Thank you to the students and staff who stepped out today to be part of the Clean Up Australia Day campaign. It has been very affirming to see the students take the lead and coordinate the assigned activities for their peers. On the past weekend, while visiting Brisbane, I saw some news being used by the Moreton Bay Regional Council in which they are urging the public to Save our wildlife, by taking your rubbish home with you!” What a powerful message which was spotted and pointed out to us by our 7-year-old grandson. Proverbs 22:6 in the Bible reminds us to direct our children onto the right path and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Did you know that school researchers have found that the number one priority for parents is to raise compassionate and moral children over their children’s achievements. But how much difference can parents make? Are some children born good-natured and others mean-spirited? Studies of twins suggest that up to half of people’s propensity to be kind is inherited, which means that parents and the environment account for the rest. So, what can we do to raise caring children?

• Praise is more effective than rewards. If we want to reinforce caring, rewards run the risk of leading children to be kind only when a carrot is offered, whereas praise communicated that sharing is intrinsically worthwhile for its own sake.
• Praise character, not actions. Say “You’re a very nice and helpful person”, which helps children internalise being helpful as part of their identity.
• With bad behaviour, evoke guilt, not shame. Shame is the feeling that I am a bad person, whereas guilt is the feeling that I have done a bad thing. Shame makes children feel small and worthless and they respond by either lashing out at their target or escaping the situation altogether. When parents get angry and seem to withdraw their love, children feel shame and believe that they are bad people. When children feel guilt, they tend to experience remorse and regret, empathise with the person they have harmed and try to make it right.
• Say you’re disappointed with the behaviour. Expressing disappointment, explaining why the behaviour was wrong, how it affected others and how they can rectify the situation, enables children to develop standards for judging their actions and feelings of empathy and responsibility for others, which are conducive to becoming a helpful person. Expressing disappointment with the behaviour continues to confirm the person even if they made the wrong choice.
• Model caring and generous behaviour. Children pay more attention to what adults do than what they preach. Children learn generosity not by listening to what their role models say, but by observing what they do.

[Acknowledgement: Raising a Moral Child, The New York Times]

As the College’s swimming season draws to a close, I need to acknowledge and congratulate the students, parents, coaching staff, especially at TJ Swim, and the College staff involved on an outstanding season – one of the best in the last couple of years! On Tuesday this week, we had several junior swimmers attend the Darling Downs trials with the team of 8 students swimming superbly in all events, with everyone recording a personal best on the day. We are extremely proud of the swimmers and congratulate Connor Gadsby and Emily Holding for gaining selection in the team to compete in the last week of March at the Chandler Aquatic Centre as part of the Queensland Schools Championships. As a program at TJs Swim, we had another 3 swimmers also gain selection totalling 5.

On Wednesday 12 Concordia students travelled to Gatton for the 13-19 years swimming trials in what became a 40 degree day. Of the 12 swimmers, the College has 5 students moving onto the State Championships to be held in Brisbane in the last week of term. Congratulations to Abby Denning, Lisa Richards, Meg Osborne, Alistair Richards and Lily Osborne on making the Darling Downs Team. We achieved a great number of PB Swims at the meet, for which the swimmers should be very proud given the heat of the day. As a swimming program, TJs Swim gained 7 swimmers in the team, and combined with the 10-12yrs swimmers totals a nice even dozen. This is a step up from the 8 we had last year. Congratulations to all involved on the day!

Congratulations and well done to our QCIS Swimming Team who competed in Dalby today. Thank you to our staff, led by Mr. Darron Skinner-Martin, and those parents who travelled to Dalby to support our team. We look forward to sharing those results next week.

Thank you for your support of the College this past week.

Have a safe weekend.

Yours in Christ.

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

Quote of the week: Unexpected kindness is the most important, least costly and most underrated agent of human change. [Bob Kerrey]

Lent is a time to reflect on our own journeys with God and each other, our fickleness and wrong turns and it invites us to bring all this to Jesus. The ashes placed on people’s foreheads in the shape of the cross in many churches on Ash Wednesday services are a reminder of our fickleness and sins but also point to the forgiveness and hope offered through Christ. And perhaps that can inspire us to seek healing in our relationships as well where that might be necessary.

So, Lent offers the opportunity for reflection, for taking stock of our lives in the light of God’s love expressed through Christ’s cross. We are invited to carve some time out, through the practices of fasting (and in our modern day that fasting may well be from devices and screens rather than just rich foods), time to reconnect with God, to bring before him in prayer our troubles and things that need to change, to seek God’s healing and new beginnings. It is also a time for giving, that is focus away from my wants and needs to those around us and respond to them.

All of these practices work together to lead us into contains the possibility of reconciliation, both with God and with those around us. Making a new beginning in areas of our lives that need it. In this way the season of Lent is a gift to you and me, and I certainly pray that you can receive it this way and be refreshed, renewed, encouraged I your walk with God and others.

The prophet Isaiah proclaims this invitation from God:
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7)

May our Lord bless you through this time of Lent and encourage you with his deep love. Pastor Thomas.

Have a blessed week.

Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

Through these sessions and conversation with our community, one area that peaked interest was the theme of Cyberbullying. With the advent of the internet, smart phones and tablets, there is now a whole new digital dimension added that poses potential risks to bully others. There was once a time when bullying victims were given some respite outside of school hours, but sadly these days, online bullying can occur even when students are in their home environment. In today’s world, teaching our students about online and cyber safety, is as important as learning to swim or cross the road.

Cyberbullying can be identified as being the repeated behaviour by an aggressor with the intent to harm or embarrass. Technology enables these aggressors to share information widely and quickly, making this form of bullying extremely dangerous and harmful. However, the answer is not to shun the internet nor social media. Instead, parents are encouraged to embrace it and instil a family internet policy to protect their children without limiting the freedom to learn, explore and communicate online.

Families can assist their children through online education by engaging in dialogue with them about the risks associated with engaging with online technologies. Some of the key messages delivered to our students during the Cyber Safety Presentation include:

• The internet is PUBLIC and PERMANENT
• I protect my personal information online
• People I only know on the internet are strangers (trust)
• We all have rules on the internet and computers
• I can always talk to an adult I trust about something that happens online

Further information can be found through Internet Safe Education’s Parent Hub.

In addition to this, SchoolTV resources are now live for families to access via the Concordia Lutheran College website. SchoolTV streamlines and brings together information from many reputable sources such as ReachOut and BeyondBlue, Headspace and many others. This provides a very reliable and accessible resource, saving parents time and confusion searching online across multiple sites.

For further information, click on the SchoolTV link below that will provide videos, facts sheets and other articles to assist parents with issues related to cyberbullying. If your child is currently experiencing cyberbullying and requires further support, please feel free to contact one of the members of our Pastoral Care Team.

Cyberbullying - SchoolTV Resources

God Bless!

Mr Tony Manteufel
Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

It’s about our commitment to embracing the possibilities of every student and for them to aspire to their full potential. Concordia’s commitment to its students extends beyond the classroom. I was very proud of the work on display at Open Day earlier this month. It showcased a true sense of community.

I encourage everyone to take the opportunity over the holidays to look up our Specialist Scholarship page on our website as applications close Friday 21 April. On the page you will find scholarship opportunities that reflect our belief that children have varying interests and talents that deserve to be treated equally.

On a personal note, my first term at the College has been a time of learning, adapting and madly trying to absorb how to use what seems to be a mountain of computer programs.

I still haven’t got a handle on many of them, but it is on my growing list of projects to get through over the holidays. The one question I constantly have been asked since arriving at Concordia in January is: ‘Do I miss the radio?’ (as I worked at ABC Southern Queensland for 23 years before coming to Concordia). And the answer to that question is ‘I haven’t had time to’. My job at ABC Southern Queensland involved a lot more than presenting and producing a radio show, and that is like my role here, as it comprises a lot more than the title suggests. I am thankful for being busy (most of the time); I could think of nothing worse than having time spare to try to think of what I should do next.

I hope you have noticed that Concordia is getting a little more traction in the mainstream media. Later this week you will read an article in The Chronicle about the success of our swimmers, and ABC Southern Queensland will feature a story on our Japanese study tour visitors on Friday morning.

I am going to take some time to recharge over the holidays and reflect on the amazing achievements since the start of 2023 and what we all are blessed to share, this great environment we work, parent and study in.

A very happy Easter to you and your families.

Ms Belinda Sanders
Director of Marketing & Enrolments

Garth Calder is Concordia’s Student Counsellor and over the past 6 months, Garth has taken our many programs such as, You Can Do It, Zones of Regulation, Daniel Morcombe, and Cyber Safety, and has developed a scope and sequence of Health and Wellbeing. We have begun to implement this curriculum in each year level this term. We know that Resilience is one the most valuable skills a child can learn so we do a lot of work teaching students to recognise signs in their body and what strategies they can use to bring themselves back into the green zone.

Here are some tips that you can use at home for raising resilient children:

• Encourage problem-solving: When your child faces a problem, encourage them to come up with solutions on their own. This will help them develop problem-solving skills and confidence in their abilities.
• Model resilience: Children learn by example, so it's important to model resilience yourself. Show your child how you handle difficult situations and talk to them about how you overcome adversity.
• Foster independence: Give your child opportunities to take on responsibilities and make decisions on their own. This will help them develop independence and a sense of control over their lives.
• Teach coping skills: Teach your child healthy coping skills, such as deep breathing, exercise, and talking to someone they trust. These skills will help them manage stress and anxiety.
• Celebrate effort: Instead of just focusing on your child's achievements, celebrate their efforts and hard work. This will help them develop a growth mindset and a sense of resilience in the face of challenges.

By teaching our children resilience, we are giving them the tools they need to succeed in life. It's a gift that will serve them well throughout their lives.

For more information please click on links below.
You Can Do It - Parents Reference Guide to Resilience
You Can Do It - List of Books that have Characters to Demonstrate Emotional Resilience

Blessings for the week ahead

Click here to view HSC's Events for Term 1, Week 7.
Click here to view WSC's Events for Term 1, Week 7.

Mrs Juanetta Priest - Director of Campus (Hume Street)
Mrs Jackie Minnikin - Director of Campus (Warwick Street)

Swimming Carnival
Our recent swimming carnival was a huge success, with students from all houses coming together to compete in a very spirited event. Congratulations to Stedman House for their victory! It was an exciting day filled with fun and friendly competition, and we would like to thank all the students who participated and made it such a great event. Thank you also to Mr Darron Skinner-Martin and all staff who contributed to this very successful day.

Open Day 18 March
We look forward with anticipation for our Open Day on 18 March, where we will be showcasing our educational program. Open Day provides an opportunity for prospective students and their families to visit the school, meet our teachers, and learn more about our academic and extracurricular programs. Current families are also encouraged to attend and see firsthand what is happening in the college and witness the immense talent of our students. Students involved in the Musical will be rehearsing on the day and showing off their talent and disciplined preparation for what we know will be an amazing production.

Years 7 & 9 NAPLAN
Earlier this week information was sent to our Years 7 and 9 families about the upcoming NAPLAN testing. This will take place from Wednesday 15 to Friday 17 March. Testing is earlier this year so that schools have more timely access to results. All tests will be completed online. As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting your child during this testing period. Here are some tips on how you can support your child during NAPLAN (however all of these tips are applicable to any assessment period).

1. Prepare your child: Talk to your child about what to expect during the test. Explain to them that the test is designed to assess their skills, not their intelligence, and that it is an opportunity to show what they know. Encourage them to stay positive and do their best.
2. Ensure your child is well-rested: A good night's sleep is essential for optimal performance. Make sure your child gets enough rest in the lead-up to the test.
3. Encourage healthy habits: Good nutrition and exercise can help your child feel their best during the test.
4. Be a source of encouragement: During the test, remind your child of the hard work they have put in and encourage them to stay positive. Reassure them that you are proud of them, no matter the outcome.
5. Keep things in perspective: NAPLAN is just one measure of your child's academic progress. Emphasise to your child that their performance on the test does not define them as a person, nor does it dictate their future success.

There are many events still to come this term so please keep an eye on the calendar and events each week.

Yours in faith,

Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus

We set off early Saturday morning, everyone was ready and excited to be going to the Goldie.

The weather was perfect and everyone was keen for a dip. The water was surprisingly warm and inviting. Staff and students alike enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.

Andrew and I have been on Professional Development the past two days and our tutors have done a great job of looking after the dorms. Study is going well, and most students are up to date. A gentle reminder to your children around our uniform code would be helpful. This can be found here - Boarder Handbook.

This weekend we are off to Brisbane to watch the first ever Dolphin’s game. Everyone is pumped. For all those NRL fans, keep an eye out for us on TV. We will be waving right back at you.

Dates to remember are Travel Day Friday 31 March. This is the Toowoomba Show Day public holiday this year.

Students can be collected anytime after 3.10pm on Thursday afternoon, 30 March or early Friday morning. Once you decide on your pickup day, please let us know.

Please feel free to contact Andrew or myself if you have any concerns regarding your child. The kettle is always hot for cuppa and a chat.

Until next week take care and safe travels.

Hope you all enjoy our pictures below.

Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls' Houseparent