I need to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate The Arts Department on planning and hosting an Arts Tour, for 40 of our Senior College students, to Melbourne and Sydney during the past term break. From all accounts this was a rich learning experience for both the students and staff. The students need to be acknowledged for being wonderful ambassadors for Concordia. This was also our first major interstate learning tour post Covid.

There are numerous activities, events and excursions happening across the college in Term 2. Please familiarise yourself with the College calendar so that you don’t miss out on an event. We will endeavour to keep reminding the Concordia and wider community of these activities via our various information platforms.

On Wednesday we held our Cross-country carnival, across all campuses, after rain delayed the event last term. Congratulations to those athletes who Achieved the Possibilities and shone in their area of strength and will now go on to represent Concordia at the next level of competition. Well done to all the other runners who also achieved various personal milestones by stepping up on the day, completing their race and earning points for their house. Thank you to the many parents, caregivers, family members and friends who attended on the day to support the students. 

Thank you to all of the staff who helped on the day. A final thank you must be extended to Mr. Josh Biscoe, Mr. John Matthews and Mr. Darryl Fry who planned, organised, put up with a wet weather delay last term and then hit the rest button this week. An outstanding morning of Cross-country running all up – well done to everyone!

As you get back into the rhythm of Term 2, remember that there will be moments when your patience as a parent will be tested. This is normal as school busyness, before or after school activities and home commitments begin to bump up against one another. Before you raise your voice or become impatient, take a deep breath and remember the goal is to raise kind, capable individuals and it's not about winning every battle with your child.

Think of it this way: is your child learning valuable life skills when you react in anger? While immediate compliance might feel like a victory, in the long run, it might teach them that anger solves problems – a lesson we probably don't want them to carry forward.

Here's the good news: even when you feel your patience wearing thin, you can steer testing situations back on track. By keeping the big picture in mind, which is raising a well-rounded person, you can naturally gravitate towards patience, resilience and love. Here are some tips to consider at the start of Term 2:

• Take a time-out: Feeling overwhelmed? Step away from the situation for a minute to collect yourself.
  
• Focus on solutions: Instead of dwelling on the negative behaviour, work together to find a solution that works for everyone. Remember to reach out to the College if we are able to be part of finding a solution.
  
• Positive reinforcement: Catch your child being good - this is something which we talk about consistently within our College environment. Acknowledge and praise positive behaviour to encourage more of it.

Remember, we're all human. There will be times when frustration gets the best of us. But by focusing on the long-term goal, we can turn those frustrating moments into valuable learning experiences for both ourselves and our children. Let's work together to raise kind, responsible individuals, one patient step at a time!

As we come to the end of the first week back, please remember that Concordia propagates a strong open-door policy. This always allows for timely, transparent, trusting and face-to-face conversations as the approach to our working partnership. I look forward to again engaging with and walking the journey with you in Term 2.

Have a safe term and relaxing long weekend.

Yours in Christ.

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

Quote of the week:

The sign of great parenting is not the child's behaviour. The sign of truly great parenting is the parent's behaviour. [Andy Smithson]

Talk about Achieving Possibilities! That day changed everything. It brought a new reality, a new hope into the world and those early followers of Christ, who at first struggled to understand what was happening ended up trumpeting the message of the resurrection into the whole world, bringing hope and joy to many people and peoples. Billions of people celebrate Easter around the world, drawing hope and strength from God’s mighty acts, and daring to live and hope in the face of the huge problems and issues facing our world.

May you also be able to draw hope and strength from the resurrection of Christ, which is Good News for all of us: God brings new life, even out of death, with God there is a future, there is life, there is hope – always. May this hope enable you to step with confidence into the demands and challenges of the new term and bring the love of Christ into your classrooms, families, and workplaces. God is with you indeed!

“Don’t be alarmed,” [the angel] said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. (Mark 16:6)

Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

In recent years, conversations surrounding mental health have gained significant momentum, and rightfully so. Adolescence marks a pivotal stage of development, characterised by rapid physical, emotional, social and cognitive changes. Amidst all of this, many young people struggle to understand mental health challenges from anxiety and depression to stress and social pressures.

According to recent research, the frequency of mental health disorders among young people is increasing. One of the reasons being attributed to this rise is the heightened stress and anxiety that young people face in today’s society. Academic stress, social media and family issues are all influencing factors. In addition to this, our young people face many social pressures amongst their peer groups in the effort to be noticed or accepted. This can often leave students pondering about their own self-worth in the pursuit of trying to fit in.

Parents can play an important role in their children's mental health. Creating a safe and open environment for your children to talk about their emotions, thoughts, and feelings is vital. Encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper sleep can help reduce their stress levels and boost your child's overall mental health. There are also many resources and services available to children, adolescents, and their families, such as school counsellors, various mental health organisations, support lines, and of course, mental health professionals. It is important to remember that seeking help is a show of strength, not weakness, and that early intervention is critical in addressing young people's mental health difficulties.

To assist families with understanding youth mental health issues further, we would encourage you to access the resources through the SchoolTV link provided below. Within this link you will find an array of resources, factsheets, videos and advice from trained professionals to assist you and your children through various mental health challenges.

SchoolTV – The State of Youth Mental Health

If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health, then please contact a member of our Pastoral Care Team to gain further support and advice.

Take care!

Mr Tony Manteufel
Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

As we enter this new term, it is important to remember the values that make our community so special - kindness and patience. In a world that can often be fast-paced and demanding, we must take the time to show empathy and support to one another. We continually strive to maintain an environment where every student, teacher, and staff member feels valued and heard. The alarming stories you may have seen or heard about recently have come up in conversation around my family. Children take these events to heart and often need guidance to restore their faith in humanity. SchoolTV is a wonderful resource to help you navigate conversations about the world, respectful relationships and raising children in general. You will find the link on the front page of our website.

We would like to remind you that the deadline for specialist scholarship applications for the 2024 academic year is fast approaching. If you believe your child possesses a special talent or passion in areas such as music, the arts, leadership, or sports, we encourage you to apply. Detailed information about the application process can be found on our website. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity for your child to further develop their skills and pursue their passions! The deadline is 4pm on Friday the 19^th of April, so the time to start preparing is now.

We are once again delighted to participate in the 2024 Toowoomba Royal Show. This weekend, Concordia Lutheran College will have a stand at the show, where our dedicated staff will be available to answer any questions, you may have about our College and its programs. We invite the entire Concordia community to come and say hello. It's a fantastic chance to learn more and share with others information about the exceptional educational opportunities we offer.

Remember, your support and involvement in our College community play a vital role in the success of our students. We are excited to see you at the Toowoomba Royal Show and look forward to strengthening the bonds that make Concordia Lutheran College such a welcoming and inclusive place.

Speaking of connection, please look for us on social media. You will find Concordia Lutheran College on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Our social media pages are a good way to keep up to date with achievements happening within the Concordia community. If you have children like mine, you might get limited information on what has been happening in the day, social media posts will help you to start conversations and give you an insight into what they have been up to.

Thank you for finding your perfect fit in Concordia. I am sure Term 2 will be wonderful.

Ms Belinda Sanders
Director of Marketing & Enrolments

Academically, a holistic approach involves fostering critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving skills, and a love for lifelong learning. This is brought into all aspects of curriculum and work is often done through integrated units to make the learning relevant to our students' lives and the development of their thinking and learning.

Students' emotional development focuses on building resilience, self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication skills. As you will have seen, our Wellbeing Program is delivered to support the students in these areas. This program will begin in Week 3 of this term and will be delivered by both Directors of Campus as well as our Student Counsellor.

At Concordia, we strive to create a supportive learning environment where students feel valued, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential. Ultimately, educating the whole child requires collaboration between educators, parents, and communities to ensure that every aspect of a child's growth is nurtured and supported, laying a strong foundation for success in school and beyond.

Thank you for the support and encouragement you give our staff as they create this supportive learning environment. Our doors are always open and if you have any questions or concerns, please be in contact with your teacher. We love to work together to ensure the best for our students.

We are looking forward to another busy but productive term and encourage you to read The Week Ahead in detail each week so that you know what learning and events are on.

Blessings for a great term.

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

Firstly, I want to extend my gratitude to all who participated in and supported our Arts Tour during the first week of the holidays. Our students had the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Sydney and Melbourne, experiencing top-quality performances such as "Grease the Musical." A special thank you goes to Ms Eagleson, Ms Merretz, Ms Tessmer, and Mr Roche-Kelly for accompanying our students on this memorable journey. We are so excited to see these tours up and running again.

Our annual Cross Country event took place this week Under the glorious autumn sky. Congratulations to all participants for their dedication and sportsmanship. We eagerly anticipate the announcement of the winning House, a testament to the collective effort and spirit of our community.

Excitement is brewing in the chess community as we prepare to host the Darling Downs Open Chess Competition from 2-6 May. This event promises to be the pinnacle of chess competitions in Australia, with substantial prize money and the participation of esteemed grandmasters. We extend our appreciation to our Parent Connect and all volunteers who are generously offering their time and support for this new prestigious event in the chess calendar.

We will be holding a subject information evening on Tuesday 14 May for the 2025 Years 9-11cohorts parents and students. This valuable session will provide insights and guidance as students navigate their subject choices for the 2025 academic year. Teaching and leadership staff will be on hand to talk about all our academic options. Stay tuned for further details in the coming weeks.

Lastly, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge Mr Col Anderton, who will be concluding his tenure at Concordia this week. Col has been an integral part of our college, serving as a dedicated Head of Department and teacher since 2016. His commitment and care for our students have left an indelible mark on our community, and he will be greatly missed. We extend our best wishes to Col as he embarks on his new journey and express our heartfelt gratitude for his contributions to Concordia.

I wish to also welcome Mrs Chantelle Manteufel who will be commencing with us in this teaching position from Week 4. Chantelle brings a wealth of experience to our HPE department and sporting program.

I look forward to another incredible term ahead.

Yours in faith,

Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus

Everyone was excited to catch up and chat. Some had gone on a school excursion to Sydney, some were fulfilling sporting commitments, while others were holidaying away from their homes. Many more were returning to their families and homes for a good rest.

Mrs Maureen Taurima and Mr Andrew Bull
Boarding Houseparents