The Week Ahead - Term 3, Week 8
Monday 30 August to Friday 2 September 2021
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our Year 12 students on how well they have embraced and applied themselves so well to the Mock Exams experience which they are currently going through. The “mocks” provide our Senior students with a wonderful opportunity to fine-tune and revisit areas of their learning programs and preparation for the external exams in Term 4 – well done to all of you! This process also gives the Year 12 teachers the opportunity to reflect on, as well as refine, aspects of the students’ learning programs.
Thank you, parents, for the ongoing support and encouragement of your student as they begin to wrap-up this chapter of their time at school. Concordia will also be hosting a Year 12 External Exam Holiday Preparation Program for all our Year 12s in the upcoming term break. Thank you to those staff members who have committed to this initiative. Parents, please familiarise yourself with this preparation program and schedule.
It was wonderful to see Book Week celebrated from Kindergarten to Year 12 at Concordia. The highlight for most was the Dress-up Day and Parade held across all three campuses. Well done students and thank you to the staff for stepping up to make this week all about the ongoing importance of reading and literacy.
Week 8 will see us building up to celebrating 75 years of being part of the Toowoomba community on Saturday 4 September as well as Father’s Day and Grandparents’ Day celebrations happening across our College. I hope to see many of you at these celebrations and events over the next fortnight.
A study done by Brigham Young University, which examined the role grandparents play in the development of children, confirmed that grandparents are a key to their grandchildren’s happiness. The results found the emotional relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren can significantly affect the children’s academic, psychological and social development. When grandparents are involved in their grandchildren’s lives, children are not only more social but also more engaged in school. Research also noted children were more likely to develop skills essential for social development, such as care, compassion and kindness.
The grandparent-grandchild connection was found regardless of income or whether it was a single parent or two parent household. Grandchildren can find secure allies in grandparents. If there is a problem, they come in and help. The study concluded that children have a higher level of self-confidence when grandparents give more affection. Such emotional closeness has long-term positive impacts on children’s lives, including the value children derive from giving and receiving care from another person. We salute all our Concordia grandparents!
Wishing every family a safe, warm and relaxing weekend.
Yours in Christ
Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College
Quote of the Week: “The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.” [Edward Phelps]
From the College Pastor
Noticing the world around us…
In our chapels this week we looked at the helmet of salvation as part of the armour God provides for our protection. Students noted that our heads are fairly important, not just to keep the rain from falling into our necks but also for thinking, for making decisions and for guiding our bodies to do good things. Our heads, of course, also contain our eyes, ears, mouth and nose - the major senses with which we perceive our world and interact with it.
Today, I noticed a little fantail picking up crumbs in the central courtyard. I have often watched these birds when bushwalking and love their inquisitive prancing around, and I was taken by finding one right here. I watched for a while before returning to my office and I pondered how easy it is to overlook these little moments of joy in our busy daily lives. Maybe this bird has been here all these weeks and I just haven’t noticed before!
God has given us our senses to use, to explore and see his world, and stand in wonder and awe for a moment. We so often hear and see all the things that are not so great in our world, and the nightly news tends to focus on these. While I believe we need to be aware of what’s happening around us (certainly lots of causes for prayer there!) it is important to notice the beauty that is also there, the simple things that God places around us to encourage us, to give us hope. So, go around your day with your eyes open, using your senses to notice little things like a small bird prancing around the yard, and give thanks to God and be encouraged!
By the way, as we went on to think about the helmet of salvation, we discovered that it protects our mind, our brains, and guides us to think good thoughts, that lead to positive actions. Seeing these little moments of beauty around us can help us in this and they are a gift of God to us. May you have open eyes, open minds, to perceive these little gifts of God and be encouraged in your journey. Have a great week.
PS 104:24: How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor
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!
75th Anniversary Celebration - You're Invited!
Only a week to go until our 75th anniversary celebrations on the Stephen Street ovals on Saturday 4 September!
There will be a real festival atmosphere with the athletics oval being laid out with picnic blankets, tables and chairs along with marquees, food trucks and more. The opposite oval to the east will house a dedicated kids zone.
It’s going to be a wonderful afternoon and we encourage all of our community to come along and enjoy the celebrations.
Here’s what’s planned:
- Performances by SSC Choir, Year 5 Band, Con Voce, JC Choir, SSC Concert Band, JC Senior Choir, Senior String Ensemble, JC Band, SSC Big Band, JC Rock Band, The Fellas
- Special performance by Mrs Hayley Sugars
- Kids Zone with Commando Challenge, Silent Disco, Face Painting and more
- A range of delicious food options
- Beer Garden provided by Volcanic Brewing
- Wine and Soft Drinks available to purchase
For planning purposes (and to keep compliant with COVID planning), please register your interest in attending this event. There is no entry fee to attend. Click the below button to register:
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
Library Notes
Children’s Book Week
Thank you to all students and their families for the extremely positive participation in our Book Week celebrations this week. It was wonderful to see so many children dressed in their pyjamas attending the Pyjama Storytime. It looked like they all had a fun time. Thank you also for the enthusiasm shown for the Book Week Parade. The costumes were amazing and it was lovely to see so many children remember to bring a book from home featuring their costume character. We understand that there is a lot of work involved from families in preparing their children for such events so many thanks so you. The children really enjoyed getting up on stage to show off their great costumes and sharing their books with their buddies.
Scholastic Book Club
Your children will have received their latest Scholastic Book Club catalogue. The orders are due to be finalised by 2 September. I understand that this doesn’t allow you much time to peruse the latest catalogue but I am hopeful this means that we will receive the orders in time for the school holidays. I am aware that there are still several outstanding back orders from the last catalogue and I have spoken with Scholastic to find out an estimated time of delivery for these. They have said that most of these have arrived in their warehouse and are just waiting to be distributed so we should be receiving these very soon. Thank you for your patience with these orders and I will continue to follow them up on your behalf.
Overdue Library Books
Can I ask you to please encourage your children to bring their library books to school for their relevant Library day to ensure they don’t end up with a big list of overdue books. As we near the end of the term it would be great if we could get these books back so the student’s loans are all current.
Mrs Karen Maben
JC Teacher-Librarian
New Date - Year 1 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Excursion 30 August
We can now confirm the new date for the JC Year 1 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Excursion as Monday 30 August 2021. The excursion will enhance the students’ knowledge and understanding of our studies and research of Australian animals as set out in the Australian Curriculum for Year 1 students. Teachers in Charge attending will be Lee-Anne Millett and Angela Norley.
Travel Arrangements
WSC students – we ask that you arrive at WSC at 7am for a 7.15am departure.
HSC students – arrive at HSC at 7.10am for a 7.30am departure.
We will leave Lone Pine at 1pm and arrive at Hume Street Campus at around 3pm. Any student who attends OSHC from Warwick Street Campus can depart at HSC.
WSC students should arrive back at their own campus by 3.20pm to 3.30pm.
Parent Participation and Cost We will require parent volunteers to help supervise a small group of children for the day. You will need to organise your own transport to and from the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The cost for parents will be $37.80 and this is payable on entry at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. *To be eligible to participate in this excursion, parents must have completed Â鶹´«Ă˝â€™s Volunteer Compliance Requirements by the date of the excursion.
Please contact your Campus Reception if you would like to help on the excursion.
Dress Code: Students will be required to wear the College Sports Uniform and College Hat.
What to Bring: Students are required to bring their Morning Tea, Lunch and Water Bottle, which should be kept in a small backpack they are able to carry for the day.
Parental Permission Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission by Friday 6 August 2021:
- Login to >
- click on Events & Payments >
- click on JC 2021 Year 1 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Excursion >
- Accept >
- Save
IMPORTANT NOTE: After submitting your permission, please check and ensure your Parent Lounge portal is up-to-date regarding your child’s Emergency Contact Info, Medical Conditions.
Should you require any further information, please contact your child’s teacher/s.
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
From the Director
Â鶹´«Ă˝ … where Learning is at the Heart of Everything we Do.
Â鶹´«Ă˝ Strategic Plan (2017:4) states, “Concordia provides a holistic approach to shape and prepare students to be confident, informed and equipped to make a difference in an ever-changing world.” What does this mean in real terms? Our students can be involved in a wide range of opportunities assist in developing the whole child. These opportunities include:
- Sporting – tennis, Auskick, hockey, touch, soccer,
- Music – bands, ensembles, extra tuition, instrumental program in Years 3 and 5
- Chess – lessons and competitions
- Gardening
- Student Council - Our students are encouraged to be an active part of the Student Council where they have a voice. They are encouraged to think of ways that they can be of service to both our own community and the broader community. For example, PJ Day next week to raise money for the PJ Angels. They would also like a bike day in Term 4 where money raised will go to maintaining the bicycles that the students have access to.
- Optiminds – extension program
- STEM – drones’ program,
- Lunch time Resource Centre – origami, lego, drawing, puzzles, reading
There are times when we need to reflect on our behaviour processes to ensure that all children are given the opportunities to be confident in their space. Our Junior College has a very clear Behaviour Management flowchart. This is supported by consistency and celebrating the positive behaviours of our students.
Our Year 3s have just returned from camp and taught us about KFC… Kindness, Fun and Friendships, Cooperation! As a whole campus, we are going to join the KFC party and tokens will be given to students who exhibit these qualities. At the end of the term, the class with the most tokens will enjoy a KFC party. I can’t wait to see who can be the kindest, friendliest, and most cooperative.
to view HSC's Events for Term 3, Week 8.
Have a lovely weekend and enjoy time together.
Mrs Juanetta Priest
Director of Campus
Did you know that the Concordia App is a One Stop Shop!!
On the app you can find anything and everything that you need to know (and if you don’t we need to hear about it so we can fix it up)
- Notices – please note in settings you can choose to get notifications from only one campus, two campuses or all campuses.
- Calendar – list of most events
- The Week Ahead
- All relevant information regarding CLC, JC and HSC
- Contacts – email addresses of leadership, CLC Shop, Enrolments, Kindy, HSC Admin, Bus Runs
- Contacts – email address to send through your child’s absentee (please use this or email not Seesaw)
- Parent Lounge – links to your details, report cards
- Links – My Student Account, YouTube, Uniform Shop Hours College Website, Facebook, Instagram
All at your fingertips. If there is some piece of information that you would like but you can’t find it, please let us know.
Most importantly, PLEASE check out The Week Ahead (TWA) each week to stay up to date will all events.
HSC Pyjama Day and $3 G-Free Donut and Hot Milo - Tuesday 31 August
HSC Prep Vision Screening - 7 September
Queensland Health conduct annual Vision Screening by a Registered Nurse for Prep students and will be at our Campus on Tuesday 7 September 2021.
It is a Queensland Government service that offers Free Vision Screening to all children enrolled in Prep in Queensland. If you would like your child's vision screened, please complete a consent form for them.
to complete the Online Consent Form and Parent Information Letter. Permission forms close on Saturday 4 September 2021.
If you require a paper copy of this form please let me know and I will print a form out for you.
Parent Help for Grandparents Day - 8 September
We would love your help on Grandparent’s Day in providing a plate of food for morning tea. Each year level is being asked to bring a certain type of food to share.
- Prep – Fruit Platter
- Year 1 – Hot Food (mini pies, quiches, sausage rolls etc)
- Year 2 – Biscuits
- Year 3 – Cakes/Cupcakes, Muffins
- Year 4 – Slices
- Year 5 and 6 – Sandwiches
To avoid huge wastage and in consideration of our earth’s sustainability, we are happy to wash up dishes to return to you, however, please ensure that your name in on them.
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. for the swimming timetable.
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.
HSC Grandparents Day - 8 September
We would love to invite our special Grandparents to come and spend the morning with our students on Wednesday 8 September. The morning will follow:
8.30am Chapel Service
9.15am Classroom visits
10.15am Shared morning tea in the Junior Playground.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions please use the link below to register your attendance by Friday 3 September. Please check in via the Check in QLD app on the day.
We look forward to welcoming as many Grandparents as can join us this year.
HSC Father's Day Breakfast - 2 September
We would love to invite our Dad's or significant male relatives to join us at our Father's Day breakfast and activity with your child/ren.
Due to Covid-19 Restrictions please register your attendance via the link below by Friday 27 August. Please check in via the Check in QLD app on the day.
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.
Festival of Learning
7 September will be an evening of celebrating the learning of our students this term. We had to miss this event last year but are looking forward to an evening of sharing this again. It will be like a Festival where you can enjoy something to eat in the junior playground while listening to students playing instrumental music. You can then move through the classrooms and be amazed by the students' learning for the term.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions please register your attendance by Monday 6 September via the link below. Please check in via the Check in QLD app on the night.
Warwick Street Campus
From the Director
Young children naturally have a capacity to dream big and use their imaginations. Reading books assists to spark a child’s imagination, and also stimulates their creativity and helps to develop their brains.
This week as we celebrated Book Week, the creativity was abundant with both students and staff at WSC. Not only did our students get to show off their costumes in the annual WSC Book Week Parade, but they also got to sit and share their favourite books with their buddies.
Thank you to everyone who put in such a huge effort to make this year’s Book Week Dress Up day an enormous success! With so many travel restrictions around us at the moment, it is important to remember that “Reading is a passport to countless adventures.”
Mr Trappett on Long Service Leave
Today we said farewell to Mr John Trappett for the remainder of Term 3, as he takes some well deserved Long Service Leave. We hope he enjoys some special time relaxing with family and friends and look forward to seeing him again at the beginning of Term 4. Mrs Emma Stewart will be teaching the Year 3 class for five days a week instead of two over the next three weeks, and Mrs Vermeulen will be teaching Visual Art.
WSC OSHC Update
The new WSC OSHC is continuing to take shape in readiness for Term 4. Our OSHC will be located under the main building. If you’ve been on campus in the last couple of days, you will notice lots of work happening in this space. Enrolment information will be sent to families next week.
to view WSC's Events for Term 3, Week 8.
Blessings for the week ahead.
Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus
WSC Pyjama Dress Up Day - Tuesday 31 August
Father's Day Sausage Sizzle - Thursday 2 September
We would love to invite our Dads or significant male relatives to join us at our Father's Day Sausage Sizzle and a Hand Ball Competition with your child/ren.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, please register your attendance via the link below by Monday 30 August. Please check in via the Check in QLD app on the day.
Father’s Day Stall
The Parent Connect will be running our annual Father’s Day Stall on Thursday 2 September. This year there will be both $5.00 and $10.00 gifts available to purchase.
Gifts - Your child/ren may like to purchase a present for Dads, Grandads or any other special Fatherly role models. Money will need to be brought to school on Thursday 2 September. If you would like your child to purchase more than one gift (maybe for Grandad?), there may be an opportunity for them to do so.
Please place the money in an envelope marked with:
- Child’s name
- Amount in envelope
- Number of gifts to be purchased
WSC Prep to Year 2 Swimming Lessons
On Tuesday 7 September, Prep to Year 2 will commence their swimming lessons at the Concordia Aquatic Centre. Each of these classes will participate in seven (7) lessons over the last two weeks of Term 3.
Please ensure that students have the following items:
- Warm clothing - this would be great for the students to wear to and from the pool as we don't know what the weather is going to be like
- Swimming togs
- 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.
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
Happy Book Week!
On Thursday, Stephen Street Campus joined with our Junior College to celebrate Book Week. Thank you to everyone who went the extra mile in costuming for the occasion. From Lady and the Tramp, complete with spaghetti to Shrek, it was great to see so many characters come to life. An honourable mention also needs to go to the staff who really got into the spirit of the day and were heavily represented in the bagpipe lead procession. Thanks, Harry!
Tonight we are looking forward to our Farewell to Winter concert being held in the Dance Studio, in the gymnasium. This concert is one of the highlights of the year and an opportunity to be up close to the action and immersed in music. I can’t help but feel grateful that Queensland is still in a position where we can experience live performances. Thank you to Mr Paul Edwards and his team of musicians for all the hard work that has gone into bringing tonight's repertoire together.
Today, 52 of our students are representing our College at the QCIS Track and Field Carnival. I do not doubt that our team have enjoyed the perfect weather conditions and we look forward to hearing how they performed.
Have a great weekend.
Mr Jason Smith
Director of Campus
Elevate - Free Webinar Sessions for Parents
Year 12 Valedictory Arrivals at Stephen Street Campus
Families and friends of our Year 12 students are invited to attend the Year 12 Valedictory Arrivals near Redlands at Stephen Street Campus on Thursday 16 September. Arrivals begin at 4.30pm and should last approximately one hour.
Guests are asked to enter via the road adjoining Harristown State High School off Stephen Street (normally the bus exit) and park on the oval in front of the Centre for Scientific Inquiry (CSI). Guests are asked to sign in at the check-in stations available.
We look forward to seeing you and we are sure you will enjoy watching our Year 12 students in all their glitz and glamour, take to the red carpet! If you are unable to come along to the Arrivals, these will be livestreamed via the College’s Facebook page.
(Youth) Alpha
Youth Alpha commenced last week, but we have a few spaces left for anyone still interested. Please contact Pastor Thomas asap if you still want to join!
Book Week at SSC
This week, the staff and students at Stephen Street Campus enthusiastically embraced their first dress up day for Book Week. After years of seeing the fun that the Junior College campuses have at this time of year, we decided we needed to be in on the action as well. What a great way to celebrate books, reading and creativity! Check out the gallery of photos below.
Sports Update
I hope everyone is enjoying having the Paralympics to watch, there have already been some great achievements from our Australian team. Looking forward to see how the games continue.
Best of luck to Christine Watson, Kaitlyn Zelinski, Jasmine Hollonds, Bella Edwards, Jorja Hollonds and Indira Bowes who are playing in their AFL grand finals this weekend.
Good luck to Skye Arnold who is competing for a spot in the Toowoomba Football Grand final next week.
Congratulations to Bella Edwards who has made the next stage of the Brisbane Lions Academy Squad.
QCIS
The QCIS Track and Field Carnival was held today (Friday 27 August) at Scots PGC, Warwick. Well done to all of the students who competed. Check out the photo gallery below. Results will be included in next week's edition.
Touch and Rugby 7s
Successful Sign on Day for Touch and Rugby 7s was held during the week. It's not too late to register your interest – email Jana.anderson@concordia.qld.edu.au
Rugby training with Rugby Queensland begins this Wednesday on the Rugby oval 3.30pm to 5pm for the next three weeks.
STEPtember
STEPtember is a fun, safe and virtual event that challenges you to walk, swim, ride, wheel or spin your way to 10,000 steps per day for 28 days in September – all while helping us improve the lives of children and adults who live with cerebral palsy. Help support our team throughout September by .
Mrs Jana Anderson
SSC Sports Coordinator
Boarding
Boarding News
Our Learning in Residence program is gathering momentum and students are recognising the benefits they are getting from the extra support being offered.
Year 12 students have been sitting Mock exams. The dorms have been opened so as they can come and go to exams and then back to the dorm for rest and more study. Food is also a priority when it is exam time. Mr Rudd, Mr Pope, Mrs Bowen and our team of tutors, support and empower students to do the best they possibly can with all assignments and assessments.
The weeks are flying by and we are looking forward to finishing it with some great girls' AFL – the Final this Saturday, 12.30pm kick off for those who are in town. Come along and give your support. Good luck to all those who are playing.
Last Sunday our students enjoyed the hype and fast pace of a game of league between the Dragons 🐉 and the Roosters 🐔 - best team on the day won. We all had a great afternoon topped off with a McDonalds stop on the way home.
Some of our Junior students, along with Miss Fiona, enjoyed the camera shoot in the Library where they dressed up and played the part.
Giabal girls spent Saturday morning planting and repotting our hanging baskets. It was great seeing the girls enjoying an outdoor community service activity. Thank you to Miss Yiyi for coming along and helping out. Thank you to our grounds men for supplying the plants and equipment.
To our mums and dads, aunties, uncles, nans and grandfathers, please remember the kettle is always hot and Pat and I would love to catch up if you have five minutes spare when collecting or dropping off your children.
Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls Houseparent