ConcordiaLutheranCollege

Monday 1 May 2023 to Friday 5 May 2023

From the Head of College

Dear Parents and Caregivers

I don’t know about you, but I could easily get used to these shorter weeks. The extra day to catch one’s breath, slow down and refocus has been most welcome. The busyness of College life keeps happening for us with Anzac Day services happening across all 3 campuses at the start of the week, the Year 4 students attending their school camp on the Gold Coast over the past 3 days and the Prep – Year 2 Track and Field Carnival today. I need to thank the various staff members and students who have worked behind the scenes to ensure the success of these events – Mr Gabe Robbie and our senior History students [Anzac Day celebrations], Mrs Libby Scouller, Mr John Trappett, Ms Zoe Hutchinson and Mrs Sue Priest [Year 4 Camp] and Mr Darryl Fry [Prep – Year 2 Track and Field Carnival]. Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement of your student[s] across these and other events.

So, how do you get quality information out of our children at the end of a busy school day when all you currently get is that, “school was good.” What to ask kids instead of, “How was your day?”

Instead of: How was your day? Try this: What is one thing that made you laugh today? You can learn a lot about your child’s sense of humour, friends and get them smiling by asking them to recount events that made them laugh.
Instead of: Did you eat your lunch? Try this: Who did you sit by at lunch today? Allowing your child to discuss friends they may have a hard time having a good relationship with, opens opportunities to discuss how others make them feel.
Instead of: Did you have a good day? Try this: What did you do that made someone smile today? Show your kids that school is just about learning. Kindness matters.
Instead of: What did you learn at school? Try this: Did you enjoy art or science more today? Why? When questions are broad, it’s easy for a child to feel unsure of how to answer. Being specific facilitates a detailed response and opens the door for further discussion.
Instead of: What did you do today? Try this: I love hearing about your day. Sometimes questions are overwhelming. Just letting your child know that you are interested, gives them permission to share when they are ready.
Instead of: How was your day? Try this: What was easier today than yesterday? Encouraging your kids to notice that their practice is making a difference helps instil a positive self-image and a growth mindset. [Acknowledgement: Raisingchildren.net.au]

Next week will see us gather for the Senior College and Year 3-6 Track and Field Carnivals. The annual Eisteddfod season also gets underway next week and tickets for the College Musical We will Rock You are now on sale. I look forward to seeing you out and about at Concordia next week.

Have a great long weekend.

Yours in Christ.

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

Quote of the week: You learn nothing from life if you think you're right all the time. [Brad Turnbull]

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From the College Pastor

Easter Season

White lilies have since ancient times been associated with purity, innocence, life, joy and peace. Jesus referred to lilies (Luke 12:27) when encouraging his followers to trust in God’s good provision for them, just like God provided for the lilies in the field. There were lily shaped capitals on top of the temple columns (1 Kings 7:19), and there are some old stories that say that beautiful white lilies sprang up in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus wept in the last hours before he was betrayed by Judas.

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Community News

2023 Byron Capital Darling Downs Open Chess Tournament

LYQ Winter Christian Life Week Camp 2023 - Years 7-12

Christian Life Week (CLW) Camp is coming up midyear – All welcome!
Book at Winter Christian Life Week 2023 | Lutheran Youth of Queensland (lyq.org.au)

Project Based Learning at Concordia

Junior College

JC Year 5 Camp Parent Information and Permission

On Wednesday 31 May, Year 5 students will attend the Emu Gully Adventure Park. For information on the camp and the packing list please see below.

Parents are also requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission for your child/ren to attend by Wednesday 10 May.

Login to Parent Lounge >
click on Events & Payments >
click on JC Year 5 Camp 2023 >
Accept >
Save.

Important Note: Please check and ensure your Parent Lounge portal is up to date regarding your child's Emergency Contact Information, Medical Conditions and Food Allergies/Dietary Requirements.

Parent Information Letter

Year 5 Camp Packing List

Medication Administration Consent Form

JC Book Fair

JC Library News

The countdown is on to our 2023 Scholastic Book Fair and National Simultaneous Storytime. It is only four weeks until this exciting annual event occurs. The flyer included in this newsletter gives the dates for each respective campus. The Resource Centres will be open from 7:30am before school on the mornings of the Book Fair and until 4:00pm after school in the afternoons. The students will be given an opportunity to see the collection available and to create a wish list to take home to discuss with you. I look forward to seeing many families come in to browse and shop the wonderful collection of Scholastic books and novelties.

This week the students will have taken home a copy of the latest Scholastic Book Club Catalogue. Orders from this issue are due back by the 5 May. This will be the only Scholastic Book Club we are doing this term as we are having the Scholastic Book Fair later in the term.

Families that were billed for outstanding Library books and Home readers will be issued a credit if the books are returned.

Mrs Karen Maben

Junior College Library Coordinator

JC Eisteddfod - Choral - 7 May

The Junior College JUNIOR and SENIOR Choirs will be performing in the Toowoomba at the Eisteddfod at the Empire Theatre Auditorium. As performance is a part of our curriculum, it is expected that all students in Years 3 to 6 will participate. This is an incredibly valuable experiences for our students and a celebration of the hard work they do in rehearsals throughout the year.

Parent Information Letter link

Date: Sunday 7 May
Times:

Year 3-4 approx. 1pm-3pm
Year 5-6 approx. 2.30pm-5pm

JC Years 3-6 Inter-House Track & Field Carnival - Parent Helpers

On Friday 5 May, the Junior College Years 3 to 6 will be competing in the annual Track and Field Carnival at SSC.

We are seeking Parent Volunteers to help out with Timekeeping and Check Starter on the day. If you are available and would like to help out in one of these roles, please submit your availability via the link below.

JC 3-6 Track and Field Carnival Parent Helper Form

JC Years 3-6 Inter-House Track & Field Carnival - 5 May

On Friday 27 May, the Junior College Years 3 to 6 will be competing in the annual Track and Field Carnival at SSC. Click here for a copy of the program.

We will have a coffee van and hot food van available on the day accepting cash and EFTPOS. There will be a meal deal available for students at this carnival. Please click here for the flyer.

JC Yr 3-6 Track & Field Carnival Meal Deal

Outside School Hours Care

Stephen Street Campus

SSC Weekly Events

Please click here to view SSC's Events for Term 2, Week 3.

Boarding

Boarding News

Hi to all our boarder families.

Week 2 – Our students have all adjusted back into their Boarding routines and have caught up on everyone news.

We have a few reluctant risers in the morning who would prefer a sleep in to having breakfast and some a tad slow to get moving but “what’s new” households are like this all over the country. Once everyone wakes up our day continues nicely.

This morning several of our students attended the dawn service. Well done and thank you to Nadir and Mr Andrew for driving and escorting them all. You all did your families and the school proud.

Afterwards followed with a quick dash through the Mac D’s drive through.

Early Fit lab exercise sessions started on Monday with 3 students attending. Please consider this for your child especially if they are not participating in any other sports. Cost for this is $75.00 for the term. We encourage all students to participate in at least one sport outside of the school sports.

The students who went have expressed how they really enjoyed the first session.

Netball, Volleyball, Basketball, Hockey, Footy and League are great codes to be involved in at school or club level. I look forward to getting some action shots to add to our gallery every week.

Cross Country went ahead last Wednesday however due to return to school flights many students were unable to participate.

ABSTUDY TRAVEL
Travel days coinciding with school start dates have been a concern since Covid, more importantly impact it is having on our students by missing classes, sports, and activities. Students’ interaction and participation outside of the classroom at school is important for their wellbeing and competitive sides.

Returning to Dorms on the same day as others enables everyone to transition back into boarding life together. Some parents and caregivers have voiced disappointment that their children are not being able to start and finish on the same day as other students.

We hear you and agree totally. I am presently working with Abstudy to have all our flights and transfers booked through Brisbane Airport assisted by a boarding supervisor. This will not impact on any parent who still wishes to travel with there own children.

The mornings are getting colder and the weather changes during the day from sunshine to shower, at times that cold bitter wind. Our students are feeling it as they are all wearing jumpers or light jackets.

Please encourage your child to keep warm and if they are feeling unwell to let us know so as we can best support them with the assistance of Nurse Libby.

This week we welcome to our Boarding team Miss Sarah Van de Ros and Mr Nick Morgan, both are currently employed in the school sector and come with a wealth of experience. We look forward to welcoming them on board.

The Musical “We will Rock you” is on very soon. Excitement is in the air, and all are waiting with anticipation for performances from Georgette May, Bella Clark, and Henry Thorne. This will be held at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba.

Till next week take care and stay safe – Enjoy our photo gallery.

Mrs Maureen Taurima and Mr Andrew Bull
Boarding Houseparents