The Week Ahead - Term 4, Week 7
Monday 14 November to Friday 18 November 2022
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
As parents, and for us as educators, we often wonder and wait for those affirmations and light-bulb moments to happen for our children at home and for our students at school. And then an event takes place, a behaviour or response at home happens or a moment occurs at school which confirms why we get out of bed, get them out of bed, and turn up for these young people everyday. Well, I have had the wonderful opportunity this week to witness both our Junior College and Senior College students stepping up and affirming the great upward trajectory which they are on.
From the College Pastor
Remembrance Day
The day of publication of this The Week Ahead is Remembrance Day, when we recall the end of the war to end all wars, World War I, which concluded with an armistice coming into force on the 11/11/1918 at 11am. The war had caused great devastation across Europe and around the world and cost millions their lives, and scarred millions more.
At all our campuses we will observe this occasion to remember those who died, ultimately ensuring that we can enjoy the democratic freedoms we so easily take for granted.
As we observe Remembrance Day we are also painfully aware that WWI did not end all wars, in fact only 21 years later it was exceeded by an even more deadly worldwide conflagration. And while we in the West have enjoyed over 70 years of peace, conflicts have raged in many regions of the world and now, sadly again also in Europe.
Community News
2022 Presentation Evening
NAPLAN - March 2023
NAPLAN tests will be conducted in March 2023. All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests. Concordia Lutheran College will be conducting NAPLAN tests through online testing. The testing dates will be advised early in Term 1, 2023.
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum. Concordia teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Practice testing has taken place for all students who need to undertake the NAPLAN testing in 2023.
NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learnt. NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards.
Do you have an old TV?
The 2023 Musical team are searching for a retro/vintage television. Can you help? We need an old TV with AV input. The Ideal would be for a TV/VCR combo, as seen in the below photo, but a TV and separate VCR would do the trick too. So if you’ve got one lurking in the back of a shed or maybe you know someone who keeps one in the games room, we would love to hear from you.
Please contact jess.merretz@concordia.qld.edu.au if you know where we could source one.
International Men's Day BBQ
We hope you can join us for this special event.
Car Boot Sale - Postponed
Hume Street OSHC - Bake Sale - Closing Monday 14 November
Please click here for a copy of the order form.
Free Family Event
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
From the Junior College Directors
With the end of the term getting closer, and their time at the Junior College coming to an end for our Year 6 students, we have started to look back on all that they have achieved. Next week, these students will enjoy taking a trip down memory lane at our traditional Year 6 Dinners as they celebrate their last seven years at primary school. This a special evening for our students and their parents as they reminisce, laugh and share stories of their time at our junior campuses.
Library News
As the end of the year and Term 4 are almost here, I would like to thank you for your support with the Scholastic Book Club. Your generous purchases throughout the year have allowed me to buy many more books for our libraries. I am always guided by the students' interests and they certainly are a keen group of readers. I love seeing the students' excitement when they either receive their book club order or see me carrying the boxes to the library for unpacking. The final Scholastic Book Club orders for 2022 have been distributed this week and I look forward to running a very successful Book Club again in 2023.
Borrowing has now finished for the year and in Week 7, all books at home will need to be returned. They will be able to still have some books in their classroom book boxes until the end of Week 7. Please remind your children to return all of their books on their designated library day to help with the process of clearing all their loans by the end of the term. There will be no borrowing over the Christmas School holidays and any outstanding books will be billed for. Lastly, thank you everyone for the wonderful support you give your children in encouraging them to read regularly, listening to them reading and reading aloud to them. Their enthusiasm for reading comes from your efforts and makes my job so much easier working with children who are truly engaged in this part of their learning process.
Mrs Karen Maben
Junior Campus Library Coordinator
JC Swimming Carnival Meal Deal - 17 November
On Thursday 17 November, the WSC Parent Connect are providing a meal deal for students at the Swimming Carnival and those students at their campus. Meal Deals will be delivered to the pool at 10.30am, HSC at 10.45am and to WSC at 12.45pm.
Orders are through My Student Account and close on Monday 14 November 2022 at 3pm.
Please note: This meal deal will replace Tuckshop in Week 7 for both WSC and HSC
Meal Deal details are below.
Cost: $8.00 with Gluten Free Options available
Option 1 - Wrap, Fruit Salad and Drink Choose from Chicken, Ham or Vegetarian Fruit Salad Drink - choose from Water or Chocolate/Strawberry Milk or Apple/Golden Pash/Orange Popper
Option 2 - Sushi, Fruit Salad and Drink Choose from Chicken Teriyaki or Tuna and Mayo Fruit Salad Drink - choose from Water or Chocolate/Strawberry Milk or Apple/Golden Pash/Orange Popper
JC 2022 Inter-House Swimming Carnival - 17 November
On Thursday 17 November students from the age group 8-12 year olds will be participating in the JC 2022 Inter-House Swimming Carnival held at the Concordia Aquatic Centre. Students will need to be dropped at the pool by 8.15am for an 8.30am start. Click here for a copy of the program.
We are looking for parent who are available on the day to help with timekeeping. We are running 2 sessions 8.30am to 10.20am and 10.50am to 12.30pm. If you are able to help please click here to submit your availability.
Outside School Hours Care
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Campus
Today marks the final milestone in the journey for our Year 12 students, with exams coming to a close this afternoon. I wish to acknowledge how well the Year 12s have prepared and applied themselves in this exam period. As I mentioned in a previous edition, the end of Year 12 is an emotional rollercoaster, as students need to combine the high of end of school celebrations with the stress and pressure of exams, which in some subjects count for 50% of their overall grade. Next Wednesday we will be holding a final brunch for this cohort, as a final gesture of appreciation for them as an amazing group of young adults, bidding them farewell as they enter a time of greater independence in their lives ahead. Well done, Year 12 – we will miss you.
2023 Book Lists
2023 Book Lists are now available from Browns Office Choice, Toowoomba. Orders that are placed and paid for before Tuesday 16 December can be collected from Browns Office Choice from Thursday 22 December.
The Edge Cafe
Start your week off on the right foot with a coffee, hot chocolate or Chai Latte from The Edge Café.
The Café is open 8am to 9.15am every Monday this term. All beverages are one size and a bargain $3 each (Soy or Almond milk + 50c). Payment via MSA or EFTPOS, no cash.
Students, parents and staff are invited to pop in and have a coffee take away or stay and chat while Kochie catches you up with the latest news on Sunrise.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Empire Theatre Bursary Winners
Our congratulations go to three very talented young performers who were awarded a share of the Empire Theatres Foundation’s $25,000 in bursaries. Lily Pietsch, Zoe Pietsch and Henry Thorne will receive ongoing support from the Empire Theatre Youth Bursary in 2022/3 and will have the opportunity to attend some very exciting summer schools and intensives. Henry will participate in a Summer Intensive at Brent Street Performing Arts, Lily a Summer School at Queensland Ballet and Zoe, a Summer School at Cuskelly College of Music – Brass.
The Empire Youth Bursaries are presented with the aim of developing skills and giving new experiences to young artists who demonstrate talent, involvement, and achievement in a performing arts discipline. These Year 8 Arts students went through several stages after applying for the bursary, and with their impressive resumes and panel interviews, were selected from a substantial field of young people from a large region.
Congratulations, Lily, Zoe and Henry! We look forward to hearing about your experiences next year as you extend your performance skills and make new connections with people in the industry.
Sports Update
Futsal
Open Girls - The girls have progressed to the final which will be held next week. All the best!
Rugby 7s
Last night were the finals for Rugby 7s. The U13 boys played TAS in the 3rd Vs 4th match and went down narrowly 22-14, which saw them finish in 4th place out of 12 teams. A tremendous effort for a team of boys who have not played much Rugby before.
The Open boys put in another valiant effort with only six players but unfortunately lost their final game to Mary Mackillop/Highlands.
Tennis Coaching in 2023
Boarding
Boarding News
Hello to all our Boarding families. With Christmas around the corner and candy cane aplenty, our students have started to decorate the foyer with balloons and a Christmas tree. While our tree looks a little underdressed, it has still created a Christmas feeling when we enter the dorm.
Our students are plodding along at finishing off assessments, sports have all nearly finished with the Girls Futsal final next week to come. Good luck, girls.
Kashar received a trophy for most valued player for Volleyball. Girls Rugby 7s came 4th in the competition and the boys also came 4th.
Year 9 students received their Certificate of Recognition of their involvement in The Rite Journey this week.
Our Year 10 exams commence on Monday and will end on Friday. Do well, everyone.
Activities for this weekend will be Mini Golf, shopping at Grand Central and a movie on Sunday.
We are all enjoying the warmer weather and look forward to spending more time outside over the next couple of weeks.
Hope you enjoy the pic this week.
Take care and stay safe.
Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls' Houseparent
