One of the Strategic directions which the college will be embarking on in 2022 is the introduction of Project Based Learning [PBL]. This journey has commenced across the Year 7 and 8 Technology and Arts Programs.

So, why PBL?

Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. Students work on a project over an extended period of time that engages them in solving a real-world problem[s] or answering a complex student-directed question. Students demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience.

As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication skills. PBL is an intentional move away from the repetitive delivery and ownership of content by the teacher, to students linking their learning content to everyday real-world experiences as well as creating an environment of rich learning possibilities.

How does PBL differ from “doing a project”?

PBL is becoming widely used in schools and other educational settings, with different varieties being practiced. However, there are key characteristics that differentiate "doing a project" from engaging in rigorous Project Based Learning.

We find it helpful to distinguish a "dessert project" - a short, intellectually-light project served up after the teacher covers the content of a unit in the usual way - from a "main course" project, in which the project is the unit. In Project Based Learning, the project is the vehicle for teaching the important knowledge and skills student need to learn. The project contains and frames curriculum and instruction.

In contrast to dessert projects, PBL requires critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and various forms of communication. To answer a driving question and create high-quality work, students need to do much more than remember information. They need to use higher-order thinking skills and learn to work as a team.

“In the traditional academic model, you’re passive. You sit in a chair and the teacher tries to project knowledge at you; some of it sticks, some of it doesn’t. That’s not an effective way to learn. Worse, it creates a mindset of ‘you need to teach me,’ so when you’re on your own, you think, ‘I can’t learn.’”
[Salman Khan]

We are committed, over the coming months, to bring you along on this learning journey and to keep you updated on the implementation of PBL by sharing the many learning discoveries, student feedback and professional readings. Do not hesitate to contact the College if you wish to know more about Project Based Learning at Concordia.

As the school year gets underway, I would like to remind you of the strong open-door policy which I propagate. This relational and working commitment with you as a family is also extended to all members of the College’s Leadership Team. Please stay connected with us throughout the year.

I would like to wish everyone my best wishes for the coming school year, and I hope to see many of you face to face when possible.

Have a safe weekend and week ahead.

Yours in Christ,

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

Quote of the week: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” [Benjamin Franklin]

As our students go through school they are encouraged to not only develop their skills and abilities, but also their imagination, to dream about their future and to discover God’s hand in it and find ways to be active in developing their dreams.

As a community we are in an exciting phase as we look to the future and embark on planning for that future. We are seeking God’s guidance as we imagine the future for Concordia Lutheran College, building on the foundations of our forebears and on the solid rock that is Christ. St Paul encourages the congregation at Philippi with these words:

I can do all this through him [Christ] who gives me strength (Phil 4:13).

As we are invited to imagine the possibilities, we look to Christ our Lord in whom our future rests securely.

May you find a solid foundation in Christ as you enter this year and draw courage and strength from him, to, even in uncertain times, imagine the possibilities. God bless you!

Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

Earlier this week, your child will have brought home their first Scholastic Book Club catalogue for the 2022 year. If you are a new family to Concordia and not familiar with Scholastic, approximately twice each term your child will bring home one of these catalogues. They are full of quality literature at reasonable prices. The students who purchase books from Scholastic are always so excited to receive their order to take home and begin reading. If possible, in these current times, can I please ask that you place your order and pay online using the scholastic.com.au/LOOP option that is on the back page of the catalogue. It is okay if you have already sent your paper order into the office. I will process all of these. Orders need to be placed by Friday 18 February for this catalogue.

It has been wonderful seeing the continuing students all back at school and meeting all the new students commencing at Concordia this year.

Mrs Karen Maben
Junior College Library Coordinator

I would like to take a moment to say thank you to our staff who worked tirelessly over the last three weeks to turn our space into fabulous places of learning and to also assist in our ISHC (Inside School Hours Care) program for students of essential workers.

If at any time you have any concerns, I would encourage you to talk firstly with your teachers but know that I am always happy to assist in any way I can. We are looking forward to sharing a blessed year working with you to imagine your child’s educational possibilities.

Click here to view HSC's Events for Term 1, Week 4 2022.

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy time together.

Mrs Juanetta Priest
Director of Campus - Hume Street

This year, we also welcome some new staff members as well as welcoming back some faces that we’ve seen before. I would like to take this opportunity to wish the following staff a wonderful start to 2022:

Mrs Stacey Warrener - Year 2 teacher
Frau Irena Kobald - German teacher
Mrs Christa Connolly - Health and Wellbeing teacher
Mrs Rachael Burrows - STEM teacher
Mr Sam McCullough - Learning Assistant
Miss Grace Trenaman - Learning Assistant
Miss Moira Downing - OSHC Coordinator

After the opening of our Outside School Hours Care in Term 4 last year, we are exploring the option of opening for Vacation Care this year. We would appreciate you completing the survey with regards to Vacation Care at WSC, which can be accessed by clicking on the following link. Concordia Lutheran College Vacation Care 2022. I look forward to letting you know the results of our survey and what the next step will be for our OSHC program.

As always, a school year is always full of great learning and many exciting events. Our College theme for 2022 is “Imagine the Possibilities”, and we look forward to exploring all the possibilities that lay ahead this year.

Click here to view WSC's Events for Term 1, Week 4.

Blessings for the week ahead.

Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus

As I start my role as Director of Campus at Stephen Street, I sense great anticipation as to the direction of Concordia and its commitment to keeping “learning at the heart of everything we do”. This may not at first seem all that profound, after all - schools are made for learning. However, there is a deeper message here. Schools are very busy places, and my experience over 17 years has been that we can become distracted, moving from one week to the next, churning through curriculum and events without being mindful of the learner’s experience.

One of my favourite education sayings is, “learning is not a spectator sport”. To go one step further, I would say that learning is not confined to classrooms. The success of students at Concordia in a range of fields, whether it be in academics, sport, the arts, technology or community service, is testimony to the fact learning is deep and holistic here. I feel very honoured to continue to grow our program to introduce even more opportunities and celebrate the success of our learners.

In all these successes, we should continue to remember that it has been made possible by a gracious Lord who cares for His people. Our College theme for the year, Imagine the Possibilities, recognises that it is only when we start with the foundation of God’s security, that we can look ahead with optimism and anticipation for greater things - “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock”, Matthew 7:24.

Students will continue to settle back into school routines over the coming week. Students in Year 12 will receive their ties and leadership badges during a special ceremony on Wednesday, followed by a ceremony on Thursday for our Year 9 Middle College Leaders. Both events will be filmed and made available to our community.

Unfortunately, the current COVID-19 guidelines have meant the postponement of our Year 8 camp which was scheduled for next week. We are awaiting confirmation from Ironbark as to other possible dates for the camp later in the year.

Have a blessed week ahead, and please reach out if you or your family need anything.

Yours in faith,

Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus

While we have had many happy faces and lots of smiles, there have on the occasion been some tears. This is to be expected and with building a good relationship with you, we can be guided by you how we can best support your child. We want this to be a happy experience for you and your family as well as your child.

I am pleased to let you all know that our Tutors and older students have engaged many of our new students with words of comfort, support and encouragement that they will all get used to boarding life. Change can be challenging, and it takes time. Some longer than others, there is no quick fix. We all have lots of patience and love to share around.

Activities for this weekend will be a shopping trip on Saturday to Grand Central with Andrew, myself and two of our tutors. Our new students will always be supervised.

Andrew and I will post the Activity program next week for the remainder of the term. Weekly boarders are always welcome to attend our weekend activities at a small cost or alternatively book in for the weekend if we have something super special on. Lots of fun to come this term.

We will attend church on Sunday followed by a barbecue brunch in the courtyard in front of our Rec room followed by a movie at the cinema in Toowoomba on Sunday afternoon.

Until next week, take care and stay safe.

Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls' Houseparent