Our Year 6 students reflected that curiosity is an urge to discover more about something of interest. It is this deep desire to discover more that is harnessed by the great problem solvers, inventors and adventurers of our world. Human inquisitiveness becoming a stepping stone to curiosity.

You may have heard of the phrase 鈥榳icked鈥� problems. These are challenging and complex world problems that if solved may cause further problems or if left unsolved have deep and ongoing implications for society into the future. Problems like homelessness, health care and climate change are good examples.

Growing curious young people of character, able to collaborate and ask questions that go wide and deep, offer a bright future for a complex world.

Several years ago, I went on a learning tour of several schools who had embraced the concept of growing learners who were capable of deep inquiry. This led us to schools like Hi-Tech High where I had the privilege of meeting and spending time with the founder Larry Rosenstock.

With 16 High-Tech Charter Schools across California, Larry created a movement in education that listened to the needs of employers like the High-Tech companies in Silicon Valley and found they weren鈥檛 essentially after university graduates but young people who were curious, had high emotional intelligence and capable of working in teams to problem solve issues and create new pathways and opportunities for the future of the USA.

I also visited Stanford University鈥檚 Design School, a place of curiosity that allows for inquiry, creativity, innovation and iteration. Interestingly Stanford D-Schools workshops were like the High-Tech High Classrooms, they were not filled with the latest technologies but were spaces resourced with stationery and hardware, and tools enabling design, prototyping, testing and re-designing. I would describe them as 鈥榃e Work鈥� meets 鈥極ffice Works鈥� and 鈥楤unnings鈥� in a 鈥楳aker Space鈥�!

Whilst in Australia we have a curriculum we are required to follow; we have flexibility from Prep to Year 10 to discern how we educate our young people. Our Lakes Learner priorities are Faith, Knowledge, Curiosity, Character and Connection. Character and Connection have always been part of the Lakes way, now it is time to deepen Curiosity to make it simply a part of what we do around here every day.

How can you help? Encourage your young people to question. Then before you give them the answer, encourage them to find it themselves or work in it together, in the kitchen, yard, garage, study, beach, creek鈥�.

Curiosity starts with a simple question: I Wonder鈥︹��

Get Curious.

Nicole Gregory | Principal

Welcome families to the dawn of the Primary School year at 91福利!

Despite the very hot start to the new year, our Primary School students have walked through the College gates eagerly each morning, building connections with teachers and students around the College.

Our theme: 鈥楪et Curious鈥�

Our theme in the College this year is to 鈥榞et curious鈥�. Curiosity is one of our Lakes Learner capabilities, along with knowledge, character and connection. It is curiosity that ignites the spark of exploration, which propels our young minds towards discovery and understanding.

Through the learning that takes place inside and outside of the P-6 classroom, we know that our Lakes Learners hold a curious mind and our staff are committed to sparking this with wonderment through learning. Learning can happen in any space, as long as there is a vibrant ecosystem where questions are encouraged, imagination is cherished and curiosity reigns supreme. This is because we believe that when curiosity is nurtured, it becomes a powerful catalyst for growth, creativity and lifelong learning.

How can families play a role in nurturing and sustaining a spirit of curiosity?

It doesn鈥檛 matter where you are or what you are doing, pause to take in the world around you. Encourage your children to ask questions, to wonder and to explore.

Ask: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

If your children ask you questions, then consider these thoughtfully.

I am a parent of two boys aged 10 and 7, and I receive quite a lot of questions about a range of topics, including (but not limited to!): cars, solar power, video games, money, puberty, war, 90s music and construction. Sometimes I can answer these questions, but at other times, I need to seek out the answers, and this is part of the journey of being curious. Through inquiry, I am teaching my children that I don鈥檛 have all the answers and that this is ok. Even if I do have the answers, it鈥檚 always great to consider other perspectives.

Share in on your child鈥檚 excitement as they uncover new ideas, challenge old assumptions and chart their own paths of discovery.

The power of reading and storytelling

Reading and storytelling are also wonderful ways to engage your child鈥檚 imagination and curiosity. Encourage your child to ask questions about the characters, the setting and the world that is depicted in the stories. Encourage them to imagine and explore new ideas and scenarios.

I鈥檓 looking forward to the 2024 academic year and the adventure that we will have together, united by our shared love of learning and our insatiable curiosity about the world around us.

Katerina Tilley | Head of Primary

An important part of reading is reading for pleasure. Studies have shown that reading for pleasure is closely related to writing for pleasure. Time needs to be allocated to share books with younger students, model reading for pleasure as an influencer on our children and provide opportunities to engage in reading for pleasure. Library lessons give students opportunities to engage in reading for pleasure, but providing time at home and at school it gives students agency to make choices as readers and writers. With routine, children often look forward to this opportunity.

You might want to read more, is an article that provides ideas for parents, carers and teachers.

Library lessons have commenced

All Primary students have commenced their Library lessons and begun library borrowing. A reminder that all Primary students (and even recommended for older students) are to have a library bag to transport library books to and from school. Upper Primary students, reading chapter books, might bring their books to school each day, especially when they have an opportunity to read after completing work.

Library Opening Hours

• Primary students:
  • 8:00am - 8:25am each day and
  • 3:00pm - 3:30pm after school with a parent or carer to borrow
• Secondary Students:
  • From 7:30am to prepare for learning
  • After school: 3:10pm - 5:00pm (check notices for tutorials on offer)
    (Secondary students sign in with the circulation desk on arrival and sign out when leaving)

Therese Stafford | Head of Library and Research

鈥淢y God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest鈥�.
Psalm 22 verse 1 and 2

鈥淥ne short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And Death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.鈥�
鈥� John Donne, The Complete Poetry and Selected Prose

Lent is a time which is liminal, transitional and lived in the groaning of what is and hope of what ought to be. The world is full of pain, loss and grief if we choose to see it or not. Its sobering to think that this has become the norm for literally millions around the globe and mostly women and children. Lent reminds us that Christ is present in the world as it is, and will transform it to how it should be, 鈥測our Kingdom come your will be done on earth at it is in heaven鈥� is his revolution prayer.

In psalm 22 above we read the words that are found on the lips of Jesus in his dying moment. We hear a shrill cry for God to intervene, to save and to remove the anguish of the existential crisis being lived at multiple levels as he dies on the cross. The words are piercing in affect as they are potent. Where are you God, right now where are you! Silence is the profound reality.

We can at times find ourselves in a similar space, in a void, in a funk, in a state seeking mercy and or relief. Bad news comes, an unwelcome diagnosis, a report of lost life, a snippet of grief. My God My God where the heck are you now? Its human to seek and its human to cry out. The cry itself is an act of deep faith. God does hear and he knows pain. Christ entered our state, he cried out as we do in fact he cried out 鈥渇or鈥� us. Lent is a cry for relief and a declaration that death, pain and sorrow are not the end state.

Lent reminds people of faith what John Donne insightfully wrote during the plagues of England in his day, he declared the gospel hope that the resurrection of Christ was born in the crucible of his atoning death. Donne signaled the end of loss in Christ, the end of pain in Christ and the beginning of Life in Christ. Donne understood the liminal state, the transition, and the way things 鈥渙ught鈥� to be. As pastor to a nation in pain at the time of the great plagues, he turned the lament of Lent to the joy of life-giving Easter in this life and the next. He joined the revolution prayer 鈥� your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven鈥�. Donne simply dared to believe in Christ who transcended for us.

At this time, we are invited to reflect on the state of things, global and personal. We are invited to feel, to lament and to hope. Lent at its best creates space to do deeper and to become richer in our very souls. My God My God鈥︹�︹��. well this is the faith we are invited to believe and lean into as Christs' words shape our current state. There is hope beyond the ashes because there is a God who made them to be a seedbed of eternal life.

Tim McMenamin | Director of Mission

Happy New Year and welcome to Term 1 2024! We hope our TLC community had a wonderful break and enjoyed their time with family and friends.

Our TLCCA Executive had a well-deserved break and have returned to our duties refreshed and ready for a fabulous year connecting with everyone.

We did, however, still have a couple of key achievements over the festive break that I would love to share.

Achievement No# 1

Mike Tratt, our wonderful Treasurer, along with the TLCCA Exec Team were successful in securing a $2k City of Moreton Bay discretionary funding to contribute to our Picnic in the Park 2024 event on Saturday 2 March. A fun event the TLCCA are involved with each year to welcome all families to celebrate the start of another school year. We are so grateful to the City of Moreton Bay Council and our local Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Jodie Shipway who regularly attends our TLCCA meetings and is such a source of support and encouragement to the TLCCA over the years of her tenure. Jodie Shipway, along with her family have been invited to attend the Picnic in the Park so please be sure to say 鈥淗i鈥� to Jodie on the day.

Achievement No# 2

Secondly, massive shout out to Renee C-O and the Second Hand Uniform Shop 'dream team' comprised of parents, carers and students working hard during the 鈥淏ack-to-School鈥� week (15-19 January). Meeting and greeting new families, answering questions, providing advice (not just uniform-related either), offering suggestions, catching up with existing families, tidying, cleaning, hanging, folding and, most importantly, being a friendly face.

These ladies and young ladies were doing it all and doing it out of the kindness of their hearts! Giving back to our beautiful TLC families in their own time, around their own family, business and career commitments. We are so grateful for these hard-working and generous ladies and the difference that their work is making in our TLC Community.

Thank you to our SHUS dream team of TLC parents and carers:

• Renee C-O
• Kristina P
• De-Arna M-C
• Corrinne B
• Lana W
• Julie-Anne R
• TLC Students and Alumni:
• Charlotte O
• Maddie R
• Sarah P
• Eleni M-C
• Elizabeth R

On a personal note, I would also want to make an extra, appreciative, shout out to our SHUS Manager Renee C-O, for the additional hours she has dedicated to processing the many, many bags of donated uniforms that were received at the end of last year to ensure stock levels have remained available to new and existing TLC families, especially making sure the items sold out at School Locker have been available at the SHUS for students on their first day of term. Renee you are amazing!

Outcomes of January Meeting

Our first TLCCA meeting for 2024 was held on 31 January and we were humbled to have several new faces in attendance. We were fortunate to have Deputy Principal, Mathew Stein in attendance who agreed that it was a 鈥減ositive, energetic and engaging meeting.鈥�

As per usual, there was a lot to discuss and the Meeting Minutes are available to review on 91福利 website here.

We were excited to approve a funding request from Julie Kleinschmidt, EALD (English as a 2^nd Language/Dialect) Mentor Teacher, for the provision of 50 Chatter Bags. Chatter Bags are a take home oral language resource to support the development of oral language skills for students from an EALD background. The Chatter Bags include a story book and resources to support said book such as puppets, soft toys, games, flash cards, dress ups and more to assist with building language development in the home, ultimately improving students access to the Australian Curriculum in their Primary year level.

TLCCA February Meeting

Wednesday 28 February 7pm 鈥� 8pm in the Main Administration Staffroom.

We welcome and love seeing new faces at our meetings. Meetings are always attended by a Executive Member of TLC and they are a great opportunity to hear about what is going on around the school.

Second Hand Uniform Shop Opening Times

• Monday 鈥� Friday 8am 鈥� 9am
• Tuesday 2:30pm 鈥� 3:30pm
  

Kristina P | President 91福利 Community Association

North Lakes Kangaroos Rugby League Club

The North Lakes Kangaroos Rugby League Club is seeking players for their Under 6 through to Under 12 Teams for season 2024. Located at the Griffin Sports Complex at Henry Road Griffin, the Club is looking for Boys and Girls to join and play rugby league. Under 6 and 7 are non-contact competitions with contact commencing in Under 8s. Games are played on a Sunday morning with some special Gala Days being held on a Saturday throughout the season. Come down and enjoy the benefits of a supportive team environment at arguably the most modern junior rugby league facility. If interested, please contact us via email at northlakesrlfc@gmail.com or register at If needed you will find detailed instructions on how to register at our website .

91福利 extends sincere thanks to our 2024 TLC Sponsors, whose steadfast support plays a vital role in fostering the overall development and wellbeing of our students. We acknowledge and value the dedication of the businesses listed below, whose investments directly enrich the educational journey of our students. Their contributions provide invaluable resources and open doors to opportunities that might not have been accessible otherwise. We are truly grateful for their commitment to enhancing the educational experiences at 91福利.

Early Bird Special

Sign up before the end of October and you will feature in our 2024 annual magazine PLUS our 2025 annual magazine and calendar!

• Click here to find out more

Gold Sponsor: Luxury Lifestyle Homes

Luxury Lifestyle Homes exemplifies unparalleled excellence in the design and construction of dream homes in Brisbane. With meticulous attention to detail, they are dedicated to transforming visions into reality. What sets Luxury Lifestyle Homes apart is their fusion of precise workmanship and proven processes, ensuring clients receive a home that is not only tailored to their exact specifications but is also completed on time, within budget and without stress. The team at Luxury Lifestyle Homes takes pride in bringing dream homes to life, creating a delightful and stress-free experience for their clients throughout the entire process.

Community Sponsor: North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical

Since 2004, North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical have been the local electrician serving the North Lakes community. As a family-owned and locally operated electrical contracting business, they have successfully contributed to the growth and development of the Moreton Bay Region. When you choose their services, you are not just hiring an electrician; you are investing in a relationship built on trust and expertise.

Community Sponsor: The Vinyl Loft

The Vinyl Loft stands as a prominent player in the Australian vinyl crafting sector, consistently advancing and establishing a renowned position for delivering high-quality branded vinyl with a commitment to exceptional customer service. As an authorised Australian supplier, The Vinyl Loft offers a comprehensive range of quality branded vinyl, DTF Transfers, blanks, tools, and accessories, catering to diverse crafting and business requirements.