the child.  Deposits can be made through the College’s Business Office each Tuesday before school. To find out more, visit the Business Office.