In this issue

United Sports League

In Term 1, 2021 Parklands will get involved in the inaugural United Sports League (USL) competition. USL will be for both primary (Thursday afternoons) and secondary (Monday afternoons) students. We are very excited for this opportunity and will aim to field teams in all divisions. Wednesday sport for secondary and Tuesday structured play will be used as training and preparation for the competition.

Vision

The United Sports League aims to provide students an opportunity to play in a weekly sporting competition that is of high quality and promotes individual growth, community and connection with other like-minded students and schools.

Below is the schedule for the year.

In 2021 we welcome two new staff to the Sport & Physical Education Department. Mr Max Volau comes on as our coach and Mr Josiah McCarthy comes as our new Sports Operations Officer. We had them answer some questions to help get to know them better.

1. Where did you grow up?
   Josiah: Mackay
   Max: Fiji then moved to Sydney for Senior School
2. What do you do in your spare time?
   Josiah: Enjoying the outdoors through running and surfing.
   Max: Always training
3. Favourite professional sporting team?
   Josiah: North Queensland Cowboys
   Max: Flying Fijians Rugby Team
4. Highest sporting achievement as an athlete?
   Josiah: Bronze 4x400m at Australian Junior Athletics Championships
   Max: Australian Champ Martial Arts, Represented NSW in Gridiron, Sydney University 2^nd XV
5. Highest sporting achievement as a coach?
   Josiah: U13s Girls Rugby 7s winning the Mackay 7s.
   Max: World Youth Athletics and World Juniors Athletics Australian Team Coach, PNG Talent Identification Officer, Nauru National Team Athletics Coach
6. Why do you coach sport?
   Josiah: To give students the opportunity to participate in sport and to help develop them into the best athlete they can be.
   Max: I uphold a holistic approach to empowering growth in personal and mental development of students and athletes alike.
7. What are you most excited about for PCC Sport in 2021?
   Josiah: Seeing our teams back up and running as well as the three big sporting carnivals.
   Max: Pursuing excellence in sport, take PCC Sport to the next level which we are capable of. I am privileged to be part of it.

Brisbane Broncos Sporting Schools

Last week two former Broncos players Matt Gillett and Jack Reed came to PCC to run a rugby league skills session with our 6H and 6B classes. This is all thanks to funding through the Sporting Schools program. The students were excited to learn off the players and test their skills against other class mates. Well done to Eleanor Krueger, Nic Emblem and Caitlyn Cresswell for receiving the Best Attitude Awards chosen by the Broncos players.

Connections for over the holidays! ENJOY time with your child!!!

Do you feel loved when someone offers to take you out for a coffee? Or what about if they clean your house? Maybe if they straight out let you know that they love you? Knowing someone’s love language allows us the secret to making the people we care about know that we love them. What about your kids? How do they express and receive love?

As we head into the holidays and time with our families, consider how you can let your children know how you feel about them. If your child responds to words of affirmation, actions will not speak louder than words. Just by hearing the words ‘I love you’ can instantly make them feel loved. The words of affirmation child loves to be complimented and to hear that they are doing a good job and how. Maybe write them a note and let them know that you love them and what it is that you love about them.

A quality time person feels loved when they have your undivided attention. Nothing says ‘I love you’ like sitting down with them and asking them how they are. You may like to consider taking your child/ren out for a milkshake or baby chino, just you and them, or setting aside a time when they can choose the activity. It doesn’t have to cost a thing, even a walk or a trip to the park. Either way it’s about saying I’m making time to for you.

Perhaps your child responds well to receiving gifts. This does not necessarily mean that you need to be continually buying them things to let them know that you love them. This child loves the thoughtfulness and care behind a gift, so it may be picking a flower for them or making them something simple such as a card or scrap book of memories. Even though it may drive you crazy at times, let your child keep mementos from special occasions like napkins or stones. Whatever it may be, it’s simply something that says I was thinking about you.

If your child is an acts of service person then hopefully they will recognise your love for them every day in all that you do for them! But acts of service does not necessarily mean you have to do everything for them. Make your acts of service personal to this child. Perhaps cooking their favourite meal just for them or help them out with their assigned chore. You might like to work on building something together. This child feels loved when you take the time to do something as an act of love specifically for them.

To the child who experiences love through physical touch it’s pretty straightforward – nothing says I love you like cuddles, kisses, back rubs or holding their hand. But what about as your child becomes a teenager and suddenly your kisses and hugs seem unwanted or awkward to them? Especially in public! Because this child still experiences love by physical touch it’s important not to stop doing these things, but instead keep it age appropriate. When you are talking to your child sit next to them, maybe put your arm around them or rub them on the back. Physical presence is vital for this child.

To find out more about the 5 love languages, or to take the quiz to find out what your child’s love language is go to http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

I thought I’d include a link to ‘5 Principles to Stay Safe Online‘ resource for parents that you can share.
Have a safe and happy Christmas and we look forward to 2021.

Mindfulness Exercises for Children

The Power of Listening

Ring a bell, a wind chime, or anything else that creates a long trailing sound. Ask each child to listen, and silently raise their hand when they can no longer hear the sound. After the ringing ends, ask the children to continue listening to any other sounds they can hear for the next minute. When the minute ends, go around the room asking everyone to tell you what sounds they heard.

Featured Apps for Teenagers/Young Adults

Reach Out Worry Time

Helps control anxiety by scheduling worry so that it is confined to a specific time each day. (Free)

MindShift

Includes strategies to relax and develop more helpful ways of thinking. (Free)

UniThrive

Includes self-care notices, gratitude and a relaxation centre (free).

@ppreciate

Promotes good self-esteem and positive communication between young people.

Bully Beater

Assists teenagers to develop the skills needed to overcome a bully.

Friend Maker

Assists teenagers to develop skills needed to make and keep a friend.

The Uniform Shop has now moved into the new location at the end of Hillcrest Road – 24 Hillcrest Rd.

School Days only

2020 – The year that was!

Wow, how this year has flown by! It seemed like just the other day I was welcoming this year’s Prep students and parents to the school for the first time. By the time you read this article the academic year will be finished and Christmas soon upon you.
Can I say we have had the most unusual year imaginable!

With COVID, quarantine, working from home and then all the strict COVID regulations and plans throughout this year, we have had to adapt, be flexible and just make it happen!

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the amazing teachers for their tremendous effort, dedication and support, this year!

Apart from all the ‘usual’ fun class teaching, sporting carnivals and great events, here are some features and highlights for the year:

• We welcomed Mr. Cully as the new Headmaster
• New staff included Mr. Ashley & Mrs. Lisa Edwards
• New TA’s are Tanya Green Yr 6, Sue Martin Yr 3
• Two, full classes per Grade again all the way through Primary School
• A splendid, very informative and enjoyable Back to School BBQ evening
• A great Primary Swimming Carnival
• A fun Grade 6 Camp
• iPads used extensively in Yr 5 and Yr 6
• Face Book used more readily as an information / communication tool
• Drop Off Area process monitored by staff and the Yr 6 leaders really worked well this year
• Different bell song of a morning and afternoon
• LoKop, Friendship Groups and Learn for Life program increased in the school
• On line subscriptions and resources (e.g. Literacy Planet, Reading Eggs, Maths Pathway) were increased and improved
• Scholastic Book Sales was very well promoted and supported
• Mrs. Kerr has done a wonderful job promoting books and reading during Book Week.
• Book Week activities and parade was awesome
• Lots of new wonderful class resources like Library books, class readers and teaching aids were purchased
• Student Leadership of Captains, Vice Captains, Class Ambassadors, Sport, Library, Chapel, Art & Music Captains did a wonderful job this year
• Prep Readiness Testing and Orientation Day enabled staff, Preppies and Prep parents to become acquainted with one another and the ‘Parklands Way’
• Yr. 6 Graduation Ceremony took place in the Auditorium
• Yr. 6 Transition Day allowing students to experience Middle School staff and venues
• Prep Transition Week was a great opportunity for Preps to get to experience ‘big’ school.
• Pro Soccer, Cricket, Basketball, Softball and Netball coaching plus lots of different sport training (athletics, Cross Country) offered a morning or during Structured Playtime
• Yr. 6 Table Tennis training and a Hand Ball competition was offered
• Students enjoy playing in second half of morning tea and lunch time
• Duty staff monitored games/soccer played on oval, during structured play
• Top oval, fields and Baskerville Sports Centre used for training and HPE
• Remembrance Day was held in classrooms
• Awards Day ceremonies to place in the auditorium (unfortunately without parents)
• End of Year activities, Class Parties and Circus Day all went off without a hitch and were enjoyed by all.

In preparing for 2021, can we please ask that you allow the teachers, who only want the BEST for and who know your child here at school, to place them in the care of the right teacher next year? This ‘student placement process’ is taken very seriously and is extremely inclusive and involved taking into consideration factors like: academic ability & rigour, student & teacher personalities & character, social / behavioural and emotional factors, friendships, gender ratios etc.!

In the New Year, students will receive an informative “Welcome Letter” from their new 2021 class teacher notifying them as to which classroom they’ll be in. Thank you for not putting in any requests for staff or students and for your understanding, support and assistance in this regard.

Staffing for 2021

– Miss McNabb has resigned and Mrs. Hannah Swanborough has been appointed to the Yr. 2 position.
– Miss Needs has resigned and Mr. Simon Ashley has moved to Yr. 5.
– Mrs. Melissa Wilson, a regular supply teacher, has been appointed to the Yr. 3 position, vacated by Mr. Ashley.
– Mr. Lewis has resigned and will be replaced by Mr. Chase Werner
– Mr. Holman (Yr 6 Teacher) will assist Mr. Jakins and take on the role of Assistant to the Head of Primary
– Mrs. Jones will be moving to the Grounds Team and Mrs. Kissick the Yr. 5 TA, (who was taking a year’s leave) will be returning to Yr. 5.

Teacher Aides for 2020 are as follows:

Prep F – Nicole Lowe, Prep H – Rachel Baskerville, Yr 1 – Angela Marsh, Yr 2 – Christine Hollenberg, Yr 3 – Sue Martin, Yr 4 – Elke Morgan, Yr 5 – Michelle Kissick, Yr 6 – Tanya Greene.

REMINDER:

1. Student need to be in the CORRECT Uniform daily, which include WHITE, LEATHER Upper sneakers with their sport uniform.
2. NO hat NO play! Students without a hat will sit out of play.
3. Structured Play starts at 2.30pm so students can be collected from the Undercover Area by a guardian any time from 2.30pm.
4. The End of the Primary School Day is at 3.10pm.
5. Students need to be collected from the Undercover Area by a guardian or older sibling and cannot leave on their own.
6. Students not collected by 3.30pm will be taken up to Student Services where they will be supervised until collected.

Thank you everyone for your flexibility, understanding and support in making it through 2020! We wish you everything of the best for the Christmas Season and an enjoyable, safe holiday!

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday the 27^th January 2021 for a fantastic New Year.

Free Dental Care

FREE DENTAL CARE

Bus QLD Schools_

Bus Queensland Pty Ltd, in partnership with TransLink, will be making several improvements to school bus services for Term 1 2021.

There is also information on our website regarding these changes. ( https://www.busqld.com.au/school )

PRT Changes to School Bus Routes (effective 27-01-2021)

Border Restrictions Update

Dear Parents & Carers

This update is provided in relation to various COVID – 19 border restriction.

As you are aware, the Queensland borders were opened to Victoria and New South Wales from 1^st December 2020. The only current Queensland border restrictions relate to certain parts of South Australia. It is understood the South Australian restrictions will be reviewed by the Government later this week. See https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/border-restrictions for further details.

If you intend to travel over the Christmas Break, please be aware of border restrictions and hot spots to avoid.  We want to keep our community safe and healthy, so please familiarize yourself with the latest border and hotspot information prior to travel.

Year 7 Geography

This term, Year 7 students have learned about the water cycle, the value and importance of water, and some of the ways natural disasters involving water impact our lives. They have worked in small groups to research a natural disaster of their choice, and spent a few lessons creating a display to share with others. Some of the projects have utilised some very creative skills and clever fact-finding.

Parklands Announced Qld School Champion

Congratulations to our Year 8A & 8C Business Studies classes who entered the annual “Buy Smart” competition and secured the Queensland School Champion prize. 

During Term Three our Business students undertook a challenge posed by the Qld Office of Fair Trading called the “Buy Smart” competition. Students developed a creative project as assessment, to teach others about marketplace issues and their rights to help them become more informed consumers.

By becoming an informed consumer, they will have the skills and knowledge to:

• recognise and avoid scams
• improve your financial capability
• use your consumer rights when you need them.

The Buy Smart Competition is a way to get you thinking about these issues in a fun, creative way.

We are pleased to announce the Parklands won the overall Queensland School Champion prize and $1500. Amy Finch (8C) also took out 3rd prize in her Year 7 -9 category and won $150.

Congratulations to Miss Dixon and all students involved, we are extremely proud of your efforts.

What a year 2020 has been!

At the beginning of the year I had many wonderful plans and I will admit some of them were quite ambitious. I wanted my Year 7’s to be immersed in our Secondary community of love, to thrive as they tackled their academic studies and to be curious, creative and fearless as they flourished in 2020. As we began the journey of 2020 those plans quickly had to be put on hold.

This year has been a year of continual change, learning to be flexible, adjusting plans and building resilience.

I have been constantly amazed at how the Year 7’s have tackled the events that have come their way this year. They very quickly adjusted to Secondary College life and were practicing online learning before the end of term 1. They then spent most of term 2 learning from home via PCConline. Term 3 was disrupted by a short 2 week return to PCConline and term 4 has been a particularly busy term.

I have been so proud of the resilience the Year 7’s have develop this year. My grand plans may not have come to fruition this year, but God’s plan was greater and though this year has been tough, I have rejoiced in the community of love the students and staff have nurtured to support the Year 7’s in both their tough and joyful times this year.

Through the many challenges 2020 has brought us I have learnt some wonderful lessons from my Year 7’s:

• Never give up
• Laugh
• Break a task into small pieces and keep going
• Check your email and Google Classroom every day! Every single day
• Tik Tok dance moves
• Learn something new everyday
• Set small achievable goals
• Smile
• You are never too old for fruit snack
• We are all in this together
• There is nothing like a cold popper or Zooper Dooper on a hot day

Overall, 2020 has been a wonderful year full of laughter, joy and blessings. It has been wonderful to watch each of my Year 7’s grow into a more mature and independent young adult and I am so grateful to have spent the year with them.

I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas

I wish you and your family a blessed holiday break. May your break be a time of restoration and family connectedness as you take a reprieve from the daily routine of school runs, homework and assessments? May you have a joyful break and enjoy both spiritual and physical renewal and find rejuvenating rest in the mind and spirit of your family.

Amen

School Holiday Activities away from devices

• Darling Downs Zoo
• The Brisbane Botanical Gardens and Sir Thomas Planetarium at Mount Cootha
• The Queensland Museum and Science Centre
• The Ipswich Railway Workshops
• Brisbane City Council Chill out programs (check them out) FREE
• Abbey Museum at Caboolture
• Karawatha Environment Centre FREE
• Make a kite and go and fly it in a local park FREE
• Find a local river or creek and enjoy some water play, dam building and creek fun. FREE
• Take a trip to Springbrook National Park and visit the glow worms. FREE
• Head to New Farm Park and enjoy climbing the trees FREE
• Go to Scarborough Beach Park – Climbing trees is good for the soul. FREE
• Go for a drive up to Mount Tamborine- take in the views- pack a picnic – enjoy the fresh air and if you fancy take the treetop walk or book the kids into some thunder egg seeking at Thunderbird Park.
• Head out for a picnic at the Cleveland Lighthouse. FREE
• Climb Mount Coolum at sunrise FREE
• Daisy Hill Recreational Centre FREE
• Go and visit the islands (Lamb island, Russell Island, MacLeay Island, Coochiemudlo Island, Stradbroke Island)
• Walk across to King Island on low tide. FREE
• Go to White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate and enjoy many of the walks. FREE
• Head to the Boondall Wetlands, visit the Nurri Millen art totems, do a spot of bird watching and go for a bike ride along the mangrove boardwalks. FREE
• Visit the Redlands IndigiScapes Centre and walk through the bush tucker garden. FREE
• Visit the Dandiiri Schools and Community Library and enjoy exploring some of the nearby cafes and shops. (Dr Tailby loves visiting some of the local Vietnamese cafes) FREE
• Head out to the Wivenhoe Dam on a day trip. FREE
• Visit Slaughter Falls for a bbq and then make the walk up to the summit at Mount Coot-tha. FREE
• Visit the Kumbartcho Environmental Centre at Eatons Hill for a play on their fenced playground and a walk through their lush grounds. They also have a native plants nursery onsite and a fairy garden they kids will enjoy. FREE

Border Restrictions Update

Dear Parents & Carers

This update is provided in relation to various COVID – 19 border restriction.

As you are aware, the Queensland borders were opened to Victoria and New South Wales from 1^st December 2020. The only current Queensland border restrictions relate to certain parts of South Australia. It is understood the South Australian restrictions will be reviewed by the Government later this week. See https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/border-restrictions for further details.

If you intend to travel over the Christmas Break, please be aware of border restrictions and hot spots to avoid.  We want to keep our community safe and healthy, so please familiarize yourself with the latest border and hotspot information prior to travel.

Year One

What an interesting year 2020 has been! There were definite challenges but nevertheless, the students continued to amaze us and we are so proud of how diligently they worked and how much they achieved.

We ended our year with our Friday Fun Day! We had a jumping castle water slide, snow cone machine, biscuit decorating and many other fun activities to keep us busy on the last day of school. We enjoyed pizza for lunch (thank you Tinson family) and ended our day with some snacks and a movie.

We cannot thank our Year 1 families enough for the tremendous support you have given us throughout the year. We are going to dearly miss our little ones and will not stop praying for them as they continue to Year 2 in 2021.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a most blessed holiday break with family.

Term Dates 2021

Parklands Outside School Hours Care is situated within the school grounds of Parklands Christian College in the Prep Building Area.  The service operates for before school, after school and vacation care.  Before and after school care offers a nutritious breakfast/afternoon tea and children are able to engage in a variety of activities based on their interests.

During the school term the service operates from 6:30-8:30am and 3:00-6:00pm (with office staff available from 2pm), and vacation care from 6:30am-6:00pm.  Parklands OSHC have qualified educators and encourage parents and families to pop into the service to discuss any care needs, suggestions or ideas or alternatively via phone 3297 0577 or email: parklandsbookings@bigpond.com.

We currently have limited spots available for before and after school care and advise families that a current 2020 enrolment is required to accept all bookings including emergency care bookings.

We look forward to assisting with all your care needs.

School Transport Assistance Scheme

The Queensland Government offers financial assistance to parents of both state and non-state school students travelling to and from school daily by private arrangement. This is known as STAS (School Transport Assistance Scheme).

Please phone the Gold Coast office on 5630 8857 to clarify your eligibility. Alternatively you can visit their website http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/schooltransport