Gratitude
Plus masks come off next week!
The Week Ahead - Term 1, Week 7
From the Head of College
The weather event towards the end of last week tested everyone’s resolve and flexibility as we prioritised with you the need to get the students home early as a matter of safety. I need to thank the administration teams across all three campuses for the way in which they rallied together and safely navigated the early departure of over 90 per cent of the student body.
It was so affirming to see many staff step in and lend a hand as parents pulled up in the rain and assistance was needed to get students safely to their cars. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as you navigated your afternoon in responding to picking up your student/s early from school. Several parents have this week expressed their gratitude for the wonderful pastoral care and organisation put in place last Friday to make this flow so smoothly.
Given the events of last week, I would like to share with you the importance of gratitude in our daily lives. Teaching our children to say thank you is important, but truly instilling a sense of gratitude in them is another matter entirely.
Gratitude goes beyond good manners as they are a mindset and a lifestyle. So why is it important to cultivate an attitude of gratitude? [Acknowledgement: Andrea Reiser]
- Firstly, gratitude is healthy for us, adults and children alike. Gratitude increases happiness levels and increases levels of self-esteem, hope, empathy and optimism.
- Gratitude gives perspective. When we take into account the number of opportunities, privileges and material possessions most children enjoy through very little effort of their own, it’s easy to see why many of them feel entitled. Practising gratitude will teach our children that those creature comforts don’t just pop out of thin air. When children recognise that the things they own have come from someone other than themselves, it helps them develop a healthy understanding of how interdependent we all are.
- Gratitude improves relationships. Research tells us that gratitude fosters stronger, more positive and more genuine relationships when it is instilled and practised from a young age at home and at school. The best working environments are those where our contributions and colleagues are acknowledged and appreciated daily.
- Gratitude counteracts the “gimmes”. Gratitude is about being aware of who and what makes positive aspects of our lives possible and acknowledging that. When our children begin to think in those terms, they begin to appreciate what they have rather than focusing on what they wish they had.
This past week I had the privilege of serving some of our students pancakes as part of our Shrove Tuesday celebrations and I am pleased to let you know that across the board the students said a simple thank as they were being served. Thank you for the gratitude which you continue to instil in your children every day.
This week will also bring to an end various Covid restrictions as life begins to return to some normality. As of next Monday, masks are no longer mandatory at schools and we can get back to doing school life with assemblies, chapel services, camps, excursions and incursions all good to go ahead. I look forward, with the staff, to welcoming you back on campus again as we continue our partnership in growing and nurturing every student in our care.
Wishing everyone a safe weekend and week ahead.
Yours in Christ.
Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College
From the College Pastor
Lent
As the year seems to race along (Week 6 already!) we are entering again the season of Lent, the 40 day (seven week) period in the lead up to Easter, and traditionally a sober season of reflection, of prayer, of opening our hearts and ears to both our reality and the call of God on us, of laying open the things that are not right in our lives and seeking forgiveness and change, of considering God’s great love that he should allow his Son to give his life so that we might be forgiven, that we might have life.
Many churches will have a special service on Ash Wednesday that includes the imposition of ashes, congregants having their foreheads marked with an ashen cross. The ashes are usually made from the Palm Sunday palms of the previous year, pointing to our human fickleness (five days from Hosanna to Crucify him!) and weakness.
Community News
Important Update on COVID-19 Restrictions
Face masks
From 6pm on Friday 4 March, face masks will no longer be required to be worn by staff or students in schools, on dedicated school transport or at other education workplaces. If individual staff or students wish to wear a face mask while at school they are more than welcome to do so.
Symptomatic and RAT testing
Anyone who is unwell with COVID 19 symptoms should not come to campus. The current arrangements for symptomatic staff and students who record a positive RAT result remain in place, based on current health advice.
Assemblies and school visitors
Schools can resume assemblies and other large gatherings from 6pm on Friday 4 March. Parents, carers, volunteers, contractors and other external workers will also be permitted on school sites from this date. Anyone who is working or volunteering at a school is still required to be fully vaccinated.
Thank you!
Many thanks to everyone in our College community for your patience and support as we have navigated the COVID-19 restrictions during the first part of the year. We appreciate it!
Lots of Socks – World Down Syndrome Day – 14 March
On Monday 14 March we are asking students to wear their craziest socks to school and bring along a gold coin donation to help support World Down Syndrome Day.
10-12 Years Darling Downs Regional Swimming Trials - 7 March
The Darling Downs Regional Swimming Trials will be going ahead as planned on Monday 7 March. The venue is safe for use and the pool management is looking forward to the event occurring. Please see below important information regarding this carnival.
If there are any changes due to wet weather, information will be posted on the Darling Downs website by 1pm Sunday 6 March.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
Junior College Parent Volunteers
Week 7 welcomes back Parent Volunteers in classrooms and excursions/camps. Before being any volunteer work please check in with your Campus Reception to ensure that all Volunteer Compliance Requirements have been fulfilled. This includes:
- Volunteer Registration Form
- Valuing Safe Communities Online Training
- Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination (See 2022 Letter from Head of College)
Outside School Hours Care
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Campus
I want to start this week by acknowledging the resilience and care within or College and extended community during the recent flooding. Last week ended in a very unexpected and hectic fashion. Thank you to our families and staff for your support and patience in coordinating the early safe departures of our students.
While hopefully many of us have escaped the distressing scenes of our eastern and southern neighbours, we do not discount the impact that the past week may have had on our families. We pray for our community and those suffering during this time. If you know of others in need at this time, please reach out so that we can use the networks of support around us to bring some light into their worlds.
Lent
As a Lutheran school, this has been a special week in the calendar as we enter the season of Lent. Thanks very much to our Student Representative Body (SRB) who did a tremendous job running a mass pancake distribution exercise for Shrove Tuesday. However, at one point a particular student may have gotten a little too enthusiastic with the maple syrup bottle! Hopefully you needed some new pants anyway Mr Rentell…
The Open Door
The Open Door received some updated signage this week, courtesy of the Technology department (is there anything they can't do with their laser cutter?). Many thanks to Mr James Bishop and Mr Geoff Becker for creating and installing this signage!
Year 10 Work Experience
Last week, Mr Pukallus, Mrs Tessmer and I visited our Year 10 students at their work experience placements. Despite the inclement weather and mandated COVID orders, the students engaged in a wide variety of tasks with outstanding attitudes.
It was pleasing to hear the overwhelming amount of positive feedback from the work experience supervisors, complementing 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 casual employment, traineeships and apprenticeships.
Thank you to all the supervisors who have taken the time this week to mentor the Year 10 students. You have provided the students with a memorable transition into the world of work.
Finally, a big thank you to Mrs Jo-Ann Tessmer for successfully coordinating this placement – even with the unexpected two weeks holiday for the students. She always works tirelessly in this space and continues to provide a powerful workplace experience for the cohort.
Mrs Leah Bowes
Years 11- and 12-Year Level and Pastoral Care Coordinator / Senior College Careers Advisor
