The Week Ahead - Term 3, Week 6
Monday 19 August to Friday 23 August 2019
From the Head of College
What a busy week across the College! Learning was at the forefront of what occurred, but of course there was much more happening around Concordia.
Channel 7 News Toowoomba filmed a story on ‘Bush Prep’ this week which will feature our Warwick Street Campus Prep students – stars in the making! Keep an eye on tonight's broadcast to see them in action.
Along the same lines, I enjoyed seeing Mrs Juanetta Priest making a wonderful difference to our environment through the student Gardening Club at Hume Street Campus. Congratulations – managing our Australian environment and sustainability is a critical element of learning that should be embedded in school programs worldwide.
In the past week, our students were involved in some Book Week activities, Science Week activities, year level excursions, Track and Field Carnivals and QCS Practice. Many thanks to all of our dedicated staff who ensure that these and many other learning experiences are offered for the benefit of our Concordia students.
This week opens up a new array of activities that are of equal importance in the life of the College. Open Morning across the College (Monday 19 August) is a new event that will show off all three Concordia campuses ‘in action’. Please encourage new families to contact the College, or at this stage to arrive at 8.30am for tours, and the opportunity to see classrooms and the College on a normal school day.
Warwick Street Campus Trivia Night will be held on Friday 23 August. It is a great night of fun and entertainment – please get your table together and register (details available in this newsletter). The prizes look amazing and the cause is very worthwhile. Thank you to the WSC Parents and Friends for the work that has occurred behind the scenes.
Kindest regards
Mr Adrian Wiles
Head of College
From the College Pastor
Surprise!
Have you ever been to a surprise party? It’s great as everyone gets into position and then the person whose birthday it is walks through the door. It is priceless to see how startled and surprised they are. They weren’t expecting it. They are in joyful shock.
The Easter story is like this. In Mark’s Gospel (16:1-8) we see the great surprise of the women who went to the tomb expecting that Jesus would be dead. They were going there to anoint his dead body. Yet they left in shock. What a surprise to see he wasn’t there! He had risen, just as he said He would.
Jesus has overcome death. He has delivered it a fatal blow. Now in the face of death, there is hope for us. In death there is life. May you be comforted in knowing that Jesus did this for you so that you can live in the sure hope of knowing that death has been swallowed up in victory.
Christ is risen!
Pastor Mark Blackwell
College Pastor
Community News
Important Upgrades to Parent Lounge
Concordia staff members have been working to develop our use of Parent Lounge to enhance our communications with parents and guardians. It is our aim to make Parent Lounge a convenient, efficient and user-friendly tool for families and we are looking forward to releasing these enhancements over the coming months.
We are pleased to advise that Tours & Excursions are transitioning to the Parent Lounge platform. We have already had two activities organised through Parent Lounge and we have been delighted by the positive feedback we have received from the parents. In particular, they have informed us that the process was quick and easy to use.
When the time comes for you to complete a Tours & Excursions form on Parent Lounge, you will receive an email prompting you with clear instructions on what to do. We anticipate that you will find the process fairly intuitive and easy to use, but if you experience any problems please do not hesitate to contact us.
Another recent implementation has been the ability to notify the College of student absences. Again, this has been implemented to make the notification of student absences a quick and easy process for parents. Instructions can be found by clicking on the following links:
Mrs Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing & Enrolments
SSC P&F Cookie Dough Fundraiser
Stephen Street Campus P&F is holding a Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough drive this term. Funds raised will be used to purchase umbrellas for the Student Council’s Quad improvement project.
There are ten delicious flavours including their NEW Strawberry Cheesecake and NESTLE® SMARTIES® cookie dough. There’s even a cheese flavoured Doggie Dough for your special furry family members! The delicious cookie dough is only available through fundraising and is not sold in stores, so stock up.
Order your cookie dough online on or before 26 August. The current scheduled pick-up date for orders is 16 September.
Click here to place your order. You will need to create an account and then select Concordia under organisations, and away you go!
Upcoming Event
Bible Scene Art Competition
WSC Trivia Night
One of the highlights on the Warwick Street Campus calendar each year is the P&F Trivia Night. Each year we have seen this event grow in numbers as our community comes together for a night of fun, laughter and friendly competition. I encourage everyone in our community to come along to enjoy the fun. Family and friends from outside our community are also most welcome to attend.
2019 Calendar Updates
The following event dates are now available or have been amended:
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
JC Year 2 Queensland Museum Excursion
On Thursday, the Year 2 students had an early morning start to their school day and travelled to the Queensland Museum in Brisbane. Students explored the SparkLab Centre first and participated in different experiments that sparked their creativity and curiosity in the area of STEM. After watching the Mix It experiments and designing an exploding mixture, students engaged with the many exhibits showcased in the Museum.
The afternoon enhanced the student’s creativity in the area of The Arts as they viewed the magnificent artwork displayed in the Gallery of Modern Art. Many students created their own wearable art to take home and share with their family.
JC Year 6 Canberra Trip
Preparations for the Year 6 students from WSC and HSC to participate in the 2019 Canberra Trip are well and truly underway. Over the next few weeks students from both campuses will meet to discuss aspects of the trip as well as share their learning.
Students, teachers and attending parents are eagerly awaiting a variety of educational programs and tours which focus on Australia’s history and democratic processes, as well as visiting the Snowy Mountains and enjoying the snow.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians having the opportunity to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizen Education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding for each student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs.
Mr Paul Baker & Mrs Allison Busiko
Year 6 Teachers
Every Family – Triple P Parenting Programs
Click on the flyers below for further information about upcoming Triple P Parenting Programs.
Year 3 Koojarewon Youth Camp Open Afternoon
An invitation is extended to our Year 3 families to attend an open afternoon at Koojarewon Youth Camp on Monday 19 August from 3.30pm to 5pm. This is an opportunity for parents and children to visit the campsite in readiness for the Year 3 Camp to be held later in Term 3. Koojarewon Youth Camp is located at 26 Borghardt Road, Highfields.
JC WSC Year 5 & HSC Year 5/6 Brisbane Space Excursion
The WSC Year 5 and the HSC Year 5/6 class Brisbane Space Excursion will take place on Tuesday 3 September 2019. All parents have been emailed the relevant information regarding this trip. If you have not received this email, please contact your child’s teacher. All permission forms are due back by Monday 26 August 2019.
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
Kindy to Year 2 Pyjama Storytime
HSC Book Week Dress Up Parade
The theme for Book Week 2019 is ‘Reading is my Secret Power’. Reading does indeed give us secret powers: the power to walk in the shoes of others through their stories; the power to escape into other worlds; the power to improve vocabulary and imagination… and the list goes on.
The year we are asking the students to dress up as their ‘Secret Power’ for Book Week on Tuesday 20 August.
So the students can showcase their costumes and their Secret Power, we will be having a Book Week Dress Up Parade at 8.30am in the Hall. We would love to welcome everyone to come and enjoy the parade. This will then be followed with the students sharing their favourite stories with their buddy,so please remind your child to bring along their favourite book.
Year 1 Fire Safety Visit
On Monday 19 August, our Year 1 students have their last Fire Safety visit. This visit they will be shown the fire engine and hopefully be able to shoot water out of the fire hose.
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. 735WZO, you are this week’s winner!
Father’s Day Breakfast – 30 August
HSC’s Family Baby Board
Just for a bit of fun, we are building the Concordia’s Hume Street Campus Family Baby Board. In the walkway, we have a board where we will collect photos of ourselves as a baby or toddler and then have fun guessing who everyone is. If you have a photo of your child/ren, please send it in. We can photocopy it to save getting the photo damaged or email it to adminhsc@concordia.qld.edu.au and we will print it out. Thank you to our photo contributors so far. The students are having a lot of fun working these out.
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.
Pyjama Day – Monday 2 September
Homelessness is a growing problem in Toowoomba. The Basement provides blankets and swags to people who are homeless in our community. Backpack beds by swags for Homeless are given out to the Homeless so they stay warm during the cold Toowoomba nights. These backpack beds are the most awarded, single person, ultra light weight camping tent in the world – which is also a backpack! Each backpack bed costs $110.00.
HSC would like to support this program by raising money from our ‘Bring a gold coin and Come Dressed in Pyjamas Day.’ Our Student Council and the Year 5/6 students would also like to run a bake sale/milo on this day. For 50c students will receive a biscuit/slice and a cup of milo.
Ned’s Mindset Mission
In Week 5, students from Warwick Street Campus and Hume Street Campus were treated to a world-class performance taking them on a 45 minute journey filled with storytelling, illusions, yo-yo tricks and humour. Students were introduced to the character NED who is on a very important mission to find his mindset. Our students were inspired by how NED faced unexpected challenges with a growth mindset.
Our College receives these performances free of charge and so to pay it forward, we will be selling NED-messaged yo-yo and accessories for the week starting Monday 19 August. Yo-yos will be on sale before school and during first break each day. Purchases can be made by EFTPOS or cash.
Festival of Learning and Grandparents' Day
Students and staff are excited to present two separate events on Thursday 5 September and Friday 6 September, our Festival of Learning and then Grandparents' Day.
Festival of Learning
We invite you to join us on Thursday 5 September from 5pm to 7.30pm.
Come join us in the Junior Playground for something to eat. The food vans will be available serving Hot Chips, Chicken Chips, Dagwood Dogs and Drinks or you may bring your own picnic food. The classrooms will be open for students to showcase their terms learning.
There will be plenty of time to visit your child/s classroom/s and then check out the learning of other classes as well. We are looking forward to a very exciting night.
Grandparents' Day
The following day Friday 6 September is Grandparents' Day. The anticipated program for this event will be:
- 8.40am - 9.45am - Grandparents to visit classrooms (a bell will ring at 9.45am to finish up in the classrooms and start moving up to the hall)
- 9.55am - Student Concert in the Hall
- 10.45am - Morning Tea under the trees
HSC Tuckshop Orders
All orders are to be completed online at My Student Account by 3pm each Wednesday. Please notify Reception by 9am on Thursday if your child is absent and we will cancel their order.
HSC Week 6 Events
Click here to view HSC's Events for Week 6.
Forms to Complete - HSC
Warwick Street Campus
WSC Book Week Dress Up Parade – Wednesday 21 August
The theme for Book Week 2019 is ‘Reading is my Secret Power’. Reading does indeed give us secret powers: the power to walk in the shoes of others through their stories; the power to escape into other worlds; the power to improve vocabulary and imagination…the list goes on.
This year we are asking the students to dress up as their ‘Secret Power’ for Book Week on Wednesday 21 August.
So the students can showcase their costumes and their Secret Power, we will be having a Book Week Dress Up Parade at 8.30am in the Shed. All are welcome to come and enjoy the parade! This will then be followed by sharing our favourite stories with our buddies – so please remind your child to bring along their favourite book.
We look forward to seeing all the Secret Powers that arrive for Book Week Day!!
You're Invited...
Dads and significant male relatives - you are invited to come and enjoy a Sausage Sizzle and make your best paper plane with your child\ren on Friday 30 August at 7.30am in The Shed. A great treat for Father’s Day. Save the date now!
Please see fillable form for more information and RSVP details.
Campus Disco
Ned’s Mindset Mission
This week, the students from Warwick Street Campus and Hume Street Campus were treated to a world-class performance taking them on a 45 minute journey filled with storytelling, illusions, yo-yo tricks and humour. Students were introduced to the character NED who is on a very important mission to find his mindset. Our students were inspired by how NED faced unexpected challenges with a growth mindset.
Our College receives these performances free of charge and so to Pay It Forward we will be selling NED-messaged yo-yo and accessories at WSC Reception for one week only, Monday 19 August to Friday 23 August. Students were issued a flyer earlier this week to take home with information on the yo-yos/accessories. Purchases can be made by EFTPOS or cash.
Bring a Book, Take a Book!
As part of our Book Week Celebrations we will be hosting a book swap - Bring a Book, Take a Book.
Students are encouraged to bring a well-read book (in good condition) and swap it for another that they have not yet enjoyed. The Book Swap will take place at 1pm on Tuesday 20 August in front of the Resource Centre. We would appreciate your support to get free books circulating.
Drive Through
We are fortunate to have our Drive Through at Warwick Street Campus for morning and afternoon drop off and pick up. We appreciate your assistance in keeping our Drive Through safe. Remember to adhere to the following procedures:
- No overtaking is permitted in the Drive Through
- Always drive to the top of the drive through in the mornings as this will avoid people being delayed behind you
- No parking is permitted in the Drive Through
- Students must be able to put on their own seatbelt to use the Drive Through
- Do not walk through the Drive Through
After School Pick Up
Thank you for your assistance this last week with the pick up arrangements of students on South Street in the afternoon. We have noticed a remarkable improvement.
Please be mindful that students who have siblings at SSC and are being picked up from South Street in the afternoons, have been informed that they are to sit on the grass inside the fence and wait for their parents.
Supervision after school is in the Drive Through and teachers are on duty until 3.30pm each day.
WSC Tuckshop Orders
At WSC, tuckshop is held on a Wednesday. All orders are to be completed online at My Student Account by 3pm each Tuesday. Please notify Reception by 9am on Wednesday if your child is absent and we will cancel their order. Tuckshop will start in Week 3 and finish in Week 9.
WSC Week 6 Events
Click here to view WSC's Events for Week 6.
Forms to Complete - WSC
Stephen Street Campus
Responding to Feedback
What do we need to do more of and/or differently?
I first stumbled across this simple question during a Project Adventure high ropes facilitation workshop many years ago. The notion behind it is simple. Identify what you are doing well and do more of that. This action of building capacity and effectiveness based on strengths has the immediate effect of minimising the impact of our weakness. The second, equally important task however, is to identify what you are not doing well at and work out how to do that differently.
At the risk of giving my inbox indigestion, I would like to invite you, as our community, respond to that simple question. What do we (Concordia) need to do more of and/or differently? As we plan for 2020 and beyond, it will be these open, honest conversations that will continue to inform and drive change.
I look forward to hearing from you. So please don’t hesitate to email, call or catch me when I am out and about and please be assured that I won’t be offended by robust feedback.
QAMT Maths Quiz
During Week 5, we had three teams participate in the QAMT Years 7 and 8 Maths quiz. Teams competed on Tuesday and Wednesday evening against students from schools in and around Toowoomba. The competition was fierce, and the Maths kept everyone on the edge of their seat. Our teams should be proud of their achievement and how they approached the competition. There wasn’t much between schools when it came to scores, but in the end, we had one team who made it through to the next round. Congratulations to Brady Cullinan, Charlie Pietsch and Morgan Meadows on moving on to the next round. The boys will compete in the regional final on Tuesday 20 August. If triumphant, they stand a chance to move through to state finals.
Next round information:
Tuesday 20 August
6pm for 6.30pm start
Centenary Heights State High School, School Hall
Please bring full stationery including protractor, ruler and calculator.
Mrs Karin MacKenzie
HOD - Mathematics
Student Council Service Project
Please collect as many bread tags as you can. There are collection points located outside classroom B5 and in Reception.
Parent Information Evening
STEM Cup
The STEM Cup is an after-school STEM competition hosted by Griffith University for students in Years 7 and 8 over a period of seven weeks. Each week the teams score points for the challenges they complete with the top scoring teams earning a place at the STEM Cup Grand Final held at Griffith University. All challenges aim to link learning to real world applications, putting what the teams are doing into a larger perspective.
If you are interested in participating, students will be required to attend St Ursula's College on Thursday from 3.45pm to 4.45pm. Own travel is required and the cost is $60 for the seven week competition. There are three members per team. Students can either form their own team, or be allocated into a team. Competition begins on 26 August. Click here for further information.
If your child is interested, either email Mrs Karin McKenzie or Mr Dennis Wolbers, or ask your child to come and see them.
Get Songwriting Prize
Congratulations to Year 12 students, Meg Kirby and Holly Yarrow on their recent success in USQ's 2019 Get Songwriting Prize. Meg was awarded the Grand Prize Winner with her entry 'All We Want' and also a Highly Commended for 'My Love'. Holly received a Highly Commended award for her song 'Eyes on the Innocent'.
Student Council Fundraising Project
Forms to Complete - SSC
Boarding
Weekly Update
We have had another busy week in boarding! In saying a busy week, just look at this schedule that groups of boarders participated in:
- Thursday 8 August: QUT’s (Brisbane) interactive tour of their Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove Campuses for University Experience Day
- Friday 9 August: CLC Drama students tour to the QPAC Playhouse Brisbane
- Saturday & Sunday 10-11 August: AAG Cup Basketball Challenge in Toowoomba
- Monday 12 August: QCIS athletics at the University of Queensland (Brisbane)
- Wednesday 13 August: TSSS Track & Field Carnival in Toowoomba
On top of this, our visiting Wuxi Experimental School group of Chinese students departed for home. (And we won’t mention the regular sporting and music and … training).
The boarding staff are tired just looking at the schedule of events, but we are happy and proud of the participation and achievements that our students have done over this time.
We are now coming into Week 6, so time is evaporating.
We hope you have an excellent week!
Mr Ross McKeown
Boys' Houseparent
