ConcordiaLutheranCollege

Monday 20 February to Friday 24 February 2023

From the Head of College

Dear Parents and Caregivers

I hope that you have been able to manage the many aspects of family life during the heat of the past week. On returning from Brisbane last Sunday, the thermometer in our car got up to 42°C between Laidley and Gatton, and this was at 4:30 in the afternoon! The staff must be acknowledged and thanked for the work they do on days like these as they monitor, supervise and remind the students, both young and old, to stay cool, wear a heat and remain hydrated.

It has been great to see the collaboration and seamless partnership between the Junior and Senior College campuses over the past 12 months. It’s important that the College works closely with our Junior College students in providing our learners with the best possible learning opportunities and facilities. Earlier this week our Year 5 students used the wonderful opportunity to spend some time on the Stephen Street Campus. This not only afforded them the opportunity to access the learning infrastructure available on the Senior College Campus, but also familiarise themselves with some of the possibilities and high school staff who work in this part of the school. From all accounts, the Year 5 students found their feet very quickly and had a rich morning of learning. Our Year 6 students and their parents also enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the Function Centre today as part of our annual Year 6 SMART Leadership Day celebrations. Our goal is to create regular opportunities for our Junior College students to have authentic and meaningful Senior College experiences in readiness for high school.

As we settle in for the term with great routines, learning opportunities and numerous events happening around us, I would like to remind you about what to do when things go wrong at school.

We all want to come to our children’s defence when they are upset, or life seems unfair. Before taking any action, it’s a good idea to sit down with them and let them tell you, without interruption, what has happened. Find out what has upset them. Ask them what would put things right. Children and teenagers, like us, need the chance to unload to a sympathetic ear. Often our children are prepared to fight their own battles and just want to vent. There’s nothing worse than charging into the fray and discovering your child has got over it and moved on.
Help them think through what has happened. Often, clearly thinking about events gets things into perspective or helps them see how they contributed to what happened. Life holds many irritations, and we learn to take most of them in our stride. Erupting over minor incidents is no way to build sound relationships with classmates or staff – or our own credibility.
After you have slept on it, if you are still worried, or your child asks you to, contact the College. The classroom teacher or staff member concerned may be worried too and will be able to suggest the next step. Face-to-face communication and conversations are the best next steps in this process.
If you are still concerned, the Directors of Campus and my door are always open to you. Concordia really appreciates parents who want to find solutions rather than lay blame, especially when we mutually understand that we must consider the interest of all the students in our care and cannot be pushed into “punishing” other students. Please be assured that the College has clear and consistent processes and procedures in place to support all students.
Build on your relationship with your student’s teachers. Being familiar with the College and the other students helps put together a more complete picture of what goes on at school. When you and your student’s teachers keep communication open, trusting and positive, your student is the one who will reap the benefits. Have a fabulous year with us!

Congratulations to our Senior College students on their participation, attendance and encouragement of each other at today’s Inter-House Swimming Carnival. Thank you to Mr. Troy Chandler, from TJ Swim, Mr. Darron Skinner-Martin, our PE staff and other staff for their role in planning, organising and hosting this event. Thank you to the many parents, caregivers, family members and friends who attended as helpers and spectators today. Your strong working partnership and support of our students are greatly appreciated.

I had the wonderful opportunity on Wednesday to attend the Central Zone Swimming Trials. Congratulations to all these swimmers on embracing the possibilities and giving such a great account of yourselves. It was very evident that the hard work being put in at squad training, under the watchful eye of Mr. Troy Chandler, is paying off for many of our swimmers. It was affirming to see Concordia coming through so strongly across all events. Thank you to those parents who supported the students on the day as well as officiating and the Concordia staff who helped as team managers and officials too.

One of the significant life and learning experiences at Concordia is The Rite Journey. A growth and life-changing experience offered by no other school in Toowoomba. It is a journey keenly spoken of and anticipated by the Year 9 students every year. It is a highlight, if not the stand-out memory, fondly referenced by the Year 12 students and a program applauded and affirmed by the parent body. The current crop of Year 9 students and their families will embrace this journey early next Friday morning when the Rite Journey Calling and Departure ceremony takes place at Picnic Point. I look forward to again being part of the start of this journey and seeing our Year 9 students’ families in attendance.

Wishing everyone a safe weekend and I look forward to seeing many of you at the Queens Park, Park Run in the morning.

Have a wonderful weekend and see you back for the start of Week 4 next week.

Yours in Christ.

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

Quote of the week: When we begin to take our failures non-seriously, it means we are ceasing to be afraid of them. It is of immense importance to learn to laugh at ourselves. [Katherine Mansfield]

Expand Article

From the College Pastor

Ash Wednesday Services - 22 February

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent, the season of preparation for the key Christian festival, Easter – the death and resurrection of Jesus. Many churches offer special services on Ash Wednesday and during the Lenten period.

ELF congregation has combined with St Paul’s to offer an Ash Wednesday service at

Time: 7pm
Date: Wed 22 February
Venue: St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Phillip Street, East Toowoomba.

All are welcome to attend.

Have a blessed week.

Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

Community News

Look Up - 5 March

NAPLAN Information - 15 - 27 March 2023

NAPLAN tests well be conducted during 15-27 March 2023. All students in Years 3, 5 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests. All NAPLAN tests are through online testing except Year 3 writing. The testing dates for Concordia are:

Middle College: Wednesday 15 March to Friday 17 March with the make up day on Monday 20 March
Junior College: Monday 20 March to Wednesday 22 March with the make up day on Friday 24 March.

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. Online practice testing will take place during Week 5.

NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards.

Project Based Learning at Concordia

Junior College

Maths Pathways Parent Information Evening - Years 5 & 6

We would like to invite our Years 5 & 6 parents to an Information Evening to discuss Mathematics Pathways.

Attending this evening is a great opportunity for you to gain a deeper understanding of the courses and ask any questions you may have. This meeting will allow you to find out more about the individualised approach to teaching Maths and how it aligns to the Australian Curriculum.

We will be discussing how students progress, what a Maths Pathways classroom looks like, and how to interpret a report card. We will show you how to access information on Concordia’s Parent Lounge and the parent interface for Maths Pathways.

When: 27 February 2023
Venue: E1 – Lecture Theatre, Stephen Street Campus
Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

We look forward to seeing you there.

Rowena Weier
JC Learning Enrichment & Curriculum Teacher

AFL & Hockey Sporting Schools Program

Detailed information regarding the after school sporting programs has been emailed to all years 4-6 parents for AFL and Years 2 to 6 parents for hockey.

To submit your child/children's interest in participating, go to Parent Lounge > Tours & Excursions. Permission is due next Friday 24 February.

Please note: there is a maximum of 25 participants for AFL, years 4-6 Students only & 30 participants for Hockey, years 2-6 students only.

Nut Free Zone

At the beginning of each year it’s always timely to remind families that our Junior College campuses are nut free zones. As we have many students with significant allergies, we would appreciate your support in making sure that the students have lunch boxes that are nut free. We know there are many students who enjoy peanut butter or Nutella sandwiches, but if those sandwich choices could be saved for weekend lunches it would be appreciated.

Outside School Hours Care

Stephen Street Campus

SSC Weekly Events

Please click here to view SSC's Events for Term 1, Week 5.

Boarding

Boarding News

Hi to all our boarder families.

Concordia’s boarders have settled in well to 2023 and they have plenty to keep them busy over the next few weeks – can you believe we are nearly at the half-way mark of the first term!

We have also welcomed two new tutors in recent weeks’, and they are already proving a hit in the boarding house.

Sam, who is from Kingaroy, arrived just last Monday while Sera, who is from Townsville, has been with us for two weeks. Both have quickly settled into our routines and bring with them skills in music, languages, and academic tutoring.

Also, a big shout out to Bryce Hughes on his excellent contribution in designing the Weekend Activity program posters. Bryce has explored the use of comic which has been received well.

Activities coming up this term will include movies on Saturday night, a shopping and beach trip to Brisbane in week 5 and being a part of history as we will be in the crowd for the Dolphins versus Roosters first ever competition game at Suncorp Stadium in Week 6.

In promoting our student voice in the boarding house, we surveyed the students on what they would like to do for weekend activities. After reviewing their choices, we have had to ask for a small contribution to assist with costs from each student. We are very mindful of this and look forward to your support but please be reassured that no student will miss out.

Abstudy end of term travel has been submitted for all students eligible and we will confirm times as soon as we receive the itineraries.

Compulsory study is well underway with Years 7 and 8 in the afternoons in the Library and a session for Years 9 and 10 after dinner. Years 11 and 12 continue to study independently in their rooms.

Our juniors have taken full advantage of the lovely weather through outdoor sports and activities and the occasional game of Spotlight, which has given our tutors a good run.

Until next week take care and safe travels.

Hope you all enjoy our pictures below.

Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls' Houseparent