The Week Ahead - Term 3, Week 7
Monday 23 August to Friday 27 August 2021
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
The upcoming Year 12 Mock Exams over the next fortnight is a clear indicator that we have begun to enter the business end of the school year. Please keep our Senior cohort of students and their families in your prayers as they begin this journey of preparing for their external exams early in Term 4. A highlight for our Year 12 students will be the Year 12 Boarders’ Recognition Dinner and the Year 12 Valedictory Dinner at the end of Term 3. Thank you to the all the staff who continue to work tirelessly with our Year 12 students every day to ensure that they complete their schooling journey successfully.
Next week on Thursday, will see Concordia celebrate Book Week. All students and staff will be encouraged to join in these celebrations by dressing as their favourite book character. What will your family’s dress up theme be? Reading and literacy in all its formats is the cornerstone of primary school learning and remains the single most important link between accessing and understanding information and learning content as the students move through their schooling experiences. Thank you to those staff who are responsible for organising Book Week and reminding us about the importance of reading.
From the College Pastor
Better together….
In my role as College Pastor I have the privilege to attend meetings of a variety of groups across our three campuses, including leadership team, pastoral care meetings, staff meetings, College Council and also occasionally the Parent Connect meetings. Some might see this as a chore, but actually attending these meetings gives me insight into how our community operates, where our challenges and strengths lie, and also helps me get to know the members of our community. One thing that stands out to me as I reflect on my first six weeks at Concordia, is how many people are deeply engaged and freely give of themselves in service of our Concordia community (and also beyond). People are at the heart of our community and it is though the engagement, care and work of so many that our College functions well and we are able to provide a holistic, well rounded educational experience in a caring Christian setting to our students.
Community News
75th Anniversary Celebration - You're Invited!
We are planning a very exciting day on the Stephen Street ovals on Saturday 4 September to celebrate our 75th anniversary!
There will be a real festival atmosphere with the athletics oval being laid out with picnic blankets, tables and chairs along with marquees, food trucks and more. The opposite oval to the east will house a dedicated kids zone.
For planning purposes (and to keep compliant with COVID planning), please register your interest in attending this event. There is no entry fee to attend. Click the below button to register:
Sports News and Updates
Central Zone Track & Field Carnival 2021
It is pleasing to say that our Central Zone Track and Field Representatives had a great day at O'Quinn St last Wednesday after a 2020 hiatus due to last year’s COVID cancellation. We had 10 students going on to be selected to compete at the Darling Downs trials, although unfortunately these have been cancelled due to Queensland Health directives and recent Covid restrictions. A number of other students narrowly missed out on selection as only the top two competitors proceed through to the next level. This is the "nature of the beast" but these carnivals teach our students so much, such as being able to perform on the day, and is a great lesson in resilience when put in the "pressure cooker" so to speak.
Battle of Meewah Commemoration
The Friends of Multuggerah are holding a commemoration ceremony at Bill Gould’s Lookout on 13 September, 2021 beginning at 12pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be food and drinks available at the site on the day. Click here for further information.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
From the Directors
Concordia Lutheran College… where Learning is at the Heart of Everything we Do.
It is important to acknowledge that all students learn in different ways and at different rates, and therefore our methods of teaching and learning must also vary.
Everyday our students are engaged in learning - it might be:
- cognitive learning – taking learning from surface learning to deeper learning
- interpersonal learning – teamwork, negotiation, friendships, empathy, conflict resolution
- intrapersonal learning – persistence, resilience, grit.
We believe that learning must be challenging, active and engaging. Through the course of our day, you will see our students engaged in productive work - applying, analysing, evaluating, and/or creating. They are not simply remembering or regurgitating textbook answers.
Check out our Concordia facebook page for photos from this week’s challenging, active and engaging learning.
Click here to view HSC's Events for Term 3, Week 7
Click here to view WSC's Events for Term 3, Week 7
Have a lovely weekend and enjoy time together.
Mrs Juanetta Priest and Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Directors of Campus
New Date - Year 1 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Excursion 30 August
We can now confirm the new date for the JC Year 1 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Excursion as Monday 30 August 2021. The excursion will enhance the students’ knowledge and understanding of our studies and research of Australian animals as set out in the Australian Curriculum for Year 1 students. Teachers in Charge attending will be Lee-Anne Millett and Angela Norley.
Travel Arrangements
WSC students – we ask that you arrive at WSC at 7am for a 7.15am departure.
HSC students – arrive at HSC at 7.10am for a 7.30am departure.
We will leave Lone Pine at 1pm and arrive at Hume Street Campus at around 3pm. Any student who attends OSHC from Warwick Street Campus can depart at HSC.
WSC students should arrive back at their own campus by 3.20pm to 3.30pm.
Junior College Book Week Dress Up Parade - Thursday 26 August
Outside School Hours Care
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Campus
Happy National Science Week. The 2021 theme is Food: Different by Design. Students have enjoyed different activities each day - including the watermelon and rubber band test!
For the next two weeks, our Year 12 students will begin their “Mock Block”. Mock Block is simply an opportunity for the Year 12s to sit practice exams for each of the subjects that have an external exam scheduled as the final piece of assessment. With Mock Block being conducted under the same conditions as their External Exams, it provides a valuable opportunity for students to receive targeted feedback as they make their final preparations for the External Exams.
The next round of the Staff versus Students competition happened during lunch today. Dodgeball provided the perfect format for the healthy rivalry to continue. I am pleased to say that our rigorous staff recruiting processes are paying off, with the staff taking out another win!
Next Friday our athletes are heading off to the QCIS track and Field Carnival. It is fantastic that this event has been rescheduled and we look forward to hearing how the team perform on the day.
Mr Jason Smith
Director of Campus
Grandparents' Day
Bridge Award Completion
Congratulations to Claire Welsh on completing the Level 1 and 2 Bridge Award. The Bridge Award is a positive youth development program that is both fun and challenging. It offers young people the opportunity to gain new skills, improve their physical fitness, participate in community service, and develop a spirit of adventure. Well done, Claire, on this excellent achievement.
Mr John Mathews
Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator
Save the Date!
Friday 3 September - normal school day
Parents, please note Friday 3 September is NOT a pupil free day at Concordia. This is a normal learning and teaching day for ALL of our students.
(Youth) Alpha
This is your final chance to register for this amazing course in exploring the basics of the Christian faith. If you have doubts, questions, are curious, want to know more – this is for you.
Farewell to Winter Concert
Next Friday 27 August we are having our annual Farewell to Winter Concert. This concert will feature our Stephen Street Campus ensembles, including our Choirs, String ensemble, Concert Band, Big Band, Dance and other small ensembles.
The concert starts at 6pm on the dance studio stage in the gym. Hope to see you all there.
Sport News
QCIS Track and Field
QCIS is returning 27 August. Due to the new date clashing with Year 12s Mock Block exams, our Senior students will be unable to attend. Click here for the team list. The program is available - click here to access.
Mountain Biking Inter School Competition
If you would like to compete, please email Jana.anderson@concordia.qld.edu.au
An interschool mountain biking competition on 15 and 16 October at Mt Peel. The Toowoomba Mountain Bike club is keen to organise the event which would consist of a cross country event on the Saturday and a gravity enduro event on the Sunday.
Rugby 7s and Touch come and try/ sign on day – 25 August
Upcoming Finals
Good luck to all students who may be competing in finals in the coming weeks! Be sure to share your sporting moments with the Sports Department.
Needing some motivation? Check out this video
Boarding
Boarding News
Week 6, done and dusted!
Mock exams for our Year 12 students commence on Monday.
All afternoon sports and selected activities are back on the afternoon travel list.
Skirmish has been the talk of this week among our students after the great day they all had last Sunday. The activity was a huge success and our boarders got right into the swing of it. Two hours of non-stop running around the campus, hiding in every crook and cranny to get an unsuspecting body come around a corner, or to creep up on someone who thought they were well hidden. They really enjoyed it!
