Welcome to Gathering Grounds!
Yes, today is the day. Almost exactly 12 months ago to the day, we began having conversations about the possibility of placing a Tuckshop on to the Middle and Senior Campus. Firstly, we can’t thank Mrs Cheryl Nicholson enough for her simply incredible support of this project (though I did get to make her the first coffee ever served from there!). It sounded relatively easy in theory, but the practicalities of the shape and nature of our very topographically creative site meant that finding a place that it would fit, be able to be connected to all necessary services, AND be in a practical spot for use made it a far more challenging project. Probably six months of work went into that component of the project, wonderfully led by our Business Manager Donna Appelman and Facilities Manager Darren Moyle. The appropriate supplier was sourced, but of course building in one state with one set of building codes and installing in another, with a different set, makes for some further headaches. But success was achieved.
So, while I’m certain today is a very exciting time for our students and the Metro Canteen team will be run off their feet this week, we know that this facility will be such a wonderful blessing for our community for a long time into the future.
As I have mentioned previously, we are now in the process of doing some necessary upgrades to the Kitchen (Tuckshop) on the Junior Campus across the Christmas break, with the anticipation of also having Metro Canteens run a Junior, (as yet unnamed) tuckshop facility on the other two days of the week from very early in 2025.
Commonwealth at 75
Earlier this term I took a week of Sabbatical leave to attend the official launch of the Commonwealth at 75 book, at Westminster Abbey. The book has been put together to mark the appointment of King Charles III as the Head of the Commonwealth, and looks to highlight examples of achievement and progress across social, technological, commercial and cultural spheres – with education being one of those areas deemed highly important. Quite a number of distinguished guests addressed the opening:
- Archdeacon and Canon Steward Westminster – The Right Reverend Anthony Ball
- Lord Norton of Louth – Chair of the Trustees for the History of Parliament Trust
- Lord Marland – former Member of Parliament and Treasurer for the Conservative Party, and current Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council
- Mr Ransford Smith – Commander of the Order of Distinction for Jamaica and former Deputy Secretary-General, Economic Affairs and Development, of the Commonwealth of Nations
- Russell Myers – Royal Correspondent (who interviewed me in order to write our article)
The book dedicates a section to Education, with schools and other educational institutions from around the Commonwealth featured, and a number of Australian schools and systems also highlighted.
It is a wonderful reflection of our College community and our team of teaching and support staff, over many years, and we are honoured to be part of such a point in history.
While several copies of the book are on their way across the globe, just this week the website for the Commonwealth at 75 celebrations has been made live, and a free online copy of the e-book version can be found here.
Blessings Year 12s
We are heading into the very final days of exams for our Year 12 students, with next week their very final week at school, including their final Chapel Service and Valedictory Service. There are only a few students left to ‘ring the bell’, as they complete their final exam and, by extension, formal schooling. I would like to congratulate them all on the way they have conducted themselves throughout the exam period and the wholehearted effort they have put into achieving their best through this time. Thank you to their teachers and parents who have supported them across this time which can see nerves and stress playing a part in day-to-day life across the exam period. I pray, as this phase of life comes to fruition that their successes and efforts can be celebrated and recognised by each one of them. As ‘what’s next?’ begins to loom on the horizon for some, I remember Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Congratulations to our Excellence of Effort Awards Recipients
I am incredibly proud of our Excellence of Effort Award recipients, who were recognised on Monday. These students have consistently shown determination and perseverance in their learning. Their commitment reflects the value of a growth mindset—believing that with effort, challenges can be overcome and new skills developed. We celebrate not just their achievements, but their dedication and resilience in striving for progress. These students embody the spirit of giving their best and embracing learning as a journey of growth.
Year Level Learning Expos
A huge shout-out to the parents who have ventured into the Year Level Learning Expos this term.
These expos offer a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand the growth, creativity, and effort students have put into their projects. It’s a great way to celebrate their progress and engage in meaningful conversations about their learning journey.
Each year level has something unique to share, from poetry in Year 3 to arcade games in Year 4, and exciting designs, websites, and podcasts in Year 6. Every year level has been showcasing their learning in meaningful and creative ways and I hope that many of you have been able to attend these Term 4 events that have been advertised through Year Level newsletters.
Junior School Student Leaders for 2025
This past month many of our Year 5 students have shown incredible courage as they embark on their student leadership speeches and interviews. Standing up in front of their peers and teachers to share their vision and ideas takes confidence and determination. It’s inspiring to see these students step out of their comfort zones, express their passion for leading, and embrace this opportunity for growth. We are proud of their bravery and commitment to serving their school community, and we know they will continue to develop as leaders in the years ahead.
Please join me in congratulating our 2025 Junior School Captains – Matilda Amos and Aaron Jaishi, and our 2025 Junior School Ministry and Outreach Captains – Ava Wolton and Millicent Garrihy.
In our next POPCORN, our Sports Captains will be announced to the community. The students in these positions will be formally installed next year at the Year 6 Installation service.
Congratulations Mrs Rebekah Bruyn
We are both proud and a little sad to announce that our fabulous Learning Coach, Mrs. Rebekah Bruyn, will be leaving us to take on an exciting new role as the Head of Junior at LORDS (Lutheran Ormeau Rivers District School) in 2025.
Mrs. Bruyn has been an incredible leader, guiding our curriculum and pedagogy development, championing initiatives like Project Based Learning, e-sports and the Maths Olympiad, and so much more.
We’ve long known how exceptional she is, and now the word is out!
While we’ll miss her expertise and energy, we are thrilled to see her take this next step in her career.
Be Blessed
Anne-Marie Schmidt
Head of Campus – Junior
TRP Emotional Literacy
Working on our emotional literacy gives us opportunities to develop our ability to understand and express different emotions. When we improve our emotional literacy, we can work towards recognising our feelings and our ability to manage them. This allows us to cope with different life situations, such as managing conflict, making friends, coping in difficult situations and being resilient when dealing with change.
Whole Family Activity:
Feelings Charades
- Gather together as a family, this might be around the dinner table, lounge room, around the fire outside.
- Take turns to act out a feeling or emotion. Use your face and body language to act this out, For example: Make an angry face and stamp your feet or
- Other family members need to guess the feeling/emotion.
- After someone has guessed the feeling/emotion, have family members discuss a time they have felt this way before and why. If it was a negative emotion, how did they overcome it?
Family Habit Builder:
Around the dinner table, ask everyone to share a feeling they felt during that day. Discuss how they dealt with that feeling and then discuss and share strategies you could use when faced with particular feelings.
Student Cyber Safety
In today’s digital world, technology offers immense learning opportunities but also presents risks that parents need to address proactively.
Cyber safety is essential for students who navigate the internet daily for schoolwork, socialising, and entertainment. Here are some tips to help keep your child safe online:
- Discuss Online Boundaries
Start with an open conversation about the importance of privacy and appropriate online behaviour.
- Establish Screen Time Limits
Setting time limits for device use reduces the risk of exposure to harmful content and promotes a healthy balance between online and offline activities. - Review Apps and Games
Monitor the apps and games your child uses, as some may include chat features, ads, or in-game purchases that are not immediately apparent. - Set Social Media Boundaries
If your child is on social media, set clear rules for its use. Ensure their private profiles limit who can contact or view their content. - Teach Safe Search Practices
Kids are naturally curious, so it’s essential to teach them how to search safely. Consider enabling parental controls on search engines and browsers and show them how to use kid-friendly search engines. 
Encourage Open Communication
The most important aspect of cyber safety is building trust, so your child feels comfortable discussing online experiences with you.
Creating a safe digital environment is an ongoing effort, but by staying engaged and proactive, you can empower your child to navigate the online world with confidence and caution. For additional resources, you can go to https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/.
A reminder that if our students ever need anyone to talk to at school, they can speak with their classroom teacher or one of our Mindful Mentors in the poster below.
Teacher Dress Up Day
The delight on our students’ faces when our staff randomly dress up for the day is always gold. No doubt some of our students may have had trouble finding their teacher given it was ‘Camo Day’.
Blessings,
Coreta Lennon
Deputy Head of Campus – Junior
Well done Isaac!
Junior Chess Club
On the weekend, three Junior Chess Club players entered a competition run by Top Chess.
The players completed in the novice unrated section section with the following results:
Isaac Ooge (Prep) came 3rd
Oliver Dell (Year 2) came 4th
Max Ooge (Year 2) came 6th
All the boys show tremendous commitment to the Chess Club and always exhibit exemplary Chess manners.
Maths Olympiad 2024
It has been such a great term of learning and growth at Maths Olympiad this year and we are thrilled to announce the outstanding achievements of our students. Our talented mathematicians have once again demonstrated exceptional skills, determination and collaboration in working through some tough problem-solving questions.
Maths Olympiad is an inter-school competition that has been specifically designed to stimulate and challenge high potential and high achieving students in mathematics. It provides an opportunity for students from around Australia and New Zealand to compete as part of a team while striving for individual excellence. It is a prestigious and highly regarded competition that has been running in Australia since 1987. At PoP students met together each week to learn new strategies, solve challenging problems and work together to encourage each other.
Special congratulations go to Oliver Burrows, who achieved a perfect score in the competition and received the APSMO medal for his efforts. Oliver was one of 126 students out of 36,860 who received this award. This remarkable accomplishment showcases his hard work, dedication, and passion for mathematics.
In addition to Oliver’s incredible feat, we are proud to report that many of our students placed in the top 10 percent of competitors nationwide. Their commitment to excellence and their ability to tackle challenging problems reflect the strong mathematical foundation fostered at our school. Congratulations to all participants for their impressive performances!
Thank you to the teachers who supported this initiative and the students involved throughout the year. I loved working with both teams and appreciate your acceptance of last minute timetable changes! Thank you also to the parents for their encouragement and support to enhance their child’s learning. Pictured below are the participants from Years 2 & 3, 4, 5, 6 and a huge congratulations to our Year 6 star, Oliver, for achieving a perfect score in the Maths Olympiad! Out of 36,860 students, he was one of only 126 to earn full marks and was awarded the prestigious APSMO Perfect Score Medal for his outstanding efforts. This incredible achievement showcases his hard work, focus, and passion for problem-solving, and we couldn’t be prouder!
Happy learning!
Rebekah Bruyn
Learning Coach
Gathering Grounds Café is Open!
We are so thankful for the vision in our community for many years of waiting and praying for a tuckshop facility that will serve our students, families, and staff with a richness of food, drinks, and hospitality. The Gathering Grounds Café will be a social pantry and hub in our community which we hope will be a place of welcome, belonging and, most importantly a place to build relationships and strengthen our community partnerships.
We are thankful to Donna Appelman, Business Manager and Darren Moyle, Facilities Manager, who have overseen this project and development in not only seeking the physical resources, but also the human resources in forming a partnership with Metro Canteen.
We are so eternally grateful to our generous benefactor Cheryl Nicolson, Grandmother to Bianca and Connor Rhind and mother to Andrea Rhind, for the financial resources to see the Gathering Grounds Café become a reality. Chery’s life story is one of inspiration, service, and heart in seeing young people thriving in educational communities. We are so thankful to Cheryl for her amazing contributions.
Before we cut the ribbon and gained our first coffees together, in our official opening on Tuesday 5 November we joined together in this prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We are brought together today to ask you for your blessings on the opening of our College’s new Café, Gathering Grounds. We ask that you fill this place with the fellowship of hospitality over the sharing of drink, food, and conversation.
Lord, we ask that you bless each worker and volunteer who will serve our community in the best way that they can. Help us to work together as a team to provide meals that people will just have to come back for again and again.
Father, we thank you for this opportunity. We thank you for blessing our College with the resources to create this new opportunity. We thank you for sending us faithful staff full of joy and fresh perspective. We ask that you continue to bless these individuals and use this Café to bless them. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
So here’s cheers to this beautiful facility and the enriching opportunities it provides to our young people in their pathways for life!
Thank you to the parents, staff, students, and Church members who joined us in fellowship for the opening. We look forward to seeing many more to come 😊
A time to give thanks and celebrate!
There has been a shared sense of pride and joy across the campus these last three weeks as our Year 12 graduates for 2024 were ringing the brass bell that signifies the last exam that they have completed. This is a special ritual that occurs each year at Prince of Peace and in many Secondary Schools. The spontaneous applause from classrooms and offices around the Campus of the ringing of the bell, signifies the support that each student has had in their Year 12 journey. We wish our Year 12 students who have one more exam to complete every blessing and will share in the joy when they ring the brass bell for the first and final time.
We look forward to the many celebrations and rites of passage that will occur in our community over the coming weeks. Please find a reminder of these upcoming events;
Year 12 Final Valedictory Events
The following key events seek to recognise and celebrate each young person’s journey at Prince of Peace and the milestone they have reached in their graduation;
Year 12 Farewell Service – Thursday 14 November
This is the final farewell to Year 12 students and families which will occur in the College’s Auditorium and begins at 8:20am. We look forward to gathering for this community celebration as we wish God’s richest blessing to our graduating class of Year 12s for 2024. All community members are welcome.
Year 12 Valedictory Dinner – Thursday 14 November
The Valedictory Dinner is the graduation ritual where our Year 12 graduates will receive their graduation certificates. Reflections, prayers, and blessings will be given from staff, students, and parents. Key signature College awards will be presented on this evening. We are delighted to be able host this event in our Auditorium for the first time in our College’s history, setting a new tradition.
Year 12 2025 Jersey Presentation – Tuesday 19 November
The Year 11s will receive their Year 12 Jerseys in a Worship service with the reception students joining us in the Auditorium for this special celebration. Parents and special friends are welcomed to attend.
PoP Celebrates – Tuesday 19 November
On Tuesday 19 November there will be the Middle and Senior Campus PoP Celebrates Service which will start at 6:30am in the Auditorium. This is where College Awards from Years 7 to 11 for Service, Cultural and Sporting will be presented. Academic Awards are presented in Middle and Senior School Assemblies at the start of the new School year in 2025 when have a complete set of academic results for Semester 2 2024. This is a special time for our community to celebrate the growth of learning and service of our young people. Parents and students have been informed they are receiving an award at this event. All community members are welcome.
Year 9 Ubuntu Return Ceremony – Tuesday 3 December
Parents are invited to the Year 9 Ubuntu Return Ceremony which will be held at the Middle and Senior Campus in the Auditorium at 6:00pm. This is a Middle School graduation ritual which recognises the individual growth of each student through their Ubuntu journey and stepping into the Senior School. Students receive their Senior tie and graduation certificate on this evening.
It is our hope and prayer that these events recognise the significant milestones that makes an education at Prince of Peace an honour and joy to have. May each student, parent, grandparent, special friend, and staff member feel a sense of purpose, accomplishment, community, and faith through being a part of these community rituals and events.
Sarah Hoff-Zweck
Head of Campus – Middle and Senior
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.
Junior Campus Sport
NISSA Sports Gala Day Sport Wrap Up!
It’s heartening to reflect on the incredible enthusiasm and teamwork displayed by our Year 4 to 6 students this Semester during their Soccer, AFL, and Netball competitions. The soccer matches showcased remarkable skill and sportsmanship, with players demonstrating their growing abilities on the field. In AFL, students embraced the challenge and learned valuable lessons about collaboration and resilience. The netball games were filled with energy, as teams supported each other and celebrated their achievements, big and small.
Soccer Awards
Most Improved: Jackson Burridge, Patrick Cornford, Laine Watson, Oscar Norcross, Lawrence Zivec, Connor Shorten, Hannah Tay
Best and Fairest: Thomas Brown, Samuele Di Mascio, Leen Alshoufi, Astin Peterkin, Micah Shaw, Kenny Medina Vargas, Zara Caplice
Netball Awards
Most Improved: Albert Beckley, Debbie Joseph, Zara Wilkinson, Lucille Donaldson, Ahana Bajaj, Elizabeth McKenzie-Fowle, Adam Camaroni
Best and Fairest: Viraj Brar, Camille Coote, Indigo Hall, Freda Phillips, Bethany Franklin, Harper Dwyer, Archer Nicol
AFL Awards
Most Improved: Benjamin Isles, Matilda Forrest, Nicholas Arcila
Best and Fairest: Sebastian Forrest, Holly Griffin, Jeremiah Rees
We’re proud of all our young athletes and look forward to the return of NISSA Sports in 2025 Semester 1, being: Tee-ball, Basketball and Touch Football.
Year 3 – Year 6 Inter House Swimming Carnival will be held at the Albany Creek Leisure Centre, Week 9, Tuesday 26 November. Information will be sent out via SEQTA this week.
Any Parent Helpers willing to offer their assistance anytime throughout the day, would be greatly appreciated. Please make contact with Jess Schneider via SEQTA.
Jessica Schneider
Junior Campus PE Teacher & Sport Coordinator
Worship
Sunday 10 November:
9am Worship
Sunday 17 November:
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 »
