The Week Ahead - Term 4, Week 7
Monday 15 November to Friday 19 November 2021
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Congratulations to our Year 9 students on their very confident and heartfelt reflections which they shared with us on Tuesday evening as part of their Rite Journey Coming Home Service. Thank you, parents and caregivers, for your attendance and wonderful support throughout this journey, the current school year and their Googa experience.
Thank you to Mr Stephen Miegel and Ms Rachel Scott for their guidance and wonderful pastoral care of these students during this journey. I have included in my section this week, a poem which was shared by one of the Year 9 Googa groups as a reflection on their time there, at the recently held family day. The words of the poem below says it all!
Good luck to our Junior College musicians and music staff as they host the Junior College Music Showcase in The Shed at Warwick Street Campus this evening. A big thank you is extended to Mr Paul Edwards and his team for the incredible work which they do with both our instrumental and choir students in this part of their school program.
Next week, Monday and Tuesday, will see us celebrating and graduating our Year 6 students from Warwick and Hume Street Campuses, respectively. I look forward to acknowledging and celebrating with these young people, their parents and staff this very important milestone in their lives.
Our Year 12 students need to be congratulated on the great ease which they have managed and worked their way through the external exams. We now look forward to hosting these students at a farewell and celebratory breakfast on Wednesday morning. I would also like to wish our Year 10 and Year 11 students all the best of luck as they begin with their Exam Block [Year 10s] and IA1 Exams [Year 11s] next week.
One of the new initiatives which we will be introducing at Concordia next year is an Annual Plan for the College. This working document, which is underpinned and driven by our current Strategic Plan, will guide and inform all stakeholders of the Collegeās annual strategic intent. Please click on the following link to view this plan - .
I look forward to seeing many of you at the various end-of-year events and celebrations happening over the coming fortnight.
Have a safe and relaxing weekend.
Yours in Christ
Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College
Quote of the Week: The measure of a manās greatness is not the number of servants he has, but the number of people he serves. [J. Hagee]
Judge Gently
Author Unknown
Pray donāt find fault with the man who limps
Or stumbles along the road,
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
Though hidden away from view,
Or the burden he bears, placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble too.
Donāt sneer at the man whoās down today
Unless you have felt the blow,
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his if dealt to you,
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time,
Might cause you to stagger too.
Donāt be too harsh with the man who sins
Or pelt him with word or stone,
Unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure,
That you have no sins of your own.
For you know perhaps if the tempterās voice
Should whisper as softly to you
As it did to him when he went astray,
It might cause you to stumble too.
From the College Pastor
āA»å±¹±š²Ō³Ł
We are nearing the end of the school year at great speed, with lots of special events from Sports Breakfast to Year 6 evenings, the Years 6-11 Presentation Evening, etc, celebrating the achievements of the year. Mixed in with the celebrations is lots of work - the last of the Year 12 exams, exams for Year 11 and 10 and many other assessments, report writing, planning for 2022...
We are also nearing the end of the church year. On November 28 the season of Advent begins, which marks the new year within the churchās calendar.
Advents refers to the arrival of someone or something. Advent is a period of getting ready for an arrival. The arrival of Christ in the world.
The four Sundays leading up to Christmas have a double focus. They are preparation for Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, God taking on human flesh to come close to us and be our Immanuel (God with us). At the same time there is a focus on the fact that we live between times, that we still await the fulfilment of Godās plan for a just, peaceful and harmonious world and that while we work toward this, finally the fulfilment rests in Christ, who promised his return one day. The getting ready of Advent includes readiness for that day, when all shall be revealed.
It is therefore a time of waiting, of patience, but also of expectation, of hope.
In my family we have an advent wreath with four (usually red) candles. One more candle is lit each Sunday in Advent until all four candles are lit ā as a symbol of the coming near of Christ, the light of the world. And then comes Christmas, the great celebration of the arrival of Jesus, the Christ.
What are your special family practices? Do you talk to your children and explain to them why you do what you do at this season?
The decorations we put up in our houses, the special foods we prepare, the lights we put out are all but little reminders ā part of the getting ready, the preparation for the real thing ā Christ, the light of the world. And what a celebration that will be.
I pray that in the midst of this busy period and the pressure of this time, you may find moments of reflection, moments of peace and moments filled with hope. Christ is coming, God is with us, and that means there is a future for us.
Already the prophet Isaiah, writing some 500 years before the birth of Jesus promises:
In that day you will say: āI will praise you, Lord.
Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.ā 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:1-3:
May the hope of Advent fill you and strengthen you.
Pastor Thomas Bƶhmert
College Pastor
Community News
Book your seats for the Years 6-11 Presentation Evening
We are looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our students in Years 6 to 11 at the inaugural Years 6-11 Presentation Evening taking place on Monday 22 November at The Empire Theatre from 6pm.
Students will be presented awards for academic, citizenship, cultural and sporting achievements on the night. There will also be entertaining dance and music performances from our talented students at this event. You will be notified prior to the event if your child is receiving an award and you are welcome to invite extended family to attend.
Due to COVID requirements, all parents and caregivers must book tickets via The Empire Theatre Box Office.
Note: Concordia is reserving seats for all students in Years 6 to 11. You do not need to book seats for your child or children in these year levels.
Please book your seats online, by telephone or in person at The Empire Theatre Box Office. Seats booked online or via telephone will incur a $5 booking fee.
Online:
Telephone: 1300 655 299
Box Office: 54-56 Neil Street, Toowoomba
We encourage you to book your seats as soon as possible as we anticipate that seats will fill up fast.
If you have any questions about this event, please feel welcome to contact me or your Director of Campus.
Mrs Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing & Enrolments
For Sale: College Toyota Coaster Bus
$36,000 negotiable
We are selling our 20 passenger seat Toyota Coaster bus which is in great condition and only has 197,830km. This has currently been used as a school bus, with Queensland "School Bus" signage and flashing lights.
All seats have lap belts or standard seat belts. The bus also has an alloy bullbar, tow bar, 12 volt and 24 volt plugs, air conditioning throughout. It has a 6-speed manual gearbox with 4 cylinder turbo diesel engine.
The bus has current Queensland registration with a current inspection certificate and RWC. If you are keen, you could turn this into a camper home or use as is. This has been a very reliable vehicle and we are only selling due to downsizing. Currently advertised on Gumtree.
Please contact Tyrone Lanagan, Operations Manager, on 4688 2700.
Uniform Survey Closing 19 November
We have received a fantastic response to the Uniform Survey that has been sent to students, parents and caregivers and staff members. Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share their feedback about the uniform - we appreciate it!
It's great to see so many members of the community have their say so the Leadership Team can make informed decisions about the uniform.
If you haven't completed the Uniform Survey, you have until next Friday 19 November to have your say. Click the button below to complete the quick and easy online form.
Lecture Theatre Upgrade starting soon!
We are excited to announce that the Lecture Theatre upgrade where new seating, carpet and audiovisual technology will be installed will be commencing during the Christmas holidays.
To date we have sold almost two-thirds of the seats for the Lecture Theatre and are asking members of our community who haven't already done so to purchase a seat in your family's name.
Many thanks to everyone who has already purchased a seat for this important upgrade to our learning facilities at Stephen Street Campus. to see the current seating plan with the names of our generous donors.
If you would like to purchase a seat in the Lecture Theatre, please click the button:
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
From the Directors
Pastor Thomas has been a new face this semester at Concordia and the students and staff are enjoying him leading some of our Chapel services. This week, Pastor Thomas shared the story of his life in East Germany, and how he was captured and became a political prisoner. His story was one of courage, persistence, resilience and a constant faith in God. He reminded us that no matter what struggles we may encounter in our lives, God will always be by our sides.
We also talk about persistence and resilience along with confidence, getting along and organisation as part of our You Can Do It program at Concordia. We have many students who exhibit these traits on a daily basis. This week we have had the privilege of listening to many outstanding Campus Captain speeches where our Year 5 students referenced their strengths in these areas. Each of these students stood up proudly in front of their peers, and other classes, and shared what they loved about Concordia, their respective campuses and how they could lead in 2022.
After speeches, votes from the students, and the interview process, we were able to announce our 2022 Campus Captains at our Chapel and Assembly services today. We would love to extend our congratulations to Evi Purchase and Anya Vermeulen who are our 2022 WSC Campus Captains and to Emily Holding and Emma Walkington, who are our 2022 HSC Campus Captains. We wish all of these students well as they take up their leadership positions next year.
Next week we begin the celebrations for our 2021 Year 6 class, with our first event being the Year 6 dinner. This will be shared by the Year 6 class, parents and staff, and will be a time to reminisce and congratulate these students on their many achievements over the years. We look forward to sharing this time with our Year 6 cohorts.
to view HSC's Events for Term 4, Week 7.
to view WSC's Events for Term 4, Week 7.
Blessings for the week ahead
Mrs Juanetta Priest - Director of Campus (Hume Street)
Mrs Jackie Minnikin - Director of Campus (Warwick Street)
Concordia shines in Maths Pathways video
This year we introduced Maths pathways to our Year 5 and 6 cohorts across the Junior College campuses. On average, our students have completed approximately 1.5 yearsā worth of growth in learning since the introduction of Maths Pathways.
In this video, Mrs Stacey Warrener and Mr Paul Baker talk about how Maths Pathways has enhanced the learning of our Years 5 and 6 students in mathematics.
2022 Pre Kindy Enrolments closing
Concordia Hume Street Kindergarten provides a tailored program specifially for 3 year old children known as Pre Kindy. Pre Kindy provides a great foundation for children prior to commencing Kindergarten. Pre Kindy provides children with a chance to grow, learn and develop all in a play based environment, while also setting children up for success for the rest of their lives. It supports a great transition not only from Pre Kindy into the Kindergarten program, but also improves the transition into Prep as the children are so familiar with the beautiful school environment where we are located.
Pre Kindy runs every Friday from 8.30am to 3pm during school terms.
Children who attend Pre Kindy receive priority placement for Kindergarten classes the following year.
We are finalising places for our Pre Kindy program for 2022. If you are interested in more information about Pre Kindy, please make contact with Christie.Rheeder@concordia.qld.edu.au or phone 46 135 610.
St Helena Island
On 4 November, the WSC and HSC Year 5 classes went to St Helena Island in Brisbane. First, we were on a bus for two hours, then on a boat for what felt like ages! When we got to the island, we ate some lunch, went to the toilet and headed off on our adventure!
First stop, the cemetery! We were allowed to see the prisoners' graves and the Warderās children. Next, we went on a long walk to the prison and the blacksmithās building. We were told about the prisoner powered tram and how Queenslandās best shooters were hired to shoot the prisoners who tried to escape. Then we moved onto the bakery and then the big well. We then moved onto a courtyard with a smaller well.
Prisoner 321 (our tour guide) told us the story of a man who drowned himself in the water of the well. Prisoner 321 let us look through the museum that was the old Warderās Office. He then took us to the big canon that used to send emergency signals.
We went back to our starting point and ate some lunch. Everyone then got on the Cat āoā Nine Tail Cruises that took us to land. We then took the bus home and at 4.30 we arrived at Hume Street.
In my opinion, St Helena Island was really fun and educational. It was a great trip to go on with my friends.
Ivy Stafleu
WSC Year 5 Student
JC Year 6 Big Day Out
The much anticipated JC 2021 Year 6 Big Day Out will be held on Wednesday 24 November. Please read the attached which provides you with more details about this excursion.
Permission Required
Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission for your child to attend this excursion by Thursday 18 November 2021.
- Login to >
- click on Events and Payments >
- click on JC Year 6 Big Day Out 2021 >
- 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 Information and Medical Conditions.
Should you have any further queries regarding this excursion, please contact your child's teacher.
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
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.
Please note: This will be the last tuckshop for the year.
Carols by Candlelight - Registration Form
We would like to invite you to attend the HSC 2021 Awards Presentation and Carols by Candlelight on Wednesday 24 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.
6.30pm - 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.
Concordia is required to strictly follow the Queensland Government COVID-19 guidelines for school events which requires all guests to pre-register in household groups using this form. (People who live in the same household are considered to be a household group.) All guests are required to practice social distancing of 1.5 metres with other household groups at the event.
to register your attendance on the night.
HSC Colour Explosion Fun Run - 15 November
We will be running our Colour Explosion Fun Run on Monday 15 November.
Students are invited to wear something white or old for the fun run and waterslide. Could you please send in a towel and their sports uniform to change into after the fun run is finished.
Parents are invited to come along and help squirt colour over your students. Please see the schedule below.
8.45am - Prep
9.15am - Years 1 and 2
9.45am - Years 3 and 4
10.15am - Years 5 and 6
10.45am - GYG Meal Deal
The Colour Explosion Fun Run will be held on the oval between the Kindy and the lower swings.
Warwick Street Campus
WSC Tuckshop Orders
Please note: This will be the last Tuckshop for this year.
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.
WSC Parent Connect End of Year Sausage Sizzle
Costumes for WSC Musical
Parents, please find a list of costume requirement for our Christmas Musical, āDon't Be Afraid'. Some items of your childās costume will be provided. Please contact your teacher if you have any difficulties finding the items below:
Prep - Different Barn Animals
- School sports short & joggers
**Please wait for Mrs Weier to message you a T-shirt colour for your child
Year 1 - Wise Men
- White T-Shirt
- Jeans
Year 2 - Jazzy Donkeys
- Donkey ears (from school)
- Black T-shirt (from school)
- Black long pants
** Kmart currently has some long black pants and leggings for sale if you donāt have any at home
Year 3 - Angels
- Plain white T-shirt
- Black long pants
- Wings & Halo (from school)
Year 4 - Tradies, Neighbours & Cleaners
- Tradies ā Jeans, T-shirt, high vis vest & toolbelt/hard hat
- Neighbours ā Everyday clothes & maybe an apron
- Cleaners ā Jeans, T-shirt, apron & plastic gloves
Year 5 - Sheep/Shepherds
- Sheep - All white
- Shepherds - Tunic or robe Headgear, bare feet or sandals.
Year 6
- Year 6 individual items for each character
WSC Musical Details - Tuesday 23 November
On Tuesday 23 November, all students from Prep to Year 6 will be involved in the Christmas Musical. Please note the following details:
- Students will need to arrive at 6.30pm and meet in their classrooms.
- The doors to The Shed will open at 6.45pm for families.
- The Musical will commence at 7pm sharp.
Please note that reserved seating will be available for the Year 6 parents and guests at the front.
Donāt forget to bring your costumes on Thursday 18 November and Monday 22 November for the dress rehearsals.
Stephen Street Campus
Well done!
This afternoon saw the last Year 12 External Exam completed. I commend the Year 12s for the effort that they have put in over the past 12 months. Completing Year 12 is certainly a marathon, not a sprint and there is a strong sense that this group of young people have run the race well.
We are looking forward to our last catch up with the Year 12s for this year at their Brunch next week. We are looking forward to seeing many of them back at the 2022 Scholars Assembly early next year.
Alongside their academic pursuits, I want to acknowledge and thank the Year 12 students for the leadership and contributions they have made during their time on Stephen Street Campus through their involvement in the many and varied aspects of College life.
Well done, Year 12, and enjoy the transition into the next chapters of your lives.
As we enter the last part of the year, the remaining students are very much in the business end of their assessment. A reminder to keep an eye on balancing workload with healthy eating, sleeping well and exercise.
This weekend is a timely opportunity for students to check their assessment calendars and map out their plan of attack. Having their plan mapped out will assist them to prioritise, work effectively and, hopefully, keep their stress levels in the productive range.
Have a great weekend.
Mr Jason Smith
Director of Campus
Bursary Winner - Congratulations, Georgette!
Congratulations to Year 10 Arts student, Georgette May, who this week was awarded a share of the Empire Theatres Foundationās $25,000 in bursaries. Recipients were presented with their bursary certificate in a ceremony celebrating 30 of the region's most talented students.
Georgette will receive ongoing support from the Empire Theatre Youth Bursary in 2022 and will have the opportunity to attend the Queensland Conservatorium - Musical Theatre and Acting Masterclasses next year as part of her award.
The Empire Youth Bursaries are presented with the aim of developing skills and giving new experiences to young artists who demonstrate talent, involvement and achievement in a performing arts discipline. Many impressive Arts careers have followed past recipients after receiving the bursary. Georgette went through several stages after applying for the bursary, and with her impressive resume and panel interview, she was selected from a substantial field of young people from a large region.
The ceremony, held at the Empire Theatres on 9 November, was a wonderful celebration of young people who are passionate in a range of performing arts. Georgette, who boards at the College, was excited to have her family travel to attend the event and enjoy time celebrating with them afterwards.
Congratulations Georgette, we look forward to hearing about your experiences next year as you extend your performance skills and make new connections with people in the industry.
Mrs Jess Merretz and Mrs Leah Bowes
The Arts teachers
End of year schedule for SSC textbooks and library books
This week, students will be sent recall emails asking them to return any long-overdue library books and other resources they may have on their account.
Textbooks will be returned to the library at the direction of teachers in the last weeks of school. Any textbooks or library resources not returned during Week 8 will be followed up. Parents will be included in on these follow-up emails. This is so you are aware of what resources need to be found and can remind, and help if need be, also of what cost can be expected if the items are not returned. Any resource not returned by period 5 on the last day of school will be billed.
We are more than happy to lend books out over the holidays, but students must come and see me to arrange this.
Year 12 textbooks can be returned to the library after your exams and are due on 17 November. If they are not returned by then, they will be billed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in contact.
Mrs Heidi Edwards
Teacher-Librarian
Boarding
Boarding News
Hello boarding families!
Today, I write this boarding message with many mixed feelings of sadness and joy. Many students are adjusting to not having the Year 12 students around. I spoke to all students before they left and they are all excited for the new chapter in their lives to begin with many securing jobs straight out of school. It is great to see the great work ethic that these students have and how they want to be self-supporting. Now thatās great to hear parents!
After more than two years, Ryan was able to return home to Hong Kong to be with his family, however not without having to do the 14 days quarantine in Hong Kong. So have a thought for Ryan on 23 November when he will finally be home with family and friends. Thank you to Mr Patrick Rudd for taking Ryan to Brisbane and ensuring he got on his plane. You will be missed, Ryan.
While names and faces change, memories will not and now that you are all gone we can add all those photos you never wanted on the wall. You will be remembered as a great cohort. Best of luck Year 12 of 2021 in the future, every one of you! Enjoy the special photo gallery below.
On Sunday, our students had a cooking lesson in the kitchen (thanks Tyrone for allowing this to take place) with Mr Patrick Rudd, Mrs Jana Anderson and Miss Meg Pullman. They learnt how to make homemade pasta. Everyone lent a hand and thoroughly enjoyed the new experience. It was a huge success and the students enjoyed it for dinner along with finger food and some fancy mocktails. Thank you, Miss Jana and Miss Meg.
Due to the unpredictable weather this week some sports trainings were cancelled. Senior girls' Rugby 7 team came home with a 4th place. Well done ladies, a great effort.
Volleyball at Harristown (social team) fell short of female player ā won the game although it doesnāt count.
Boarding will be having our Christmas in November this Sunday. Students are all encouraged to attend and to purchase a Secret Santa gift. Photos will follow in next weekās edition.
Enjoy the photo gallery this week.
Stay safe.
Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls' Houseparent