ConcordiaLutheranCollege

Monday 12 June 2023 to Friday 16 June 2023

From the Head of College

Dear Parents and Caregivers

The College has been a hive of activity with the teaching staff wrapping up assessment and report writing deadlines as the term draws to an end. The staff need to be thanked for the time and effort which has gone into this process while keeping the daily learning, extracurricular and co-curricular programs running smoothly. I would like to encourage every family to take up the opportunity to have an end of Semester 1 conversation [interview] with the College to see and hear first-hand, with your student[s], how their learning and social journeys are unfolding for them. These opportunities to catch up are an important part of the working relationship between every family and the College.

When parents ask what they need to look for on their student’s report, I will always reference the Effort and Behaviour areas on their report. Our children aren’t always the top achievers in certain learning areas, but as long as they are putting in their best effort and are engaged in the learning program then they are well on their way to achieve greatness in life. Next week the College will host Achievement Recognition Assemblies across all 3 campuses to celebrate the outstanding Effort put in by so many of the students in Semester 1. I look forward to attending these assemblies with you. Congratulations to all these students on the great effort put in during Semester 1.

On Wednesday, the whole College took part in NAIDOC Celebrations at Stephen Street. The day provided our students an opportunity to come together to recognise and celebrate the contributions of First Nations people to Australia. The day included various events and activities to promote, showcase and provide a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture, traditions and achievements. A huge thank you must be extended to our First Nations Support Coordinator, Mr. Wally McIntosh, for the months of planning, coordinating and finally hosting this whole College event.

The upcoming term break will afford you as a family the opportunity to take a break from the routines of the school week and busy weekends. This could include a break from regular family meals, but on the return to the new term I would like to encourage you to consider the importance of family meals as a regular routine.

Sharing family meals does more than satisfy physical needs. It also fuels emotional needs and draws the family closer together. Having family meals as often as possible will help ensure that your kids grow up healthy and have strong bonds with you and each other.

Time to Catch Up. Family meals provide time for conversations and the opportunity to listen to each other. Turning off phones and the television will allow the family members to focus on each other and the conversation.
Involve the Family in Meal Preparation. Some of the best conversations will happen as you prepare the meal together and allow you to develop team skills as a family. You can also give each family member a chance to suggest or even prepare their favourite dish.
Develop a Routine. Preparing and serving meals around the same time each day helps develop a sense of routine and structure in the home.
Allow Each Member time to talk. Ask about each members day and encourage them to speak up. They will value knowing that you are genuinely interested in them and what they have to say.
Discuss Events. Mealtimes provide a valuable opportunity for the family to discuss what is happening in your community and in the world. Give everyone a chance to share their thoughts.
Develop Good Eating Habits. Set a positive example by providing balanced meals with plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein. Talk about why certain foods are served and how to make healthy choices.
Improves Learning. Studies confirm that children are more likely to excel at school when they grow up in homes where family dinners are routine. It improves language skills for younger children as they talk with adults.
Improves Emotional Well-Being. Research has also shown that children who eat with their families have significantly lower risks of depression, substance abuse, suicide, and early sexual activity.

When you keep daily communication flowing, your children are more likely to feel loved and come to you with sensitive issues. [Acknowledgement: Pam Myers, Child Development 2022]

Good luck to our Senior College volleyball teams as they play in several age group finals next week.

Have a safe weekend.

Yours in Christ

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

Quote of the week: We have become so focused on preparing students for adulthood, that we forget to help them succeed in childhood first, so they can succeed as adults. [Brad Johnson]

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From the College Pastor

Community News

Reconciliation Action Plan

Today we share an important update on the progress of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) at Concordia Lutheran College. The Reconciliation Action Plan Working group has been working diligently to create a meaningful and impactful RAP that will guide our college community towards fostering greater understanding, respect, and reconciliation.

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Open Morning - Change of Date

Concordia Lutheran College has made a change to the dates of the Open Morning. It was scheduled for the morning of August 8, but will now be a part of “See you in September”.

This new event will take place for a week from September 11th and will offer opportunity to view the college and its facilities, as well as meet teachers and members of the staff. It will help families see the authentic college environment and ask questions of both staff and students.

As always, parents and carers are welcome to come and inspect any of our Concordia campuses on any school day of the week.

We look forward to seeing you in September! If you would like to register your interest to visit one of the mornings of this week, please send an email to Enrolments@concordia.qld.edu.au and be on the lookout for more information. Write the new dates in your calendar.

HSC Parent Connect - Bingo in July - We need your help

The HSC Parent Connect is holding a Christmas in July Bingo Night on Saturday 22 July at 6.30pm.

We are organising a multi-draw raffle for our bingo night. If you would like to donate a prize for the raffle, can you please contact Lynelle Corkill on lynelle0507@hotmail.com or Nicole Klein on nsk493@hotmail.com

HSC Parent Connect - Thermomix Raffle

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Musical

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory promises to be an unforgettable theatrical experience for both children and adults alike. Prepare to be whisked away on a wondrous adventure into the world of Willy Wonka, where dreams come true and anything is possible.

Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tells the story of the world-famous Willy Wonka opening the gates to his mysterious factory...but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination.

String Out 2023

Three of our JC students represented the College in String Out 2023. This biennial community music festival has seen primary school aged string players from across the Darling Downs come together and make music in a supportive and creative environment since 1999. Over 250 Students participated in tutorials and mass stringed orchestras of varying levels on Wednesday 7^th June at the Empire Theatre with the guest conductor Ms Karen Kyriakou. Following this, the festival concluded with a concert attended by Mayor, Paul Antonio. We thank the organisers of this event for such a rewarding opportunity for our Strings community.

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Project Based Learning at Concordia

Junior College

JC QLD Day Tug of War - New Dates

JC Recognition of Achievement Assembly

At Concordia we recognise the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the outstanding effort and achievement of our students.

At the end of the Semester 1, we will celebrate our students at a special Recognition of Achievement Assembly which will be held at each campus.

At this ceremony, eligible students will be presented with a Recognition of Effort Award. We look forward to welcoming our parents to this special Assembly on Monday 12 June. Times for your campus Assemble will be available in next week's Week Ahead in the Weekly Events.

JC Year 5 Eureka Gold Rush Excursion

As part of our Humanities and Social Sciences Curriculum, we have organised an excursion for Monday 12 June, to Eureka Gold Rush for our Year 5 students to develop their knowledge and understanding of life in a gold field township of 1854. Please click on the parent letter for more information. Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission by Wednesday 7 June.

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Click on Events & Payments >
Click on - JC Year 5 Eureka Gold Rush Excursion >
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JC Reading Challenge 2023

STEM in the Junior College

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am Emma Pukallus, the newly appointed STEM coordinator for the junior campuses. STEM has been the core of my work for the last seven years where I have been involved in designing curriculum and teaching in these subject areas. Throughout this time, I have also had the privilege of working in primary education and, most recently, instructing Engineering and Robotics in a high school setting.

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JC Recognition of Achievement Assembly

At Concordia we recognise the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the outstanding effort and achievement of our students.

At the end of the Semester 1, we will celebrate our students at a special Recognition of Achievement Assembly which will be held at each campus.

At this ceremony, eligible students will be presented with a Recognition of Effort Award. We look forward to welcoming our parents to this special Assembly on Monday 12 June. Times for your Campus Assembly are available in the Weekly Events.

Outside School Hours Care

Hume Street Campus

HSC Weekly Events

Please click here to view HSC's Events for Term 2, Week 9.

HSC No Tuckshop Orders Week 9

Please note there is no Tuckshop this week.

HSC 2023 Tennis Coaching - Term 3

Tennis coaching will be available in Term 3, 2023. Please click below for the relevant information:

Term 3 Chess Lessons with Mr Les Lord - 18 July 2023

Mr Les Lord will commence Chess Lessons on Tuesday 18 July 2023 from 10.45am to 11.30am in the Art Room for students Years 1 to 6. The cost per student for six (6) Chess Lessons will be $45.00.

If your child would like to participate, please submit your payment and approval via Parent Lounge by Friday 14 July 2023.

Permission Required:
Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission and payment.

Login to Parent Lounge >
Click on Events and Payments >
Click on Event Description >
Click on Payment Details >
Click on confirmation and pay now >
Accept >
Save

If you need any further information please contact HSC Reception on 07 4688 2700 (opt 2).

HSC Prep Vision Screening - 7 August

On Monday 7 August our Prep class will be participating in the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program. We are a Queensland Government service that offers Free Vision Screening to all children enrolled in Prep. Participation in this free vision screening program is not a compulsory. If you do not wish for your child to participate in the screening, please fill in the consent form and indicate that you wish to decline screening.

Parents do not need to be present for screening, however if you would like to be, please contact Campus Reception to arrange this.

If your child is in Prep and you would like their vision screened, please complete a consent form using the below link or QR code. Consent forms must be submitted by Sunday 30 July 2023.

The following video explains the benefits of having your Prep child’s vision screened – “What is Prep Vision Screening?”

Online Consent Form FAQs

Warwick Street Campus

WSC Weekly Events

Please click here to view WSC's Events for Term 2, Week 9.

WSC MEGA

WSC Tennis Coaching - Term 3

Tennis coaching will be held during Term 3. Click the relevant link below for further information:

WSC No Tuckshop Orders

No Tuckshop this week, Meal Deal instead.

WSC Chess Lessons with Mr Les Lord - Term 3 2023

We are excited that Mr Les Lord will be running Chess Coaching sessions commencing Thursday 20 July 2023 from 10.30am to 11.15am in the Resource Centre. The cost per student for six Chess Lessons will be $45.00.

If your child would like to participate please submit your permission and payment on Parent Lounge.

Permission Required
Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission for your child to attend this excursion by Friday 14 July 2023.

Login to Parent Lounge >
click on Events and Payments >
click on WSC Term 3 Chess Lessons with Les Lord 2023>
Accept >
Make your payment >
Save

WSC Parent Connect Meal Deal - Wednesday 14 June

Stephen Street Campus

Tennis Coaching at SSC

Concordia - Athlete Development - Program

SSC - Pajama Free Dress & Milkshake Day

Next Wednesday 14 June - the Student Council are having a PJ Free Dress Day and selling milkshakes and punch at lunch at The Edge. There will also be live entertainment from the band Observe the Goose. Gold Coin Donations for Free Dress Day. Punch $4 & Milkshake $5.

Sport News

Exciting News!

Next Tuesday night our volleyball teams will play their final match for the season. It would be great to have some supporters come along and cheer our team's home. The intermediate and senior girls compete next door at Harristown at 4:35pm and 5:40pm, with both teams vying for a 3rd place finish! The intermediate boys will play at 7:50pm at Toowoomba Grammar and are competing for a first-place finish! I have attached the draw for further reference.

Recent Sports Results

Week 8

Volleyball Weekly schools’ competition – Toowoomba Volleyball Association

Senior girls – Won

Intermediate girls – lost against top placed Highlands

Junior girls – lost by 1 point.

Sadly, the boys had to forfeit two games.

Upcoming Sports competitions/opportunities

Swans Schools Touch Competition

· Competition starts in week 2 of term 3 (17th of July) and runs for 5 weeks, plus a week of finals.

· Training: Wednesdays during SPARC

· Games will be on Monday afternoon/nights at 5pm and 5:45pm

Rugby Union - Darling Downs Super Schools Cup (boys)/QCIS 7s (girls)

· Competition starts in week 2 of term 3 (18th of July) and runs for 7 weeks, plus a week of finals.

· Training: Monday afternoons from 3:30-4:30pm and on Wednesdays during SPARC.

· Games will be on Tuesday nights between 4:30-8:50pm.

Volleyball Premier League Season 3

· Competition starts in week 2 of term 3 (18th of July) and runs for 7 weeks, plus a week of finals.

· Training: Monday afternoons from 3:30-4:30pm and on Wednesdays during SPARC.

· Games will be on Tuesday nights between 4:30-8:50pm.

It is an expectation that if you are nominating for any of the Sports above you are committed to training and playing for the duration of the competition. For any more information or to nominate, please respond to the relevant emails sent out or speak with Mr. Biscoe.

Boarding

Boarding News

Hello to all.

End of term is fast approaching and there is plenty of excitement in the air. We will all be home very soon. Students are looking forward to their trip to Dream World this Sunday and the start of the Touch Tournament commencing next Monday.

I would like to congratulate all our boarders for their engagement and participation in the NAIDOC Celebrations this week by sharing cultural values, customs, and practices.

All students enjoyed the Celebration followed by a fantastic dinner prepared by the College Kitchen staff. It is great to see and feel the sense of pride these students displayed. Huge thank you to Mr. Wally for all his hard.

Students are working at getting all assessments in on time for the completion of Term 2. We have been working with teachers and tutors to assists students in this area. External sports trainings and games are at times a concern as the schoolwork keeps coming and while your child is playing sports, they will be missing study session.

Please have a chat with your children regarding this and encourage them to find a balance. When overloading one or the other you must have good time management to succeed in all areas. Study time must be completed be it in the afternoon prior to trainings or after sports. Education is at the forefront however sports and activities are also very important for wellbeing.

This week I had the pleasure of attending the ICPA conference in Julia River. Boarding staff and families were overjoyed with the announcement of increasing the Living Away from Home Allowance Scheme by over $4000 to help families with costs for Boarding. Whilst we are a small boarding school, we are well respected in the area, and I was approached by several families who have had an affiliation with Concordia over the years and expressed that their children received a wonderful education and boarding experiences in the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s.

This time next week many students will be travelling home and I back to New Zealand to catch up and celebrate the joy of Family.

Take care and look after each other.

Mrs Maureen Taurima and Mr Andrew Bull
Boarding Houseparents