In this issue

Calling & Departure Ceremony – The Rite Journey

On Friday 1^st of March, The Rite Journey celebrated our first event of the year, the Calling and Departure Ceremony!

Starting at school, the year 9 students arrived at the BSC and played some games, before boarding buses headed to Mount Tambourine. Excited cheers and gasps filled the buses as we arrived at the grassy lookout, where students enjoyed dinner on the hill. Once everyone had finished, they formed groups, competing in a group task, about on the stages of the Rite Journey, and what each represented. Students then formed a circle, listening to Mrs. Smith and Mr. Braun, as they shared passages about the role that mother and father figures can play in a young person’s life, as well as the importance of gratitude and appreciation.

As the sun set, students broke off individually and reflected on their lives so far, as they chose one childish behaviour they would like to leave behind. Once they had shared this decision with their rite journey group, Mr. Kong and Miss Stevens led the group in prayer, reading from Jeremiah 29:11, followed by ‘The Dash’.

Upon arrival, parents and families met their child, before gathering around the fire, to start the Departure Ceremony. As Pastor Warman prayed over the cohort, Mr. Braun lit the fire for the teachers to burn the student’s paper form the Calling Ceremony, signifying their commitment to get rid of these behaviours.

The families then moved off into different areas across the senior school, where students presented letters of gratitude, surprising a number of our parents.

In return, families revealed the items they had brought from their student’s childhood, sharing memories and hopes from the past and what the future holds for their child. To end the evening, students introduced their families to their Rite Journey Teacher, discussing their choice of behaviour, as they embark on the next stage of their journey, into adulthood.

On behalf of the Rite Journey staff, we would like to thank the families, the bus drivers, the additional Parklands Staff and the Active Volunteering students, who made this evening so memorable for our students and community.

Year 12 Design

And that’s a wrap! As part of their Unit 3 studies in Human Centred Design, Term 1 of 2024 saw students researching the experience of volunteering in their local community. To gain first-hand information and witness for themselves the volunteering experience, students participated in a street outreach excursion with Rosie’s ‘friends on the street’ so that each student had the opportunity to serve at Logan and Beenleigh outreach locations through the mission of Rosies. Rosies aims to offer friendship and unconditional acceptance to those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or are experiencing social isolation or loneliness. Just as you would offer a cup of tea or coffee to a friend who was visiting your home, we do the same for our friends on the street. “In our home of hospitality, love, joy, peace and friendship, we welcome those from every corner of society with unconditional acceptance. Like Jesus, we invite all to the banquet” (Fr. Joe Antony OMI).

The youth engagement placements were conducted over a series of weeks this term, under the direction of Mrs Dennys, Mr Greentree and Mrs Wallis who also volunteered their own personal time for the experience. Observational data was collected about the user experience to inform students’ creative responses to the Design IA2 folio topic about improving the volunteering experience. Duties conducted on the outreach included: Assist the team in packing van; Preparing tea/coffee/food in readiness for outreach; Serve tea/coffee/noodles/other food on street outreach; Pack-up, cleaning and other duties after each outreach; Participate in a pre-briefing and debriefing process; Observe Health and Safety practices; reporting to the Team Leader any hazards or incidents during outreach and exemplifying the values of Rosies at all times. Boy did our students live up to the challenge!

Given this social inclusion experience was piloted at Parklands Christian College for the very first time this year, we are absolutely thrilled with the success of the rollout of this program and in particular, the very positive feedback! Students have expressed how appreciative they are to have been able to participate in serving food to patrons on the street and most are saying they can’t wait to go back to serve again. Our hope here at Parklands is that our young adults of the future will cherish this unique opportunity to empathise with, show care, respect and dignity to people who are less fortunate than themselves. And how timely it is that in this holy season of lent, that our young people are working in the spirit of Jesus Christ our lord’s second commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). In reflecting upon this on the eve of Jesus’ crucifiction, we rejoice in the opportunity to deepen our connection with God and to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Rosies – Friends on the Street provides community, connection and friendship for people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage, hardship and social isolation across Queensland. Their team of 1600 volunteers are out on the street every single night of the year thanks to the support of the communities where they operate. Should you wish to show your support of Rosies today, this will go to help people in need tonight. To understand Rosie’s connection and why we chose their organisation, check out this video link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvyUhI6Dgjk

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

What an amazing start to our  new chapter in the Primary Village – a place where each and every staff member strives to care for students through quality Christian education that inspires them to flourish, to love God, and to love others as themselves. I sincerely thank our primary staff who have worked tirelessly in partnership with families, always striving to achieve this mission. Thank you families, for your ongoing support towards your children, staff and each other.

Happy Easter

For the past twelve days, students in Prep to Year 6 have enjoyed an Easter Bible Scavenger hunt, as a fun way to learn about and reflect on the true meaning of Easter. All primary students have shared this message with the elderly at local nursing homes through the creation of Easter cards. Staff and some year six leaders personally delivered these cards, which were gratefully received. Reflecting with the students on the way back to school on the one visit I personally attended, my heart was warmed, listening to the year 6 students talk about how wonderful it was to spread kindness and to see the elderly faces light up.

While there will likely be Easter bunnies, chocolate and family get-togethers, I pray that amidst these celebrations, you find time to celebrate the significance of Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection. Understanding Easter from a Christian perspective is important because without the belief of Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection, there is no Christianity and no Christian Easter. I encourage all in our community to  consider the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation and the hope this brings. If you are looking for somewhere to pause and reflect, I encourage you to join the Parklands Church congregation on Good Friday at 10am and again on Easter Sunday at 10am. 

Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you so much to the many families who took the time to connect with teachers for Parent Teacher Interviews. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for open communication, mutual understandings and collaboration in supporting each student’s growth and learning journey. Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to nurture and empower our students so they strive academically, socially and spiritually.

Forging Fab Friendships in Four

What a privilege it was to spend the night with our year four students on their first school sleepover – and here in our five star Primary Village accommodation!! The students had a wonderful day building resilience and forging fabulous friendships through team building games, lego challenges, archery, mosaic making and so much more. A special thank you to Mrs Powel and Mrs Koplic, who planned this wonderful experience and also to Mrs Smith, Mr Goh, Mr Crawford, and Mr and Mrs Armanasco for giving up their Friday night to build relationships with our year four students and create happy memories that these students will treasure for life.

Primary Wet Weather Pick Up Procedure

Firstly, thank you for supporting us in getting the collect and go moving more smoothly. We are getting there! We appreciate your patience and ongoing support as we refine this procedure. Unlike last year, this year we have had a number of wet weather pickups. If it is wet weather procedure we will continue to use the collect and go procedure, with students sitting in their Covered Outdoor Learning Areas  (COLA) rather than in the quick pick up area. Thank you for your additional patience as the children walk from their classrooms down to the car. Alternatively, you are welcome to park and walk in to collect your child from his or her classroom, or you may park and then ask the teacher with the walkie talkie to call your child. 

Occasionally wet weather may be called when it does not appear to be raining. This will be in an instance such as it has previously been raining and the cement is too wet for the children to sit on. There will be a sign at the beginning of the main walkway (Rosia Road and Church Carparks) to indicate it is “Wet Weather Procedure ”.

April Date Claimers

• Monday 15 April – Term 2 commences
• Wednesday 17 April – Rescheduled Cross Country and Colour Run
• Wednesday 24 April – Years 5 to 12 ANZAC day service 
• Wednesday 24 April – P-3 ANZAC day service (in chapel time)
• Wednesday 24 April – Year 4 St Helena Island Excursion

Warmest Easter Blessings to All, 

Anne-Maree

akingston@parklands.qld.edu.au

Prep

The Preppies wrapped up the term with a delightful range of activities. Our families and beloved teddy bears joined us in the prep playground for a Teddy Bears’ picnic! We immersed ourselves in all things bear-related including painting sessions, constructing cosy homes for our bears, reading bear-themed books, crafting cute bear ears, and sharing delicious treats. The Evergreen puppet show introduced us to the wonders of rainforest animals and taught valuable lessons on how to care for this special place. To complement our Term One theme, ‘God Made Me Special’, we shared stories about our families, talked about our talents and made photo albums to show how we have grown and changed. We loved listening to Easter stories and celebrating Jesus by making wonderful Easter crafts and decorations for our families.

Amidst all the excitement this term, we explored numbers and sounds and are even starting to read and write words and sentences! We are so proud of how much the preppies have learned this term, and we can’t wait to continue this amazing journey with our friends and families next term. We wish you all a safe and happy Easter!

Year 1

As we bid farewell to Term 1, we can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had together. From our inaugural Year 1 chapel to the mesmerizing puppet show exploring the wonders of Australian Rainforests, each moment has been nothing short of magical.

Our students embraced challenges head-on when exploring physical and chemical changes through S’mores in a solar oven, melting ice blocks and making popcorn. The students later on in the week put their learning, creativity and problem-solving skills into action as they constructed and tested boats from recyclable materials. Amidst the excitement, we delved deep into the world of numbers, mastering counting up to 100 and honing our skills in skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.

Term 1 was a testament to the enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication of our students and staff alike. As we look forward to the adventures that await in Term 2, let’s carry forward the spirit of exploration and learning that made Term 1 truly fantastic!

Year 2

Year 2 has enjoyed a splendid second half of term 1!

Our biggest highlight was our visit to Wolston Farmhouse. What a treat it was to head out on a bus and visit a historic landmark. The farmhouse took us back in time to the 1800’s and we got to experience first hand what life was like and how different technology was long ago. The children were fascinated by all the various items and especially liked washing the clothes!

Along with our day to day school work, we have enjoyed taking a closer look into the meaning of Easter over the last couple of weeks. The children have come to appreciate God’s greatest gift, His Son, and have been learning about how we can continue to share God’s amazing love with others. It is always such a blessing to see our kiddos demonstrating kindness to one another daily and working hard to bring smiles to others in our school community.

Year 2 would love to send big blessings out to all our families this Easter. Enjoy the break and we look forward to seeing you all in Term 2!

Take care!
from Year 2!

Year 3

Year 3 has had an exciting and super busy March! A major highlight for us this month was our Science incursion. Students entered a cosmodome and were able to consolidate and continue learning all about how God made day and night and also how shadows change. It was a fun way to end an engaging and hands on Science unit!

We also all loved swimming! Students get to travel together to the pool and have some time learning to swim and having fun together in the pool. We also learnt about water and bus safety during this time. It is always fantastic fun, despite it being tiring!

3B had a super special time with having a Preservice Teacher, Miss Forbes for the last 5 weeks. It is always great to have another teacher to love and another way to learn and 3B was super blessed to have Miss Forbes for all of March. We want to say a big thank you to Miss Forbes for all her hard work and for bringing something extra special to 3B during her prac at Parklands, we will all miss you!

Year 3 also had a fun time writing their persuasive flyers and presenting their persuasive speeches to their classes, trying to convince their peers (and the staff) that they should be class captain. In line with our HASS unit on democratic decision making, the students then voted for who they would like to be class captain! It was great to see their presentations and we look forward to our class captains serving our classes for the rest of the year!

Harmony Day this year was really fun (and busy). Students were able to wear orange and year 3 completed a collaborative colouring about belonging and how we are all made in God’s image – all different and all wonderful! The highschoolers also put on some special activities during break times with face painting and hand print art. It is always great to celebrate difference.

We hope and pray you all have a blessed, safe and relaxed Easter and holidays. We can’t wait to have all the students back rested and ready to start Term 2. Thanks to all the parents who have helped this term, especially with swimming but also in many other ways.

Year 4

This month our students have consolidated their term’s learning while creating  Easter cards for local Nursing home residents, celebrating Harmony Day and engaging in our clubs and other whole school activities such as our World Environment Calendar. Congratulations to William and Blake, whose entries have been submitted as our Year 4 winners! The students have worked exceptionally hard this month finalising their digital portfolios in Maths as well as completing other assessments.

The students had so much fun at our Camp/ sleepover with exceptional participation and best behaviour. We are so proud of how they bravely engaged with each new activity.

Overall, it has been an awesome term. The Year 4 team prays you have a wonderful break, enjoying all the blessings God gives to us daily.

Blessings, Miranda, Julie, Janine and Alicia.

Year 5

Term 1 has been a term of “new things” for Year 5, we have had new experiences, new responsibilities, our first camp, a new classroom, our first online NAPLAN, and new iPads. We are discovering just how difficult it can be, being responsible for our own devices, our own homework, and our own Math Modules. Yet we have grown and leaned to shoulder these responsibilities with dignity.

With Easter just around the corner, we have hunted for Easter Eggs filled with scripture relating to the Easter Story, we have coloured Easter Cards and images, we have made Easter crosses and completed Easter activities, and we have remembered the real meaning behind Easter. We have remembered all that Jesus sacrificed on the cross for us and worshiped Him because He first loved us. We look forward with excitement and anticipation to the remainder of our year and wonder what “new things” still lay in store for us!

Easter is a special holiday that we celebrate to remember that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to save us from our sins. We are all sinners because we have disobeyed God. God is holy and just. He cannot let sinners enter Heaven. God sent Jesus Christ, His Son, into the world to live a perfect life in our place and then to die in our place, to take the punishment for our sins. Jesus did that because he loves each one of us. If we believe in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we can be saved from our sins and look forward to spending all of eternity in Heaven with God. We should celebrate because Jesus has conquered the grave and given us new life!

Happy Easter

From Mrs Edwards & Mrs O’Callaghan

It’s been a busy month for sport. Our students have been competing across multiple sports (touch football and futsal) in weekly competition with the USL, as well as travelling away to compete at the CSSAQ Futsal and Swim gala days. We’ve had a number of students making huge strides in trials for Netball, Swimming, AFL and athletics, with some of those gaining state honours to represent QLD at Nationals next month. A special shout out goes to Riley Tinson, who swam at the Met West trials earlier in the term (Coach Walker sends his sincere apologies to Riley for missing him from last month’s newsletter). Volleyball was the order of the day for our first Students vs Teachers match and despite an early lead to the students, and in what has been touted as the greatest comeback of all time, it came as little surprise that the teachers came away with the win.

Thanks to all our students who have competed, parents who have supported, and teachers and staff who have coached, Parklands sporting spirit is alive and well.

Mums and dads, we love to hear about your child’s sporting exploits. Please email sport@parklands.qld.edu.au when you have news or updates on their progress. We’d love to hear it!

Primary

USL touch football

• Mixed – Team red 1st place, Team blue 2nd place

USL Futsal

• Girls – 2nd

Secondary

USL Futsal

• Senior boys – 1st (undefeated)
• Intermediate girls – 2nd
• Intermediate boys – 2nd
• Junior boys A – 1st, B – 2nd
• Junior girls – 2nd
• Junior boys – 2nd

Term 1 for our Connections Crew has been a super busy one but our Hospitality students have stepped up and worked extremely hard to make the Cafe a warm and welcoming space for everyone to vibe with.

Our wonderful team of Teachers are dedicated to each and every student and we all work together to create this much loved morning ritual become the start of an enjoyable school day!

We thank everyone within the Parklands community who visits Connections and supports us, not to mention the many parents who allow their children $$ for a treat!

Next term, we will be back open in Week 2, so keep an eye out for specials coming into the cooler months.

With love & blessings for this Easter period,

from the Connections Crew xx

Health Bay at Parklands College is emphasising Allergy Awareness this month, focusing on the health and safety of our students and staff by addressing allergies and anaphylaxis. With a number of community members living with allergies triggered by various factors, it’s critical to maintain vigilance and support to ensure everyone’s well-being. Our approach includes:

Holiday Connection Time

As we enter into the reflective season of Easter and enjoy the school holiday time, it’s a great time to also reflect on our own connection and communication at home with our families. Holiday’s give us and our children an opportunity to take a breather without the pressures of homework, tests/exams, school lunch prep, sports practices and often, offer a more relaxed routine. If we as parents are working, our children still feel the release of expectations sometimes associated with the school term.

The school holidays are the perfect time to engage, re-engage and have fun with your children.

As our children grow they will have different expectations around connection and as they stretch their muscles of independence, the way we connect with them changes. It’s helpful to gauge the needs of our children and what fills their tank. Check out the 5 Love Languages website and do the quiz with your children if you are unsure https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language

We do not need to take a holiday to another location in order to connect. There are many ways we can communicate and have fun whilst being at home or in our local area. Connection and fun are good for our children’s mental and emotional health. Having strong, healthy and stable relationships are a key factor in the development of good mental health. On top of that, finding activities away from constant phone and screen use that engage the body and the mind is good for our wellbeing.

Here are some low-cost ideas for the holidays:

As a family:

Road trip – pack some food and head on an adventure to somewhere you have never been. Check out a local walking track, picnic spot, waterfall or beach.

Game time – put technology away and get the cards and board games out. Head to Kmart as a family and pick out a new game you could play over holidays. Some of our team favourites include Monopoly, Rummi-Kub, Sequence, Balderdash and Cluedo. We also love card games including Monopoly Deal, Phase 10, Uno, and Skip Bo. Make a day of it, snacks are compulsory!

Get active – Go and kick a ball around, take a trip to the local park, take a fitness class together or head to the local swimming pool for some water fun.

YES-DAY – We suggest watching the Yes Day movie first. Then decide on a budget and a few ground rules. Hand the reigns over to your kids and let them design a Yes Day – they might plan your outfit, your activities and what food you will eat – and you cannot say no! It’s a lesson in self-control for us as parents but the kids will enjoy planning it, enjoy your constant Yes and remember for years to come.

Younger children:

Art Club at home – time to get messy! Get an old sheet or tarpaulin, some paper and all the craft equipment you have at home. Allow for messy play, gluing, painting and making wonderful creations.

Wheel-athon – take your scooters and bikes to the nearest skate park and create some fun challenges for the kids they need to tick of while they are there

Baking Day – younger children love to support with measuring, mixing and taste testing. Older children can lead the process – maybe you could be the baker’s assistant and then enjoy the muffins, brownies and bread that are created!

Fort building – get all your chairs, sheets, blankets and pillows togerther and allow your children to go wild with their imagination, building a fort, or castle, or reading nook. Leave it up for a couple of days and encourage using it to read, imaginative play and even for sleeping!

Older children:

Water days – older children with water safety awareness who love being outdoors might enjoy a morning kayaking or an afternoon on a stand up paddle board. These build strength, balance and support good mental health by being outside in the fresh air and getting the body moving.

Ice cream adventures – do some research and find some of the most delicious, whacky and fun ice creams in the city. Take a trip into town and visit the one that suits you the best. Maybe enjoy a walk through the city with your ice cream and take some photos to remember!

Learn something new – Find a local art or fitness class and go together to learn a new skill. It might be pottery, cooking, Muay Thai or macramé! Perhaps they could design a business to sell their new creations and pitch their business plan to their family.

Library adventures – visit a bunch of local libraries in your city – explore and discover new books, reading nooks and make a list of the things you loved about each one so you know which ones to visit next time.

Teenagers:

Visit the local art gallery and discuss the themes and creative perspective.

Golf – head to the local driving range for a hit out – a great way to focus on a target, have fun and release some stress.

Movie marathon: pick a movie series, stock up on snacks and stay in your pyjamas – sometimes it’s nice to relax and take turns predicting what’s going to happen next!

Camping – you don’t have to go far, even if it’s the local camping ground or your back yard, enjoy an evening or two as you roast marshmallows, cook up some damper and sit round the fire.

Go on a DATE – children appreciate uninterrupted time with just you! Whether it’s a Starbucks frappe, sushi or walking the dog together, take time individually for each child in the holidays – they will cherish those special times that they had you all to themselves.

Programs and activities

Our local community is filled with wonderful activity ideas. If you prefer something more structured or focused on something specific, take a look at the following ideas for workshops, locally run activities and social/emotional programs:

Lemonade Kids: https://www.lemonadekids.com.au/programs/

KRANK Logan: https://www.logan.qld.gov.au/krank-school-holiday-program-2

Standing Strong: https://standingstrongclubs.com/

Logan library activities: https://loganlibraries.org/whats-on/

Logan Art Gallery: https://www.loganarts.com.au/venue/logan-art-gallery/

The heart behind all of the above ideas is relationship and connection. Children thrive when they are known, loved and understood. Take this time to get to know your child more. Find out what makes them tick. Acknowledge the ways they have changed and grown already this year and enjoy having FUN these holidays!

YEAR 10-12 CLS

During Year 10 – 12 Christian Life Studies (CLS), students had the opportunity to select elective rotations to attend for a duration of 6 weeks. Among these, the “Voices for Change” rotation stood out for its focus on addressing pressing issues such as human trafficking. It’s sobering to consider that over 27 million people are currently trapped in slavery worldwide.

As Christians, we are called to seek justice and advocate for the oppressed. In Isaiah 1:17, we are reminded, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” This verse underscores our Christian worldview and emphasizes the importance of responding to injustice with action and compassion.

Through the “Voices for Change” rotation, students are equipped with the necessary skills to recognize exploitation, understand Australia’s role in combating human trafficking, and actively contribute to the abolition of modern-day slavery. It is our prayer that these young advocates will continue to raise their voices for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9).

“Voices for Change” is a powerful call to action, inspiring students to become informed advocates for a world where every voice is heard, and every individual is free from exploitation. Education serves as the cornerstone of change – as Maya Angelou once said, “When we know better, we do better.”

I’m immensely proud of the dedication and creativity demonstrated by the students who participated in this rotation. Their efforts have culminated in the creation of educational posters that convey powerful messages. Special thanks to the talented Melinda Sampson for bringing their ideas to life through her artistic skills.

Please join me in congratulating the following students for their outstanding contributions:

Ella, Andy, Cody, Kai, Malachi, Marlon, Giselle, Pypah, Clare & JaimeAva

Your commitment to advocacy and justice is commendable. May you continue to be agents of change in our community and beyond.

Empowering Youth and Nourishing Community: Parklands Care Pack Ministry

As the echoes of the cost of living crisis reverberate through our community, the need for support becomes increasingly urgent. Families facing financial strain turn to local initiatives for assistance, seeking relief from the burden of putting food on the table. In response to this pressing need, the Parklands Care Pack Ministry has emerged as a beacon of hope, extending a helping hand to those in need.

Central to the operations of the Parklands Care Pack Ministry are the dedicated efforts of our Year 10 Active volunteering students. These young individuals, driven by compassion and a desire to make a difference, have once again stepped up to volunteer their time. Their mission: to pack 50 Care Packs, each containing a week’s worth of non-perishable grocery items.

This initiative not only addresses the immediate needs of struggling families but also serves as a profound educational opportunity for our youth. By actively engaging in community service, these students gain firsthand insight into the challenges faced by their neighbors. They witness the reality of hardship within our own backyards and, in doing so, cultivate empathy and understanding.

The impact of this experience transcends mere acts of charity; it fosters a sense of responsibility and empowerment among our youth. Through their involvement in the Parklands Care Pack Ministry, students learn that they possess the capacity to effect positive change, to be the solution to the challenges confronting their community.

Over the past three years, the Parklands Care Pack Ministry has emerged as a pillar of support, distributing over 900 Care Packs to those in need. Each pack represents more than just sustenance; it embodies solidarity, compassion, and the collective spirit of a community united in the face of adversity.

As we navigate these uncertain times, let us draw inspiration from the unwavering dedication of our youth and the transformative impact of grassroots initiatives like the Parklands Care Pack Ministry. Together, through acts of kindness and service, we can nourish not only bodies but also spirits, creating a brighter, more compassionate future for all.

Mrs Amanda Young

Exodus 15:21a “And Miriam sang this song: ‘Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously…’”

My goodness this term has zipped by! We have welcomed our new Give It A Go! students and continue to encourage our existing students to continue to learn & grow, and it’s so great to hear lots of music happening at school every day. We are grateful to have access to a bit more space this year, and it is certainly being well used – there has never been a better time to be involved with music at Parklands!

We are also planning to hold our first Music Day Camp in Term 2, for bands, strings & choirs – watch out for more details on the way very soon. Your children will not want to miss out on this!

Performances

We are thrilled to have our Junior Choir & Andante Strings joining the Worship Team at our Easter Chapels this year. This is a great opportunity for our students to be part of a larger group & contribute to the life of the College.

Term 2 contains two more performance opportunities for different Ensembles. In week 2, our choirs & Wind Ensemble will lead the singing at our ANZAC Day Service, and then at the end of week 6 you will have the chance to see and hear all our performances groups at the College Fete! Everyone is working hard to prepare for this amazing day, and of course we need a wonderful audience.

Lessons & Rehearsals

All Instrumental music lessons continue right to the end of term and then begin again right away in week 1 of Term 2 – it’s never too late to join in! We are happy to accept enrolments at any time during the year; simply download & complete the Enrolment form attached, then return it to Student Services & we will get your child started as soon as possible.

Choir & Ensemble rehearsals also continue right to the end of term, and we are excited to have our Give It A Go! Band & Petite Strings rehearsals commence right at the start of Term 2. The students have been asking about it, so clearly they are excited to get together & play with their friends!

Ensemble & Choir rehearsal schedule from Term 2:

Choirs are open to all students regardless of whether or not they’re having lessons, and no experience is necessary. The Give It A Go! Band  & Petite Strings are generally reserved for students in the Give It A Go! Programme and other beginners. Wind, brass & percussion students continuing to have lessons at school will play in the Wind Ensemble, and string students continuing to have lessons at the College will play in Andante Strings. Any other students who have lessons outside the College are also welcome to join ensembles; please contact instruments@parklands.qld.edu.au to enquire about which is most suitable for your child.

Give It A Go! Band Programme

Our 2024 cohort of Give It A Go! students are having a great time so far! Students are beginning to become more comfortable on their instruments and will add Ensemble rehearsals to their weekly lessons next term – this is an exciting time in our Give It A Go! Music Programme! If you or your child are interested in joining in, please check the details below.

Instruments on offer in the Give It A Go! Band Programme include:

• Flute
• Clarinet
• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Euphonium
• Percussion (includes drums, auxiliary & mallet percussion)
• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double Bass

There are a number of ways to be part of our growing Instrumental Programme – here’s how your child can be involved:

1. Give It A Go! Band Programme – Year 4 students only

This is a one year beginner programme for Year 4 students, giving them the opportunity to learn a woodwind, brass, string or percussion instrument in small groups during school time. There is a one-off $400 levy for the year which covers all lessons & band rehearsals, a tuition book & use of a school instrument for one year. Some places for this are currently filled, however we do have a number of vacancies across most instruments. If your child is in Year 4 & would like to be involved, please contact us at instruments@parklands.qld.edu.au

2. Private lessons

Private lessons are available for piano, guitar, drum kit, voice, most woodwind & and all brass & stringed instruments. Weekly lessons are scheduled mostly during school time, & fees are billed by & payable directly to the instrumental teachers at $36/30mins or $24/20mins.

3. Shared lessons

Shared lessons are available for all of the above instruments except piano, guitar & drum kit. Lessons are again scheduled mostly during school time, & fees are also billed by & payable directly to the instrumental teachers at $23/30mins for a Group of 2 or $16/30mins for a Group of 3, pending availability.

Enrolment forms can be downloaded below, and are also available by emailing instruments@parklands.qld.edu.au

02 PCC Instrumental Tuition Program guidelines and enrolment

Thank you to all the staff, students and parents who supported our last day BBQ.  It was a great success. We look forward to seeing you all at the cross country BBQ on 17 April where will once again be selling sausage sizzle, egg and bacon rolls and drinks.

The Fete is coming around quickly, and we are looking forward to having a cake decorating competition, photography competition and art competition, which will including a variety of age groups and the entry fee is $2. Check out the brochure below for more information and to register your name for these competitions. Donations of chocolates and drinks can be brought into school from beginning of next term for the Lob a Choc and Ring Toss. So look out for those sales and start buying up if your keen and able to donate for this event.

We thought it would be helpful to list the parents from each grade that are in the friendlies, so if you want to contact them for queries, suggestions or helping out, the names are as follows. You can email the friendlies and if it’s grade specific or if you prefer to contact a specific person, list the contact you would like to contact and I can forward it to them. Alternatively if you know the parent feel free to walk up say hello and have a chat.

Prep-

Year 1 – Kristie Hodge and Kate Harbourn

Year 2 – Susie Meddleton

Year 3 – Vicki Kello

Year 4 – Susie Meddleton

Year 5 – Christina Keilar

Year 6 – Kelly Gray

Year 7 – Josephine Blanford

Year 8 – Kate Harbourn

Year 9 – Tanya Tonges

Year 10- Tanya Tonges  and Kate Harbourn and Kelly Gray

Year 11 – Josephine Blanford

Year 12 – Kate Harbourn

The Friendlies team wish your all a safe and happy Easter.

Tuckshop news

The tuckshop will be open EVERY day this year, Monday-Friday!

Secondary Students please note all hot food purchased from the Tuckshop needs to be preordered online.

There is an opportunity for parents to contribute to the life of the school by volunteering their time in the tuckshop.

The tuckshop has been growing since moving to the new facility and with growth in sales we would really love your help!

Please contact our Tuckshop Convenor, Marie Rushin, on 0422 637 370 or email tuckshop@parklands.qld.edu.au

Tuckshop Menu 2024

Normal Trade Uniform Shop Hours

(School Days Only)
Mondays 8.00am – 10.00am
Tuesdays 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Thursdays 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Uniform Shop Location Address/Parking:

24 Hillcrest Rd, Park Ridge Qld 4125 (located on the left hand side, at the end of Hillcrest road).

For further information:
Phone: (07) 3380 4256
Email: service@theschoollocker.com.au

Uniform Shop Facebook Page/PCCUniforms

Purchase Uniforms Online

 SHOP ONLINE @theschoollocker.com.au/schools/parklands-christian-college 

Parklands Kid’s Church

As we come to the end of Term 1 it has been such a privilege to share with the kids the most important event in the Christian calendar. Easter is the time of year when we stop and reflect the sacrifice that was made for each and every one of our sins. It’s so important for all of us young and old to really appreciate the significance of Easter.

The kids loved making palm branches that we used to retell the story of Palm Sunday. We celebrated that Jesus is alive through our song and had fun playing pass the parcel to unveil that the greatest gift is Jesus’ love for us. We wore crowns to remember our king and all He has done for us.

Our verse for this month is one I’m sure everyone is very familiar with:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

If you would like to know more about the fun things we get up to in Kid’s church contact Angela Marsh via amarsh@parklands.qld.edu.au

Blessings,
Angela Marsh

ROAR Youth

Bibles Wanted

A Parklands family has recently moved into full time ministry work and are taking a trip to Vanuatu in May to meet with the brethren there. They are looking for second hand children’s bibles and story books – if you have any that you would like to donate please contact Student Services for more information.

Logan City Council Pool Safety Education Program

Swimming Pool Safety Checklist

Park Ridge Panthers FC

Netball

In Sync Kids OT have a satellite clinic within Parklands Christian College providing private Occupational Therapy Services specifically to students of the school. In Sync Kids Occupational Therapy specialises in sensory integration and neurodevelopment.  Kelsey Hackett is the Occupational Therapist and point of contact for the satellite clinic within Parklands Christian College.

Kelsey Hackett has experience working as a paediatric occupational therapist since 2015 in the United States and has relocated to Brisbane in 2021. She has her Bachelors of Psychology and Master of Occupational Therapy degree. She has worked in the clinic-based and school-based settings with children of all ages and a wide range of diagnoses for the past 7 years.

For any additional information regarding Occupational Therapy services, please contact Kelsey Hackett kelsey.hackett@insynckidsot.com  and feel free to look at the In Sync Kids OT website for more information http://www.insynckidsot.com

Free Dental Care

FREE DENTAL CARE