Compass No. 527 March 2019

In chapel over the last week, I have been testing student’s ability to resist food. In both the Junior and Middle / Senior College chapels, I have opened up a packet of potato chips and started to eat them chip by chip, crunch by crunch into the microphone in front of students. Seeing someone eat food in front of you is always tempting, let alone when it is Red Rock Deli Lime and Black Pepper chips. Certain foods and technological gadgets are often things children, teenagers and adults find hard to resist. Constantly checking mobile phones, scrolling through feeds and friends, what's liked and what’s popular, it's hard for lots of people to resist social media platforms. They are hard to resist because they are designed to fire up the sensory parts of our brains and get the endorphins and other chemicals pumping.

Building resistant skills are what we want to do when we form character in children and young people. One way to build up our resistance skills when it comes to food, technology and other things is to be deliberate and intentional about changing our habits. Character is formed in people by the habits they practice. A technological habit I have changed this Lent is not using my mobile phone on Sundays. A digital sabbath some people call it. Previously when I tried this idea, I used to put my phone in a basket on the end of my kitchen bench. But even then I would still be tempted to pick it up and check it when walking by. This Lent though, I have discovered a new habit. It’s so simple, I don’t know why I didn’t do it before. On Saturday night before I go to bed or Sunday mornings when I first get up, I turn my phone off and place it in my bedroom cupboard. Novel idea isn’t it? Using the on and off switch. This new modified habit has stopped that compulsive checking of my phone whenever I see it. It’s given me back more time to spend face-to-face, in relationship with people. It’s such a simple thing, but such a great way to practice self-control over compulsive behaviour. How can we encourage children and young people to build up their resistance skills and live in the freedom that Jesus wants for us? A freedom from those compulsive behaviours that often bind us up.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

Ready, set, glow at the Neon Disco next Friday 29^th March in the College gym. There will be two separate events, an afternoon disco for Prep – Year 5 students and an evening disco for Year 6-9 students. Students are encouraged to get into the theme and wear bright coloured or white clothing.

Prep – Year 5 Disco:

• Time: 4.00pm – 5.30pm
• Cost: $5 (includes a snack on entry and sausage sizzle on departure)

Year 6-9 Disco:

• Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
• Cost: $5 (includes sausage sizzle on entry)

To book, visit: https://www.trybooking.com/BBNEF  Bookings will close on Wednesday 27^th March

The Christchurch massacre is one of the most extreme acts of terrorism the world has seen in recent times. Unfortunately, this will impact on many children throughout Australia and New Zealand. Some parents and care givers may struggle to explain this tragedy to their young people, many of whom are already struggling with high levels of anxiety about the state of their world.

It is important to put this event into context for children of all ages. Although we cannot control what happens in our world, we can choose the way we respond. In this Special Report, parents and care givers will be provided with practical strategies on how to talk their children in a reassuring manner.

View the special report at: https://pacificlutheran.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/christchurch.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

IBN Private and PLC Golf Day

The PLC Golf Day will be held on Sunday 9^th June from 10.30am at the Pelican Waters Golf Club!

We are very excited to announce IBN Private – Alternative Funding Solutions as our Corporate Sponsor for the upcoming Golf Day. Fiona and Scott have supported the College in various ways over the years and we warmly welcome them to lead this event.

Other sponsorship opportunities are still available and we encourage you and your business to get behind the event. This prestigious 4-ball Ambrose event attracts the College’s top sports people as well as amateur golfers from across the Sunshine Coast – your prime target market.

Hole Sponsorship - $700

• Opportunity to display your banners at the hole.
• Opportunity to distribute promotional material to the golfers.
• Hole sponsors can enter one team of four (4) from your company (including a cart) to participate in the day and network with parents and players from the College.

Raffle Prizes

We thank Life and Love Photography for their generous prize package donation of a family portrait sitting. If you would like to donate a prize to the IBN Private and PLC Golf Day Raffle, simply email us. A gift voucher or prize donation would be very much appreciated. With any donation, your business will be acknowledged with your business cards and flyers distributed to all players.

If you would like to be part of this event, please contact Erin Carter on 0403 125 824 or Darren Carter on 0413151817 or email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Save the Date – Trivia Night

The Trivia Night will also be held this year on Saturday 17^th August in the Pacific gym! More information on this event will follow later in the year, however please mark the date in your calendars.

March Meeting

Thank you to all who attended the March meeting. We particularly thank Sara Taverner who presented a wonderful insight into learning enrichment at the College. We are truly blessed with the company and enrichment we enjoy at FoP meetings.

April Meeting

Our next Friends of Pacific meeting will be held on Tuesday 23^rd April at 6.30pm in the College Library. All families and staff of the College are welcome to attend. We encourage you to come along and connect!

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson

According to the dictionary, success means “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose”. Anyone can be successful. It comes down to the student’s attitude towards life. Last Monday on Assembly, the question was raised, “What does Success look like for you?”. In preparation for Student Led Conferences in the Junior College, this is a great question to ask your child as they set new goals for Term 2. Each student has a different idea of what success looks like for them. Success could be using punctuation when they write a story, learning the hiragana or practising their instrument three times a week. The houses in the picture represent two types of students. The left house is crumbling, with poorer outcomes due to it being built on negative attitudes. The right You Can Do It house is strong, leading to postive outcomes because it is supported by postitive attitudes. Encouraging the postive attitudes with the five You Can Do It skills will help your child be successful in life.

Starting next term, there is an opportunity for students aged 5-11 to be a part of the Rookies2Reds program delivered by Queensland Rugby Union. This fun and safe program is facilitated for one hour each week over a five-week period with sessions commencing after school. A tentative start date has been set for Monday 3^rd June.

This program is designed to establish base level rugby skills such as passing, kicking and match play. Participants will receive a ‘Rookies2Reds’ pack for completing the program, which includes:

• Bag
• Hat
• Rugby Ball and pump
• Water bottle
• Family pass to a reds home game, valued at $120

The cost is $60. If your child is interested in participating, please email Mr Josh Cummins at: jcummins@pacluth.qld.edu.au. Once numbers are finalised, the program details will be confirmed.

Mr Josh Cummins, Rugby Coordinator

• Weekend Match Report
• Committee Changes
• Training
• Upcoming Events / Dates

To view the full Pacific FC newsletter, please click here.

Mr Zane Russell, Pacific FC President

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

Pastor Ray, St Mark’s Lutheran Church