Community
Something that is very much an important and valuable tradition (in Lutheran Education at least), is the installation of new staff. Earlier this term, we installed our new staff at several chapel services at the College, and last Sunday I was also installed during the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church service. Being ‘installed’ in itself isn’t essential to somebody being able to carry out their duties effectively, however there are several elements to installations that I cherish and believe are wonderful elements of making us who we are as a Christ-centred community.
In the first instance, installations ask those being installed to commit—with the help of God—to carry out their work faithfully and to the best of their ability, in accordance with the word of God as confessed by the Lutheran Church. As all who take a role in a Lutheran school understand, this is not a surprise and often what we already feel called to do. However, it is a lovely commitment to make in front of those we serve, and I believe an important commitment to also make in front of our students. Part of the ritual of installation takes note of these words:
St Peter says: Each one of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very word of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
Schools work effectively because we have wonderful staff from so many backgrounds, with diverse gifts, working toward a common goal of serving and educating our students. So many different roles and gifts exist, but all are equally important to our College community.
An installation is a recognition of a mutual partnership. We ask our students, congregation, parents—the immediate community, to support, honour and work alongside those being installed. Again, Lutheran schools exist to educate our children in a Christ-centred environment, and the strength of this comes from all of us. In fact, it is fitting that we reaffirm all existing staff in much the same way every year. That is, to recommit to one another our support in our roles within the community, whatever they may be.
Finally, perhaps most importantly, events like these demonstrate community. On the weekend, we had principals from other Lutheran Schools, staff from Lutheran Education Queensland, members from the District Church, the District Bishop, members from other congregations, and College staff and families all celebrating together. It showed the strength of the Prince of Peace community and how wonderfully supportive and welcoming it is. It was also a beautiful reflection of the wider support in which the College shares with our other Lutheran school and church communities. For me, it has been such a warm and welcoming start to my time here. Celebrating opportunities like these help us to remember that Prince of Peace is a great community, which exists because of the commitment of everyone within it.
Blessings
Simon Hughes
Head of College
Health and Hygiene—We all Have a Part to Play
In recent weeks the media has been flooded with stories, updates and information on novel coronavirus. Organisations, including schools, have been asked to consider their procedures with regards to the prevention of the spread of coronavirus, as well as processes for responding to the need to quarantine, should this be required. Today I would like to take a bit of your time to reiterate the importance of maintaining excellent hygiene within our staff, student and parent population.
(The following information is from Queensland Health’s Fact Sheet on Novel Coronavirus)
About coronavirus
The COVID-19 novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus affecting humans.
Some coronaviruses can cause illness similar to the common cold and others can cause more serious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
The World Health Organization (WHO) is leading the global response to the novel coronavirus outbreak and is working with Chinese authorities and global experts to learn more about the virus including how it affects people, how it is transmitted and what countries can do to respond.
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
A number of clinical symptoms have been reported in identified cases of novel coronavirus. These symptoms include:
- fever
- a cough
- sore throat
- fatigue
- shortness of breath.
It is important to note that the Queensland Government has added COVID-19 novel coronavirus to the state’s notifiable conditions list.
Protecting yourself and others from the novel coronavirus
Novel coronavirus is transmitted from person to person, usually when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Transmission may occur from contaminated surfaces, so it is important to frequently wash your hands.
To protect yourself and others from infection practice good hand and respiratory hygiene including:
- cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs
- covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing
- avoiding contact with anyone who has symptoms such as fever, a cough, sore throat, fatigue, and shortness of breath
- staying home if you are unwell
I have included this Fact Sheet for you from the Department of Education, Queensland Website.
Here at Prince of Peace we have always maintained a focus on good hygiene, and have supplied our classrooms with hand sanitizer. Within our community we have a number of families with children who have immuno-supressed systems and there are some simple steps we can take to support everyone’s overall health outlook when living in community together.
This is an excellent time for us all to be reminded of the importance of hand-washing, covering our mouth and nose when we sneeze or cough and staying home when unwell. Our classrooms are cleaned on a regular basis, including the wiping down of student shared spaces.
Can I please encourage all families to reiterate, model and encourage the importance of excellent personal hygiene. Should you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the College. Over the next few weeks, our staff will maintain a focus on hygiene with their students.
Junior Campus Photo Day
Prince of Peace Lutheran College Junior Campus formal photos will be taken on Monday 9 March, 2020.
Your child/children should have brought their photo order envelope home last week. Academy Photos has given clear instructions on how to order photos and these envelopes will need to be returned no later than Wednesday 4 March 2020. Please note: All envelope/s will need to be returned even if you choose not to order photos.
Sibling Photos
We will have family envelopes available at reception from today if you wish to have sibling photos taken. Parents are requested to obtain one of these envelopes from reception and return it as soon as possible.
All students are required to wear their full formal uniform for the photos. Extra envelopes for ordering individual and class photos will be available at reception.
Sibling photos for families whose students are only on the Junior Campus will have their photographs taken on Monday 9 March 2020.
Katrina Valencia
Head of Junior Campus
Middle School Leadership
In today’s age it is easy to lose the essence of being human. We get caught up with being the best and accumulating the most, or needing the latest phone and living our life via social media. This is a distorted view of success which makes us live for ourselves, rather than for others and the common good of the community. We can all be guilty of only looking out for No. 1.
In recent times we have seen an example of the exact opposite—the efforts of firefighters have been heroic. These firefighters have hearts that pump for our nation and demonstrate a commitment to each other. Our heroes in yellow jackets have shown a strength rarely seen, and have demonstrated the most selfless acts. We have heard countless stories about how individuals have put the needs of many over personal needs. The resilience of the communities affected by the recent Australian fires has been extraordinary. This has been Australia at its best.
We call the Year 9 journey—Ubuntu. Our firefighters are an example to our students as they commence their Ubuntu journey. Living in community should be about seeing and acknowledging each other with an intentional gratitude, knowing that the other person was created in God’s image. True community is about living with and through others. From my perspective, living through others means putting one’s self in the other’s shoes and letting go of what is comfortable and familiar to you. It is a place of vulnerability, but a place that invites trust, and releases others to be free to be themselves. Living with others means you see, feel and share in their struggles and victories. That is the challenge for each Year 9 student as they live out Ubuntu—as they start their leadership journey.
I affirm all the Year 9 students on their willingness to serve our community. It has been my privilege to chat to the students about their motivations for seeking a leadership role. Overwhelmingly, at the heart of their decisions is a choice to serve, and a desire to empower their peers to shine. Congratulations to our Middle School Captains for 2020.
Middle School Leadership Team for 2020
| SCHOOL CAPTAINS | Elsie Long | Jonas Forbes-Schutz |
| BRADMAN | Jade McDermid | Zane Cargill |
| FRASER | Ella Bunn | Asher Waverley-Smith |
| JACKSON | Cayley Savage | Laura Horsington |
| LAVER | Kristjna Mikulec | Xavier Sivyer |
Lent
Last Wednesday, we marked the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday service. As part of the service, students were invited to come forward and be marked with Ash, with the words “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Lent, which comes from an Anglo-Saxon word for “spring,” can be viewed as a spiritual spring-cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out everything which hinders a relationship with Christ. Lent is an opportunity for us to practice life with more integrity and intention. As part of our preparation, students have been provided with this resource to help them with their Lenten journey.
Year 12 Jersey Presentation
As traditions go, this is one of my favourite. To have our Year 1 students present our Year 12 cohort with their Senior Jersey, and to see the genuine interactions, is priceless. This is also the beginning of the buddy relationships between Year 1 and 12. It was wonderful to see so many parents of both Year 1 and Year 12 students in attendance last Friday. Our Year 12 parents are nearing the end of the journey with their child—the rest of the year is going to fly—each of them were realising the significance of the moment; and the Year 1 parents present were witnessing their little one’s life flash before their eyes. The Year 12 theme this year is “Make your Mark” and that is an important message for each of us, to make every moment count.
Please enjoy this extensive photo gallery of the event in MyPop »
Congratulations to our Futsal Team
I am super-proud of our Futsal team, consisting of Caelen (Buzzy) Cook, Declan Cook, Brendan Fraser, Austin Haines, Ryan Hamilton, Daniel Hutchings, Keanan Kapp, Jonathan Muir, Adam Rowland and Max Worland for their efforts this season. They finished at the top of the table and progressed through the Semi Final, but in a hard fought Grand Final game they were not able to get the overall win. These young men have played 17 games on a Sunday afternoon and have represented the College well. We thank the team at Arana United Futsal League for organising another great year of this competition which we have been participating in since 2015—three of the boys Buzzy, Declan and Brendan were in that very first team.
Michelle Nisbet
Head of Senior Campus
Junior Campus Music News
Class music lessons: A reminder that students in Years 4-6 require a recorder. I have quite a number of spares that are cleaned every day should your child forget, however it’s always best to have their own.
Recorder Belts: Year 4 students are practicing hard to earn their next Recorder Karate Belt. Once they’ve achieved Blue Belt they may join the Recorder Ensemble. I’m so thrilled to see so many students eager to challenge themselves to the next level.
Instrumental Music: Please remember to text or call your child’s instrumental tutor if your child is away from school or unable to attend their lesson that day. Tutors will have also sent out invoices for the term. As a courtesy to our tutors, please ensure these are paid for asap.
Birralee Choir: Voices of Birralee is one of Australia’s finest youth arts organisations, with the philosophy that singing is as important and natural for a child to do as walking. Launched 24 years ago, Birralee has become a powerhouse of singing with approximately 400 members, aged five to 35 years across six ensembles. The program is committed to developing caring and responsible citizens through music, and ensembles are recognised at home and abroad for professionalism and quality.
For more information contact Birralee Choir on 3367 1001 or Email: contact@birralee.org
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
Senior Campus Music News
DIARY NOTE… 
Wednesday, 25 March 6pm Senior Campus
Mid Term 1 and its all happening in the music department. Music classes ensembles, students in private tuition and practice are creating a constant buzz in M Block. There is never a moment when some amazing sounds are not coming out of a practice room. To kick off the year, our Soloists on Show Concert, Wednesday 25 March at 6pm will feature some of the cream of our individual performers. Drawn from across the Senior Campus this concert will be a feast of talent and an inspiration for all of us. Performers are put forward by a teacher or music tutor, if any student wishes to take part ensure they have been nominated. The standards are delightfully high and it will certainly be worth coming along to have the evening out.
The following night, Thursday 26 March, Senior Music and Drama are off to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at QPAC. This fantastic musical is a special treat and will add richness and depth—as well as a bit of fun—to our studies! One of the cast of Charlie, Jordan Malone is coming to Prince of Peace to share a song, and talk ‘Theatre Life’ with our students. A past student of Ms Brady, Jordan is now working full time in the Australian music theatre scene with some fabulous opportunities coming her way, she will speak to our students in an open forum on Wednesday 4 March at 1pm.
I am loving listening to the ensemble rehearsals and working with your children in the classroom, so much great work is happening and the engagement has been commendable.
Remember how important each individual is to this art form.
Contemporary BLUE members: Amber Paul, Jasmine Everitt, Ellen Hamilton, Gabriel Kassiou, Mikayla Swift, Nelson Morse, Austin Haines, Oliver King, Nathan Lilly.
Linda Brady
Senior Campus Curriculum Leader of Music and Coordinator of Extra-Curricular Music
Happy Resilient Children
Kindy will be holding an information session to show how to nurture children’s foundational sensory processing, postural skills and overall confidence, to cultivate happy resilient and successful kids both at school and home. The session will also include ideas on making your children more confident communicators.
This will be an opportunity to share with Kindy parents, along with Prep – Year 2 parents and professionals.
Carlyn Cooper from In Sync Kids (Occupational Therapist), and Brooke O’Brien from Learn and Grow Speech Pathology (Speech Therapist) will speak to us and lead discussions.
Light refreshments will also be provided. We ask to please keep this event child free.
Thursday 19 March 7pm at the Kindy (on the Junior Campus, 20 Rogers Parade West, Everton Park)
Lyn Jackson
Service Leader
Prince of Peace Lutheran Kindergarten
Uniform Shop News
Orders: Orders can be placed by phone or email through the College website using the link on the Uniform Shop Page or on the Home Page, or at anytime from The School Locker Website. Note: If you wish to avoid home delivery fees during term times, nominate delivery to your child’s campus and provide your child’s name and class. Junior Campus orders will be delivered to your child’s class. Senior Campus orders will be delivered to reception for your child to collect the next day.
New Technology Items: In the campus shop we now have Verbatim headphones both with microphones ($12.95), or without ($11.95), and Logitech wireless mice with a variety of eye catching cartoon designs $29.95.
Junior Campus: Now available—Medium and large hats, winter formal pullovers and sports track jackets all sizes.
New Logo Swim Caps: In addition to the lycra swim caps in house colours, we now have navy silicone PoP logo swim caps for $11 for competitive/swim squad members. Please note these are not recommended for lower primary students as they require assistance to put on.
Senior Campus: Now available—Medium and large hats, winter formal pullovers and sports track jackets all sizes. Protect your investments—use silicone water proofing spray $9.95 on white sport shoes, senior blazers, formal hats (top only—can irritate skin), ties, and aprons, as well as handbags, purses and duffle bags. Many applications in the one can—great value!
Food Technology Students: Now available—Navy full front aprons with adjustable neck, and front pocket, available for $15.00
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
Note: On some phones, this calendar may be best viewed in landscape view (ie turning your phone sideways)