These opportunities culminate in the Year 9 Googa camp. 4 weeks away from home - learning to live in community with others, doing their own cooking, washing and cleaning, exploring nature, and testing themselves through various challenges, including bushwalks and solo – is an amazing opportunity to grow in skills, in understanding themselves and others and to take a huge step forward in their journey to adulthood.

I learned at some stage in my own parenting journey that our children are kind of “on loan” to us for a limited number of years. Our role is to care for them, provide them with unconditional love, help them understand boundaries, give them opportunities to grow in knowledge, character and faith (and for this we partner with others in society, including schools) and ultimately let them go to find their own way in the world. And while there is a lot of effort and work involved, the success of our parenting is also, in large part, a blessing, depending on things outside our control working for the good of our child.

Of course, we will always be mum and dad, and hopefully when our children leave the nest, they will want to come back home from time to time and keep in touch with us, but we cannot force that. It is ultimately a grace gift if these things work well for us.

The Psalmist reflects: Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord. (Ps 137:3)

This week we welcomed back our Year 9s from the Googa experience and the various challenges they faced there. They approached the rain, flu and other challenges with resilience, and many indicated that they would have liked to stay longer. This year I noticed a significant flow of letters back and forth between students at school and at Googa, an indication that our Yr 9s seem well connected with the wider school community and that there is support and care across the community.

I was able to spend half a day with them in Week 3, just as the rains started, and managed to join a group on their tree climb, something I hadn’t done before. It turned out to be a great teamwork challenge – no one can move unless all move together, and it was a little harder than I anticipated.

I thought it was a good metaphor for our community as a whole. Celebrating our journey together is our theme this year and together means we all move forward with one another. Sometimes that means waiting for someone who takes a bit longer, but it also needs someone pioneering at the front, working out the next steps. And at times it means assisting someone who is struggling with the next step a little.

I look forward to engaging with the returnees and watching their confidence grow as they continue to develop into young adults. Many of the Yr 12 cohort who are about to finish their schooling reflected on the positive impact of the Googa experience on their development. All this reminded me that we are privileged to be part of this growing-up journey. I certainly pray that our Lord may bless our students and our partnership with families as we work together to guide them on their journey into adulthood

Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

Gifts of Grace

What are you getting or giving for Christmas this year?

Why do we even give gifts?

This quote from Robert Flatt puts it well:

The giving of gifts is not something man invented. God started the giving spree when He gave a gift beyond words, the unspeakable gift of His son.

In Luke 2 we read:

“But the angel said to [the shepherds], ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'” – Luke 2:10-11

As we think about gifts for loved ones, giving because God gave us the most wonderful gift, we are also invited to reflect on those who may not receive gifts this Christmas. ALWS through the Gifts of Grace enables us to share with some of these people. We will support this through home groups at the College, but perhaps you might also want to do something in your families.

Have a look at the available gifts at this website

Gifts of Grace 2026 - Australian Lutheran World Service

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Miss Rebecca Turner for her incredible contribution to Concordia over the past 21 years. Her dedication, care and commitment to our college community have made a lasting difference in the lives of many children and families. We thank her sincerely for all she has given to Concordia and wish her God’s richest blessings as she embarks on her next chapter.

Over the coming fortnight, our regular OSHC educators, supported by our leading staff, will work together to lead the service and ensure continuity of care for our children while we finalise the appointment of our new CLC OSHC Service Leader.

We are also delighted to welcome back Mrs Hannah Davies, who will assist with some of the administrative responsibilities during this interim period.

We thank our OSHC team for their flexibility and support during this transition and appreciate the continued trust and understanding of our families. We look forward to sharing further news about our new Service Leader soon.

This term, our Year 6 students have had the wonderful opportunity to take part in the $20 Boss Program.

The $20 Boss program is an exciting opportunity for students to step into the world of entrepreneurship and develop valuable real-world skills. Through the program, students receive a small amount of start-up funding to create and run their own business, taking responsibility for everything from developing their idea and planning their budget to marketing their product or service and managing sales.

Along the way, students build skills in creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, financial literacy and decision-making, while learning that successful business ventures require planning, persistence and a willingness to learn from challenges.

The program also encourages students to consider how businesses can make a positive difference in their communities, with opportunities to explore social enterprise and purposeful business ideas. It is a fantastic way for students to put their learning into practice, build confidence and discover what they can achieve when they turn an idea into action.

Don’t forget to bring some cash! On arrival, cash will be exchanged for tokens to use at the market stalls.

All proceeds will be donated to Care Outreach.

The Christmas Markets are open to our Concordia Community, so everyone is encouraged to come along, support our young entrepreneurs and see what they have created!

We wish our Year 6 students the very best of luck and can’t wait to see their creativity, hard work and entrepreneurial spirit come to life on market day!

Their Googa journey does not simply end with their return home. On 18 November, students will gather with their peers and families for the Sunset Ceremony, providing an important opportunity to reflect on their experiences, share personal insights and consider how they have grown through the challenges they encountered.

I also congratulate our Year 12 students, who are progressing well through their External Assessments. As they head into the final week of exams next week, it has been encouraging to see them busily studying, discussing ideas and questioning one another as they prepare. There is a real sense of determination among the cohort to finish their schooling journey strongly. After 13 years of schooling, the finish line is now very much in sight!

There has also been much to celebrate this week through our Arts Exhibition. The quality and diversity of the artworks on display have showcased the remarkable creativity and talent of our students. Congratulations to every student whose work has been exhibited, and a sincere thank you to Ms Kiehne for her teaching, encouragement and organisation in bringing the exhibition together.

The coming fortnight promises to be an exciting one across the College. Our Years 7 to 11 Awards Presentation Evening and Lionheart Awards will provide opportunities to recognise student achievement, growth, character and contribution. We will then come together for our first ever A Concordia Christmas on Friday 20 November, a wonderful opportunity for our community to celebrate the conclusion of another year while welcoming the Christmas season together.

As a Lutheran College, Christmas reminds us that amid the busyness, celebration and anticipation, our hope rests in something much greater. We remember God's extraordinary gift to us in the birth of Jesus, and the message of hope, peace and joy that His coming brings.

With only three weeks remaining, tiredness is understandable and the holidays may feel tantalisingly close. My encouragement to our students is simple: stay strong and finish well. Continue to support one another, make the most of every opportunity and take pride in completing the year with purpose.

There is still much ahead of us, and much for which we can be thankful.

Yours in faith,

Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus