In this issue

Term 2 is well and truly underway. We are almost a third of the way through already – quite unbelievable how fast the year is travelling.

Activities in Middle School

Term 2 continues to provide amazing opportunities for our students to learn through a variety of experiences and lessons. From sporting opportunities such as Cross Country and USL basketball, our students have already gotten their competitive edge sharpened. In week 5, we come together for the Secondary Athletics carnival – always a tightly contested event between Samuel and Joshua houses. I look forward to seeing the contest play out.

There are many curriculum experiences coming up this term for Middle School. Living History incursions for Years 7 and 8 will occur in weeks 6 and 7. Our year 9 Design students will be on excursion in week 4, and our Pavement Art competition happens later this term. Our year 9 students continue their Rite Journey this term with their Skills Days happen in week 6. Alongside this, our extra-curricular activities such as Cubing club, Zenith Club, Living History club (to name a few) continue to function with great experiences for all our students to enjoy.

ANZAC Day Commemorations

It was wonderful to see our years 5 – 12 students come together to commemorate ANZAC day for our college on 24^th April. We were blessed with the involvement this year of the Jimboomba Cadets unit who provided the catafalque party for the ceremony, and participated in our drum march with Mr Nathanael Chapman, Mrs Alison Harbottle and secondary percussion students to commence the service. Our thanks also to the college wind ensemble and choirs for contributing to the service in very meaningful ways. It is important that we remember the sacrifice that was made for the freedom of generations to follow, and that we can teach our children to honour this selfless giving in your own day-to—day lives. 

Exams and Assessment

Our Middle School Exam block is occurring in week 8 of term 2: Monday 3^rd to 7^th June. It is important that students are present during this week to complete assessment in a timely manner. The timetable for the week is slightly altered to accommodate the subjects requiring exams to be completed.

Throughout the course of this term, some subjects will have assignments for students to complete. Due dates, draft due dates and any relevant checkpoints can all be found on PAC under ‘Learning’. I would encourage you to sit with your child/ren and talk through the work that is due this term, helping them to stay on track for successful learning outcomes.

Online Presence

More and more, our world continues to move online. Our interactions with others happen in greater frequency online than in person, and it is important to help our students navigate this shift.

Many of our students have access to social media apps and programs and engage is a lot of conversation via those platforms. Unfortunately, many of those conversations are treated as a little ‘removed from reality’ and as a result often contain subject matter and phrases which as less than ideal as peers encourage one another to stretch the boundaries of what should be socially acceptable. I would encourage parents to be aware of your child’s social media engagements. Have meaningful conversations with them around who they are engaging with, what topics are discussed, and if they are prepared to show you some of the screenshots of those conversations.

Our college encourages high moral standards and decisions where possible with our students. I also know that our parents want to be part of our college because they share those same ideals and values. Many of the research articles in our time continue to warn against the overuse of social media for our younger generation, and the negative influence that it is having. Could I encourage all of us to be active in this space with our students? The real, personal relationships that we provide to our children will far surpass in importance the digital connections that they may currently be a part of.

I pray that God continues to strengthen our college community as we continue together and continues to bless the opportunities that our students have to learn.

Mr Colin Elvery
Head of Middle School

Welcome to Term 2! I trust you had a relaxing and enjoyable Easter break with your family and are ready for another exciting school term. Teachers at Parklands create many fun and engaging learning experiences to cater for all students. We look forward to partnering with you and your children as we support all students to develop their God given gifts and strive for individual personal bests.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12: 6-8)

Remembering our ANZACs
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning;
We will remember them.”

Students from Prep to Year 12 participated in services on Wednesday 24 April, honouring our veterans and commemorating the Anzac Spirit. We are especially grateful for the Jimboomba Cadets who provided a catafalque party at our Years 5 to 12 service, and for our year 5 student, Hudson Martin, who participated in both services. We congratulate our Year 3 students on leading the Prep to Year 3 service so beautifully and respectfully. It was a moving tribute to those who served, reminding us of the sacrifices made for our freedom. Lest we forget.

Faith in Our Future

On 21 March, the final recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission were released. If the Government accepts the ALRC recommendations, Christian schools won’t have the freedom to preference people who share the same traditional Chrisitan values and beliefs when making employment decisions (click here for further information). I am sure you agree with me, that it is our staff who make our school AMAZING!

This week I had the privilege of attending a Faith in Our Future Town Hall Event, with many other Parklands staff, that brought together supporters of Chrisitian schools and their representatives in parliament. The impact of Chrisitan staff on students was shared in a variety of personal stories from students, parents and teachers. These personal stories, including the one from our year 12 student Priya Jaga-Abeyasekera, were personally and emotionally compelling, reiterating the importance of Christian staff in Christian schools. Further stories can be read on the My Christian Schools website and I encourage you to share your good news stories too, as we seek to pass on these good news stories to future generations.

Building a National Picture of Child Health

During May and June 2024, our school, along with thousands of others across the country, will participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The AEDC is a Prep teacher-completed census which provides a comprehensive picture of how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is an Australian Government Initiative and is completed nationally every three years. Children don’t miss any class time while the AEDC is completed. The data collected through the AEDC is used by schools, communities and governments to better understand children and families’ needs, and identify the services, resources and support they need. AEDC data is reported at a school, community, state/territory and national level. AEDC results for individual children are not reported and the AEDC is not used as an individual diagnostic tool. Some teachers have found that completing the AEDC made them more aware of the needs of individual children and their class, and that the data was useful for planning for transitions to Year 1 and developing programs.

Uniform

Thank you for ensuring your child is wearing the correct uniform and is neatly presented each day. As the days become cooler, please pay particular attention to jumpers. While the softshell jacket is designed to be worn with both sports and academic uniforms, the sports jacket is only worn with the sport uniform.

OSHC Update

Over the last school holidays we were given government approval to move OSHC back into the Prep Centre. While we were previously at capacity due to government regulations around indoor space, we can now open a further 22 spaces in OSHC. We would like to advise families that a permanent booking is the only way to guarantee a position in both before and after school care. Please contact Celine Clunn, our OSHC Coordinator, via email oshc@parklands.qld.edu.au or phone 0478 111 207, for further information or to make a booking.

Term 2 Date Claimers

● 26 April to 23 May – Prep 2025 Enrollment Interviews
● Saturday 4 May – Family Mountain Bike Ride
● Monday 6 May – Labour day public holiday
● Friday 10 May – Mother’s Day Stall
● Sunday 12 May – Mother’s Day
● Tuesday 14 May – Primary Building Opening
● 10 May to 21 June – AEDC Census data collection
● Saturday 18 May – Outreach Gala Dinner and Auction
● Wednesday 22 May- National Simultaneous Storytime
● Saturday 25 May – Parklands Fete
● Saturday 1 June – Family Mountain Bike Ride
● Thursday 6 June – P-3 Athletics Carnival
● Friday 14 June – Last day of term – Free dress day
● Monday 17 June to Friday 21 June – Staff Professional Development Week

Many Blessings,

Anne-Maree
akingston@parklands.qld.edu.au

Year 1

Year 1 have had a fabulous kick-start to Term 2! We were all excited to jump straight into our learning and have enjoyed being back from the holidays so that we can experience many more lasting memories together. We have been exploring seasons and the weather, participating in some really rich conversations about how our world works and just how incredible God’s creations are. We’ve studied clouds, gone on nature walks, created artworks and enjoyed many books and videos to grow our knowledge.

Year 2

Year 3

Year 3 Team

Year 4

Blessings, Miranda, Julie, Janine and Alicia.

Year 5

It has been a busy start to the term for our year 5 students! It started off with a great deal of excitement for the annual cross country. They ran and cheered each other on with immense enthusiasm and enjoyed the tug of war. We were all thankful for the beautiful weather. The day finished off with the bright and exciting Colour Run. It was so great to see students running and smiling through the course for such a great cause. Dance was another sensational addition to this term’s curriculum and such a fantastic way to warm up on the cooler mornings we’ve been having. Finally, we celebrated ANZAC Day with a moving and heartfelt assembly. Amongst all this fun, we have also begun our Persuasive writing unit in English, an Operations unit in Maths, Democracy in HASS and Adaptations in Science.

From Mrs Edwards & Mrs O’Callaghan

National Athletics

LACHLAN MANE AT NATIONAL ATHLETICS | Congratulations to Lachlan Mane who ran in the U15 yrs boys 800m at the Australian Athletics National Championships in Adelaide last week. This was Lachlans first time at nationals, he ran his heat but did not qualify for finals. Well done, Lachlan for all the work you put in to making it to nationals.

Fox Superflow 2024

Several years ago Mr Cully approved the purchase of a fleet of mountain bikes for the school to use on our very own mountain bike track. We have been seeing this initiative gain momentum over the last few years but this April we reached a new milestone. The Fox Superflow is a series of races that take place across the country, with both local and interstate racers riding to experience the joy of gravity enduro – riding down the best trails across the country. Winners get to take home some prize money and they accumulate points in the series too. Riders set up and race their own bike and their race times are updated via satellite the moment they cross each finish line. It is a fantastic sport that encourages people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, plan and organise essential equipment for a journey, build resilience and positive relationships.

There are some very keen mountain bikers in the Parklands community. On April 20, two staff members and three students from Parklands competed in the Fox Superflow at Mount Cotton, Redland Bay. Kai Stevens & Riley Holmes raced in the U15 category and Connor Holmes was in the U17, Mr Edwards carved it up in the Veteran (30+) and Mr Ashley enjoyed the flow in the Masters (40+). All riders had a great day with a number of top 10 times and personal records being achieved. Well done in particular to Mr Edwards who finished inside the top 10 in his category.

We look forward to seeing the Parklands mountain biking programme go from strength to strength. We have social rides once a month which is open to Parklands students (Grade 5 and above) and their parents, lessons in primary & secondary and there are some more local Fox Superflow races to do in 2024 too. Some closing thoughts: remember to always ride within your limits, do a sighting run on every trail before you try to do it properly and have fun!

Blessings,
Mr. Ashley

As we move into the colder months, it’s time to gear up against the flu season. Influenza, or the flu, can be particularly harsh on children, which is why we want to ensure everyone stays healthy and happy.

We’re excited to inform you that the Queensland Government is offering free Influenza vaccinations for all Queensland residents! This initiative is a fantastic opportunity to safeguard your family against the flu’s potential impact.

Why get vaccinated?

1. Protect Your Loved Ones: Influenza can be severe, especially for children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions. Vaccination reduces the risk of catching the flu and its complications.
2. Keep Our School Community Safe: By getting vaccinated, you’re not only protecting your family but also contributing to a healthier environment for everyone at our school.

How to access the free flu vaccine:

• Check with Your Healthcare Provider: Your family doctor or local healthcare provider can administer the vaccine.
• Community Vaccination Clinics: The Queensland Government has set up various clinics where you can receive the flu vaccine for free. Check with your local health department for details.

Let’s work together to keep our school community healthy and resilient this influenza season. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to protect your family for free!

For more information on the free Influenza vaccination initiative, visit Queensland Government’s website.

Colour Run

Last Wednesday, Parklands hosted its 2nd Annual Colour Run, a vibrant event serving dual purposes: raising funds for Bloom Asia and supporting the Cambodia Youth Camp. Bloom Asia, a not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to empowering survivors of sexual exploitation through vocational education, fostering healing, hope, and purpose. Parklands shares a profound connection with Bloom, as they have played a pivotal role in shaping our Mission’s program, with the Cully Family having spent three impactful years in Cebu while serving with Bloom Asia Cebu.

The Colour Run aimed to raise both awareness and funds for Bloom while also contributing to the upcoming Youth Camp in Cambodia. Scheduled for December, this initiative will bring a Christian Youth Camp experience to 100 underprivileged village children at Shalom Valley, Kep—a purpose-built campsite.

Our Outreach Captains, supported by the Student Outreach Club, were instrumental in generating excitement and participation for the event. They engaged with students during Primary Chapel presentations, competitions, and direct interactions with Secondary students during PC sessions. Throughout the day, these dedicated Captains, alongside the Student Outreach Club, worked tirelessly to set up, assist participants, and ensure the smooth running of the event.

The Colour Run was not only a fundraising success but also a memorable day filled with laughter and camaraderie. Even our Heads of School joined in the fun, willingly becoming targets for vibrant splashes of colour! Some of our teachers even volunteered to be “pre-slimed” in the weeks leading up to the event, adding to the anticipation and excitement.

We are thrilled to announce that our collective efforts resulted in an astounding fundraising total of $25,177.50. This remarkable sum will undoubtedly have a life-changing impact on Bloom Asia, and we are incredibly humbled and grateful for the generosity of our College Community.

Special thanks go to the Logan West Fire Brigade for their enthusiastic participation and support throughout the day. Their presence added to the joyous atmosphere, and we look forward to welcoming them back next year.

It’s important to note that 30% of the funds raised will be allocated to the School Fun Run company. This portion covers expenses such as prizes for students who meet fundraising goals, coloured powder, event resources, advertising materials, and the setup of inflatables and sound equipment.

The success of the 2nd Annual Colour Run not only demonstrates the generosity and spirit of our community but also highlights our commitment to making a positive impact both locally and globally. Together, we are truly making a difference.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this incredible achievement!

We Need Your Help – Join Us in Making a Difference:

Sponsor a Cambodian Child’s Camp Experience Today!

In December this year, our dedicated team of 27 Parklands students and staff will embark on a transformative journey to Cambodia. Our mission? To bring the joy of Youth Camp to 100 Cambodian village children. During our time in Cambodia, we’ll be hosting a Youth Camp at Shalom Valley in Kep, where these disadvantaged Cambodian children will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, including games, life skills workshops, Bible studies, and an exciting soccer tournament.

But here’s where we need your support! Your sponsorship will enable us to make this vision a reality. By sponsoring a child to attend camp, you’re not just providing them with a fun and enriching experience; you’re offering them hope, empowerment, and the chance to discover their worth and purpose. Join us in creating lasting change. Sponsor a Cambodian child today and be a part of something truly special.

SPONSOR poster

Psalm 33:3 “Sing a new song of praise to him; play skilfully on the harp, and sing with joy.”

What an exciting couple of weeks we’ve had since the Easter holidays! The Give It A Go! Band & Petite Strings have both had their first rehearsals, including our first ever 2-day Music Retreat, held here at the College & culminating in a wonderful concert on Tuesday afternoon. You may have had a glimpse of the fun in the College Facebook post, and there are some photos below. All our students are making great progress, & there has never been a better time to be involved with music at Parklands!

Soloist’s Soiree

We are currently making final preparations for our first Soloist’s Soiree for 2024. This is a short evening performance opportunity for students learning at the College to play for their families & friends, being held on Tuesday 7^th May at 6pm. Students who have registered as a solo or a small group will receive some information by email this week – we’re looking forward to a great night!

College Fete

All Choirs & Ensembles will perform at the upcoming Fete on Sat 25^th May – times are yet to be advised, students will be notified in their ensemble rehearsals & parents will be notified by email. Come along & support your children who are working very hard!

Lessons & Rehearsals

All instrumental lessons are continuing, including those in the Give It A Go! Programme. If your child has missed a lesson due to a public holiday, that lesson will either be rescheduled for another time or not included on your term 2 account. All Choir & Ensemble rehearsals are in full swing, with the Give It A Go! Band & Petite Strings groups now included.

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

Dear Parklands School Community,

It’s that time of the year again – the eagerly anticipated Parklands Fete is just around the corner! With excitement buzzing in the air, we’re thrilled to invite each and every one of you to join us for a day filled with joy, laughter, and community spirit.

The Parklands Fete isn’t just any ordinary event; it’s a celebration of everything that makes our school community special. From thrilling rides to delicious food stalls, captivating performances to engaging games, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s a day where memories are made and friendships are strengthened.

But behind the scenes of this spectacular event lies a crucial element – the dedication and support of our wonderful parents. The success of the Parklands Fete relies heavily on the generosity of volunteers who selflessly donate their time and energy to ensure everything runs smoothly.

This year, we’re reaching out to our incredible parent community to lend a helping hand. Whether you’re a master at manning the BBQ, a whiz at organizing games, or simply eager to be part of the action, there’s a role for you at the fete. Your involvement not only enhances the experience for everyone but also reinforces the sense of unity and togetherness that defines Parklands.

Volunteering at the Parklands Fete is not just about ticking off a task list; it’s about being part of something bigger than ourselves. It’s about creating cherished memories with our children, forging new friendships with fellow parents, and demonstrating our unwavering commitment to our school community.

So, why not seize this opportunity to make a difference? Whether you can spare an hour or commit to the whole day, your contribution will be invaluable in making the Parklands Fete a resounding success. Together, we can ensure that this year’s fete is the best one yet!

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and join us in making fete happen, please email Kate Harbourn – friendlies@parklands.qld.edu.au

Let’s come together, Parklands community, and make this year’s fete an unforgettable experience for everyone involved!

Parklands Kid’s Church

This month the kids performed for the first time in front of the church. I was bursting with pride to see all the kids having fun singing and dancing to Jesus is Alive. Well done to all the kids, especially those that were feeling anxious but still joined in with the fun!

Kids church is all about making connections with the kids as we share with them about Jesus. Over the last few weeks, we have been sharing with the kids the importance of caring for each other is more than winning an argument. To stop and ask yourself, how would you like to be treated in a situation? Help others make peace by being the peacemaker.

And do your best to live at peace with everybody. Romans 12:18 (CEV)

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 and The Parklands Kids Church Team

ROAR Youth

Youth Pastor Message:

Hello Parklands community. We are so excited to be back at youth for term 2. This month we are following a series called ‘Fanning, fasting and Facing Giants’ encouraging all of us to fight the good fight of faith against what the world has for us. This month we look at encouraging, equipping and empowering young people in this area. We continue to meet at Parklands Church, 1 Hillcrest Rd Park Ridge, from 7-9pm.

Important dates:

24th- Roar Youth Drive In Movie Theatre

25th- Parklands Fete: Youth Stall ft, Giveaway, Boys haircuts, Op-Shop and much more!!!

31st- United We Stand (UWS) Youth Alive Regional Outreach!!  https://www.youthaliveqld.com/uws

Encouragement:

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

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 

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

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

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