Winter Carnival – that’s a wrap
A big thank-you to all our staff, parents and congregation members who volunteered their time on Saturday and the wonderful people who baked, decorated, prepped, wrapped and donated their time or resources in the days, weeks and months leading up to the Winter Carnival.
We are blessed with a wonderful community at PoP and it’s events like this that remind us of how lucky we are. Whether our children were patting the pig, trying to win a bar of chocolate or lining up for yet another ride… the look on the children’s faces said it all. It was heartwarming to see their unfettered joy and a great reminder of why we do this.
Donna Cook
2024 Winter Carnival Coordinator
Ph: 3872 5710 | dcook@princeofpeace.qld.edu.au
Managing your school fee payments with Edstart Plus
Prince of Peace Lutheran College has partnered with Edstart Plus to make managing your school fee payments easier, with the aim of providing additional flexibility and choice with fee payments. With Edstart Plus, you will have access to more options with your school fee payments, including:
● Options to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly by selecting the schedule that works best for you
● The ability to choose your preferred day for when payments are made
● The ability to spread your school fee payments over the full year
● The option to pay via direct debit, debit/credit card or BPay
● The ability to adjust your repayments easily at any time
There are no credit checks and no additional costs to families when using Edstart Plus to pay your Prince of Peace Lutheran College fees and families can include bus fees in their Edstart plans.
We are confident that this transition will greatly improve the fee payment experience for all families and will allow the school to focus our time on activities that provide greater value to the school and our community. With this in mind, the College will be transitioning all families wishing to pay their fees by instalments to the Edstart Plus platform.
You have the option to start using Edstart Plus from Term 3 this year but from Term 1 2025 all those wishing to pay their fees via instalments (other than full year upfront, termly and Direct Debit) will be compulsory to use Edstart. Please set up your Edstart Plus account by 20/11/2024 to ensure a smooth transition.
To set up your Edstart account:
● Visit edstart.com.au/princeofpeace
● Have your account number ready (this can be found in the top right corner of your statement – it is a 6 digit number).
Please refer to this Edstart Plus Flyer and Edstart Plus Parent Fact Sheet.
We are always here to assist with any queries and will work closely with Edstart and our families during the transition to this new fee payment platform. You can contact Edstart on 1300 139 445 or email contact@edstart.com.au if you have any queries or require assistance with setting up your account. Alternatively, you can contact me for a confidential discussion.
Donna Appelman
Business Manager
Junior Campus
Open Morning
Middle & Senior Campus
Open Morning
The Winter Carnival – A Great Way to Celebrate PoP’s 40th Birthday
I could not start my POPCORN message without mentioning the Winter Carnival. A huge thank you for all who gathered and celebrated with us on Saturday. There is so much to mention: the volunteers and helpers who worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly, the students who performed beautifully—what about that Battle of the Bands!?, Mrs Donna Cook who marshalled us all to wherever we were needed, the stall organisers, the rides, PoP BBQ, the bakers and so much more.
The day was filled with fun and laughter, and it concluded spectacularly with the fireworks display. The smiling faces and enjoyment of the day could not go unnoticed.
We appreciate and thank everyone who joined in the festivities and contributed to the success of this wonderful community event.
Happy 40th Birthday Prince of Peace.
It is such a privilege to be a part of such a special community!
Student Voice In Action
One special part of my week involves meeting with our Junior Campus School Captains and the Ministry and Outreach Captains. These meetings provide times to talk about how to serve the school community and lead in other ways. It is an opportunity for students to have a voice and share some of their passions as well. And can I tell you, our students have big hearts and so many amazing ideas to make the world a better place.
Encouraging students to express and enact their ideas and opinions fosters belonging and boosts confidence. In the classroom student voice more often than not , enhances motivation and engagement and positively impacts academic performance and wellbeing. Genuinely involving students in decision-making and responsibilities nurtures leadership, independence, critical thinking, and creativity.
This past fortnight, we saw passion, empathy, ideas and planning put into action by our student leaders. Let me tell you, their story.
Wildlife Warriors and PoP’s Endangered Olympics
A Student Leadership Story
For many parents it is not a surprise that children love animals. Amongst our group of leaders this year, there are some dedicated animal lovers who have a heart for the world and wildlife. One leader already actively supports a group called Visionary Wildlife Warriors, which is a free program for kids aged 4 – 17 who are interested in conservation, protecting wildlife and the earth. It is no wonder that one of the big ideas our leaders wanted to do was to help raise awareness about the environment and how we can help animals. So the planning began.
- One leader used her contacts with Visionary Wildlife Warriors to organise a guest speaker and talked Mrs Lennon into making sure it was a Special P to Year 6 Assembly with plenty of time for Hannah the speaker.
- The other leaders organised a small Wildlife Endangered Olympics on the oval.
- They designed activities, organised resources and planned the set up.
- The students wrote and gave mini talks about the importance of conservation and endangered species and connected them to activities they had designed.
- Our student community could join in the fun and games on the oval, learn about a specific aspect of Wildlife Conservation and have some fun.
If like our school leaders, your child is interested in the environment and wildlife, wants to learn more or even raise money to help, you could join Visionary Wildlife Warriors like Sophie did. Sophie kindly wrote the message below to explain a little bit about what she does with conservation work.
A Conservation Message from Sophie
I joined the Visionary Wildlife Warriors program at the beginning of last year. Last year I raised over $1000 and this year so far I have raised over $500 for the Wildlife Warriors Conservation Projects around the world.
Visionary Wildlife Warriors is a free program for kids aged 4 – 17 who are interested in conservation, protecting wildlife and the earth. As a Visionary Wildlife Warrior, you receive project books and newsletters with facts about conservation, fundraising tips and you can also receive small prizes every month when you raise some money. You complete Conservation Missions every month to help raise funds.
Conservation Missions can be things like cleaning up rubbish at the beach or collecting bottles and cans for Containers for Change. I’ve learnt about making good choices by trying to buy planet friendly products at the supermarket; growing your own fruit and vegies, planting trees or putting up a wild bird feeder in your backyard to help the survival of native birdlife.
Some of the things I have done to fundraise are:
- I have made products at home such as candles, soaps and jewellery which I sold at the annual Australia Zoo markets
- Every time I visit the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, I drop off earrings that I make and they display them for sale in their reception area
- I did a readathon
- I collect cans and bottles for Containers for Change and then donate the money
- I do extra jobs at home and put the money in my Give Jar which I then donate to the Wildlife Warrior Conservation Projects.
To be a Visionary Wildlife Warrior this year and help raise money here is the link: https://vww2024.funraise.org/
To just donate directly to the Wildlife Warriors to support the Conservation Projects here is the link: https://wildlifewarriors.org.au/donate/
Sophie Attinger
Junior College Captain
Our students are amazing! They have passion, they lead and they are making a difference now! Our challenge is to support them in those passions and partner with them for the journey.
I can’t wait to see what our leaders will do next.
Be Blessed
Anne-Marie Schmidt
Head of Campus – Junior
The Resilience Project
This week our students are focussing on Empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand and feel what another person is feeling.
Did you know ….
80% of our happiness is derived from:
- Friendship
- Health
- Work fulfillment
- Loving relationships
- Spirituality
When you do something kind for someone else your brain releases the love hormone oxytocin. This makes you feel good too. Check out Martin Heppell from The Resilience Project talking about being kind and the benefits of kindness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO-ja3h5INc
“Kindness is the greatest wealth of all. Small acts of kindness last longer than a lifetime” – Eddie Jaku (Author of ‘The Happiest Man on Earth’).
Mindful Mentors
In life, having someone to talk to is crucial. We all need someone to share our highs and lows with, someone who listens and offers advice when needed.
At our Junior Campus, we are fortunate to have dedicated staff who are always ready to lend a listening ear to our students. Additionally, we have a special group of staff members known as Mindful Mentors.
These mentors are available for students who may need someone to talk to when their teacher isn’t available or when they simply need an extra person to confide in.
This image is of the poster that our students see throughout the campus, introducing these valuable mentors.
Please remind your child/ren that these staff members are always there to listen and to support them.
Well Done!
Finally a big well done to these students who participated in The Children’s Book Council of Australia Queensland Regional Readers Cup Competition and The Minecraft Online Build Challenge Fuse Cup.
Blessings,
Coreta Lennon
Deputy Head of Campus – Junior
Competition Opportunities
This year our students have had many opportunities to compete in various activities and competitions. These contests, ranging from academic to creative and athletic, play a pivotal role in enhancing learning for our students.
Competitions offer students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios and challenge students to push the boundaries of their understanding. They foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, which are essential for academic success. By preparing for and participating in these events, students develop a deeper grasp of the subject matter and are motivated to strive for excellence.
Participating in competitions helps students build confidence and resilience. The experience of competing, whether they win or not, teaches valuable lessons in perseverance and determination. Students learn to handle both success and failure gracefully, understanding that both are integral parts of the learning journey. This resilience is crucial for personal growth and prepares them for future challenges.
Creative competitions, such as art contests, writing challenges, and music recitals, encourage students to express themselves and think outside the box. These platforms allow students to showcase their unique talents and explore new ideas. By engaging in creative endeavours, students enhance their ability to innovate and develop original solutions to problems.
Many competitions require students to work in teams, fostering collaboration and teamwork. Whether it’s an eSports tournament, a chess competition, or a sports event, students learn to communicate effectively, share responsibilities, and support each other. These skills are not only vital for success in competitions but also in their future professional and personal lives.
This semester our students have the opportunity to compete in The Australian Mathematics Competition, The Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge, ICAS Science, Spelling, Mathematics, Writing and Technologies, Premiers Reading Challege and the FUSE Cup Mario Kart Competition.
We are committed to providing diverse opportunities for our students to grow and excel and look forward to celebrating the achievements and progress of our students in upcoming competitions. Thank you for your continued support in making our school a vibrant and dynamic place for learning.
Information for these opportunities will be sent out via SEQTA prior to competition dates. If you require any further information, please contact Rebekah Bruyn via SEQTA.
Our Year 5 Reader’s Cup team competing against 40 Brisbane school teams during Term 2
Happy learning!
Rebekah Bruyn
Learning Coach
To lead is to serve
We gathered as a community to give thanks to the Year 12 Class of 2024 and Student Leaders for their service to the Prince of Peace Community in 2023/2024. Their theme of ‘Be in the Light’, called us to stop and think about how we live in community with each other and serve each other in finding the light. It is adopting the attitude of welcoming the stranger and being a voice for those who might not feel they have one. It is moving beyond fulfilling our own desires and needs, but to give freely to others with no expectation in receiving anything in return. This is what we call Grace.
God has created us as unique individuals and gives us purpose and life, and our lives are enriched through the peers we have, the teachers who guide us and the parents that shape us. We are thankful to each Year 12 student who has led the student community of Prince of Peace and leave a rich legacy in our community. Today the current Student Leaders will pass on their responsibilities to our new student leaders for 2024-2025.
A special rite of passage that our Senior students collaborate on in their final year of education is selecting a theme for their year. The theme is about the aspirations that they have for themselves and the community that they lead and serve. The theme that our Year 11 students have chosen for 2024-2025 is; ‘Building Unity in Community’. Their main bible reading comes from Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
We are delighted to announce our College Captains, Ministry Captains, and House Captains for 2024/2025:
CAPTAINS: Hannes Forbes-Schutz & Sienna Gardner
MINSITRY AND MISSION CAPTAINS: Nicholas Horsington & Shaylee Godbolt
BRADMAN CAPTAINS: Gracie Lee & Chloe Beasley
FRASER CAPTAINS: Liam Bell & Chelsea Pfeffer
JACKSON CAPTAINS: Keely Fraser & Sophie Glentworth
LAVER CAPTAINS: Bianca Rhind & Lara Savaille
We thank parents, families, special friends, staff, students, Politicians, College Council members, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church leaders and Senior Leadership Team members who joined in the installation and blessing of all Year 11 students this week. May we keep this vision in our hearts as we live in community together and pray for them in their final year of education at Prince of Peace.
Senior School Awards Ceremony
In Week 3 of Term 3 we came together as a community in recognising the learning and growth of student academic achievement in Semester 1. We were delighted to be able to present Academic Gold, Silver, and Bronze for Semester 1 in Years 10, 11 and 12. We congratulate the following students on gaining Academic Awards for Semester 1 in 2024:
Year 10
Bronze: Emma Dixon, Kai Elbers, Lyla-Jayne Ellis, Thomas Gilfillan, Aye Mi Htoo, Tyson Hulcombe, Emma Macdonald, Connor Rhind
Silver: Georgia Bean, Ava Downie, Brooke Eaglestone, Hamish Nottle, Olivia Phillips, Chloe Wheatley
Gold: Freya Garrad, Hannah Selwood, Aleisha Sivyer
Year 11
Bronze: Chloe Beasley, Jai Bressan, Fairley Dart, Sienna Gardner, Rochelle Godinho, Rhys Griffin, Isaac Harmer, Emma Labuschagne, Gracie Lee, Chelsea Pfeffer, Elliot Schmidtchen, Amelia Swift, Samuel Tweedale, Mani Walduck, Zabelle Warriner-Banner
Silver: Liam Bell, Lara Savaille, Erin Scott, Anuksha Sengupta
Gold: Hannes Forbes-Schutz, Jacob Howard-Taylor
Year 12
Bronze: Lucas Cantarella, Miles Chewe, Freya Forbes-Schutz, Aidan Gardso, Abbi Hewitt, Aaron Jones, Oscar Jones, Nate Kaden, Sofia Katergaris, Mercedes McIver, Charlotte Scott, Angus Sneddon, Simon Till, Lewyn Turnell, Harry Valencia
Silver: Ryan Eaglestone, Harrison Haines, Nathan Lilly, Diezel Paget, Amber Paul, Elijah Walsh
Gold: Alana Bomgaars, Jasmine Everitt, Ellen Hamilton, Lucinda Hocking, Alexis Hulcombe, Abigail Tay
Through these awards presentation it causes us all to reflect on the potential in each of us. God gives us all different talents, strengths and passions which come to life in personalised pathways.
Parent, Student and Teacher Conversations Term 3
Parent, Student and Teacher Conservations will occur in Term 3 on Thursday 1 August (Week 4) Wednesday 7 August (Week 5) from 3:30pm-6:00pm. Bookings will be made available through SOBS online booking system and communicated via a direct message on SEQTA. These are the last formal interview times for the school year; however, parents are always more than welcome to contact teachers for feedback over the phone or in person.
On these evenings we will be offering tutorial sessions for parents on SEQTA: Engage from 4:00pm-4:30pm and 6:00-6:30pm. The aim is to assist parents in navigating the features of this learning portal which include courses, resources, assessment dates, dashboard, direct messaging, portal, notices, and documents. Please register for one of these session through Sue Noon, Pa for the Head of Campus (Middle and Senior) at snoon@princeofpeace.qld.edu.au
Course Counselling Interviews for Year 10 and 11 for 2025 – My PoP Pathway
Year 9 and 10 students and families have been invited to a Course Counselling Interview that will be held with either the Director of Teaching and Learning, Director of QCE and Careers Coordinator. The Head of Campus (Middle and Senior) and Learning Enrichment Coordinator maybe involved in this interview process. Year 10 Course Counselling interviews have begun, and Year 11 Course Counselling Interviews will begin in Week 5 Term 3. If you have not made a booking, please check direct messages for the SOBS online booking link.
Upcoming dates for Term 3
Please find the remaining dates for Term 3 events to assist in your planning. The dates are also recorded on the Calendar which is located at the bottom of each edition of POPCORN, and on the College website via the Calendar button in the top menu.
- 1 August: 7-12: Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences 3:30pm-6:00pm
- 7 August: 7-12: Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences 3:30pm-6:00pm
- 10 August: Year 9 Mt Binga Group 1 Family Morning
- 13 August: Year 9 Mt Binga Group 2 depart
- 14 August: Ekka Show Day
- 16 August: P-12 Grandparents Day
- 20 August: Book Week Parade
- 21 August: Year 12 Mock Exams begin
- 23 August: Middle and Senior Campus Open Morning
- 30 August: Middle and Senior Campus Father’s Day Breakfast 7:30am-8:30am
Winter Carnival Photos
Every blessing,
Sarah Hoff-Zweck
Head of Campus – Middle and Senior
Empowering Mathematical Success: How Parents Can Encourage the Use of Extra Resources
As we continue to strive for excellence in our students’ education, it is essential to recognize the significant impact that additional resources can have on their mathematical understanding. These resources, provided by our dedicated mathematics teachers, are designed to reinforce classroom learning and enhance students’ problem-solving skills. Your involvement and encouragement is crucial in helping your child make the most of these valuable tools.
In today’s competitive academic landscape, it’s essential for students to not only grasp mathematical concepts but also to apply them effectively through problem-solving and reasoning. These resources provide students with the opportunity to explore mathematical concepts at their own pace, offering additional practice and varied approaches to problem-solving. Let us work together to create an enriching learning experience that will benefit our students for years to come.
Here are some ways parents can help
Encourage the Use of Extra Resources: Motivate your child to regularly use the supplementary materials provided by the teacher.
Promote Regular Practice: Encourage your child to consistently practice problem-solving and reasoning questions, both independently and with their classroom teacher.
Create a Positive Learning Environment: Foster a positive attitude towards mathematics and create a conducive learning environment at home where your child can focus and study effectively.
Reinforcement of Concepts: Extra resources help reinforce what has been taught in the classroom, ensuring that students have multiple opportunities to grasp and master key concepts.
Practice and Proficiency: Regular practice using these resources improves students’ proficiency and problem-solving skills, making them more adept at tackling mathematical challenges.
Here is the list of resources we would like our students to use
- Maffs guru (7-12)
- Joel Speranza’s (10-12)
- McClatchey Maths ( 10-12)
We are committed to working together with you to ensure that our students excel in mathematics. By utilizing extra resources and engaging in regular problem-solving and reasoning practice with their classroom teacher, we believe that every student can achieve remarkable success in their mathematical endeavors.
Ashoo Rajput
Curriculum Leader – Mathematics – Middle & Senior Campus
Junior Campus Sport
Term 3 Sport!
Well done to our NISSA Gala Day AFL, Soccer, and Netball teams who played last Friday. The sun was shining, providing a great opportunity to showcase our skills and build on their teamwork. A special congratulations to our Junior AFL and Junior Soccer teams for going undefeated. We look forward to the next NISSA GALA DAY, Week 7, Friday 23 August.
We wish our Athletics representative team the best of luck in their upcoming competition. NISSA Athletics – Week 4, Thursday 1 August & North District Athletics – Week 5, Thursday 8 August and Friday 9 August. Your hard work and dedication have brought you this far, and we believe you will make us proud. Go out there and give it your all! Parents, please ensure North District paperwork and payment is in by this Friday.
The Auskick and Superkick AFL Wednesday afternoon program kicked off today at PoP Junior Campus 3:10pm-4:10pm for boys and girls of all ages. If you would like more information, please contact Mrs Schneider. This is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved and develop their AFL skills.
Jessica Schneider
Junior Campus PE Teacher & Sport Coordinator
Middle & Senior Campus Music News
Winter Carnival Music
This great day featured music from all of our wonderful ensembles. It was so wonderful to see the College represented by such a diverse music program.
We maintain the disciplines and subtle musicality of musicians using traditional notation and reading from scores which is an important part of the rigour of many jobs in the music industry. Our Concert Band and String Ensemble demonstrated these skills as well as considerable musicianship and technical skills on their instruments.
Our vocal prowess was also on display with Vocalese sharing a set of popular and classic choral hits. Singing with close mics and sometimes holding an independent line each, these students demonstrated outstanding vocal and aural skills and consummate musicianship.
At the same time we enjoyed the musicianship of many bands – our own Worship Band, 101 Special, Jazz Ensemble, Celadon, Old Salsa, Noted and Denim Dreamers – who have learned and created music through working together, reading charts and playing by ear. These bands are not only performing amazing and creative covers but at the Winter Carnival several of the works performed were our own student’s original compositions. Both Jacob Howard-Taylor and Wyatt Handley shared a recent composition with us on the day. This was a great honour for us as a community.
The finals of Battle of the Bands 2024 were an exciting afternoon event and the fierce battle was very close. It was a privilege to have a band representing the Middle School and this proffers well for our musical future as a College. Their work in Noted was highly commended by the judges. The year 12 band of Denim Dreamers had the greatest participation which is something in itself especially considering the timing of the Winter Carnival in the midst of their IA3 final preparations. This commitment by these young musicians is a testament to the important role of music in their lives. Their participation and the richness and enthusiasm of their music making was a clear demonstration of the importance of music as a balancing and creative influence in their lives. Despite an amazing performance, the Denim Dreamers were beaten on the day by the sheer creative force of Celadon. With an original composition in their set, the band demonstrated excellent diversity in instrumentation and expressive variation, along-side some sparkling technical skill and excellent ensemble work. It was Celadon who took out the 2024 Battle of the Bands title.
As we wind up term 3 we are focussing on our last weeks with year 12. We are looking forward to celebrating their time in the music program with a special concert featuring them on Thursday 12 September. Please put this date in your diary. It will be our last opportunity as a College to enjoy the amazing music making of these students.
Finally, thank you all for your effort to be at rehearsals on these cold mornings. This is our last term in our current ensemble format. There are lots of wonderful young musicians coming through the program and it will be exciting to watch these have room to grow and develop.
In the meantime, keep practicing, keep coming to rehearsals, keep listening.
Linda Brady
Middle & Senior Campus Curriculum Leader of Music and Coordinator of Extra-Curricular Music
Worship
Sunday 5 August:
9am Worship
Sunday 12 August:
9am Worship
Please keep an eye on the Prince of Peace Church Facebook page for service updates.