The Week Ahead - Term 1, Week 6
26 February - 1 March
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.
So, how has the 2024 school journey started for you as a family? Our hope is that your children have been Achieving the Possibilities they have embraced this year.
Visiting our campuses as well as attending various extra and co-curricular activities, has given me the opportunity to see Concordia settle with great energy. Where I have touched base with parents, I have enquired as to how the students have found school life but very importantly, whether you, as our valued parent body, have also settled well, feel informed and have found your place within our community.
One of the parents I spoke to indicated that their student had settled back well, was happy to come to school, and felt socially well connected, but was finding it hard to get their child to talk about school. Given that we are still so early in the school year, I thought it fitting to share thoughts and ideas about why some children find it hard to talk about school.
âHow was school?â is a big question. To answer, your child has to sum up a whole day, and thatâs hard for children (and even adults!). A child might really want to say, âMy day was so jam-packed with ideas and classes and social stuff that I donât know where to startâ. So, itâs easier just to say, âOKâ.
Some children feel their school experiences are private, so they might not want to share them. This is typical of school-age development as children shape their own identities and social worlds. But your child still needs to know youâre available when theyâre ready to talk.
So why talking about school is important.
Talking with your child about the school day shows youâre interested in whatâs going on in their life. This interest boosts your childâs mental health, happiness and wellbeing.
It can also have a very positive effect on your childâs behaviour and achievement. It shows your child that you value school and education, which encourages them to also value education and school.
Talking together about school also helps you get to know more about whatâs expected of your child at school, how they learn and how they handle challenges. It can help you understand when your child is feeling less interested in school or having problems.
When youâre in touch with your childâs feelings about school, youâre more likely to see problems before they get too big. This way you can work on overcoming challenges together.
Thank you to those parents who have already taken up the opportunity to come in early and have the necessary conversation about whatever isn't working or what your child is finding difficult.
Talking about school issues â like school projects or friendship problems â is also a great chance for you to express your family values about things like teamwork, respect for self and others, friendships, relationships, problem-solving and so on.
Some strategies for talking about school with your child.
When your child first gets home from school, theyâll probably be tired and hungry or thinking about other things. So, easing the transition from school or after-school activities to home can help your child feel more like talking.
Itâs best to avoid asking your child a lot of questions straight away â this can be overwhelming. You can just let your child know that youâre glad to see them and talk about non-school topics for a while.
Younger children will probably also like unpacking their bags and going through any notes before you ask about school. Saving questions about homework for later on can also take the pressure off!
Every afternoon or evening will be different. Even if your child usually likes to share their day with you, thereâll be days when they donât want to talk. Sometimes itâs a matter of sensing your childâs mood and picking the right moment. Some days there might not be a right moment, and thatâs OK.
Simple, positive and specific questions about parts of the day can get your child talking. Itâs good to use questions that invite more than a âyesâ, ânoâ or âOKâ response. For example:
- Whatâs the news from school today?
- What was fun?
- What did you like best at school today? - always start with this approach as it puts them and you in a positive mindset.
- What does your classroom look like at the moment?
- What did you do in class after recess or lunch?
- Who did you hang out with today?
- What subjects did you do today?
- What topics are you working on in science/maths etc. at the moment?
Remember to use respectful language when you talk about the school and teachers with or in front of your child.
For example, âI can see thatâs frustrating, but Ms Adams is your teacher and you need to speak respectfully to herâ, or âYes, that seems unfair, but perhaps you donât know the whole storyâ.
As your child develops into the teenage years, they might want more privacy and time to themselves, which can make it harder to talk about school. But this isnât the end of your warm, close relationship â itâs just that getting some distance from you is how your child becomes more independent. It can also help you pick up on the moments when your child is ready to talk.
Ask about links between schoolwork and future plans. At this age, your child might be more open to talking about the links between their schoolwork and what they want to do when they finish school.
Look out for signs of problems Even if you usually have a good relationship with your child, they might not always tell you when theyâre having a tough time. If your child is upset or nervous about discussing school or refuses to answer a question, there might be a problem.
If youâre worried, you could try talking to other adults who know your child. At Concordia we strongly encourage you to make an appointment with your childâs classroom teacher, Year Level Coordinator, Head of Department, Director of Campus, Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing or Boarding House Parents to talk about whatâs going on.
The sooner you do this, the better and faster we can achieve a favourable outcome for your child.
The following month will see our Concordia students competing in the QCIS Swimming carnival, our Year 4 students go on camp to the Gold Coast, our Year 10s will be doing work experience, Cycle safety for Year 4, our "Autumn Leaves" Soloist Concert, Inter-house Cross-country and our Open Day on Saturday 23 March. This is just a few of the activities.
Please keep checking-in with the college calendar which will give you the opportunity to be an integral part of your child's[ren] school journey and help with conversations at the end of the day.
I look forward to seeing, connecting and talking with you over the coming weeks.
[Acknowledgement: parentingideas]
Keep in touch and stay safe.
Yours in Christ.
Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College
Quote of the Week: Responding with love doesn't mean always giving our children what they want. It means giving our children what they need - to be heard, to be seen, to be understood, to be helped through their big feelings and to be peacefully guided back to peace. [I. Knost]
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 Godâs 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 â my sin for Christâs holiness, my death for Christâs 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 Christâs ambassdors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christâs 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 Godâs co-workers we urge you not to receive Godâs grace in vain. 2 For he says, âIn the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.â
I tell you, now is the time of Godâs favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:2)
Reconciliation, a coming together between humans and God, and between humans and groups within human societies is a powerful movement that can bring new beginnings, peace and understanding and ultimately reflects Godâs desire for the world he created to be whole, to live in peace (shalom).
We are daily working in this space, as we guide and help students to learn to share their lives together and support one another. Our use of a restorative justice approach is based on the foundation of Godâs love for all that seeks to bring together individuals and communities in peace â which may include working through differences and hurts.
Our recently approved RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) is also based on this conviction as we seek to walk with our indigenous brothers and sisters and find ways to overcome the hurts and injustices of the past to build a positive and inclusive future for all Australians.
As you journey through this time of Lent, take the time to re-connect with God who loves each of you deeply and to seek the reconciliation you need at this time. And may our Lord bless you and grant you his peace on the journey.
Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor
Community News
From the Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
In todayâs 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 studentâs health and wellbeing.
We want our students to be educated and informed around how to use technology appropriately to expand their thinking and engage with people in a respectful and kind manner. In todayâs society we are faced with many ever-evolving apps and social media sites that have varying levels of risk and responsibilities. This extends to our parents and families on how we can best help support our children through their engagement with technology.
Social media has become such an integral part of a teenagerâs life. However, many miss out on some critical social skills with most communicating whilst looking at a screen instead of another person. Statistics show that 60 per cent of 10-11 year olds are using at least one social media site, with the majority using age-restricted platforms. What kids do, post and say online is permanent and most are not mature enough to manage their own digital footprint. Friendships, relationships and even future job prospects are all put at risk.
Parents need to be aware of what picture their children are painting of themselves online. Unfortunately, many parents do not see the dangers inherent of these sites, as they form opinions based on their own experience. Over the years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of primary schoolers owning mobile phones, highlighting the importance to teach kids about the dangers of social media and the implications it can have.
Âé¶čŽ«Ăœ will be providing parents and caregivers the opportunity to engage in an informative presentation related to cyber safety student online interactions. This session will be held on Tuesday 27 February from 5.30pm â 6.30pm in the Stephen Street Lecture Theatre. We encourage families to come along to hear the messages presented by Erin Cash, who has had over a decade worth of experience in law enforcement. Our students will also be engaged in cyber safety presentations earlier that day to ensure they are best equipped with the necessary skills to better understand their use of technology.
To help families with these conversations at home, the SchoolTV link provided below offers parents a wealth of information about learning how to talk with your children about the inherent dangers of social media, as well as information on how to educate your family to be responsible users in the online world we live in.
If you would like any further information or would like some further support around these issues, please feel free to contact a member of our Pastoral Care Team.
Take care!
Mr Tony Manteufel
Director of Pastoral Care 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 futureâwe'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.
Donât forget to mark on your calendar, Open Day on March 23rd; a chance to walk through our campus, interact with educators and experience the Concordia way of life. Registration numbers are building rapidly, which is great news for Âé¶čŽ«Ăœ. Soon you will see our Open Day invitations, with corflutes and other advertisements to roll out across the region shortly. Any volunteers would be warmly welcomed.
To our current Concordia community, please spread the word and encourage friends to sign up through our website. Not only will they discover a unique spacious and welcoming educational setting, but they could also take home wonderful giveaways and prizesâincluding family movie tickets and our gorgeous garden chairs (made by our very talented students).
This week, my own children have chatted to me about the variety of programs available at Concordia. From play writing to the cricket pitches, their days are a blend of physical exertion and creative expression. I know many students are working on constructing model cars, delving into the mechanics and artistry of automotive design.
I also had the pleasure of observing a 'Science in Practice' class, where students learnt the craft of soap. These are the types of lessons that draw students into a world where chemistry is not confined to textbooks. This pragmatic approach to learning encapsulates our ethos; at Concordia, education is a living, breathing entity, underpinned by experiences that cultivate both the intellect and the craft of our students.
Thankyou, as always, for your support.
Ms Belinda Sanders
Director of Marketing & Enrolments
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
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 âAllergicâ or âDietâ. If the food intolerance you need to enter isnât listed, please select âDiet â Otherâ and include the specifics in the âDetailsâ 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 â 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 parentsâ 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.
It was an impressive effort by all our athletes, with many achieving personal best times and CLC students qualifying in over 30 events to represent the Toowoomba Central Zone team at the Darling Downs Regional Swimming Championships in March at Gatton. The Concordia team will be supplying a major percentage of swimmers from the Central Zone. Great work to all involved in preparing our swimmers, and top marks to those students who put in the individual effort in their training.
A big thank you to Mrs Riehl and Mrs Scouller for their smooth management of the team on the day, having students ready to go for the races. Also, a big thank you to Troy Chandler from TJswim, your assistance before and on the day is appreciated as always. As a representative of Concordia Sport at these events, it is always rewarding to see our students do their best and to hear glowing feedback from the members of the community.
This carnival has proved to be an excellent platform to start our 2024 representative programs and is invaluable to the lead-up to the QCIS carnival at Dalby, where the mighty Concordia Lions will defend their title from 2023. Well done to all concerned and we wish our Central Zone representatives all the best!
Central Zone Representatives - Jonathan Rice, Nate Gadsby, Parun Benham, Verity Cooper, Douglas Plumb, Thomas Wise, Nicole Plumb, Manshi Bhardwaj, Evangeline Dealtry, Aahana Tamang, Benji Chettle and Thomas Richards.
Cross Country
Our Inter-House Cross Country carnival will be held on Wednesday 27 March 2024. We will be starting preparations for this event with training in both PE lessons and other sessions before school for those students who wish to attend, improve their fitness and have fun with their friends.
Please see below information for these sessions. This is for students from Years 2 to 6.
Training Times/Weeks - starting 27 February, weeks 6, 8, 9 & 10.
- WSC â Tuesdays 7.30am - 8.00am (meet on oval)
- HSC - Wednesday 7.30am â 8.00am (meet on oval)
Students will meet Staff on ovals and be in PE uniform, they may need a spare pair of sneakers/socks depending on how wet the grass is each session. Also, they will need to bring a water bottle. Don't forget to bring puffers if needed.
Mr Darryl Fry
JC Sports Coordinator / Head Coach, Touch
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
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum.
NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learnt. NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards.
Teachers have been working with students to ensure they are familiar with the test formats. Excessive preparation and discussion using the terms of NAPLAN is not useful and can lead to unnecessary anxiety.
NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program and to advise them to simply do the best they can on the day.
To help prepare your child on the day, please ensure that they have a good nightâs sleep, a suitable breakfast and arrive on time at school.
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.
In Term 1, the funding will be used to support an after-school AFL Program as well as an after-school Netball Program. These Programs introduce students to the fundamental skills of this sport across a range of fun and engaging game-based activities. AFL and Netball are truly inclusive sports and provide the opportunity for persons of all ages, genders and abilities. The details of these Programs can be found below:
Term 1 - AFL Sporting Schools Program
Eligible Students: JC Years 3-6 students
Staff in Charge: AFL QLD Development Officers
Coaching: AFLQ
Cost: Nil - Funded by Sporting Schools Program
Participation: Limit of 25 students (first in basis)
Venue/Time Dates: Hume Street Campus - Oval, 3.30pm-4.30pm
Wednesday, 28 February
Wednesday, 6 March
Wednesday, 13 March
Wednesday, 20 March
Wednesday, 27 March
Term 1 - Netball Sporting Schools Program
Eligible Students: JC Years 3-6 students
Staff in Charge: CLC Netball Coaches
Cost: Nil - Funded by Sporting Schools Program
Participation: Limit of 30 students (first in basis)
Venue/Time Dates: Warwick Street Campus, 3.30pm-4.30pm
Monday, 26 February
Monday, 4 March
Monday, 11 March
Monday, 18 March
Monday, 25 March
To submit your child/children's interest in participating, go to > Events & Payments. Permission is due TODAY.
Please note, Parents are responsible for collecting their child/children after the session concludes. WSC Students attending AFL are able to catch a college bus over to HSC if required (subject to seats available). To make the bus booking please email bus@concordia.qld.edu.au with the specific dates required.
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.
At Concordia, our teaching staff have done a lot of work around the work of John Hattie and Visible Learning. John Hattie is a prominent educational researcher and academic known for his work in the field of education. One of his most well-known contributions is the development of the "Visible Learning" framework. This framework is based on a meta-analysis of hundreds of studies on teaching and learning, covering various educational interventions and practices. Hattie produced this vast body of research to identify which factors have the most significant impact on student achievement.
One of Hattieâs focusâ has been on the effect of Homework on Student Achievement. Some of his findings have discovered that the act of assigning homework itself has very low effect on student outcome. For this reason, at Concordia we fully support homework that involves reading, phonicâ work, times tables, preparing for speaking programs and a small amount of finishing off or revision work.
Our students work incredibly hard throughout the day on their academics and the afternoons are for the development of all other areas such as sport, dance, music, board games, climbing a tree, and block building.
Please read our Concordia Junior College Homework Guidelines and for ideas of after school activities click this link If you have any further questions with regards to your childâs homework, please donât hesitate to contact their classroom teacher.
Next week we begin our Prep 2025 enrolment interviews. We look forward to starting the process of welcoming these students to our Junior College. If you are yet to put in an application for Prep for 2025 or you know of someone who is thinking about putting in an application, we encourage you to do this as soon as possible as places are filling up extremely quickly across both campuses.
to view HSC's Events for Term 1 2024, Week 6.
to view WSC's Events for Term 1 2024, Week 6.
Blessings for the week ahead.
Mrs Juanetta Priest - Director of Campus (Hume Street)
Mrs Jackie Minnikin - Director of Campus (Warwick Street)
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 belowâŠ
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 â 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 âno nutsâ and âno boiled eggâ 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 belowâŠ
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 â 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 â Monday 18 March
WSC Campus Photos â 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 parentsâ 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
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 âcommunityâ. 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.
In the past week I have seen this on two distinct occasions â the Year 10 Dinner, and Year 7 Camp. These two socially natured events can be difficult for some students.
The thought of starting conversations, getting up and dancing, or jumping on the camp bus can be a little overwhelming. This can leave these students with apprehension, feeling isolated and even embarrassed. But at Concordia, what you will see is one, two, three or more students take it upon themselves to offer a hand or word of support, always with a gentle heart and desire to include everyone.
Every time I see this happen (which is often), I am deeply moved and so proud of the young people and emerging adults that the Concordia community is helping raise.
To our families and staff, thank you for the positive influence you have had in creating this serving and humble character within our students.
I would like to further extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Year 7 students on their successful completion of the three-day camp at Alexandra Headlands, marking the commencement of their high school journey.
This experience not only fosters camaraderie and resilience but also lays a solid foundation for their academic and personal development for the remaining Outdoor Education program ahead.
Today, we also embark on a significant journey with our Year 9 students as we officially commence the Rite Journey program. The dawn Calling and Departure Ceremony at Picnic Point symbolises the beginning of a transformative passage, guiding our students towards self-discovery, responsibility, and integrity with a Christian worldview. We are committed to providing them with the tools and support necessary to navigate this crucial stage of their adolescence.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce the upcoming Year 10 Work Experience block in Week 7. This invaluable opportunity empowers our students to explore their career interests, gain practical skills, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the professional world. We encourage our Year 10 cohort to embrace this experience wholeheartedly as they take meaningful strides towards their future aspirations.
In Week 8, our attention will turn to the National Assessment Program â Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for our Year 7 and Year 9 students. While assessments are an integral part of our educational journey, let us remember that they are but one measure of our students' abilities.
Our College Open Day is coming up on Saturday 23 March. We encourage our current families to spread the good news about Concordia and what it has to offer. We will be looking for students to assist on the day with tours, displays and performances. We also would love to hear from any adults who can assist our Parent Connect with the BBQ and drink sales.
As always there is much to celebrate and look forward to at Concordia.
Have a great week.
Yours in faith,
Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus
SSC Sport News
Sports News â 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
Results
Volleyball Round 4
Junior Girls: Defeated 2-0
Intermediate Girls (Year 9): Defeated 3-0
Intermediate Girls (Year 10): BYE
Senior Girls: Defeated 3-0
Futsal Round 4 vs
U15 Girls: Vs St Ursulaâs - Defeated
Open Girls: Vs St Joeyâs â Defeated
U13 Boys: Vs Downlands â Defeated 4-2
U15 Boys: Vs Downlands â Won 12-2
Open Boys: Vs Downlands â Won 7-2
Cricket Round 2 Vs Downlands
Junior boys: Defeated by 47 runs
Senior boys: Won by 1 run
Basketball Round 2
7/8 Boys vs Lockyer SHS â Defeated 61-4
9/10 Boys vs Lockyer SHS â Won 44-20
9/10 Girls â Defeated
11/12 Boys vs Toowoomba SHS â Defeated 44-39
11/12 Girls vs St Saviours â Defeated 32-29
Please see emails from coaches for upcoming fixtures and other details.
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.
Thatâs all for this week.
Take care and look after each other.
Mrs Maureen Taurima and Mr Andrew Bull
Boarding Houseparents