Principal's Log

We celebrate the team of Middle College teachers who have embarked on an exciting partnership with the researchers of the University of Queensland’s Learning Lab. The Learning Lab brings together researchers from education, psychology and neuroscience. The team will be investigating the metacognitive strategies employed by students to effectively negotiate academic challenges. Having effective metacognitive strategies that empower students to think about their own thinking enhances students’ control over their own learning, their capacity for self-regulation, and motivation for learning (Dept of Education, Victoria). We look forward to the outcomes of this project which promise to bring strong benefits to our Middle College learners and aligns strongly with one of the key intents of the College’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. We thank Mrs Jo Belchamber, Mrs Mel Percival, Mrs Linda Sydes, Ms Michelle McMillan and Miss Tiffany Harman for their leadership of this exciting project.

We look forward to the presentations that cyber safety expert Brett Lee will make to parents, staff and students next Tuesday 26th March. This is an ever-changing area that we all need to remain informed and proactive about to protect the personal safety of young people and ourselves. Parents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of and register for Brett Lee’s evening presentation as described later in the newsletter.

We thank our Year 12 leaders, staff and students for making the Neon Disco last Friday night such a success. The students had a lot of fun and at the same time have raised over $800 for the Australian Lutheran World Service Walk My Way – Walk For Ukraine. Families who wish to provide further support by participating in the walk in Brisbane on Saturday 11th May can find out more details via this link.

We had a very productive Friends of Pacific Meeting on Tuesday night where we considered different ways in which the Friends of Pacific could enhance student and family experience within the College. We were also excited to celebrate that Mrs Jan Watman and Mrs Jane Hill had accepted the roles of Chair and Vice Chair of the Friends of Pacific. We thank Jan and Jane for taking on these roles.

The College Open Day on Sunday 21st April and the Anzac Day March are two major upcoming events that our students have shown both respect and pride as they have supported strongly in the past. This communication acts as a date claimer and a reminder that both events will require Middle and Senior College students to wear their formal College Uniform which will require ties for Middle College boys, blazers for our Senior students and long trousers for our Senior boys.

We look forward to the Senior Student Parent Teacher Conferences next week which provide the opportunity for feedback to be shared and used for improvement of learning. We thank our Prep-Year 5 teachers, students and families for their engagement with family conferences throughout this week.

We wish our Year 5 students and staff all the best as they grow through their engagement with their weeklong Outdoor Education experience next week. We thank Mr Paul Brace, Mrs Sharon Middleton, Mrs Kim Kiernan, Mr Scott Crompton,

Mrs Lu Pollard, Mr Rob Belchamber, Mr Jacob Graham and Ms Zoe Brewer for their leadership through the preparation and running of this important experience.

We pray that God would speak, guide, encourage and empower us to grow through moments of stillness with Him.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal