The Week Ahead - Term 4, Week 8
Monday 22 November to Friday 26 November 2021
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
The current busyness at Concordia is indicative of a school year which is very rapidly coming to an end. This past week has seen us celebrate our Year 6 students as they progress from primary school and eagerly await the transition to high school in 2022. The Junior College staff need to be congratulated on hosting very authentic and exceptionally well-planned events.
We also hosted a Year 12 Graduation Brunch in recognition of these students completing their external exams. The Year 12 students also presented their farewell gift, of two new basketball backboards, to the College at this event. We now look forward with these students, to the announcement of their exam results on 17 December.
Next week will see us begin the week with the Years 6 to 11 Presentation Evening at the Empire Theatre. I hope to see many of you there as we celebrate and acknowledge the students’ achievements and hard work throughout the year. The Junior College campuses will also be entertaining us next week with a Musical night at Warwick Street Campus on Tuesday and a Carols by Candlelight event at Hume Street Campus on Wednesday night. The whole College community is invited to join in and attend these events.
From the College Pastor
Look up!
Look up – was the slogan of an advertising campaign a couple of years ago encouraging people to look up from their devices and take note of the real world around them. Perhaps the people in Old Testament times had similar issues with stone tablets or pieces of papyrus. Look up! is call or encouragement that comes through various places in the biblical story as well. One such place is in Psalm 121, and in the light of recent events I have included this Psalm in full here – an invitation to look to God and find encouragement and hope in God’s promises.
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor
Toowoomba Gospel Festival
The Toowoomba Gospel Festival is being held in Queens Park from 19 to 21 November. There will be lots happening over the three days. Visit the Facebook page for all the information or click here to view the program.
Community News
Book your seats for the Years 6-11 Presentation Evening
We are looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our students in Years 6 to 11 at the inaugural Years 6-11 Presentation Evening taking place on Monday 22 November at The Empire Theatre from 6pm.
Students will be presented awards for academic, citizenship, cultural and sporting achievements on the night. There will also be entertaining dance and music performances from our talented students at this event. You will be notified prior to the event if your child is receiving an award and you are welcome to invite extended family to attend.
Due to COVID requirements, all parents and caregivers must book tickets via The Empire Theatre Box Office.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
Junior College 2022 Inter-House Swimming Carnival Results
Last Thursday, the Junior College hosted its annual Inter-House Swimming Carnival, and what a fantastic day it was for all concerned even though mother nature was doing its best to put a damper on things at times. The students never stopped the whole day - from the first House war cries at 8.30am to the presentations at 12.30pm. They went from marshalling for their individual races to showing their House spirit by encouraging each other and enjoying a great meal deal. Most importantly, they were having fun and enjoying the mateship that comes with sporting endeavours such as this.
JC Year 6 Big Day Out
The much anticipated JC 2021 Year 6 Big Day Out will be held on Wednesday 24 November.
JC Sports News and Updates
Friday Sport - Term 4
Today will see the culmination of our primary sport fixtures for term 4, and also for 2021. This term we participated in mixed tennis, boys touch football, girls AFL and hockey. Our Concordia teams performed exceptionally well week in, week out showing fantastic sportsmanship and coming away with some great results. Many thanks to all who assisted in some way each term to provide the opportunity for our students to have a game of their chosen sport, these are some of the best memories that will stay with them throughout their lives, while also having fun with their mates. Special mention to our tireless coaches Mr Paul Baker, Mrs Melissa Reimann, Mrs Marie Smith, Mr Darryl Fry and teacher aides that assisted for all your efforts during the year.
Library Books & Home Readers
Please return all library books and home readers as soon as possible. Cost of replacing any outstanding items will be debited to your school accounts.
Thank you.
Outside School Hours Care
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Campus
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
There are profoundly timeless thoughts, such as the one found in a letter that was written around 50 AD to a community of Christians in the city of Corinth, Greece. In those weeks, on the days and in the moments where time and life come to a complete standstill, it is strange how ancient, Godly truths can allow faith, hope and love to whisper encouragement and comfort into the deepest parts of our being.
To the families, students and staff who are walking this road, I pray that God may be your refuge, strength and comforter and that faith, hope and love may remain. On a very practical level, our counselling and pastoral care support space in the Open Door will continue to remain available through to the end of the term for students to pop in for a chat with the team or just have some quiet time.
Googa, Coming Home and Christian Studies
Here at Concordia, Year 9 students undertake the Rite Journey, a year-long program which has the aim of providing students with a series of intentional experiences that support their development as adolescents. The Rite Journey at Concordia incorporates the Year 9 Pastoral Care program, the College’s outdoor education experience at Googa and the Year 9 Christian Studies course.
It is quite some time ago now, but the Rite Journey began when the Year 9 students and their families gathered in the emerging sunlight of a new dawn at Tabletop and looked forward with anticipation and hope to what the new year would bring. Through Rite Journey activities, Christian Studies classes, and numerous fun and some difficult challenges, these young women and men have been encouraged to grow as people, and to reflect upon their place in the world and their contribution to the community around them.
Support Services
Dearest young people and caregivers,
It has been a tremendously difficult and emotional week for many of the young people at Concordia Lutheran College. You may not be able to take the pain away, but there are things you can do to help your child begin the healing process.
Start by trying these suggestions:
- Be patient – let them know there is no right or wrong way to grieve
- Help them to feel secure and safe – give them lots of hugs and kisses
- While it can be painful, help them to identify and accept feelings as they come up
- Express the feelings in positive ways – try journaling, talking or sports
- Take time to remember and celebrate the life of your loved one – look at photos, light a candle in remembrance, visit a favourite spot
- Write a letter to the person who died – help them to say all the things they want them to know
- Tell them it's not their fault - no one is responsible for anyone else's choices, arrange counselling support if you need to
- Create balance – grieving is important but children also need opportunities to do things they enjoy and to have fun
Below are contact details to support services and a fact sheet that may support you in having discussions over the weekend:
Please feel free to reach out to me via email on Jessica.Tobin@concordia.qld.edu.au
Ms Jessica Tobin
College Counsellor
Book Lists
Book Lists for 2022 are now available. Click here to access the lists. Online ordering is also available through Browns Office Choice.
Last Elevate Parent Webinar for 2021
Boarding
Boarding News
Hello to all our Boarder families. My thoughts of the day - one week till school finishes, two weeks till summer is here, five weeks till Christmas and 10 weeks till school resumes in 2022!
Our students have had a packed weekend - Kloud9ine, movies, Picnic Point, shopping and Christmas in November. Thank you to Bradley Stiller for stepping up and being our Santa this year, also Louisa Hill and Bella Clark for assisting Santa with our Secret Santa as the friendly Elves. Thank you to the Kitchen staff for the festive meal and desserts. Also a big thanks to Chris for decorating the tables. You do these functions every year yet still amaze us by coming up with something new. We loved the lights!
