The Week Ahead - Term 4, Week 5
Monday 30 October - Friday 3 November
From the Head of College
Today we celebrated World Teachers’ Day at Concordia. This day is a time to acknowledge and celebrate all that is the teaching profession. We are blessed at Concordia to have the skills and talents of nearly 60 teachers across all three campuses. Our teachers want their students to do their best in life at all times. They teach and support the students irrespective of the situation and they guide them to grow into exceptional young people. On behalf of the students and community at Concordia, I would like to thank our teachers for the outstanding work they do each day.
Congratulations to our Junior College community for the overwhelming support given to our Christmas for the Bush appeal again this year. This would have to be one of my favourite Chapel services of the year as I watch the students proudly hand over their Christmas parcels to Bill and Melissa Close from the Care Outreach team. As is tradition, the Year 1 classes capably lead the service today. Thank you to Mrs Angela Norley, Mrs Lee-Anne Millett and all support staff for organising and hosting this worthy cause again this year.
Our Year 9 class has come to the end of their four weeks of camp at Googa and will celebrate the end of their Outdoor Education with their families tomorrow. We hope they have had a rewarding experience and take this memory with them for years to come. As stated by Jackson Besgrove our 2023 Year 12 Valedictorian, “ Googa was awesome - said every person who ever did it.â€
To round out another big week of events, I am looking forward to attending the CLC Art Show tonight. We have many talented and aspiring artists across our Junior and Senior College and tonight will showcase some of their best pieces. I hope you can join us this evening and see all that the students have to offer.
As we come to the end of Week 4, we are already halfway through the term. What a busy but rewarding four weeks it has been. I hope that you can all find some time to rest and enjoy the weekend and are ready for the exciting events still to come.
Blessings for the week ahead
Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Acting Head of College
From the College Pastor
Community News
SSC Parent Connect Major Raffle
Overdue Library Books
Friendly Reminder
Please Check for Overdue Library Books at Home!
Could you please take a moment to check at home for any overdue library books and return them to school?
If you have any questions, please contact either Heidi Edwards at SSC or Tania Garrahy at JC.
Oral Health Care for School Students
ORAL HEALTH CARE FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS
Free dental care is offered to all Queensland students from the age of 4 to the completion of Grade 10 through the School Dental Service. Children aged 0 - 4 years and students in Year 11 -12, may be eligible for treatment if they receive Childhood Dental Benefit Scheme or if they have a current concessional health care card. The Dental Team consists of a Dentist, Dental Therapists, Oral Health Therapists and Dental Assistants. You will be advised if your child needs specialist dental treatment.
Students at Â鶹´«Ã½ – Stephen Street Campus are now being offered dental treatment through the School Dental Service at the Dental Van at Harristown State School.
If you would like your child/children to participate in the free dental care program, please complete each section of the registration form, sign and return it to the School Office by Monday 6 November, 2023. Please note that by signing this form, you are only advising our service of your wish to participate in the dental care program and providing personal information to allow us to contact you.
Our process for making your child’s first appointment with us has recently changed. Our first point of contact may be via SMS. If responding via the Call Centre on 1300 082 662, please choose Option 3 to speak with School Dental Service.
Please remember
- Students will be seen at the Dental Van at Harristown State School, Harristown.
- Parents/Legal Guardians must attend all appointments & must hold a current Medicare Card-please bring this card to the appointment.
- There are limited appointments available before and after school and most appointments will have to be during school time.
- Oral Health does not accept any responsibility for transport of the children to and from their appointments.
- Appointment changes are often advised via SMS. Please read all text messages carefully.
ALWS Gifts of Grace
Tired of the Christmas rat race? Throwaway gifts that go to waste? This year, why not give gifts that GROW? Your kindness will bless someone in a poor community who really needs your help …
… while you receive Grace Cards that become your unique gift to family and friends.
Choose from more than 20 gifts, starting at just $5 – with 5 gifts under $10. Perfect for grandkids! (All are fully tax-deductible!)
Each gift has its own Grace Card with a photo of your gift and a message from a person you help. Grace Cards can be hung on your Christmas tree as a heart-warming reminder of the true spirit of Christmas. After, they can be planted to blossom into beautiful forget-me-not flowers!
Please click on the link below for more information and to donate.
Courageous Eve
Eve Symonds
Eve is a bright, effervescent student in Year 3 who has overcome much adversity over the past 3 years. Late 2020, as Eve was completing Prep, she was diagnosed with T-Cell ALL Leukemia. This is a rarer form of Leukemia and higher risk form of the disease. Eve underwent more than 2 years of intense treatment. During that first year, Eve spent many months at the Brisbane hospital and later with weekly treatments of chemotherapy.
Throughout the many months of treatment, pain, and living in the hospital, Eve always had a smile and something kind to say to others. When she could attend, her enthusiasm for being at school was always evident in her bubbly and sparkling personality. She relished being amongst her classmates and spending time with her many friends. Eve is currently considered to be in remission but will have five years of tests before they consider her ‘cured'.
Eve has shown tremendous strength, courage and resilience in working through her health challenges. We would like to congratulate Eve on receiving The Mayoral Achievement Medal that recognise students who overcome that some young people face every day. She is an inspiration to all around her. We are extremely proud of Eve and believe she has all the qualities of an incredible hero.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
World Teachers Day
On World Teachers' Day, we celebrate our heroes who brighten our student's educational journey. Teachers are the architects of our future, shaping young minds with wisdom, compassion, and dedication. Their unwavering commitment to nurturing curiosity and fostering growth is nothing short of inspiring. They impart not just facts but life lessons, instilling values that last a lifetime. Today, we honour their tireless efforts, resilience, and the profound impact they have on generations.
Teachers, your influence extends far beyond the classroom, and for that, we are endlessly grateful. Thank you for lighting the way toward a brighter, more enlightened world.
JC Leadership Speeches at Assembly
We are looking forward to hearing the speeches from our 2024 Campus Captain nominees on Monday 6 November. HSC’s will be at 12pm in the hall and WSC’s will be at 2pm in the shed. All are welcome.
JC Year 2 Amaroo Environmental Education Centre Excursion - 1 November
Please note the change in date and departure and return information
We are very excited to let you know that on Wednesday 1 November, we will be going to the Amaroo Environmental Education Centre for our 2023 excursion. The program ‘What’s the Bush About’ supports the Biological Science Unit for this term. Teachers in Charge attending will be Sally Weir and Emma Stewart.
Travel Arrangements
All students will be leaving from Hume Street Campus at 8.45am and all students will return to HSC at approx. 2.45pm. Please ensure
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 that they are able to carry for the day.
Parental Permission
Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission by Wednesday 25 October 2023:
- Login to >
- click on Events & Payments >
- click on JC Year 2 Amaroo Environmental Education Centre 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.
JC Twilight Showcase - Thursday 2 November
This year we are inviting you to join us on Thursday 2 November 5.30pm-6.30pm to explore classrooms and see the learning that has occurred over the last term/semester.
You are welcome to stay for as long as you like and visit just a few or all of the classrooms. This is an exciting night for your children as they get to share with you their educational journey.
We look forward to seeing you there.
JC Weekly STEM Challenge
Week 5’s Stem Challenge is the Mascotts Challenge: “How would you like the Concordia mascots to look? Design a new Altus kangaroo, Stedman eagle or Kessler crocodile. Happy designing!â€
JC 2023 Inter-House Swimming Carnival - 16 November
On Thursday 16 November students from the age group 8-12 year olds will be participating in the JC 2023 Inter-House Swimming Carnival held at the Concordia Aquatic Centre. Students will need to be dropped at the pool by 8.15am for an 8.30am start. A program will be available soon.
JC Inter-House Swimming Carnival Nomination Form
We are seeking nominations from students to compete in the JC Inter-House Swimming Carnival on Thursday 16 November. The results from this carnival will be used in selecting competitors to attend the Central Zone Carnival in 2024.
Junior College students born in the following years are eligible to participate.
- 2015 - 8 year old students in Year 2 only
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
Please Note:
- This swimming carnival is supervised by Years 3 to 6 staff; and
- This is an optional event for 8 year old students in Year 2 to attend.
How to Nominate
If you would like your child to compete in the 2023 JC Inter-House Swimming Carnival, please click on the link below, select the events for nomination, then submit the Nomination Form before Monday 6 November 2023.
JC Inter-House Swimming Carnival - Parent Helper Request
The Junior College Inter-House Swimming Carnival is on Thursday 16 November at the Concordia Aquatic Centre.
We are looking for parents to volunteer on this day to assist with time keeping. If you are available to help, it would be greatly appreciated. Please submit your form below.
JC Sport News
Friday Inter-School Sport - Term 4
Â鶹´«Ã½ has entered teams into various sports for the Friday Inter-School Sports Competition which are held at various venues. These sports have included girls AFL and Hockey, boys Touch and mixed Volleyball.
Good luck to all these teams in this highly anticipated student activity.
SWQ Primary All Schools Touch Football Carnival
Last weekend our JC students competed in the Mixed division of the Southwest Qld Primary All Schools Touch Carnival at Dalby. While many of our students were relatively new to the sport of Touch, they put their best foot forward and produced some fantastic results for the team in very hot and dry conditions, against some of the best Touch schools in South West Qld.
This is the 4th time Concordia has entered this competition, and our students thoroughly enjoy the experience. Every year the team steps up and improves, both as individual players and as a team. Our performance surprised several schools along the way! Several students will be eligible again next year, which is a very exciting prospect for our Touch program at Concordia.
These types of experiences are not possible without the assistance of various stakeholders, and special mention must go to Kellie Maddock and Carolyn Lynch who assisted me with coaching and managing the team at the Carnival. We also commend our group of parents that supported our students at the Carnival from the sidelines, giving up their time to attend.
This carnival has concluded our Touch program for 2023. A program which is gathering pace and building momentum across Concordia. We are already very excited for 2024.
Results
Game 1 – Concordia 7 defeated Dalby SS 0
Game 2 – Concordia 3 drew Wynnum SS 3
Game 3 – Concordia 6 defeated Drayton SS 0
Game 4 – Concordia 5 defeated OLOSC Dalby 4
Game 5 – Concordia 1 lost to Mary MacKillop Highfield’s 7
Game 6 – Concordia 5 lost to St Thomas Mores 6
Team – Chelsea Richards, Lisa Richards, Will Klein, Jonathan Rice, William Spoelder, Joshua Dolley, Zyana Abad–Santos, Makenzie Morris, Maddison Callaghan, Callum Hills, Andrew Ye and Skye Henning
Friday Night Basketball Competition
The Junior College have entered a boys team in this competition. The Friday Night Basketball Competition has been running for many years and is a great opportunity for our budding basketball enthusiasts to learn the game while having some great fun with their friends.
Good luck to this team and coaches this term.
Representative
Recently the QLD Primary Track and Field Championships were held in Brisbane. Concordia was lucky enough to have three athletes - Andrew Ye, Charlie Lowis, and Arabella Knopke - compete in a variety of events over the few days. This is a great achievement for these athletes to compete at such a high level, and a fantastic experience for them competing against some of the best in the state. Well done!
Congratulations also Arabella Knopke on a very successful campaign with the QLD Primary Schools Touch team at the recent National Championships. The team winning the final against a very determined NSW. Arabella had an amazing carnival and has a very bright future in this sport. Congratulations to Charlie Lowis on his remarkable performance competing with the QLD Primary School Soccer team. Charlie had an outstanding tournament and only allowing two goals to pass through. Queensland secured a commendable 3rd place, with New South Wales clinching the 2nd spot, and Victoria West emerging as the victorious champions. Well done!
This is a remarkable achievement for these two athletes competing against the best in the nation in their respective sports.
Josh Dolley and Charlie Lowis represented the Concordia U13s team at the SWQ School Futsal Titles in March and were selected to represent Southwest Qld in the U12s age division at the National Schools Futsal Championships in September at Nissen Arena. There were 21 teams in their age division. Their team won 5-6 of their pool games and made it through to the finals. Both boys have been selected to represent Australia in Barcelona in June next year. Josh has also been selected to represent the SWQ State Futsal Team at the January 2024 National Club Championships in Sydney. Congratulations boys on the next leg of this journey
Interhouse Swimming Carnival 2023
Swimming nominations have been emailed out to parents to complete and return via Jot form. This is for students who wish to compete at the annual JC 8-12years Inter-House Swimming Carnival held at the Concordia Aquatic Centre on Thursday 16 November.
Students have been involved in swimming lessons already in Term 4, with TJ’s Swim in preparation for this event. Once nominations are received, they will be collated, and the program will be prepared for the carnival. More information will be forthcoming in the upcoming weeks about this action-packed fun day which will see our students participating against each other for their House supremacy.
Mr Darryl Fry
Junior College Sports Coordinator
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
HSC Weekly Events
Please to view HSC's Events for Term 4, Week 5.
HSC 2024 Booklists
Our 2024 booklists are available for online ordering. Place your order online through Browns Office Choice. The Book Lists' link is also available in .
Orders that were placed and paid for before Wednesday 15 November will be ready for collection from HSC Resource Centre on Thursday 23 November between 8.00am and 9.30am.
Brown’s Office Choice -
Please note, the headphones have been taken off the 2024 booklists due to quality of previously sourced headphones.
- Each student will need a set of headphones for school.
- Please check the strength of the connection where it plugs into the device.
- Our little Prep students sometimes get confused if there is a volume button on the headphones so please avoid this if possible.
HSC 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. The last week of Tuckshop will be Week 6.
HSC Parent Connect Spectacular Fun Day - 23 November
Carols by Candlelight and HSC Awards Presentation - Thursday 23 November
We would like to invite you to attend the HSC 2023 Awards Presentation and Carols by Candlelight on Thursday 23 November. This will be held on the sports oval but if it is raining we will hold it in the hall.
Please see below an outline of the program.
5.30pm - please join us for a picnic dinner. There will be Pizza, Dagwood Dogs, Chips and Drinks available or feel free to BYO food.
6.15pm - Welcome and Awards Presentation followed by our Carols by Candlelight.
We will also be selling some neon flameless candles on the night for $2.50 each.
Warwick Street Campus
WSC Weekly Events
Please to view WSC's Events for Term 4, Week 5.
WSC Family Fun Afternoon
Please to register your attendance to this exciting event.
WSC 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 6.
WSC Musical - 21 November 2023
WSC 2024 Booklists
Our 2024 booklists are available for online ordering. Place your order online through Browns Office Choice. The Book Lists' link is also available in .
Orders that were placed and paid for before Monday 13 November will be ready for collection from WSC Shed on Wednesday 22 November between 8.00am and 9.30am.
Brown’s Office Choice -
Please note, the headphones have been taken off the 2024 booklists due to quality of previously sourced headphones.
- Each student will need a set of headphones for school.
- Please check the strength of the connection where it plugs into the device.
- Our little Prep students sometimes get confused if there is a volume button on the headphones so please avoid this if possible.
Stephen Street Campus
Arts Tour
The Arts Department are excited to announce that the Arts Tour in 2024 is going to MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY!
The tour will be jam packed with awesome activities and workshops that takes in everything the cultural capitals of Australia have to offer. If it’s creative and happening in Sydney and Melbourne, then we’re doing it! The great part about this tour, is that it has been designed to align with the Arts curriculum, which means that the amazing things we are doing have been specifically chosen to enhance the student’s arts experience as a whole.
WHEN: Tuesday 2 April – Monday 8 April 2024.
WHAT ARE WE DOING*?
- LUZIA - The incredible experience of Cirque Du Soleil under their Grand Chapiteu, and the most famous circus performers in the world.
- Groundhog Day the Musical
- Wicked the Musical
- NIDA – Workshops in Australia’s national dramatic arts educator for careers in stage, screen, events and interactive entertainment.
- West Side Story - Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
- Sydney Opera House tour
- Ministry of Dance - Workshops at Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance where professional dancers train
- NICA circus workshops in the most amazing facilities.
- NGV - Visit the National Gallery of Victoria
- Grease the Musical
- Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise
- Visual Art workshop
- And more!
*may be subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
WHO CAN COME?
Stephen Street Campus students who:
- Are in years 7 – 11 in 2023 and study at least one Arts subject OR
- Are involved in an extra-curricular Arts activity in 2023/2024.
If you do not tick either of these boxes, please come and see us in M Block staffroom ASAP.
We anticipate that the tour will cost approximately $2800. The cost includes all flights Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, airport transfers, accommodation for 6 nights, breakfast daily, 1 dinner included (possibly more tbc), all public transport costs, all tickets, entry fees and workshops costs and a tour shirt. This is not the final figure, but we believe that it should sit around this. By the time EOI close we will have a firmer figure.
More information about Arts Tour is available in the email sent to SSC students and parents last Friday.
If you are thinking about going on Arts Tour, please submit an Expression of Interest form via the link below by 3pm Wednesday 8 November 2023.
An EOI does not hold a place for you on tour, but allows you to receive the next link to pay the deposit and lock in your place -
If you have any questions, please email Jo-Ann.Tessmer@concordia.qld.edu.au or drop into M Block Staffroom.
Click to view the Arts Tour launch video.
Sport News
Sports News – Term 4, Week 4
Basketball Academy Opportunity
Recent Results & Achievements
Rugby 7s – Round 1
U13 Boys
- Game 1 Vs Toowoomba Grammar Red: Won 40-7
- Game 2 Vs Toowoomba Grammar Maroon: Won 21-15
Futsal – Round 1
- The 7/8 Girls: Loss
- The Opens Girls: Loss
- Our U13 Boys: Loss
Girls Twilight Netball
- Concordia Vs Blaze: Won
Boys 5-A-Side Netball
- Concordia 2 Vs Concordia 1: Won
Charles Lowis
Congratulations to Charles Lowis (year 6) who recently competed in the National Schools Soccer Championships for Queensland. His team secured a commendable 3rd place on the back of Charlie’s outstanding goal keeping, managing five clean sheets from 7 games. Remarkably, Charlie only conceded two goals throughout the entire tournament.
Upcoming Fixtures and Information
Futsal
- Training: Boys – Monday afternoons/ Girls – Tuesday afternoons, from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm in the SSC gym.
- Games: Boys – Wednesdays/Girls – Mondays
- Game Venues: Boys – UniSQ (off Baker St)/Girls – The Glennie School (off Vacy St)
- Please arrive to your game no later than 30 minutes prior to kick off.
Round | Team | Time | Opponent | Court |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 | 7/8s Girls | 4.00PM | Glennie | 1 |
Senior Girls | 7.00PM | Fairholme | 1 | |
Boys | 4.15PM | Let's Get Messi | 3 |
Netball
- Training: Boys – Tuesday afternoons/ Girls – Thursday afternoons, from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm at the WSC outdoor courts.
- Game Venues: Boys – TAS/Concordia/Girls – Nell. E Robinson Netball Courts
- Draw:
Team | Time | Opponent | Court |
---|---|---|---|
Round 4 - Boys | 5.00PM | TAS/Harristown | 1/2 |
Round 5 - Girls | 5.30PM | Dream Team | 11 |
Rugby 7's
- Training: Wednesday afternoons 3:30pm-4:30pm on the Rugby oval.
- Game Venue: Highfields Sport and Recreation Centre.
- Draw:
Team | Time | Opponent | Court |
---|---|---|---|
U13's | TBA | TBA | 2 |
U13's | TBA | TBA | 2 |
Upcoming Competitions and Opportunities
Rugby League 9s Competition ​
- Any students interested in competing in the Rugby League 9s competition in week 10 of term 1 next year, please go to student notices and complete the attached form.​
- Please note in order to play you will be expected to have attended a minimum of 2 training sessions and have the correct equipment (Football boots, Mouth guard etc.)​
Staff vs Students Pink Stumps Day
WHEN: Lunchtime, Week 6 – Wednesday November 8th
WHERE: CSI Oval
We will be hosting a Staff vs Students Pink Stumps Day because no one should go through breast cancer without the care of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse. McGrath Breast Care Nurses help individuals and their families affected by breast cancer by providing invaluable physical, psychological, and emotional support from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment.
All funds raised go towards helping the McGrath Foundation reach their goal of 250 nurses by 2025, to work towards ensuring no one misses out on care. So, wear something Pink, buy a Pink snow cone and watch the Staff and students do battle on the pitch, all in support of a worthy cause.
If you would like to donate prior, please visit or scan one of the QR codes on a poster around school, and search for Concordia:
Sport Quote & Joke of the Week
Joke: What animal is best at hitting a baseball? A bat!
Boarding
Boarding News
Hello to all our families!
Well, we are halfway there, 4 weeks to go! Christmas is just around the corner. Where has this year gone. This past week was the start of the Year 12 Exams. The feedback has been that our boarders feel they have done well. Over the next 3 weeks there will be many exams being held in the college. We wish everyone a great outcome.
We have a big weekend coming up with the return of our Year 9 students on Saturday from Camp. Word from the Googa is that they have all given 100% and enjoyed themselves as well. Well done to our Year 9 boarders, especially those who have really stepped out of their comfort zone. We are sure they will enjoy their nice comfy beds and hot showers after a quick drive through MacDonald’s on the way home.
Sunday we will be departing the dorm at approx. 8.30am for another outing in Brisbane. This time we are going to Outback Spectacular. We are all looking forward to what is sure to be a great trip with a couple of shows followed by a three coarse meal.
Last Saturday we took some students to Crow’s Nest for the Rodeo. Many were first timers and are now converted Rodeo followers. It was a great evening. Those bull riders are fearless!
Our Junior Rugby boys had another 3 wins last night, we are very proud of them and achieving outstanding results. Look out the All Blacks! Our Futsal girls put in a huge effort during their games and although they did not come off the victors, we are super impressed and proud of their effort and resilience.
Travel has been submitted to Abstudy and those students will travel on Thursday 23rd. If you foresee any need for changes, please let Ms Maureen know as soon as possible.
Some excitement around the Boarding House, it is out with the old and in with the new as the Boarding Recreation room is getting fresh new carpets.
Big thank you goes to our Kitchen staff; we sometimes overlook the amount of input from other departments that goes into supporting your child during their time in Boarding. This morning I snapped a few shots in the kitchen of Beth preparing Vegemite scrolls – kids love them and Rosie finishing off the breakfast dishes to get ready for the next meal. Our boarders have a fridge in the kitchen area that is refilled every day for them. They simply open the door and help themselves to fresh fruit, vegie nibbles, cakes, slices, yogurts, muesli bars to mention just a few. The tea and coffee station is also very popular at mealtimes with Milo, Hot Choc, Tea and Coffee on offer.
We would also like to thank Troy at the Aquatic Centre; our students have been enjoying a quick swim in the pool. They love relaxing and having a bit of fun, especially with all this hot weather.
Till next week
We hope you enjoy our pics.
Mrs Maureen Taurima and Mr Andrew Bull
Boarding Houseparents