The Week Ahead - Term 3, Week 5
Monday 9 August to Friday 13 August 2021
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
This past week has brought with it the uncertainty of whether the current COVID-19 situation will again change the learning landscape for us at Concordia. Rather than see the unfolding events as a looming problem, we have begun to prepare for and see this as an opportunity to again step up as a learning community, which thrives and excels in the space of both pastoral care and learning.
Please know that Concordia is committed and ready to again provide the very best support, transparent communication and ongoing learning programs for every student in our care. Thank you for your patience in this matter as we sieve through, what feels like, an ongoing wave of information and constant updates regarding what we can and canāt do. I need to thank every member of the Leadership Team as well as our teachers and support staff, across all areas of the College, for walking this journey with me over the past week.
Video Message from the Head of College
Watch the latest video message from Mr Anton Prinsloo.
From the College Pastor
Walking together through adversity
Toward the end of the gospel of John, as Jesus prepares his disciples for his coming death, he speaks these words to them: āTake courage; I have conquered the worldā (John 16:33).
In these times of heightened uncertainty, where things seem to be very much out of control ā we donāt know when the lockdowns will end, how this virus will be controlled, how we or our loved ones may be impacted - and this affects us all in different ways ā economically, physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually ā where can we find solace and hope?
Perhaps these words of Jesus, spoken just before the events of Good Friday ā a time when things seemed to be totally out of control - serve to remind us that while we might not be in control indeed, there is someone who is and who has our best at heart. He walks with us through the hard times, the uncertainties of life and has prepared a secure future for us. He has conquered the world with all its uncertainties and troubles and invites us to come to him with our worries and fears and find solace, peace and hope at the very foot of his cross.
Community News
Barefoot Bowls
The Barefoot Bowls event will now be held on Sunday 17 October. Those who have registered can roll their registration over to the new date (you do not need to re-register) or, if are unable to attend, they can arrange a refund from the Business Office.
If you were unable to make it on the previously scheduled weekend but would like to attend in October, good news!
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
Year 6 Parent Cairns Information Session - 10 August
We have rescheduled the information session for our Year 6 Parents so that you can learn all about our Year 6 Trip to Cairns. We will be completing an induction for the parent helpers that are going on camp. The new details of this meeting will be:
Date: Tuesday 10 August
Place: Year 6 classroom, WSC
Time: 5.30pm-6.30pm
For COVID-19 purposes, please . Your previous registration will be carried over to this night.
Year 3 Cobb+Co Museum and History Walk Excursion
As part of their studies, the Year 3 students from Hume Street Campus and Warwick Street Campus will be visiting the Cobb+Co Museum and Queens Park on Monday 9 August 2021. The students will enjoy lunch and some free play before coming back to their Campus for school pick up.
Junior College Book Week Dress Up Parade - Thursday 26 August
Sports News and Updates
"You don't have to be amazing to start, but you have to start to be amazing"
Sporting Schools
Our Sporting Schools Hockey Program has started at our Hume Street Campus this week with students from both HSC and WSC attending. The students loved running around, playing and learning new skills involved with the game of hockey. The Hockey Development staff running the sessions commented on how enthusiastic our students were - perhaps a few future Hockeyroos or Kookaburras in the making.
Regional coaches and development staff deliver these sessions and have a wealth of experience to share with our students. They also provide links to community and club opportunities that students can take advantage of if they choose.
The sessions go for one hour and credit must go to the student's enthusiasm and participation throughout these sessions.
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
From the Director
It is hard to believe that we are halfway through Term 3! It is, however, exciting to begin seeing the learning come together and watch the projects forming that will be shared with you at our Festival of Learning. Please read the information below for this event and save the date.
Each week our teachers share with each other some of the learning that occurs in each classroom. This week we got to see the learning and writing that is happening in Year 6. They are doing a unit called āMy Placeā and exploring various Historical contexts through literacy. It is wonderful as I visit each classroom to see the progression of writing skills. Our InitiaLit program is setting up a sound foundation that Year 3-6 are then building on with some great results. Thank you to our teachers and learning assistants for enabling our students to learn and grow.
to view HSC's Events for Term 3, Week 6.
Have a warm weekend and enjoy time together.
Mrs Juanetta Priest
Director of Campus
HSC Kindy to Year 2 PJ Storytime
HSC Prep to Year 2 Swimming Lessons
On Friday 20 August, Prep to Year 2 students will commence their swimming lessons at the Concordia Aquatic Centre. Each of these classes will participate in eight lessons over the last few weeks of Term 3. There will certainly be some tired little swimmers by the end of Term.
Please ensure that students have the following:
- Dressing gown - this is great for the students to wear to and from the pool as we don't know what the weather is going to be like;
- Thongs
- Swimming togs - Prep students please wear your togs to school and pack underwear
- Goggles
- House swimming cap
- Towel
To avoid any lost items, please clearly label all of your child's items including their shoes, underwear and uniform.
2021 Prep and Kindy Bestbrook Farm Excursion
We are very excited to let you know that on Wednesday 18 August, we will be going to Bestbrook Farm for our 2021 excursion with the HS Kindy children. As part of our Science and Technologies Unit, the Preps are exploring the needs of living things and food production. Teachers in Charge attending will be Natalie Blackwell, Nikki Collins and Melissa Giles with the Kindy group.
Travel Arrangements
Students will depart for the farm at 8.45am and return to HSC about 3.30pm.
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 9.
Changes to Thursday Before School Drop Off
HSC has always had a strong sense of community. During 2020, the COVID-19 restrictions changed the way we were able to interact but we are very blessed in Toowoomba, that for all intents purposes at this point, we are able to operate as normal. Thursday mornings at HSC are a celebration of our community and being able to be together.
If you have time, come and join us on the Hume Street Oval for a play, a coffee/hot chocolate (our Encouraging Cup Coffee Van) or curl up and read a story with your child. Students can bring their bags with them and come straight down to the Oval for a play.
Warwick Street Campus
From the Director
This week we found ourselves entering uncertain times again with the lockdown of some areas in South East Queensland. Although we are not included in these areas, we do have some members of our community who have been affected. Thank you to those people for your patience and support as we follow directions from the Health Department. As was communicated from our Head of College earlier in the week, if your child is feeling sick in any way, please keep them at home.
Prepping for Prep
Today we welcomed our 2022 Preps to Warwick Street Campus for our Prepping for Prep sessions. This is the first event for the newest members of our community, as we transition them from Kindy into Prep. It was one very exciting day for our new Preps, and one very anxious day for their parents. We look forward to seeing these students again throughout the rest of this year as they get to know their new school environment.
WSC OSHC
I am excited to let you know that we are busy preparing for the opening of our WSC Outside School Hours Care at the beginning of Term 4. In the coming weeks, enrolment packages will be available for our families. I look forward to sharing our progress with you each week, as well as letting you know the activities will be offering the students who will be attending our service.
to view WSC's Events for Term 3, Week 5.
Blessings for the week ahead.
Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus
Save The Date
On Friday 27 August we will be holding another WSC Disco for our Prep to Year 6 students. After the successful Wine and Cheese with the Director during the disco earlier in the year, our WSC Parent Connect will be hosting the same event again for our parents. Watch this space!
WSC Kindy to Year 2 PJ Storytime
WSC 2021 Prep Darling Downs Zoo Excursion
We are very excited to let you know that on Thursday 12 August 2021, we will be going to Darling Downs Zoo for our excursion. This excursion will enhance the studentsā knowledge and understanding of our studies and research of the needs of living things as set out in the Australian Curriculum for Prep students.
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.
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Campus
āThis Stone Was Laid To The Glory of God…. 1947."
One of the little projects that is happening on Stephen Street Campus at the moment, is the restoration of two commemorative stones. The one shown below, magically disappeared before students arrived on Wednesday and then this morning it magically reappeared, beautifully restored and ready for another 74 years.
The tradition of ālaying a stoneā to remember significant milestones goes back generations and crosses cultures. The thought that I had today, was around the significance of laying personal commemorative stones in our life, purely to the glory of God as a reminder of the important milestones in our journey.
(Youth) Alpha
Do you have questions about the bible, Christ, the Christian faith? Do you want to explore what this may mean for you and your life?
Please come and join Pastor Thomas and Pastor Nathan (of the ELF congregation, who worship at the Concordia chapel) for an Alpha Course.
Futures Expo
Last Thursday evening celebrated the return of the Collegeās annual Futures Expo in the Concordia Function Centre. Many students in Years 9 to 12 took advantage of the opportunity to meet and chat with a variety of exhibitors including Defence Force Recruiting, USQ, Tafe, Aurora Training Institute, Golden West Apprenticeships, Australian Lutheran College, MEGT, Southern Cross University, Busy at Work, UQ Skills, Akadia Training and the University of Queensland via Zoom. Due to restrictions, some Brisbane Universities were unable to attend, but students were still able to collect undergraduate guides from QUT, Griffith and Bond. If you missed out on one, please see the Careers Office. We look forward to having everyone back on board in 2022.
BYOD Information
As you are all aware, Ā鶹“«Ć½ has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program for students in Years 7 to 12.
Under the BYOD program, all students are required to bring their own device for use in all classes. The has been created to explain how the program operates, set out expectations of parents and students and provide information about device minimum specifications. This handbook is available in Parent Lounge (School Links > Stephen Street Campus) and on the College's website.
Sport Update
Please keep an eye on the College website for COVID-19 updates regarding training.
We are currently working with the QCIS Sports Coordinators to find a suitable date for the postponed track and field carnival.
I had a great time eating pizza and watching the Olympics this week with the U17 team after they won on Friday night.
Training times will be updated once information regarding lockdown has been passed down by the Queensland Government.
Swim out of the darkness - . See Mrs Jana Anderson if you would like to participate or have a team.
Mrs Jana Anderson
Sports Coordinator
Start your impossible!
The Olympic Games are always inspirational and this video from Toyota (a major sponsor of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics) is too!
Boarding
Boarding Update
Many of you will have had some contact with staff this week reassuring you all that your children have masked up with minimal fuss or bother. They are all displaying extremely mature and respectful attitudes towards the situation. We must also thank you all for your support in this uncertain time.
Last Friday evening we had a camp fire where the students all gathered around the fire pit and enjoyed each otherās company and most of all, the huge marshmallows! Thanks very much to Pat Rudd for his camp fire skills and Miss Amaris for her expertise in roasting marshmallows.