Lutheran education in Australia has been in existence since the late 1840s. In the first instance, schools were established as a ‘spin off’ from Lutheran congregations in South Australia, with the first recorded Lutheran school beginning at Light Pass in the Barossa Valley.

Education was one key initiative championed by Martin Luther more than 500 years ago, and importantly, the education of boys and girls was seen by Luther as an imperative in the spreading of the Christian Gospel. What a difference Luther’s vision, through God, has made to the lives of countless millions across the globe.

Beginning this week (Week 5), the Uniform Shop opening hours for Fridays will be changing. The new hours for FRIDAYS ONLY will be 7.30am to 10.30am. All other days remain the same:

• Monday 8am to 12pm
• Wednesday 1pm to 4pm
• Friday 7.30am to 10.30am

The Kokoda Challenge will be held in the Gold Coast hinterland (Mudgeeraba) on the weekend of 17 and 18 July 2021. Students and support crews are tested both mentally and physically throughout this gruelling trek, but the achievement is well worth it and will never be forgotten. 

There is a fundraising component to the challenge which requires that the students raise a minimum of $650 per team to go to the Kokoda Challenge youth program for under privileged youth. If you would like to make a donation to support our students please head to the links below.

Concordia Team 1

Concordia Team 2

Concordia Team 3 

Throughout the week we held our annual wrap up and presentations of Age Champion medals for Track and Field achievements for 2021 at each respective campus.

In reflection, it was refreshing and fantastic to see our Junior College Track and Field Carnival back up and running after last year's cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions. Weather-wise, mother nature tried to put a dampener on things early, but the students were itching to get into their events and races, which set the scene for an action packed, fiercely contested day of competition.

After being told for many years that Tallebudgera is the best camp ever, we decided to join our Year 4 classes from the Junior College this week to see what all the hype is about. We are happy to report that we were not disappointed. 

Our students have spent the last three days enjoying a range of activities that focus on team work, persistence and resilience and have enjoyed spending time with their cross campus friends. Thank you to Mrs Barbara Riehl, Miss Alissa Turner, Mrs Libby Scouller, Mr Darryl Fry and to Mr Frost for supporting the students on camp. Students and teachers are sure to sleep well tonight.

State Parliament Visit
On Wednesday, our Junior College Campus Captains have been invited by Mr David Janetzki to tour our State Parliament. Students will have the opportunity to see Parliament in session and will learn the history of Queensland politics. Our Captains will also enjoy a special lunch at the conclusion of their tour. We look forward to hearing about their visit on their return.

If any of these items are yours, please contact Carolyn Lynch at HSC Reception to collect.

We have a grey pillow, black swim shorts size 9-10 and a blue towel which was left over from the Year 5 Camp.

Disco and Parent Wine and Cheese Evening
Friday 28 May will be the exciting date for our Neon Disco. Our students always enjoy the disco and this year we are expecting it to be even more exciting. 

To ensure that it is a COVID safe event, it will be run by our staff with a special Parent Wine and Cheese Evening being held in the Resource Centre. Parents are asked to register their attendance here.

Our Preps this year love to sing and dance so we think that many of them would like to be part of the disco but to assist them they will meet in the Prep room and be able to choose whether to watch a movie or go up to the disco with one of our staff members.

At HSC, Tuckshop is held on a Thursday. All orders are to be completed online at My Student Account 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 8.

Have you heard about the WSC Ponytail fundraiser? Click on the link below for the flyer:
WSC Ponytail Fundraiser

Head over to the Ponytails and Fairytales website and find yourself a wide range of ribbons, bows, hair ties and hairbands in our Concordia colours. Please use the code CONCORDIA LC at the checkout, so Warwick Street Campus will receive a 20 per cent rebate! 

Orders placed before Sunday 6 June earn free delivery to school. Alternatively, you can have your orders delivered direct to your doorstep for a small fee. 

Has there ever been a more 'bowtiful' way to earn money for our school?

At WSC, Tuckshop is held on a Wednesday. All orders are to be completed online at My Student Account 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 8.

Adduco...

During this week, I have been reflecting on a speech given by Laura Knott, 2019 College Captain, as part of her application process for the role of captain. The Latin word adduco refers to the action of leading up, of drawing/bringing to a destined place or bringing into a situation. Adduco even includes the suggestion of coaxing. 

In her speech, Laura very eloquently articulated how she perceived adduco to be an integral part of her approach to leadership. As captain, she went on to demonstrate her capacity to create spaces and opportunities that her fellow students and staff could be drawn into. 

This Monday 24 May commencing at 5.30pm, Concordia is presenting an evening for current Year 9 parents and students. Information about students moving onto Senior College, the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), the Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority (QCAA), the Australian Tertiary Achievement Rank (ATAR), Vocational opportunities and Learning Pathways available will be presented. 

Please join us as we show you the opportunities and the changes that occur as your child moves from a Middle College student to a Senior College student at Concordia. We look forward to meeting you. 

SSC Photo Day is on Thursday 27 May. All students need to wear Formal Winter Uniform. Envelopes from MSP photography were distributed a few weeks ago. If your child did not receive an envelope, please ask them to speak with their Home Class teacher or contact Student Reception on 4688 2789.

Parents are able to order online on or before photo day using their personalised Shoot Key (which is on the envelope). Parents can also order with cash on Photo Day. Please, do not send money in prior to photo day.

All orders received after photo day are subject to a $20 search fee.

If families would like family photos (sibling photos), please collect a Sibling Photo Envelope from Student Services. These sibling photos will be taken at 8am.

Please contact Student Services on 4688 2789 if you have any concerns.

During Terms 1 and 2, the College has been developing an assessment handbook for Middle College students and parents. This handbook has now been completed and is being released to you today and will be available for use by all students and parents of a Middle College student, Year 7 to Year 9.

Please read this document and refer to this document when you have any concerns involving assessment for your child in the Middle College. This document outlines and provides assistance to students and parents when issues or concerns appear for students in the Middle College years. This handbook outlines the processes and the correct person to contact when, and if, an issue arises around assessment for students in the Middle College.

The handbook is available in Parent Lounge and Student Cafe - School Links > Learning and Innovation.

Assessment Guidelines for Middle College

Ms Wendy Bowen
Director of Learning and Innovation

Year 12 Visual Art student, Stuart Larsen won second place in the annual USQ Future Visions Exhibition, a prize for students currently studying Visual Art in Years 11 and 12. Stuart's artwork is currently on display in the Gallery in the Arts Block at the University. USQ Arts Lecturer Dr Rhi Johnson presented Stuart with his award, stating they were “impressed with the accuracy of his geometric painting.”

Congratulations also go to Gracie Paynter, Jasmine Hollonds and Chelsea Loader who also have work in the exhibition.

Students visited the exhibition during Week 5 and were impressed with the standard of work across the Downs.

I had a wonderful week visiting the Year 10 students at Work Experience last week. The students have engaged in a wide variety of tasks with an outstanding attitude. It was pleasing to hear the overwhelming amount of positive feedback from the work experience supervisors complimenting the students on their work ethic, communication skills, manners and willingness to take risks in the work environment. Several students have been offered a range of opportunities from their placement, including potential traineeships and apprenticeships.

Thank you to Mrs Jo-Ann Tessmer for coordinating the Year 10 Work Experience Program and to all the supervisors who have taken the time this week to mentor the Year 10 students.

Mrs Leah Bowes
Senior College Careers Advisor

On Saturday we had a great BBQ with Texas BBQ ribs and chicken followed by a fire pit at the back of AFL House. Most of the students braved the cold and enjoyed toasted marshmallows. Thank you to those off duty staff who came and mixed it up with the students. It was great to see everyone so relaxed yet very cold.

Selina Richards has yet again met goals by being named as a Queensland representative at the National Weightlifting competition in Tasmania in July. Well done, Selina. We wish you all the best.