Compass No. 580 August 2020

Nothing affects the ‘climate’ of a family as much as an emotional outburst. Whether it is a toddler having a meltdown over not getting what they want or a teenager stressed about school, relationships or no Wi-Fi, helping a young person through the rollercoaster of their emotions can sometimes be testing for parents. As young children and teenagers mature, it can be challenging for parents to show them how to name and tame their emotions. It is challenging because parents have the added emotional work of learning to deal with their own reactions to their children’s emotions. One of the ‘joys’ of parenthood is learning to work with those cracks in our armour where our emotional buttons are easily pushed.

Emotions are a good thing. God has given them to us for a reason. When a person is mad, it is useful to discern what is under the tip of the iceberg. Where is the intense feeling coming from? Is the person feeling attacked, frustrated, powerless, disrespected or unfairly treated? When a person is sad, is it coming from an experience of grief or loss, a stressful life situation, a health or trauma issue? When a person is happy, we can indeed thank God for whatever it is that brings joy at that moment.   

In Ephesians chapter four, we have a wise saying from Paul, where he encourages our emotional intelligence. He writes; “Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry – but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry… Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:26,32 The Message). Denying or surpassing our emotions is not a good thing for our relationships and spirituality. When we feel emotions like anger and don’t learn the skills to name them and work with them, resentment and unforgiveness can grow and build up over time. In this passage, we are encouraged to work with all of our emotions and be gentle and sensitive with one another, holding each other in the forgiveness of God.

Growing emotional intelligence in ourselves and our children is a lifelong journey. One in which God gives grace and humility and at times, much testing, as we work on our emotional communication in families. However, it is a journey in which God can grow us together and create deep connections that will shape our character and spirit.

Pastor Tim Jarick, College Pastor

At assembly this week, the Year 7-11 academic awards were presented for Semester 1. The Year 12 awards will be presented once confirmation of the two assessment pieces have been completed by the QCAA. The Academic Excellence and Endeavour awards recognise the focus, application, persistence and commitment to learning that students have demonstrated.

Congratulations to our award recipients. Click here to view the full list.

Whilst we acknowledged our academic award recipients this week, we also recognise the efforts of all students across the College who have set goals and worked hard to achieve them in Semester 1. 

Mrs Rae Hall, Head of Learning Middle College and Ms Anne-Marie Gerlach, Head of Learning Senior College

Let's figure it out, mathematically!

Student A reads 20 minutes five nights of every week;
Student B reads only 4 minutes a night...or not at all!

Step 1: Multiply minutes a night x 5 times each week.
Student A reads 20 minutes x 5 times a week = 100 minutes/week.
Student B reads 4 minutes x 5 times a week = 20 minutes/week.

Step 2: Multiply minutes a week x 4 weeks each month.
Student A reads 400 minutes a month.
Student B reads 80 minutes a month.

Step 3: Multiply minutes a month x 9 months/school year
Student A reads 3600 minutes in a school year.
Student B reads 720 minutes in a school year.

Student A practices reading the equivalent of 10 whole school days a year.
Student B gets the equivalent of only two school days of reading practice.

By the end of sixth grade, if Student A and Student B maintain these same reading habits, Student A will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days. Student B will have read the equivalent of only 12 school days.

One would expect the gap of information retained will have widened considerably and so, undoubtedly, will school performance. How do you think Student B will feel about themselves as a student?

Some questions to ponder:

• Which student would you expect to read better?
• Which student would you expect to know more?
• Which student would you expect to write better?
• Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary?
• Which student would you expect to be more successful in school....and in life?

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

School refusal, sometimes called school avoidance or school phobia, is not uncommon. It is different to ‘wagging’ or truancy and is often associated with worry or anxiety-related issues about going to school. School refusal may start gradually or happen suddenly. Although it is normal for a child to occasionally miss a day of school, parents should be concerned if a child regularly complains about feeling sick or often asks to stay home due to minor physical complaints.

School refusal is a complex issue as there is rarely a single cause. It affects children of all ages and often occurs during times of transition at school. More recently, the Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the educational experience of all students, affecting some more than others. In this edition of SchoolTV, parents can learn how best to approach this issue and work towards a solution: https://pacificlutheran.qld.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-refusal.

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

Together, we helped plant a greener future for Pacific!

Charter Hall proudly own and manage the Currimundi Markets shopping centre. Earlier this year, Currimundi Markets created ‘Project: Green Schools’. The purpose of the campaign was to assist in delivering a more sustainable future to local schools. Shoppers at Currimundi Markets were provided with biodegradable tokens and were invited to vote for one of six local schools and early education centres who participated.

Pacific was recently announced as the overall winner, receiving the most points during the promotion. During the week, some of our Year 5 Champions for Change were presented with a sustainability garden display pack (including a compost bin), as well as an additional $500 worth of Bunning’s gift cards.

We thank Charter Hall, Currimundi Markets and our Pacific community for their generosity in supporting environmentally sustainable practices.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

Photographs can be purchased at the following link until 12th August, after which late fees / additional charges will be incurred.

Online order link: https://www.advancedimage.com.au/

Online order code: B7H 8V9 RRH

Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available for purchase at the link.

Important Information:

• School photos purchased online DO NOT require envelopes returned to school.
• Late fees / additional charges will be applied for purchases after 12th August.
• Photos will be returned to the College for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken.

This week, 14 enthusiastic Year 10 Drama students immersed themselves in a day-long artist-in-residence workshop with Clint Bolster from Homunculus Theatre Company. Throughout the day, students honed their skills in the 500 year old Italian masked comic tradition of Commedia Dell ‘Arte, which will assist with their upcoming ensemble assessment. Students were impressed with the talent and knowledge that Clint imparted. His company works in professional acting, clowning, stilt and mask performance across Australia and Europe, in festivals, schools and theatres. Clint is also one of the chosen Australian clown performers for the renowned company Cirque Du Soleil, so we are very fortunate to have built a connection with him.

Homunculus Theatre Company will be returning in September to perform ‘The Spirit of The Mask’ to Year 8 students. We can’t wait to see the show!

Mrs Janine Delaney, Head of Drama

Year 12 students have already started putting together their QTAC applications for tertiary courses at university or TAFE. Applications platforms around Australia opened this week for courses commencing in 2021. Our Year 12 students have already had the opportunity to walk through the QTAC application system during their Personal Development this week. Applications through QTAC remain open until early December, although there are some courses with early closing dates – please check the QTAC guide or website for details. Interstate applications are due before the end of September. Students who require assistance with their course choices should make an appointment with Mrs Wanda Hayes as soon as possible.

ATAR Portal Registration Open

Year 12 students who are eligible for an ATAR can now register on the ATAR portal. This is where they will receive their ATAR certificate at the end of the year. The portal is accessed via the QTAC website (www.qtac.edu.au) click on the ‘ATAR’ tile for information and to register.

USC Early Offer Guarantee – Applications Open

Students who are applying through QTAC for a university place, and who have an eligible USC course as their first preference, may be able to apply for an Early Offer Guarantee. An Early Offer Guarantee gives Year 12 students the opportunity to receive an early and guaranteed place at USC as early as August, before the release of their Year 12 results. For rules and information on how to apply, visit: https://www.usc.edu.au/study/.

Students must first complete their QTAC application and receive a QTAC number. They can then complete their USC EOG application and hand it in to Mrs Wanda Hayes. Applications will be assessed by the school for suitability. Approved applications are then sent to USC. The sooner you get your application in and assessed, the sooner you can receive your offer!

Trade Training Centre – Upcoming Information Events

Every year, a number of Pacific students complete a course at the Sunshine Coast Technical and Trade Training Centre (SCTTTC). The Centre offers Certificate (Pre-Trade) qualifications in Automotive, Electrical, Construction and Plumbing. It also offers Certificate courses in Beauty and Barbering, Aviation and Building Design.

The SCTTTC is holding information evenings for prospective students and their parents on the 13th and 18th August, at their centre at 40 Bower Street Caloundra. You must register to attend these sessions, details are on the attached flyer.

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development 

Well done to all students who represented the College over the last week.

Our basketball teams continued in their Friday night competition with our Senior A Boys team having a strong win over Unity College. The Senior E Boys and Senior D Girls also recorded wins with the Senior D Girls still remaining undefeated so far this season. Good luck to all players for their games this Friday.

The rugby season kicked off on Wednesday evening with our Under 16 Girls and Under 14 Boys teams playing their first games. Both teams unfortunately went down on the scoreboard but played strongly and enjoyed the opportunity to get out on the sporting field.

Lastly, both our junior and intermediate touch football teams recorded strong wins in their games on Wednesday evening. The Junior Girls had a convincing 7-1 win over Sunshine Coast Grammar School and the Intermediate Girls had a 5-1 win over Good Shepherd Lutheran College.

Athletics Carnivals

Both the Primary and Secondary Athletics Carnivals will be held in Week 6 at USC.

• Primary Athletics Carnival – Thursday 20th August
• Secondary Athletics Carnival – Friday 21st August

Pre-Carnival Events

Nominations for pre-carnival events closed today. Students who have nominated will compete during Week 5 and Week 6 at various times as follows:

• Under 12 High Jump – Tuesday 11th August (3.20pm – 4.30pm on the main oval)
• 13-18 years Javelin – Wednesday 12th August (7.15am – 8.00am on the primary oval)
• 12-18 years 1500m – Wednesday 12th August (1.00pm – 1.40pm on the Meridan AFL field)
• 10-11 years 1500m – Monday 17th August (3.20pm during Year 4-6 afterschool SCISSA training)

Year 4-6 SCISSA Training

Monday afterschool SCISSA training for students in Years 4-6 starts again on Monday 17th August (Week 6). Students will train from 3.15 – 4.15pm at the College. Due to the Kawana Pool being unavailable for the first two Monday afternoons, students who train for Water Polo will remain at school and complete dry land training sessions.

Mr Darren Hooper, Head of Sport

As the season continues, Pacific FC has incorporated more K3 Coaching sessions for all age groups. Over the past month, ball skills, teamwork and developing a love for the game have been primary focuses at training. We thank the K3 team of Kory, Kyle, Kristy, Ben and Josh for sharing their wealth of football knowledge with our players.

SCCSA’s season has now been extended until 12th September. Our next home games will be plated at Pacific on 22nd August. With the use of the EVA app, all spectators will be required to check in and out of the grounds and of course, will be required to follow the directives of Pacific, SCCSA and Queensland Health.

We thank all of our managers, coaches and spectators for the super action shots coming through to us. Our U7 Sharks took on the Coolum Orcas last Saturday, clearly loving their chance to get outside and showcase their new skills. Thanks for the photo Lucie!

Monthly Worship with Holy Communion on Sunday 16th August

14 Bombala Terrace, Caloundra

All welcome!

Choice of times: 8.30am, 9.30am, or 10.30am. Under the current guidelines, there is a maximum of 35 people allowed at each service, which run for 45 minutes.

All safety precautions are being taken including hand sanitising, social distancing, recording of people attending and sanitising and cleaning of high-contact surfaces between services.

Bookings are essential and can be made at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/worship-with-holy-communion-16-august-2020-tickets-114127404138

Phone or text Janelle for assistance on 0488 556 150.

Alternatively, online worship resources can be found on Facebook or our website.

Pastor Ray Morris – 0429 856 532

Pastor Ray, St Mark’s Lutheran Church