The Week Ahead - Term 1, Week 4
Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2022
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome to the first edition of The Week Ahead for 2022! It has been wonderful to welcome the students back to the College this week ā the energy, laughter, noise, learning and classrooms bursting with life have been music to our ears! A special welcome is extended to all our new students and their families. I look forward to getting to know you better over the coming weeks as well as growing a strong and transparent working relationship with you.
Congratulations to all our students on how well they have returned to school and settled in after being away from school for around 10 weeks. Thank you, parents, for your support and patience in this stop-start process. I need to use this opportunity to acknowledge the incredible job done by all the staff in making the necessary changes, and then changing some more, as we prepared and hit the reset button for the return of the students. The flexibility, professionalism, dedication to the task in hand, resilience and collaboration of the Concordia staff, mixed in with lots of laughter and humour, need to be applauded and acknowledged.
Although the school year has once again begun with some uncertainty, with the shadow of the Coronavirus pandemic still very much hanging over us, Concordia will endeavour to continue providing support and assistance for your family. With that in mind, please don't hesitate to contact us if you do need any support
One of the Strategic directions which the college will be embarking on in 2022 is the introduction of Project Based Learning [PBL]. This journey has commenced across the Year 7 and 8 Technology and Arts Programs.
So, why PBL?
Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. Students work on a project over an extended period of time that engages them in solving a real-world problem[s] or answering a complex student-directed question. Students demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience.
As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication skills. PBL is an intentional move away from the repetitive delivery and ownership of content by the teacher, to students linking their learning content to everyday real-world experiences as well as creating an environment of rich learning possibilities.
How does PBL differ from ādoing a projectā?
PBL is becoming widely used in schools and other educational settings, with different varieties being practiced. However, there are key characteristics that differentiate "doing a project" from engaging in rigorous Project Based Learning.
We find it helpful to distinguish a "dessert project" - a short, intellectually-light project served up after the teacher covers the content of a unit in the usual way - from a "main course" project, in which the project is the unit. In Project Based Learning, the project is the vehicle for teaching the important knowledge and skills student need to learn. The project contains and frames curriculum and instruction.
In contrast to dessert projects, PBL requires critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and various forms of communication. To answer a driving question and create high-quality work, students need to do much more than remember information. They need to use higher-order thinking skills and learn to work as a team.
āIn the traditional academic model, youāre passive. You sit in a chair and the teacher tries to project knowledge at you; some of it sticks, some of it doesnāt. Thatās not an effective way to learn. Worse, it creates a mindset of āyou need to teach me,ā so when youāre on your own, you think, āI canāt learn.āā
[Salman Khan]
We are committed, over the coming months, to bring you along on this learning journey and to keep you updated on the implementation of PBL by sharing the many learning discoveries, student feedback and professional readings. Do not hesitate to contact the College if you wish to know more about Project Based Learning at Concordia.
As the school year gets underway, I would like to remind you of the strong open-door policy which I propagate. This relational and working commitment with you as a family is also extended to all members of the Collegeās Leadership Team. Please stay connected with us throughout the year.
I would like to wish everyone my best wishes for the coming school year, and I hope to see many of you face to face when possible.
Have a safe weekend and week ahead.
Yours in Christ,
Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College
Quote of the week: āTell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.ā [Benjamin Franklin]
From the College Pastor
Welcome to the 2022 school year!
Welcome to Term 1, 2022! The new school year at last has started and the College is filled with life again. Itās great to see students reconnecting with one another and also with staff.
While the start of the year didnāt quite go as planned, we are blessed to be able to join as community in our learning journey for 2022. Seeing the Year 12 students assisting with the Year 7 and 8 students as they arrived on day one, was a case in point.
As we step into this school year, we are following the theme of āImagine the possibilitiesā. Imagination is one of the great gifts that humans have been given, I guess it is a reflection of being created in the image of God (as Genesis 1 puts it). The God who imagined this world and spoke it into being, who imagined each of us and made each of us, and promises to be with us along the way this God has given us the gift of imagination and the ability to join God as co-creators. And we have done so from the start
As our students go through school they are encouraged to not only develop their skills and abilities, but also their imagination, to dream about their future and to discover Godās hand in it and find ways to be active in developing their dreams.
As a community we are in an exciting phase as we look to the future and embark on planning for that future. We are seeking Godās guidance as we imagine the future for Ā鶹“«Ć½, building on the foundations of our forebears and on the solid rock that is Christ. St Paul encourages the congregation at Philippi with these words:
I can do all this through him [Christ] who gives me strength (Phil 4:13).
As we are invited to imagine the possibilities, we look to Christ our Lord in whom our future rests securely.
May you find a solid foundation in Christ as you enter this year and draw courage and strength from him, to, even in uncertain times, imagine the possibilities. God bless you!
Pastor Thomas Bƶhmert
College Pastor
Community News
Uniform and Book Shop Attendant
We are seeking an Attendant for the College Uniform/Book Shop for the period 28 February to 16 September, term time. In this 10 hour/week position, you will work closely with the Business Office to ensure the efficient operation of the shop, including providing friendly customer service to staff, parents and students and undertaking stock ordering, handling and sales.
If you would like to know more or are interested in applying, please visit our website, contact Lynda Redinger on 4688 2747 or email employment@concordia.qld.edu.au.
International Women's Day High Tea
You're invited to attend the inaugural International Women's Day High Tea taking place at the Concordia Function Centre on Tuesday 8 March from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Enjoy a delicious range of savories and sweets prepared by our professional chefs, along with an assortment of gourmet teas, coffee and juice. You will also receive a gift bag on arrival.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for school-aged students. Tables of 10 are available for $250.
It's been great to see a an excellent response to this event with half of the available seats already sold! If you'd like to join us, please make sure book your tickets as soon as possible by clicking this button. Ticket sales close on Friday 4 March, if not sold out sooner.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
JC Library News
Welcome to the start of the 2022 school year. I wish continuing Concordia families and new families a positive enthusiastic start to the year.
Each week your child will have a designated day and time for their visit to the library. Can I please ask that you assist your child by reminding them to bring along their books to return on their specific library day? During their first visit for the year, I have spoken to many of them about the importance of taking care of the books. I would be very grateful if you can please reinforce the importance of careful care of the library books such as keeping them away from very small children, pets, food and drinks.
Earlier this week, your child will have brought home their first Scholastic Book Club catalogue for the 2022 year. If you are a new family to Concordia and not familiar with Scholastic, approximately twice each term your child will bring home one of these catalogues. They are full of quality literature at reasonable prices. The students who purchase books from Scholastic are always so excited to receive their order to take home and begin reading. If possible, in these current times, can I please ask that you place your order and pay online using the scholastic.com.au/LOOP option that is on the back page of the catalogue. It is okay if you have already sent your paper order into the office. I will process all of these. Orders need to be placed by Friday 18 February for this catalogue.
It has been wonderful seeing the continuing students all back at school and meeting all the new students commencing at Concordia this year.
Mrs Karen Maben
Junior College Library Coordinator
JC Choirs
We are hoping to have our choirs up and singing by Week 5. More information will be shared next week regarding this.
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
From the HSC Director
How good was it to be back to school this week? Iām not sure who was more excited … students, staff or parents. I do know that schools are not very vibrant without our students.
It has been wonderful to begin engaging with our new theme of "Imagine the Possibilities" as all classes have begun to connect with their new year level curriculum. I heard a very excited Year 4 student comment yesterday, āWe learnt how to …!ā Imagine being excited by Maths!
I would like to take a moment to say thank you to our staff who worked tirelessly over the last three weeks to turn our space into fabulous places of learning and to also assist in our ISHC (Inside School Hours Care) program for students of essential workers.
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 imagine your childās educational possibilities.
to view HSC's Events for Term 1, Week 4 2022.
Have a lovely weekend and enjoy time together.
Mrs Juanetta Priest
Director of Campus - Hume Street
HSC Chapel and Assembly
We are not able to join together for Chapel and Assembly until Week 7. At that time, our Chapel will be at 10.15am each Friday morning and Assembly every second Monday at 12.30pm. We are going to set every other week aside to have Buddy Class time as well. We will notify you all one parents are able to return for these events.
HSC 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.
Please note: Week 9 is the last week of Tuckshop.
HSC Tennis Coaching - Term 1
Plants 2022 - Rates Vouchers
If you have received any Free Plants 2022 vouchers included with your Rates and do not want to use them yourself, we would love to take them off your hands. They can be dropped into our Campus Reception.
Warwick Street Campus
From the WSC Director
Welcome to 2022! After two weeks at school without our full cohort of students, it was wonderful to have them all back this week ready to start our year of learning. We also have many new families joining our WSC community in 2022. Along with our new group of Preps, we also have 14 new students across Years 1 to 6, which is very exciting.
This year, we also welcome some new staff members as well as welcoming back some faces that weāve seen before. I would like to take this opportunity to wish the following staff a wonderful start to 2022:
Mrs Stacey Warrener - Year 2 teacher
Frau Irena Kobald - German teacher
Mrs Christa Connolly - Health and Wellbeing teacher
Mrs Rachael Burrows - STEM teacher
Mr Sam McCullough - Learning Assistant
Miss Grace Trenaman - Learning Assistant
Miss Moira Downing - OSHC Coordinator
After the opening of our Outside School Hours Care in Term 4 last year, we are exploring the option of opening for Vacation Care this year. We would appreciate you completing the survey with regards to Vacation Care at WSC, which can be accessed by clicking on the following link. . I look forward to letting you know the results of our survey and what the next step will be for our OSHC program.
As always, a school year is always full of great learning and many exciting events. Our College theme for 2022 is āImagine the Possibilitiesā, and we look forward to exploring all the possibilities that lay ahead this year.
to view WSC's Events for Term 1, Week 4.
Blessings for the week ahead.
Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus
Drive Through Procedures
Thank you for your patience in the Drive Through in the mornings and afternoons. I know it can be an extremely busy time. All morning Drive Through for all students will be via our Yaldwyn Street Drive Through. Please read the Drive Through procedures below:
Afternoon Drive Through will be divided across the following two locations:
- 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.
WSC 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 will finish in Week 9.
Term 1 Tennis Coaching at WSC
Word on the Street
The Word on the Street is that the classrooms at WSC look amazing. Can you guess which classroom you might be looking at in these photos?
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Campus
What a great pleasure and privilege it is to write my first entry for our The Week Ahead publication. In terms of introductions, the start of my time at Concordia has not been quite what I expected or planned. Video recordings and written pieces, while still informative, are not quite the same as face-to-face communication and good old conversation.
Before introducing myself further, I would like to take the opportunity to recognise the work of my predecessor, Mr Jason Smith. Through many years of dedicated service to Concordia, Jason made deep connections within our community, always with a heart for the students and their futures. I wish Jason all the best for the future in his new role.
I wish to thank the staff, students and parents who have introduced themselves to me over the first few weeks; taking the time to ask me about how I am settling into the Concordia community. My reflections and observations over the first few weeks have routinely found one thing ā there is a massive heart for the students in this school.
If anyone has pondered whether the delayed start to school was like an extended holiday for staff, let me clarify that it was not! Instead, it was time used to prepare even more thoroughly for the return of our students, to further create a welcoming and positive year ahead. In addition to our teaching and Leadership Team, our grounds staff and boarding team have worked tirelessly to somehow make this place even more spectacular and vibrant. I wish to also acknowledge our Learning Assistants for their time in supervising students of essential workers and collaborating with teaching staff on how to enhance the learning of our students from Day 1.
As I start my role as Director of Campus at Stephen Street, I sense great anticipation as to the direction of Concordia and its commitment to keeping ālearning at the heart of everything we doā. This may not at first seem all that profound, after all - schools are made for learning. However, there is a deeper message here. Schools are very busy places, and my experience over 17 years has been that we can become distracted, moving from one week to the next, churning through curriculum and events without being mindful of the learnerās experience.
One of my favourite education sayings is, ālearning is not a spectator sportā. To go one step further, I would say that learning is not confined to classrooms. The success of students at Concordia in a range of fields, whether it be in academics, sport, the arts, technology or community service, is testimony to the fact learning is deep and holistic here. I feel very honoured to continue to grow our program to introduce even more opportunities and celebrate the success of our learners.
In all these successes, we should continue to remember that it has been made possible by a gracious Lord who cares for His people. Our College theme for the year, Imagine the Possibilities, recognises that it is only when we start with the foundation of Godās security, that we can look ahead with optimism and anticipation for greater things - āEveryone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rockā, Matthew 7:24.
Students will continue to settle back into school routines over the coming week. Students in Year 12 will receive their ties and leadership badges during a special ceremony on Wednesday, followed by a ceremony on Thursday for our Year 9 Middle College Leaders. Both events will be filmed and made available to our community.
Unfortunately, the current COVID-19 guidelines have meant the postponement of our Year 8 camp which was scheduled for next week. We are awaiting confirmation from Ironbark as to other possible dates for the camp later in the year.
Have a blessed week ahead, and please reach out if you or your family need anything.
Yours in faith,
Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus
The Arts - What's On?
Boarding
Boarding News
Hello to all our families and a special welcome to our new parents.
The term has finally started. Our 2021 students have arrived back feeling refreshed and excited for what this school year brings. Welcome to our new students who have started the Concordia journey with some following in the footsteps of their parents and others who have chosen Concordia to be the best fit for your child. I along with our new Boys' Houseparent, Mr Andrew Bull, endeavour to make this a wonderful experience for all our new students. We are committed to boarding being a home away from home and aim to replicate this by allowing our students to find their place and encourage them all to have a voice while providing a safe and healthy fun-loving environment for your child to grow.
Currently, we have been making contact daily as we do understand that as parents it is an extremely emotional time for you all. As a parent of children who went to boarding school, I understand and have felt what you are all going through especially in the early stages of your childās journey. Please know that we are here to chat whenever the need arises.
While we have had many happy faces and lots of smiles, there have on the occasion been some tears. This is to be expected and with building a good relationship with you, we can be guided by you how we can best support your child. We want this to be a happy experience for you and your family as well as your child.
I am pleased to let you all know that our Tutors and older students have engaged many of our new students with words of comfort, support and encouragement that they will all get used to boarding life. Change can be challenging, and it takes time. Some longer than others, there is no quick fix. We all have lots of patience and love to share around.
Activities for this weekend will be a shopping trip on Saturday to Grand Central with Andrew, myself and two of our tutors. Our new students will always be supervised.
Andrew and I will post the Activity program next week for the remainder of the term. Weekly boarders are always welcome to attend our weekend activities at a small cost or alternatively book in for the weekend if we have something super special on. Lots of fun to come this term.
We will attend church on Sunday followed by a barbecue brunch in the courtyard in front of our Rec room followed by a movie at the cinema in Toowoomba on Sunday afternoon.
Until next week, take care and stay safe.
Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls' Houseparent