The Week Ahead - Term 1, Week 5 2023
Monday 20 February to Friday 24 February 2023
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
I hope that you have been able to manage the many aspects of family life during the heat of the past week. On returning from Brisbane last Sunday, the thermometer in our car got up to 42°C between Laidley and Gatton, and this was at 4:30 in the afternoon! The staff must be acknowledged and thanked for the work they do on days like these as they monitor, supervise and remind the students, both young and old, to stay cool, wear a heat and remain hydrated.
It has been great to see the collaboration and seamless partnership between the Junior and Senior College campuses over the past 12 months. It’s important that the College works closely with our Junior College students in providing our learners with the best possible learning opportunities and facilities. Earlier this week our Year 5 students used the wonderful opportunity to spend some time on the Stephen Street Campus. This not only afforded them the opportunity to access the learning infrastructure available on the Senior College Campus, but also familiarise themselves with some of the possibilities and high school staff who work in this part of the school. From all accounts, the Year 5 students found their feet very quickly and had a rich morning of learning. Our Year 6 students and their parents also enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the Function Centre today as part of our annual Year 6 SMART Leadership Day celebrations. Our goal is to create regular opportunities for our Junior College students to have authentic and meaningful Senior College experiences in readiness for high school.
From the College Pastor
Ash Wednesday Services - 22 February
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent, the season of preparation for the key Christian festival, Easter – the death and resurrection of Jesus. Many churches offer special services on Ash Wednesday and during the Lenten period.
ELF congregation has combined with St Paul’s to offer an Ash Wednesday service at
Time: 7pm
Date: Wed 22 February
Venue: St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Phillip Street, East Toowoomba.
All are welcome to attend.
Have a blessed week.
Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor
Community News
Look Up - 5 March
NAPLAN Information - 15 - 27 March 2023
NAPLAN tests well be conducted during 15-27 March 2023. All students in Years 3, 5 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests. All NAPLAN tests are through online testing except Year 3 writing. The testing dates for Concordia are:
- Middle College: Wednesday 15 March to Friday 17 March with the make up day on Monday 20 March
- Junior College: Monday 20 March to Wednesday 22 March with the make up day on Friday 24 March.
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum. Concordia teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Online practice testing will take place during Week 5.
NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
Maths Pathways Parent Information Evening - Years 5 & 6
We would like to invite our Years 5 & 6 parents to an Information Evening to discuss Mathematics Pathways.
Attending this evening is a great opportunity for you to gain a deeper understanding of the courses and ask any questions you may have. This meeting will allow you to find out more about the individualised approach to teaching Maths and how it aligns to the Australian Curriculum.
We will be discussing how students progress, what a Maths Pathways classroom looks like, and how to interpret a report card. We will show you how to access information on Concordia’s Parent Lounge and the parent interface for Maths Pathways.
When: 27 February 2023
Venue: E1 – Lecture Theatre, Stephen Street Campus
Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
We look forward to seeing you there.
Rowena Weier
JC Learning Enrichment & Curriculum Teacher
AFL & Hockey Sporting Schools Program
Detailed information regarding the after school sporting programs has been emailed to all years 4-6 parents for AFL and Years 2 to 6 parents for hockey.
To submit your child/children's interest in participating, go to > Tours & Excursions. Permission is due next Friday 24 February.
Please note: there is a maximum of 25 participants for AFL, years 4-6 Students only & 30 participants for Hockey, years 2-6 students only.
Nut Free Zone
At the beginning of each year it’s always timely to remind families that our Junior College campuses are nut free zones. As we have many students with significant allergies, we would appreciate your support in making sure that the students have lunch boxes that are nut free. We know there are many students who enjoy peanut butter or Nutella sandwiches, but if those sandwich choices could be saved for weekend lunches it would be appreciated.
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
HSC Weekly Events
Please to view HSC's Events for Term 1, Week 5.
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. Tuckshop will finish in Week 9.
HSC Aussie Hoops Program
HSC Colour Explosion Fun Run - Thursday 30 March
Thank you so much for continuously supporting our school, especially through fundraising. This term, we are hosting a Colour Explosion School Fun Run.
Start fundraising today. Did you know? Students raise 3x times more when they fundraise online! Visit myprofilepage.com.au to create your children’s cybersafe fundraising profile. Instructions are in your child’s sponsorship booklet. You have until Friday 23 April to fundraising, so make sure you get cracking!
The big day is coming! We are so excited to host our Colour Explosion School Fun Run on Thursday 30 March. On the day, make sure you child brings a white shirt and old shorts for the Fun Run and waterside. They will be covered in non-toxic, high-quality colour powder from head to toe! They will also need a water bottle and their hat. Sunscreen will be provided in the classrooms prior to the event.
HSC Concordia's Got Talent - Tuesday 14 March
On Tuesday 14 March our Years 3 to 6 have their performances for HSCs Concordia's Got Talent at 10.45am. We will be selling the $1.00 CGT Show Deal of popcorn and popper again.
Cheaper Kindy for Families
From the 1st January 2023, the Queensland Government has introduced new kindergarten funding to give every child a great start. The $1 billion investment over 5 years will support all Queensland children to take part in a kindergarten program before school with free kindy, or cheaper kindy for families.
Warwick Street Campus
WSC Weekly Events
Please to view WSC's Events for Term 1, Week 5.
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 9.
WSC Campus Photos – Wednesday 15 March
WSC Campus Photos – Wednesday 15 March
Our campus photos are scheduled for Wednesday 15 March. Please ensure your child/ren are in the correct uniform. Students in Prep will wear their sports uniform. All students from Years 1 to 6 are required to wear their formal uniform.
Family Photos
To enable parents to purchase a family photo of all or some of their children who attend Â鶹´«Ă˝, photos of siblings will be taken in the Warwick Street Campus Shed between 8am and 8.15am on photo day.
It will be the parents’ responsibility to get their SSC children to WSC for the family photo and then take them to SSC ready for school before 8.30am. If you would like family photos done, please collect a family photo envelope from Reception prior to photo day.
WSC Aussie Hoops Program
Stephen Street Campus
SSC Weekly Events
Please to view SSC's Events for Term 1, Week 5.
Boarding
Boarding News
Hi to all our boarder families.
Concordia’s boarders have settled in well to 2023 and they have plenty to keep them busy over the next few weeks – can you believe we are nearly at the half-way mark of the first term!
We have also welcomed two new tutors in recent weeks’, and they are already proving a hit in the boarding house.
Sam, who is from Kingaroy, arrived just last Monday while Sera, who is from Townsville, has been with us for two weeks. Both have quickly settled into our routines and bring with them skills in music, languages, and academic tutoring.