People proudly wear hats, shirts and scarves to proclaim their support for particular teams, across a variety of sporting codes. These items clearly communicate the team we support and belong to. Within a community such as Pacific, we also have items we wear to show our connection. More importantly, we show where we belong through the way we interact with each other and with people beyond our community. Embracing Pacific as a Community of Care, we are encouraged to extend the hand of welcome and hospitality to all those we encounter. Greeting each other with smiles, being present as conversations unfold, being inclusive as we have fun and socialise, recognising and building on strengths, being encouraging and respectful, celebrating growth and walking with people in times of challenge and having the capacity to forgive and restore relationships are some of the ways we share identity, grow a sense of belonging and enhance a community of care.
God invites us to belong and share our identity as part of His family. As part of His family, we are invited to respond to people and the planet with love and care. We are encouraged to be centred on God and extend the hand of welcome and encouragement. His love and grace are extended to each one of us to restore, to refresh and to strengthen our relationship with God and each other. Empowered through His love, we can nurture a community of care where we all belong and can flourish.
Principal’s Log
Our student leaders play a key role in the encouragement of belonging and connection. We thank our Year 12 Captains, leaders and senior students who have given a great deal as they have led through both formal and informal roles within the College. Their generosity and capacity to support people and events have made a difference for many in ways seen and unseen. We wish all of our Year 12 students the very best as they prepare for mock exams, external exams in Term 4 and complete certification processes.
We congratulate the following students who have been appointed as College Captains for 2026. We look forward to the service, guidance and growth they will bring to our community as they lead. We pray that God would strengthen, guide and encourage them as they transition to these roles over the coming weeks.
College Captains: Isla Lendrum and Ned Pelto
College Vice Captains: Noah Anderson, Emily Lengenberg, Joseph Modlin and Orly Sillar
As we approach September, it is a time of finals for our Pacific FC and Club PLC netball teams. We thank our parents and friends who have acted as coaches and managers and the Executive of both clubs, capably led by Mrs Rita Williams and Mr Doug McKinnon who have given very generously of their time and talent to ensure our young people have the best possible opportunities to grow through their engagement with football and netball. We wish the Pacific FC Seahorses, Sharks and Barracudas all the best in their upcoming preliminary finals and the PLC Netball Fireballs (Div 1), Avengers (Div 9) and Magic (Div 11) netball teams good luck in their finals. We congratulate all players on a successful season of growth.
We look forward to celebrating our Dads on Thursday morning of next week. We thank our Friends of Pacific team who are busy preparing that special gift for children to purchase for their Dads. We encourage you to support our hospitality team who do an amazing job in catering for our events by registering your attendance by using this link https://forms.office.com/r/y8EfJeSkyQ
Parents are encouraged to take advantage of the Digital Media Literacy and Safety Part III webinar provided through SchoolTV. Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg provide some valuable insights into this important area of digital safety including the implications of new social media regulations. Parents need to register as the webinar will not be replayed later.
May God encourage and empower us through His love and grace to be people who enhance a community of care through all we do.
Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal
From the College Chaplain
Getting Even; The Right Way
Romans 12:9–21
“Getting even” is one of the most common themes in movies—and you might not even notice how often it shows up. Think about some of the biggest blockbusters: Star Wars, Batman, Avengers: Endgame, even The Lion King. At their core, all of them are driven by characters seeking to avenge a wrong that’s been done to them.
There’s something about revenge that grabs our attention. We buy into it because deep down it feels right. Payback seems fair, justified, and strangely satisfying. It plays into our natural instinct to hurt back when we’ve been hurt.
But in Romans 12, Paul points us in a very different direction. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil,” he writes. Instead, he reminds us to trust that God’s ways are good ways. Jesus goes even further, teaching us to love not just those who love us, but even those who hurt us. It’s not the easy option—far from it. In fact, it may be one of the hardest things we ever do. But it is the path that leads to peace with God and peace with others.
So, what does “getting even” look like in God’s eyes? It’s not about revenge. It’s about making things right. When we choose forgiveness instead of payback, when we bless instead of curse, we manage to get even, but in the best sense. The relationship can be restored. The community can be healed.
School is a perfect example of this. We spend so much time together in classrooms, on the playground, at sport and other events. It is inevitable that conflict and disharmony pop up. But those moments give us the potential chance to live differently by forgiving quickly, showing patience, and to think of others before ourselves. Research even shows that forgiveness lowers stress, improves health, and strengthens our sense of belonging.
“Getting even; the right way” means for us to do the difficult thing by choosing options that go against our natural feelings. Choosing forgiveness over revenge, choosing to bless rather than curse, and by choosing to see all people as God’s creation. And when we do, not only does our school become a place where people flourish, but we ourselves are formed into people who can bless the world around us.
So, as Paul directs us in the reading this week, let us all strive to be people who truly get even. Not with revenge, but with love.
Mr Mark Hauser, College Chaplain
From the Head of Learning K-5
Home Reading: Building Strong Readers Together
One of the most powerful ways families can support their children’s learning is through regular home reading. Research shows that when children experience enjoyable and purposeful reading at home, they not only strengthen their literacy skills but also develop a lifelong love of books.
At Pacific, children are explicitly taught the skills and strategies needed to become confident readers. Home reading provides the opportunity to practise these skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Discussing the findings in the Journal of Early Childhood Research, Honorary Professor in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Bridie Raban, reports strong relationships between family interest in reading and their children’s reading at age five. “In particular, hearing stories read aloud appears to enable these children to bring appropriate expectations to their reading activities in school,” she writes.
A small-scale study from the University of Melbourne also found that factors such as a child’s own interest in language, frequency of reading with parents, and intimacy with parents are potentially stronger indicators of reading progress at school than the socioeconomic status of the family. As one of the researchers noted, “It’s not about what families have, but what they do together that makes the difference.”
The study also highlighted the emotional security children gained from reading with parents: “Children also found great security in the mutual sharing and physical closeness, both of which provided a spur towards re-enacting the ‘reading’ of favourite books when they were alone.” These shared experiences not only foster a love of stories but also encourage children to practise reading independently.
Professor Raban concluded that building a strong conceptual knowledge of language at home, as demonstrated by the group with the highest scores in the study, is a crucial precursor to phonological and letter (‘item’) knowledge. “If the school curriculum begins with a strong focus on item knowledge,” they write, “those children who have unstable or barely conceived conceptual knowledge will make little or slow progress.”
Here are some ways you can make home reading a positive experience:
Read together every day – just 10–15 minutes daily makes a difference.
Create a routine – bedtime or after dinner are great times to wind down with a book.
Encourage talk about books – ask questions, share your thoughts, and let your child make predictions about the story.
Model reading – let your child see you enjoying books, newspapers, or magazines.
Celebrate progress – praise effort, persistence, and growth, not just accuracy.
When home and school work together to nurture reading, children thrive. The goal is not only to build strong skills but also to spark curiosity, imagination, and confidence. By sharing books and stories with your child, you are giving them a gift that lasts a lifetime.
Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5
From the Head of Career Development
Careers News
Belonging and Becoming: Shaping Your Future Through Your Pacific Journey
At Pacific Lutheran College, we believe that the College is far more than just a place of learning, it is a place of formation. It’s where young people grow in character, purpose, and identity. Our Senior students in Year 10–12, are not only preparing for life beyond school but actively shaping who they are and the contribution they will make to the world.
Our College community is a living organism, made up of the many vibrant personalities of students, staff, and families. Each of us brings something unique, and together we create a space rich in opportunity, connection, and care. Each of us plays a part in helping this community flourish and grow in connection. This sense of belonging is more than just feeling connected. It’s foundational to discovering our self-identity, which is key to effective career development. When we know who we are, as well as our values, strengths, and passions, we can confidently explore pathways that align. Whether it’s through leadership roles, university subjects, vocational learning, part-time work or industry experiences, every step is an opportunity to grow in clarity and purpose.
Just as Pacific forms students, students leave their mark on Pacific. By engaging fully in the life of the College and embracing opportunities for personal and career growth, students are shaping a future that is meaningful. They are becoming young adults equipped to lead with compassion, courage, and wisdom.
Below are some opportunities for Seniors to continue to grow in their clarity and purpose.
Get a Head Start on Uni: Explore University-Level Subjects with UniSC & QUT
Are you in Year 10, 11 or 12 and curious about what it’s like to study at university? Now’s your chance to find out.
UniSC and QUT are offering information sessions for students interested in enrolling in a university level subject while still at school. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore future career pathways, experience university life firsthand, and get a head start on your tertiary education.
Successful completion of a course earns you 2 QCE points and completing two or more may also provide a back-up selection rank to help you gain entry into university.
START QUT Webinar
Organisation: Queensland University of Technology
Location: Online
Date: September 2nd, 2025
Find out how Year 11 and 12 students can study a university subject while in high school through our START QUT program. We'll cover what’s involved, eligibility requirements, and how to apply. Plus, hear from past START QUT students about their experiences.
Join us at our Headstart Information Evening where we’ll take you through everything you need to know about the program. Headstart gives school students in Year 10, 11 or 12 a real university experience, allowing you to study first-year uni subjects and possibly receive credit to take time off your degree.
You'll also hear from Headstart students who will talk about their experience and provide tips for what to expect.
UniSC Moreton Bay: Wednesday 3rd September 4:30pm–6pm
UniSC Fraser Coast: Thursday 4th September 4:30pm–6pm
UniSC Sunshine Coast: Thursday 4th September 4:30pm–6pm
Exploring Possibilities: Growing in Clarity and Purpose
As students move through the Senior years of the College, making informed decisions about future pathways becomes increasingly important. One of the most valuable steps in this journey is attending relevant information sessions that provide insight into study options, industry expectations, and career possibilities.
Each week there are a number of opportunities to engage in different information sessions.
Heroes in Vet, Townsville
Organisation: James Cook University
Location: Townsville
Date: September 5th, 2025
Are you in Year 11 or 12 and have a passion and desire to develop a career in veterinary science? From this full-day program, you’ll gain unique insights into a career in vet.
You’ll learn from industry experts in suturing, pregnancy testing, gowning and gloving, animal anatomy, and live animal examinations, and go behind the scenes at JCU Vet.
We see you planning your next study move, and we know there's a lot to consider, so we're here to help. Whether you are considering starting a TAFE or university qualification at CQU, our team are here to answer your questions.
Chat with our staff about your course of interest, pathways to university, student support services, or anything else you'd like to know about studying with CQUniversity.
All you need to do is head over to our Facebook page and send us a message during the session and you’ll receive real-time answers to all your questions.
Step into the world of hospitality at Hyatt Regency Brisbane! This exclusive event for Year 12 students gives you a behind-the-scenes look at one of the top venues in the industry and a taste of the exciting careers that could be yours. Key takeaways include:
Hearing from industry experts
Joining an interactive workshop with a completion certificate
A tour of the iconic hospitality venue
Getting all your questions answered by the THSA team
Networking with industry leaders & current THSA students
Complimentary morning tea & lunch provided for students
Join online as our Business and Hospitality academics talk you through the courses on offer and how you can get the most out of studying with us. Learn about scholarships, study pathways, our industry partnerships with global brands and what sets us apart from other universities.
Bonding to School: Supporting Connection and Growth at Pacific
At Pacific Lutheran College, we recognise that the College is more than just a place students attend, it’s a place where they grow. For many young people, especially those in the middle years, the journey through school can include moments of uncertainty, self-discovery, and the search for belonging.
From a wellbeing and mental health perspective, feeling connected to school is essential. It’s not just about enjoying subjects or participating in extracurricular activities. True connection is about feeling seen and valued, having trusted people to talk to, and knowing that you matter within the College community.
Belonging is a fundamental human need. When students feel a sense of belonging, it positively impacts their emotional wellbeing, academic engagement, and overall development. Neuroscience tells us that connection helps regulate stress, improves focus, and supports resilience. Students who feel connected are more likely to take healthy risks, ask for help when needed, and contribute positively to their environment.
The individuality of each student, expressed through creativity, kindness, leadership, curiosity, and countless other qualities, is what makes PLC a vibrant and supportive learning environment. These unique contributions don’t just enrich our classrooms; they help shape the culture of our school.
We encourage students to reflect on their place within the community and consider how they can strengthen their connection to school. Simple actions such as greeting someone new, joining a club, asking for help, or expressing gratitude to a teacher or staff member can make a meaningful difference. These small steps help build a culture of care and inclusion.
Importantly, we also want to acknowledge that some students may not feel connected and may be unsure of how to begin building that sense of belonging. If this resonates with you or your child, please know that support is available. Teachers, Heads of House, Staff, the Wellbeing and Counselling team are here to help. Reaching out and asking to have a conversation is a courageous and valuable first step.
As a Pacific community, let’s continue to nurture a College environment that shines, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s built on care, connection, and the shared commitment to helping each person grow into the best version of themselves.
PLC Counselling Team
Mr Brendan Macaulay, Head of Student Counselling, Mrs Kelsie Munroe, Middle Years Counsellor and Mrs Sara Taverner, Learning Enrichment P -5 & Counsellor
From the College Registrar
Prep and Year 7 Enrolments for 2027
Families with students looking to start at the College for Prep or Year 7 in 2027 are encouraged to get their applications in as soon as possible. We will begin interviewing siblings of current students who are applying for Year 7 2027 next term.
If you have any questions about the enrolment process, please contact our College Registrar, Mrs Carly Lovell at registrar@pacluth.qld.edu.au or on 5436 7338.
Mrs Carly Lovell, Registrar
College News
Project Paws
Some people still give away or sell puppies and kittens before they are old enough or properly cared for. How you can help: Teach others why it’s important to wait until animals are old enough and have had vet checks.
Things the Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge (SCARS) needs
Thanks to the Sunshine Coast community for your continued generosity. At the moment SCARS really needs good quality dry cat/kitten food. Their dogs and puppies are generously fed by donations from SavourLife. Donations towards their veterinary costs really do help out as well, so if you can spare $$ or donate health related products like worming or Heartgard products that would be great. Things SCARS Needs --old towels, old sheets, old blankets, quilts and dog food.
Thank you so much for helping out.
Year 7 Project Paws Team
School Photos
School photos have arrived and were handed out to students who ordered them earlier this week.
If your child was away earlier this week, they can collect their photo from the main office.
If you did not order photos and would like to, you can still order on-line at www.advancedlife.com.au with code B7H 8V9 RRH.
Parents who requested to collect from the office when ordering the photos, have their orders now available to collect from the main office.
SchoolTV Webinar
An upcoming SchoolTV webinar is available to the Pacific College community.
This exclusive, one-off event is fast approaching, and we’d love to see your families benefit from the insights of two of Australia’s leading experts, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.
They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part III)
DATE: Tuesday, 2nd September 2025
TIME: 7:30 pm
Topics in this webinar include:
• New Social Media Regulations
• Digital Footprint and Reputation
• Screen Time and Brain Development
• Parental Controls
This webinar will not be available to replay later.
Please note: Participants MUST REGISTER PRIOR to the commencement of the webinar to gain access.
We look forward to having you join us for this insightful and engaging session.
STEM / 2025 Deadly Junior Scientist Award
Congratulations to Kaelan in Year 9, who has been recognised in the 2025 Deadly Junior Scientist Awards. This is a national award that recognises the incredible talent of First Nations students. Ms Kylea Fern nominated Kaelan as an exceptional young person with a clear passion for STEM and a strong record of academic excellence, curiosity, and innovation. He consistently performs well above expected standards in all core subjects, and his strong work ethic, maturity, and intellect are evident in everything he does.
A particularly impressive example of Kaelan’s scientific inquiry is his independent research on planarian flatworms, where he explored the impact of social interaction on physical development. This project highlights not only his deep interest in biology and the scientific method but also his ability to think critically and engage in meaningful research well beyond his years.
As part of this award, Kaelan has received a $250 voucher and a curated Deadly Science book pack to honour this fantastic achievement. More importantly, Kaelan’s success shows what’s possible when passion and persistence come together.
We are so proud of Kaelan for representing our school and our community at such a high level, and we can’t wait to see what exciting discoveries and opportunities the future holds.
Celebrating Dad's Breakfast
UQ Partner Schools Program
On Friday, 22nd August 2025, UQ Partner Schools Program teachers Mrs Linda Sydes and Mrs Melanie Percival attended a professional development day at the University of Queensland as part of the ongoing partnership project. The focus of the day was analysing the extensive data collected from the Pacific Lutheran Middle College students regarding their knowledge and beliefs about using the Metacognition Toolkit.
Metacognition is the capability of learners to understand their own thinking in the context of learning. The Metacognition Toolkit is an evidence-based tool designed last year to help PLC students monitor and change their thinking, motivations, emotions and behaviours in response to a problem or to achieve a desired goal.
Throughout the session, the teachers engaged with various statistical models to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data. Valuable insights and expert guidance were provided by Dr Chase Sherwell, Dr Jennifer Levitt, and Dr Amanda Bourgeois. Dr Sherwell offered positive feedback on the effectiveness of the Pacific Lutheran College Metacognition Toolkit, stating that “The students' beliefs of efficacy in the Metacognition Toolkit are directly related to their metacognition skill,” adding that this suggests the toolkit significantly enhances students’ understanding and application of metacognitive strategies.
Led by Mrs Jo Belchamber, the UQ Partnership teachers will now use their findings to further explore students’ commitment to using the Metacognition Toolkit to improve their learning behaviours and academic performance.
Intermediate Debate Team
This year we have 2 intermediate teams competing in the Sunshine Coast Schools Debating Association Competition. This week they competed at Sunshine Coast Grammar School with lively debates around the topic “The government should prioritise the arts over sports”. We had both teams arguing for the negative side on this topic. Both teams won their debates on the strength of their rebuttal and issues raised. Thank you to Miss Makani Campbell for adjudicating and coaching and parents for their support.
20- and 10-Year Reunion
This year we are excited to celebrate our 20- and 10-Year Reunion for graduating classes of 2005 and 2015. Please pass this information onto your 2005 and 2015 Graduate to help us celebrate and share memories with old friends at the 20- and 10-year reunion for Pacific Lutheran College graduating classes. We would also love to feature graduates in an upcoming newsletter if they are happy to share a photo and a paragraph about their life's journey and how the College shaped them.
Past students, parents, families, and staff are invited to attend Saturday 18th October 12:00pm- 3pm at Pacific Lutheran College.
Nibbles and drinks provided and join us for a tour the College.
Please provide your child a tote/shopping bag to place their gift in. The aim is to be as environmentally friendly as possible and move away from providing bags. If you would like to be part of this event –Sign Up Here as we are still looking for volunteers. This event is great way to enjoy the enthusiasm of students and to help them to decide on that perfect gift.
Volunteer Call Out
Father’s Day Stall – Tuesday 2nd September Sign Up Here
SCISSA Gala Day 3 – Thursday 11th September Sign Up Here
Ms Jan Watman, Chairperson
Sports News
Senior Sports News
Student Acknowledgement
Zoe in Year 11 has been selected by the Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA) to join the Australian Youth team to represent Australia and compete at the International Surf Rescue to be held in New Zealand at Mount Manunganui. We wish Zoe good luck as she represents Australia and wears the Green and Gold.
Mr Cameron West-McInnes, Head of Sport
Club Sport
Club Sport
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.
PLC Netball Club
The regular season is finished, and the finals are set to start this weekend!
We had 2 teams, Fury and Mavericks, playing for their shot at the finals last week, well done to their valiant attempts.
We have 3 teams, Fireballs (Div 1), Avengers (Div 9) and Magic (Div 11) who are in the finals and playing their semi finals this weekend.
Congratulations to all our netballers on a great season, and best of luck in the finals for those playing!
The CDNA Spring Season runs in Term 4 on Thursday evenings, please let me know if you have interested netballers.
Don’t forget to follow us on social media – Facebook and Instagram.
Congratulations to our U12/13 Seahorses who are Premiers and Semi Final winners.
Come and support the girls in their U12/13 Grand Final Match – Saturday, 6th September – 1:30pm Fisherman’s Rd, Buderim SC.
Preliminary Finals at Pacific this Saturday, 30th August
U13 Sharks - Preliminary Final – Saturday 3.05pm PLC
U16/17 Barracudas - Preliminary Final – Saturday 8.30am PLC
Semi Final Results
U12/13 Seahorses 0 v Eumundi 0 - Penalties 4-2
U13 Sharks 0 V Chancellor 4
U16/17 Barracudas 1 – Caloundra 2
U6-U10 Rooball Carnival Fun
Congratulations to our U6-U10 teams who finished the season with three Rooball games last Saturday.
MATCH REPORTS
U8 JEWELFISH – Coach Jamie
The girls won 4 games at the Rooball Carnival - 5-0, 3-0, 1-0 and 5-0.
With plenty of smiles we excitingly finished the season with everyone having scored a goal. The Jewelfish dominated possession, won challenges and took many shots on goal, 14 plus a couple that weren’t counted. They displayed composure, consistency and collaboration. Well done girls.
U12/13 SEAHORSES SEMI FINAL MATCH REPORT - Manager Jane
It was a phenomenal semi-final for the Premiers U12/13 Seahorses.
As usual, the Eumundi Magpies played hard and challenged our girls at every turn. After 60 minutes of play, the score was 0-0. This led to an extra 20 minutes of extra time, at the end of which, the score remained 0-0. Our goalkeeper, Ashlan, was awesome and stopped 2 of 4 penalty shots from the talented Eumundi girls.
Our girls stepped up for their attempt at penalties: 1. Mieka 2. Ashlan 3. Jemimah 4. Phoebe.
What a win! Shout out to Eumundi Magpies FC - they are such awesome opponents. And particularly to their goalkeeper, who is a fantastic goalie. But our four girls who took penalties were flawless, as they hit their shots left, right, low, high, and all in the back of the net. Now off to the Grand Final! Player of the Match was Jemimah, who ran non-stop for 80 minutes and saved several balls before they got to goal. Super Effort Award went to Luella, who fought off a sore back and pushed through. Encouragement Awards went to our defenders, Indie, Esmae and Abi, who were rock solid. Captain’s Award went to Phoebe, who played a cracker of a game with so much energy.
Awards for last Tuesday night’s make-up game against Eumundi - Players of the Match were Ayla and Poppy Super Effort Award – Luella Encouragement Award – Indie.
Click our socials for more match reports.
2025 Presentations
Our 2025 Presentations continued over the weekend. We look forward to continuing the celebrations over the coming weeks. We’ll be featuring highlights from the season including our 5-, 10- and 15-year members, Adermann nominations, Chaplains Award nominations and club volunteers.
Ag groups/zones – U9-U16 (see SCCSA website for exact age groups). Players will need to register their attendance when registrations open at the end of August.
Some people still give away or sell puppies and kittens before they are old enough or properly cared for. How you can help: Teach others why it’s important to wait until animals are old enough and have had vet checks.
Father’s Day Stall -Tuesday 2nd September 
“Growing in faith and sharing God’s love with others”