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As we start the year, there are a few matters to bring to your attention:

Staffing update

As with any year, we are excited to welcome several new staff members. Welcome to: Mr Gabe Robbie (HOD – HASS), Ms Elisabeth Smit (Science and Psychology), Mr Darren Pope (Learning Enrichment), Ms Georgie Meecham (Strings Conductor), Ms Tosca Grainger-Dee (Houseparent – Girls Boarding), Ms Terri Sheedy (Catering) and Ms Rosalie Roberts (Catering). 

It was with sadness that I received a letter of resignation from Ms Amy McCabe (Houseparent – Girls Boarding). On your behalf, I wish her well on her new pathway beyond Concordia.

Academic results

At our Scholars Assembly in two weeks, we will recognise our outstanding academic students from 2019. In particular, we will acknowledge our Dux Holly Yarrow OP2 and other students who achieved OP 1-7. We are now aware of the tertiary and workplace offers that have been received by our past students, and we are excited to know that they have moved into further study in areas such as Pharmacy and Health in Brisbane and Toowoomba.

General news

Early Learning Centres
We are excited to announce that the Prep classrooms on the Warwick Street Campus have relocated and been upgraded as a part of our strategic move towards the establishment of the Early Learning Centre (K-2). 

We have also received official notification that the kindergartens and OSHC are now titled �鶹��ý Warwick Street Kindergarten, �鶹��ý Hume Street Kindergarten and �鶹��ý OSHC. Again, this is in line with the move towards establishing ELCs at both junior campuses.

Government grants
We are delighted to announce that shade sails across the seating area on the HSC oval have been funded through the Commonwealth Government. An official announcement will be made early next week. 

We have also received funding through AUSTRADE to support our marketing in the international arena. As we continue to expand the ‘Learning in Residence’ program, our connection with families in countries such as PNG, Hong Kong, Vietnam, China and Germany will be one crucial element towards growing this sector of our school.

We are currently awaiting any announcements regarding the ‘Drought Relief Fund’ for schools in regional and rural Australia.

Child Protection Policy and Procedures

I ask that all members of our community become aware of the important ‘’ available on the College website. It is important to note that Child Protection is everyone’s business, and any inappropriate behaviour that relates to Child Protection will be dealt with by the College using the stated guidelines. Any questions that relate to such matters should be directed in the first instance to the Head of College.

I finish by passing on my thanks to the wonderful staff at Concordia. As with every start of the school year, the action has been frenetic! I thank staff for what has been a settled and exciting beginning to this school year.

Kindest regards and blessings

Mr Adrian Wiles
Head of College

Parent Lounge on the College App

You may have noticed that when you select Parent Lounge on the College App, a different screen appears. This is a new enhancement that pulls data from Parent Lounge into the App. This has been implemented to make using Parent Lounge on your mobile more user friendly.

If you need to see the usual Parent Lounge page, you can still do so by selecting the Parent Lounge Home Option.

Important Changes to End of Year Events

You may have noticed that Presentation Night and Valedictory Week are scheduled for Week 2 of Term 4. This differs from previous years when the Valedictory Week was held in Week 6. This change is the result of the new timeline for our Year 12 students with the ATAR system.

The Valedictory Week, which kicks off with Presentation Night for Years 7 to 12, is the week prior to the Year 12 students commencing SWATVAC. SWATVAC is a term used for the time that students are undertaking personal, unsupervised study prior to their final exams. Following SWATVAC, our Year 12 students will be sitting their external exams over a three week period.

This means that Week 2 will be the final week of the Year 12 students being at the College in the usual sense. The week will run in much the same format as previous years, however it will be earlier in the term.

Our Year 9 students will start Googa slightly later, in Week 2 rather than Week 1, to ensure they are here for Presentation Night. Year 9 students who have a sibling in Year 12 will have the opportunity to return for special graduation events.

Mrs Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing and Enrolments

Uniform and Bookshop
The Uniform and Bookshop will continue trading from 9am to 2pm daily until Friday 7 February, reverting to our standard hours of operation from Week 3 (Monday 8am to 12 noon, Wednesday 1pm to 4pm, Friday 8am to 11am). 

If you are unable to attend the Uniform Shop in the allotted time, we can take orders over the phone with a credit card payment and send the uniform item home with your child or send the item over to the Junior College campuses. Your child can also purchase uniform items which will be charged to their Smartcard/My Student Account if funds are available.

We are aware that we are in short supply or out of some stock items and are working very closely with our suppliers to get this stock replenished as soon as possible. As stock items arrive, we will post the notification on the College app and The Week Ahead.

Should you have any queries in relation to your account or the College shops during the year, please contact the Business Office staff who will be more than happy to assist. 

Mr Gavin Lindenmayer
Business Manager

Staffing 2020

I would like to take a moment to thank the staff for their dedicated work to make our classrooms and programs exciting for your children to dive into some deep learning. 

Week 1

The next week is very busy and we look forward to sharing in the following with you all.

Ready Set Go
Tuesday 28 January, 2pm gives you a chance to bring your student/s and their books to school. Drop into the classroom, say hello to your friends and teachers, and have a great look around the classroom.

Welcome Afternoon Tea
After dropping your books off to the classrooms, join us in the top playground for Afternoon Tea. Dr John McVeigh will also be joining us with some exciting news, children will be able to play and have an ice block, and P&F have a very special spread to share with us. Our Kindy and OSHC have had a name change and we will celebrate this with the members of these two groups.

First Day of School
Wednesday 8.25am, will see the beginning of our 2020 school year. Please feel free to join me on the verandah of the Resource Centre as soon as you have said goodbye to your children. Tea, coffee and Miss Turner’s scones will help to facilitate a catch up with old friends and meet some new ones. At 2.30pm, we will move to the Hall for our first Assembly of the year. We are planning for it to be a special start. If you can join us, please do.

If at any time you have any concerns, I would encourage you to talk firstly with your teachers but know that I am always happy to assist in any way I can. We are looking forward to sharing a blessed year working with you to give your children the best educational opportunities.

to view HSC's Events for Week 1.

Mrs Juanetta Priest
Director of Campus - Hume Street

I am also excited to announce, after many years of fundraising by the WSC P&F, we will finally see the construction of a new playground this year. I am sure the students will love having another area to play. Information and timelines on the playground will come out in future additions of The Week Ahead. 

Over the coming days and weeks, Parent Information sessions will be held for all year levels. I encourage you to attend these sessions as they will assist you in supporting your child to be ready and organised for each school day. You will also have the opportunity to attend our beginning of the year Welcome Events with our first event being our Ready, Set, Go Afternoon on Tuesday commencing at 2pm. This enables the students to come and see their new classroom, drop off their books and have a chat with their new teacher. We would also love for you to join our community after the Ready, Set, Go at our Welcome Afternoon Tea. 

2020 is going to be an exciting year and I look forward to communicating with you throughout the year all the exciting things that are happening. Please be sure to keep an eye out for what is happening around the College via our Facebook page, The Week Ahead or through your child’s Seesaw account. 

I hope you all have a safe and relaxing long weekend and I look forward to seeing you all next week.

to view WSC's Events for Week 1.

Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus - Warwick Street

In terms of knowing who to talk to about various matters, here is a general guide:

• Class teacher - for any class-related matter.
• Head of Department – General faculty related conversations that may not apply directly to the classroom.
• Director of Learning and Innovation – All things relating to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, subject changes and overarching curriculum questions.
• Senior College Careers Advisor – Work Experience, My Path, SET Planning, QTAC, University, TAFE, School-Based Traineeships and Apprenticeships.
• Home Class teachers – the first port of call for wellbeing matters and general queries.
• Middle and Senior College Coordinators – more serious wellbeing matters and all other matters relating to your child.

Due to the nature of a teacher's day, an email is often a convenient way to initially touch base. Often a teacher may not have the chance to check emails before the end of a school day, so for urgent matters contact Main Reception on 07 4688 2700. Contact information can also be found here.

As for me, my door is always open. Feel free to contact me at any time about anything. I welcome all conversations… even ones that you may feel are difficult. As I head into my 13th year at the College, I have had the privilege of having had all manner of conversations with parents who, like me, are invested in their child’s education and wellbeing. It is through quality, honest dialogues that we will continue to enhance and refine our college. 

Mr Jason Smith
Director of Campus - Stephen Street