Compass No 690 - July 2023

One of the joys of having children is watching the shows and movies that are primarily designed for young people but are just as watchable and loved by adults alike. As my children are older, unfortunately, I missed out on the phenomenon that is “Bluey” but I have been introduced to it through younger connections in my family.

Recently, a Bluey episode was released that surrounded the topic of cricket. Timely with the Ashes currently underway, but it isn’t about the intricacies of the rules of the game of cricket but more the collective narrative of family, tenacity and love. In this episode, Rusty, a true cricket tragic and a friend of Bluey’s, is struggling with an older faster bowler amongst a range of different batting conditions. Rusty’s dad, who is serving overseas in the military, provides some advice via a letter for young Rusty;

“As you grow, you’ll face harder things than a cricket ball, and you’ll have two choices. Back away and get out or step in front and play a pull shot … keep your eye on the ball and look after your little sister.”

As a result, Rusty practised. Hard. And took risks. He overcame the many challenges he was faced with as well as remembering to value and love after his sibling.

This sentiment captures our wellbeing theme of resilience as well as our thread for this week and next surrounding family connections.

This notion of family is a common place where young people learn about personal identity. Where families support, experience love, encouragement, kindness, and nurture, they have a strong foundation for healthy development as a person. As our young people grow, family support becomes the centre for the adventures out of home, discovering the world and new relationships. All families are different, and each has different ways of helping each other, but young people need consistency and certainty in family support.

Our You Can Do It theme this term focuses on the notion of wellbeing and resilience. But it would be remiss to expect anyone to be in a state of bliss all the time! Life requires persistence and tenacity. Our students require discomfort and resilience for them to comprehend and construct a sense of wellness.  Like Rusty, every day we are faced with situations that present uncertainty. Resilience has been proven to be a skill we can develop and combine. The skills and attributes that we arm ourselves with as we navigate challenging times are the systems that allow us to rebuild and manage our sense of self.

This journey is impossible without the support of the wider community, and we are thankful for the continuing support of your children on their journey here at the College. We look forward to supporting your child during the remainder of this term and beyond. And if you haven’t yet watched “Cricket”, it is well worth a watch. 

NAIDOC Week

The theme for this year’s NAIDOC week is “For our Elders” which fits neatly with our theme of family and family connection for the next two weeks. Elders in all cultures are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers and leaders, but they play a crucial role in the stories, traditions and beliefs of First Nations Peoples.

Last term, on our staff retreat, we were fortunate to have Mr Kerry Neill, a Kabi Kabi Leader, speak at length about First Nation’s perspectives and educate us on our path to reconciliation. Along with Pastor Tim Jarick, the message of love and community shone through.

Next Thursday, we are fortunate to have Mr Sean Choolburra, Gu-Gu-Yalanji, Kalkadoon, Kandju and Bwgcolman man from around Townsville and Palm Island visit the College and perform and inform the Prep-Five students about dance, knowledge, and story. We look forward to his visit and continuing our recognition of Elders and their traditions.

Grandparents Day and Special Friends Day

This year Grandparents and Special Friends Day has moved from its traditional date in Term 4 to the 4^th of August, which is the end of Week 4. Specific communication regarding the day will come from the College shortly. We look forward to sharing our campus with you on this day, which is always one of the highlights of the College Calendar.

Take care and God Bless.

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

Tertiary Applications Information Evening for Parents and Students

Senior students and their parents are encouraged to attend the Tertiary Applications Information Evening in the College Gym on Tuesday 25^th July, at 6.00pm. This will be an in-person presentation by Wanda Hayes and will also be recorded and shared with families after the event.

This information presentation will expand upon the information delivered late last term to Year 12 students during PD lessons. Topics include:

•  Registering for and receiving your ATAR

•  Key dates for Tertiary application processes

•  Submitting an application to Queensland universities

•  Applying for early offer schemes

•  Managing applications in multiple states

•  ATAR adjustments, including special consideration for students who have experienced disadvantage

•  How universities make offers

•  How to respond to offers and enrol at university

Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.

We look forward to you joining us for this very important information event.

 

TSXPO - Tertiary Studies Expo (Years 10 to 12)

Saturday 15^th and Sunday 16^th July, Brisbane Showgrounds, 10.00am to 4.00pm

This careers expo is recognised by many as the most comprehensive higher education and careers event in Australia. It is certainly the biggest and the best in Queensland, with many exhibitors choosing to attend TSXPO, but not attend the smaller regional events. It is a one-stop shop for students and their families to gain insight into the vast array of courses and career opportunities available to them. All Queensland universities usually exhibit at this event, and there will be many of the major interstate universities there as well.

TSXPO is on at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday and Sunday 15^th and 16^th July, from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Entry is free.

NOTE: There will be a smaller version of this expo at Venue 114, Bokarina, on Tuesday 18^th July from 9.00am to 2.30pm.

 

Health Heroes Symposium (Years 10 to 12)

Thursday 3^rd August, Kawana Waters State College Secondary Campus, 4.45 – 6.30pm

In conjunction with the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Kawana Health Education Unit invites you to join medical professionals from around the coast in live demonstrations and educational talks focusing on pathways to exciting future careers in the Health Industry. There will also be information available at the Symposium about the Health Certificate courses offered to Year 11 and 12 students by the Kawana Health Education Unit. Year 10 Students who are interested in enrolling in the Health Cert courses for 2024 are urged to attend this event because they will receive important information about the enrolment process. The attached flyer provides details on how to register for this event.

 

The Open Day Planner is here! (Years 10-12)

University Open Days are always exciting, and there are so many across Australia each year, so the folk at Study, Work, Grow have brought all 71 of them together into one planner for you.

This 5^th edition planner is sorted by month to make it easy to browse and schedule your Open Day visits. There is at least one in SE Qld nearly every weekend for the next couple of months, so think carefully about how you will attend all the Open Days you are interested in.

Download the Open Day Planner here.

 

Griffith Film School application support webinar (Year 12)

Tuesday 18^th July 2023, 5.00pm

Going forward, portfolios will need to be submitted when applying to study Film and Screen Media Production, Animation or Games Design at Griffith Film School. To answer all your burning questions about what this means, we’re holding a portfolio admission webinar in July. The webinar is suitable for teachers, parents and students.

Register today via this link.

 

Queensland College of Art application support webinar (Year 12)

Wednesday 19^th July 2023, 5.00pm

Portfolio admission is now an optional pathway when applying to study Design or Visual Arts at the Queensland College of Art. Griffith is holding a portfolio admission webinar in July. Learn all about our degrees, how to apply, as well as the benefits of portfolio submission. This webinar is suitable for teachers, parents and students.

Register today via this link.

 

New Queensland Conservatorium application information (Year 12)

Applications to study at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in 2024 are open from 1^st–31^st August. The application process involves three steps that students must complete before they are potentially invited to a live audition or interview from 25^th September 2023.

Find out more here.

 

Academic Bootcamps: face-to-face and now online during the September school holidays (Year 12)

Griffith University Academic Bootcamps are designed to assist students to achieve their full academic potential. In 2023 the boot camps will again be held face-to-face at the beautiful Gold Coast campus and, for the first time, online! Get an academic advantage and improve confidence, while reducing stress and anxiety around external exams in maths and science.

Express your interest today via this link.

 

Welcome to TAFE Queensland Open Days! (Years 9 -12)

Engage with our knowledgeable instructors and explore facilities across our campuses during our upcoming open days on September 12^th-14^th.

Join us for a day filled with activities, workshops, and valuable information about our campuses, study areas and facilities. This is an opportunity for the students to explore an extensive selection of course options and discover the educational path that will propel them towards a successful future.

Students in years 9, 10, 11 and 12, and parents are invited to attend. Click on this link to register today.

Mooloolaba Campus, Tuesday 12^th September, 9.30am – 2.00pm

Nambour Campus, Tuesday 12^th September, 9.30am – 2.00pm

Gympie Campus, Wednesday 13^th September, 9.30am – 2.00pm

Bundaberg Campus, Thursday 14^th September, 9.30am – 2.00pm

 

Saturday 19^th August – ADFA Open Day (Years 10-12)

Are you looking at tertiary education options and also interested in joining the Navy, Army or Air Force? The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) welcomes you to explore a unique university offering at the 2023 ADFA Open Day!

If you can’t make it to the in-person Open Day in Canberra, you will still have access to the Virtual ADFA Open Day where you will:

• Hear from ADFA Commandant, Jules Adams, as well as current trainee officers, alumni, and UNSW staff about life and studying at ADFA;

• Explore UNSW degrees, with Information Sessions on Arts, Business, Engineering & Computing, and Science;

• Participate in the Defence Jobs Instagram Q&A with current trainee officers, so they can get their questions answered;

• Take a tour of the campus and much more!

Download an event flyer or click this link for more information.

 

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development

Friends of Pacific hopes that everyone had a relaxing break from the school routine and that you’re ready for a busy Term 3. We are looking forward to a successful OCEANfest in a few short weeks and are so grateful for the support of the community for your donations for the Cent Auction. You can find more details about OCEANfest and how you can help later in the Compass.

CAKE STALL - Donation Request

Calling all bakers! To ensure the success of our cake stall at OCEANfest, all PLC families are invited to donate home-baked goods that could add variety to this year’s One World festival theme. Any and all baked goods are welcome. Drop off of baked items will be on the Friday morning of OCEANfest, 18^th August - more details to come. All baked items must have ingredients labelled. Please contact fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au for any enquiries.

Next FoP Meeting and OCEANfest Meeting

We’d love to see you at our next meeting, on Tuesday 18^th July at 6.30pm in the College Library. You can RSVP by emailing fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Come along, meet some new people and find out how you can help connect our community.

Immediately following our FoP Meeting will be the OCEANfest Steering Committee catch-up at approx. 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. A cheese platter and refreshments will be served. We look forward to seeing you there.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Carly Lovell, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

Competitive Sport News

Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools Basketball

We are straight back into competitive sport this week with a number of our basketball teams beginning their campaigns this Friday. Students have been advised of their game times via notices and the PLC Nav Calendar. Just a reminder that students and parents should check the NAV Calendar throughout the week for any updates regarding fixtures. Fixture information can also be found on the PLC App.

Students will need to have collected their playing uniforms before Friday. It is important that students do not wear casual clothes with their PLC uniforms before and after games. Students can wear either the standard PLC Jacket or Competitive Sport Jacket (if eligible) to games over their playing uniform. Long Sleeve Pacific Basketball shirts are also acceptable.

We are always in need of parents to jump in and help with the score bench on the night, so please come and touch base with coaches at the games if you can assist. It is a relatively easy process, and the coaches will be grateful to be coaching rather than scoring at the same time!

If you have any questions regarding basketball for your student, please contact Mr Brad Burdon at bburdon@pacluth.qld.edu.au

SCISSA Touch Football

We will have every team hitting the field next Wednesday in Round 1 of SCISSA Touch Football. All fixture information will be available on the PLC NAV calendar, which can also be found through the PLC App. Students will be advised when they can collect their playing singlets. As with any of our competitive sports, it is important that students are committed to turning up to each game and need to advise their coaches by email or in person if they can’t be at a game for any reason.

If you have any questions regarding touch football for your students, please contact Mr Cameron West-McInnes at cwestmcinnes@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools’ Water Polo

Our students will begin their training this week for the Water Polo season starting later in August. Our students will train during Friday’s sport at Kawana Aquatic Centre with their coaches. It is important that students have their PLC swimmers and a mouthguard ready for training and competition.

If you have any questions regarding water polo for your students, please contact Mr Cameron West-McInnes at cwestmcinnes@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Student Acknowledgements

Congratulations to the following students for their fantastic achievements in sports.

• Danica Cockburn attended an Oztag Super Series competition playing for QLD Fury U16 girls, comprising girls selected from around the state at the State Cup Competition. After 6 games over the weekend, their team took the series win. Danica’s strong efforts have resulted in her being selected for a QLD Force team.

• Tom Ackhurst participated in 3 events at the QLD & Nth NSW Ski Interschools Competition at Perisher over the school holidays. Tom placed second for Moguls, and in first place for both Alpine and Ski Cross for QLD.

Mr Cameron West-McInnes, Head of Sport

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)

18       Year 6-12 Parent Conferences

18       Friends of Pacific (6.30pm)

19       Year 11 Leadership Day 2

21       Light Installation Evening

24       P-5 Parent Conferences (concluding 28^th July)

25       9-12 years District Athletics

25       Year 12 Tertiary Information Evening

25       Year 7 Camp departs (returning Friday 28^th July)