Âé¶čŽ«Ăœ

The Week Ahead - Term 1, Week 6

26 February - 1 March

From the Head of College

From the Head of College

Dear Parents and Caregivers

I hope that you have had a safe and productive week. 

One of the reminders which pop up in my calendar on a Sunday night, is a heads-up about the events of the following week. This past Sunday, my diary notification told me that Week 5 was next, which brought me to the realisation that we are already half-way through Term 1. 

This must feel like a rapid passing of time for families whose children began 2024 as a Prep, Year 7 or Year 12 student, given the significance of these years in their school journey.

From the College Pastor

From the College Pastor

Lent
Last week on Ash Wednesday we observed the beginning of this sober and serious time of the church year leading up to Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

This season of Lent is a time to reflect on our lives and relationships in the light of God’s great love, witnessed to by the cross Christ willingly went to in order to bring us forgiveness and life. 

Luther called this the Great Exchange – my sin for Christ’s holiness, my death for Christ’s life. It is a pure gift that God offers to all, and this season invites us to turn to God, to seek forgiveness for our mess-ups, our selfish deeds, our sins and seek reconciliation with God and with those around us. 

We can do this in the knowledge that God is gracious and will forgive us (1 John 1:9) and grant us new beginnings and life. St Paul put it this way in his letter to the conflicted congregation at Corinth:

We are therefore Christ’s ambassdors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:2)

Community News

From the Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

In today’s modern age our students and families are faced with an everchanging landscape around the use of technology for the purposes of learning and within households. Technology has the ability to enhance our connection with the world, increase efficiency and access up-to-date information at the click of a button. This can also be a challenge for families when trying to use technology appropriately and not fall into negative habits that can influence our student’s health and wellbeing.

QCIS Swimming Carnival - Friday 1 March

On Friday 1 March, selected students will attend the QCIS Swimming Carnival at Dalby Aquatic Centre. Parents are asked to drop their child/ren off at SSC by 7am. The bus will depart Dalby Aquatic Centre and return to SSC by 3pm.  

Should you wish to make your own transport arrangements, please let Mr Joshua Biscoe know.

 for parent information letter

From the Director of Marketing and Enrolments

At Âé¶čŽ«Ăœ, we're not just nurturing the minds of the future—we're creating a vibrant community. This week is a testament to our dedication, brimming with activities that inspire curiosity, teamwork and practical knowledge.

Our boarding house, has been the star of a newly recorded video, designed for our far-reaching families. It will allow you to take part in a virtual tour, witnessing firsthand the warmth and camaraderie that thrives within our walls. Specially curated to display at agricultural shows and on our website, this video is a peek into boarding life at Concordia.

Oktoberfest Planning Meeting - Monday 26 February

We will be holding an Oktoberfest Planning Meeting on Monday 26 February in the Bunya Room, SSC at 4.15pm, to start organising for this event that will be happening later in the year. All welcome to attend!

Open Day 2024

Our Open Day will be held on Saturday 23 March 2024. We look forward to showing our beautiful Campuses to new families. 

Click here to learn more Open Day 2024

Soloist Concert

Autumn Leaves

Interested students should register via Parent Lounge by accepting the invitation by 4 March.

Project Based Learning at Concordia

Junior College

Using and Updating Parent Lounge

Updating Student Medical Details
Shrove Tuesday with pancakes this week, highlighted to us that we do have some students with dietary requirements who are not recorded as such in . As a priority, please check your and ensure that all records are accurate and up to date. Please add any food intolerances under Medical Conditions, selecting one of the many options in the drop-down box relating to ‘Allergic’ or ‘Diet’. If the food intolerance you need to enter isn’t listed, please select ‘Diet – Other’ and include the specifics in the ‘Details’ section.

Using and Updating Parent Lounge
We are always investigating ways to utilise Parent Lounge for effective communication between parents and the College. We have uploaded some short tutorial videos that have been created by TASS (Parent Lounge developer) to assist parents with becoming familiar with Parent Lounge. These videos can be found under School Links > Tutorial Videos – Parents.

The following tutorial videos are currently available:

Updating Media Consent, Intercampus Travel & ICT Policy
It is important that the College maintains accurate records of parents’ consent regarding media, intercampus travel and ICT (information communication technology). Existing families are reminded that consent from previous years carries over each year until graduation. If you would like to update your records, please complete the .

Parents of new students who have not completed the are asked to do so by Friday 23 February.

Junior Campus Sport News

Central Zone Swimming Carnival Wrap Up 2024 
Congratulations to the 30 Concordia students who competed at the Toowoomba Central Swimming Trials at The Glennie School on Tuesday 13 February 2024. This year saw a combination of both Central and West zone schools compete at the one carnival which was great for competition on the day.

JC NAPLAN - 2024

NAPLAN tests well be conducted throughout Australian schools during 13-22 March 2024.  

    Junior College Dates: 

    • Wednesday 13 March - Writing
    • Tuesday 19 March - Reading and Language Conventions 
    • Wednesday 20 March - Numeracy  

    JC AFL & Netball Sporting Schools Program

    Sporting Schools is a national program which aims to engage more children in more sport-based activity within schools and then convert their interest into club-based settings. It also aims to help children foster a lifelong interest in sport, gain a healthier mind and body, have fun, and learn sport activities and games in a safe environment. Funding is available to schools to engage quality coaches to deliver sporting programs developed by the partners of Sporting Schools.

    JC Years 3-6 Makers Empire Information

    Parents/Careers, Exciting news! This year, we will be using Makers Empire again in our Years 3-6 classes.

    From the Junior College Director of Campuses

    What a wonderful start it has been to 2024. It is hard to believe that today marks the halfway point of Term 1. As we walk around the classrooms on both Junior Campuses, we see all students happy and engaged in their learning and enjoying being in the company of their peers. Even the youngest members of our community, our Preppies, are settling well to the daily school routine.

    JC Year 5 Commissariat Store Museum Excursion - 7 March

    On Thursday 7 March, our Year 5 students will be visiting the Commissariat Store Museum and The Old Windmill Observatory as part of the HASS curriculum.
    For more information about the excursion please see the attached parent information letter.

    Parent Participation
    We will require four parent volunteers to help supervise the students on the day. To be eligible to participate in this excursion, parents must have completed the CLC Volunteer Compliance Requirements before the date of the excursion.

    If you are available and would like to help please email Marteen Paynter via marteen.paynter@concordia.qld.edu.au by Friday 1 March 2024.

    Permission Required:
    Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission by Monday 4 March 2024:

    • Login to Parent Lounge >
    • click on Events & payments >
    • click on WSC Year 5 Lettuce Farm Excursion >
    • Accept >
    • Save

    Outside School Hours Care

    Hume Street Campus

    HSC Weekly Events

    Please to view HSC's Events for Term 1 2024, Week 6.

    HSC Harmony Day

    At Âé¶čŽ«Ăœ we are blessed to have many families from many cultures. We will be celebrating these different cultures with a special Harmony Day shared lunch. Please see the details below


    Event: HSC Harmony Day Shared Long Picnic Lunch

    Date: Friday 22 March

    Time: 10.45am

    Place: Under the Jacaranda Trees near the Grandstand

    What to bring: you are invited to bring a plate of your favourite family food – could be cultural, fruit, sandwiches, etc

    Where to deliver: to the tuckshop please. We will have the ovens etc that can keep some foods warm if needed.

    All parents are invited to join us for this lovely celebration.

    Please be mindful of our ‘no nuts’ and ‘no boiled egg’ policy.

    Warwick Street Campus

    WSC Weekly Events

    Please to view WSC's Events for Term 1, Week 6 2024.

    WSC Harmony Day

    At Âé¶čŽ«Ăœ we are blessed to have many families from many cultures. We will be celebrating these different cultures with a special Harmony Day shared lunch. Please see the details below


    Event: WSC Harmony Day Shared Long Picnic Lunch

    Date: Friday 22 March

    Time: 12.45pm

    Place: On the Top Oval

    What to bring: you are invited to bring a plate of your favourite family food – could be cultural, fruit, sandwiches, etc

    Where to deliver: to the shed kitchen please.

    All parents are invited to join us for this lovely celebration.

    WSC Campus Photos – Monday 18 March

    WSC Campus Photos – Monday 18 March
    Our campus photos are scheduled for Monday 18 March. Please ensure your child/ren are in the correct uniform. Students in Prep will wear their sports uniform.  All students from Years 1 to 6 are required to wear their formal uniform.

    Family Photos
    To enable parents to purchase a family photo of all or some of their children who attend Âé¶čŽ«Ăœ, photos of siblings will be taken in the Warwick Street Campus Shed between 8am and 8.15am on photo day. 

    It will be the parents’ responsibility to get their SSC children to WSC for the family photo and then take them to SSC ready for school before 8.30am. If you would like family photos done, please collect a family photo envelope from Reception prior to photo day. 


    Stephen Street Campus

    Library News - Stephen Street Campus

    Audiobooks are now available in the library! Please see the flyer below for details.

    From the Director of Stephen Street Campus

    What do you love most about Concordia? 

    I have asked and been asked this question a few times in my so far two- and a-bit years at the college. I would say that the most common response is “community”. For me personally, there are many things that come to mind, but it is hard to go past the amazing students that we work with every day. 

    Not just in a general sense, but in a particular way that is unique and special. It is the way in which our students have the ability to break down social walls to ensure others feel included and celebrated, even when they are not called upon to do so.

    SSC Sport News

    Sports News – Term 1, Week 6

    Upcoming Sport Opportunities

    There are numerous Darling Downs trials happening across a variety of sports. If you would like to trial for one of these or need more information, please keep an eye on the notices or send Mr Biscoe an email Joshua.biscoe@concordia.qld.edu.au

    Boarding

    Boarding News

    Hello to all of our families.

    Today we shot the Boarding Video under the direction of Ms Belinda Sanders, our Director of Marketing and Enrolments, without letting anything out of the hat, the students where fantastic! Watch this space, on social media and the website in the coming months.

    Fitness classes have commenced in the school Gym. Start time is 6.30am and it finishes at 7.30am. This is a great way to start the day. There is a small cost involved.

    Early morning Basketball training / Coaching has also commenced for our basketballers.

    We attended our first church service on Sunday. It was a refreshing feeling to be in the chapel once again. Our students looked lovely in their church dress. Morning tea was very enjoyable.

    This weekend our boarding students will be beautifying the grounds in front of the boarding house. Maintenance is purchasing some plant and flowers for us to plant. Many students have displayed interest in getting their hands dirty. I hope we have a few green fingers amongst our students.

    That’s all for this week.

    Take care and look after each other.

    Mrs Maureen Taurima and Mr Andrew Bull
    Boarding Houseparents

    Welcome from the Leadership Team