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Dear Parents and Caregivers

I hope this newsletter finds you keeping well and safe. This week brings to an end our run of long weekends in Queensland until October. I am sure you will agree that this is a way of life and wellness which I [we] could easily get used to. With the upcoming Federal Election now only a fortnight away, I am still waiting for that politician or political party who will put out the call for a four-day working week – they will certainly get my vote! Fortunately, coming to work at Concordia is an easy gig given the quality of the people [students, parents and staff] that make up this great community. 

Thank you to our PE Staff and Sports Coordinator, Mr Darryl Allen, for organising and hosting the Stephen Street Campus Track and Field Carnival yesterday. It was great to see the determination of the students with so many giving the events a go. It was very affirming to see the wonderful spirit of encouragement amongst the students. Thank you to those parents, family members and friends who made the time to support the students throughout the day.

Another special Sunday is coming up this weekend, alas without a public holiday attached to it! There were various Mothers’ Day focused events around Concordia this week. In our chapel service at SSC, which was led by the Faith Captains, we focused on Mothers’ Day and the vital role mothers (or other important women) play in our lives. The captains were very aware that not all have mothers anymore and that for some this day is painful – and included that in their prayers.

The role of mothers is certainly acknowledged in the bible, and there are even various motherly images used for God (for example: In Isaiah 66:13 God proclaims: As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you..; or Jesus’ beautiful image of God as a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings - Luke 13:34)

Thank you for those who gave feedback about this course. 

It seems that the most viable time would be Friday after school from 3.30pm to 5pm, with some afternoon tea provided. There are 12 sessions and we would begin in Week 5, Friday 20 May.

See more here:

Could you please indicate your intention to participate (students) by return email by the end of next week, 13 May? Thank you. I will confirm the start of the course when I have final numbers. We require a minimum of five.

Pastor Thomas ��ö�󳾱����
thomas.bohmert@concordia.qld.edu.au

NAPLAN tests will be conducted in 2022. All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests. �鶹��ý will be conducting NAPLAN tests through online testing. The testing dates for Concordia are:

• Junior College: Monday 9 May to Thursday 12 May
• Middle College: Wednesday 11 May to Friday 13 May

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum. Concordia teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Practice testing has taken place for all students who need to undertake the NAPLAN testing in 2022.

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.

As the weather is becoming cooler, the students are needing to wear warmer clothing. As they begin adding warmth to their uniform, please adhere to the information provided in our .

PLEASE NOTE
Boys from Year 3-6 will be required to wear a tie, with shirts tucked into shorts or long pants on their formal uniform day. If you have not yet purchased a tie, please contact the uniform shop over the coming couple of weeks to organise this.  Girls who are wearing tights with their formal uniform, must ensure that they are navy tights 40-70 denier. Another layer of clothing may be worn under the uniform for extra warmth, but this must not be visible.

Formal Uniform days for each campus for Years 2-6 are as follows:

HSC
Monday – all students in formal uniform
Thursday – formal uniform is optional

WSC
Tuesday – all students in formal uniform
Monday – formal uniform is optional

Below please find some information about the upcoming Colonial School. There is much interest and excitement among the Year 5 students and many questions remain to be answered: “Wait and See” is my response to several queries. If you have any concerns please let me know, but this is a fun educational experience which is very worthwhile. WSC students will need to be dropped to school at HSC for this event, starting at 8.30am.

JC Year 5 Colonial School – Monday 23 May Hume Street Campus

A visit by the "Colonial School' will provide the students with the three Rs. The activities will include a selection of the following lessons.

• An introduction to the dreaded Edwardian Classroom punishments.
• A cleanliness inspection to see if students have washed behind their ears and cleaned their fingernails.
• An arithmetic lesson using those fine old pounds, shillings and pence which will never be replaced.
• A Victorian textbook spelling test designed to embarrass the classroom best spellers.
• A writing lesson using the latest copperplate writing style.
• A reading lesson from the latest texts that have arrived in the colony from reputable British publishers.

Excursion Uniform - Students are encouraged to dress in clothing appropriate to the 1918 era on this day.

Edwardian boys should wear long trousers or jeans with long socks. The long socks should be worn over the trousers. Alternatively, knee length shorts could be worn. A shirt with or without collar and boots or closed shoes are necessary to complete the picture. Braces could also be worn.

Young Edwardian ladies can wear a long dress or a skirt and blouse. Young ladies should remember not to expose their ankles.

Of course, everyone's shoes should be polished (the teacher will probably check these). Fingernails should be short and no dirt under the nails. In Edwardian time, coming to school dirty could mean that the student in question would receive four strokes from the teacher's strap or cane.

Food during the excursion - As we would like this to be a whole day experience in times of school life in Edwardian times you may consider sending recess and lunch in keeping with the era. Bread and cheese or bread and jam (no butter) wrapped in brown paper or a damp tea towel and tied with string would be appropriate. No poppers but water could be sent. An apple a day keeps the doctor away should be remembered!

WSC students will return to their campus by College bus for a normal school pick up.

The day promises to be a great learning experience for the children.

We would like to invite our Year 6 students to be a part of our upcoming Open Day on Saturday 14 May, between 9.30am - 12.30pm. We would like you to meet and greet the families coming in to view our College.

As the Year 6 Students will be meeting and greeting the wider community, they will be required to wear their College Formal Uniform. 

If your child/ren is able to assist us, could you please indicate this via the jotform below. We know that weekends are busy times with sport and family events so any time they are able to spare would be appreciated.

Thank you for your assistance.

We would like to invite you to support your College and its future growth and prosperity, by helping to promote and be a part of our upcoming Open Day on Saturday 14 May, between 9.30am to 12.30pm.

If your child/ren are able to participate on the day by taking part in one or more of the set activities, could you please . Feel free to choose more than one time slot. It is a great opportunity for students to try out some of the fun programs that our College has to offer. There are limited numbers for some of the activities.

Children will be required to wear College Sports Uniform. 

We will contact you if any changes need to be made to your selection.

Thank you for your assistance.

We have an amazing College community and I feel blessed to be a part of it.

Yesterday, we saw a fabulous gathering of special women come together to share in a breakfast. One parent commented, ‘It felt like we were sitting in our favourite café.’ How happy are we all that we can come together again and spend time talking and just being in each other’s company.

As a staff, we have been exploring the many elements of wellbeing, with Joy being one of them. We are very fortunate that we have much to feel joyful about and I thought it was timely to share this with you as well. to view the attachment on Joy.

In Week 6 of this term, we are very excited to be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair. The Book Fair is an opportunity for Students and their families to purchase books. It is a fantastic way to promote literacy by making books and reading more fun. The Book Fair will be held on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 May in the Resource Centre at Hume Street Campus. The Resource Centre will be open from 7.30am before school and until 3.30pm after school on these two days for families to come in and browse the collection and make purchases. The school earns commission from all purchases made to go towards purchasing more new resources for our library. In the days prior to the Book Fair, students will be given an opportunity to browse the collection and take home a wish list to discuss with their family.  

The Book Fair will coincide with the National Simultaneous Storytime 2022 which will be held on Wednesday 25 May. Each year a picture book that has been written and illustrated by Australians is read simultaneously in homes, libraries and schools. This event is hosted by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). The book for this year is Family Tree written by Josh Pyke and illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh. Many of you will have seen this book advertised in the Scholastic Book Club brochure and I know several families have purchased it.

I look forward to seeing many of you supporting this wonderful week of events.

Mrs Karen Maben
Junior College Library Coordinator

Each year, one of the events that is looked forward to with great anticipation is our disco. We have worked with Ross Pieper, our disco light extraordinaire, to set a date for this year’s disco. We have set that as Friday 10 June. There will be a meal deal prior to the disco. More information will be in The Week Ahead from Week 6.

Last year, we introduced a wine and cheese event for the parents while the students were discoing. It was so successful, we have decided to do it again. So, while the children are dancing the night away (6pm-7.30pm), please come and join us in the Resource Centre for some wine and cheese.

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.

The weather in Toowoomba never ceases to amaze us - especially when there is an outdoor event scheduled. Unfortunately, we had to make the decision to postpone our Years 3-6 Track and Field Carnival due to a considerable amount of rain being forecast. I am sure all the students were disappointed by this but on the upside, it gives everyone a couple of more weeks to train. Our carnival will now be held on Friday 27 May at SSC with our Years 3-6 Ball Games competition moved to Friday 3 June. We look forward to these two events in a couple of weeks. On Monday next week, our Prep to Year 2 students will be presented with their ribbons from the Track and Field Carnival. Parents are most welcome to attend. 

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.

In week 6 of this term, we are very excited to be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair. The Book Fair is an opportunity for Students and their families to purchase books. It is a fantastic way to promote literacy by making books and reading more fun. The Book Fair will be held on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 May in the Resource Centre at Concordia Warwick Street Campus. The Resource Centre will be open from 7.30am before school and until 3.30pm after school on these two days for families to come in and browse the collection and make purchases. The school earns commission from all purchases made to go towards purchasing more new resources for our library. In the days prior to the Book Fair, students will be given an opportunity to browse the collection and take home a wish list to discuss with their family.

The Book Fair will coincide with the National Simultaneous Storytime 2022 which will be held on Wednesday 25 May. Each year a picture book that has been written and illustrated by Australians is read simultaneously in homes, libraries and schools. This event is hosted by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). The book for this year is Family Tree written by Josh Pyke and illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh. Many of you will have seen this book advertised in the Scholastic Book Club brochure and I know several families have purchased it.

I look forward to seeing many of you supporting this wonderful week of events.

Mrs Karen Maben
Junior College Library Coordinator

Despite the anxiety caused by a poor weather forecast for Thursday, our Stephen Street Campus Track and Field Carnival went ahead - and what a gorgeous day it ended up being! As a Sports Coordinator in my early career, I know that the job of organising Track and Field Carnivals is one that is both exciting, but also somewhat dreaded due to the high potential for rain, wind or the freezing cold. I am told that usually the Concordia carnival does often fit into this last description, so what a blessing to receive a day like Thursday.

As I wandered around and helped put with different events, I was so proud of our students for their participation, encouragement of one another, and overall positive spirit. I truly felt that strong College culture we have here, and can see why our students are held in such high esteem in our community. What’s more, because we pushed through the events quickly to avoid the rain, we got to finish with DJ Rentell and a whole campus disco! Thanks to Mr Darryl Allen for organising what was his first Track and Field Carnival, and our HPE teaching team for their assistance with running pre-events.

Hello to all our families

Yet another long weekend done and dusted. Unfortunately, the weather here in Toowoomba was not what we were wanting to say the least. Students spent time shopping at Grand Central and going to the movies. Some preferred to chill out and remained in Dorms. Movies were also offered to those who wanted to go on Monday with many enjoying themselves. Cold nights and warm days are on the weather forecast for this week.

I accepted the task of running the College display stall at the Goondiwindi show over the past weekend. Concordia was the only school represented from the Toowoomba area. It’s always great to catch up with other schools and chat, learning new ideas and sharing what works well in our boarding houses. It is clear that all boarding schools are all working towards ensuring children are well cared for and supported in all they do. Student wellbeing be paramount. Although we are a small boarding house we most certainly do offer all that other boarding schools offer. I believe our

Our “Home away from Home" affirmation is a true testament of what Concordia stands for.