Compass No 701 - October 2023

One of my favourite stories about an experience at Pacific that I remember being told was one from our Principal a number of years ago. She told the story about the interaction she had with a Prep student at the end of his very first day at the start of the year. Dr Dolling was at the car park saying goodbye to P-2 students after their first day and engaged in some conversation with the young Prep boy. She asked him about how his first day was. He responded “Yeah, it was ok. I had a lot of fun, but I still can’t read yet.” Talk about trying to run before you can walk!

Whenever I remember that story, I also think of the saying “out of the mouth of babes”. There is something refreshing about listening to the stories and words that come out of young children’s mouths at times. To me, it highlights their innocence and their naturally inquisitive and unfiltered nature. I guess this comes from being so reliant on the adults in their lives, that they feel safe around almost anyone and can just be themselves. A little child’s vulnerability is refreshing to me, and I’m envious of their absolute and total reliance on others to give them all that they need for life.

It is no wonder then, considering this, that Jesus often refers to children as being valuable. There are a number of passages where, in his teachings, Jesus scolds his own disciples for their attitudes and recommends that they see the world more through the eyes of a child. He is even quite explicit to us when he says, “the Kingdom of God belongs to these [children]”.

If only we could all be more like children in our faith in God. To completely depend on Him for everything that we need; to understand that we need Him every step of the way in our lives; and to trust in Him for our daily needs. And I think that is the message Jesus was trying to tell us. Coming to God with the approach of a child is reassuring and comforting. It takes the pressure of us and places it on the one who can do ALL things.

So, let’s try to remember to walk before we can run!

Mr Mark Hauser, College Chaplain

Pacific is committed to the crucial role that Pastoral Care plays in fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for its students.  To further enhance the quality of pastoral support and guidance provided for students, specifically across Years 7-12, the College is excited to introduce an 8th Pastoral Care Group (PCG) in each of the four Houses, commencing 2024.

Pastoral Care at Pacific is integral to a student’s academic success and personal growth.  It goes beyond the traditional classroom setting, ensuring students feel seen, heard and valued. The introduction of the 8th PCG represents a proactive step towards reinforcing the College’s commitment to individualised care.  The initiative is designed to maintain small groups, allowing for increased interactions and mentorship between Middle and Senior College students and their PCG teacher.

To ensure a smooth transition, students in Years 6-11 will receive email communication this week outlining the introduction of the 8^th PCG.  This communication will provide details on the purpose, structure and benefits of the additional PCG.  Importantly, students will have the opportunity to express their interest in moving into the 8^th PCG.

The introduction of an 8^th PCG in 2024 emphasises the College’s commitment to providing a nurturing and supportive environment for our students and recognising that a strong foundation of Pastoral Care is essential for academic success and personal growth. 

As students express their interest in the 8^th PCG, we look forward to fostering stronger connections between students and their PCG teacher as well as ensuring each student feels valued and supported throughout their PCG journey.

If any student or parent would like additional information about the introduction of the 8^th PCG, please do not hesitate to contact me at lfinter@pacluth.qld.edu.au

Ms Leigh Finter, Director of Students

Differentiated Instruction is the process of tailoring lessons to meet each student’s individual interests, needs, and strengths. Teaching this way gives students choice and flexibility in how they learn, and helps teachers personalize learning. This method also requires instructional clarity and clearly defined goals for learning, better enabling students to meet those goals.

What Are Some Differentiated Instruction Strategies?

At Pacific, we differentiate instruction across four main areas: content, process, product, and environment.

To differentiate content, teachers consider the objective of a lesson and then provide students with flexible options about the content they study to meet the objective, from subject or topic to approach or presentation.

With process differentiation, teachers differentiate how students learn. Grouping students based on their individual readiness or complementing each other is one way to accomplish process differentiation. Another is varying the way concepts are taught: through visual, auditory, or kinesthetic lessons, for example.

Product differentiation applies to the types of assignments students create. A teacher might ask students to explain a concept; the product could be a written report, a story, a song, a speech, or an art project. Varying the types of assessments that we give students is also an example of product differentiation.

The classroom environment also affects learning. Changing physical things in the classroom - how desks are set up or arranged, or where students can sit (on beanbags, for example), serves as classroom environment differentiation, which can also include changes to routines and habits.

Differentiating instruction is really a way of thinking, not a preplanned list of strategies. Oftentimes, it is making decisions at the moment based on this mindset. It’s recognising that all of our students bring different gifts and challenges and that as educators, we need to recognize those differences and use our professional judgment to flexibly respond to them in our teaching.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Teaching and Learning K-5

QUT Early Offer – Next Steps for Students, upload of supporting documentation

For current Year 12 students who have received an invitation for the QUT Early Offer, a reminder that you will need to upload your documents by 31^st October for the 17^th November QTAC offer round.

You must provide evidence of your confirmed QCAA General subject internal assessment (IA) marks for IA1, IA2 and IA3 in the form of:

• a full screenshot of the Results page within your QCAA Student Portal learning account (ensure this shows your Learner Unique Identifier (LUI); or

• a PDF of your Learning Account Summary – your school can generate this for you from the Student Management application.

QCAA has advised that confirmed marks for second and third IAs for all students across the state will begin to be published in QCAA Student Portal learning accounts shortly and this may continue into November for some students.

The final date to provide documentation is 17^th November to be considered for the 27^th November QTAC offer round.

University Showcase for Year 11 Students

We have booked a session on Tuesday 7^th November to give Year 11 students the opportunity to listen to university students, TAFE and the Australian Defence Force on the following topics:

• Find out more information about tertiary programs on offer and ask questions at our partner expo display, which will include representatives from all universities in Queensland.

• Learn more about tertiary programs, how to apply, study costs, scholarships, accommodation options, and life as a university student.

A courtesy reminder to Parents/ Carers that you are required to complete the online consent process and confirm medical details in Parent Lounge by Tuesday 24^th October 2023.

Mrs Veronica Sanmarco, Head of Career Development

Term 4 Events

If you have done your volunteer induction and have a couple of hours to spare for our Term 4 BBQ events, we’d love to have you! Save the dates now and keep eye on your email for more details soon. If you’re available, we’d love to hear from you - please email fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au – we promise you’ll have fun!

• Term 4 SCISSA Gala Day at Meridan Fields - set up from 8.00am – Thursday 2^nd November (Week 5)
• K-5 Christmas Carols at PLC - set up from pm – Friday 24^th November (Week 8)

Pacific Together

Pacific Together is a care-based service offered by Friends of Pacific to College families in times of need. If you, or someone you know within our College community, needs extra support during the year, the Pacific Together care group may be able to help in some small way or offer a care package. Please contact PLC Chaplain Mr Mark Hauser (mhauser@pacluth.qld.edu.au)

We were never meant to do life alone. We need the love and care of others, especially in times of need. If you would like to support the continuation of this care-based service through a financial contribution, we invite you to contact Pacific Together via email (fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au). Your contributions ensure that we can provide a care package for those in our community when the need arises.

Our next FoP meeting is on Tuesday 24^th October at 6.30pm in the College Library. You can RSVP by emailing (fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au). All agenda items should be submitted via email by Friday 13^th October. Come along, meet some new people and find out how you can help connect our community.

Click here to follow our Friends of Pacific Facebook page.

Mrs Carly Lovell, Friends of Pacific Chairperson

Our annual Book Fair will begin in the library next Monday and run until Thursday afternoon.

Books are available for purchase, starting from $5.

Ms Narelle Keen, Teacher Librarian

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)

17       Middle College Orientation Day & Evening

20       Pacific Pulse Surf Contest

20       Year 9 Camp Returns

23       Year 12 External Assessment Commences

24       Friends of Pacific (6.30pm)

27       Day for Daniel