Complimenting Others and Ourselves
If someone praises you, do you shuffle your feet, look down at the ground and mumble something like “it’s nothing” and run away feeling embarrassed? You shouldn’t. Compliments are important. Getting credit for your work gives your brain good feelings and helps you accomplish more. But even if you’re hopeless at taking a compliment you can still enjoy small wins that help you feel terrific. Praise can actually improve your brain’s ability to remember and repeat new skills. Praise can make us want to do better and even help us do better. Importantly, praise can, and should, come from within ourselves.
Humans tend to dwell on failures more than achievements, or compliments. That’s because our brains are designed to look for problems. We also don’t want to look as though we are showing off. We admire the high achiever who is quiet and humble. What we don’t always realise is that people who are high achievers are typically very aware of their abilities – and, importantly, how to feel positive within themselves about the learning that can come from ‘failure’. That is how they know what they need to do to achieve even more.
Compliments can teach us more about ourselves, sometimes even discovering new talents we didn’t know we had.
So compliments can be useful, but how do you actually deal with the awkwardness of accepting them? The best way is to keep it short and sweet, by replying “Thank you for saying that”. Remember to give compliments too. They don’t need to be flowery, just authentic. A simple, “You did a good job” gives a boost.
Sadly, no matter how hard you work, sometimes you just don’t get the praise you hoped for. That’s okay. You don’t have to wait for someone else to notice before you can celebrate and learn from your successes. For most of us, the most important times are the small moments of progress that give us quiet satisfaction and happiness. Because small setbacks can hit us hard, remembering our achievements can be a reminder of our strengths the next time we go through a rough patch.
Once we know what we are good at and where we are making progress, we are able to look for and learn from constructive criticism. One of the best ways to feel good about progress is to actually acknowledge progress, however small (and remember – failure and understanding failure is progress!). And the best way to make progress is to learn from the praise and compliments we receive – or give ourselves.
Acknowledgement: “The Value of a Compliment” by Linda Braun, 2020
Blessings
Simon Hughes
Head of College
October 31
What is so special about October 31? It is for us as a Lutheran College and Church, ‘Reformation Day.’
In the bible in John’s gospel we read, ‘Jesus said “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”’
This truth had been lost in the church for many years and it was Martin Luther in 1517 who reminded people to go back to the very word of God to know the truth. That truth that you cannot earn God’s love or forgiveness by being good or working really hard for others, and the truth that Jesus Christ is the one who makes us right with God. Jesus died on the cross to make us right with God—and that is grace. We get everything God offers us by simply believing. For you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus.
For many, this October 31 will be about Halloween which for some is a lot of fun, but it doesn’t give us a real truth that changes our life forever.
May God speak to you in His word this October 31 so that you might come to know the truth.
Go in peace.
Pastor Mark
College Pastor
Celebrating Educators Worldwide and Especially Those at PoP
“In 2020, World Teachers’ Day celebrates all teachers with the theme “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future”.
This day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of achievements, and draw attention to the voices of teachers, who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly added to the challenges faced by already over-extended education systems throughout the world. It is no exaggeration to say that the world is at a crossroads and, now more than ever, we must work with teachers to protect the right to education and guide it into the unfolding landscape brought about by the pandemic.
In this crisis, teachers have shown, as they have done so often, great leadership and innovation in ensuring that #LearningNeverStops, that no learner is left behind. Around the world, they have worked individually and collectively to find solutions and create new learning environments for their students to allow education to continue. Their role advising on school reopening plans and supporting students with the return to school is just as important.”
Joint statement of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day 2020
As these powerful words ring in my head and heart I am directed in my thinking to the men and women of Prince of Peace who led the charge in 2020. Those educators who stepped in our classrooms expecting a year reasonably similar to those that have gone before, only to find themselves swept into a vortex of change. Those teachers and school officers who threw off years of ‘having done it a particular way’ only to embrace ‘we have to find a new way.’
I will forever remember their heart ache as they longed to sit beside their students during FLEX@POP, to put a hand on their shoulder and say, ‘you’re doing great, I’m proud of you.’ I will forever remember the hours they invested in preparing for remote learning, mastering new technologies and progressively churning through hours and hours of online learning to monitor student achievement and progress. There were literally tens of thousands of seesaw posts during FLEX@POP.
I will forever remember their creativity and collaboration, the way they rallied around one another, and the way they honoured one another’s efforts.
2020 has thrown everything at us, and it has been a privilege to support our staff as they climbed the mountain together, with the sole goal of improving outcomes for our students. I am honoured to be in their midst and today I salute them one and all.
Happy World Teacher’s Day to a most outstanding group of educators!
With sincere gratitude for who you are and how you do what you do!
Katrina Valencia
Head of Junior Campus
Day for Daniel—Friday 30 October 2020
Once again the Junior Campus is participating in Day for Daniel; a National Day of action for raising awareness of child safety, protection and prevention. The Year 6 Student Leaders along with class teachers, have planned some special activities and events for the day to help make a positive and memorable learning experience.
On this day, students and parents are encouraged to come dressed wearing something red and bring a gold coin donation. All monies raised will go directly to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. We encourage all families to log onto the Day for Daniel website and utilise some of the incredible resources at home. Our teachers will also be using these resources in the classroom.
The Jacarandas are out, which means that it is exam time. The beautiful tree we have on the oval is in full bloom. The long anticipated external exams started on Monday with English. All of our Year 12 students completed either their external exam for English or Common Internal Assessment for Essential English. Our students have been preparing for this moment for the last thirteen years. As a College, we have been preparing for the introduction of external exams since 2017. There were nerves for all involved—the students and the teachers—as they tried to navigate the procedures to get it right for the students. We wish the students all the best for the coming weeks as they sit their exams. We are creating a ritual for the students at the beginning of each exam, to breathe (engage in a breathing exercises), to pray, and to sing (they belt out a chorus of “My lighthouse”). Ritual is important, it is what keeps us grounded and centred on what is important. We are encouraging students to ring the bell when they finish their last exam, to mark that important juncture. Our celebrations with the Class of 2020 will continue over the next few weeks.
World Teachers’ Day
Friday is World Teacher’s Day. I can say without a doubt that 2020 has been the most challenging year to be a teacher. Prince of Peace is blessed with a dedicated group of staff, who are hardworking and put the needs of students at the heart of decision making. We have some celebrations planned to mark this important occasion. The students have been working on a project to acknowledge our dedicated staff.
Michelle Nisbet
Head of Senior Campus
Literary Achievements
Amelia Swift in Year 7 has recently had her story: ‘Inside the Fortune Teller’s Hut’ published in the Oz Kids in Print Magazine. As the Executive Director said: “For a child to write a good poem or story is a considerable achievement in itself. To share that poem or story with others is nothing short of an act of love.”
Amelia also entered the Independent Education Union Literary Competition and, along with Sharlise Mansfield (Year 11), and Rosina Floriani (Year 10), received a certificate of participation.
We are extremely proud of all our young writers.
Elizabeth Edwards
Curriculum Leader English
Jump Rope For Heart
Congratulations Prince of Peace community—you are the NEW QLD RECORD-HOLDER FOR FUNDRAISING!
$32,820.22 is the highest amount ever raised by a Queensland school in one programme!
AWESOME EFFORT EVERYONE! A huge thank you to our generous sponsors. A great performance from our P-6 students, who showed dramatic improvements in skipping skill and fitness during Term 3. Fundraising prizes have arrived and will be distributed to students in the coming weeks.
Touch Football
Five of our eight teams played in the first round of the Arana Touch Competition last Wednesday evening. This will be a learning experience as many of the opposition teams are experienced and the standard is quite high. Special mention to our Under 8 Broncos Mixed team, who in their first game ever went down narrowly in a thrilling contest—6 tries to 5.
Darren Lawrance
Junior Campus PE and Sport
Junior Campus Music News
Choirs
On Friday 13 November, the choirs will be recording a video to showcase the songs they’ve learnt this year. Choir uniforms will be required for this. Please let myself or Mrs Valencia know if you do not have a choir uniform. The t-shirts are available from the uniform shop or The School Locker for $35. Long black dress-pants can be purchased at Target, K-mart, Lowes etc.
Instrumental Showcase Evening
Notes have been sent home to our instrumental students invited to perform at the Instrumental Showcase on Tuesday 3 November. Due to COVID restrictions, numbers are limited so permission forms must be returned by Friday 30 October. This performance is particularly for our upper primary students. If you have not received a notice of this performance opportunity, please let me know.
Lunch Time Concerts
For our younger instrumental students, a number of lunch time concerts will be held in the Music Room commencing next week. Students may invite friends to watch them perform. I’m happy to video any performance by your child and send it to you. Times to be confirmed asap.
Classroom Music
Year 6 have been busy this term working on their MusicLand Theme Park task. Students have been given the job of creating their dream theme park showcasing their favourite style of music. Within the park, costumes, music, rides and souvenirs all demonstrate different aspects of their chosen theme. Presenting it through any medium they choose, there’s been a lot of paddle pop sticks, glitter glue, Lego building, PowerPoint brochures and even a Minecraft project in the making.
Should you have any questions about the instrumental, choral or classroom music program on the Junior Campus, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sherree Cudney
Junior Campus Music
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop is located on the Junior Campus—park opposite reception and follow the signs to the shop under the Year 1 and 2 building. We carry all items of Prince of Peace uniform for both Junior and Senior Campus, including lunch bags, soccer socks, food technology aprons, Chess Club and music uniforms. The Campus shop is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 8.00am to 10.00am during term times. Orders can be placed anytime from The School Locker Website with either home or school delivery (PICK UP option). If you would like items delivered to your child’s class, please enter your child’s name and class in the second address line and Wendy will arrange delivery for you.
In addition, The School Locker has a super-store located at 5-6 Burke Crescent, Northlakes, which is open 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 3.00pm Saturdays. The super store also carries technology items (Apple authorised repairer), stationery, shoes, instrumental and sporting goods, making the trip well worth the visit. Items can also ordered online for pickup or home delivery for a small fee.
Fridge-to-Go Lunch Bags: Be prepared for the heat: Fridge-to-Go insulated lunch bags have chiller panels the full width of the bag – ensuring everything in your child’s lunch bag will be kept cool and safe to eat for up to eight hours! These bags are tough and last on average three to four years, making them good value for money at $37. We have eight different bags to choose from, and spare chiller panels are available to have one on hand in case their lunch bag is not retrieved until the morning. Come in and check them out in readiness for our Brisbane summer!
Name It So You Can Claim It—NEW: Black $3.83 and white $4.00 laundry markers are now available in the shop and online. We recommend naming all items so they can be returned to you in the event they are misplaced. We also have iron on name labels in white, pink and blue – $6.99 for a pack of 40.
Second Hand: If you wish to buy or sell second hand uniforms, please visit our very active PoP Second Hand Uniform Buy & Sell Facebook group.