Celebrating Educators, Especially Those at PoP
“Teachers Make a Difference”
This week, as we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, we take a moment to honor the incredible impact teachers have on their students, schools, and communities. This year’s theme, “Teachers Make a Difference,” reminds us of the profound influence educators have in shaping not just the minds, but the futures of young people. Each day they nurture curiosity, encourage growth, foster resilience, and leave a lasting imprint on the lives they touch.
Teachers do far more than deliver lessons—they guide, inspire, and empower students to reach their full potential. Whether it’s providing academic support, offering a listening ear, or sparking a lifelong love of learning, educators play a pivotal role in helping students navigate challenges and celebrate successes. On this day, we acknowledge the dedication and passion teachers bring to their work and celebrate the difference they make in the lives of all students.
While we highlight the work of our teachers, we also extend our gratitude to our Learning Enrichment Officers, Office Staff, and Grounds Crew, whose efforts contribute so much to creating a nurturing, supportive environment for everyone in our community. Together, they make a real difference every day.
Happy World Teachers‘ Day to the most outstanding group of educators!
With sincere gratitude for who you are and how you do what you do!
Our staff are awesome
Welcome to our 2025 Prep Children!
Over the next few weeks, we are excited to welcome our Prep 2025 students as they begin their journey with us. Special events like Prep Connection, Discover Prep afternoon, and our Orientation Days are designed to help them feel at home and build strong connections with the Prince of Peace community. We look forward to seeing them explore, learn, and get ready to join us in 2025!
Junior School Student Leadership – Bright Future Ahead!
The formal process of choosing the 2025 Junior School Student Leaders has begun with the Year 5 students. Watching these brave young people nominate, consider their heart for service, write and deliver speeches is a privilege to observe.
It would be amiss to not mention and acknowledge all parents for their role of nurturing student leadership and character. We know this is a lifelong journey filled with many moments that cultivate empathy, creativity, resilience and much more.
In the coming weeks, the Junior Campus School Captains, Ministry and Outreach Captains and House Captains will be announced.
As we look ahead to 2025 on the Junior Campus, I’ve been inspired by how deeply the values of Hope, Grace, Courage, and Service have been embraced throughout this leadership journey. With such a strong foundation, there’s every reason to feel confident and excited about what lies ahead.
Friday’s Colour Run!
As Term 4 continues its busy way, I look forward to the exciting events that are planned, especially our first ever Colour Run this Friday!
We’ve booked a coffee van, and the children are super excited. Parents are welcome to come along, run, cheer and just join in the fun as we continue to Celebrate 40 Years of PoP.
We have met a number of fantastic goals so far, now raising almost $18,000. Some degree of this enthusiasm as been encouraged along by brave members of staff who have stepped forward to be slimed as we pass each value point!
Be Blessed
Anne-Marie Schmidt
Head of Campus – Junior
Buckle Up and Hold on Tight
As we power on through Term 4, we are reminded of the importance of being mindful and taking pause. In times of busyness, practising mindfulness becomes crucial for maintaining mental clarity and emotional balance. Amidst the chaos of daily responsibilities and distractions, mindfulness encourages us to pause and focus on the present moment.
This intentional awareness helps reduce stress and anxiety, allowing us to respond to challenges with greater composure and insight. By cultivating a mindful approach, we can improve our decision-making, enhance our relationships, and foster a sense of inner peace, ultimately transforming how we navigate a busy life. Taking just a few moments to breathe deeply and focus can make all the difference, helping us to reconnect with our priorities and values.
There is less than a week to go until our School Fun Run Crazy Colour Day. We will be raising much-needed funds in the lead-up to our event for the Starlight Foundation and procuring JC Resources with a target of $ 20,000 so, we’re asking all families to pitch in.
For more information on how to support the Starlight Foundation, please go to The Starlight Foundation Australia.
You do not need to register for your child to run, however, students who are not in Colour Run Clothing will not be permitted to participate.
So far, our fundraising total is $17,850.15!
Event Details
- Friday 25 October
- 1:00pm for a 1:15pm event start
- @ Junior Campus Oval
What to bring:
- White t-shirt
- Old runners
- Sport Shorts or shorts that can be coloured (appropriate length)
- Water bottle
- Towel Change of clothes for students travelling on the bus
We require parent helpers to spread the fun (and colour) around. Please message Mrs Coreta Lennon if you can assist on the day.
Day for Daniel
As Day for Daniel coincides with the Colour Fun Run, students are encouraged to wear a red accessory with their white shirt to mark the occasion. In the morning, classes will participate in activities aimed at educating our young people about personal safety.
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation Keeping Kids Safe Resources have been created in memory of Daniel Morcombe to help keep other children and young people safe. Every year new resources will be developed and released. For further information, please visit https://danielmorcombe.com.au/keeping-kids-safe-resources/
Ingenuity with Creativity — Year 4 Creates Working Game Machines
Blessings,
Coreta Lennon
Deputy Head of Campus – Junior
Celebrating Excellence!
We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students who recently participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) and the ICAS Mathematics, English, Technologies, Spelling, Writing and Science assessments. These competitions are highly challenging and provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and mathematical ability at a national and international level.
Our students showcased incredible dedication and perseverance, with many receiving certificates of distinction and merit for their exceptional performances. A special congratulations goes to Matilda Burrows, Amelia Lincoln, Pelin Shevket, Tom Brown, Oliver Burrows, Elijah Diver, Lucy Glynn and Hannah Tay for achieving distinctions in the Australian Mathemtaics Competion. Your hard work, passion for learning, and determination to succeed have truly paid off, and we are incredibly proud of your efforts.
The following students received distinctions or high distinctions in the ICAS assessments. These certificates will be presented at the whole school assembly on 28 October.
Mathematics – Olivia Weaver, Greyson Swann, Amelie Cuicas, Lucas Zhang, Isabella Sirman, Oliver Burrows
Science – Amelie Cuicas, Isabella Sirman, Oliver Burows
Digital Technologies – Amelie Cuicas
Spelling – Isabella Sirman
English – Amelie Cuicas, Isabella Sirman, Olivia Weaver
Writing – Matilda Burrows
Well done to everyone involved, and thank you to our dedicated teachers who have supported these students throughout their learning journey. Keep up the fantastic work!
AMC Distinction Awardees
Happy learning!
Rebekah Bruyn
Learning Coach
A Lutheran way of living – Grace and Courage
Each year in Lutheran Schools we recognise Reformation Day on 31 October. This is a significant date in the life of the Lutheran Church and Schools as it is the day that Martin Luther stood up for what he believed to be true and shared his ideas with the world. Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the doors of Wittenberg Castle that begun the reformation period where the Lutheran Church was born.
At the core of Luther’s theology was the concept of Grace. In Ephesians 2:8, we learn of the gift of grace in our lives; For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. From these scriptures Martin Luther said, to be convinced in our hearts that we have the forgiveness of sins and peace with God by grace alone is the hardest thing. These words reveal to us that grace and forgiveness calls us to grow deep in our relationships with each other in living a courageous life.
It is our hope that the reformation inspires us all to live a courageous life that transforms our hearts and minds to be grace to others, using the God given gifts that we all have been blessed with as educators, parents and students.
World Teachers’ Day on Friday 25 October
We are grateful to Martin Luther for his love and quest for learning that inspired a theological revolution over 500 years that sees Lutheran learning communities still thriving today. We are grateful to every teacher, support staff and leader who has responded to the call to serve at Prince of Peace Lutheran College and makes a difference each day in the life of the young people in their care.
We are grateful to the parents, guardians and grandparents in our community who entrust us in this journey and appreciate the work of our staff. Each of staff members co-create the community that Prince of Peace is from teaching to support staff. We thank you for making our staff feel special this week in celebrating World Teachers Day.
May the transformation of God’s love in your life continue to inspire you to; Act justly, Love mercy and Walk humbly; Micah 6:8.
Sarah Hoff-Zweck
Head of Campus – Middle and Senior
Key events for Term 4 to look forward to
Week 4
Year 12 External Exams begin
23 October – World Teachers’ Day Luncheon
Week 5
28 October – Year 7 2025 Transition Day
Week 6
6 November – P-12 Volunteer Thank You Morning Tea at the JC
Week 7
12 November – 7-12 Swimming Carnival
14 November – Year 12 Final Worship and Valedictory Dinner (Year 12s last day)
Week 8
19 November – Year 11 and Prep Jersey Presentation (Morning), POP Celebrates (Evening)
Week 9
29 November – Year 10 and 11 last day
30 November – Prince of Peace Community Carols (Evening)
Week 10
2 December – Year 9 Walk
3 December – Year 9 Ubuntu Return Ceremony,
4 December – Year 7-9 last day
Year 9 & 10 Business Studies Visits IKEA (To Learn about Business Systems…)
2025 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey
Year 12 students will be invited to participate in the Next Step Year 12 Completers survey starting in March 2025, following up on their activities after graduating.
The invitation will arrive via a letter from the Minister for Education, or an email or phone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office.
Please check your contact details are correct with the school and learning account that your child can access via the student portal at https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/.
Your child’s feedback helps our school improve services for future students, and they can win a prize for participating. For more info visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.
Student wellbeing and behaviour support
Therefore encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Thessalonians 5:11
Student wellbeing and behaviour support practices at Prince of Peace Lutheran College are informed by the Contextual Wellbeing framework developed by Dr Helen Street. At the recent Positive Schools Workshop, Dr Street dedicated her work to teachers: For all educators who believe in the power of Ubuntu – each student is, because schools are. In this way, wellbeing moves from something we hold individually within us, to something we hold and sustain between us, hence I am because we are.
Our wellbeing can be supported in the context of school in many ways, including the people, places, policies, and social norms established within the educational environment. As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day this week, we ‘take our hats off’ to our fantastic teachers who go above and beyond each day to keep our students learning in a safe and supportive environment that nurtures respect and positive relationships. A BIG heartfelt message of gratitude to all of our teachers and please send your messages directly to teachers this week.
The Student Leadership Council did a terrific job with promoting and supporting the ALWS Walk My Way event earlier this year and will continue to support ALWS with Gifts of Grace leading into the Christmas season. Chaplain Reilly and Mrs Sharon Grimes are our MSC champions for Gifts of Grace and all students will be involved in a Colour Run to fundraise for the ALWS in Week 9 of this term. More details to come about this exciting event.
Melissa Graham
Director of Wellbeing – Middle & Senior Campus
Junior Campus Sport
Cricket Blast Program
We are thrilled to announce that 31 students have signed up for the Cricket Blast Program at Prince of Peace! The afternoon was filled with excitement as participants learned new skills and played friendly matches. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to bond and make new friends while having fun.
A big thank you to the coaches and volunteers for making this bit of afternoon fun a success!
Jessica Schneider
Junior Campus PE Teacher & Sport Coordinator
Middle & Senior Campus Sport
QLD School Sport Track and Field Championships
Freya and Hannes competed in the Queensland School Sport Track and Field Championships at QSAC a couple of weekends ago.
Hannes competed in the 800m, 1500m and 2000m Steeplechase, placing 12th in the 1500m, 4th in the 2000m Steeplechase and just missing out on a spot in the 800m final.
Freya also competed in the 2000m Steeplechase placing 6th. Well done!
Interhouse Swimming Carnival
The Prince of Peace Lutheran College Middle & Senior Campus Inter-House Swimming Carnival for 2024 will take place on Tuesday 12th November at Albany Creek Leisure Centre, Explorer Drive, Albany Creek. Students are required to be dropped off by parents at the venue from 8.00am, for a 8.40am start. The carnival will finish at approximately 2.30pm. Please be aware that there is very limited parking at the venue. Families should arrange pick-up of students between 2.30pm and 2.45pm from the leisure centre.
Students who travel to school via College bus and those students unable to arrange private transportation to the venue can catch a College bus from the Middle and Senior Campus. Registration for bus transport to or from the Swimming Carnival is required at Student Reception by Friday 8th November. Students will need to be at the Henderson Road bus bay at 8.00am on the day of the carnival and will return to the Middle and Senior Campus at approximately 2.45pm.
Students should wear their house polo-shirts and arrive in swim gear and a school hat. They should bring plenty of sunscreen, goggles, swim cap, a towel, water and a packed lunch. Food and drink will also be available for purchase at the venue. All students are required to sign in with their Pastoral Care Teacher on arrival. For all competitive swimming, girls are required to wear full one-piece swimwear or a two-piece covered with a swim shirt. Boys are required to wear swimming shorts or speedo type swimwear. Board shorts and swim shirts are acceptable for the novelty events.
Please see the program attached. While we do our best to keep to this schedule, please be aware that events can run up to 30 minutes before the listed start time.
The Swimming Carnival is a significant community event that promotes a belonging to House culture and promotes positive health and wellbeing. This is why it is a part of the compulsory programs that we offer at Prince of Peace and students are expected to attend. Rolls will be taken and those students who are not present and have not provided a reason for their absence will be spoken to by Year Level Coordinators. If you child is not able to attend on the day, please ensure you let Reception staff know why this is the case.
Families and members of the wider POP community are more than welcome to attend and spectate at this event.
Please download the Middle & Senior Campus Inter-House Swimming Carnival 2024 Program »
If you require any more information, please contact myself via SEQTA or the Middle & Senior Campus via email receptionsc@princeofpeace.qld.edu.au
Gabrielle Collman
Middle & Senior Campus Teacher – Sports Coordinator
Worship
Sunday 27 October:
9am Worship
Sunday 3 October:
9am Worship
Please keep an eye on the Prince of Peace Church Facebook page for service updates.
OSHC
Bookings for December/January are now open
Bookings for December/January are now open! We would like to advise you that we need to receive your Enrolments Forms by Friday 22 November, 2024. Enrolments after this date will be subject to availability and be charged as casual bookings.
Christmas Holiday Vacation Care Program
Please download the Christmas Holiday Vacation Care Program for 2024/2025 »
