Compass no.757

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released this week that over 30% of Australia’s population had been born overseas. England, India, China and New Zealand were the countries of birth with the largest populations.  Australia’s culture and our way of life have been and continue to be enhanced through the cultures of our First Nations people and the cultures of different immigrants. Over this past fortnight, there has been much reflection around the legacy of Pope Francis as a man  who had tremendous compassion for people from all backgrounds, ages and characteristics and the environment. His words and actions reflected a man who saw the world and its people through the eyes of God’s love. 

Within the bible, there is encouragement for us to abide in God’s love. To abide in God’s love sees us being at home within His love, where God comes to us, surrounds us with His love and enhances our relationship with Him. Through abiding in God’s love, we are called to follow his teachings and are strengthened in times of challenge. We can let go and find peace and rest.  We see the beauty of God’s creation. Abiding in God’s love encourages us to see and act with care, courage and compassion for all people and the world.

As families, teachers, staff, students and community, we each play an important role in helping each other to grow in our capacity to respond with care and compassion. Taking advantage of those learning moments to reinforce the importance of respect and care and the valuing of the human dignity of all, grows us deeply. No matter our age, simple acts of kindness, inclusion and care in our communication can make a significant difference. These habits come from a heart of love for people and the world and are energising and life giving. We are fortunate to be in a community where these values are firmly held and are at the core of why we do what we do.

It was pleasing to hear of the tremendous number of staff, students and their families who showed respect for the service of our defence personnel and their families through their attendance at last week's Caloundra RSL Anzac Day March. We thank all staff, students and their families for their support and our Marching Band who added significantly to the event.

Through the month of May, Pacific has the opportunity to support families within the Sunshine Coast through the work of the Salvation Army. Chaplain Mark Hauser shares later in the newsletter ways in which members of our community can assist through the donation of nonperishable items and taking part in various activities. We look forward to making a difference for many through our support for the Red Shield Appeal.

Our OCEANfest ‘One World’ provides an important opportunity for us to be able to share the message of valuing of cultures and the environment with our broader community. Families can add to this messaging by sharing elements of their culture or highlighting the richness of our environment and ways to care for it. We invite families who would like to contribute in this way to read the OCEANfest article later in the newsletter and make contact with our OCEANfest organisers.

Have you asked a good question this week? Questions drive our learning. Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5, provides some useful information and tips for parents of children across P-12 to use to promote growth in this important area.

We say a prayer of thanks for the beauty of the world in which we live and the richness that people of different cultures, backgrounds and perspectives bring into our lives. We pray that God would enable us to see and respond with love and compassion for people and the environment.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal

It appears that everyone is searching for joy and happiness in our world these days. Perhaps you relate to some of this list of ’Things that bring us JOY’- 

Hearing a song from your childhood. 

Having your first coffee of the day. 

Reading a good book with a cupper.

A warm bed when it is pouring rain. 

Meeting someone with the same taste in music. 

Finding clothing that fits just right.

Patting a dog. 

Smelling freshly cut grass. 

Blue skies. 

Meeting a long-lost friend. 

Feeling the sun on your skin.

Family dinners. 

Discovering a new café.

Aesthetic photographs. 

Living that moment, you’ve been dreaming about.

Completing your to do list. 

Creating something with your hands. 

Finding old photos of memories.

Reflecting on your accomplishments. 

Seeing others reach their dreams. 

Belly laughs with friends. 

Warm hugs. 

Bursting into song. 

Sunsets. 

Sunrises. 

Spending time in nature.

Playing your favourite sport. 

Booking that holiday. 

Watching a plant grow.

Sharing a favourite movie.

Screaming to a song in the car. 

Arriving home after a long day. 

Your favourite diner. 

All of these are moments of joy. We cherish them at the time, but they soon fade into the past. We then seem to be looking for the next occasion to find some fleeting joy. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to have joy completely.

Jesus tells us in John 15:11, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Joy that fills our whole being and does not fade or pass away but remains with us throughout our life. Now that’s a joy that is worth having. 

And how do we get this complete joy. Jesus began this section by saying, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love” (John 15:9). He begins by telling us that we are to abide, remain in, continue in, accept, and hang onto his never-ending love for us. No matter what our situation or what we have or are going through, his love constantly remains and is for us. He never drops us or gives up on us but continues to love us always.

He goes on to say, “When you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:10). Jesus told his disciples on the night before his death “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34) So it is in living by this new commandment of Jesus to love one another as we abide in Jesus’ love that our joy may indeed be complete.

My prayer for the Pacific community is that as we enjoy those things that bring joy to our lives we will continue to abide in Jesus’ love and share that love with one another, everyone that we have contact with.

God bless you with the love of Jesus,

Pastor Mark Winter, College Pastor

The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal is a major event in the life of the College. It’s a chance for Pacific to come together as a community and provide some support for local families who are struggling in life. Pacific has a rich tradition of collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries and personal hygiene products to donate to the Salvation Army to use to help feed, clothe and look after disadvantaged people around the Sunshine Coast.

This year, the Spirituality and Service Action Group have organised a week of activities and events to raise both financial and food donations for the Red Shield Appeal. We invite you all to contribute where you can. As this is a voluntary event, and we realise that Mother’s Day is at the end of next week, any willing donations that families can spare would be greatly appreciated. However, there is no compulsion to participate in any of the following:

Tuesday 6th May – Pikelets for sale (Prep-Year 12)

Come and grab a red pikelet before school!

$1 per pikelet + jam and cream (buy as many as you like).

For all Prep-12 students from 7:45am – 8:20am in front of the Coral Café. 

Cash or card is accepted. All money raised will be used to buy more donations for the Salvation Army.

We only have 400 Pikelets, so be quick!

Wednesday 7th May –Casual Clothes Day + Food donations (Year 6-12)

Here is your chance to bring in non-perishable food donations, toiletries, canned good, hygiene products or nappies to donate to the Salvation Army. Bring these to the gymnasium as you come in for chapel. It could be a few tins of food, or a bag of groceries! All donations will be graciously accepted.

Year 6-12 Casual Clothes Day – bring along $2, $5 or $10 to donate. This will be collected at chapel from PCG teachers. All money raised will go to the Salvation Army for their appeal.

Thursday 8th May – Sausage Sizzle & Performance (Prep-Year 12)

Come along to the front of the library and hear student performances and grab a sausage and bread (+ sauce) for $2. 

Prep -Year 5 will be served from 12:50 – 1:10pm 

Year 6-12 will be served from 1:10 – 1:30pm

We only have 250 sausages, so be on time.

Funds raised will go toward buying more donations for the Salvation Army.

Friday 9th May – Prep-Year 5 Chapel

The Prep-Year 5 students are asked to bring in non-perishable food donations and place them in the gym. Bring them in early (before school) or as you come into chapel with your class! All items are greatly accepted.

All food donations will be collected by the Salvation Army on Monday of Week 4 (12th May) and a representative of the Salvation Army will be at the Year 3-5 assembly.

If families have donations after this date, they are asked to please drop them off directly to the Salvation Army centre off Sugar Bag Road.

Mr Mark Hauser, College Chaplain

We encourage all students in our Middle College to contribute to a strong sense of a caring community. Every student plays an important role in creating an environment where people feel safe, valued and supported. This sense of belonging starts with how our students care for themselves each day.

When students arrive at school feeling refreshed and ready to learn, they are better positioned to care for and support others. We encourage all our Middle College students to take responsibility for the start of their day: getting a good night’s sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, arriving at school on time, and being organised with everything they need for the day ahead. These small but important habits build confidence, reduce stress and allow students to focus their energy on learning and connecting positively with their peers and staff.

This term, our Year 9 Middle College Leaders are also modelling this approach through their leadership focus on student voice. They are actively engaging with students across Year 6–9, seeking to understand their ideas, needs, and hopes for Middle College life. Through conversations, surveys and informal check-ins, our leaders are working to ensure every student feels heard and valued. Their goal is to take what they learn and help shape initiatives that continue to strengthen and enhance the Middle College experience for everyone.

As parents and caregivers, you play a vital role in this journey. Supporting your child to develop healthy morning routines and encouraging open conversations about their school experience helps us continue to build a caring, connected community where every student can thrive.

Thank you for partnering with us in nurturing young people who are confident, compassionate and committed to making a difference.

Mr Brett Kersnovske, Head of Student Engagement, Middle College

Our questions drive us as learners. Instead of asking your child, “Did you learn anything today?”, you could say, “Did you ask a good question today?” This will encourage your child to be more invested in the types of questions they ask at school.  In this week’s newsletter we are continuing to explore how to develop a growth mindset through “App 4” of Harvard researcher Ron Ritchhart’s, 9 Apps for Parents which are simple yet impactful strategies to nurture a culture of thinking at home.

What Questions Did You Ask Today?

Encouraging Curiosity and Reflective Thinking in Children

It’s one of the most common after-school questions: “What did you learn today?”

Often, this question is met with a shrug, a vague answer like “stuff,” or a quick “I don’t remember.” But what if we approached this conversation from a different angle—one that encourages curiosity, reflection, and deeper engagement with learning?

Try asking this instead: “Did you ask a good question today?”

This simple shift invites your child to think about their learning in a more active way. It sends the message that learning isn’t just about absorbing facts—it’s about wondering, exploring, and asking the kinds of questions that lead to discovery.

Why Questions Matter

Asking questions is a key part of how we make sense of the world. When children ask questions, they’re thinking critically, making connections, and taking ownership of their learning. In fact, research shows that students who ask more questions are more engaged, more motivated, and more likely to develop a lifelong love of learning. At school, we’re intentionally creating opportunities for students to ask, refine, and explore their own questions. Whether it’s wondering why the moon changes shape, how characters in a story make decisions, or what causes patterns in mathematics, these questions drive inquiry and deepen understanding. By focusing on the questions our children are asking—not just the answers they’re giving—we can help them become confident, curious thinkers.

How You Can Support This at Home

Here are a few simple ways you can nurture your child’s curiosity and help them reflect more deeply on their learning journey:

• Ask open-ended questions: Instead of “Did you have a good day?”, try “What made you think today?” or “What surprised you?”

• Celebrate their wondering: When your child asks a question, show interest—even if you don’t know the answer. Say, “That’s a great question. Let’s explore it together!”

• Share your own curiosity: Talk about things you’re wondering about. Ask questions out loud— “I wonder why birds fly in a V shape?” or “What makes bread rise?”

• Make it a family habit: Around the dinner table or during a car ride, invite everyone to share a question they asked or heard that day.

Building a Culture of Inquiry

At school, we talk about creating a culture of thinking, where students feel safe to ask questions, take risks, and explore ideas. You can support this at home by encouraging a growth mindset and letting your child know that it’s okay not to have all the answers right away. Learning is a journey—and asking the right questions is a vital part of that journey. So next time you’re connecting with your child after a busy day, consider asking: “What was the most interesting question you asked today?”  You might be surprised by the insights, wonderings, and stories they share.

Together, let’s nurture children who don’t just absorb information—but actively seek to understand their world, one question at a time.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, resilience is a crucial skill for children to develop. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and keep going in the face of adversity. Teaching our children how to be resilient not only helps them navigate the challenges of childhood but also prepares them for the complexities of adult life.

Children face various challenges, from academic pressures to social dynamics and personal disappointments. Resilience helps them manage stress, anxiety, and uncertainty, enabling them to thrive despite these difficulties. Research shows that resilient children are more likely to succeed academically, have better mental health, and develop strong social connections.

As parents, we play a vital role in teaching resilience by modelling it ourselves. Children learn a great deal by observing how we handle stress and setbacks. Here are some ways to model resilience:

1. Stay Positive: Show your children how to maintain a positive outlook, even when things don't go as planned. Discuss how you handle disappointments and setbacks, emphasising the importance of staying hopeful and finding solutions.

2. Problem-Solving: Involve your children in problem-solving activities. When faced with a challenge, talk through the steps you take to address it. This helps them understand that problems are a part of life and can be managed with thoughtful action.

3. Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Demonstrate healthy ways to cope with stress, such as exercise, mindfulness, or talking about your feelings. Encourage your children to find their own coping strategies that work for them.

The Resilience Project, an organisation dedicated to promoting mental health and wellbeing, and a partner of Pacific, emphasises three key pillars for building resilience: Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness (GEM). Here are some practical ways to incorporate these pillars into your daily routine:

1. Gratitude: Encourage your children to express gratitude daily. This could be through a gratitude journal or simply sharing three things they are thankful for each day. Practicing gratitude helps shift focus from what is lacking to what is abundant in their lives.

2. Empathy: Teach your children to understand and share the feelings of others. Engage in activities that promote empathy, such as volunteering or discussing different perspectives on a situation. Empathy fosters deeper connections and a supportive community.

3. Mindfulness: Introduce mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing exercises or mindful moments during the day. Mindfulness helps children stay present and manage their emotions more effectively.

Building resilience in our children is a collective effort that involves teaching, modelling, and practicing essential skills. By incorporating the principles of The Resilience Project and demonstrating resilience in our own lives, we can equip our children with the tools they need to navigate life's challenges with confidence and grace. Let's work together to raise resilient, empathetic, and mindful individuals who are ready to face the world.

Be kind to yourself and others.

PLC Counselling Team 

Mr Brendan Macaulay, Head of Student Support, Mrs Kelsie Munroe, Middle Years Counsellor and Mrs Sara Taverner, Learning Enrichment P -5 & Counsellor 

Jane Austen Week

Next week, the library will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. Library staff will be dressing in costume and there will be a range of activities for all ages. Students can learn some Regency-era dances, try their hand at embroidery, make a Regency fan, find Jane Austen’s missing manuscript in our escape room, explore Jane Austen’s novels through our story walk or have a go at the trivia competitions. See the full timetable here.

Book Club

Book Club order forms were distributed to K-6 classes last week. Please get your orders in online by Tuesday.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge commences next Tuesday, 6th of May. Students in Prep-Year 9 are encouraged to get involved. 

For a student to successfully complete the Premier's Reading Challenge they are required to read or experience the number of books indicated below:

•          Prep to Year 2—read or experience 20 books.

•          Year 3 to 4—read 20 books.

•          Year 5 to 9—read 15 books.

Experiencing a book includes classroom or at home activities such as shared reading, listening and reading along with a book, or being read to. Visit https://readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au/  for more information and download a reading record form from the website or collect one from the library.

Ordering Tristan Bancks books

Author, Tristan Bancks, is visiting the school on Tuesday, 13th of May to speak to Year 6 and 7 students. If you would like to order any of Tristan’s books and have him sign them on the day, please see the easy instructions below.

Ms Nell Keen, Teacher Librarian

Join us at Pacific Lutheran College’s Open Day on Sunday 18th of May 2025 from 12:30pm-3:30pm and discover how we empower young minds to thrive. Meet our students and teachers who will showcase the skills, creativity and confidence that make a difference in the world.

• Enjoy live performances
• Visit the Coral Café
• Explore our contemporary learning approach.

Register now on our new website.

OCEANfest ‘One World’ 2025 - Get ready for an unforgettable night!

Moffat Beach Brewing Co. will be on-site with their award-winning beers, while favourites like Yassou, That Pizza Guy, Potato Slinky, and Mr Whippy will be serving up delicious treats. The Lions BBQ will be sizzling, and there will be a variety of parent-led food and activity stalls that are sure to please everyone. Enjoy exploring the animal farm, a mini disco for the juniors, exciting prizes and so much more! Don’t forget about the 8 carnival rides for all ages that will keep the excitement going all night long! This year, we’re also offering some exclusive perks to elevate your OCEANfest experience. Plus, stay tuned - soon, students from ELC to Year 6 will receive their themes for the highly anticipated Cent Auction*.

*Cent Auction – A collection of exciting prizes will be displayed for bidding. Participants purchase sheets of tickets and place as many as they wish into the sealed containers next to the prizes they’d like to win. The more tickets entered, the higher the chances of winning! The prizes typically follow a theme, such as BBQ, Pamper Mum, or Games. A ticket is drawn from the container—similar to a raffle—to determine the winner. The Cent Auction usually takes place throughout the event, with the prize draws happening toward the end. Winners do not need to be present at the time of the draw. To prepare for the Cent Auction, each class will collect (NEW) donated items based on a specific theme. The theme and laundry baskets for storing these donations will be distributed to classrooms in coming weeks. 

Become a Sponsor of OCEANfest ‘One World’

We invite our parent community to be a part of OCEANfest ‘One World’ 2025 – an event that promises to be bigger and better than ever before! Hosted by Friends of Pacific and Pacific Lutheran College, this vibrant festival is designed for the whole family and will be an unforgettable celebration of community. It’s an afternoon filled with fun, adventure, and surprises as you journey around the world, celebrating the environment and the diverse cultures that unite us all on our interconnected planet. Check out the video below to experience the energy from the 2023 OCEANfest event!

See OCEANfest here.

Ways to Get Involved:

We are looking for exciting prizes for our Galactic Raffle! If you own a business or know of one that can donate, please reach out to Louise Walker at fop@pacluth.qld.edu.au  or Mrs Jodi Nielsen at jnielsen@palcuth.qld.edu.au  Any contribution, big or small, is greatly appreciated!

We also invite all families within our College community to help make OCEANfest ‘One World’ 2025 truly special by sharing a piece of your unique culture! Whether it's through food, dance, song or art, this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the traditions, stories and talents that make our community so vibrant and connected. If you’d like to contribute, we’d love to hear from you and explore how you can get involved!

If you're interested in supporting and participating in this exciting event, we would love to hear from you!

FOLLOW OCEANFEST ON FACEBOOK

Ms Samantha Barrass, Communications and Community Liaison 

Congratulations to Linda, a Year 2 parent who is our car park raffle winner for Term 2 - enjoy your hassle-free parking!!!

Events

Parent Connectors

Friday 2nd May we are looking forward to meeting all our Parent Connectors at the Chapel service which will be followed by morning tea.

Coffee and Chat

Friday 2nd May - Coffee and Chat tomorrow morning @8am –at The Coral Café – come along and say “Hi”.

Mother’s Day Stall

Our next event that we are seeking more volunteers for is our Mother’s Day Stall. Register here.

Our much-loved Mother’s Day Stall is back on Wednesday, 7th May, and we need your help to make it a success! This event is always a highlight for students, giving them the chance to choose the perfect gift for Mum or a special someone. We’re seeking volunteers to assist with setup, sales, and assisting students to choose their gifts on the day. If you can spare some time, we’d love to have you on board! Your support helps create a memorable experience for the children and strengthens our college community. Whether you can help for 1 hr or a few hours we would appreciate your support.

Ms Jan Watman, Chairperson - Friends of Pacific

Competitive Basketball Sign on

Term 3 Year 7-12 Competitive Basketball sign on is open. Please sign on through Clipboard before next Friday. We can only enter a limited of teams in the Semester 2 All Schools Competition so please nominate early to avoid disappointment.

Student Acknowledgement

Congratulations Kyle! Kyle qualified for selection in the 10-12 District Boys Touch Football Team.

Inter House Cross-Country Carnival 

The Cross Country Carnival was rescheduled for all grades from Year 3-12 due to weather and the condition of the fields. The rescheduled date is Friday 2nd May 2025.

Maps of the courses can be found below. Please note that this is a compulsory event on the school calendar and all students will be required to participate on the day. If there are any exemptions from competing, a note from a parent must be presented to the relevant Head of House (Year 7-12) or class teacher (Year 3-6) prior to the carnival. 

Date: Friday 2nd May 2025 

Year 3-6 11am-1pm   

Year 7-12 1:45pm-3:15pm

Venue: Meridan Sports Fields 

Uniform: House sports uniform and hat. Hats are required to be worn whilst cheering but are not required when running. Students must also wear suitable running shoes and not bare feet. 

Required: Water bottle, spare uniform and shoes to change into after event if conditions are wet.

Pacific Lutheran College has several sports development programs outside of school hours. These programs encourage participation, giving students the opportunity to be part of a team, and learn basic skills of the game.

The parent-led Pacific FC Soccer and PLC Netball Clubs compete on Saturdays in community competitions throughout the Sunshine Coast.

Competitive Results Round 6

U11 Swordfish - 2-2 win

U12/13 Seahorses - 15-0 (mercy rule 10-0) win

U13 Sharks - 4-5 loss

U16/17 Barracudas - 4-2 win

Match Reports 

U7 Orcas - Manager Jess

The Orcas played against Bli Bli in an away game. Awards; Team Spirit: Sebastian. Player of Game: Jasper. Coach Award: Mila. Well done team. The opposition were exceptional with the Orcas trying their absolute best. Keep up the awesome work. 

U9 Pacific Rays - Manager Casey

Well done team on an amazing game! From memory it was an 8- 3 victory with strong play against the Siena Vipers. With soggy fields and humid conditions the extra support was much needed to give everyone time to recover. Thank you to Oscar N, Asher, Hudson and Ari from the Manta Rays for stepping in to fill the gaps today. And a huge thanks to Angelo for coaching - we really appreciate it! Player of the Match: Daniel for his awesome goal! Coaches award: Curtis for always trying his best.

U11 Swordfish - Manager Kath

The Swordfish put in another strong performance at Bli Bli facing Chancellor. The first half was all ours, 2-0 at half time. The second half saw the game open up and the other side level to 2-2. Multiple good chances and shots in the dying minutes did not quite go our way so we ended with a draw. Well done all. 

Player of the Match: Benji, Coaches Award: Micah

Click here to read the match reports.

Representative Players 

Congratulations to the following Pacific players selected as Sunshine Coast Representative Players for 2025: 

Ashlan, Isabelle, Mieka, Mila, Zahlee, Williams, Xavier, Noah, Ari, Adam and Jack.

Queensland Christian Soccer Association State Titles this weekend

We send our best wishes to our U10-U13 representative players heading off to the QCSA State Titles at Redbank Plains for games this Saturday and Monday. 

Pacific Games – Saturday 3rd May 

We are hosting a selection of friendlies at Pacific this Saturday as there are no club games due to the QCSA State Titles. Come along and support our players!

8:30 am   U6 Pacific v Currimundi

8:30 am   U7 Pacific v Pacific

8:30 am   U9 Pacific v Pacific 

9:25 am   U8 Pacific v Pacific 

9:30 am   U10 Pacific v Currimundi

10:40 am U11-U13 Pacific v Pacific   

Round 7 10th May 

Our teams have away games for Round 7. Click here for the draw.

Contact: The Registrar
Email: PacificFC@pacluth.qld.edu.au
Website: https://www.pacificsoccerfc.com/
Facebook: Pacific Soccer FC 

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

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)

May

2           Yr 3-12 Cross Country

5           Labour Day Holiday

9-12      Duke of Edinburgh (Gold)

13         Yr 6 & 7 Author Visit

13         District Cross Country 9-19yrs

14         Yr 7 & 10 Vaccinations

18         Open Day

20         FoP Meeting

21         National Simultaneous Story Time

23-24    Senior Musical “Into the Woods”

27         Staff and P-12 Photo Day

28         K-3 Colour Splash

30         Caloundra Show Day Holiday