The Week Ahead - Term 2, Week 6
Monday 23 May to Friday 27 May 2022
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Thank you to the many families who contributed and supported the College so wonderfully at our Open Day last week on Saturday. The inclement weather did ease off for most of the morning affording the many visitors the opportunity to get a feel for school life at Concordia, but most importantly to meet some of the incredible people who make up our community. Those students who accompanied and led many of the tours need to be acknowledged for their confidence, presentation and being wonderful ambassadors for Concordia – thank you to all involved.
The latter part of Term 2 has our Year 11 students completing their IA1s [Internal Assessment 1] while the Years 9 and 10 students have begun to consider subject choices for 2023 - please join us for these information evenings when they come around. The Year 6 students and their families have begun to undertake personalised visits to Stephen Street Campus as they begin the journey of preparing for high school next year. The Year 12 students have 16 weeks of school time left to go while our Prep students are coming up to completing the first half of their first school year. There is so much to celebrate and so many people to acknowledge as we keep the learning and living journey moving along at Concordia every day.
From the College Pastor
It’s raining at school today
For my first experience of Toowoomba’s dry season winters, it’s been rather wet lately. But as an old farmer told me many years ago (in a country parish I was serving at the time): you can’t grow anything on dust. I also noticed Jamie Pukallus, our Stephen Street Campus Director who lives out in the country, commenting how much he enjoys waking up to the sound of raindrops on the corrugated iron roof.
So, perhaps there is blessing in this rain, too, even if it makes some things a bit more difficult for the moment and we do remember and pray for all seriously affected by flooding.
Rainy days at school, especially when they go on and on and the children can’t play outside and blow off a bit of energy on the breaks, is another challenge altogether.
Youth Alpha
Thank you for those who expressed an interest in the course. Unfortunately, we didn’t get minimum numbers for the Friday afternoon and are exploring other options. Please watch this space.
Feel free to contact me about this - thomas.bohmert@concordia.qld.edu.au
Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor
Community News
Open Day Thank You!
Our Open Day last Saturday was a huge success with more than 270 people visiting us across all three campuses.
We received wonderful feedback and were thrilled to see the rain didn’t keep people away.
Many thanks to everyone in our College community who assisted in the lead up to the event and on the day. Your support is truly appreciated.
To everyone who helped spread the word about our Open Day, a massive thank you! The multitude of shares for our Facebook post did not go unnoticed. Thank you for helping to spread the word about our wonderful school.
I would like to make a special mention of how well our students represented the College at Open Day. They were exceptionally helpful, polite and dedicated on the day. They are truly our best ambassadors.
Mrs Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing and Enrolments
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience
The Concordia community is invited to join us for Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience on Friday 27 May in the Concordia Function Centre.
Dubbed the world's number one tribute show, Faulty Towers sees Basil, Sybil and Manuel from the classic comedy show Faulty Towers join us for a two hour dinner show filled with fun and frivolity.
The trio are returning for a second time to Concordia after our audience was delighted by them in 2018. Here are some photos from that show:
HSC OSHC Election Day Sausage Sizzle and Bake Sale
HSC Parent Connect Homestyle Bake Fundraiser
The HSC Parent Connect are running a Homestyle Bake Fundraiser. For more information please click here.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
From the Assisting JC Director of Campuses
It has now been two weeks since I walked up the stairs from the Prep room and into the upstairs offices to start my nine week stint as Acting Assisting Director of Campus.
How time has flown! No two days have been alike and I have loved the challenge that each day brings.
JC Book Fair
JC Year 5 Colonial School - Monday 23 May
Below please find some information about the upcoming Colonial School. There is much interest and excitement among the Year 5 students and many questions remain to be answered: “Wait and See” is my response to several queries.
If you have any concerns please let me know, but this is a fun educational experience which is very worthwhile. WSC students will need to be dropped to school at HSC for this event, starting at 8.30am.
JC Year 5 Colonial School – Monday 23 May, Hume Street Campus
A visit by the "Colonial School' will provide the students with the three Rs. The activities will include a selection of the following lessons.
• An introduction to the dreaded Edwardian Classroom punishments.
• A cleanliness inspection to see if students have washed behind their ears and cleaned their fingernails.
• An arithmetic lesson using those fine old pounds, shillings and pence which will never be replaced.
• A Victorian textbook spelling test designed to embarrass the classroom best spellers.
• A writing lesson using the latest copperplate writing style.
• A reading lesson from the latest texts that have arrived in the colony from reputable British publishers.
Excursion Uniform - Students are encouraged to dress in clothing appropriate to the 1918 era on this day.
Edwardian boys should wear long trousers or jeans with long socks. The long socks should be worn over the trousers. Alternatively, knee length shorts could be worn. A shirt with or without collar and boots or closed shoes are necessary to complete the picture. Braces could also be worn.
Young Edwardian ladies can wear a long dress or a skirt and blouse. Young ladies should remember not to expose their ankles.
Of course, everyone's shoes should be polished (the teacher will probably check these). Fingernails should be short and no dirt under the nails. In Edwardian time, coming to school dirty could mean that the student in question would receive four strokes from the teacher's strap or cane.
Food during the excursion - As we would like this to be a whole day experience in times of school life in Edwardian times you may consider sending recess and lunch in keeping with the era. Bread and cheese or bread and jam (no butter) wrapped in brown paper or a damp tea towel and tied with string would be appropriate. No poppers but water could be sent. An apple a day keeps the doctor away should be remembered!
WSC students will return to their campus by College bus for a normal school pick up.
The day promises to be a great learning experience for the children.
JC Years 3-6 Inter-House Track & Field Carnival
On Friday 27 May, the Junior College Years 3 to 6 will be competing in the annual Track and Field Carnival at SSC. Click here for a copy of the program.
We are also seeking Parent Volunteers to help out with Timekeeping and Check Starter on the day. If you are available and would like to help out in one of these roles, please submit your availability via the link below.
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
HSC Wine and Cheese Night - 10 June
HSC Disco - 10 June
HSC Library News
The Book Fair is approaching fast and I am looking forward to many excited students coming into the library to “shop” for new books.
We have just had to make a change to the date at Hume Street Campus. As the track and Field Carnival for Years 3 to 6 has been rescheduled to Friday 27 May, we will now have the Book Fair on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 May. The Library will be open before school from 7.30am and after school until 3.30pm on these two days should you wish to attend the Book Fair with your child. Next week the students will be able to have a look at the books that will be for sale and fill out a wish list to bring home to discuss with you. There will be prizes that some lucky students will receive of Book Vouchers to spend at the Book Fair. Payments for the books can be made by either EFTPOS or Cash.
I look forward to seeing many of you supporting this wonderful week of events.
Mrs Karen Maben
Junior College Library Coordinator
HSC Tuckshop Orders
At HSC, Tuckshop is held on a Thursday. All orders are to be completed online at My Student Account by 3pm each Wednesday. Please notify Reception by 9am on Thursday if your child is absent and we will cancel their order. Tuckshop will finish in Week 9.
Warwick Street Campus
WSC Year 4 Cycle Safety
Each year, the Year 4 students attend a Cycle Safety Program with the PCYC at Groom Park. Please find below the details of the program.
Time and Dates:
Tuesday 31 May and Tuesday 7 June - 9am to 1.30pm
Students are required to:
• wear their sports uniform and College hat;
• bring a packed lunch, water bottle and sunscreen;
• if you have a bike helmet you are welcome to bring it along. Bikes will be provided by PCYC.
If you haven't already done so, please log in to Parent Lounge to submit your permission for your child to attend.
WSC Parent Connect Wine & Cheese Evening - Friday 3 June
WSC Disco - Black & White Theme - Friday 3 June
WSC Tuckshop Orders
At WSC, Tuckshop is held on a Wednesday. All orders are to be completed online at My Student Account by 3pm each Tuesday. Please notify Reception by 9am on Wednesday if your child is absent and we will cancel their order. Tuckshop will finish in Week 9.
WSC Library News
The 2022 Concordia Warwick Street Campus Scholastic Book Fair has finally arrived.
The books have arrived and are now all on display at the Resource Centre. If the reactions from the students are an indicator of how successful it will be, then it is shaping up to be a very exciting annual event. They are thoroughly enjoying browsing the great selection of books, packs and novelties. I am sure that you have been receiving wish lists from your children who are very keen to make a purchase.
The Book Fair will be open for browsing and purchasing on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 May from 7.30am before school and after school until 3.30pm on these two days.
I look forward to seeing many parents and their children supporting this very worthwhile event.
Mrs Karen Maben
Junior College Library Coordinator
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Campus
What a fantastic sight it was to see so many new and long-standing Concordia families join us for our Open Day last Saturday. As expected, our students and staff did a wonderful job showing off the many curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that exist at the College. It was apparent how much parents value a supportive and caring environment for their children. As I mentioned in my brief address to our visitors, this has been a particular strength of Concordia that I have noticed in my few shorts months as Director of Campus. Students are known here, and there is a deep sense of care for each student within our staff.
SSC Photo Day - Thursday 26 May
Click here to order online. Online orders remain open until photo day, following that time you can still order by phoning the MSP office (a late fee will be incurred).
Elevate Parent Webinar
Year 9 into Year 10 2023 Information Evening
Boarding
Boarding News
Hello to all our families near and far!
A slow and cool start to the week with more rain to come. Our students are all doing well with minimal flu symptoms, just a few grizzles about feeling tired and cold. Could I please ask that when you are next talking with your sons and daughters, you remind them to wear extra clothing on the cooler days? At times, I am sure they feel I am a broken down record repeating myself continually!
Sports Transport
Thank you to all the parents who have completed all the necessary paperwork relating to external sports transportation. This information has all been updated onto Reach for future reference.