Term 3 Week 10 | 11 September 2024
College News

Incoming Head Of College Announcement

From POPLC College Chair, Sharryn Cook

We are excited to announce the appointment of our new Head of College from 2025, Dr Susan Carter.

Susan brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the College as an educational practitioner and leader, an academic and an experienced Principal. With a career spanning over 25 years in the education sector, she has held several key roles in educational facilities including being appointed as a Principal of a Prep – Year 10 school, a Principal of a large rural school, a teaching Principal, a Deputy Principal and most recently, as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Southern Queensland.

Susan is eager to work closely with our students, staff and families and build on the wonderful community spirit Prince of Peace has been fostering over the past 40 years. Susan has a strong belief in the power of community to work through challenges, and is keen to engage students, staff and parents in the educational process with the intention of value adding to each student’s holistic outcomes.

“I am keen to work with our students, teachers, staff and parents to continue the work already done to build a strong, connected and loyal community justifiably proud of its accomplishments”, Susan said.

“It is important for me that we help our students to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.”

In addition to her teaching experience, Susan has two Masters of Education degrees: one in Special Education and one in Education Theology. An avid lifelong learner, her research interests include

Educational leaders;
Subjective Well-Being;
Student and teacher well-being;
Inclusion;
Social justice leadership; and
School wide pedagogy.

Furthermore, Susan has a keen interest in understanding how providing nurturing, inclusive and supportive learning and teaching environments can improve educational outcomes and student and teacher well-being.

Susan is currently employed by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) as a Senior Lecturer in Education where she is also a member of an International Leadership Research Team and an experienced presenter at International and National conferences.

She has expressed a deep commitment to maintaining open communication, encouraging collaboration and ensuring that every student feels valued and supported.

Susan is a lifelong communicant member of the Lutheran Church of Australia and brings faith to life with her strong servant leadership approach. She notes: “It is important to me to make the world a better place.”

She is also wholly committed to Lutheran Education. As a parent, Susan has enjoyed being part of a Lutheran College community for many years. Her youngest child graduates from St Peters Lutheran College this November.

Susan is highly relational with a heart to further build an engaging and lively culture of excellence and belonging. Families will have an opportunity to meet Susan early in 2025 at a College Meet & Greet event. Details will be provided closer to the date.

Ms Sharryn Cook
College Chair, Prince of Peace Lutheran College Council

Communication

At Prince of Peace Lutheran College we understand that parent and caregiver engagement goes hand in hand with student wellbeing and success and productive communication between home and school is an essential feature of a positive school culture.

When I first began in education, the printed newsletter, followed by handwritten notes in diaries, were really the two key communication tools used regularly by school. Notes on letterhead would cover a class or school memo that was time-sensitive. Since then we have seen digital technologies significantly improve and so greatly assist in this regard. The use of various school-themed communication and information apps (e.g. See Saw), social media (for general school information and stories), school website and the use of SEQTA for class communication and DIREQT messaging for communication directly with staff is now routine.

We appreciate that parent and caregiver expectations as to staff accessibility have evolved in the context of enhanced digital communication practices. While representing efficient modes of communication, the breadth of digital communication options can create ‘availability creep’ where school employees become more accessible in locations and at times of the day, weekends and during periods of leave when they should be able to disconnect from work. Indeed, recent laws have taken effect which provide Australian employees a ‘right to disconnect’ from digital technologies.

It is our standard protocol already that staff will endeavour to reply to communication within 24-48 hours (across business days of course). We understand many of our staff work flexibly with hours and times that suit them, and may respond, often to students in particular, relatively quickly and out of what would be considered standard working hours.

In the interests of respecting the rights of our staff and recognising the importance of facilitating and promoting healthy communication, we remind families that the College does not expect staff to respond immediately to communication, noting our staff spend a significant amount of their workday focussing on teaching or other activities applicable to their roles. Staff endeavour to respond to communications requesting a response within 48 hours, notwithstanding that staff will discern whether an urgent matter requires a shorter response timeframe. Families are encouraged to contact the school front office in the first instance for general information, or for urgent communication that needs actioning. (For example, don’t send at DM at 11am to your child’s teacher noting you have to pick them up early at 2pm that day. There is every chance it will not be seen. Please ring the College.)

We ask that parents and caregivers continue to be mindful and supportive of the above and we thank you for your understanding.

Every blessing for the week ahead.

Simon Hughes
Head of College

Notifying the College Regarding Withdrawing a Student

If your child will not be attending the College in 2025, and is currently in Prep – Year 11, please let us know by Monday 30 September (first day of Term 4, 2024).

Sharing this information will help us prepare for 2025 and ensure we finalise your account at the end of the year.

Withdrawal emails can be sent to your Head of Campus or Donna Cook at dcook@princeofpeace.qld.edu.au.

Junior Campus News

Celebrating Term 3!

As we wrap up Term 3, there’s so much to celebrate! Together, we’ve achieved incredible things—not just through the special events, but in the amazing learning that happens in classrooms every day. With the holidays around the corner, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the highlights that have made this term truly unforgettable.

Here’s a snapshot of what made Term 3 shine:

Junior Campus Spanish Day
Year 2, Year 3, and Year 5 Camps
Book Week Celebrations
Sporting and Athletics Competitions
Chess and e-Sports Tournaments
Hills Combined Choir Performance
Parent-Teacher-Student Conversations
Celebrating Dad’s, Donuts, and Design (K-6)
The P&F Father’s Day Stall
Grandparents and Special Friends Day

This list only scratches the surface, but it speaks volumes about the spirit of our community. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed—whether big or small, your efforts make Prince of Peace the vibrant place it is!

Class Placements — 2025

Earlier this week I sent a message via SEQTA regarding Class Placements for 2025. I encourage you to read the message carefully and consider sharing a class placement request via this link. I will not repeat the whole message here but have copied a pertinent paragraph:

My commitment to you is that such requests will be considered, however, please understand that no guarantees can be made. Ultimately, I will be guided by our teaching staff and their knowledge of your child, as well as any pertinent information you may be able to provide in relation to your child’s specific learning needs. Please ensure that these requests are submitted via the link by Friday 11 October which is the end of the second week of Term 4.

BYOD Reminders for 2025

If you’re like me, the holidays are often a great time to catch up on some shopping. As the sales start to roll in, I wanted to give you a quick reminder if you’re considering purchasing BYOD devices. This year there were some changes to the BYOD program on the Junior Campus with a gradual change to iPad and keyboard being phased in starting at Year 3. Here’s a brief overview for 2025:

In 2025, Year 3 and Year 4 students are asked to supply an iPad, keyboard, headphones that connect to the iPad and sturdy case. iPads will be the only BYOD device for Year 3 and Year 4, please do not supply a laptop.
To help guide your purchases and understand the specifications of BYOD, please read the information that is contained in our BYOD iPad Only Program document and our BYOD laptop program
Other families on the Junior Campus in Years 5 to Year 6 will continue with the current BYOD – laptop program. However, if you are finding that your child’s current laptop is broken, the battery is dying, needs replacing or believe that your child’s learning would be best suited to using an iPad with keyboard, headphones then this will be an option for your child too. Families are asked to be mindful of the iPad specifications as part of this option as per the document linked above.

As my Christmas loving friend shared her excitement that we are nearly less than 100 days until Christmas I hope this reminder helps with any planning you need to implement for your family.

Enjoy a Safe and Blessed Break – Time to Recharge!

I want to wish you all a happy and safe holiday. I pray that it is a time where you can reconnect with your family, rest, recuperate and spend some time with God, who restores our weary hearts and minds.

Be Blessed

Anne-Marie Schmidt
Head of Campus – Junior

Taking TRP into the Holiday Break

As the end of term approaches and we prepare for a well-deserved holiday break, it’s important to keep in mind the ongoing development of our children’s emotional wellbeing.

At PoP, we strive to nurture not only academic growth but also the resilience and mental health of our students. This holiday break, we encourage you to spend time as a family engaging with The Resilience Project—an initiative we’ve been exploring at school that teaches practical strategies to build resilience, happiness, and emotional strength.

As you may be aware, The Resilience Project focuses on three key principles that foster emotional well-being: Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness (GEM). These are simple yet powerful tools that can easily be integrated into daily family life. Practising them together as a family helps children develop lifelong skills to navigate challenges and build strong mental health. Plus, it’s a great way to create meaningful moments with your loved ones!

Family Activities to Try Over the Holiday Break

Here are some fun and easy activities from The Resilience Project that you can incorporate during the holidays:

1. Gratitude Jar
Create a “Gratitude Jar” as a family. Each day, have everyone write down something they are thankful for—big or small—on a piece of paper and place it in the jar. At the end of the week, gather together to read through the notes and reflect on the positive moments. This practice helps children (and adults!) focus on the good things happening in their lives, boosting positivity and happiness.

2. Empathy Challenge
As a family, take part in an “Empathy Challenge.” Each day, encourage family members to do one act of kindness for someone else. It could be as simple as writing a thank-you note, helping a neighbour, or being an extra-supportive sibling. At the dinner table, share your experiences and discuss how those acts of kindness made you and others feel. This activity fosters a sense of connection and empathy in children, helping them understand the importance of helping others.

3. Mindfulness Walk
Mindfulness is about being present in the moment, and one of the easiest ways to practice this is by taking a family mindfulness walk. Head to a local park or even your backyard, and encourage everyone to take note of the sights, sounds, and smells around them. What do they notice? How does the fresh air make them feel? Practising mindfulness helps children slow down, manage stress, and appreciate the world around them.

Keeping Resilience Alive All Year Round

While the holidays are a wonderful time to relax and recharge, it’s also the perfect opportunity to strengthen your family’s emotional toolkit. The Resilience Project provides resources, activities, and insights that help us all stay grounded, build meaningful connections, and develop resilience in our day-to-day lives.

We encourage you to make the most of this break by incorporating these simple practices into your family’s routine. Together, we can support our children’s mental health and well-being in fun, practical, and rewarding ways.

Remember, there are a range of resources to support you via the Parent/Carer Hub »

Wishing you all a happy, restful, and resilient holiday break!

Blessings,

Coreta Lennon
Deputy Head of Campus – Junior

After-School Code Camp for Term 4

Course: Coding
Day: Tuesday
Dates: 8 October to 26 November 2024 (8 sessions)
Times: 3:00pm – 4:15pm (75 mins)

Booking Link: www.codecamp.com.au/poplc

Middle & Senior Campus News

Farewell Mt Binga for 2024

Love and joy filled Mt Binga as Group 2 students, parents and siblings reunited on Saturday 7 September. We give thanks to the Mt Binga staff for giving our young people this transformational experience of the heart, hand, and mind of connection to country, people, and God’s creation.

We are proud of all Year 9s in who they have become through this experience and the light and story they will shine brightly back in their communities. We know that they are changed human beings and that staff will see this as they return to academic studies, sporting teams, cultural ensembles. Parents and siblings will see this in their homes, employers in workplaces, members of Church communities and Coaches and team members of Sporting teams.

We are thankful to the many parents of Prince of Peace who have supported the vision of this outdoor education program over the years through their children attending the camp. There have been many families where this was their last Mt Binga experience for their children.

There have also been some very special stories and memories shared by parents who went to Mt Binga, Googa, or Ironbark when they were in high school at either Grace, Immanuel, St Peters, and Good Shepherd. What a blessing this rich heritage is for us all to embrace and honour as we continue to support the ministry of outdoor education in Lutheran Schools.

Until next year we say a fond farewell to Mt Binga for 2024!

Year 8 Musical – Little Stars

We were so proud of our Year 8 students who all took to the stage to present the Little Stars Musical in Week 9. We are proud of our young performers for taking positive risks and using creative and critical thinking skills to create student devised performances.

We thank the following staff – Lisa Rachow, Melissa Gornall, Kaylene Simpson, Richard Stevens and Marcus Cho for making this experience happen. There are many hours behind the scenes that are given to put a show together. Their service gave hope and strength for students to take the stage to perform for their family and friends.

This is the beginning of Year 8s stepping into their final year of Middle School into the Year 9 journey and we can’t wait to see who they become, living in community.

Key Events for Term 4

Below is a list of key events for the term that assist students to finish their year with joy, accomplishment, and purpose.

Week 1 — 30 Sept – 2 Oct: Year 10 Camp (Maroochydore). 4 Oct: MSC Open Morning

Week 2 — 11 Oct: Year 12 final day of classes

Week 3 — 14 Oct – 17 Oct: Year 8 Camp (Coolum), Year 12 Study Week

Week 4 — Year 12 External Exams begin. 23 Oct: World’s Teachers Day Luncheon

Week 5 — 28 Oct: Year 7 2025 Transition Day

Week 6 — 6 Nov: P-12 Volunteer thank you morning tea at the Junior Campus

Week 7 — 12 Nov: 7-12 Swimming Carnival, 14 Nov: Year 12 Final Worship and Valedictory Dinner (Year 12s last day)

Week 8 — 19 Nov: Year 11 and Prep Jersey Presentation (Morning), PoP Celebrates (Evening)

Week 9 — 29 Nov: Year 10 and 11 last day

Week 10 — 2 Dec: Year 9 Walk. 3 Dec: Year 9 Ubuntu Return Ceremony. 4 Dec: Year 7-9 last day

Closing reflections….

We thank our parents for supporting our staff in their service, joy, support, and compassion that is given to your young people over the last ten weeks of Week 3. As we enter R U OK awareness raising week, we thank you each day when you as parents ask this question to your children and stop, listen, and check in. Then when you check in with staff in the community to help build an understanding of their current situation and life journey so we can respond to meet their needs.

As you enter the holiday break may you take time to do the things that give you joy, peace, purpose, and nurture you as a family. May these words from Romans 15:13 be with you all over the holiday break as we prepare for the final Term of 2024.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sarah Hoff-Zweck
Head of Campus – Middle and Senior

Unity Across the College

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Our Senior Student Leaders 2024/25 are actively Building Unity in Community by organising and running lunch time activities for Week 10.

There is a student wellbeing focus with R U Ok? Day, to be celebrated on Thursday 12 September, when students can wear a yellow accessory with their College uniform.

The Senior Student Leaders 2024/25, our current Year 11 cohort, are organised into Leadership Teams to build unity across the College community in these areas:

College Events Leaders led by the College Captains
Ministry & Outreach Leaders led by the Ministry & Outreach Captains
College Environmental Leaders led by the Bradman House Captains
Learning Culture Leaders led by the Fraser House Captains
Student Wellbeing Leaders led by the Jackson House Captains
College Culture Leaders led by the Laver House Captains

See the poster alongside this message for the fun activities that these teams have planned and prepared for Week 10. We look forward to finishing Term 3 on Friday 13 September with a fun match of Bench Ball at second break with the students vs teachers on the oval. In Lesson 5 there will be House Games supported by the Middle & Senior School House Captains – thank you Mr Veentjer for organising and finally, Year 12 will lead us in End of Term 3 Worship in Lesson 6 – thank you Chaplain Reilly for organising with Mr Stevens and PoP Productions. Wishing everyone a safe and blessed September holiday!

P.S. Don’t forget in Term 4 Year 10 Camp is on Week 1 Monday to Wednesday – thank you Mrs Grimes for organising; and Year 8 Camp is on Week 3 Monday to Thursday – thank you Mr Cho for all of your preparation.

Melissa Graham
Director of Wellbeing – Middle & Senior Campus

Junior Campus Sport

Congratulations

Congratulations to all students on their hard work and achievements in sports this term! We enjoyed learning about various field ball games, from AFL to Oz Tag, and multicultural clinics added a wonderful variety to our sports program.

It was great to see so much enthusiasm and teamwork in every class. Your dedication and energy made this term a fantastic success. We can’t wait to see what exciting activities and initiatives Term 4 will bring!

Jessica Schneider
Junior Campus PE Teacher & Sport Coordinator

Music and the Arts

Middle & Senior Campus Music News

Senior Farewell Concert

As we wind up Term 3 we are focusing 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 6pm. It will be our last opportunity as a College to enjoy the amazing music making of these students.

In Term 4 there will be significant changes for many ensembles with the departure of the senior cohort. Some ensembles will change rehearsal times, some will change membership. Try to stay in touch through SEQTA as we play with different options to see what combinations work best.

Our concert for Term 4 will be the PoP Community Carols. We look forward to this event at the end of our College Calendar every year. Details of this will be forthcoming but it is in our minds that this is not a music recital and as such our involvement will be more in service to the community than to our own performance priorities. Some ensembles may combine or accompany or lead the community singing. It will certainly be a beautiful evening celebrating the spirit of the Christmas season.

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

Church News & Notices