The Week Ahead - Term 3, Week 9
Monday 6 September to Friday 10 September 2021
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
This weekend will see Concordia Lutheran College celebrating 75 years of existence and influence in the Toowoomba community and educational landscape. 75 years is an exceptional milestone for any school, but more so for one which started out as a boarding and day school respectively for the farming families of the district and beyond, as well as establishing itself as a place of excellence and learning for the town folk of Toowoomba.
This coming weekend will provide us, as the “Class of 2021”, with the opportunity to thank and acknowledge those communities of students, parents, staff and educators who have gone before us. Ultimately, bricks and mortar will outlive all of us, but it’s our joint dedication to the task in hand and how we treat one another which will stand the test of time. Enjoy the celebrations, listening to others’ stories as well as reconnecting with past students, parents and colleagues this weekend. I look forward to seeing you there.
Well done to our Year 12 students as they return to school again for the last two weeks of the term after completing their Mock Exams – and what a big fortnight awaits them culminating in their Valedictory Dinner on Thursday 16 September. Good luck to our Year 11 students as they enter their Exam Block fortnight next week – heads down and study hard! These students will begin their Year 12 study courses when they return to school in Term 4.
We loved hosting and welcoming our grandparents to Stephen Street Campus this week as we look forward to seeing many grandparents on our Hume Street Campus next week and Warwick Street Campus next term. We hope that you have and will enjoy this trip down memory lane with us as we hear about your school journey, wisdom and stories.
The Hume Street Campus students are looking forward to sharing the learning journey they have been on this term as they host their Festival of Learning this coming Tuesday evening. It’s so affirming to see Concordia embracing a philosophy of focusing on learning to learn, rather than just focusing on the product at the end of a learning cycle. Well done to all our Hume Street Campus learners – see you on Tuesday!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Dads and Grandads a wonderful Father’s Day weekend of being spoilt and recognised for the significant role which you play in the lives of your students. It was great to see so many Dads and Grandads enjoying an early breakfast and then a game of handball with the students at our Junior College campuses this week. Thank you to the staff who planned, prepared for and hosted these events.
Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing weekend.
Yours in Christ.
Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College
Quote of the Week: “My father didn’t do anything unusual. He only did what dads are supposed to do—be there.” [Max Lucado]
From the College Pastor
Viva la Musica!
On Friday evening I had the privilege to attend the Farewell to Winter concert in the quite intimate performance space in the Dance Studio. We were treated to some wonderful music, from Big Band to strings and choral performances. It is wonderful to be able to hold such a concert in these times of frequent restrictions on large gatherings, and it was obvious that both conductors and students enjoyed the performance. I certainly did.

Studies of young people in Australia point to the fact music is a powerful and important part of the spirituality of this age group – and I suspect not only for that age. Music has been called the language of the soul. It can take us beyond ourselves, beyond the places reached by words, can elicit powerful emotions and have all sorts of effects on us. Martin Luther, after whom the Lutheran Church is named, once said this: Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us. He further pointed out: Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.
Music created community and connections – both among those who perform but also with those who listen and enjoy the performance. So it seems no coincidence that music has played an important role in the worship of God’s people from the beginning.
We have a whole book of songs (and prayers) in the bible – the book of Psalms – where we often hear the invitation to, “sing to the Lord” - but this is by no means the only place to find songs in the scriptures.
Music was part of the church from the beginning and the reformation of the 15th century (which led among other things to the formation of the Lutheran Church) was a singing movement. The reformers would often use popular pub tunes and change the words to proclaim the newly re-discovered Good News of Jesus. We still sing today, including in chapel, songs new and old.
St Paul encourages us in his letter to the Ephesians (Eph 5:18-20):
..be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I pray that you may find in Concordia a community where you can be at home, where singing and music – of all genres - is celebrated and enjoyed and where together we give thanks to God, the divine composer, the one who has given us this special gift. May your week be filled with his song!
Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor
Community News
QCIS Track and Field Carnival
The QCIS Track and Field Carnival was held last Friday at Scots PGC, Warwick. It was a great day with some great results! Check out the photos in the gallery below.
Records broken by CLC students:
- Chloe Denning - Girls 15 Years 800m - QCIS: 2:43.91
- Christine Watson - Girls Javelin Throw - QCIS: 29.66m
Other results:
- 1st - 10 Years girls
- 2nd - 10 Years boys
- 2nd - 11 Years girls
- 2nd - 11 Years boys
- 1st - 12 Years girls
- 3rd - 12 Years boys
- 2nd - 13 Years girls
- 3rd - 15 Years girls
- 2nd - 15 Years boys
- 3rd - 16 Year girls
- Concordia – 3rd aggregate
- Concordia – 4th place overall
Community Blood Drive - Australian Red Cross
As a member of the Concordia Lutheran College community, you already know the amazing things we can achieve when we work together!
Now, we’ve got a new challenge on our hands – the QLD and Northern NSW School Community Blood Drive.
By uniting as one, schools throughout QLD and Northern NSW aim to give 800 life-saving donations from 1 August to 31 October, but we’ll need your help. After all, it’ll take a team to hit the target!
Now, we’re all busy, so let’s keep it simple.
- Check you’re Eligible to donate.
- Download the free Donate Blood App to enrol and create your Donor Account or visit the website – donateblood.com.au
- And while you’re there, book a blood or plasma donation at Toowoomba Donor Centre. Don’t forget to join our school’s Lifeblood Team to ensure your donation counts towards our tally, as every donation saves 3 lives!
Can’t donate right now? That’s ok, you can still help! Simply spread the word and encourage your colleagues, family and friends to donate if they can.
Barefoot Bowls

The Barefoot Bowls event will now be held on Sunday 17 October. Those who have registered can roll their registration over to the new date (you do not need to re-register) or, if are unable to attend, they can arrange a refund from the Business Office.
If you were unable to make it on the previously scheduled weekend but would like to attend in October, good news! Click here to register your attendance.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
Outside School Hours Care
Stephen Street Campus
Celebrating Grandparents' and our 75th Anniversary
Stephen Street Campus has been humming with the sounds of whipper snippers, mowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers and high-pressure cleaners as we make final preparations for Grandparents' Day and our 75th Anniversary celebrations on Saturday.
There is certainly a buzz in the air. If you have come up our main driveway, you may have noticed the gorgeous arbour that has been made by Mr Geoffrey Becker, past student and current staff member, and donated by our 2021 Stephen Street Campus Student Council. This reinstatement was inspired by some of the very early images of the Pear Shape garden, where an arbour can be seen.
This recreation has involved many hours of work on Geoffrey’s behalf and I suspect that it will still be in place for the 150th celebrations. I sincerely thank the SSC Student Council and Geoffrey for this beautiful gift. Families are most welcome to wander into the Pear Shaped Garden to have a look at this beautiful recreation and use the opportunity to take a family photo.
We were delighted to have more than 100 of our Stephen Street Campus grandparents join us this morning for the SSC Grandparents Day. This army of wisdom and knowledge, that can only be shaped by the years, were welcome guests in our classrooms.
Mr Jason Smith
Director of Campus
What’s on in Visual Art
During Term 3, the Arts Department hosted the Concordia Archibald Prize for 2021. The quality of work was outstanding. A big thank you to those students who participated and submitted an entry. Year 9 student Charlotte Townsing had the winning entry with her technical graphite drawing of her peer and friend, Milly Gormley. Charlotte has displayed incredible talent across the Arts since joining our Concordia community this year.
Four Senior Visual Art students from Years 11 and 12 have been entered into the Darling Downs Regional Creative Generations awards for excellence in Visual Art. Senior students Stuart Larsen, Gemma Keeley, Gracie Paynter and Kiara Madden have been selected for their refined and contemporary approach to art making this year. The exhibition of artworks will be on show at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery from 2 October through to 7 November.
Year 8 art students have been busy working on their paintings inspired by Australian artist Howard Arkley, known for his brightly coloured images of Suburban homes and interiors. Students have been using imagery of their own homes, boarding and urban building to design their architectural masterpieces.
Ms Holly Kiehne
Visual Art Teacher
For Parents of Students Entering Year 12, 2022

FREE Workshops - Making Music and Songwriting with USQ & TRC

Toowoomba Regional Council and the University of Southern Queensland have teamed up to bring aspiring young musicians, music makers and producers a fantastic skills-learning opportunity.
There are two separate workshops on offer in this series, one on Songwriting and Musicianship and the other on Recording and Sound Production.
Commencing on Tuesday 11 October these workshops run online weekly on Tuesday and Thursday evenings respectively for three weeks, and then culminate in an in-person experience on campus at USQ Toowoomba on Saturday 30 October 2021, where everything learned over the previous three weeks is brought together in one fun, interactive and experiential day.
Our three musicians, Nathan Seiler, Simon Gardner and Tim Sladden are all world-class performers offering insights and practical learning in Songwriting and Musicianship. Recording and Sound Production will be led by Ayden Roberts and Acalia McNamara, also highly proficient professionals in their fields. Click here for more information about the tutors.
Click here for more information and registration.
BYOD Information
As you are all aware, Concordia Lutheran College has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program for students in Years 7 to 12.
Under the BYOD program, all students are required to bring their own device for use in all classes. The BYOD Handbook has been created to explain how the program operates, set out expectations of parents and students and provide information about device minimum specifications. This handbook is available in Parent Lounge (School Links > Stephen Street Campus) and on the College's website.
Sports Update
AFL Grand Finals
What a weekend! A huge congratulations to Jasmine Holllonds, Christine Watson and Kaitlyn Zelinski on their AFL Premiership with the Toowoomba Tigers! Those with a keen eye will also see some Old Scholars in this team photo - Tiarna Jericho, Courtney Lange, Carlee Mesken and Lauren Jericho. This is the Tiger's seventh consecutive premiership. Amazing stuff! 🏆
Congratulations to Jorja Hollonds, Harrison Holding, Oliver Foley and Austin Knopke on their win with the Under 12 South Toowoomba Bombers team.
Gymnastics
Congratulations to Sofia Balderson and Charlotte Love who competed at the Gymnastics Regionals in Warwick last weekend. Charlotte earned 1st place and Sofia 4th place. Both have been selected into the Darling Downs team to compete at the State Championships at the Gold Coast in September. The girls will compete individually in their age divisions and then will also represent the Darling Downs against other Queensland teams in Level 6.
Darling Downs Schools Hockey Cup
Our girls' hockey team competed at the Darling Downs Schools Hockey Cup yesterday. They did extremely well, finishing second in their pool and sixth overall in a very challenging competition. Well done, everyone!
Rugby
Rugby training continues this Wednesday 3.30pm-5pm.
Mrs Jana Anderson
SSC Sports Coordinator
Boarding
Boarding News
Hi, folks! Yes, only two weeks to go and your children will be returning home to spend the Term 3 break with you. They are all looking forward to travel day.
Today as I walked around the boarding house, I noticed how lovely the grounds are looking. Lawns have been cut and with the rain we had on Tuesday, it has freshened everything up. The girls' plants are thriving.
We are all looking forward to the celebrations on Saturday for the 75th Anniversary of Concordia. A mammoth job for all the organisers.
Our Year 12 students, in the second week of mock exams, are looking a tad more relaxed with most exams over. Now the wait for the results begins!
Students now have the flexibility to study after school in the Library or during the evening study. This means that your children are making choices as to when it best suits them to study.
Congratulations to our AFL girls Chrissy Watson and Kaitlyn Zelinski in winning their AFL final last Saturday. A huge thank you to Mrs Jana Anderson for her tireless commitment to ensuring our girls are transported to and from the games. It was great to have parents travel in to watch and cheer the girls on.
Darling Downs Schools Super Rugby Cup tournament is well under way with our junior boys coming away with a win and our seniors narrowly being defeated. A great effort from all boys.
Bella Clarke is to be commended on her commitment to community service with in the school. Bella willingly puts herself out there to help and support whenever the need arises.
Readings in church this week were done by Jack Bolam, Kashar Bounghi and Nadia Thomas. Well done! There has been positive feedback as to how much the congregation are enjoying having our students participate.
Carolyn Marschall is our first fully COVID-19 vaccinated boarding student. Nurse Libby is working closely with other students to get their vaccinations.
May the good Lord shine upon us this weekend and keep those who travel from near and far safe.
Enjoy our photos in the gallery below!
Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls Houseparent