The Week Ahead - Term 1, Week 3
Monday 8 February to Friday 12 February 2021
From the Head of College
With the first complete week of schooling under our belt, we can now settle into the normal flow of the new school year. We celebrated by officially welcoming and installing new staff to the College at the Stephen Street Campus, and this Service will be repeated on Monday at the Hume Street Campus.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the parents and staff from the Warwick Street Campus who came together with the purpose of finishing the spread of soft-fall around the new playground equipment situated at the Campus. It was a mammoth effort, but it meant that the equipment could be commissioned in time for the opening of the school year. Thank you to Mrs Jackie Minnikin for coordinating the team of helpers that were able to make all things possible. A wonderful addition to the school yard!
Parents at the Warwick Street Campus received correspondence from the Director of Campus relating to the planning for an establishment of an Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program at that Campus. The wheels are in motion as we finalise approvals and we will have further announcements later in the term. In the meantime, the community is reminded that there is an existing OSHC program at the Hume Street Campus and information is available through any of the College Reception areas.
Parents are reminded to check the calendar for the various information sessions and learning additions that occur on a regular basis across the College. Next Monday will see the âStephen Street Campus Years 7-12 Information Eveningâ (P&F Canapes at 5.30pm followed by the Information Session at 6.30pm). At Warwick Street Campus, the Life Education Van will be arriving, and at the Hume Street Campus, Year 4 students will be involved in the Cycle Safety course. Parents and friends will meet at 2pm on Friday 12 February for the AGM of the Parents and Friends Association (Hume Street Campus) â and the list goes on. It always fascinates me to see how much activity occurs around schools and I encourage our community to keep a close eye on upcoming dates and events.
Kind regards and every blessing,
Mr Adrian Wiles
Head of College
Important Announcement
From the College Pastor
Community News
She Maps Drone Experience - Students Years 5 to 8
For the next four Mondays, Ted Carter from Edwooducation, is offering our students from Years 5 to 8 the opportunity to come and have a go at flying a drone.
Session Details
Monday 15 February 3:20pm-4:45pm
Monday 22 February 3:20pm-4:45pm
Monday 1 March 3:20pm-4:45pm
Monday 8 March 3:20pm-4:45pm
Each session is capped at 20 participants and they are looking to have 20 different students for each week.
Cost
There is no cost for this program. If you are interested in registering your child/ren in this program, please fill in the .
Transport to HSC
There is a College bus available if you need your child/ren to be transported to the Hume Street Campus. Please submit the . This application is for SSC students also.
Mrs Juanetta Priest, Director of Campus - Hume Street will be in attendance at these sessions with the Drone instructors.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
From the Director
Student Learning Journeys
Have you logged into Seesaw lately to see what is happening in your childâs class? Seesaw is a great way of making your childâs learning visible to you. Being a Visible Learner is all about a student knowing what they know and knowing what they need to learn next. Seesaw helps you to know what your learner knows. Term overviews will be posted soon so that you also know âwhat nextâ. Seesaw is very interactive, you may comment on your students work, both verbally and through text. What an amazing tool to help you stay in the loop of the learning.
Chapel Theme Term 1 â Superheroes
We will look at the superheroes of the Bible and the qualities that these people portrayed. Then in later in the term, we will create our own superhero capes and celebrate our own gifts and talents. Chapel will be at 8.35am most Fridays. Parents are welcome to attend. Please sign in, sanitise and social distance.
Update on Eve
Eve is one of our current HSC Superheroes. She has endured a myriad of emotions and bodily reactions as she has journeyed with her leukemia so far. Eveâs parents, Jade and Matthew have received some excellent news this past week. Eve no longer shows signs of leukemia in her blood, spinal fluid or bone marrow. Eve will proceed with the full course of treatment but as you can imagine the family (and us) are thrilled to hear this latest news. Thank you to all who have prayed for Eve and been so supportive of the family. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they continue with her treatment.
Drone Flying Opportunity
For the next 4 Mondays,
- Monday 15 February 3:20pm-4:45pm
- Monday 22 February 3:20pm-4:45pm
- Monday 1 March 3:20pm-4:45pm
- Monday 8 March 3:20pm-4:45pm
Ted Carter from Edwooducation is offering our students Years 5-8 the opportunity to come and have a go at flying a drone. Each session is capped at 20 participants and they are looking to have 20 different students for each week. There is no cost for this program. If you are interested in registering your child/ren in this program, please fill in the .
I will also be in attendance at these sessions with the Drone Instructors.
to view HSC's Events for Week 2.
Juanetta Priest
Director of Campus
Tuckshop Orders
At HSC, tuckshop is held on a Thursday. All orders are to be completed online at by 3pm each Wednesday. Please notify Reception by 9am on Thursday if your child is absent and we will cancel their order. Tuckshop will finish in Week 9.
Warwick Street Campus
From the Director
Week 2 has come and gone, and students and staff have settled in well to their new routines. We started the week with the presentation of our Year 6 leader badges at Assembly. Our leaders are eager to get into their year and have some exciting ideas to share with the students. We wish them all the best as they work through their last year at the Junior College.
As you are aware from my email in recent days, we are excited to announce that we are in the process of becoming an approved Outside School Hours Care provider at Warwick Street Campus. We are currently compiling all documentation and we will send through regular updates as they come to hand. In the meantime, please remember that our OSHC is located at Hume Street Campus. If you require before or after school care, please contact Rebecca Turner via email - oshc@concordia.qld.edu.au
Thank you for your patience in the Drive Through in the afternoons. I know it can be an extremely busy time. After observing the traffic in the Drive Through over the last week, we have decided that the Drive Through will be in two locations in the afternoon and students will again be divided into their House groups as they were last year.
These new Drive Through procedures will commence on Monday 8 February.
- Stedman
- Afternoon pick up will be via The Shed Drive Through.
- Please enter by turning left into The Shed Drive Through from Warwick Street and exiting by turning left onto Warwick Street again.
- There will be no right turn.
- Altus and Kessler
- Students in Altus and Kessler will be in the Drive Through off Yaldwyn Street as per normal.
- Please enter the Drive Through by turning left on Yaldwyn Street and exit by turning left onto Warwick Street.
- All students will use the Yaldwyn Street Drive Through as per normal in the mornings.
Things to note:
- Afternoon Drive Through will be supervised until 3.30pm each day.
- If you have older students, and it fits with your after school activities, please leave your afternoon pick up until at least 3.15pm to assist with congestion. All students will be supervised until 3.30pm.
- If you are walking your students into the school grounds please do not walk through the Drive Through. For safety reasons, all pedestrians must walk alongside the Kindy fence to the top of the Drive Through and then use the crossing.
Camp Quality
We have been touched by the effects of cancer throughout the college community over recent years, and this week we were fortunate to have a visit from Camp Quality this week, who presented a puppet show to our students. Students were entertained and educated by âKylieâ and her friends and learnt about the effects of cancer on people and how they can be supported by those around them.
to view WSC's Events for Week 3.
Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus
Tuckshop Orders
At WSC, Tuckshop is held on a Wednesday. All orders are to be completed online at by 3pm each Tuesday. Please notify Reception by 9am on Wednesday if your child is absent and we will cancel their order. Tuckshop starts week 3 and will finish in Week 9.
She Maps Drone Experience - Students Years 5 to 8
For the next 4 Mondays, Ted Carter from Edwooducation is offering our students from Years 5-8 the opportunity to come and have a go at flying a drone.
Session Details
Monday 15 February 3:20pm-4:45pm
Monday 22 February 3:20pm-4:45pm
Monday 1 March 3:20pm-4:45pm
Monday 8 March 3:20pm-4:45pm
Each session is capped at 20 participants and they are looking to have 20 different students for each week.
Cost
There is no cost for this program. If you are interested in registering your child/ren in this program, please fill in the .
Transport to HSC
There is a College bus available if you need your child/ren to be transported to the Hume Street Campus. Please submit the . This application is for SSC students also.
Mrs Juanetta Priest, Director of Campus | Hume Street will be in attendance at these sessions with the Drone instructors.
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director
Given that today is our Inter-House Swimming Carnival, it only seems appropriate for me to say, âGO THE MIGHTY KESSLER CROCS!â There is certainly some House spirit in the air with the high probability of our College Captain, Tom Headâs newly-scribed House songs making their debut. Sensational effort, Tom!
This week has seen many of our arts and sports programs and training commence. I do strongly encourage students to be involved in at least one cocurricular activity each semester. These experiences are the ones that add richness to school life and really help to promote their wellbeing through active engagement.
On Monday, the Stephen Street Campus Quadrangle will be full of âphysically distancedâ, canapes-enjoying families as we come together at 5.30pm for our P&F Welcome Event followed by the Stephen Street Campus Parent Information Evening from 6.20pm. I extend a warm invitation to all our families, especially those new to our campus. This will be a great opportunity to meet and mingle with our teaching staff, hear from our Year Level Coordinators and find out about what lies ahead for 2021. Please click here to RSVP so that we can manage our COVID-19 and catering requirements.
Next Friday, our Year 7 students will be enjoying a well-earned fun day. I am thoroughly impressed with how our newest members of Stephen Street Campus have settled in and how enthusiastically they have found their way into the various opportunities that are available to them. Well done, Year 7 on a great start. Be bold, take every opportunity and make your mark on Concordia.
Mr Jason Smith
Director of Campus
SSC Parent Information Sessions
Free Coffee Vouchers for SSC families
Hopthru Cafe on James Street has provided the College with some FREE coffee vouchers for families of Stephen Street Campus, for use during Week 3 (week commencing 8 February).
If you would like to grab some vouchers for your family, they will be located at SSC Reception. Your student is welcome to collect them from Reception during their breaks.
Many thanks to the staff at Hopthru Cafe for offering this to our College families.
An Introduction to Elevate
Free Elevate Webinars
Weâre excited to announce that parents of Âéśš´ŤĂ˝ have exclusive access to Elevate Educationâs Parent Webinar Series for Term 1, 2021. Elevate works with our students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn how to better support your children at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school.
The webinars take place across Term 1, beginning on Wednesday 10 February at 6pm. Registration is essential and is free for parents of Âéśš´ŤĂ˝.
The webinar is run live online from 6pm to 7pm where the presenter will share Elevateâs key research and skills, and will conduct a live Q&A so you can ask them questions directly.
Webinars in this series will focus on the following:
- 10 February - Motivation and the role of parental praise and goals.
- 24 February - Time management techniques to align the family expectations on homework and school-life balance.
- 10 March - Technology devices and self-regulation strategies.
- 24 March - Note taking skills to help your child deepen their revision.
News from the Maths Department
New Year, new beginnings ring true for the Mathematics Department this year. We have implemented some bright new changes and have some bright new staff. I am happy to introduce Mrs Sandra Hewett and Mr Shanaal De Zoysa as part of our team.
Mrs Hewett joins us from Pittsworth SHS where she taught for 11 years. A fun fact is that both Sandraâs brothers live in Japan and she cannot wait to visit them. She will be teaching Year 12 General Maths, Year 11 Essential Maths and some Junior classes.
Mr De Zoysa, a native Melbournite, spent most of his life in England. He returned last year where he worked a year in Charters Towers. Mr De Zoysa enjoys playing bridge and a bit of volleyball. He will be teaching Senior Specialist Maths, Year 11 Methods Maths and some Junior classes.
One of our exciting developments is Maths Pathways extending into primary school, now starting at Year 5. The Hume Street Campus and Warwick Street Campus staff have spent some days on the secondary campus with the introduction and rollout. We are very excited to see how this impacts our Maths for the future.
Part of the impact of Maths Pathways can already be seen this year. We have introduced Maths-celerate. This program allows Year 9 students who are ready for Year 10 Maths to access it a year earlier. It is exciting to see how the barriers are coming down in Mathematics. We also have our first year with Year 10 students after Maths Pathways. Keep an eye on this space as I am sure great things will still be seen.
Maths tutorials for Term 1:
Monday 3.30pm to 4.30pm
⢠Methods/Specialist â E7
⢠Essential/General â E6
Ms Karin McKenzie
HOD - Mathematics
Stephen Street Campus Library
Opening times:
⢠Monday to Thursday 8.30am-5.30pm
⢠Friday 8.30am-4pm (closed recess)
Tutors are available in the afternoons to assist students with homework and assignments. The Library also has an extensive collection of online resources that can be accessed 24/7. These can be found in the Library catalogue by going to:
Student CafĂŠ > School links > Stephen Street Campus > Library
The Library is also known as the âLearning Commons;â a place where the College community can gather to learn, collaborate, socialise and find help. Students are welcome to visit the Learning Commons for:
- Help with assignments and homework.
- Participating in tutoring and study groups
- Finding reliable and current information
- Seeking guidance on navigating the World Wide Web
- A meeting place for special interest groups
- Help with printing and technology
- And mostly importantly, a place to grow a love for reading and literature!
Mrs Heidi Edwards
Teacher Librarian
SSC Term 1 Training
Students who are attending early morning trainings can purchase breakfast at the canteen for $5. Menu varies each day so check out the current week's menu here.
Boarding
Welcome to a New Year!
We are greatly excited to welcome a number of new boarders to Concordia in 2021! They have found their feet very quickly and are settling well into the routine of boarding.
Special thanks to our pre-2021 boarding students, who have been very warm, helpful and encouraging to the ânewbiesâ. Already a number of new friendships between boarders is growing.
And even though it has been a short week, it has been a very busy Week 1. Some of the weekâs fun events have included:
- A number of social sports, including basketball, volleyball, billiards and table tennis
- A game of Night Lantern
- A great Sunday morning Chapel service
- A lunch time barbecue, cooked beautifully by some of the Senior boarders
- A swim in the Concordia pool.
All the boarding staff are excited with being back at work, and are looking forward to a positive term with all the boarders.
Mr Ross McKeown and Mrs Maureen Taurima
Houseparents