Term 4 Week 2 |  12 October 2022
College News

Helping Teens Deal with Stress

How can parents and schools nurture well-being in teenagers? Adolescents at this stage of life are becoming more conscious of life’s big questions, and they are pondering their purpose in a world laden with aggravators like change, injustice, inequity and general uncertainty about the future.

The truth is that a high percentage of adolescent students report school as a main stressor. It is, after all, their primary focus for a large proportion of their waking hours. Solutions are always within reach, but they require parents and educators to get curious and work together. While school is the likely cause of the stress, disclosure is more often than not to the parent. How the parents and schools work together is critical to develop the teen’s sense of connection to the family and the wider community. Consider the following three steps to develop and enhance a culture of care:

  1. Empathetic Acknowledgement
    Express empathy for what they are experiencing. Acknowledge that school can be ultra-stressful, especially during the pandemic or at key times like the forthcoming Year 12 Exams. Acknowledge them for showing up and trying. Assume every teen is doing their best given the conditions of their lives. Stress is not strictly a problem to be overcome. When we become more adept at noticing the signals of stress in the body, mind, and emotions, we can relate differently to it, seeing it as a message that more or less effort in a particular area may be needed to maintain well-being.
  2. Reflective Enquiry
    Why is school so stressful for a particular teen? If you really want to know what will help teen students cope with stress, take the guesswork out and ask them. At every turn, pivot, and decision-making process possible, invite their input. Once students are more aware of the characteristics and causes of their stress, they can apply compassionate curiosity.
  3. Collective resourcing
    Collective resourcing means committing to regular, consistent practices to help restore energy, develop students’ ability to modulate stress, and move toward vitality. As an adult, many of these become ‘second nature’ to us as we learn about what makes us tick, our triggers and our de-stressors.  These are equally useful as individuals at home or can be used in a class or group situation.
    • Nature
      10–20 minutes outdoors can be significantly stress-relieving. You can find a particular spot to spend time in or take a walk instead.
    • Fresh Air
      The benefit of spending time in the great outdoors is to simply find some fresh air.
    • Water or Snacks
      A common challenge for teens is getting enough nutrition and staying hydrated when their stressful lives have them on the go and too much happening in their own heads.
    • Breath
      There are many different breathing exercises, but no question around their ability to induce an immediate body response.  One would be to encourage students to inhale normally, counting the inhale. Then, exhaling, extend the breath by a few counts. Repeat five to seven times. This is one of the most effective ways to release tension.
    • Movement
      Almost any movement that comes naturally can be helpful in alleviating stress and completing stress cycles. Try jumping, rocking, shaking, tapping, clapping, squeezing, or other rhythmic, repetitive movements. Regular exercise also creates positive results.
    • Rest
      Offer them 10 to 20-minute breaks to place their bodies in the most comfortable positions they can find.
    • Music
      As a universal language, music can work wonders for co-regulation. Create a collaborative playlist.
    • Play and Laughter
      Make space for joy. Get to know what brings them joy and share your joy as well.

Be sure to recognise when referrals to student support staff, including counsellors, psychologists, or other school-based mental health care providers, may be needed.

Acknowledgement: Abby Wills “Re-Framing Teen Stress”, July 2022

Every blessing for the week ahead.

Simon Hughes
Head of College

Tuckshop is Wrapping Up

You’ve probably heard by now that, after 4 years, Tuckshop is wrapping up.  In the last issue I wrote about our beginnings and happenings of 2019.

Now for a reflection on 2020 !

Well …. COVID was upon us.  Lockdowns, learning from home, working from home.  It was TOUGH in many ways and for everyone.  When we were at school it was important for us, with the support of the school, to bring as much ‘normal’ and fun and regularity to the children.

A huge challenge was the fact we could only have four people in the Tuckshop kitchen due to the distancing requirements, and we had to be quite separate from the students.  Quantity limits on items at supermarkets were also somewhat of a hurdle (luckily I wasn’t buying toilet paper 😉!).  We did it! We ran 11 out of the 12 Tuckshops (one in Term 2 being cancelled due to lockdown).

We offered Mexican Tuckshop during a week in March, along with an Easter themed day.

In July, we went to Hogwarts! with a Harry Potter themed tuckshop.  Children were ‘sorted’ into houses with their Sorting Hat cupcake (coloured choc drops being the hidden surprise and decision maker!).  It was so much fun for us too–dressing up (wow, its hot wearing cloaks in the kitchen!), blasting the Hogwarts music theme at break time, and “sorting” ourselves!

It was the first year the the EKKA had been cancelled in… how long?  So we brought EKKA to PoP—with a ‘show bag’ of not just lunch (dagwood dogs were one option of course), but some goodies like Bertie Beetles, packets of chips and lollies, and novelties.  I am sure Kmart was wondering where all their small toy novelties were going.  We also replicated the famous strawberry icecream sundae.  That had to be our biggest tuckshop by a long way, with 335 showbags being ordered.

We couldn’t have continued without the dedication of our volunteer base.  I always have a heart full of joy and admiration when I think of those parents who have offered so much of their time.

Enjoy these pics from 2020!

Annette Jacobs
Tuckshop Convenor

World-First Road Safety Initiative

In a world-first road safety initiative, new speed camera technology will soon target speeding drivers at selected school zones across Queensland. Everyone has a role in keeping our roads safe. It is imperative drivers reduce their speed to the signed 40 km/h speed limit and be aware of activity by students on or near the road.

Speed cameras will only operate during school zone times at the selected schools. Parents, and carers dropping off or picking up students are urged to comply with school zone speed limits. Those who slow down will not be penalised.

Moreton Bay Regional Council School Parking Patrol Program

Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) Local Laws Unit undertakes a School Parking Patrol Program where officers complete scheduled school patrols, both in the morning and afternoon, to ensure that vehicles are parked in a safe and lawful manner. The primary aim of the program is to ensure that students and family members/caregivers are able to safely move around the school area as part of dropping off or picking up students from the school.

The Moreton Bay Regional Council Local Law No.5 (Parking) 2011 and Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1999 control parking or stopping of vehicles on footpaths, bicycle paths, marked yellow lines, shared paths, dividing strips and nature strips, along with vehicles parking across residents driveways and within ‘No Stopping’, ‘No Parking’, and ‘Bus Zones’ and Pick-up / Drop -off zones. Council is legally required to enforce these areas and the School Parking Patrol Program forms part of this process. Drivers are reminded that footpaths and nature strips are in place to promote pedestrian movement in a safe manner along roadsides and that drivers and residents must not stop on a bicycle path, shared path, dividing strip or nature strip. Please also note that vehicles that are parked with two wheels up and two wheels down is not considered as a lawful parking practice.

Local Laws officers conduct enforcement through the issuance of Penalty Infringement Notices as part of each School Parking Patrol. Please be aware that Council officers may take photographic evidence of vehicles stopping or parking illegally with Penalty Infringement Notices to be issued via mail at a later date to the offending vehicle’s owner.

Visit www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/parking for further guidance on parking restrictions.

For any further information, members of the School community are welcome to contact Moreton Bay Regional Council on 3205 0555.

Casual Staff Position

The Prince of Peace Kindy and OSHC are advertising for a casual staff member position to work between both of these areas.

Applicants must be over 18 years old, have a blue card, first aid completed, and a cert III (early childhood)  or qualifications in early childhood. Applicants must also  be available to work Vacation Care from December 2022 to January 2023.

Please send resumes to princeofpeace.oshc@qlecs.org.au or princeofpeace.kgt@qlecs.org.au

Uniform Price Increase

Due to the increase in business costs both in Australia and globally, The School Locker has advised us that there will be a price increase as of 8 November 2022. Some examples of price increases are as follows:

  • The white socks with blue stripes will increase from $9 to $9.95
  • The bucket hats will increase from $15 to $16.95
  • The broadbrim navy hat will increase from $39 to $44.95

For those who are interested, please download The School Locker’s Letter of notification and the new Customer Price List.

Junior Campus News

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to the start of Term 4.  It has been such a joy, listening to the children and community members share their holiday stories and adventures. I do hope that during school holiday period there was some chance for you to build special memories and connections.

Our Facilities — An Update

Late last term, we were able to return some of our classes to their normal learning spaces.  It is exciting to see Year 5 settle back into their rooms.  Over the holidays, both Year 2 classes have been relocated to above the OSHC block—a position they will be in for 2023.  This week we hope that Spanish lessons will be back where they began at the start of the year! Learning Enrichment has moved into the last classroom in the Year 1 block of rooms.  At this point, we are just waiting for final works and organisation in The Arts rooms. To enable the learning to proceed smoothly in the Arts, I have decided to use the room next to Spanish for The Arts lessons this term.

As many of you know, our playground suffered terribly during the flood event of Term 1, with significant wash out and erosion in the top section.  This part of the playground has been closed due to safety concerns.  Over the weekend, work started on rectifying this problem.  Although this work will probably take a little more time, I am hopeful that our students will be playing and enjoying the teepee and towers, nature play and hut building with sticks before too long.

A huge ‘Shout Out’ to the College Facilities Team who have worked particularly hard to find trades, schedule work, shift classrooms, gather quotes and many more tasks in and amongst their routine duties.  Their planning and expertise has been greatly appreciated.

A big ‘THANK YOU’ to our children and community who have shown patience and resilience in coping with the changes and challenges that have occurred during this year with regard to room changes and facilities.   I know that none of it has been easy so Thank You! 

Welcome Mrs. Muller

Over the holidays, not only did Year 2M move to a new room, they also got a new teacher.

It is my pleasure to introduce Mrs Andrea Muller.  Some of you may know her as a relief teacher from the last few years, but she has now joined our PoP team when Miss Alannah McTaggart resigned.

Please join me in welcoming her to our community.

NISSA Gala Days—Soccer Umpires for Friday 28 October

It is not long now until our last Gala Day for the Year 4 to 6 children.  Of late, it has been particularly hard to find soccer umpires. This opportunity may suit a Uni student with the right skills and a Blue Card who is willing to help out and earn some extra money.  If anyone in the community is qualified, can help us out or knows someone who could, can you please contact Mx Barben for further details.

Finally – You Have to Love Term 4!

Term 4 is one of my favourite times of the year.  It’s busy with special celebrations, swimming lessons, the last Gala Day, a swimming carnival and we finish with a focus on Christmas.  And don’t forget all the learning. We look forward to the exciting things that are to come.

Anne-Marie Schmidt
Head of Campus – Junior

Getting Back into Routine

Welcome back to another exciting term at PoP! Term 4 is always a joyous term with swimming, discos, Gala Days, presentation events and Christmas activities. There is so much to fit into a short term, and it always goes so fast! Having all of these experiences and getting through to the end can be exhausting, but establishing a good routine can see our children finish the year with happiness and success.

Coming back to school is a time when we are compelled to get back into a routine. A recent article from the Melbourne Child Psychology and School Psychology Services discussed the importance of routine in childhood. The article focused on ‘rituals’ and how they help our children to have a sense of security and set them up for good habits and life skills. Psychologist Dani Kaufman was recently quoted as saying ‘Building routines with your children helps them to feel safe.  They know what to expect when they go home, and it provides them with clear boundaries, expectations, and consistency.’

In what some researchers have described as an ‘epidemic of anxiety’, the predictability and familiarity that comes with routine offers the perfect ‘safe space’ that children need. While school and home provide a form of routine, each day is filled with uncertainties. Therefore, establishing routines can assist children during challenging times to navigate the unpredictability.

While change is a learning opportunity, it can also be stressful for children. A normal routine brings comfort and consistency to a child’s life. With all the changes that occur each day at school and home, the consistency you incorporate into the situation will help our children to feel safe and know what to expect. Not only is routine helpful in making our children feel safe, it’s also fundamental in the development of good habits.

Some parts of your family routine will already be there—such as mealtimes and sleep times. When a child knows what to expect and notices regular family activities, they begin to understand what’s important. This strengthens shared values, beliefs and interests.

One of the easiest ways to make new habits stick is by pairing them with other rituals that are already in place, says Gretchen Rubin, author of Better than Before, a book that looks at the science of habit creation. So, whatever habits you would like to add to your child’s routine, frame them around the ones that are already there. For example, if you’d like them to start cleaning their room once a day, have it become the ritual before dinner time. If you’d like reading to be part of the daily routine, incorporate it before bedtime. The key to making good habits stick is to do them regularly. Because when the child, and other family members know what to expect, stress and anxiety are reduced.

To get started, pick a new ritual, and stick with it. Make it simple, make it fun, and don’t add too many new activities to your routine at once. It’s much easier to commit to one new activity at a time; adding too many changes to the mix will be overwhelming and make you and your child less likely to stick to the schedule.

At home, is the easiest place to learn long-term behaviours, and to understand the concepts of consequences, boundaries, and rewards.

So, keep ritual and routine in place wherever and whenever you can, to make the constantly changing nature of growing up as safe, predictable, and easy for your child as possible (and making your life a little easier while they’re at it).

Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services, P.M. (2016) The importance of routine in childhood, Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services. Available at: https://www.melbournechildpsychology.com.au/blog/the-importance-of-routine-in-childhood/ (Accessed: October 9, 2022).

Blessings,

Coreta Lennon
Deputy Head of Campus – Junior

Date Saver — Junior Campus Fluoro DISCO !

The College is holding a Fluoro Disco, that will be a fun-filled dazzling extravaganza of lights and music, to be held on 21 October.
There will be two age-related sessions, with times being:

Prep – Year 3: 5pm – 6.15pm
Year 4 – Year 6: 7pm – 8.15pm

Tickets are on sale here at $12 each, with close of ticket sales at 12:00 Midday on 14 October.

Middle & Senior Campus News

Take Time to Reflect

The concept that we hope our young people can learn in the final term of 2022 is ‘reflection’. To embed reflection into our lives is a daily practice, that is not only about finding space and time to reflect, but is also about what prompts we use to help us look within ourselves, and above to something greater than us.

There are many resources and ways that we hope to guide our young people to reflect upon their learning goals and achievements, decisions they have made in their relationships with others, how they have used and developed their God-given talents and strengths in service to others and the wider community.

I invite parents to Take 5 with your son or daughter over the next month to help them find their learnings, joys, disappointments and growth so they can end their school year well in 2022 and be prepared for discussions that will take place at school.

We do encourage you to record these events and dates on your TLC calendar. We look forward to these events and experiences that celebrate the year that has been in the Middle and Senior School and gives us all the opportunity to finish the year with joy and hope.

Year 10 Camp

It has been great to see our Year 10s enjoy the challenges of their Camp Maroochydore this week, and grow in greater connections with each other. From outdoor walks to dragonboat racing, to hearing local Indigenous elders speak about our relationship to country, and engaging in team-work challenges; our young people learn more about who they are and who they are becoming as a community as they venture into their Year 11 journey.

Elevate Education Study Skills Seminar Series

Our Year 11 and 12s engaged in a practical study skills session from Elevate Education in Week 1. This session was part of the seminar series that focused on managing exams and getting across the finishing line. Our Year 11 and 12s had an exam period in Term 3, and this session helped them reflect on what is working well for them, improvements they can make and applying new strategies. We wish our Year 12s every blessing as they start their revision and study program in Week 3 in preparation for the final external examinations.

Our Year 9s Return from Mt Binga

We welcomed our Year 9s back to School this term after a month at Mt Binga, and it has been a delight to hear their stories, highlights and growth through challenge. Many students have shared with me how much they miss Mt Binga and the opportunities that they had each day to be living in community with each other, the staff at Mt Binga, and living on the land. We are thankful again to every parent/caregiver for entrusting the vision of this outdoor education experience to leaders in Lutheran Schools before us, and hope that you see the transformation that we have in the hearts and minds of our young people through Mt Binga.

Subject Preferences for Year 9 and 10 for 2023

We thank parents and students who will be in Year 9 and 10 for 2023 for your support this week in coming along to information sessions about subject offerings. Information about making subject preferences online through web preferences has been given to students and need to be finalised by Monday 17 October 9:00am. If you have any questions please contact Year 8 and 9 Coordinators, Julie Grosas (Careers Coordinator), Jonathan Klupp (Deputy Head of Campus) or Sarah Hoff-Zweck (Head of Campus) at the College.

We wish our students, parents, and staff every blessing for Term 4 and pray to God for wisdom and discernment as our young people enter a time of reflection, hope and peace as they conclude a year of learning and accomplishment of their personal goals and development here with us at Prince of Peace.

Sarah Hoff-Zweck
Head of Campus (Middle and Senior)

Careers @ PoP

Term 4

As the ‘official’ Careers Education program wraps up for Year 10, we are continuing in this class time with a unit on service learning. To better understand their vocation, students need to understand themselves, and fit that with what the world needs. Research on service learning suggests that both identity and knowledge of the world are expanded through service learning experiences.

This Service Learning unit for Year 10’s is a flexible student-centred program that provides students with an opportunity to develop empathy and compassion through meaningful and active citizenship. It will enable students to demonstrate competencies in critical thinking, problem solving, communication, self-reflection and community; these are all skills that are also valuable in the workplace.

Some of the activities happening this term range from groups working with Year 5’s, community art installations, working with the grounds-men, beautifying the school, fundraising and even a group who give up their Sunday afternoons to volunteer with the Brisbane Paralympic Football Programs, and many others that I have not listed. All students have selected purposeful activities that not only demonstrate skills, but also are appreciating what it means to be a part of a community.

It is exciting to see how these projects will evolve over the next few weeks and into the future.

Blessings,

Mrs Julie Grosas
Careers and VET Leader

Music and the Arts

Junior Campus Music News

Arts Night—Tuesday 25 October (Week 4)

All Year 4-6 students, parents and caregivers are invited to our ‘Arts Night’.  There will be some displays of work created during Term 3, also performances from The Upper Primary Choir, Junior String Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble and soloists. We will see a special dance item from our newly formed dance troupe, a play in Spanish and special guest performance from our Senior College band “The Amplifers”.

This event will be held in The Shed from 5:45pm to view artwork and the concert will begin at 6pm.

College Cultural Awards

As the College Awards are being finalised, we realise that there are many students who participate in cultural activities outside of school.  This may include performances in dance schools, choirs, theatre companies, art competitions and eisteddfods.  The Cultural Awards are either Excellence or Honours.  These two awards will be based on commitment, reliability and advocacy within the College as well as the arts in the wider community.

If you feel your child meets the criteria, please use the link previously sent via SEQTA to inform us of any extra-curricular activities your child has been involved in this year before Friday October 21, 2022.

Classroom Music

Our Year 6 unit this term is titled “The Final Countdown:  Let’s play some games”.  For many students, after 6 years and 3 terms together, this is our final countdown.  Only a few lessons remaining before they head off to the big wide world (of middle school).  So we’re revisiting our learning by playing some favourite games over the last years.  Doggie Doggie is a clear favourite.  They’ll also be working on a project to create their musical theme park, designed to encourage them to research their favourite genre of music and then present it in any media they like.  Previous years have seen creations in Lego, Paddlepops and even Minecraft.

Carols—26 November

There is a combined Carols evening between our church and school communities on Saturday 26 November.  The Junior Campus choirs will be presenting several songs throughout the evening.  Further information to come.

Carols (take 2)—2 December

The Junior Campus Choirs have been invited to perform a 20min bracket of songs and carols at the Hills District Christmas Carols in the Park on Saturday 2 December.

Even though it’s the day after the College closes, if you’re available it’s a lovely way to end the year and celebrate the season.

  • George Willmore Park, 52 Ferny Hills Way, Ferny Hills
  • Choir performing at approx. 5:30pm (to be confirmed)
  • Solo performance by Mrs Cudney herself later in the evening

 

Sherree Cudney
Junior Campus Music

The Arts @ Junior Campus

 

We are looking for ways to celebrate our students’ contributions to the community in The Arts—whether it be music (Instrumental or choral), visual art, dance, drama, speech, theatre or media arts.

Has your child received an award or participated in a local, national or even international competition? Are they involved in a show or performance coming up? Let us know and send relevant photos and details so we can celebrate them together.

Rebecca Rees
Primary Arts Specialist

Middle & Senior Campus Music News

Shrek Musical Rehearsals Have Begun

As we enter Term 4, some of our ensembles have begun to evolve to support 2023 plans. Most significantly, we are excited to announce that rehearsals have begun for the POP23 Musical—SHREK.

Introducing:

Jai Bressan
in the role of SHREK

Amber Paul
in the role of Princess Fiona

Lilly Thom
in the role of Donkey

Jacob Howard Taylor
in the role of Lord Farquaad

Rehearsals for both drama and music are taking place on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons between 3.15 and 5.15pm and these will eventually involve students across both campuses. We have had our first read through, and if it is all as fun and funny as that was, we are in for a real treat. The talent and maturity of the students, who demonstrated a real passion for their craft and extraordinary respect for one another in the rehearsal process, was impressive.

A musical is a significant undertaking and as the overlap with choir was almost complete I have made the decision to take over the choir rehearsal time. We will still be able to rehearse and perform repertoire important to school events like Remembrance Day which is coming up in Term 4, by running that music at the start of our musical rehearsals. If the full musical commitment was not for your child, they can still come along between 3.15 and 3.45pm for a weekly sing.

We are currently in planning for a combined Christmas event with both the Senior and Junior Campus music ensembles and the Prince of Peace Church. The date is the evening of Saturday 26 November. Please put this into your diaries. As many students as possible will be involved with many of the older students who will actually have finished the day before offering their service. This is a true statement of who they are, and the depth of commitment of these young people. This is shaping up to be a wonderfully festive celebration of one of our core Christian calendar events.

In the lead up to this, all of our ensembles will continue to rehearse; their last rehearsals will be in Week 8 with no rehearsals called in the final week for Years 7 – 9.

If in doubt, please check your appointment reminders in SEQTA.

Stay Tuned!

Linda Brady
Middle & Senior Campus Curriculum Leader of Music and Coordinator of Extra-Curricular Music

Church News & Notices

Worship

Sunday 16 October

9am Worship

Youth@PoP — 3:30 to 5pm — Making Bug Hotels

5pm Together@5 

Please keep an eye on the Prince of Peace Church Facebook page for service updates.

Community News and Notices

Useful Links

College Calendar

Note: On some phones, this calendar may be best viewed  in landscape view (ie turning your phone sideways)