Visual Arts News

There are many exciting exhibitions on at this time that Parklands students are involved in. As well as displaying current work at the College’s recent Arts Gala Evening, senior students Elisabeth Degen and Bronte Robertson have been entered in this year’s Creative Generation award, a state-wide competition for Year 11 and 12 students. Elisabeth’s work has been on display at A.B. Paterson College on the Gold Coast as part of Creative Generation’s Regional Exhibition (25 August – 3 September). Bronte’s work will also feature in Logan Art Gallery’s Artwaves 2018 Exhibition (7 September – 13 October), together with works by Kassidy Lane, Chloë Smith, Noah van Leeuwen and another work by Elisabeth Degen. Artwaves is an annual exhibition of work sourced from talented high school students in the Logan region. Selected by both gallery staff and visual arts teachers, Artwaves is a showcase of the wealth of imagination and creativity present in the area. Congratulations to all our students representing Parklands in these exhibitions!

Sr Monique Singh
Visual Arts Teacher

Senior Hospitality

The Senior Hospitality Class planned and prepared an Italian themed dinner to showcase the development of their skills and knowledge within the Hospitality industry. They used a variety of 21st century skills including creative thinking, collaboration, teamwork and ICTs (information and communication technology skills) to create a fabulous three course meal. The New Hospitality Centre was the perfect setting and allowed parents to experience this great space while enjoying a meal prepared and served by their child.

Senior Hospitality and Home Economics

The Year 11 & 12 Hospitality and Home Economics students experienced a day at the Ekka exploring Food and Fibre. Students enjoyed the fashion parade that focused on natural fibres from  well established designers, up and coming designers and students from TAFE.

We explored the Agricultural pavilion and discovered ways that we can help to care for this earth, the resources we use and our farmers for long term benefits for everyone.  We saw some amazing produce from schools as well as talented people’s cakes, preserves, crafts and incredible sewing.

The day finished off with the Woolworth’s cooking demonstration and some great  taste testing while learning how to reduce our food waste at home.
A great day was had by all!

Carols on the Green

Date: 2 November 6:00pm – 8:00pm

You are invited to attend our annual Carols on the Green.  Join us on Friday 2 November as we celebrate the birth of  Christ.  Bring a picnic rug and enjoy an evening of carolling.  This special family friendly carols event will be held outdoors from 6:00pm behind the Administration building, off the side of our top oval.

Bring a picnic or avail yourself to our sausage sizzle and drinks which will be on sale for the duration of the evening. We will reserve the slope for all those bringing picnic rugs, but for those families needing seating, we can accommodate BYO camping chairs on the lower area in front of the stage. Please note this is a non-alcoholic and non-smoking event.

Carols on the Green Program:

6:00pm—8:00pm: Carols on the Green

Hamper Gift Giving

6:00pm—8:00pm: Available to purchase

• Sausage Sizzle, Soft Drinks & Coffee (Coffee by “Coffee Revelation”)
• Glow Sticks/Toys
• RAWimpact Cambodia Products
• SHE Rescue Christmas Gifts

Parklands Christmas Appeal

Christmas is a time when we celebrate God’s greatest gift to humanity, Jesus.  To celebrate this precious gift, we want to give to those in our local community who are in need. Join us on 2 November with your Parklands Hamper Bag containing your choice of non-perishable items below.

Every family will receive a Parklands Hamper Bag late Term 3/early  Term 4.  Please Note: If you are unable to attend the carols, please drop your hamper bag (with or without groceries) into Student Services.

How to order your Extra-curricular and Sporting Group Photos for Parklands Christian College

Oh Thursday 11th and Friday 12th October, MSP Photography will be on site to take the extra-curricular and sporting group photos, including a ‘Whole College’ Photo.

These photos are available for purchase through payment envelope.

Personalised payment envelopes listing all the photos your child appeared in will be sent home on approx. 16 Oct.  Please read the instructions on these envelopes for your preferred method of payment.

If you wish to purchase a ‘Whole College’ Photo, these payment envelopes will be available from Student Services. Please follow the instructions on these envelopes for your preferred method of payment.

You have until Thursday 25th October, 2018 to purchase at this price.

Orders placed after this date will incur a $20 late fee (as the images will then be archived).

All orders will be processed after the cut off date advised above, and distributed through the school within approximately 21 days.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss any aspect of your photo day experience with us, please contact our office on 3848 3946 or by email on admin.seq@msp.com.au

School Subjects & Study Beyond School

Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) has a role in operating a centralised tertiary application system. Year 12 students have received the “QTAC: Guide to Tertiary Courses” booklet. This resource provides valuable information about courses at public and private universities, Tafe and other tertiary centres. This is an exciting time to explore the possibilities of “What Next”? The entry requirements, including expected OP’s, prerequisites and course lengths are included.

Year 12’s have been encouraged to spend some time exploring potential courses of interest, after the presentation by QTAC earlier in the year. Seniors register and apply online through QTAC to receive offers for further study after school: https://applications.qtac.edu.au

Registration is now open all year round with an application fee of $43, if paid between 2^nd August 2018–28 February 2019.

There is much information available on scholarships. Year 12 have been encouraged to research what is on offer by the University they are interested in attending. QTAC also provides some information on scholarships at: https://www.qtac.edu.au/scholarships This is an area that cannot be left too late, as supporting evidence is often required.

Your child can view the PowerPoint resource, on the Pastoral Care website, for applying to QTAC.

The Year 12 Pastoral Care teachers, Jess Grounds & Julia Matthews, along with Dee Hudson and myself are happy to meet to provide some further guidance for scholarship and QTAC applications. Please contact us via email or through the College office on 3380 4200.

For Years 10-12

The following websites contain useful information to help students make informed choices when planning career pathways and choosing school subjects.

Career Exploration

• Job Outlook is an Australian Government website providing information about Australian careers, labour market trends and employment projections, covering around 350 individual occupations. It includes an interactive Career Quiz that helps to identify work styles and suggests careers options.
• myfuture is a comprehensive career and education website that help students explore career options based on their skills and interests.
• Open Colleges contains career information, links and resources about career pathways and relevant online learning courses.
• myPROFILER is a career profiling tool developed by TAFE Queensland that uses visual responses to stimulus to suggest career choices that match talents, skills and interests.

When thinking about what school subjects to choose and what you might like to do after school,  we encourage the following:

* Talk with families, friends and employers about future job opportunities.

* Visit trade and careers expos. Mrs Hudson’s VET news contains much information on these opportunities. You can also check Uni websites and make a time to talk to University Careers advisors.

* Go back and read “Job Outlook”. This has descriptions and much information on hundreds of occupations. This is helpful in making those connections between jobs, senior subject pre-requisites, and future study required to get that job.

*  Read up on information in the QTAC booklet for post school tertiary study opportunities.

Coming Up:

Year 11 Leadership Camp

I am very excited to be a part of our 2018 Leadership camping program, along with the 11 Pastoral Care teachers Mr Cunningham and Mrs Smith, which will be held from 19th to 21^st September at Emu Gully. As a valued part of our college curriculum, all Year 11 school students are required to attend this camp in preparation for their final year of schooling. Please note, that all participants, even those who do not like the outdoors, report that this is the best camp ever! It is also an important time for students wanting to apply for a badged leadership position. We do, however, see all of our Year 12’s as leaders, which is why we request the attendance of all. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the camp, please do not hesitate to contact me via Student Services or direct via email at:rwallis@parklands.qld.edu.au

Year 12: Fun and Safe Schoolies Options

Scripture Union (SU) – Five really cool destinations. Places are booking up fast, go to the following website for more details:  https://su-schoolies.com/

RAW Impact – Giving back to perhaps refocus and recharge. For more information, go to: https://www.rawimpact.org/trip/elevate2019/

I am always available to talk about your child’s senior schooling journey so please don’t hesitate to contact me to make a time to meet, should this be helpful.

Warmest Blessings,
Mrs Rebecca Wallis
Coordinator of Senior College

On Friday, 31 August, we officially opened our amazing new Secondary College facilities: The John Blase Building (containing the Vocational Training Hub) and the Cully Centre for Hospitality. I’ve attended quite a few opening ceremonies, but I find that ours have a special quality about them. We’re not “just” celebrating state-of-the-art buildings; nor are we “just” enjoying the prospect of students achieving their personal best through purpose-built learning spaces. No, we delight in seeing our children participate in a thread of God’s great story that can be traced back through the generations. Their learning at Parklands is not only the beginning of a great new chapter in the life of our school, but it’s also the culmination of other people’s chapters that God weaves together in the stunning tapestry of life. In short, when John Blase, Gary Cully and the people around them got connected, they had no idea that one day, their legacy would be preserved in the form of two buildings. But God’s story is amazing and we are privileged to participate in it.

I want to share with you the introductions to John Blase and Gary Cully that were read out at the Official Opening ceremony. This will help those of you who may not know those two people to understand the background of the building names.

John Blase (by Johannes Solymosi)

Most of the students in attendance today would still vividly remember chapels with David Baskerville – Mr B. The stories he told were always larger than life, but they also communicated that his story was only one small – yet spirited – part of God’s much larger story. Introducing children to life in God’s story was his passion.

John Blase is the son of George Blase, who was called “Mr Sunday School” for his commitment to Children’s Ministries in the 1950s. A little boy was sitting in Sunday School listening to the stories of the Bible told by George Blase: That boy was Mr B.

John Blase’s and David Baskerville’s stories have this shared beginning, and hence, it was no wonder that when they finally met in the late 1990s, they discovered a kinship in their desire to build a ministry to children which would eventually become a Christian school in Park Ridge.

At that time, John Blase had retired and was volunteering as the Church Administrator. The new school was to be set up in the Church Hall, but substantial capital works on the building were required before the necessary approvals would be given. John consequently provided the funds that were used towards these works out of his retirement savings, which allowed the College to have its first home in the Church.

Further finances were required to purchase the first block of land on which to build the school. Generous people, some of which are here today, gifted or loaned these finances. It was Mr B and John Blase who decided to take the risk for these funds together by signing the contract that enacted the purchase of the College’s first block of land. John had the opportunity to walk away from this substantial commitment but gladly accepted the responsibility. He became a Founding Board Member and is now the Chairperson of Parklands Christian College Limited, a company that over 17 years has seen its first donation of $10 increase to assets valued at nearly $30M.

I have the privilege to meet with John once a week. He is one of the most well-read people I know and brings me interesting books or articles to read nearly every week, which start great conversations and thoughts about the purpose of our education.

I have come to appreciate him greatly as someone who leads by example and with complete integrity. He understands that the culture of a school is determined around the boardroom table, and so he leads us gently, patiently, but with resolve, to enact a Culture of Care, Christlikeness and Excellence through our corporate governance.

John would have been too humble to allow us to name this building in his honour, so we kept it a secret from him until today. This building contains our Vocational Training Hub, used by our Senior Students to study vocational education courses. The naming highlights John’s interest in vocational training which arises from his life’s experiences at work.

Gary Cully (By David Baskerville)

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Mr Gary Cully, a Friend and Fellow colleague, who travelled with us on the great journey of building Parklands. We started with just a small primary school in 2001, and we were ready to move into our first secondary class in 2003. I needed a person to carry out this task. My good friend and fellow Principal from Mackay Christian College, said “I have just the man for you”, and he brought Gary Cully down to see Parklands, and while Gary wandered around looking at our small beginnings, Craig Murison and I negotiated a transfer for Gary from Mackay to Parklands. And then we told him about it. From that point on, Gary seized the task of building the Secondary School at Parklands. He nurtured that founding Grade 7 class through to Graduation, and along the way, he continued to build the vision and culture of what he believed Parklands could become. So along with conventional subjects of English, Maths and Science, he introduced Behaviour education, Learning Support, Google systems and networks, Academic and Vocational education, and Community life.

To achieve this, he went out and found the people he needed for this growing school. Bec Wallis, Bernii Goodwin, Jess Grounds, James Smith to mention a few, who picked up the load with him in very humble beginnings, and are now leaders of major sections of this school. I spoke to Gary along the way and encouraged him to not just manage education, but to develop a real pastoral heart for the children and families in our community. This he did in a big way, and he introduced a Missions program, with a good friend of his family, Amanda Young, and they started to take the senior classes to Cambodia, to understand and participate in a culture that has so little, yet so loving and appreciative for what they do have.

This journey changed Gary also, and in 2016, with a flourishing secondary school now in the secure hands of the team he built, he went with his family to the Philippines to establish with his Church, an outreach training centre in Hospitality for girls at risk. This is now his passion, and he has taken a week out of his time, to return to us for this special occasion.

He was, and is, a remarkable man. A real gift to the Parklands. He was central in the building of the Parklands team and programs that we have today. We miss him.

We are naming the Hospitality Centre after him, to honour him and the dream he had to provide this type of building and training, for all students, to equip them with skills, that open doors for opportunities in life.

The very thing he is now totally committed to in his Training Center in Cebu, the Philippines.

God bless
Mr Johannes Solymosi

Year 1

We would like to thank all the parents of Year 1 students for their time in preparing costumes for their child for the Book week parade last Tuesday (they were all amazing) and for their support for “Fiver for a Farmer” day last Friday.  The children were very excited about both events and had lots of fun on both days.

Mrs Clausen, Mrs Gowreah and Mrs Marsh

Year 6

Throughout this term, we have been learning about Information Reports, specifically focused on Endangered Animals. With this, we were able to enjoy a day at Australia Zoo where we were able to see many different and endangered animals. We were also treated to a ‘Chat and Pat’ where we met a Koala, Woma Python and Blue Tongue Lizard! We learnt all about their habitat, diet, why they are endangered and what we can do to help. Afterwards we were then free to roam around the zoo, some students were even lucky enough to see the animal they were writing about!

Thank you to all the parents who came along to support us on our discoveries for the day!

Mr. Mark Holman, Mrs. Dayna Davis & Ms. Kristal Cooke.

Carols on the Green

Date: Friday 2nd November 2018 6:00pm – 8:00pm

You are invited to attend our annual Carols on the Green.  Join us on Friday 2 November as we celebrate the birth of  Christ.  Bring a picnic rug and enjoy an evening of carolling.  This special family friendly carols event will be held outdoors from 6:00pm behind the Administration building, off the side of our top oval.

Bring a picnic or avail yourself to our sausage sizzle and drinks which will be on sale for the duration of the evening. We will reserve the slope for all those bringing picnic rugs, but for those families needing seating, we can accommodate BYO camping chairs on the lower area in front of the stage. Please note this is a non-alcoholic and non-smoking event.

Carols on the Green Program:

6:00pm—8:00pm: Carols on the Green

Hamper Gift Giving

6:00pm—8:00pm: Available to purchase

• Sausage Sizzle, Soft Drinks & Coffee (Coffee by “Coffee Revelation”)
• Glow Sticks/Toys
• RAWimpact Cambodia Products
• SHE Rescue Christmas Gifts

Parklands Christmas Appeal

Christmas is a time when we celebrate God’s greatest gift to humanity, Jesus.  To celebrate this precious gift, we want to give to those in our local community who are in need. Join us on 2 November with your Parklands Hamper Bag containing your choice of non-perishable items below.

Every family will receive a Parklands Hamper Bag late Term 3/early  Term 4.  Please Note: If you are unable to attend the carols, please drop your hamper bag (with or without groceries) into Student Services.

How to order your Extra-curricular and Sporting Group Photos for Parklands Christian College

Oh Thursday 11th and Friday 12th October, MSP Photography will be on site to take the extra-curricular and sporting group photos, including a ‘Whole College’ Photo.

These photos are available for purchase through payment envelope.

Personalised payment envelopes listing all the photos your child appeared in will be sent home on approx. 16 Oct.  Please read the instructions on these envelopes for your preferred method of payment.

If you wish to purchase a ‘Whole College’ Photo, these payment envelopes will be available from Student Services. Please follow the instructions on these envelopes for your preferred method of payment.

You have until Thursday 25th October, 2018 to purchase at this price.

Orders placed after this date will incur a $20 late fee (as the images will then be archived).

All orders will be processed after the cut off date advised above, and distributed through the school within approximately 21 days.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss any aspect of your photo day experience with us, please contact our office on 3848 3946 or by email on admin.seq@msp.com.au

Car Parks

Thank you for the wonderful support and way all parents are using the Rosia Rd car park and Drop Off Zones. The process is really working well.   Can I please ask that parents inform all other guardians/grandparents etc. of our process.

1 – Slow down and drive very carefully through the car parks
2 – Be very aware of the Pedestrian Crossing and ‘Lollipop person’ on duty
3 – Only cross at the Pedestrian Crossing and not up near the Yr 5 & 6 classes and top gate.
4 – “GO TO THE TOP TO DROP” on entering the Rosia Rd drop off area, please move up to the very last open bay you encounter to pull in, this will allow others arriving after you to have an open bay.

Thank you for your support, cooperation and assistance to keep this all running smoothly and our students safe and sound!

eLEARNING in 2019 (Yr 5 & 6)

In wishing to offer our senior Primary students every opportunity to use technology in class to assist with and improve their learning, we will continue to allow the Year 5 and 6 students to make use of or bring iPads to school next year. This follows on with the trend in education to promote eLearning and the use of modern electronic devices in senior Primary.

We will continue to promote handwriting, fine motor skills, cutting out, colouring in and written work in Prep to Grade 6! Feedback from staff, parents and the Yr 5 & 6 students about iPad use has been very positive.

Parents IF your child has an iPad 2, 3, & 4 it’s possibly time to consider giving them a new iPad for Christmas, or at least factor in an upgrade some time over the next 12 months, this way you’re not forking out a lot of money in one hit for multiple siblings if the iPad becomes outdated and cannot be upgraded for school use!

We have organized an iPad Informative Parent Evening on Tuesday 9^th October where questions about iPad selection, process, security, resources, Apps, class use etc. will all be answered. Look forward to seeing the Yr 4 and 5 parents in attendance on the night.

Protecting our Anaphylactic students

Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction which is potentially life threatening. It should always be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment! Most cases of anaphylaxis occur after a person with a severe allergy is exposed to the allergen to which they are allergic – usually a food, insect sting or medication.

The intent of this article is to assist in preventing anaphylaxis and to provide advice for minimising the risk of anaphylaxis at Parklands, including our “Before and After School Hours Care facility”. On advice from Anaphylaxis Australia, we do not have a ‘total Nut-Free school’ because there are so many different allergens such as dairy and some fruits, the total focus cannot only be on nuts. We also have students with medical direction to eat nuts and this complicates the scenario.

Of course we wish to do all we can to protect those students who could have an Anaphylactic reaction so we at school have put in steps / measures to protect them and this is what we ask parents to do to assist us.

We ask that you kindly avoid sending in:

• Any fresh nuts
• Spreads containing nuts (e.g. peanut butter and Nutella)
• Muesli bars or biscuits that list nuts as an ingredient
• Packages of mixed fruit that contain nuts
• Chocolate bars that contain nuts (e.g. picnic, snickers)

Talk to the teacher before sending food to school for parties.

If your child eats peanut butter before school, please make sure they wash their hands before coming to school.

Bringing products with a “may contain traces of” or “may contain traces of nuts” warning is OK to bring to school but just should not be shared.

This leaves lots of other things that ‘can be packed’ as a school lunch option:

• Sandwiches/rolls/wraps with any filling at all other than possibly a nut spread
• Any fruits or vegetables
• Yoghurts, custards, dairy snacks, cheese
• Sultanas or other dried fruits
• Muesli bars that do not contain nuts as an ingredient (there are lots of different oat bars, fruit bars, muesli bars, milo bars, k-time twists without nuts)
• Biscuits, crackers etc. that do not contain nuts
• Corn or potato chips
• Cakes, slices that do not contain nuts
• Pikelets, muffins, donuts
• Rice cakes, rice crackers
• Popcorn

There will be lots of other things as well; it’s just a matter of quickly scanning any packaged snacks to make sure they do not list nuts as an ingredient.   Thank you for your understanding, support and assistance in this regard as we look to keep our Anaphylactic students safe!

Yr 5 & 6 Friday District Sport

The following sport are being offered at these venues by the following coaches this semester:

Touch Football – Greenbank Raiders – Mark Holman and Dayna Davis
Girls AFL – Parklands CC – Liz Strubin
Boys AFL – Park Ridge State High – Grant Jakins
Basketball – Baskerville Sport Centre – Ben Lewis
Girls Volleyball – Yugumbir SS – Clara Needs

We look forward to seeing lots of parents and family members supporting our players on a Friday as they give of their best each week.

Mr Grant Jakins
Head of Primary

Please phone 3297 0577 during work hours or 0473 681 426 any other time.

Cover Letter

Excursion Permission Form DIGI

Vacation Care Booking Form September October 2018 (1)

Vacation Care Programme

11 Hillcrest Road, Park Ridge Q 4125
Email: admin@parklands.qld.edu.au

 /pccnews
 @parklandsnews

New Swim Club

See attachment for further information.

flyer_col_print_rev

Queensland Cadet Bushmen Recruits

QCB-180905-1244 Recruiting Montage

Baseball

Come and try BASEBALL each Tuesday from 5.30pm to 7.00pm

Do you like to throw and hit a ball and enjoy playing in a friendly fun team? Then come and give baseball at Southern Stars a try.

If you are interested and would like information, please contact:

Nathan  –  0407 014 529 or
Karen – 0421 773 768 email us at

southernstarsbaseballclub@gmail.com

Greenbank Cricket Club

New season starts October and will go through until March 2019. All ages 5 and above, male and female. Junior Players $165 for a season which includes club shirt and hat.

Call Shane Harris on 0411 129 952 or email greenbankcricket@gmail.com

Cartooning Camps in Gold Coast

https://www.illustrating-man.com/camp-list/

KRANK bookings now open for the September/October School Holidays!

Get in quick! Bookings are now open for the September/October KRANK School Holiday program.

The KRANK program runs from Saturday 22 September to Saturday 6 October with plenty of free or low cost activities on offer for Logan kids aged 5-17 years.

https://www.logan.qld.gov.au/community-support/community-development/krank

PARK RIDGE TENNIS

A new season of Hot Shots Tennis Coaching is starting soon, a free trial lesson is available for anyone to come and have a go.

All new pupils receive a Free Racquet & Hot Shots T-Shirt on sign up.

We have lessons that run every afternoon, for all ages & levels.

• Mini Hotshots for 4-7 year olds
• Hot Shot programs for 7-12 year olds
• advanced groups for 12-17year olds
• For adults we have Cardio Tennis
• Social comps every week night and Lesson
• A new Fast 4 comp for players starting or getting back into tennis
• Fast 4 format goes for just over an hour.

To book in or to arrange a free trial phone Paul or Steph on 32000354.

School Fees

Are deducted from your bank account on the 17th unless received by the 10th of each month.

Please ensure funds are in your account one (1) business day before the 17th of the month.

Our Bank Account details are as follows:

BSB: 034115
Account Number: 169944

Please use your surname and initials as reference e.g. ‘J&C Smith’

Term Direct Debit Deduction Dates

• 17th February
• 17th April
• 17th July
• 17th September

Note: Direct Debits that reject from your account due to insufficient funds will incur a $10.00 fee and loss of discount. An additional late fee of $20 will apply to invoices outstanding at the end of the month.

Discounts Available

• Monthly 2%
• Term 5%
• Annual 8%

We had so much fun meeting so many people who live in our local community at our sausage sizzle at Bunnings Browns Plains. There were quite a few people that we were able to share with what makes our school stand out from the other schools. Thank you to those amazing families from Parklands who came down to show their support it was great to see so many familiar faces too!

Don’t forget this Friday night we have our Spring Dance to look forward to for our Primary students, Prep – grade 6. Music will be provided by Active8 Kids Entertainment, who were hugely loved at our dance last year! The dance will be held in the Baskerville Sports Centre on Friday, 7^th September 2018. We will have a sausage sizzle running from 5.30pm and the dancing will kick off at 6pm – 8pm. The Coffee Club Van with Michelle will also be available for purchase on the night. The Spring Dance is for current students of Parklands only. Entry for the dance is only $5 per child, payable on the night. It will be great to see heaps of the primary students there!

Thank you once again to everyone for your incredible support in our Cadbury Freddo Chocolate fundraiser. All money is now due back to Student Services J

Our next Friendlies meeting is on Friday 12^th October 2018 at 6.45pm at Jimboomba Maccas. This meeting is our annual AGM, all positions will be up for re-election. To be eligible for nomination you must be a current member of The Friendlies. Everyone is always welcome to attend! If you would like more information about The Friendlies or any of our events or fundraisers, please email Angela Marsh friendlies@parklands.qld.edu.au

Keep Smiling
The Friendlies Team

3 Parenting Power-Struggle Pitfalls

And 3 Tools to Navigate Through Them

By Brittney Serpell

Power struggles come with the territory of parenting. Before they can even talk, the awesome little people we have the privilege to raise start to exert their wills and test their boundaries.

All too often as parents, we struggle to manage ourselves well in these power struggles, and end up reaching for tools like anger and punishment to feel powerful and regain control of the situation. When we do, though we may “win” in getting our child to do what we want them to do in the moment, we ultimately lose by causing collateral damage to our heart-to-heart connection with them. If this becomes a pattern in our parenting, we will ultimately sabotage the goal of raising our kids to be powerful adults who care about being responsible for their half of connection with us and others. Therefore, it’s vitally important that we navigate through our power-struggle moments in ways that protect the heart-to-heart connection we’re building with our kids.

The following three tools for avoiding power-struggle pitfalls are ones I learned years ago, when my dad first discovered Love & Logic. After becoming certified and using them every day with my own kids, I discovered another layer of appreciation for them. I hope you find them as helpful as I do!

POWER STRUGGLE #1: DISRESPECT

When I ask parents to tell me their top “triggers” in a power struggle, disrespect is always at the top of the list. For many parents, encountering disrespectful language or behavior is the quickest way for them to lose it and react in a punishing or controlling way. Unfortunately, reacting to disrespect with disrespect (and punishment and control—as opposed to healthy discipline—are inherently disrespectful) does not teach our kids to be respectful. We shouldn’t ignore or tolerate disrespect; rather, we must learn to respond to it in a way that allows us to uphold the standard of respect we’re trying to teach.

TOOL: FEW WORDS MIXED WITH MEANINGFUL ACTION.

Lately, one of the most common power struggles I have with my kids happens around homework. They have been known to push the disrespect button in their attempts to get me to change the expectation of when their homework assignments will be done. When the sass starts flying and the comments are saturated with rudeness, my first response is this: “Wow. The way you are talking is not fun for me. I’d love to talk to you when you’re ready to be respectful. I’ll be in the kitchen when you’re ready.”

POWER STRUGGLE #2: ARGUING

In an argument, the goal of connection gets replaced with the goal of being right, and disconnection is usually the result. This is why no one really wins in an argument. As parents, it is easy to think we are being helpful by trying to communicate why things are the way they are, only to find ourselves on a slippery slope headed right into a painful argument. It’s important to keep ourselves from engaging when our kids throw down the invitation to argue.

TOOL: ONE-LINERS

One-liners are short responses that help you refuse to engage in a disrespectful argument over something you are requiring from your child. The top five one-liners to memorize and use are: “Probably so.” “I don’t know.” “That could be.” “Nice try.” “I know.”

Say that your child wants to argue about why they have to complete to chores before they play outside. This is the moment to choose a one-liner instead of a lecture. For example:

“But why? Don’t you believe that I’ll do it later tonight?”

“Probably so.”

“What does that even mean?”

“I don’t know.”

“You are being so ridiculous!”

“That could be.”

“None of my friends’ parents are this mean!”

“Nice try.”  

“You are so mean!”

“I know.”          

Remember, the goal of these is to keep you from entering a disrespectful argument. You are choosing to protect your connection with your child, even if they are not. Also, make sure you stay away from sarcasm when using these one-liners.

POWER STRUGGLE #3: SIBLINGS FIGHTING

I have a big soft spot—and a trigger point—with this one. Teaching my kids to love and be respectful toward each other is a massive priority in our home. So, of course, when they decide one day to speak cruelly or just plain annoy each other, I have to admit I can get pretty frustrated—especially when all three are going at it with one another at once! However, losing it and screaming, “Be nice to your brother/sister!” isn’t the most effective way to encourage kindness. (Perhaps you’ve tried that one too?) Again, we need a respectful way to require respect from our kids.

TOOL: REFEREE

This is a tool I bring out when a sibling conflict erupts in the car or when we’re in a time crunch to go somewhere. I simply ask my kids, “Do you need a referee? I charge $10 a minute, and I take cash, toys, and hard work as payment.”

My kids have learned that I’m not kidding when I say I will be expecting payment. I remember Delani and Ady once fighting over a spot in the car when we were already running late. I let them know I could help referee if needed, then stood there watching as they continued their squabble, making sure they didn’t get physical with each other.

After a few minutes, they stopped and looked at me. I said, “Don’t worry, girls. You only owe me $30 so far. Go ahead and keep fighting about this.” They immediately quit arguing, climbed into their seats, and buckled up.

I got in the driver’s seat and asked, “You done?”

“Yes!”

“Great. Let’s go.”

Once we got back home, I asked how I should expect payment. It ended with them doing extra chores, which was fine with me. I had a lot of laundry to do that day. Win for mom!

WHEN YOU MANAGE YOU, YOU TEACH THEM TO MANAGE THEM

The heart behind these tools is to help you take good care of yourself as a parent in the power struggles. When you feel frustrated and overwhelmed, these will help you manage you. Our goal as parents should be moving toward our children and protecting our connection with them at all times. They are watching our every move, and the most important thing we can give them is a powerful display of self-control and a heart for connection.

Moms and dads—you’ve got this!

R U OK? Day – Year 11 Certificate III Business

On Monday 3^rd September the Year 11 Certificate III Business class delivered R U OK? to secondary students. The events purpose was for the business students to plan and deliver an awareness event. The students were very passionate about cause and delivering an effective awareness campaign as well as a delicious morning tea. The R U OK? message is an important message for any teenager. Life does have its ups and downs and the students were reassured that it’s okay to not be okay, however it is important to have someone to connect with and talk to. There were lots of meaningful conversations generated by the event and all the funds raised was donated to the R U OK? foundation who support help services like Kids Help Line, Beyond Blue and Lifeline.

Year 10 Certificate I in Active Volunteering Students Were Celebrated

On Monday 27^th of August the Year 10 Volunteer students were celebrated. All of these amazing students have been serving and helping our community. Toby Ross summed up the students perfectly in the speech he delivered on the day. “Volunteering is a unique practise that has the capacity to strengthen and enhance communities and the individuals who participate. This experience has enriched all of the students, personal growth and development as they had to step outside of their comfort zones and challenge themselves. It is outside of our comfort zones where the change happens, sometimes we have to be uncomfortable and really test our limits for greater things to happen”.

Students also received a certificate of appreciation form Volunteer Queensland as part of the National Student Volunteer Week Celebrations.

Hot to apply for a GetStarted Voucher

https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/getinthegame/getstarted/apply

Instrumental Music

Give It A Go! Band Programme – Year 5 & 6

This wonderful programme keeps going from strength to strength, with our students performing recently at the Arts Gala. Even though it was quite cool outdoors, they played a number of pieces very well and should be proud of their efforts.

We are also very excited to be getting ready for our second round of the Give It A Go! Band Programme. In the coming weeks, our Year 4 students will take an excursion to hear the Queensland Symphony Orchestra & in the days after will have a chance to try playing the woodwind & brass instruments themselves in preparation for Give It A Go! in 2019. More information will be sent to Year 4 parents in the next few weeks & there will be an information night early in Term 4.

Arts Gala

It was very encouraging to hear so many instrumental perform at the College Arts Gala last week. A number of students played piano solos & we even heard a cello! Congratulations to all students who performed so well.

Choirs

Both the Junior & Senior Choirs also performed at the Arts Gala in late August. It’s wonderful to hear these young voices and to see the joy on their faces as they sing. Congratulations to both choirs on beautiful performances!

Our Secondary Choir is also developing well, and performed well at the Arts Gala. They have been working hard to learn new repertoire and develop their sound, and should be commended for the work they have done so far.

We have just a few more performances in Term 4, and that will wrap up what has been a momentous year for music here at the College. We are very proud of all the students, and look forward to building on the foundation we have laid this year.

CSSAQ Sport

August was a busy month with 4 CSSAQ carnivals taking place. It started with football as the boys and girls teams played in a gala day at Hubner Park. This was over 2 days and was well received by all teams involved. It was a chance for our school to broaden its capacity by taking on the best christian schools in Brisbane.

The Track & Field day followed this with 9-18yrs participating at QEII on the 21^st of August. Most students achieved personal best results, which is a testament to the effort and training put in during the lead up to the carnival. The 9-12yrs team finished 2^nd overall and the 13-18yrs finished 9^th. Well done to all who participated on the day.

Lastly we finished with the CSSAQ Netball tournament held on Friday the 31^st August. The girls have been training weekly in the lead up to this day and it showed on the court. Three teams represented Parklands, and each student put their best effort forward. The Year 7/8 team got the best result finishing 4^th overall for the day.

A number of times today, the girls were praised for not only their playing skills, but their excellent sportsmanship. Our teams were always respectful, played hard and, even when they were tired or frustrated, they kept their excellent attitudes and care for one another.

Rugby League

On the 9th of August our Rugby League squad attended a gala day at Waterford RLFC. We had 3 teams compete in the 7, 8 and the 9/10 division. For a lot of these boys it was their first chance to play competitive rugby. All the teams tasted victory on the day with huge efforts put in by all. We look forward to similar results in the last gala day in term 4.

Representative Sport

Last month the College competed at the district level carnival with 17 students making the representative team. On the 28-29^th of August these students competed at the Met West Regional Carnival at QEII. This competition is the best athletes in Metropolitan West area competing for a spot in the Regional side.

Parklands had 3 Students make this team, Ethan Jackson for Shotput and Zach Hollenberg for 100m and Justin Hunt for High Jump. This is a great achievement by these boys who will compete at the State Carnival at Cairns in October this year. Well done to all the students who made it this far.

Nathanial Lovaszi, Callum Dagg, Samantha Bayer, Justin Hunt, Hudson Hunt, Jay Fotek Abbey Sullivan, Max Finnila, Georgia Payne Tayla Thompson, Ella Leau, Tommy Patton Ethan Jackson, Josh Smart, Zacary Brown, Jacinta Hicks, Zachary Hollenberg.

Futsal Qld

Futsal Queensland are looking to run a weekly comp at our school. Please see the flyer for more details and contact information.

Subject to changes – please check the College Calendar on the College website for more detailed and up to date information on the above.

The Responsible Thinking Process in Action from a Teacher and Student Perspective

From a Teacher’s Perspective

The Responsible Thinking Process is used in all the classrooms throughout the College to assist the students to learn and follow Parklands rules and values. The process is utilised by teachers when a student or group of students are causing repeated disruption or are not being safe. The teacher initiates a conversation with the student when they are disrupting by asking a student a set of questions (as per the posters).

For this to take place the student will have not been following the College rules, this could be a student talking to another student, calling out, being out of their seat or anything that is disrupting the learning of that student or other’s. When this occurs the student has the opportunity to then refocus their attention on their learning and continue to complete the lesson. If that student then continues to not follow the class rules, the teacher will ask the student the set of questions a second time. The teacher can ask “What did you say was going to happen the next time you disrupted?” and “Where do you need to go now?” The student is then referred to the Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC) to complete a plan.

This is done for a range of reasons. By this stage, the student has repeatedly disrupted other students and the teacher from their work that it is beneficial for others if the student has space from the classroom. In addition to this, the student themselves is in a position where they are not able or willing to learn and it is therefore best for them to have a break from the classroom environment to speak with someone, receive support and have time to come up with ideas on how they will re-engage in class later.

An email is sent home to parents at the end of the day to communicate to you what has occurred during the day. The referral and the email does not mean the child has been bad, it means the choice they made during that class was not a good choice for their learning –  remember they made thousands of good choices the rest of the day! The purpose of the plan is to come up with better choices next time they are feeling they may disrupt, and we ask them to focus on what they will do next time, rather than the mistake they made to go to RTC. The RTC is just another classroom in the College that teaches children to become responsible thinkers.

From a Student’s Perspective

When a student was asked to share their perspective for this newsletter article, one of them stated the following:

“The RTC helps when you’ve done something wrong. You get asked the questions, then you know you need to stop doing it [the behaviour]. I like it because it helps me stop what I’m doing and focus on what I should be doing and following the teacher’s rules. They give me help if I put up my hand but they won’t give me help if I call out. They want me to do a plan so I can learn for next time to put my hand up.”

GROSS MOTOR POSTER