In the spirit of support and understanding, all of the bands supported each other, offering enthusiastic applause for soloists and sometimes lending school and adult players to fill out missing parts in bands. We were fortunate enough to be joined by Gavin and Renee McKenzie (Cool Night Big Band) and Benn Tracey (Director of Music, St Mary’s College). We were blessed with beautiful weather and a crowd that often numbered above 300 people throughout the event.

Special thanks to the Toowoomba Anglican School for hosting this year’s event. I am confident this event will continue into the future and become a popular event for schools in our region.

Thanks to Nerida Eckert for the photos in the below gallery.

Mr Paul Edwards
Coordinator of Music Performance

In 2018, we began implementing the MultiLit Suite (Pre-Lit Kindy, InialLit P-2, Mini-Lit, MacqLit and Reading Tutor). These programs take the elements of our WRAP program and builds in intensive intentional teaching coupled with set assessments.

What is phonics? The Courier Mail describes it as, "the relationship between written letters and their spoken sounds.”

In the early years, the students concentrate on learning the 76 sounds of our English language. They also learn the basic parts of speech (verb, noun, adverb, adjective) as well as the basic grammar rules.

Years 3 to 6 continue the spelling journey learning more complex grammar rules.

Did you know that …

• English words cannot end in an ‘i’? eg spaghetti – not English, Italian.  Challenge - Try to think of an English one.
• Every syllable has to have a vowel and that is why ‘y’ is substituted for an ‘i’. As stated previously, we can’t end an English word with an ‘i’, so if it is a words such as ‘why’, a student learns that it has to be a y at the end.

Please find below a copy of some of the spelling rules that we learn.

HSC Spelling Rules Overview

Information for Volunteers
The College is always appreciative of parents who are willing to offer their help and expertise in specific interest areas or supporting other activities.

We are always grateful for parents and community members who have the skill and time to support student learning. There are many opportunities in which to help, and it is a great way to become involved in the Concordia community.

To register your interest in volunteering, please complete this online form.

To learn more about volunteering, please read the Volunteer Handbook.

Signing in with Sine
All visitors to the college must sign in while on campus. This includes classroom helpers, chapel and assembly. This can be done one of two ways …

1. At reception through our Sine in device or
2. Download the Sine app and log in through the app.

An email will be sent to Reception or Director so that for records and safety, we know who is on campus. Thank you for complying with this requirement.

Diving into Politics and Leadership with Hon David Janetzki MP
David visited us this week both in the Year 6 classroom and on Assembly.

We had a great Q&A time with him. Our students asked some really interesting questions.

Q: When will all the plastic items that normally get sucked out to sea get banned? - Charlotte
A: We have already banned straws. We are working with people in the community to look at other items.

Q: How do you make new laws and how do you get people to obey those laws? - Micah
A: We discuss law changes in Parliament and we decide what the new law will be. It is then advertised in the media.

Q: Have you ever got into an argument in Parliament and then found out you are arguing about the same thing? - Chase
A: Yes. I just said to someone I normally sit next ot the other day - "Haven't we heard this argument before?"

Q: What is the favourite part of your job? - Eloise
A: Not travelling but I do like coming to school and talking to kids.

Q: What was your job before you became a politician? - Chase
A: I milked cows for my first job but was a lawyer before starting politics.

Q: Have you ever had a really big argument in politics? - Sophie
A: Yes - but the news always shows the arguments and that we do talk nicely to one another most of the time.

Q: What does MP stand for? - Micah
A: Member of Parliament.

Lots of Socks and Bullying No Way Day
Today we supported World Downs Syndrome Day by wearing our craziest socks and donating a gold coin. The HSC students raised $232.00 to go towards our local Toowoomba and District Down Syndrome Support Group Inc. The students also had fun dressing in orange for the Bullying No Way Day.

Shave for a cure for Leukemia
Charlotte Scouller, in Year 5 is also a superhero. She is choosing to have her head shaved to fundraise money to go towards research into Leukemia. Charlotte will have her shave at school on Friday 26 March. Here is a message from Charlotte …

“Hi there!  I'm on a mission to shave the world from blood cancer… Will you be my shave-sidekick and sponsor me for World’s Greatest Shave? Every day another 47 Australians are diagnosed with a blood cancer, that's one Aussie every 31 minutes. Your donation will make sure families facing blood cancer have a place to call home during treatment, someone to turn to, and access to the best possible care and treatment. You will also help drive funding for Australia’s best and brightest blood cancer researchers in their quest to deliver rapid advancements in diagnosis, treatment and ultimately a cure. Will you help by sponsoring me today? Just click here to sponsor me: https://secure.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?RegistrationID=812420 Thank You!"

Click here to view HSC's Events for Week 9.

Mrs Juanetta Priest
Director of Campus

How do prizes work? Help your child fundraise more by setting a prize goal! It’s okay if they change their mind – you order their exact prizes later. You can order your child’s prizes online at myprofilepage.com.au by Friday 9 April . Alternatively, complete the back page of your sponsorship booklet when you return your cash donations. Students can choose a prize based on the total amount of dollars raised, or mix and match smaller prizes.

Share in $200,000 worth of extra prize credit! Achieve bigger prizes by helping your child earn bonus credit on their online profile. By reaching fundraising milestones online, you can share in $200,000 of extra prize credit!  

Become a Fundraising MonSTAR! Collect all virtual badges on your online profile page and receive your own Fundraising MonSTAR bag tag.

Class Reward Prize. Teamwork counts! If your class creates the most online profile pages each student will receive a Fundraising MonSTAR handball.

FundRazor of the Year Award. Do you think you can top the national leader board? Australia’s highest fundraising student in Australia will win a Razor Prize Pack, worth $4,900!

If you have any questions about the Colour Explosion School Fun Run please contact the office of Australian Fundraising on 1300 133 022. Thanks for supporting our school and we hope to see you at the event.

Happy fundraising!

The children have chosen a store to write to and have asked for donations to support this project. Some of the children have hand delivered their letters to the business and are waiting for a response.  The children have spoken about their project and why they feel it is important to support. 

It is our aim to provide Gateway House with care packages that assist in supporting the youth that come through their doors. Care packages may include towels, sheets set, toiletries, stationary to support education, recreation items such as skipping ropes and balls as well as other basic essential items including a backpack for care packages to be distributed in.

If you feel you would like to donate either goods or money to support the Year Four children in their Service Project, please drop your donations to the HSC reception. All your donations will be most gratefully received. This project will run through to Term 2 with more information and updates to follow.    

‘Gateway House provides support accommodation for young people aged 16-25 years who have an immediate need for Homelessness support. As part of the program young people are encouraged to engage in education or employment. Young people who are residing in Gateway House are expected to contribute to rent and weekly amenities.’

As the clouds parted today, the dreariness of the grey skies this week were brightened with a sea of orange and crazy socks today as we recognised Bullying No Way Day and Lots of Socks Day. All of the funds raised from Lots of Socks Day will go towards supporting and empowering people with Down Syndrome. This is a great cause that is close to our hearts at Concordia and we had all students and teachers rocking their wonderful and crazy socks!

As we move into Week 9, we will be celebrating Harmony Day at our Assembly at the special time of 8.30am. Celebrating cultural diversity is important at WSC and it would be wonderful to have some families share a little of their culture with us. If you are interested in sharing, please let me know - we would love to have you!

Click here to view WSC's Events for Week 9.

Blessings for the week ahead.

Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus

Due to COVID-19 requirements, it is necessary to register your attendance and the following considerations will also be in place:

• Hand sanitiser will be available, please use it throughout the event.
• Please ensure social distancing with others in attendance.
• If you are unwell, please stay home.

If we don’t see you at the BBQ or Open Day, we hope to see you at our next P&F meeting in Term 2, on Monday 17 May. Meanwhile, if you have any ideas for fundraising, a question or concern you need help with then please feel free to email us at SSCPF@concordia.qld.edu.au.

Have a fabulous week ahead and we look forward to connecting with you soon.

Mrs Hazel Buckley
Chair, SSC P&F Committee

Nadia Thomas (Ministry Captain) and Travolta Isingi (Boarder Vice Captain) attended Emmanuel for the Installation service for Pastor Nathan Glover. We all look forward to many services with Pastor Glover.

Farewell to Mr Gates and hello to Mr Colley! Year 9 student Jacob returned from weekend leave with a few extra boxes of computer components and bits and bobs, with a clear vision of building his own computer. Watch this space over the next few months and we will keep you all updated with his progress.

Sports Update

• Boarders were all pumped up last Wednesday for the annual Cross Country. Chrissy Watson won the Senior girls, Selina Richards placed third and Stuart Larsen was fourth in their respective events. Year 7 Daisy Combo-Gadd was fourth in the Junior girls. Congratulations and well done to all those who participated!
• The volleyball competition started this week at Harristown State High School with our Junior girls winning their first game and our Senior social team narrowly missing out on a win.
• Selina Richards and Jacinta Kucks attended the Laura Geitz Netball Shield held at The Glennie School last weekend. Many thanks to Mr and Mrs Richards for their support it transporting and supervising for the day, and for all the great goodies Bridgette had in her eski!
• Senior girls AFL had a loss this week however are still sitting close enough to the top to make it into the finals. Thanks again to Mrs Jana Anderson for her support in transportation.
• Carolyn Marschall attended Ipswich Jets Netball trials on Sunday afternoon.

As you can all see, it has been yet another full week for our boarding students, remembering that this has all been done outside the school day. 

With exams and assessments due we all need to remind and encourage students to take advantage of the extra out of class support that is being offered by the teaching staff and tutors. Please feel free to encourage your sons and daughters to take full advantage of this as many of the students are playing catch up. Support from the teachers is too good to miss out on. 

Feel free to contact either of us for further information regarding after/before school support for you children.

Hope you all enjoy our photos this week.

Catch you all next week, 

Mrs Maureen Taurima and Mr Ross McKeown
Houseparents