On Saturday 20 August, the College will be holding a Strategic Plan Review Day which will run from 9am to 12.30pm, with a delicious morning tea provided too. The College will be using this opportunity to review its current Strategic Plan as well as engage in a process of receiving feedback from the community regarding our Purpose and Vision statements. The recently gathered MMG survey feedback has also been considered and included in the review process. Towards 2026 promises to be an informative and interactive morning as we collect student, parent and staff voice as essential ingredients in the college’s journey over the next three years. Thank you for your consideration to be part of this event. Please click here to register if you're interested in attending.

Welcome back to our Year 5 students, staff and parent helpers from Emu Gully this afternoon. It was wonderful spending time with these students yesterday and so affirming to see them being challenged outside their comfort zones but then to see them embracing the challenges put to them. Thank you to Mrs Smith and Mrs McManus for all the planning and preparation which has gone into making this opportunity available to our students. I am sure that all will sleep well tonight!

Next week will see our Year 11 students attending a three-day leadership camp up at Luther Heights [Coolum Beach] as well as our Year 3 students begin their Outdoor Education Program at Concordia by attending a two-day camp at Koojarewon at Highfields.

Spending time away from the classroom with our students - be it at camps, next to the sports field or at boarding - has again reminded me about the calibre of student that we have at Concordia. Whenever I get the opportunity to speak to the students before they attend a camp or event away from the College, I like to remind them that they are representing both their family and the College. They are also reminded that a “please” and “thank you” go a long way and whenever I touch base with the external supervisors and providers, I am told about the outstanding manners, high levels of engagement and respect displayed by our students to these adults.

As parents, we always wonder whether what we are doing around manners and respect towards others is enough and will stand the test of time…and then a family member, neighbour, friends, teacher or an outsider tells us about how beautifully behaved, well mannered and respectful our child[ren] has presented in a situation. This is when we know that the “broken record” which comes with these expectations is paying dividends. Teaching our students and children true gratitude improves our lives.

Teaching our children to say thank you is important, but truly instilling a sense of gratitude in them is another matter entirely. Gratitude goes beyond good manners – it’s a mindset and lifestyle. Gratitude is healthy for us and increases happiness levels. Children who practise grateful thinking have more positive attitudes towards school and family. Gratitude also gives perspective. When you consider the sheer number of opportunities, privileges and material possessions most children enjoy through no effort of their own, it’s easy to see why many of them feel entitled.

When children recognise that the things they own and the opportunities they have come from someone other than themselves, it helps them develop a healthy understanding of how interdependent we all are. Gratitude improves relationships. Would you rather show up at work where you are acknowledged and appreciated or where you are taken for granted with a grunt of thanks? It’s a simple principle, gratitude fosters stronger, more positive and more genuine relationships. [Acknowledgement: A Reiser]

I would like to take this opportunity to wish our Year 12 students every success as they begin to put the finishing touches to their studies and begin preparing for their Mock Exams which begin next week on Friday.

Wishing every family a safe weekend.

Yours in Christ,

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

Quote of the Week: Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for. [Z. Ziglar]

Later in the week I was able to join the Year 8 students at their camp for one night in the beautiful setting at Lake Moogerah. A significant number of students managed to get up early and paddle out onto the lake. It was amazing sitting at sunset (hidden behind a fog bank) and listening to the sounds of the lake and early morning.

There are a number of other camps going on this term across our campuses. Camps provide a different kind of learning experience, and enable students to be reflective, to grow their social skills, to connect with their environment, and to detox from the constant demands of our screens and media. We include them in our learning journeys because we seek to provide a holistic learning experience that allows the whole person to grow.

Then my week took me to Melbourne for the Board of Lutheran Education meeting at Luther College and other meetings at one of the Western Melbourne suburban Lutheran colleges, seeking to develop a second campus, responding to the incredible population growth in that area and demand for a Lutheran Christian school by local parents.

This was both an opportunity to learn more about other schools and how they operate, and a good reminder that we are part of something bigger and that we stand with others in Lutheran Education, learning from one another, supporting one another and passing on God’s love and grace in various communities around the country. Our community is part of and benefitting from that bigger picture as well.

I think it reflects the biblical picture of community in Christ reaching beyond the physical boundaries of any one place and even space and time, sharing joys and struggles together. But God has put the body together, …If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:24-27)

May you know that you are a valued and important part of our community!

God bless your week.

Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

Why the short timeframe? These items are made to order, so the longer we leave the shop open, the longer it will take for you to receive your items.

Items available to order:

• Indigenous polo shirt, designed by Year 12 student Chrissy Watson
• Concordia Sport hoodie
• Concordia Sport training shirt
• Concordia Sport backpack

Parents and caregivers are most welcome to wear these items, so feel free to grab one for the whole family.

Mrs Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing & Enrolments

Year 3 students will head off for their first school camping experience this coming week and again this will be met with many mixed emotions until they get there, however, once there, they often are not ready to come home after only one night of sleeping over. Juanetta will be sleeping over this year with the students and staff and is excited to be able to share in this opportunity.

By the time you are reading this, our Year 1 students will have been to visit Lone Pine. We are expecting some very tired but excited little people to return on the bus.

We are excited to be showcasing the talents of our students at the Concordia Arts in Focus weekend this Saturday. Mr John Trappett, Mr David Heuschele and their trusty band of parent helpers have been busy today hanging 300+ pieces of artwork in The Church at the Empire Theatre.

Please see below, the following important points to assist you on the day:

• Girls – Formal Uniform (short sleeve blouse, College socks not tights); Boys – Formal Uniform (short sleeve shirt tucked into long trousers and College tie); Students may bring a named College jacket/jumper for warmth, but it is not to be worn during performances.
• Junior College teachers will be waiting to welcome our students when they arrive. Band students will arrive at 1pm and Choir students are required at 1.30pm.
• We are excited to announce that the Armitage Centre is now fully booked for the session that our students are performing in.
• Please note – the Art Show is open to all in our community and tickets are not required to enter the Church where this event is being held. Please feel free to wander through and look at the art works at your leisure.
• There will be a barbecue and a food van available from 4.30-6pm if you would like to grab a bite to eat.

Blessings for the week ahead.

Click here to view HSC's Events for Term 3, Week 6.
Click here to view WSC's Events for Term 3, Week 6.

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

While it is hard to single out individuals on such a team effort, special mention must go to our primary boys' relay team, who ran a runner short, with one runner running twice, and still managing to come second, then also backing up and running in the 14/15 years relay. This speaks volumes for our Junior College enthusiasm and team spirit, well done to those young men! I am confident that many enjoyed a well-deserved early night.

A big thankyou to all the supporters, past students and parents that came along on the day to support and assist in some capacity. I am sure that our team of athletes appreciated it, as did our staff that attended on the day.

Good luck to the following students in their quest to go to the next level of competition, the Darling Downs competition on 24 August.

Central Zone Track and Field Carnival
This Wednesday just gone our Junior College team also competed in the annual Central Zone Track and Field Carnival. I am confident that many hours of training was rewarded with some pleasing results. Thank you to the following students for their participation. A full wrap up and results of this carnival will follow in the upcoming weeks once results are sent through from the carnival committee.

Touch Football

Primary Boys: Results of last three games :
• Round 4: Mater Dei 7 d Concordia 2
• Round 3: Concordia 7 d SMC Primary Blue 0
• Round 2: TAS Primary Boys Team 10 d Concordia 5
• Round 1: Concordia 4 drew SMC Primary White 4

Primary Girls: Results of games so far:
• Round 4: Concordia 10 d Glennie B 0
• Round 3: Concordia 8 d TAS Primary Girls B Team
• Round 2: Concordia 5 d Mater Dei (2) 1
• Round 1: Glennie A 10 d Concordia 0

Mr Darryl Fry
JC Sports Coordinator

TSSS Track and Field
Earlier this week we had a group of students compete in the TSSS Track and Field meet at Harristown State High School. We placed 3rd in the girls and 4th in the boys, which was a tremendous effort by our athletes. I wish to thank Mr John Mathews and Mr Col Anderton for the time they have spent preparing our students through early morning and lunch time training. Well done to all students involved.

The Musical has been announced!
There was an electric atmosphere during assembly on Monday with the announcement of our 2023 Musical – drum roll….. We will Rock You!

The relief of our Arts Department was very evident as they no longer had to keep the tightly guarded secret. Auditions will be held on Friday 2 September, with audition packs now available for students to collect. I believe this has already been taken up by a number of students, so I have no doubt this event will be highly anticipated.

Year 12 Mock Block
Next Friday our Year 12 students begin their two-week mock exam block – an important part of their preparation for their final external exams in Term 4. While these exams are formative in nature, and don’t count towards their final results, they are nevertheless important in helping students and staff to do a final check on areas where students can focus their review and revision. We wish them all the best for this time, and encourage them to make the most of this opportunity.

Next week, I look forward to providing some reflections from our Year 11 Leadership Camp, as they now begin to look towards their duties and responsibilities as our incoming seniors.

Have a great week.

Yours in faith,

Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus

Overall, Camp Laurance was a great experience, there were many challenges and fun activities including the canoeing, the create stack, the orienteering, the abseiling. But the combat archery and the mountain biking were the best activities of them all. The thing that I learnt from camp and that will stick with me the most, will be the camp out experience. The two main things that I will take from the camp out will be the fire-starting experience and how to set up a tent. The thing that was my least favourite was the low ropes activity as there was no real challenge and it was fairly-basic. Ben Hammett

The time spent at camp was excellent. The orienteering experience was quite exciting and connecting for me. I enjoyed meeting lots of new people, and the camp instructors were pleasant and approachable. I enjoyed camp. André Oosthuizen

Year 8 camp at Lake Moogerah was a unique and valuable experience. Firstly, the adventure activities, such as orienteering and mountain biking enabled us to get out of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves. On the other hand, team building and leadership activities encouraged us to engage in conversation with people we don't normally interact with. Overall, camp this year was a great opportunity to challenge ourselves and prepare for Googa next year. Zoe Pietsch

Camp was entertaining and kept everyone busy doing fun stuff. The best part for me was the campout, with the campfire, s'mores and cooking. For me, I didn’t have a low point, but hiking and low ropes came close. My group had successes in the Amazing Race and most other things when everyone had a go. A challenge for me was being with people I am not normally with. Overall, camp was a great experience, and I would do it again. Savannah Parry

Boys Age Champions

Age Champion medallions will be presented at Assembly during Week 9.

Representative Sport

Swimming
Best wishes to Meg Osborne, Lily Osborne and Alistair Richards who are competing at the State Swimming Championships in Brisbane this weekend.

Triathlon
Congratulations to Chloe Denning and Ellie Denning on their selection into the Triathlon Queensland State Teams. Ellie is a member of the Youth Female squad with Chloe a member of the Junior Female squad.

TSSS Track and Field
This carnival was held on Wednesday with Concordia placing 3rd in the girls' and 4th in the boys' competition - a great effort!

Team Sport results for Week 5

Rugby Union
U13 – Concordia/TAS 43 defeated SCOTS PGC 5 (Leroy Malone)
U15 – SCOTS PGC 32 defeated Concordia/TAS 7 (Patrick Malone and Miles Wangua)
Open – Concordia/TAS 72 defeat SCOTS PGC 0 (Jack Foran and Brad Stiller)

Volleyball
The Tuesday Intermediate Girls' Team played The Glennie School Red and won comfortably 3 sets to 0 with the final score being 75-32.

The Wednesday mixed team played Jump Around (St Mary’s College team) and lost 83-104. Considering they played in B grade last season, the team did a great job to stay competitive throughout the match.

Touch Football
U15 Boys:
• Round 4: SMC 15 White 12 d Concordia 1
• Round 3: Centenary Heights SHS 7 d Concordia 0
• Round 2: SMC 15 Blue 18 d Concordia 1
• Round 1: SMC 15 White 12 d Concordia 1