Compass No 673 - February 2023

This week I share with you through video the Year 12 Labyrinth reflection opportunity and highlights of this week’s thread ‘Integrity’, which was the focus in Chapels across Foundation, Junior, Middle and Senior College. 

At the end of last week, our Year 12 students spent time at the Labyrinth. Students were encouraged to think about their PLC journey so far as they walked into the Labyrinth – What was their earliest memory? Who are they grateful for through their journey? How have they grown? What are some key lessons they have learnt? Students were then asked to reflect on their journey on as they walked out of the Labyrinth – What kind of person do they want to be? What are their hopes and dreams? Is there anyone they want to thank?

It was a great morning of stillness and reflection. We hope this time helped the students be present in each moment as they embark on their Year 12 chapter.

I am excited to share with the community more about what we do at Pacific in the spiritual life and mission of the College. Please do not hesitate to connect with me by email hgricks@pacluth.qld.edu.au with a prayer request or if you wish to discuss Chapel messages further.

Please click on the link below to view the video.

Mrs Holly Gricks, College Chaplain

Action Group Market Day

Pacific’s Senior College Executive team (https://nav.pacluth.qld.edu.au/) were in full swing this week, preparing and holding another successful 2023 Action Group Market Day, held during Tuesday’s lunch break. The Year 12 Action Group Captains across the areas of Academic, Cultural, Environmental, Student Wellbeing, Spirituality and Service, Sport, and Technology displayed their key focus areas and goals for 2023 and encouraged students across Years 6-12 to connect with existing ideas, extend thinking through their own contributions and importantly, express interest in signing up to attend future student-led, Action Group meetings. At these meetings, the Action Group Captains work in co-agency with a teacher to develop focus areas, ways to connect students, provide a sense of purpose, belonging, a little competition between House groups, serve the College and wider communities and grow leadership capacity as a collective and as individuals.

Congratulations Year 6 Action Captains

Also, this week, Year 6 Action Group Captains across the 7 key Action Areas were elected by their cohort to bridge ideas across the Junior, Middle and Senior College. The Year 12 Action Group Captains welcome Year 6 Action Group Captains as they commence joining and leading meetings. Congratulations to the Year 6 Action Group Captains.

Action Group Meetings

Students across Years 6-12 who are interested in supporting the growth of one or more of the College Action Areas, as well as grow their individual leadership capacity, are welcome to join the following meetings:

• Spirituality and Service Action Group - EVERY Tuesday 10.25am - H2.4
• Wellbeing Action Group - EVERY Wednesday 10.25am - L2.2
• Academic Action Group - Wednesday EVEN Weeks - 1.00pm - A2.1
• Environmental Action Group - Wednesday EVEN Weeks - 1.00pm - A2.3
• Sports Action Group - Wednesday EVEN Weeks - 1.00pm - L2.9
• Cultural Action Group - Wednesday EVEN Weeks - 1.00pm - H1.1
• Technology Action Group - Wednesday EVEN Weeks - 1.00pm - L2.10

Ms Leigh Finter, Head of Senior College Students

Every Monday morning, our Junior College assembles hear about what has been and is happening around our College. This connection time allows for holistic messaging that reflects the thread for the week as well as expanding on key teachings of our College ethos and “You Can Do It” lessons. Our alternating split assemblies in Foundation and Junior College cohorts, allow us to better tailor our messages to a more specific audience. New audio equipment under our Junior College buildings has supported our split assemblies effectively.

This year we have expanded the implementation of the Pacific Way across the Junior College. Our intentional focus including developing a sense of self, managing interactions with others and deepening connections with spirituality, service and the environment is now included in our Junior Diaries as an expanded message for the week. As a Junior College, we have expanded on what it means to be independent and reflective.

Our theme of Purpose, Engagement and Co-Agency sits seamlessly into our philosophy regarding the Pacific Way. The structure is gentle and hopeful. It aims to increase co-agency in our students, staff and the broader community by providing clear and precise signposts that we grow towards. Students will have the opportunity to contribute to what is valued and reword what our over-arching statements will mean to individual year levels. Student voice allows this document to evolve and provide the touchstones and certainty as we support our students now and into the future.

This term’s theme for “You Can Do It” surrounds relationships and connects seamlessly to our “Learning Together” Pillar. At our assembly last week, Mrs Atkinson shared what students wanted in a friendship and what kind of friend they would be together. Amongst the traits desired were honesty, trust and respect. After an initial discussion, Mrs Atkinson connected with students in the playground and when asked to elaborate on their understanding of a genuine friend, they identified true friendship as:

• Not fair-weather, true friends are around for the good and bad times

• Having the freedom to be yourself and not be nervous

• Taking responsibility for their actions, and

• True friends don’t sacrifice things about themselves to fit in.

These observations have come directly from our students and show the levels of self-reflection and awareness they possess in understanding the sometimes-complex world of maintaining relationships. All of us are human and err from time to time but what this does provide is that as individuals, we all have thoughtful awareness from which to navigate. 

We look forward to supporting our students when working with each other across all areas of the College and thank Mrs Atkinson for her leadership.

Parent connectors and volunteering

Thank you to the many parents and guardians who have completed their volunteer training during the past week. Your service to the College community is greatly appreciated and we look forward to sharing the opportunities with you during the year. 

Thank you to those within the community who have registered their interest as Parent Connectors. Your willingness to volunteer as a connector, will strengthen relationships across the College and support the Friends of Pacific in their work in the wider community. If you would like to volunteer, expressions of interest are still open via the online form.  

Food and celebrations 

An important part of a school community is celebrating milestones amongst our students. Traditionally, this may have involved students bringing food or treats onto the campus to help with the celebrations. Obviously, our landscape has changed due to COVID-19 and this is no longer possible. Safe and appropriate storage of food as well as keeping track of known allergens also play an important part in keeping our students safe and limiting the bringing of food items onto campus. 

However, through the tuck shop, the College has widened its availability of birthday packs by now offering frozen Quelch ice blocks for birthdays, priced at 0.70c per student and easily ordered through the FlexiSchools Service. Alternatively, cookie packs at $1.00 a student are also available through the cooler months. 

These can be accessed via the following link https://www.flexischools.com.au/ or by contacting Shea Moor at tuckshop@pacluth.qld.edu.au.   

Take care and God bless,

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

Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be participating in NAPLAN online Wednesday 15th March – Monday 20th March.

NAPLAN online assessment will take place during Term 1 this year.

NAPLAN Online questions will be tailored to student responses, ensuring a more accurate snapshot of student understanding. The questions become more or less difficult, adapting to student progress and providing more precise results.

Parents and students are encouraged to visit the Public Demonstration Site and explore the range of question formats available.

Students will participate in practice tests at school so they are familiar with the testing process. More information regarding necessary equipment will be provided prior to the tests.

Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Learning Middle College and Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Teaching and Learning K-5

Mathematics Assistance Lessons

Students in Middle and Senior College have the opportunity to attend additional Mathematics sessions. Many Math teachers are making themselves available to their students during arranged weekly sessions. Please check in with your class teacher for when these sessions will be held.

In addition to this, all students in the Middle and Senior College are welcome to attend the Monday Afternoon Mathematics assistance class from 3.15pm -  4.15pm in room L1.1. All students are welcome to attend and receive extra assistance with their classwork, assignment work or exam study.

Engaged Mathematics Students

It is great to see Pacific students engaging with their Mathematics learning. The engagement and competitiveness were at a high in Mrs Wescombe’s Year 11 Maths Methods class where correctly answering an algebraic question for your team allowed you to ‘pop’ another team’s balloon, with the aim to be to be the last team to have a balloon popped.

  Mr Michael Knight, Head of Mathematics

You can now book Careers Appointments online (Years 10-12)

Senior College students can now access the Careers Bookings Calendar and make their own appointments to meet with me. Appointments can be booked for any career-related reason: reviewing or making subject choices at school; planning post-school pathways; exploring tertiary study options; applying for part-time jobs; organising work experience… there’s lots of career stuff to talk about! Students can choose a short (15-minute) appointment for a quick check-in on a specific issue; or a long (45-minute) appointment for issues requiring more detailed exploration and discussion. As always, parents are welcome to join careers meetings, and they can choose to do so in person here at school, or online via Zoom. You can access the booking calendar using this link. Students: please be courteous, and check with your Teacher that it’s OK with them for you to miss all or part of a lesson before you make your booking.

Have your say on what’s included in the Career Planning program at PLC (Years 10-12)

Our Career Planning program is currently being updated, with new initiatives, a new careers hub, and new learning modules. You can have your say on what is proposed for the Career Planning program this year; or make suggestions for things you’d like to see, by completing this survey on Nav.

An Introduction to My Future (for parents and carers)

Wednesday 8th March 2023, 1.00pm – 2.00pm

My Future is an excellent career information platform with a range of useful tools to help young people explore their career options. PLC students will use My Future when they complete career planning activities in Personal Development classes or in their own time.

This webinar will be an introduction to the My Future career information service. The presenter will demonstrate how the platform can be a useful tool in career and transition planning, highlighting resources that are most relevant to your child/ren. This will include reference to My Future’s psychometric career interest test (My career profile), the occupation and course information, videos, pathway infographics, and resources mapped to the Australian Curriculum Work Studies sub-strands. This webinar aims to provide attendees with the confidence to support their child/ren with their career exploration. 

Register now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3567438472923116887

University of Melbourne | Hansen Scholarship Information Evening (Year 12)

Tuesday 21st February 2023

Are you a young leader in the making? Do you want to broaden your academic horizons while exploring your unique passions?

Applications for the Hansen Scholarship Program, the University’s most generous undergraduate scholarship, are open between February and March 2023. Valued at up to $108,000, the scholarship recognises Year 12 students from across Australia who have demonstrated outstanding academic success, resilience to adversity and a commitment to helping others within their community.

To help you learn more about the program, we’re inviting you to our upcoming online information session, in which we’ll cover:

• The program’s eligibility and selection criteria
• Timelines and the application process
• Tips and advice on submitting a competitive application
• Benefits of the program, including financial support, tailored personal development, industry connections and free accommodation at Little Hall residence.

You’ll also hear from a current Hansen Scholar who will share their experiences about the program and be available to answer your questions. Parents and careers practitioners are also welcome to attend. Find out more here.

Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize (Years 1-12)

Combine your knowledge of science with a knack for filmmaking and create a video exploring the 2023 theme ‘Green’. This is a high-profile annual National competition led by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and Adam Spencer. Students may enter individually or as a group. There are separate categories for Primary School and Secondary School students. Individuals or teams who are selected as finalists will win a trip to Sydney for the awards ceremony. Entries for the 2023 competition are open now and close Friday 14th of April.

John Bell Scholarship (Years 10, 11 and 12)

Are you interested in a career as a performer? Audition for the John Bell Scholarship.

A life-changing opportunity for budding performers, three students will spend one incredible week training with Bell Shakespeare at our HQ in Sydney.

Winners will undertake acting masterclasses with Bell Shakespeare artists, observe rehearsals, receive specialist training, see live theatre, and more. They will also have the opportunity to perform their winning monologue for Founding Artistic Director John Bell, Artistic Director Peter Evans, and Bell Shakespeare artists, receiving feedback and mentoring.

Applications are open now and close on 7th April, 2023

SCCE | Exchange Webinar (Years 11 and 12)

Tuesday 21st February 2023

Preparing for your exchange program is an important part of the process and is vital to continued program success. At these online meetings, an experienced high school exchange advisor will share an overview of high school exchange programs with the Southern Cross Cultural Exchange.

You’ll learn more about living with a host family and how studying overseas can help you develop confidence and independence… and gain a lifetime of memories. Find out more here.

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

There are so many different opinions offered on how best to parent. New parents will often have firm beliefs about how they wish to balance love and discipline, but this ideal often goes out the window when a toddler throws their first tantrum in the supermarket!

Raising children can bring parents and caregivers great joy despite many learning ‘on the job’ and growing into the role through experience and understanding. Children will always flourish in a warm and loving environment, supported by clear guidance.

In this Special Report, parents and caregivers can gain a greater understanding of the four defined parenting styles by taking part in the quiz. It can guide parents towards deciding which style they wish to adopt and the effects it may have on their children.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

Here is the link to your special report:

https://pacificlutheran.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-parenting-styles

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor

2023 AGM

You are invited to the Friends of Pacific AGM and first general meeting for 2023 on Tuesday 21st February at 6.30pm in the College library.

Nominations for the following Office Bearers are being called:

• Chairperson
• Vice-Chairperson
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Foundation Executive (Prep-Yr 2)
• Junior Executive (Yr 3-5)
• Middle Executive (Yr 6-9)
• Senior Executive (Yr 10-12)

If you would like to nominate for a position and/or attend the upcoming meeting, please RSVP by via email (fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au).

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Jenny Lee, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

Last weekend, 60 Music students and staff went off on the Annual Pacific Music Camp, held at to Watson park in Dakabin. The camp kicked off after school on Friday where the students travelled down to Watson Park on the bus. Students spent Friday evening setting up spaces and embarked on their first rehearsal – a piece that involved every member of the camp! Saturday morning started early with the first Marching Band rehearsal of the year. There were several new students, so it was a lesson in trying to keep in step and play their instrument at the same time – no easy feat!

Saturday also saw rehearsals for the Senior Concert Band, Senior Strings, Jazz Ensemble, Senior Choir and Pacific Orchestra. Saturday culminated in a movie night in the dining hall where everyone enjoyed some downtime. Sunday morning, we were up bright and early again with another Marching Band rehearsal and then a full run-through of the concert. At 1.00pm the students welcomed their parents to Watson Park and performed a short concert, a wonderful music display of what had been worked on during the weekend. It was a resounding success and there were many relationships formed over the weekend. Thank you to all of the Music staff who came along to help and thank you to the parents for collecting students and the continuous support shown to Pacific Music.

The Annual Music Camp is an excellent way to begin the Pacific musical year. It brings our ensemble groups and students together to set clear goals and expectations for the year ahead. Camp was a lot of fun with much improvement already seen. We are looking forward to sharing our love of music throughout the year.

In other news…

All large ensembles have now begun for 2023 and the first rehearsal for the band travelling on the New Zealand Music Tour happened last week.

This week there are auditions for several PLC Rock Bands. There are 2 new ensembles for 2023, a flute choir and a percussion club which have both started with enthusiasm. Please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Helen Williams if you would like to become a member of any of the ensembles or should you have any questions (helenw@pacluth.qld.edu.au).

A very big thank you to all of the PLC Music tutors who are collectively teaching around 400 instrumental lessons per week.

Looking forward to a wonderful musical year ahead!

Mrs Helen Williams, Head of Instrumental Music (P-12)

In February 2023, the National Immunisation Program changed the recommended human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) schedule for Year 7 students from two doses to one dose. The change is based on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.

In Queensland, the HPV vaccine is primarily delivered through the free Queensland School Immunisation Program (SIP).

The Chief Health Officer, Queensland has advised that from the beginning of the 2023 school year, the SIP will provide the recommended one dose of HPV.

Year 7 and Year 10 vaccinations will proceed on May 17th, 2023. The Year 7 cohort will receive HPV and dTpa vaccinations. NO further vaccinations will be scheduled through the year.

Vaccination forms have been sent home to Students in Year 7 and Year 10. Completed forms need to be returned by Friday 17th March, 2023. If vaccination forms are not returned by Friday 17th March, your child will not be vaccinated at school.

Please visit the following link which provides further details on the HPV vaccination - https://ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2023-02/HPV-Factsheet_February-2023.pdf

Mrs Maree Hooper, College Nurse

New LibGuides added
Two new Science libguides were added this week to support current assignments.

The password is plc.
Year 8 Chemistry https://libguides.pacluth.qld.edu.au/8chemistry
Year 10 Physics https://libguides.pacluth.qld.edu.au/10Physics

Book Club
Book Club order forms were issued to students in Prep to Year 6 this week. Orders need to be placed online by next Friday 24th February 2023.

St Valentine’s Day in the Library
This week, to celebrate St Valentine’s Day, students had the opportunity to create string-art hearts. Over 40 students participated across the Junior and Middle College, using wool to create woven patterns.

Ancient Egyptian Escape Room
This week, the 16th of February marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb. To celebrate the occasion, Mr Griffin created a display on all things Egypt in the library foyer and Mrs Smith ran an Egyptian-themed escape room in the library hubs. Teams of students had to solve riddles and work out clues to find a code which, if correct, would open a treasure chest.

Ms Narelle Keen, Head of Library

Dicky Beach Surf Life Saving Club is introducing an inclusive nippers program for children and youth aged 5+ to increase beach safety awareness and confidence, regardless of disability or environmental obstacle.

Further details are below.

Interested participants can register via https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9Uj6iSFXxu1UB0sl2JPqIsRpdiRkfpSt8GZ_uTi3UfKEDfQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

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)

20       13-19 Years District Swimming

21       9-12 Years District Swimming

21       Friends of Pacific (6.30pm)

23       Year 6 GRIP Leadership

23       Voices on the Coast