Dear Members of the Concordia Lutheran College Community

It is my prayer that you are keeping safe and well. It has been an extraordinary time and we are now in a new phase of COVID-19 action, with all three campuses student free except for those families who are working in essential services and who have no options for their children during the coming week.

The College will continue to communicate with our community using the normal channels of direct email, the Concordia App, Facebook, Seesaw, and for Stephen Street Campus students, MS Teams. This publication, The Week Ahead, is a crucial avenue of communication for our extended community and I also remind you that key correspondence, and other information, is being posted on the front page of our website: coronavirus update. 

Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all realising that the world is changing at the moment and we must be adaptable and flexible to what is a new way of life. The reality is that today’s uncertainty will be our new ‘normal’ for some time. We must at this time express our sincere thanks from both of our communities for keeping calm and measured throughout this unpredictable time. Thank you for your words of encouragement to our staff. Thank you for your patience as we wait to hear new guidelines from our Government. Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for supporting each other.

A new kind of ‘normal’ is certainly the case at our two Junior College campuses as we prepare to adapt to a new way of learning for our students. As we work through our Pupil Free Days next week, our dedicated teaching staff will be working in collaboration, sometimes online between campuses, to prepare a robust suite of resources for our students. We will be prepared to deliver this program after the Easter break, should this be mandated by our Government.

Our new kind of ‘normal’ is going to look very different for our families also. Our children, whether they are young, or whether they are older, will need our love and support. Below is an excerpt from a teacher to the parents:

“What kids need right now is to feel comforted and loved. To feel like it’s all going to be ok. Play outside and go on walks. Bake cookies and paint pictures. Play board games and watch movies. Do a science experiment together or find virtual field trips of the zoo. Start a book and read together as a family. Snuggle under warm blankets and do nothing. Don’t worry about them regressing in school. Every single kid is in this boat and they all will be ok. When we are back in the classroom, we will come together and meet each child where they are. Teachers are experts at this! If I can leave you with one thing, it’s this: at the end of all of this, your kids’ mental health will be more important than their academic skills. And how they felt during this time will stay with them long after the memory of what they did during those weeks is long gone. So keep that in mind, every single day...”

By the end of next week, we will communicate with you as to what our online learning will look like. In the meantime, enjoy this time and use it to make some great memories.

Mrs Jackie Minnikin and Mrs Juanetta Priest
Directors of Campus - Warwick Street and Hume Street

As we prepare for our Pupil Free Week, I want to thank all parents, students and staff for their incredible efforts that have enabled our community to be as ready as we can be for what lies ahead. A reminder that the Campus is open for any students who do need supervision. Though there will be no classes running, students will be involved in an alternate program. 

This week we have been receiving a steady flow of positive, encouraging and uplifting emails coming in which have been passed onto our staff. These have been greatly appreciated and a true reflection of the beautiful community that surrounds Concordia. I thank you sincerely for taking the time to note your thoughts down and send them through.

On Monday we will be sending out a survey to ascertain specific issues relating to internet access and access to technology. This will assist us in ensuring that where there are internet/technology issues, materials can be provided in a format that students can access. More information will come later in the week around the supportive structures that we are putting in place to support students, families and learning in this virtual environment. 

A quote that I used to use in my outdoor education days was this, “Sometimes it takes contrast to appreciate the steady and familiar.” It seemed apt at the point when students were returning from their training hike. No shower for three days, sleeping on the ground under a fly. They were returning to a dorm that by any standard, was rustic. They needed to light a fire to heat water, it had bare timber floors and possums that fought most nights. It wasn’t everything, but it was familiar, and luxury compared to what they had experienced. No doubt, for all of us, the steady and familiar of normal school, family and social lives will seem even sweeter after we have been through this chapter of “social distancing”.

Every blessing,
Mr Jason Smith
Director of Campus

Please note that during the Pupil Free Days, Monday 30 March to Friday 3 April, the cafeteria will be closed.

As a result of the evolving COVID-19 situation, it is with regret we have cancelled the Fawlty Towers Dining Experience on Friday 22 May. Those who have already purchased tickets have been contacted with refunds arranged. We are hopeful that we will be able to reschedule this event later in the year and will keep you advised accordingly.

In regards to our next P&F Meeting, currently scheduled for Monday 18 May, and other P&F events proceeding in the foreseeable future, we will be following advice and directions received from Mr Adrian Wiles, Head of College.

These are difficult and uncertain times we are all facing and thoughts and prayers go out to all in the community. We hope you all stay safe and healthy. As mentioned in my last article, we are blessed to have such an amazing community at our wonderful College and I take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of the staff - teachers, administration and support workers who continue to provide educational and pastoral support to our children. 

Until next term, keep well and God bless.

Mrs Hazel Buckley
Chair