Leading Sunshine Coast School Pacific Lutheran College introduces an exciting new program, the ‘Pacific Quest Program’, to inspire a new generation of learners.
Pacific Lutheran College is excited to introduce the new Pacific Quest Program targeted at Year 6 and 7 students as they engage in the Arts and Technologies through two specialised learning programs—ArtsQuest and TechQuest.
“This innovative initiative is designed to nurture creativity, independence, and confidence in our Middle College students, in line with our Four Pillars of Learning: Learning to Be, Learning Together, Learning to Learn and Learning to Know and Do, that underpin Pacific’s learning journey,” shares Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Middle College Learning at Pacific Lutheran College.
The Pacific Quest Program is focused on problem-based, experiential learning, encouraging students to see themselves as responsible and capable global citizens. This program reflects Pacific’s commitment to providing forward-thinking, dynamic education that prepares Pacific students for the future.
“A key part of the success behind developing this program has been the involvement of Nicole Dyson and the Future Anything team,” says Mrs Jo Belchamber. Renowned for its innovative approach to education, Future Anything has supported Pacific Lutheran College’s highly skilled Arts and Technologies educators to design the Pacific Quest Program.
“Nicole Dyson and the Future Anything team have played a pivotal role in ensuring this program is not only aligned with the new curriculum but is also innovative in both design and delivery,” says Mrs Jo Belchamber.
“This collaboration has ensured that both semester-long programs—ArtsQuest and TechQuest —are not only future-focused but also lead to teams of students demonstrating their unique thought processes, skill development and creative responses to learning challenges.”
Techquest at leading Sunshine Coast School Pacific Lutheran College.
ArtsQuest: Express, Create, Inspire
ArtsQuest is a transformative arts program that blends drama, dance, visual arts, and media arts into an immersive experience that encourages self-expression, creativity, and performance. Through ArtsQuest, students will develop a collaborative performing arts showcase, blending choreography, dance, visual and media arts, and contemporary technology such as augmented reality (AR).
This integrated approach reflects the Australian Arts Curriculum, which recognises the interconnectedness of art forms and promotes a holistic understanding of the arts as a medium for self-expression. “With the guidance of our specialist Arts teachers, students develop not only artistic skills but also dispositions to understand how a variety of creative expression can be used to explore personal, cultural and social contexts of their worlds,” says Miss Elise Black, Head of Visual Arts at Pacific Lutheran College.
ArtsQuest strongly emphasises teamwork and collaboration, which are key skills for intellectual growth and future creative endeavours. “ArtsQuest helps students grow in self-awareness, self-expression and emotional intelligence. The program empowers students to see themselves as interdependent, creative and spiritual individuals,” says Miss Elise Black.
TechQuest: Design, Innovate, Thrive
TechQuest is an inquiry-based learning experience designed to immerse Pacific Lutheran College students in the exciting world of technology, design thinking and innovation. The program uses contemporary pedagogies to integrate Digital Technologies, Design Technologies, Food and Wellbeing Technologies, and Engineering Principles and Systems.
Through TechQuest, students learn to ideate, prototype, refine, and implement solutions to real-world challenges, developing essential design skills alongside intellectual dispositions such as curiosity, perseverance and adaptability. Guided and supported by Future Anything’s expertise, the program culminates in a showcase event, with students pitching their own innovative solutions to complex local and global issues.
“TechQuest fosters self-awareness and resilience through hands-on, project-based learning,” says Mrs Nicole Schirripa, Head of Innovation & Emerging Technologies and Head of Digital Technology. “Students gain a sense of identity as innovators and problem-solvers, well-equipped for the future. They also develop important life skills such as teamwork, creativity, and thinking critically and navigating complex challenges.”
Preparing students for the future
Pacific Lutheran College is a Sunshine Coast school that continues to lead the way in providing students with the tools they need to succeed, empowering them to become independent, enterprising and positively future-orientated. By embedding the arts and technologies in student-led inquiry projects, the Pacific Quest Program will inspire students to become active participants in their own learning, developing a blend of artistic, technological, and intellectual skills.
Teams of specialist teachers will facilitate as Middle College students collaborate on problem-based learning projects in specialised learning environments traditionally reserved for Senior students. The program embodies Pacific Lutheran College’s commitment to fostering students who are not just learners but co-creators in their learning journey.
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