The Week Ahead - Term 3, Week 10
Monday 16 September to Friday 20 September 2019
From the Head of College
College Council and Leadership met last weekend to review progress with the Strategic Plan. Over the coming months, I will be sharing this progress with our wider community through short video clips and written excerpts. It is a time to share the progress that has been made over the past twelve months, and to celebrate the hard work of many staff members, students and parents who are making all things possible.
One area of focus in the Strategic Plan is Teaching and Learning. We saw many highlights of this during the past week through activities such as the Makerspace Day Camp held at the Hume Street Campus. This is just one significant example of the value that we place on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs within the College. The employment of our first STEM Coordinator, Ms Fiona Stone, has seen a resurgence of interest in this area that is extending from Prep to the senior end of the College. Congratulations to Ms Stone, Mr Dennis Wolbers, Head of Department Science, and to the staff for some outstanding Teaching and Learning experiences.
From the College Pastor
Jesus, the Good Samaritan
(Luke 10:25-37)
The parable of the Good Samaritan can be read on various levels. On one level we read of an outsider – a Samaritan - who would have been looked down on and despised by many. He saw a person in a ditch. This poor guy had been robbed, stripped of his clothes, beaten and deserted. A priest and a temple worker walked by and pretended not to notice him. But thankfully the Samaritan stopped, helped and then left the injured man at the inn and paid the innkeeper to look after him until he returns. In life we also will have many opportunities to be ‘good Samaritans’ to others. May we take the time to see the needs of others and reach out and help in times of need, even if it means leaving our comfort zones.
Community News
Mango Fundraiser
Term 4 Netball Training
Cookie Dough Delivery
Cookie Dough orders will be delivered on Monday 16 September and can be collected from the Bunya Room in the Concordia Function Centre at Stephen Street Campus, on Monday afternoon between 3pm and 4pm. Please remember to bring an esky/bag to collect your order.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
German Speaking Contest
MLTAQ is the acronym for ‘Modern Language Teachers Association of Queensland’ and this is an Australian organisation which supports language teachers of Indonesian, French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and, of course, German in schools (both primary and secondary) here in Queensland.
This organisation celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Part of this celebration was a MLTAQ Language Speech Contest for primary school students from Brisbane and surrounding areas last Sunday at Griffith University Nathan Campus in Brisbane. Approximately 40 schools participated, including Concordia Lutheran College (HSC/WSC).
As the current German teacher for Years 5 and 6, I am extremely pleased to share the news that five students from Junior College participated in the event. Time to practice was very short and students had to eat lunches while fine-tuning their speeches. Parents and siblings were made to hear and listen to these students’ efforts in preparation for the contest.
Year 4 Amaroo EEC Excursion
An outstanding day was had by Year 4 students at Amaroo Environmental Education Centre. Students learnt about the differences between Migaloo and Murri Culture. Activities included shelter and gunyah construction, traditional tool usage, food preparation and ochre art. They went on a bush walk and learnt how indigenous people used local flora and fauna.
TJ’s Swim - Super Holiday Booster Blocks
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
HSC Tennis Coaching - Term 4
If your child is interested in tennis coaching in Term 4, click on the relevant flyer below for further information:
You Have Been Spotted Sporting the Concordia Spirit
Here is your chance to get a free coffee voucher from Wayne’s Encouraging Cup. Just be spotted in our car park sporting the Concordia Car Sticker and you could be the week’s winner. If you have been spotted, please see Carolyn or Delmae in reception and they will give you a free voucher. If you need a sticker, let Reception know and they will get one to you. 129YTQ, you are this week’s winner!
Pyjama Day
Wow! What a fabulous turn out for Pyjama Day and wasn’t it a great day to wear your warm and comfy pyjamas to school? We raised $330 and were able to donate three Backpack Beds for the Homeless. Thank you to the Student Council for serving the students their hot Milo and biscuits or donuts.
Pick Up/Drop Off Zone
Please remember that of a morning, the drop off zone is a two minute space where students are alighting from vehicles and vehicles moving on. We love to see parents having morning and afternoon chat times, but please do not use the pick up/drop off zone for this purpose.
To Give Away/Sell
- Worm wee fertiliser – gold coin donation to the gardening group – see Reception.
Wanted!
- Bicycles – the students love riding up and down the mound and around the top oval. If you have any unwanted bikes in working order, please let us know.
HSC P&F Sub Committee – Planning for 2020
In anticipation of 2020 and with the idea of attracting new members, the HSC P&F Sub-Committee would like your opinion on the timing of the regular meeting which is currently held on a Friday from 1.30pm to 3pm. Please submit your response via the fillable form for either keeping the current time or suggesting a new day and time to hold the meeting. A decision will be made on the day and time holding majority.
Prep and Year 1 Swimming Lessons
This term our Prep and Year 1 students will complete 8 x 45 minute swimming lessons during Weeks 9 and 10. These lessons will take place at the Concordia Aquatic Centre. Students will need to bring their swimwear, towel, goggles and thongs. Please clearly name each item so that it can be returned if lost. Children will use their House swimming cap which remains on Campus. Lesson times are below.
Year 2 to Year 6 Swimming Lessons
The JC Inter-House Swimming Carnival will be held in Week 7, Term 4 on Tuesday 19 November. As our 8 years and older students can compete in this carnival, the Year 2 to Year 6 swimming lessons will be held during Weeks 5 and 6 in Term 4. This will give them their best opportunity of being swim fit for the carnival.
HSC Week 10 Events
Click here to view HSC's Events for Week 10.
Forms to Complete - HSC
Warwick Street Campus
Year 6 Canberra Trip
We wish our Year 6 Canberra travellers a happy and safe trip next week. As is tradition at WSC, they have left their mark on the windows to show their excitement.
Term 3 House Points Winner!
Congratulations to Altus as the Term 3 House Point winner! Altus will enjoy morning tea provided by Mrs Minnikin on Monday 16 September at 10.45am.
Fire Evacuation and Lockdown Drill
During each term, we have a Fire Evacuation and Lockdown Drill to ensure that all students and staff are well practised and know what to do in the event of a real evacuation or lockdown.
In the last two weeks we have participated in both of these drills. The staff and students are to be congratulated on the way they conducted themselves during these processes. We managed to evacuate the buildings in a record time of four minutes! Great job, WSC!
Newspaper Recycling
Each week you are encouraged to bring along newspapers for recycling. This is a school fundraiser and also a class competition. Your papers can be delivered to The Shed and placed under your child’s year level, which will be clearly defined on the back wall. Each term (except Term 4) the winning class receives a pizza lunch from the P&F. So start collecting your papers now from family, friends and neighbours and bring them in on a Thursday morning before 8.30am.
Newspaper Recycling Winner for Term 3
Winners of the Newspaper Recycling for Term 3 was a tie between Prep and Year 4.
They will enjoy their pizza lunch next week and the date will be sent out via Seesaw. Thank you to the WSC P&F for providing the pizza lunch.
WSC Tennis Coaching – Term 4
If you're interested in tennis coaching for your child, please click on the relevant flyer below:
Swimming Lessons Prep, Year 1 & Year 2
Swimming lessons in Week 10 will be on Wednesday 18 September and Thursday 19 September, 11am to 12.30pm. Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students will complete five lessons of 30 minutes each.
Years 3-6 will have their lessons in Term 4.
Students are to wear sports uniform on these days. Please ensure that all items are clearly named so that they can be returned if lost.
Tuckshop Orders
Tuckshop is cancelled for Week 10.
WSC Week 10 Events
Click here to view WSC's Events for Week 10.
Stephen Street Campus
R U OK Day
During the week, the Middle College Leaders led a presentation to create greater awareness to the students about national R U OK Day which was Thursday 12 September. Their presentation focused on the importance of encouraging people to start a conversation beginning with, “Are you ok?”
They spoke about some of the reasons why you might not be feeling ok. Some of those reasons being that life can knock us all down, illness can rob us of confidence and energy, work or lack of work can make us feel frazzled or inadequate, falling short of our goals can make us feel hopeless, death of loved ones can sap us of energy and hope and relationships breaking up can make us confused, sad or angry.
The Middle College Leaders reminded the students that we all need conversations and that is why we all need to ask people around us, “Are you ok?”
By giving someone the opportunity and the time to share what they’re feeling, we’re giving that person something truly invaluable. We’re giving that person a sense of connection and a sense of belonging. Throughout the week there were several activities during Pastoral Home Class lessons and during Tuesday lunchtime which enabled the students to have more conversations around this topic.
Mrs Roslyn Cook
Middle College Coordinator
Years 7 and 9 Students Celebrate their NAPLAN Success!
On Tuesday 10 September, the Years 7 and 9 Middle College students met at lunchtime near the D Block shade sails to celebrate their 2019 NAPLAN results. The students thoroughly enjoyed the delicious chocolate cake and the opportunity to share their success with one another.
USQ Opportunities
USQ has launched a number of new scholarships for school leavers with the aim of keeping them in the region.
School leavers who achieve an OP of 1-2/ATAR 97.5 will automatically receive a scholarship package valued up to $29,000, including an optional study abroad package and leadership development.
Students with an OP 6/ATAR 90 or above will be awarded a scholarship package valued up to $20,000 and OP8/ATAR 85 or above will be awarded up to $6,000. There are no caps to the scholarships available, as long as students put USQ as their first preference on QTAC, they will receive the award.
"We want to ensure our best and brightest are staying in the region, and that we are attracting school leavers from across the State," Professor Mackenzie said. "We want to build strong rural and regional communities and we know that providing outstanding educational opportunities (and careers) locally is the best way of doing just that."
Future Community Leaders Scholarships are still available to students, however, due to high demand the closing date has been extended until 15 September
Swimmimg Carnival Reminder
2019 NASA Space Apps Challenge
Now in its 8th year, NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge is an international hackathon where teams and individuals engage with NASA’s free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in Space. The purpose of the Space Apps Challenge is to:
- Inspire collaboration, creativity and critical thinking
- Foster interest in Earth, Space Science and Exploration
- Raise awareness of NASA data around the world
- Encourage growth and diversity of the next generation of scientists, technologists, designers, engineers, artists, builders and coders.
For the first time, the University of Southern Queensland will be hosting the Space Apps Challenge from its Toowoomba campus. Entries are open to teams or individuals in Years 9 to 12.
I encourage your child to join this fantastic opportunity and be a part of Concordia Lutheran College's NASA Challenge Team. The event will be held on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October. There is no cost and lunch is provided.
If your child would like to be part of this challenge, please ask them to come and see me or, you or your child may contact me at dennis.wolbers@concordia.qld.edu.au.
Mr Dennis Wolbers
HOD - Science
ConocoPhillips Science Experience
Years 9 and 10 students who have an interest in science, have an opportunity to engage in a wide range of fascinating science activities under the guidance of scientists during the first week of the upcoming September school holidays.
USQ is offering this to students as part of the ConocoPhillips Science Experience program. This experience is being offered in many tertiary institutions across Australia, with over 68,000 students taking part last year.
The three day program will run from the 24 to 26 September. The cost is $190. If you or your child would like more information, click here or contact me at dennis.wolbers@concordia.qld.edu.au.
A select group of Year 8 students had the opportunity to work with Pepper the robot and fly drones with some of Australia’s best racers this week as part of Concordia's Makerspace Day Camp held at Hume Street Campus. These are just some of the experiences your child could have at the Science Experience Camp at USQ.
Mr Dennis Wolbers
HOD - Science
Information Evening Invitation
Boarding
Boarding News
Hello and welcome to another week in Boarding!
Boarders enjoy their sports including AFL. Kicking high, running fast, leaps, bumps... and I am talking about the girls! Just recently, a number of the girls played the in the Under 16 AFL Grand Final.
They had worked hard all season to get to the final and they put everything into the game on a cold and windy Friday night. The game was neck and neck until the final siren, when they were only just beaten by one goal (but they had lots of fun!).
More sports with the girls – during this school term, Kashar Bounghi polished her tennis skills on the tennis courts at Concordia, coached by local coach Glen Adamson. She then headed for a four-day trip to Darwin to play at the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival, which is a celebration of tennis and culture, promoting health and wellbeing through tennis and education.
Mr Ross McKeown
Boys' Houseparent
