Dear members of the Concordia Lutheran College community

It feels strange to be completing this school term in such a disconnected fashion – even though we have a high level of access to technology, it will never be the same as the personal connections that are often forged as we farewell staff and students at the end of a term. 

The first school term of any year is always special, as we leave our places of work and study knowing that Easter is around the corner and understanding that hope and grace comes to all through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Connection to the Concordia community has been maintained over the past 10 weeks using every means possible. We together have endured the continuing drought, bushfires for some, and Coronavirus; however, it is the ‘oneness’ of our community that has held us up in the face of many challenges – thank you one and all for your prayers, support, patience and encouragement!

I have just completed the final letter to parents and guardians for this term; although I suspect that I will be back at the keyboard during the holidays. In that correspondence, I have explained that phone calls and emails will be attended to remotely and the physical offices will be closed. On most days, the only staff on campus will be the cleaners and groundsmen who ordinarily attend work during school holiday periods.

The big question at this time is, ‘When will we know about the plans for Term 2?’ The College has consistently acted on the direction of the relevant experts and authorities, and we will continue to do so. Once a decision is made by these experts, the College’s Emergency Management Team (EMT) or Leadership Team will meet and enact the necessary plans as they relate to the term ahead.

I wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday break, and it is my prayer that we return to our Concordia community with new hope and direction for the future.

Kindest regards and blessings.

Mr Adrian Wiles
Head of College

This 40-minute FREE webinar will guide parents through the five principles every family can implement in the home to take control of technology and provide a safe, fun and educational online experience for our children. The messages are simple, proven, achievable and time-effective. Join Brett on Wednesday 8 April at 7pm. Click here to learn more.

When we began 2020, we were determined this was going to be a great year. There was just a ring to 2020 and being the optimists that we are, in spite of drought and fire, we set about making it a fantastic one at our Concordia’s Junior College … and we certainly weren’t mistaken. The teachers and support staff began implementing exciting learning programs and we were all on track to share our learning with our grandparents (HSC) and the wider community.

We have had a major interruption, however, if there is a positive … the amount of new learning among our staff has been nothing short of amazing. You would be proud to know that your teachers and staff have come together as a team to learn from each other, to share, to problem solve, and to extend our technological knowledge. 

We have learned to Zoom, to MS Team, to screencast, to voice over and a few have even made it to the YouTube creating level. We have missed seeing you all and while it will be our prayers that come Term 2, we will be able to join together and learn face to face, we do know that we are ready to implement a manageable but rich learning program.

Even though the students will be eager to get started on this work, we encourage you to take this holiday period to spend quality time with your children. Spend time talking to each other, laughing together, listening to each other, singing together and playing together.

The staff at the Junior College will also be taking an opportunity to take a well deserved break during this time. Please watch for all communication from the College with regards to arrangements for Term 2.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we navigate our way through these uncertain times. We pray that we are able to see everyone back on campus again soon!

Mrs Juanetta Priest
Director of Campus - Hume Street

Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus - Warwick Street

Acknowledging the end of Term 1 with an online Chapel service:

Closing Chapel Service

Storytime with the HSC Staff: 

Philippians 4: 4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This was written by Paul who, at the time was in prison, in chains... talk about social distancing! He speaks of “eagerly hoping and expecting that he would have sufficient courage in his body that whether he lived or died, Christ would be exalted.” 

Paul and Timothy were clearly in a very difficult situation. Paul was living in a genuine fear for his life, and rightly so. And yet his message to the early church from this position was one of encouraging them to seek and find peace. Hearts and minds guarded through prayer and trusting that God has their situation in hand. Don’t be anxious about anything…. 

What a timely message for us. Paul reminds us to “Rejoice (feel or show great joy or delight) in the Lord always… To emphasise the point, he says it again. Rejoice! Don’t miss the opportunities to celebrate the good things in your life. Note them, share them and be thankful.

As we journey towards Easter, consider Christ. His message of reconciliation, hope, forgiveness and grace. His association with the unlikely in society that led to him being judged and crucified. Yet to this day, His message of hope, reconciliation, forgiveness and grace still rings true. This Concordia was founded to share the hope and good news of the gospel and I firmly believe that was have been placed here for such a time as this.

So what can we take with us as we continue on our journey? Rejoice in the little things and rejoice in the Lord… always. Don’t be anxious… pray in every situation that God’s peace will guard your hearts and mind.

As we wrap up the term, we have had one staffing change. After a 28-year association with Concordia as both a student and staff member, Ms Rebecca Crichton is leaving us. Her contribution to the College during her time here has been greatly appreciated, having served in roles such as Year 8 Year Level Coordinator, Middle College Coordinator, Year 7 specialist teacher and Water Polo coach. We thank her for the passion that she has brought to her classes and roles, and pray for every blessing to flow into and through her as she moves into the next chapter of her life.

I do want to, again, publicly acknowledge and thank the incredible team that makes up the staff of Stephen Street Campus. In the same way that businesses are pivoting and finding creative solutions and opportunities, Concordia has been enacting change. These changes will not only see us through the season of COVID-19 but will revolutionise how we deliver learning well into the future.

God Bless.

Mr Jason Smith
Director of Campus