Eagerly following in the steps of the National and International Success of the 2022 Pacific Lutheran College Future Problem Solving team, this year, Year 7 Pacific Plus students formed groups that focused on developing projects to address real-life problems or areas of concern at College and/or in the wider community.
Project areas include the issue of homelessness amongst women resulting from domestic violence, loneliness amongst our elderly population increased by COVID restrictions, the importance of mental health and wellbeing and providing a safe place for those to connect, identifying the need for an active break during classroom learning to stimulate and motivate learning and increasing engagement in Maths classrooms for Year 2 students. These projects have been designed and implemented by the students over a one-year period, and four of the projects were entered into the Future Problem-Solving Australia Competition.
“We are very excited to announce that all four teams, along with individual students, that were entered into the Community Problem Solving competition have been invited to the National Future Problem Solving Competition, which will be held in Brisbane this October.” shares Mrs Linda Sydes, Pacific Lutheran College teacher.
“We are particularly excited by the Community Problem Solving group, consisting of Year 7 students Nicole Hodgett, Paris Pohlner, Jessica Cronin, Grace Healy and Cody Walker, who have initiated and organised the donation of many second-hand clothes. These students were concerned about the increase in homelessness on the Sunshine Coast and were touched by the plight of women who suffer from domestic violence. Students became aware through community discussions that not only would women benefit from clothes and toys for their children but also from bathroom and sanitary products. Students decided to raise money to purchase these extra items and provide them to two homeless shelters in Caloundra.”
Pacific Plus students at Pacific Lutheran College hold a bake sale. Credit: Pacific Lutheran College
These ambitious students held a bake sale at St Mark’s Lutheran Church after addressing the congregation about their concerns during a Sunday service in August. With the amount of $740 raised through the bake sale, students went shopping and bought a variety of bathroom products, which were divided evenly and placed in bags along with a positive affirmation written and laminated by the students.
“We hope to help people in need and to make a difference in their living situation whilst they progress through their recovery from domestic violence, as it’s possible that they could be homeless for weeks without assistance. We will provide them with clothes for their children, bathroom products and baby toys for the younger children. This project is not just about physically helping the women but also helping to spread awareness for women suffering from domestic violence. We have found that many people are unaware of the severity of this issue,” said the students.
“The dedication and determination that the students have displayed towards addressing their area of concern is very impressive for Year 7 students. We are extremely proud of each group’s effort, vision for service learning and respecting the dignity and valuing the humanity of people.” said Mrs Linda Sydes.
Pacific Lutheran College offers a contemporary approach to meeting the needs of highly able learners through a program called Pacific Plus. Pacific Plus provides an opportunity for these students to engage with developmentally appropriate extension and enrichment experiences together.
To learn more, visit pacluth.qld.gov.au and book a College tour.
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