The Week Ahead - Term 2, Week 4
Monday 10 May to Friday 14 May 2021
From the Head of College
Congratulations again to the many staff and students who played various roles in the production of A Midsummers Night’s Dream. I have had many comments about the quality of every aspect of the production and thanks must go to the key staff: Mrs Jess Merretz, Mrs Samantha Eagleson, Mrs Leah Bowes and Mrs Jo Tessmer (and many others) for yet another excellent production. Congratulations to our students and their parents, guardians and extended family members who played crucial roles as this event came together. Finally, thank you to our sponsors who supported the production either with cash gifts or through gifts ‘in kind’. Your support is greatly appreciated and was noted in the program and on the night.
Congratulations to our staff and students for the work and effort in making our two Track and Field Carnivals such a success. Despite the cold wintry chill, both carnivals went off particularly well and I look forward to releasing the results at assemblies next week. Thank you also to those parents and grandparents who were able to join us for these events – it was wonderful to see our community together again after a time of separation.
We now move forward into the time of year where NAPLAN becomes the focus across schools in Australia. Thankfully, tension and anxiety appear to have subsided over the years; however, we are mandated to participate in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. In recent times, results have become available in a timelier fashion – which helps as we track the academic progress of our students, but it is important to note that NAPLAN results make up one small element of feedback used by teachers and schools as we assess and plan for the learning needs of each student. The use of a point in time, high-stakes test such as NAPLAN continues to be under debate, and it will be of interest to watch the various governments shift position in the years ahead. As an aside, it is great to see the measurable improvement in our results. The introduction of the MacqLit suite of support programs, Math Pathways, and the professional development of our staff as they become more proficient in analysing and acting on the data, have all influenced the heightened academic standards across the College over the last three years.
Kind regards
Mr Adrian Wiles
Head of College
From the College Pastor
Community News
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
JC P-2 Modified Track & Field Carnival Meal Deal
From the Directors of Campus
Under 8’s Day Wrap Up
What a fabulous day to celebrate being young and young at heart. The HSC staff, led by Mrs Natalie Blackwell, did an amazing job of providing a morning full of Olympiad events – we had the velodrome, shooting range, steeple chase and the list went on. The weather was just perfect for the morning and we were very grateful for this as well. Thank you to our amazing staff, the energetic Year 6 students and all of the parents who came along for a fun morning. Check out our Facebook page for more photos.
Eisteddfod
Both of our Junior and Senior Choirs will be performing at the Toowoomba Eisteddfod on Sunday 16 May. Details of this event have been sent out. Please talk to your Campus Reception or email Mrs Hayley Sugars if you need any further details. The two campus choirs have joined together to practice for this event and will have one more on Monday 10 May. They are sounding beautiful and we are looking forward to hearing them all on the stage.
HSC and WSC Prep Parent Info Evenings
Monday 10 May 5.30pm, both campuses are hosting a Prep Parent Information Evening. If you are or know anyone who is interested in HSC or WSC Prep 2022 or 2023, please invite them to come along.
NAPLAN for Years 3 and 5
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum. 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 they have a good night’s sleep, a suitable breakfast and arrive on time at school.
P-2 Modified Carnival
Details of this event have been advertised in last weeks The Week Ahead. A program of events can be viewed below. If you have any questions, please check in with your teacher.
Glenda Rickert
It is with sadness that we let you know that Mrs Glenda Rickert has resigned from her position as our JC Library Assistant. Glenda has worked in the HSC Library for the past nine years and at WSC for the last three years. We would like to acknowledge the work that she has done in our JC Libraries and wish her well in her future endeavours.
to view HSC's Events for Term 2, Week 4.
to view WSC's Events for Term 2, Week 4.
Mrs Juanetta Priest and Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Directors of Campus
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street 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 8.
There will be NO TUCKSHOP on the following dates
- Week 4 – Thursday 13 May
HSC Disco and Parent Wine and Cheese Evening
Friday 28 May will be the exiting date for our Neon Disco. Our students always enjoy the Disco and this year we are expecting it to be even more exciting.
To ensure that it is a COVID safe event, it will be run by our staff with a special Parent Wine and Cheese Evening being held in the Resource Centre.
to register your attendance.
Our Preps this year love to sing and dance so we think that many of them would like to be part of the disco but to assist them they will meet in the Prep room and be able to choose whether to watch a movie or go up to the disco with one of our staff members.
Year 4 Gateway House Service Project
On Wednesday 5 May, HSC was involved in a Pyjama Day to help Year 4 in their service project for Gateway House.
‘Gateway House provides support accommodation for young people aged 16-25 years who have an immediate need for Homelessness support. As part of the program young people are encouraged to engage in education or employment. Young people who are residing in Gateway House are expected to contribute to rent and weekly amenities.’
It is our aim to provide Gateway House with care packages that assist in supporting the youth that come through their doors. Care packages may include towels, sheets set, toiletries, stationary to support education, recreation items such as skipping ropes and balls as well as other basic essential items including a backpack for care packages to be distributed in.
As a result of the Pyjama Day donations, the Year 4 class raised $277. This money will be used to purchase items to make care packages. The Year 4 students will now be researching how many items we need to purchase, do up shopping lists and finally doing up the care packages to donate to Gateway House.
We appreciate every single donation we have received thus far. If you feel you would like to still donate either goods or money to support the Year 4 children in their Service Project, please drop your donations to the HSC reception. All your donations will be most gratefully received.
Warwick Street Campus
Parent Connect Meeting – Monday 10 May, 6.30pm
Mark your calendars, the first official Parent Connect evening will be held on Monday 10 May at 6.30pm in the Resource Centre. Come for coffee and nibbles and get the inside scoop on the latest happenings at WSC, including all the things your children forgot to tell you! Have input into upcoming events and fundraisers while getting to know other WSC families.
Word on the Street
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 8.
There will be NO TUCKSHOP on the following dates
- Week 4 – Wednesday 12 May
Stephen Street Campus
SSC Photo Day - Thursday 27 May
SSC Photo Day is on Thursday 27 May. All students will need to be wearing Formal Winter Uniform. Envelopes from MSP photography were distributed to all students during Home Class this week. Please keep an eye out for them. If your child did not receive an envelope, please ask them to speak with their Home Class teacher or contact Student Reception on 4688 2789.
Parents are able to on or before photo day using their personalised Shoot Key (which is on the envelope). Parents can also order with cash on Photo Day. Please, do not send money in prior to photo day.
All orders received after photo day are subject to a $20 search fee.
If families would like family photos (sibling photos), please collect a Sibling Photo Envelope from Student Services.
Please contact Student Services on 4688 2789 if you have any concerns.
P&F News
What a fabulous start to Term 2, with the amazing production that was A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We have exceptionally talented students within our College community - from the actors, to the dancers, the singers, the musicians, the backstage and production crew. I was fortunate to see both performances and thoroughly enjoyed both and felt they were equally as good as each other. This was my last as a parent of the College and over the years my children have participated in the past four productions. The skills they have learnt, the friendships and connections they have formed are wonderful. To any parent whose child may be thinking of getting involved in a College production in future years, I strongly recommend it. I believe it is truly worth the late nights and hours of rehearsals. To the staff who pulled it all together – thank you, once again you have done a wonderful job. Even though we won’t be a part of the production in future years, we are looking forward to seeing the next production in 2023. Congratulations to the Arts Department from the P&F for a job well done.
Thank you to everyone who kindly volunteered to help out yesterday at the Track and Field Carnival. It was greatly appreciated and, as always, we value any time spared to help out at these events.
Our next P&F meeting (and first for Term 2) is this coming Monday 10 May at 6.30pm in the Concordia Function Centre, and we hope to see you there. Meanwhile, if you have any ideas for fundraising, a question or concern you need help with then please feel free to email us at SSCPF@concordia.qld.edu.au
Have a fabulous weekend and we look forward to connecting with you soon.
Mrs Hazel Harrower
Chair SSC P&F Committee
Elevate 2021 Parent Webinar Series is back!
We’re excited to announce that parents of Â鶹´«Ã½ have exclusive access to Elevate Education’s Parent Webinar Series for Term 2, 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 fortnightly across the term, beginning on Wednesday 5 May at 7pm. Registration is essential and is free for parents of Â鶹´«Ã½.
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The webinar is run live online from 7pm to 8pm where the presenter will share Elevate’s research findings and skills, and will conduct a live Q&A so you can ask them questions directly.
Should you have questions or would like to contact Elevate directly, their details are listed below.
✉ï¸auscoaching@elevateeducation.com
Sport News
This week Stephen Street Campus students and staff endured the cold conditions to run, jump and throw for a fantastic 2021 Track and Field Carnival. This year's theme was 'Fluro' with many dressing up accordingly - check out Mr Rentell's tracksuit in the gallery below! The day concluded with a new event - the sack race!
A big thank you to the parents and grandparents who braved the conditions to spectate and cheer the students on.
Results will be announced at Monday's Assembly.
Term 2 Sport Training
Boarding
This Week in Boarding
Greetings to you all!
With the weather getting cooler, students are being encouraged to dress weather appropriate. Hard to do for some as many often don’t feel the cold. We are noticing niggling symptoms like scratchy throats and crackly voices so when you are talking with your children, please remind them to keep warm and to let us know if they are not feeling well. Please be assured that we are closely monitoring all student symptoms and their wellbeing in line with Queensland Health requirements. Student temps are taken daily and Nurse Libby is fast to consult with students if they are feeling unwell. All boarders have now had their flu shots.
The trip to Goondiwindi for the show went really well. Many boarding schools were present with their exhibitions, I was with Queensland’s best kept secret, Â鶹´«Ã½! People were friendly and one in particular informed me of how many Concordia bricks his family owned as they had spent something like 35 years schooling and boarding here. Hopefully someone may recognise the man (photo in gallery below).
Congratulations to the cast and crew from the Musical. It was brilliant! We all absolutely enjoyed it. Mia, Georgette, Indiana, Kahlia, Carolyn and Kaitlyn - a performance to remember. Expressions, movements, mannerisms, costumes, voices and even the hot pink stockings were fabulous. Thank you for an entertaining night.
While many rested over the weekend and deservedly so, many still had plenty of energy to burn off so what’s better than a trip to Kloud9ine? Eighteen pairs of socks, COVID-19 check in and away they bounced. Running, as if to stampede over the mats, was quickly stopped with the sound of the attendant's voice, “No running across the mats†- jumping, tumbling, somersaulting only. Our students totally enjoyed themselves. Everyone let loose and got caught up in the moment.
Congratulations also to Selina Richards on her success with Orienteering. Selina has made the Darling Downs Orienteering team to go to Brisbane in July and to Damon Zelinski for his great efforts at his clay peg target shooting in Roma. Congratulations to Chrissy Watson for coming first in the 800 metres along with Kaitlyn Zelinski placing third. Great efforts, Indiana, at the Maths Challenge.
After school sports have all started now with volleyball, basketball, netball, NRL, AFL. Students are being transported to and from these events.
Star Wars May 4th - "May the fourth be with you"
Juniors enjoyed participating prior to commencing study in the Library. Check out the images in the gallery below.
Mrs Maureen Taurima and Mr Ross McKeown
Houseparents