Helping Your Child Re-energise
School can be exhausting for some children (and young adults alike!). There are so many things to do and for them to consider during the day. Have you noticed that your child can sometimes come home from school tired and grumpy? Alternatively, they may come home displaying excess energy that has built up through the day. It is important to be mindful of transition times for children so that they can find their own ways of re-energising when they come home from school or some other busy activity.
Pauses in the process of constant educational learning and physical development are so important because the gaps give time for their imaginations to kick in. The child’s inner world helps them to diffuse stress.
Consider some of the following ways our young people can regain and stabilise energy when they get home from school:
Down time to “switch off”
Children need “time out” from paying attention to others and their environment. They may use this time in different ways; some will spend time alone, perhaps in a fantasy world, while some will drop the guard they have employed through the day, feeling safe in their home by themselves. This is equally important for Senior School students, where things like hobbies and work allow the brain to switch gears and focus on something different.
Physical play
Physical activity helps children to disperse excess energy that may have built up from frustrations during the day. Unstructured play like playing with the dog or kicking a ball around will help them unwind, drop their defensive states and engage with their imagination. Likewise, older students will find different engagements of sport, or fitness pursuits – even just regular walking of the dog, will have significant positive outcomes.
Emotional nourishment
Some children need to be nourished by loved ones, with hugs and outward signs of emotional connectedness. Then they let their guard down. Some children like to chat about their day with someone older as this helps them to “debrief” and “recharge their batteries”. (Parents of teenagers are reminded to approach this one with a level of caution though!).
Be mindful of your child’s energy levels and look for ways to expand or calm their current energy state if needed. There are many breathing exercises that help restore a calm response in our bodies. A good and simple one is taking three sighs – and pause after the third one. This is a simple technique that can be taught to children and adolescents.
Source: Maggie Dent (2009) in “Saving our Children from our Chaotic World”
Simon Hughes
Head of College
Bebras Challenge Round 2
This term we will be running Round 2 of the Bebras Challenge. There were some great results from Round 1 including a perfect score from Year 4 student Lucy Glynn. Those students receiving full marks will go on the Bebras Challenge Honour Roll for 2022.
Bebras is an international initiative aiming to promote Computer Science among school students of all ages. The Bebras challenge is open twice a year to Australian students in Years 3-12 and engages students’ computational thinking and problem-solving skills in a fun, interactive environment.
Bebras Australia began in 2014 and is now administered through CSIRO Digital Careers. In Australia, Round 2 of the Bebras Challenge will take place in August-September.
This term Years 3 and 4 will be completing the challenge in Week 7, 22 – 26 August, and Years 5 and 6 will have Week 8, 29 August – 2 September.
Students who would like to participate in the challenge can let their classroom teacher know. They will be required to bring their lunch, laptop and a pencil to Area 6 in the second break.
Years 5 and 6 students have 45 minutes to complete the Bebras Challenge. Years 3 and 4 are given an additional 15 minutes to bring their total to 60 minutes.
The Bebras achievement level breakdown is as follows:
- Participation 0-59 points
- Merit 60-86 points
- Credit 87-101 points
- Distinction 102-113 points
- High Distinction 114-134 points
- Honour Roll 135 points
Please contact Rebekah Bruyn via SEQTA for further details.
Rebekah Bruyn
Learning Coach
College Campus Uniform Shop Temporarily Closed
College Uniform Shop will be closed until 4 October 2022. Please go to The School Locker at North Lakes or place on-line orders via Click & Collect or with Home delivery.
Prep–Year 12 Uniforms can be purchased from The School Locker (North Lakes) 7 days a week in January, and 6 days a week during the year. Special orders can be placed for students needing smaller or larger sizes. These orders are charged at the same price.
Commonwealth Games – Celebrating Determination and Resilience
By now many of you have probably guessed that I’m a bit of sports nut. While not always good for my sleep, I enjoy catching glimpses of Wimbledon, marvel at the cyclists in the Tour de France and find myself excited when my AFL team only loses by 30 points.
The coverage of the Commonwealth Games is currently capturing my attention. I’m loving the interviews with the families as they proudly share moments in the athlete’s journey. The media readily seeks stories of setback and hardships, where some obstacle has been overcome or the back-story of mental health struggles or anxiety. Determination, passion, struggle, persistence, support, strength and the ability to overcome are common character traits. When we see all these attributes in a person, we recognize that they have grit!
You can probably spot some of these traits in your child’s story. Learning to read for some is not easy, but with determination, support, effort and strength, small and big steps can be made. Mastering mathematics, or some of the hardest and complex skills–working collaboratively, resolving conflict, making friends and teamwork—these all require elements of grit. How often do we celebrate that determination and passion to persist and overcome?
Of course our children need our support, our love, our encouragement, our ability to help them see growth and hope as they strive for success. But just as many athletes experience trials, and develop skills to overcome, our children need opportunity to hone their “grit”.
It is not easy walking with someone as they struggle. We naturally and often want to rescue, smooth out all the problems and plot a simple path to success.
It is my hope that as you journey as a family this week, and maybe chat and watch some of the Commonwealth Games, your conversations will turn to grit. Take time to highlight the wonderful attributes your child shows already, and discuss the benefits of the struggle.
Love how we Learn at PoP!
Nothing warms my soul more than talking with children about their learning and it is amazing what I hear. Snippets of information from the Year 2 visit to City Hall, the list of ‘double ee’ words that greet me when I’ve visited Prep of late, to the importance of equivalent fractions in Year 6—these all provide insight as students make connections with their world. As teachers we ask:
- What are you learning? Why?
- How are you doing?
- How do you know?
- How can you improve?
- Where do you go for help?
These questions help us to check-in with the learning that is happening. Sometimes, when visiting classrooms I don’t get very far down the list of questions, and I am continually amazed at the depth and detail of some of the answers I receive.
Often tapping into the conversations about learning, is about asking the right questions. When my children were younger, sometimes the conversation about the day flowed, and other times I heard very little. If this is you, these questions may help as we partner in the leaning-journey together.
- What did you learn today?
- How did you do?
- What did you do if you didn’t understand?
- How can you improve on your learning?
- What are you most proud of?
Book Week Parade
Just a quick reminder that our Book Week Parade for 2022 will be held on Tuesday 23 August in the morning along with our Book and Blanket event.
Further details to come, but start working on your costumes!
Year 6 Led Clubs
Our industrious Year 6 students are practicing their leadership and mentoring skills by running clubs and activities each Morning Tea and Lunch time; children from all year levels are invited to come along and have some fun. Fabulous work Year 6!
Be blessed
Anne-Marie Schmidt
Head of Campus – Junior
What is a Buddy?
According to the Webster dictionary, a buddy is a companion, friend, or someone to become friendly with. Last week, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with our 3C students and their Prep M buddies. This was such a special time for the Year 3 students to meet their Buddies for the first time. There were feelings of anticipation, excitement, nervousness, and happiness. It was time for these students to make some connections with someone that they could mentor or someone to look up to; a time to become friends and be a companion to another person.
Having this connection is an important part of our child’s development and an important part of life. The connection provides us with happiness, security, support, and a sense of purpose. It has a positive impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. We were created to be in community. God created Eve to give Adam a ‘buddy’, someone he could trust and rely on. Someone to converse with and share the joy with. In the Bible, before Adam and Eve graced the Earth, God proclaimed: “It’s not good for the man to be alone.” As a species, we crave connection and belonging. Whether it be from the early hunters searching for prey or gathering berries, all these pursuits were done in community. Humans who were separated from their tribe often suffered severe consequences.
Human connection is the sense of closeness and belonging a person can experience when having supportive relationships around them. At PoP, we foster this by providing our students with the opportunity to ‘buddy’ with students from other year levels. By doing this, our students have the chance to build connections with older and younger peers. This allows them to develop their leadership skills, nurture others and also show care and compassion.
In our busy, isolated, technologically driven world, these connections are becoming scarcer. We mustn’t lose sight of the importance of connection and having a buddy. Nothing can replace human contact, and we need to ensure that we actively seek the connections which enhance our social, emotional and physical wellbeing. One study showed that a lack of social connection is a greater determinant of health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure.
According to MindWise, having a buddy or friend offers several mental health benefits, such as increased feelings of belonging, purpose, and confidence, amplified levels of happiness, reduced levels of stress, and improved self-worth.
Remember that not everyone has to connect socially in the same way. If you’re more introverted, hanging out with a group of people may not be your thing. It’s important to try to find a way to connect that fits you and your unique lifestyle.
Let us try to be like our students and throw caution to the wind and reach out to a buddy. Forming strong, healthy relationships with others means opening up, actively listening, and being open to sharing what you’re going through. Trying to establish a bond with someone new can feel scary, but it is important to put yourself out there and attempt to make new friends. These relationships can change the course of your life.
Blessings,
Coreta Lennon
Deputy Head of Campus – Junior
Finding the Potential in Each Person
Over the last fortnight we have come together in community in recognising the learning and growth of student academic and sporting achievement in Semester 1. We were delighted to be able to present Academic Excellence and Honours Awards for Semester 1 and Age Champions from the Athletics Carnival.
Through these awards presentations 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.
We recognise students from Years 7 to 12 who have achieved Academic Honours and Excellence awards in Semester 1. The criteria for these awards are as follows:
Academic Honours: Year 7-10 — A in at least 3 subjects, no more than 2 subjects with a C and no subject less than a C. Year 11-12 — 86 percent or higher in 3 subjects
Academic Excellence: Year 7-10 — A in at least 5 subjects and no subject less than a B. Year 11-12 — 86 percent or higher in best 5 subjects
We congratulate the following students on their achievements:
Year 7 Awards
Honours: Mackenzie Brown, Sienna Chen, Eloise Horsington, Addison Houslip, Madeleine McDowall, Isla Pribilovic, Isabella Richardson, Jeremy Tay, Audrey Valencia, Zara Warriner-Banner, and Hudson Zweck
Excellence: Marley Buchanan, Isabella Everitt, Claire Franklin, Keeley Glentworth, Lorelai Gore, Sarah Gray, Christian Holland, Isabel Howard-Taylor, Lucia Hughes, Joann Joby, Eli Johnson, Amelie Lodge, Christian McKenzie-Fowle, Holly Neumann, Emma Searles, Eva Shaw, and Tia Veentjer
Year 8 Awards
Honours: Brooke Eaglestone, Freya Garrad, Louise Hegner, Olivia Phillips, Connor Rhind, Holly Starr, Katie Turner, and Evelyn Valencia
Excellence: Georgia Bean, Pippy Bohan, Ava Downie, Hannah Selwood, and Aleisha Sivyer
Year 9 Award
Honours: Liam Bell, Ashleigh Bleckwehl, Jai Bressan, Isaac Chen, Sienna Gardner, Sophie Glentworth, Jasmine Holland, Emma Labuschagne, Cal Meehan-Black, Luis-Laredo Mortimer, Anuksha Sengupta, Mahika Sood, Bella Turner, and Hannah Vayro
Excellence: Jessica Deb, Georgia East, Hannes Forbes-Schutz, Jacob Howard-Taylor, Lara Savaille, Erin Scott, Chloe Selwood, Lily Stokes, Amelia Swift, Zabelle Warriner-Banner, and Amelia Watkins
Year 10 Awards
Honours: Lucas Cantarella, Miles Chewe, Giaan Cook, Emma Henderson, Lucinda Hocking, Alexis Hulcombe, Sofia Katergaris, Mercedes McIver, Chloe Noon, Amber Paul, Dylan Turley, and Lewyn Turnell
Excellence: Flynn Bohan, Alana Bomgaars, Tara Bowman, Ryan Eaglestone, Jasmine Everitt, Freya Forbes-Schutz, Ellen Hamilton, Nathan Lily, Ryan Pustolla, and Abigail Tay
Year 11 Awards
Honours: Patrick Austin, Jonas Forbes-Schutz and Xavier Sivyer
Excellence: Mikayla Swift
Year 12 Awards
Honours: Declan Cook
Excellence: Elsie Corlis, Ashleigh Eaglestone, Rosina Floriani, Austin Haines, Andrew Klimenko, Jordan Muduioa, Heidi Noon, Josie Swift, Mackenna Tom, Zach Williams, and Jacob Williams
Age Champions from Athletics Carnival
We congratulate the following students for pursuing their passion in sports through athletics. We acknowledge that gaining this achievement comes from many hours of a rigorous training schedule, stamina from setbacks, personal challenges or injuries and the endless support of parents.
Congratulations to the following students:
12 yrs : Phoebe Turnell, Finn Sorpossa
13 yrs : Addison Houslip, Hannes Forbes-Schutz
14 yrs : Georgia East, Isaac Chen
15 yrs : Chloe Noon, Dylan Turley
16 yrs : Grayce Stephenson, Harry Valencia
17 yrs : Ashleigh Eaglestone, Thomas Tucker
18 yrs : Talitha Montgomery, Oliver King
We also congratulate Bradman House in winning the House Shield and for their wonderful teamwork, house spirit and sportsmanship in gaining first place.
2022/2023 Senior School Captains
We congratulate and thank the following students who have accepted Senior School leadership roles for 2022/2023. We look forward to instating them shortly in an upcoming official installation ceremony.
College Captains
Mikayla Swift
Asher Waverley-Smith
Mission Captains
Laura Horsington
Kiara Blake
Bradman House
Indiana Brown
Jonas Forbes-Schutz
Fraser House
Holley Collis
William Hulcombe
Jackson House
Keira Andretzke
Zach Fraser
Laver House
Xavier Sivyer
Zane Cargill
Closing Reflections
I would also like to acknowledge all students in our community and congratulate you all in how you keep pursuing your personal excellence.
May this hope be a reminder of how strong, capable and fantastic humans you all are as children of God.
May this hope inspire our students to form new goals for Semester 2 and feel a sense of accomplishment and meaning in their life here with us at Prince of Peace.
It is our hope that we find the potential in each person with our interactions with each other, and that we view each other as a unique and special creation of God.
Every blessing for the week ahead,
Sarah Hoff-Zweck
Head of Campus – Middle and Senior
Subject Selections for Year 11 2023
A reminder to students and families in Year 10 that we are working through the expression of interest phase in gathering student subject preferences. Bookings for course counselling interviews that will begin from Thursday 11 August (Week 5) to Week 7 of this term, will be sent through a direct message on SEQTA. Please keep a close eye on direct messages for the booking link.
Careers @ PoP
QTAC is now open!
The QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre) is now open for Year 12 students to start their applications for university. Go to www.qtac.edu.au for further information.
In the meantime I have organised a guest speaker from QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) to come into the College on Monday 8 August to speak about ‘All things QTAC’. There will be 2 sessions.
From 5:30pm – 6:15pm there will be a focus on;
- What is QTAC?
- Terminology in the QCE System
- Overview of the ATAR
- Calculation of ATARs
- Subject Prerequisites
6:30pm – 7:30pm will be concentrating on;
- Admission Criteria
- ATAR/QTAC recap
- Preferencing
- Responding to offers
- Adjustment schemes and EAS
- How to find course information
- Key dates
Year 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents/caregivers are welcome to attend both sessions, however, the focus will be more towards Years 10 and 11 for the first session and Year 12 for the second.
To assist us in coordinating the evening, you can visit the College website and select the Parent/Teacher Conference Bookings (SOBS) option on the MyPOP tab to make your booking/s.
We are looking forward to listening to these professionals to gain a further understanding of QTAC and ATAR.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact me via direct message or email. jgrosas@princeofpeace.qld.edu.au
Blessings,
Mrs Julie Grosas
Careers and VET Leader
Middle & Senior Campus Sport
Track and Field Carnival 2022
A great day was had by all at the Track and Field Carnival this year. With a new venue and schedule being used, it was great to see such a good showing from the student body.
Congratulations to the following students who broke records on the day:
Gabby Collman
Sports Coordinator
HPE, Science and Mathematics Teacher
Junior Campus Music News
Junior “Arts” Night Review
Congratulations to all the students who performed at the Junior School Arts Night last term. A fantastic display of all the hard work the students had created. Thank you to Mrs Rees, Mrs Gardner and the amazing team of helpers to get our night up and running.
Gala Celebration of Music on Show – Thursday 16 August
The Upper Primary (Year 4-6) has been invited to join the celebration on this evening. Further information to come so please keep your eye on SEQTA.
Instrumental Music
A reminder that if your child is unwell, or away from school for any reason, please contact the tutor on the morning of the lesson. This will give tutors time to rearrange other lessons if possible.
Classroom Music
It’s been a bit of a challenge being the travelling music teacher so far this term, but the students have been engaged in virtual instruments on Musicplayonline. There has also been a lot of body percussion and movement.
Year 6 are studying the world of film music this term, with particular reference to John Williams. Year 5 are “Space Invaders” and looking at several pieces from Holst’s “The Planets”. Later this term the Year 4s will begin their STEAM challenge of making a musical instrument with household items.
Should you have any questions about the instrumental, choral or classroom music program on the Junior Campus, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sherree Cudney
Junior Campus Music
Middle & Senior Campus Music News
PoP Gala Celebration of Music
Confirming that the Gala will be held on Thursday 18 August in the Chapel on the Junior Campus starting at 6pm.
Many students and tutors have missed rehearsals due to illness in this run, and we have been very fortunate that we will be able to join together to celebrate our music face to face. Please ensure students are as diligent as possible to be present for our last rehearsals.
At the Gala we will farewell our Year 12 students and thank them for their years of service. This year we have so many of them and the space they leave will be sorely felt by the younger students. It will be a pleasure to have a moment to listen to these students sing and play in our ensembles for the last time.
Appointments will be in SEQTA as normal. Please accept these.
Let’s make music!
Linda Brady
Middle & Senior Campus Curriculum Leader of Music and Coordinator of Extra-Curricular Music
Worship
Sunday 7 August
9am Worship
Youth@PoP — 3:30 to 5pm. Small Groups & Games in Green Room
5pm Together@5
Please keep an eye on the Prince of Peace Church Facebook page for service updates.