Compass No. 563 March 2020

“Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.” – Winston Churchill

The thread this week revolves around planning, decision making, organisation and choices. Developing these skills are vital as children, young people and adults grow and navigate their way through life. Having capacity in this area also helps a person’s general wellbeing.

A common barrier to planning and good decision making and choices is stress, worry and anxiety. In our culture, the amount of choice we have in our daily lives is immense. Choices in terms of buying groceries, shopping online, how to use our leisure times, technology to use, media to watch, the list of options to choose from goes on and on. The sheer breadth of choice we have makes it hard for some young people to chart a pathway forward. The pressure for young people to make informed, planned, well thought out choices in the important aspects of life can sometimes be overwhelming.  

One of the instinctive ways we react to overwhelming choice is procrastination. Students doing assignments, people going to the gym, responding to that challenging email are all classic examples of where we can procrastinate. Breaking the habit of procrastination is challenging for anyone. Some helpful questions and strategies to consider are these:

• Is there any area of your life, or a task you are putting off? 
• Whatever you are avoiding, is there someone else who could do it? 
• When you procrastinate find out what is the payoff? What else could you do for the payoff? 
• When you have a difficult task ahead, how can you deliberately set up your environment to encourage you to change your approach? 

Remember with procrastination, a small win always creates momentum in the right direction; and feelings will follow over time.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

As we enter the second half of Term 1, the pressures and demands in the Senior College increase for all students. Over the past fortnight, Year 12 students have been working through their first lot of assessment items in all subjects and it has been good to discuss their progress and results. One common theme that I keep hearing in these informal discussions is the appreciation of the support they have received from both teaching and support staff.

Year 10 and 11 students also have assessment deadlines approaching. During this time, it is easy for students to feel overwhelmed so it is important they make a plan to help them manage their time. Support from PCG teachers, class teachers, Heads of House and the Head of Learning can be an important way for students to manage the pressures of heavy assessment times. Students are encouraged to actively connect with these staff who are always happy to help where they can and offer advice. We wish all students well in their studies for the rest of the term. Student’s results and goals will be discussed in Term 2 with their PCG teachers when they engage in Care Conversations. This is a valuable process for all students to be a part of in order to identify any potential academic concerns, as well as celebrate their victories.

At this point in the year, it is important for Year 11 students to start thinking about how they are going to help and be more active leaders within the school. Each student has been given a leadership reflection document to work through and consider what talents and abilities they possess and how they can best utilise those skills. I have already been impressed with a number of students who have started to show initiative, volunteering to help across various areas of the College. I am looking forward to seeing them excel in their two leadership days with the Lutheran Youth of Queensland later in the year.

Senior Driver Education

Later this year, Year 11 and 12 students will have the opportunity to participate in a Safe Drivers Program. Details of the program will be advertised in due course. However, the following workshop for parents is being offered by the state government in Maroochydore.

Finally, the International Women’s Day Breakfast is on this Friday. I encourage everyone to come along and celebrate the wonderful gift we have in our sisters, mothers, wives and other significant women in our lives. I hope to see you all there.

Mr Mark Hauser, Head of Senior College Students

A few years ago, the senior design students were challenged to design a logo that encompassed the essence of what Pastoral Care looks like at Pacific. Mikaela Swan’s design was selected, after votes from students and staff were considered.

As the logo reflects, Pastoral Care is a combination of methodology, research and interpersonal skill building. The imagery of interconnected community reminds us that Pastoral Care is a collective experience and for us to flourish in this journey, we are reliant on each other.

At the centre of the logo lies the empty cross. This intentional placement reminds us that our connections, choices and processes are performed with Christ guiding us. We can hang our disagreements and troubles on the cross, safe in the knowledge that we build strength through weakness.

Central to the logo are our three core values of ‘Care, Dignity and Respect’. At assemblies this term, we will continue investigating and explaining what these words mean to us as community.

Last Monday, I spoke to Prep – Year 5 students about ‘Care’ and how we exhibit care. After visiting several learning spaces for guidance, we decided that Care at Pacific falls into three main areas; care for the environment, care for others and care for self.

Perhaps the most insightful statement came from a Year 5 student who summed up our thinking: “Care at Pacific is bigger than one person. It is about being part of something bigger than yourself. When we care for each other, we make the world a better place”.

Stopping the Snowball

At assembly, we have also been discussing how we can stop problems that we encounter from becoming bigger. I used the analogy of a snowball rolling down a hill. When a snowball starts, it begins small and is easily stopped. However, if left unchecked, a snowball grows, becoming unstoppable and eventually damaging everything in its wake. Luckily there are many techniques we can use to stop a problem from growing into an uncontrollable snowball.

One such tool is the ‘high five hand’ (Speak Friendly, Speak Firmly, Ignore, Walk Away, Report). Students are reminded that if they are involved in or witness problems, they have a range of strategies to call on that aim to solve potential issues between students. The ‘high five hand’ provides quick and easy strategies to solve problems proactively.

Ride2School Day

National Ride2School Day is next Friday 13^th March and we encourage our students to get involved! Using active travel to get to and from school means:

• children arrive at school feeling more alert and ready to learn;
• there are fewer cars on our local streets, which improves road safety around our school; and
• it helps students to achieve their recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity each day.

The Sunshine Coast Council is offering great prizes this Ride2School Day, including bike shop vouchers valued at $500, $200 and $100. To go in the draw, register your children online before 5.00pm on Friday 13^th March. Children can ride, scoot or skate to be eligible.

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

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

When you consider that the teen years are a period of intense growth, not only physically but emotionally and intellectually, it's understandable that it's a time of confusion and upheaval for many families.

Teens are often energetic, thoughtful and idealistic, with a deep interest in what's fair and right. So, although it can be a period of conflict between parent and child, the teen years are also a time to help children grow into the distinct individuals they will become. For more information, visit: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/adolescence.html.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Shop Earn Grow

Help plant a greener future for our school! Simply shop at Currimundi Markets to vote for Pacific to WIN 1 of 2 Sustainable Garden Prize Packs! From 9^th March – 3^rd April 2020. Learn more at: www.currimundimarkets.com.au.

Look out for further information at Currimundi Marketplace.

Upcoming Events

• Mooloolaba Tri – Sunday 15^th March
• College Dance – Friday 27^th March; and
• One World OCEANfest 2020 Planning Meeting – Date TBA.

If you would like to be involved in helping out at the College Dance and/or OCEANfest, please contact us via email: fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Mooloolaba Tri

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help at the Mooloolaba Tri on Sunday 15^th March. We now have enough volunteers for the event! Pacific will receive a donation for every volunteer we provide on the day.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 17^th March in the College Library at 6.30pm. Please join us for wine, cheese and a chat.

Quote of the Week

“A ship is always safe at the shore, but that is not what it is built for.” – Albert Einstein

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, FoP Chairperson

Social Studio is a new service that has opened at the Sports Hub at Bokarina. Social Studio is a fully inclusive purpose-built studio catering to the needs of kids, teens and young adults living with Autism, ADHD or anyone experiencing social isolation.

They provide a range of special interest groups including art, chess, lego, virtual reality and lots more. They also provide support work, small community social groups and programs such as life skills, come and try sports groups and relationship coaching.

For further information, click here, or visit Mrs Jo Belchamber in the LEC.

Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Learning Enrichment

Over the weekend, 13 of our musicians attended the Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra camp in Mapleton. They spent the weekend rehearsing in groups with experts from across the Sunshine Coast. They even indulged in a group yoga session to aid their postures whilst playing their instruments. The finale concert on Sunday was a fantastic showcase of their musical talent and sounded fabulous! Well done to all students who participated.

Well done to Catalina Stylianou, Alex Monroe, Ben McCormac and Ainslie Carter on their performance at the Regional Swimming Carnival this week. Alex has qualified to represent the region at the upcoming State Championships! Congratulations, Alex.

The 2020 Monday Night Netball season commenced this week with our first games. All Pacific teams did very well with five wins and two losses, which is a strong start to the season. It was very pleasing to see all the students playing and enjoying the game. The results for this week are as follows:

Mr Brett Kersnovske, Head of 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

The LLL has a variety of savings accounts: personal and joint accounts; guardian accounts for children; and Business accounts, including self-managed super funds and not-for-profit organisations.

LLL Savings Accounts have many features, including:

• A great interest rate;
• No fees or charges at all;
• Internet banking;
• No minimum balance or deposit requirements;
• No ‘bonus’ interest hurdles; and
• Your money is available to withdraw at any time.

For further information regarding the LLL, visit the College’s Business Office or www.lll.org.au.

Pacific Lutheran College is fundraising with Entertainment™ again this year. Order your NEW 2020 Entertainment™ Books and Entertainment™ Digital Memberships today and 20% of the proceeds will go towards Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre!

To order your book or digital membership, visit: https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/230p536