Lockdown
Well, lockdown. Firstly, I can’t thank our staff enough for how well and professionally they have so quickly transitioned back into remote learning. Likewise, the support of our community, as always, has been incredibly strong and we really appreciate how flexible our parents, and students, have been with changes and communication on the fly. I do, of course, hope and pray we will not end up in an extended version of this like we have seen in Victoria and NSW. Hopefully this will not be more than an additional week if it does get extended beyond Sunday night, and we will be back together on site in the near future.
Please ensure that you let your child’s teachers know if there are particular issues or anxieties that your child may have occurring during this time.
I’m sure you will know, by now, that the Ekka Public Holiday has been cancelled for Wednesday (Brisbane City Region) next week, and will be reinstated later in the year as a long weekend, though this will not be confirmed until perhaps late August. So, whether back on site or remote, next Wednesday will be a school day.
We have been blessed to see Prince of Peace growing consistently over the past 12 months, and it is exciting to see that we will be commencing 2022 with three Prep classes, an additional Year 3 class added to our current two Year 2 classes, and an additional Year 7 class added to our three Year 6 classes. I am certain that Prince of Peace’s strength around its community and dependable care for one another is a strong contributing factor to our growth. In part, this is attributable to the leadership of both Michelle Nisbet and Katrina Valencia during their tenures at the College. Michelle has been a key role in creating and building the caring culture of the Senior Campus with her team, including a commitment to strong educational outcomes for every student. Her eleven years of blood, sweat and tears can’t be understated, and she leaves the campus in a strong position, ready for a new challenge and a well-earned reset. Katrina, also, is passionate about her love for Prince of Peace and its families. We are excited for the new opportunity that has been afforded her to run a Lutheran school and know from her tireless work here that they, too, will be blessed by her. Katrina’s strong connections to Prince of Peace will see her remain a part of our community for years to come. As a matter of coincidence, it is with a great level of sadness that we will farewell them both at the end of the year. As we work through our recruiting process, we understand the importance of the roles they have played in our journey and are committed to ensuring that the new incumbents understand the strength of our community and are similarly committed to upholding and continuing the unique culture that makes Prince of Peace so special.
Blessings,
Simon Hughes
Head of College
Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie and Biscuit Dough College Fundraiser
Our P&F Association is kindly running a fundraiser for the College. All funds raised will be used to purchase new resources for our students. Our fundraiser is Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie and Biscuit Dough. Popular in local fundraising communities, Billy G’s is renowned for offering quality cookie dough for those who like to bake at home. With 10 different flavours, and a 1kg tub only costing $17.00, it is a tasty and cost efficient option for your friends and families (cookies cost approx. 43 cents each).
Getting involved is simple.
Step 1 Go to cookiedough.com.au
Step 2 Click ‘Register now’ and create your own fundraiser page. This is essential.
Step 3 Ask your family and friends if they would like to purchase a tub or two.
Step 4 Place your final cookie dough order via your fundraiser page by Wednesday 4 August 2021.
No cash please – all orders must go through your fundraiser page.
This is a cashless fundraiser which means when you place your final order online, you will need to pay for the order via your credit card etc. We recommend collecting the cash from your buyers, banking the money into your account and then using this to finalise the order. Please do not bring cash to the school.
Important Dates:
Wednesday 4 August 2021 – The fundraiser closes. Your final orders must be placed by this day.
Thursday 19 August – Senior Campus families will receive their cookie dough orders.
Friday 20 August – Junior Campus families will receive their cookie dough orders.
We hope you enjoy baking your own cookies. Thank you for supporting our students.
EKKA Public Holiday
Please be advised that the Ekka Public Holiday has been cancelled for Wednesday (Brisbane City Region) next week, and will be reinstated later in the year as a long weekend, though this will not be confirmed until perhaps late August. Whether the students are back on site or still learning remotely, next Wednesday will be a school day.
Keeping You in the Loop
There are a number of avenues that the College utilises to communicate information with you. A majority of your communication will be from your child’s teacher/s via SEQTA, phone, letter or in person; these methods will also be used for important, urgent or time-sensitive information.
Listed below are some of the many additional ways we keep you updated regarding what is happening around the College:
PoP Website
Find latest information on book lists, uniforms, student portal links, club information, OSHC details, bus services and more. The ‘Services’ section is a good place to start your browsing.
‘MyPoP’ Parent Portal
The ‘MyPoP’ section of our College website is the place to visit for parent-related resources such as time tables, term dates, staff contact lists, photo galleries of College events etc. It can be accessed from the link ‘MyPoP’ button at the very top of our website Home page. Some pages are password protected, if you are unsure of the password feel free to email me.
Mobile App
Receive reminders and notifications of College events, notify us of student absences, read newsletters, contact the College and more. Download it to your phone for free via the App Store (Apple devices), or from Google Play (Android devices) by searching for ‘Prince of Peace Lutheran College’. Show me how»
Did you know? You can set your app to give you notifications that are relevant only to your child’s year level/s? It takes just a few seconds, and now at the beginning of the school year is the time set it, especially if you still have it set to last-year’s settings! Show me how»
POPCORN
The fortnightly online newsletter that you are reading will keep you up-to-date with the latest news, sporting results, music events, uniform details, community news and more. View the current POPCORN via the link in the MyPoP Parent Portal, or browse past editions in the POPCORN Archives»
To ensure you will never miss a newsletter, as each edition is released we send families an email reminder, a notification via SEQTA and a reminder via our App.
Online Calendar
The online College calendar is kept up to date listing all important College events and activities. You can even use it to save events directly to your personal calendar with a simple click. Access the Calendar via the button at the very top of our website Home page, from the app, or find it at the bottom of each edition of POPCORN.
Facebook / Instagram
Our Facebook and Instagram pages are constantly updated with photos, videos and posts about general activities happening around the College. Please ‘Follow’ our pages, and be sure to like, comment and share posts with the rest of our fabulous PoP community.
Did you know— Our very active Second Hand Uniform Buy & Sell Facebook group is a great place to buy/sell second hand uniforms or post your ‘uniform items I need’ list. We also maintain a Facebook group dedicated to our PoP alumni.
Matthew Noon
Communications Officer
Lessons from the Olympics
I love watching sport and have an interest in most sporting events. July usually sees me a little tired as the Tour de France captures my attention and the Olympics following soon after has been exciting. I love hearing about our Olympians and there are so many sports that you don’t usually see. Who knew about the skills needed to compete in Trampoline, BMX freestyle and Street Skateboarding – simply amazing! As we went into lockdown over the weekend, there was a little more time to watch and ponder some lessons for life. I’ll share my top three moments so far.
Giving Your Best
Our Aussie swimmers work hard to achieve their results and have done so well in Tokyo. I wonder about the pressure that is placed on them to win especially when they are positioned as World Champions or having broken world records. Kyle Chalmers’ interview after his race was exceptional. He had a silver medal – missing out on gold by 0.06 of a second. It was a time equal to his personal best. He could have been upset about not winning, yet he was congratulatory to the winner, thankful to be competing after his physical setbacks and said “I left everything in the pool. Gave everything I could.” He was genuinely proud of his results.
How important is it to know you’ve tried hard and given your best? We know that ‘best’ looks different for everyone but it is still best! I encourage you to focus on encouraging effort and persistence for our children and those around us.
The Journey Matters
Approximately 11.1 thousand athletes are competing at the Tokyo Olympics and roughly 4000 will compete at the Paralympics later in August. Each Olympian has a story – always involving training hard, often overcoming adversity, being part of a team, developing friendships and persisting. For many athletes there will not be a medal, yet each has learned and gained from the experience.
I know this is obvious, but all experiences can help us to grow and learn. At times when the focus can be on achievement and end results, I need to remember –
Focus on learning from experiences – good or bad, and embrace the journey!
Athletes don’t do it on their own
Tears have been fairly common in my household as I’ve watched races and seen the family and friends watch their Olympian compete. I know that with every stroke and every movement these families are watching with bated breath. The joy, the struggles and ups and downs that are shared in interviews, remind me that each person has a team behind them that has shown amazing support.
Your child has a team too. Family, friends, teachers, Learning Enrichment Officers, the grounds crew, crossing supervisors, the office staff, are on the team that supports you and your child. God wants to be part of that team too.
As we have headed into lockdown over the weekend, know that we are part of your team. Reach out to us if you need support. Together, we know that we are team.
Anne-Marie Schmidt
Acting Head of Junior Campus P-6
Tuckshop Date Postponed
Due to COVID restrictions, the Tuckshop planned for this Friday 6 August has been postponed. Please rest assured that all online orders that have been placed to date will be kept ON HOLD until tuckshop is able to resume (hopefully Friday 20 August).
The online Tuckshop ordering page will be closed for the time-being, if you have any tuckshop concerns please contact the PoP Tuckshop Convenor Extraordinaire, Annette Jacobs at aajacobs1122@gmail.com.
Premier’s Reading Challenge and Book Week
Every year the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) holds a Book Week across Australia to promote the importance of reading and the joy that children can find in it. In February each year, a list of the best children’s books is compiled. This list is known as the ‘Notables’.
From the ‘Notables’, the six best books are chosen from each category: Early Childhood; Picture Books; Young Readers; Non-fiction; New Illustrators; and Older Readers. These are the shortlisted books from which official CBCA judges will choose the winners – known as ‘Book of the Year’ for each category.
The CBCA’s annual Book Week returns in 2021 with the theme “Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds“.
Book Week will take place between August 21 – 27. In the preceding weeks, children will become familiar with the shortlisted titles and will have an opportunity to engage in the voting process before the official winners are announced at midday on Friday 20 August.
As part of our Book Week celebrations, there will be an opportunity on the Junior Campus to come dressed as your favourite book character on Wednesday 25 August. We are looking forward to seeing the best of your creativity and imagination!
Don’t forget to keep sending in your Premier’s Reading Challenge forms. These can come to the class teacher, Miss Burke in the Library or Mrs Bruyn.
Happy reading!
Rebekah Bruyn
Learning Coach
As I was getting ready to head off to Mt Binga on Saturday, I read the story of Patrick Tiernan’s heroic efforts in the 10000m Olympic final. I haven’t been able to watch the footage, but I have heard that the actual footage is quite harrowing.
Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega won the gold, but the final lap effort of Patrick Tiernan is what will be remembered. Tiernan stumbled with 180 metres to go, and with the finish line in sight, the 26-year-old crashed to the track in exhaustion and the hearts of millions of Australians sank as one. What shocked everyone and raised him to hero status was that, somehow, he got up and continued, staggering over the line in 19th position with a season-best time.
This heroic act of defiance and courage—an utter refusal by Tiernan to give up on the race is an example to us all of how we can continue in challenging times. I have been so proud of the teaching staff and our students in the way they have pivoted this week. I know that there are disappointed students who have not been able to head off to camps as planned this week, but we need to do what is right for the whole community. We will be guided by health directives, as we move forward to keep everyone safe. Please reach out if we can do anything to support you and your student/s at this time.
Yesterday’s lockdown challenge was to caption this picture of the Muckadilla Pub (If you don’t know the story Muckadilla pub owner goes viral for spelling error on new sign). These are some of the ideas that the students have come up with: “Take out the A and the B to describe the tradie’s work”, “Muckup at Mucka” and “When the boss goes out for a drink and leaves the apprentice to do the work”.
At this challenging time, we are reminded of Psalm 23: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
Stay Safe
Michelle Nisbet
Head of Senior Campus
E-Sports Club for Years 7-10
The Senior Campus is starting an e-sports team which over time will enable Prince of Peace to compete in national competitions.
The e-sports club will take place during morning tea Monday to Friday, Years 7 and 8 during morning tea and Years 9 and 10 during lunch.
We have our own Switch, but you are welcome to bring your own—if you do so please ensure it is placed in your locker for security. For more details see Mr Roberton.
Year 8 Musical
The Year 8 students will perform the musical ‘The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents’ this year in the College Pavilion on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 September at 6.30pm. With casting complete and rehearsals well underway, we are excited about the energy and enthusiasm among the Year 8 students already. We look forward to seeing you at one of the shows!
PoP Touch Football Teams Expressions of Interest Closes Fri 6 August
We are still seeking expressions of interest for more players to join the PoP Junior Campus teams in the Semester 2 Arana Junior Touch Football Competition. In particular we are seeking both girls and boys born 2009-2012. Currently our 10yrs and under boys will be playing up in the 12yrs age group. There is also availability for girls aged 9-12yrs to complete a team. Ideally, we would prefer to field separate 10yrs and 12yrs teams in each gender. The season details are:
- WHEN: Wednesday afternoons/evenings. The season starts on Wed 25 August and finishes on Wed 1 Dec
- GAME TIMES: 8yrs and under Mixed games are at 4-5pm; 10 and 12yrs generally play between 5:00 and 6:30pm
- WHERE: The games are at Wests/Mitchelton Junior Rugby League fields, Samford Rd. (near Brookside Shopping Centre).
- COST: $110 per player for the 12 game season; payable online here – please do not pay Arana Touch directly
- REGISTRATION: When the school lets you know the name of the team, please register on the Arana Touch website
- UNIFORM: Players wear the PoP sports uniform, plus shoes with very good grip – moulded sole football boots are ideal
- WHAT TO BRING TO GAMES: A water bottle
- DRAW: When the season starts, the draw will be on the Arana Touch website each week https://www.aranatouch.com/home.html
- COACHES/TRAINING: The school has competent coaches, including a former NRL player and a national level touch player, who will coach and supervise the teams at games. Training will be by Mr Darren Lawrance and other staff during break times at school
If you would like your child to play a fast, fun team sport where everyone gets the ball, which only lasts an hour and has a very low registration cost, please let Mr Darren Lawrance know via either SEQTA direct message or email no later than next Friday 6 August.
Junior Campus Sport
Congratulations to our Medal Winners!
Addison Wins State Cross Country
On Sunday 18 July, Addison Houslip was crowned state champion 12yrs Girl for 3km school cross country. After running together with her rival at the front of the 70 competitors for the entire race, Addison won a thrilling sprint to the line by just two metres. She was named in the QLD honorary schools team—sadly due to COVID there will be no National Championships this year. The following day, Addison backed up to anchor the Met North team to victory in the relay event—double gold to our champion!
State Taekwondo Success!
Kirra and Kaelan Harvey competed in the Australian Taekwondo QLD team selections over the weekend. They both performed well with Kaelan earning a gold medal in his sparring division and Kirra receiving a silver.
Both have earned a position in the state team and will compete in the nationals with their older sister Chai (in Year 7) in Sydney later in the year.
Darren Lawrance
Junior Campus PE and Sport
Senior Campus Sport
Basketball Report—Wizards Junior Boys Basketball Round 6
The boys had their final fixture against St Joseph’s College Nudgee this week. PoP got off to a bit of a shaky start, with the Nudgee boys putting on 18 points quite quickly. The PoP team though, came back and had a particularly good second quarter, where they defended really well and started to get some points on the board. The Nudgee team proved too good in the end and ran away with a 35-7 win. A big congratulations to the PoP boys for their season. They were up against quality basketball schools who train all year round for competitions such as the WSL. It was a great experience for our team and hopefully we can make more of an impact in the competition next year.
Thomas Hunter, First Place in Go Karting
Thomas in Year 8 won his ‘D’ Class in KA4, not only taking out first place in his class but also was ahead of one of the ‘C’ class drivers. Thomas has worked very hard this year, and next year will be chasing the ‘C’ Class title and also the main State Titles for a top 10 finish.
QLD School Sport Cross Country Championships
A massive congratulations to our three senior school students who attended the QLD School Sport State Cross Country Championships that were held at Limestone Park, Ipswich on the 17th-19th July. Mattias Forbes-Schutz, Jonas Forbes-Schutz and Heidi Noon represented the Met North region in this event and came away with some wonderful results. Jonas competed in the 16 yrs age group and finished in 11th position. Heidi also competed in the 16 yrs age group and was able to achieve a 16th placed finish. Heidi also ran in the 16 yrs girls Met North relay team and won the bronze medal after she ran a fantastic leg to get the team into contention. Mattias finished in 12th position in the 17 yrs age group and also won a bronze medal for the 17 yrs boys relay team. These are truly fabulous results. Our students were up against the best runners in the state so to get these results is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the sport. If you see these students around campus, please do congratulate them on their efforts!
Gabby Collman
Senior Campus Sports Coordinator
Worship 8 August
9am Worship
5PM Together@5
Please keep an eye on the Prince of Peace Church Facebook page for service updates.