Principal's Log

Respect for the human dignity of all people is a core value at Pacific. Having respectful relationships means we are able to sit with each other, listen and come to a better way forward, which can often be a third way. Pausing to consider how each interaction can lead to a better relationship is often the key to being heard well and good outcomes being achieved together. The College’s Restorative Approach to working through issues where relationships have broken down or poor choices have been made has at its heart, this focus on the innate human dignity of all people and the importance of respectful relationships. Having the habit of thinking respectfully and being respectful in all our relationships is an important way of being. Our natural inclination is to focus on our needs and wants rather than pausing and seeking to understand the values, perspective and needs of the people we encounter. The Fifth habit within Steven Covey’s book, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is to Seek First to Understand and then to be Understood. This age-old wisdom is also echoed in the peace prayer of St Francis of Assisi.

In a busy time of term, it is important that young people are encouraged to engage with assessment as opportunities for learning what they currently understand and what they are yet to understand. Having a focus on improvement occuring one step at a time and celebrating each small step forward can also assist young people to engage purposefully with draft feedback and preparation for tests. Taking the long view that each day we are learning new skills, dispositions and knowledge for life helps to keep the focus on learning and improvement rather than judgment.

All Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will be engaging in NAPLAN online from Wednesday 13th March – Monday 18th March. Students have engaged in practice sessions and parents are encouraged to read the article later in the newsletter to ensure students bring the correct equipment to every session.

We look forward to celebrating International Women’s Day together tomorrow and pray that God would assist us to be people who respect the innate dignity of all people in our thoughts, words and actions.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal