Constructions Soon to Begin
In just over a week, our construction team for the Multi-Purpose Hall will appear on site on the Middle and Senior Campus, beginning the project that should take just under a year to complete. This will be a very exciting time for the College, but won’t come, of course, without some interruptions to the site over that time. Being the building that sits virtually in the centre of the site, it will mean that travel to the Music building or the oval may be via a longer path than usual, as some of the far end of the forecourt will need to be cut up and replaced to both tie in the correct levels and to also get services, like power, across to the building. Almost all of the access by the construction company will be via Bunya Road and there should be little to no impact at all on the carpark or day to day access to the site. The Multi-Purpose Hall will have a staged area and capacity for around 500 people, depending on seating layouts and sizes. It also has a Drama room at ground level and, being built on a hill, a downstairs area where two additional general classroom spaces and accessible toilets will be built, as well as further open undercroft space that will allow for future construction, or sheltered areas in the immediate future.
The Junior Campus will also be seeing some new, shiny (literally, I believe!) replacement practice rooms for music tuition in the next few months, to replace the old set of practice rooms at the end of the Shed. These are currently being constructed, but offsite, and will be brought in once complete.
Refurbishment of our onsite rooms is progressing as quickly as possible, but like the rest of Brisbane we are at the mercy of access to trades and materials, making the process slower than what we would have anticipated or hoped at the outset. Our amazing Facilities and Business teams are continually on the case and working to get things rectified as quickly as possible.
Road Safety Week
Queensland Road Safety Week is coming up (22 – 26 August 2022) and is an opportunity for all Queenslanders to be directly involved in making our roads safer for everyone.
Helping children to be safe around traffic – Road safety skills are best learnt in a real traffic environment. Children learn by experience, and adult interaction helps them to learn. You can help by talking with your child as you walk. Ask questions about roads, signs, traffic and how and where you can cross the road safely.
Road safety for children under five years
Always carefully supervise children in traffic situations. It is important to:
- Talk with your child about the traffic environment.
- Hold your child’s hand when you are near cars. Talk with your child about why it is important to hold hands.
- Explain what you are doing when you cross the road together. Involve your child in deciding when it is safe to cross the road – of course, you still make the decision, but you are teaching your child to think in the traffic environment.
- Always be a good role model for your child by wearing your own seatbelt, obeying road rules, driving courteously and crossing roads safely.
- Make eye contact with road users, especially at intersections.
- Involve your child in choosing safe places to play.
- Separate play areas from driveways.
Road safety for children between five and nine years
Your child still needs adult supervision and assistance in the traffic environment. It is important to:
- Talk together about signs and traffic lights. Identify and discuss places where it is safe to cross the road.
- Teach your child how to cross roads using the ‘stop, look, listen and think’ process – stop at the kerb, look and listen for traffic and then decide whether it is safe to cross. Take the trip to school together along the safest footpaths and use safe crossing places, such as pedestrian crossings and on straight sections of road.
- Supervise your child on the way to and from school.
- Always be a good role model for your child by wearing your own seatbelt, obeying road rules, driving courteously and crossing roads safely.
Road safety for children between 10 and 13 years
Children between 10 and 13 can cope more safely in traffic on their own. This will depend, however, on how much practice the child has had in the ‘real traffic environment’. It is important to:
- Check that your child always ‘stops, looks, listens and thinks’ when crossing the road. Ask them to explain to you what they are doing and why they are doing it.
- Talk with your child about road laws. Go for regular rides and walks together.
- Plan with your child safe routes to school and to places your child often visits.
- Make sure your child wears bright colours that can be easily seen by road users.
Road safety is an important conversation to have with your children. You can click here to take the Road Safety Quiz for Kids and the Road Safety Quiz for Teens.
Every blessing for the week ahead.
Simon Hughes
Head of College
2022 Early School Leavers Survey
The Queensland Government is seeking the support of the school community for the annual survey of Year 10, 11 and 12 students who left school in 2021, before completing Year 12. This short, confidential survey collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school. The results of the survey help provide valuable information to improve services available to school leavers in the future.
Between August and September, these school leavers can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.
Thank you for your support of Next Step post-school destination surveys in 2022.
For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.
Commonwealth School Data Collection Notice
The Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (the department) would like to advise all parents and guardians that it collects certain information about your child’s school, its staff, and student body.
Please download this PDF for full details >
Learning – It looks different now!
One of the best parts of my role is to show new enrolments this fabulous place called Prince of Peace. Rarely does a tour not contain the observation from a prospective parent,
“It looks different to when I was at school!”
I’m not surprised by this comment anymore as it invites an opportunity for rich discussion about how the world has changed and is changing exponentially. In fact, educationalists report that schooling has long stood still, and now needs to work doubly fast to catch up with industry and the rest of the world.
This change is easy to see when I reflect on how quickly my world has incorporated Uber eats, Twitter, Instagram, What’s App, Netflix, Facebook, Zoom meetings and AirBnB. Additionally, I know that my own children use, connect and function in a world that would consider much of what I just mentioned – “Old School”.
In another 15 years, what will our children be doing, aiming for, contributing or collaborating on as they make their way and seek purpose in an ever changing world?
It is likely that most of us experienced an industrial model of education. Everyone doing the same thing at the same time, one answer was correct, separated subjects—talking and sharing about answers was seen as cheating as we worked individually, often in rows. While some workplaces might reflect elements of this, for many, a more diverse set of skills is needed in today’s and future work places.
To help students be future-ready, we need to foster within them resilience, adaptability, leadership skills, an ability to work with different people, respect for cultures, and a compassionate heart, as well as proficiency in solving complex problems, creating, communicating, collaborating and learning.
Many of these skills are more challenging and complex than using Google to find an answer, or filling in a worksheet. I encourage you to be patient with your child as they develop these skills, knowing that our staff are working to do the same as they equip your child.
It is true; education looks different, is changing, continuing and needing to change. I leave you with a couple of my favourite quotes relating to change:
- We aren’t teaching children from 20 years ago, so our classrooms shouldn’t be the same as 20 years ago either. David Geurin
- Students today depend on paper too much. They don’t know how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. They can’t clean a slate properly. What will they do when they run out of paper? Principal’s Publication, 1815
Book Week
I love hearing the excitement build as children talk about their plans and costumes for Book Week.
- 2022 Book Week Parade will be held in The Shed, beginning at 8:45am, Tuesday 23 August.
- Book and Blanket with Year 6 students reading stories will follow on after the parade.
- Parents, if you are able to attend, we encourage you to don your favourite Book Week costume too!
Be blessed
Anne-Marie Schmidt
Head of Campus – Junior
The Lord is My Shepherd
What is a shepherd? A shepherd is a person who ‘tends and rears sheep’, a protector who ensures the flock is kept from danger. I’m not sure if you have spent any time with a flock of sheep, but if you have, you will see how difficult this job would be. Sheep tend to roam and are curious creatures. However, they have a strong sense of community and will band together in large groups to protect themselves from harm. When one sheep moves, the rest tend to follow, even if it is not the best idea. The flocking and following instinct of sheep is so strong that it caused the death of 400 sheep in 2006 in eastern Turkey. The sheep plunged to their death after one of the sheep tried to cross a 15-metre-deep ravine, and the rest of the flock followed.
However, this flocking behaviour is not all bad. When sheep can see each other, it prevents excess stress when they must be moved or handled. This behaviour enables the shepherd to care for many sheep at any one time.
Over the past couple of weeks, our Prep and Year 1 students have been sharing the message of the good shepherd, Jesus.
‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me Thou prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever’. Psalm 23 KJV
They reminded us that God IS our shepherd. He does not say that he ‘was’ or that he ‘will be’ our shepherd, it is very clear that he ‘IS’ our shepherd who cares for and loves us every day. Even though we will face trials and tribulations just like sheep, our Shepherd Jesus will always stand guard and ensure that no evil will befall us. Sometimes when we follow the crowd which may lead us to harm, Jesus is there to gently guide us to safety. As our Shepherd, He not only finds us, but puts us on his shoulder and carries us every step of the way—He does so joyfully! He loves us that much!
We look forward to Prep M sharing this message again with our community at Worship this Friday 8:30am. All are welcome to join us in the Chapel.
Uniform Reminder
We would like to thank all our parents who ensure their children arrive at school in the correct school uniform. We are really proud of our school uniform and expect all children to wear it. However, we have noticed increasing numbers of children who are not wearing correct school uniform—mainly this is children forgetting what is allowed and what is not, or neglecting to come to school prepared for changes in the weather.
Furthermore, our expectation around uniform extends to hairstyles and jewellery, below is a reminder of the uniform expectations for ALL our children on the Junior Campus:
Shoes: Students are to wear College approved shoes at all times. Formal shoes are to be polished black leather lace up school shoes (not jogger style). Sport shoes are to be white joggers or sandshoes.
Hair: Students are to have conservative hair styles and always be neatly groomed. Hair is to be of a natural colour with no obvious colour contrasts. Hair should be worn so the College hat can be worn correctly. Students with shoulder length hair or longer should have their hair tied up while at school. Hair should be secured with a band or head band of similar colour to the student’s hair. A simple ribbon of white or royal blue may also be worn.
Jewellery:
- A simple cross, or other Christian religious symbol, on a fine chain is the only item of jewellery to be worn with the College uniform.
- Rings are not permitted.
- Female students with pierced ears may wear one small pair of plain gold or silver studs.
- Piercing, other than of one stud (no gemstones) in the ear, is not permitted.
- Students may wear a watch.
We have reminded our students of our rules, and class teachers will re-enforce our message to maintain high standards.
SEQTA messages will then be sent home to parents of students who continue to wear their uniform in such a way as to not be in line with school guidelines.
Thank you for your support.
A copy of our Uniform Policy can be found on our website Uniform page.
Year 6 Science Experimentation
Blessings,
Coreta Lennon
Deputy Head of Campus – Junior
Working Through Challenge and Holding Space
At the midway point of Term 3, it can be a time where our young people work through challenge, and the busyness of their life starts to unfold as deadlines for assessment tasks start to be due, friendship circles may change and sporting and cultural competitions reach finals and eisteddfod levels. It is at times such as this that we ask the question, how am I holding space for myself and others?
The quote from Heather Plett talks about how we hold space when we walk alongside another person without judging them or trying to fix them. When we hold space for others and ourselves with an open mind, heart and will of what is to come, we can let go of judgement and the situation we are facing.
As a Lutheran School we can be encouraged by the words from Matthew 6:34:
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
In times of challenge and when we are learning how to hold space in our lives, God continues to speak into our lives, helping us to continue to show up, grow and flourish. This week may you take the time to wonder together as a family how you are all showing up for each other and holding space in your lives.
Wellbeing Tips for Working Through Challenge
The following excerpt comes from Marianne Stenger, How Maintaining a Positive Outlook Can Help Us Learn. Marianne Stenger is a freelance writer and journalist with a passion for storytelling. She has over ten years of experience developing content for leading brands and media outlets, and often covers career development and education, as well as environmental issues and sustainability. These steps could be some new ways of reframing a situation that your young person might be in at this present time of the term.
1. Set and Track Learning Goals
Once you’ve set some specific and realistic goals, you can break them up into smaller steps. This not only helps you stay organised, but also allows you to see your progress more clearly, which can help you maintain a positive outlook as you work towards your bigger goals.
2. Manage your stress
With this in mind, it’s important to find effective ways to manage and cope with stress. Getting organised is one very effective way of managing anxiety, because it gives you a feeling of empowerment and helps you view new situations as exciting rather than stressful. But if stress is getting in the way of your learning, check out tips for managing your learning and anxiety.
3. Stay open to new ideas and approaches
Start by making an effort to get out of your comfort zone by putting yourself in new situations or exposing yourself to a variety of new ideas and approaches. This could involve anything from listening to new types of music to making sure you expose yourself to points of view that differ from your own.
4. Visualise a positive outcome
If you’re struggling to feel positive about your learning, try to set the stage for success by visualising your desired outcome. Think about how it will feel to reach the goals you’ve set for yourself and remind yourself why it matters; maybe completing your course will enable you to ask for a raise or work in your preferred area. Whatever the case may be, reminding yourself of the rewards to come will help you stay positive and even get excited about your learning.
5. Learn from your mistakes
It’s important to reframe your mistakes as opportunities to learn. If you’ve answered a question incorrectly or come to the wrong conclusion, simply acknowledge that a mistake was made and then look at what went wrong and how you can prevent it from happening again in the future.
Middle School Out and About
Every blessing for the week ahead,
Sarah Hoff-Zweck
Head of Campus – Middle and Senior
Careers @ PoP
Now we have hit the half way point of Term 3, Year 12s are certainly gearing up for the homeward stretch to their external exams and subsequent life after PoP.
Thank you to those that came to the QTAC evening. It was informative and answered many questions that people had. On 9 August I sent two Powerpoint presentations from the evening to all Year 10,11 and 12 parents via SEQTA, which may give you an opportunity to have something to refer to when supporting your child in making decisions about their future.
It is also timely to reinforce that not everyone has to go to university, it isn’t for everyone. If your child is not intending to go to university after school, there are opportunities available for them also. Students can apply to TAFE now for some great courses that start next year. I would also recommend to any students who are heading into the workforce, that they start looking at their resumes and prepare themselves to be ready for future interviews.
Reminders:
QTAC is now open for applications.
Early Entry Schemes are open. See the individual institutions’ websites for what is required. Success in these schemes provide the security of locking in courses before external exams start.
If you have any further questions or need support in your applications, please contact me via direct message. I am happy to organise meetings with students and parents.
Blessings,
Mrs Julie Grosas
Careers and VET Leader
Junior Campus Sport
District Athletics Success for Team Prince of Peace
On Thursday 4 and Friday 5 August, PoP sent a strong team of 31 athletes to participate in the North District Athletics Meet which was held at Bowden Park, Geebung.
From the opening event, our athletes dominated the competition and by the end of the 2-day event Prince of Peace finished in 2nd place in the overall schools combined scores. Prince of Peace also placed 2nd in the Percentage Trophy. Many of our students also gained selection in the Met North team and will go on to contest the track and field regionals at the University of Queensland later this month. We are so incredibly proud of all 31 of our superstars. The following students achieved top ten finishes in their respective events:
Rosezen Johnston – 1st 100m Dash, 1st 200m Dash, 1st 800m, 1st 1500m, 4th Long Jump
Sophie Griffin – 4th 100m Dash, 8th 200m Dash, 2nd High Jump, 3rd Long Jump
Hannah McKinnon – 9th 200m Dash, 2nd 800m, 3rd 1500m, 1st High Jump
Abbey Watts – 3rd 800m, 5th Long Jump
Kirra Harvey – 4th 800m
Chloe Pink – 7th Shot Put
Lucia Johnston – 9th Discus
Will Thomas – 4th 100m Dash, 2nd 800m, 2nd 1500m
Samuel Draper – 1st 100m Dash, 2nd 200m Dash, 4th High Jump, 5th Long Jump
Patrick Falk – 6th 200m Dash
Micah Shaw – 3rd 800m
Thomas Forbes-Schutz – 5th 800m, 2nd 1500m
Kaelan Harvey – 3rd 800m,
Mitchell Downie – 6th High Jump
Oliver Spargo – 7th High Jump
Aarya Sheth – 7th Shot Put
Matthew Labuschagne – 9th Shot Put
Twins chase more success at the U12 National Hockey Championships
Kirra and Kaelan Harvey both gained selection for the Queensland U12 Girls and Boys Primary School teams after dominant performances at the Queensland State Hockey Championships in June. Kirra was the top goal scorer of the tournament and was part of the gold medal winning U12 girls Met North team. Kaelan captained the U12 Met North boys team to an equal first finish and also took home a gold medal.
The twins capped off a successful tournament by being selected from 140 boys and 140 girls to represent Queensland at the upcoming National Schools U12 Championships. The twins will head into the Queensland training camp on Thursday and Friday before flying to Canberra for the championships on Saturday.
We are so incredibly proud of both of you and the PoP community is right behind you! Go team Harvey!
Matthew Barben
Junior Campus HPE and Sport
Middle & Senior Campus Sport
Queensland Cross Country Team
Congratulations to Jonas Forbes-Schutz and Hannes Forbes-Schutz on their selection into the Queensland Cross Country Team.
The boys will be competing in the National titles in South Australia, starting on 27 August.
We wish them both the best of luck!
Gabby Collman
Sports Coordinator
HPE, Science and Mathematics Teacher
Junior Campus Music News
Gala Celebration of Music on Show – Thursday 18 August 6pm in the Chapel
The Upper Primary Choir (Years 4-6) look forward to this celebration with a 70s theme.
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
Preps have been enjoying learning about opposites in music over the last few weeks, with ‘presto’ and ‘largo’ being their favourite new words. Year 2 are learning to play / sing ostinatos with their songs; check out the video to learn what an ostinato is.
The upper grades have been using MusicplayOnline to commence their composition tasks.
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
Thursday 18 August in the Chapel on the Junior Campus starting at 6pm.
At the Gala we will farewell our Year 12 students and thank them for their years of service:
Rosina Floriani — Concert Band
Loki Mikulec — Concert Band
Cailtyn Mlynarik — Choir and Vocalese
Heidi Noon — SoonArmy
Ryan Orford — Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band
Josie Swift — SoonArmy and String Ensemble
Isabelle Till — String Ensemble
Mackenna Tom — Choir, 101 Special and Vocalese
Patrick Vayro — String Ensemble
This year we have so many Year 12s, and the space they will 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. The Gala is a 70’s DRESS UP occasion. There are prizes for the best dressed and also for the best dressed FAMILY! Have fun. Get in the mood and rock up in your flairs and ‘fro.
We will also be sending off our Year 9 students who will be heading off to Mt Binga Camp for a month. We will welcome them back in Term 4 where our focus will be looking forward to the coming Christmas season and also celebrating our “Best Of 2022”.
Let’s make music!
Linda Brady
Middle & Senior Campus Curriculum Leader of Music and Coordinator of Extra-Curricular Music
Worship
Sunday 32 August
9am Worship
Youth@PoP — 3:30 to 5pm. Box Car Racing
5pm Together@5
Please keep an eye on the Prince of Peace Church Facebook page for service updates.