The Week Ahead - Term 3, Week 5

Monday 8 August to Friday 12 August 2022

From the Head of College

From the Head of College

Dear Parents and Caregivers

This past week we had the wonderful opportunity to host a group of Japanese students. These students experienced Boarding life as well as what it is to be a learner at both the Secondary and Junior College. I need to acknowledge the wonderful warmth, care and hospitality displayed by the boarding students and staff towards our visitors. 

Thank you too, to those students who were great buddies at school during the visit. Thank you to our Marketing and Enrolments staff for the planning and preparation which has gone into making this opportunity available for both the Concordia and visiting Japanese students.

The Year 8 students need to be congratulated on how well they have carried themselves and supported one another at their four-day camp this week. For many of these students, Year 5 would have been the last time that they attended a school camp due to the impact of COVID on these outdoor events. 

Staying with them overnight, enjoying delicious meals and then being part of an activity with the students yesterday morning [mountain biking], reminded me again of the many benefits for our students which come with the outdoor education program offered by Concordia, a strength acknowledged in the recently published MMG Survey results. 

Thank you to Mrs Roz Cook, the Year 8 Year Level Coordinator, for the planning and organising which went into making this possible. Thank you to the many staff members who either stayed overnight or spent a day attending to support the students. Well done Year 8 students and sleep well tonight!

From the College Pastor

Community News

Parent Connect - Concordia Family Event

Concert Bands at Eisteddfod

The Junior College and Middle/Senior College Concert Bands performed at the Toowoomba Eisteddfod on Monday. This is a very important event where students get to hear other ensembles, gain feedback and witness the huge sense of community at this competition between ensembles and conductors. 

The Junior College performed very well and it was so exciting to do this on the Empire Theatre Main Stage! The Senior Concert Band received a Highly Commended in their section and received many compliments on their performance throughout the evening. 

Interested in Playing Touch?

Please click here for the sign on details with All Stars Junior Touch, for the 2022/23 season.

Arts in Focus - Grab your seats NOW!

This new event is a showcase of The Arts highest achieving curriculum performances from the year to date as well as a showcase of the various Dance, Instrumental and Vocal Ensembles we have across the College campuses. It is our way of celebrating and congratulating the great work that students are doing every term in the classroom and activities in The Arts and allowing the College community to enjoy the work of these talented performers. Artworks from across all three campuses will be on display in the Church Theatre for family and friends to enjoy.

Arts in Focus performances are a free, general admission, non-allocated seating event. Please be aware that due to the seating capacity of the Armitage Centre, there are a limited number of tickets available for each session.

Strategic Plan Review Day

The Concordia Lutheran College community is warmly invited to attend a special workshop to review the current Strategic Plan and discuss the redevelopment of the plan towards 2026.

The workshop will take place in the Concordia Function Centre at Stephen Street Campus from 8.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday 20 August 2022. Morning tea will be provided to all participants.

We encourage all members of our community who are interested in developing the strategic intent of the College to attend this workshop and participate in the discussions around our vision, direction and objectives. The current strategic plan is available by clicking here.

Members of the College Leadership team will be on hand to lead sessions and participate in discussions.

If you would like to be a part of this important day, please click here to register your attendance.

Soloist Concert

Project Based Learning at Concordia

Junior College

From the Junior College Directors

I have three of the best jobs in the world… a mum to my two beautiful girls, a grandma (Amma) to my two gorgeous grandchildren and a teacher in education!

How blessed are we in Australia to get Long Service Leave! I recently took LSL and went to England to spend time with one of my daughters and her family including my two grandchildren. I had a fabulous time of playing, painting, cooking, and doing all the things a regular Grandma gets to do. My Grandma bucket was replenished. We were fortunate enough then, for them to accompany me back to Australia where we prolonged our time together with extended family in Australia. More painting, cooking, beach visits, etc etc.

Music News

A reminder to check SeeSaw for the update on what the students did in their lessons each week and the practice goals set. This enables the students who are away to catch up or work to meet the goals of the others students without falling behind. 

It also enables you to check-in and ask, “Hey, could you play me that song?” and leaves the students wondering how you know all the amazing information of what is going on in their music classes! 

Remember, if you have any questions or need extra support, please contact christina.marangelli@concordia.qld.edu.au.

JC Library News

Book Week 2022 is approaching rapidly and it is very exciting looking at all of the amazing CBCA Notable and Shortlisted books we have purchased for the Junior College libraries. 

We will be celebrating Book Week in the week beginning Monday 22 August. The Book Week Parade will be held on Wednesday 24 August. I am really looking forward to seeing the students all dressed up in their costumes on that day. 

Pyjama Storytime is a fabulous event that our younger students enjoy participating in. It will be held on Tuesday 23 August at WSC and Thursday 25 August at HSC. In the weeks leading up to Book Week, I am sharing some of the CBCA Notable and Shortlisted books with the classes as they come for their weekly library time. 

JC Year 6 Cairns Trip

On Monday 5 September to Friday 9 September our JC Year 6 students will be attending the exciting Cairns Trip. Please find attached Parent Information letter including the Itinerary and packing list

All students are to be dropped at Hume Street Campus by 6am for a 6.45am departure.

PERMISSION REQUIRED:  

  • Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission by Wednesday 17 August 2022:
  • Login to Parent Lounge >
  • click on Events & Payments >
  • click on JC 2022 Year 6 Cairns Trip >
  • Accept >
  • Save

*Please click on the Jotform link below to fill in that you give permission for staff to administer Panadol to your child if needed.*

Link: Year 6 Cairns Trip Permission to Administer Panadol

After submitting your permission, please check and ensure your Parent Lounge portal is up-to-date regarding your child’s Emergency Contact Info, Medical Conditions and Food Allergies/Dietary Requirements.

Should you any further queries regarding the Cairns Trip, please contact your child’s teacher

JC Year 1 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Excursion - 12 August

On Friday 12 August, the JC Year 1 students will be attending an excursion to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (LPKS). 

  • Students are required to be dropped at the Hume Street Campus by 7.15am for a 7.30am departure.
  • Students will return to their campus for a normal school pick up.

Parent Permission Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission by Friday 5 August.
*  Login to Parent Lounge >
*  Click on Events and Payments > 
*  Click on - JC 2022 Year 1 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Excursion >
*  Accept >
*  Save  
Important Note: Please check and ensure your child's medical and emergency contact details are up to date. If you have any questions regarding this excursion, please contact your child's teacher.

JC Year 3 Koojarewon Camp

On Thursday 18 August, our JC Year 3 students will be attending their first camp at the Koojarewon Youth Camp. Please find attached a Parent Information letter including the program and packing list

  • All students are to be dropped at Hume Street Campus by 8.30am. Children will be supervised by a teacher from 8am.
  • Students will depart Koojarewon Youth Camp at 1.30pm and returning to Hume Street Campus for pick up by parents from approx. 2.15pm.
  • Parking for both drop off and pick up is on the sports oval. 

Permissions Required
Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission for the Camp:  
•  Login to Parent Lounge >  
•  click on Events & Payments >  
•  click on Event > JC Year 3 Koojarewon Camp
•  Accept >  
•  Save  

IMPORTANT NOTE: After submitting your permission, please check and ensure your Parent Lounge portal is up-to-date regarding your child’s Emergency Contact Info, Medical Conditions and Food Allergies/Dietary Requirements.   Should you any further queries regarding this camp, please contact your child’s teacher.

CLC Central Zone 9-12yrs Track & Field Carnival

The Central Zone 9-12yrs Track & Field Carnival is on Wednesday 10 August 2022 at the O'Quinn Street Oval, Harristown. 

Activity Information

  • Parents are required to drop their child off at the Carnival by 8am. Please see the CLC Staff member on arrival.
  • Parents may take their child home from the Carnival, however, you must collect students from the CLC Staff member and have them marked off.
  • Students will be transported back to their campus for a regular pick up or OSHC at around 2.40pm by College bus or walking.
  • Students must remain in the College's designated area at all times when they are not being called for marshalling or competing.
  • There will be a canteen available this year, although students are advised to bring their own snacks or lunch for the day along with a full water bottle.
  • Parents of our Year 5 students are required to drop their child at the Emu Gully Camp after the Carnival or they have finished their events.
    • Emu Gully Adventure Camp - 142 Twidales Road, Helidon Spa QLD 4344 (Phone 07 4697 6631).

Central Zone Track & Field Carnival - Timetable of Events

Congratulations Arabella and Emma!

Well done to Arabella Knopke and Emma Walkington who received the pennant for the 11 years girls age group at the QCIS Carnival this week.

A pennant is awarded to athletes in each age group who accumulate the most points. Arabella and Emma both did every single event together. This is a back up win for them as they did the same last year.

A remarkable achievement for the girls - well done!!

Outside School Hours Care

Hume Street Campus

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.

HSC Kindy to Year 2 PJ Storytime

Warwick Street Campus

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 Kindy to Year 2 PJ Storytime


Congratulations Ralph!

Congratulations Ralph Beadle for being awarded the Primary Male Eisteddfod Bursary! 

Ralph, in Year 6 at WSC, also received a first place medal for Primary Male Year 6 Humorous Poem; a second place medal for Primary Solo Mime; and received fabulous feedback and positive comments for his performance in the Primary Prose section.

Well done, Ralph. We are super proud of your efforts and achievements!

Stephen Street Campus

From the Director of Campus

It was a great privilege to join with other Lutheran educators from around the country this week as part of the Sydney Contemporary Learning tour group. Contemporary Learning tours are a fantastic Lutheran Education Australia initiative that allows schools to visit and learn from other schools embarking on an innovation journey. 

There is an acceptance within Lutheran education, that in order to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, we must engage them in authentic and deep learning experiences that will allow them to be resilient and adapt to these changes, built on a strong Christian foundation of service and grace. We look forward to our continuing journey with our community to shape this future and provide our young people with the best possible head-start in life.

Futures Expo

Last Thursday evening, our Years 9 to 12 students were invited to attend our annual Futures Expo in the Function Centre.

The Expo is a great opportunity for students and parents to talk with representatives from a variety of providers about their career pathways. This year saw the largest turn out to date of parents and students taking the opportunity to come along and Mrs Leah Bowes and I were very impressed to see so many students talking to the exhibitors and asking questions about their pathway options. Some brave students even spoke one on one to the Griffith representative virtually via Teams.

Free Elevate Parent Webinar - Essay Writing

The Elevate Term 3 Webinar series is focusing exclusively on Essay Writing, and how parents can help their children become better essay writers at home.  

The next webinar will be:

Wednesday 10 August, 6.30pm (AEST) 
Topic: How to Help Your Child’s Essay Writing    

Here's what Elevate will be covering:    

✅ The importance of goal-setting in essay writing; 

✅ How you can provide real-time support & feedback to speed up the process of improvement;  

✅ How students can begin to self-assess their work so they can become independent writers; 

Click here to register for this free webinar.

Empire Theatre Youth Bursary recipient

Over the holidays, I had the wonderful experience of attending the 2022 Griffith Acting and Music Theatre winter workshop in Brisbane. This experience was granted to me when I received a youth bursary at the Empire Theatre in 2022. This workshop was such an incredible opportunity and enhanced my skills with fellow music theatre enthusiasts by my side.

Throughout these four days, we worked on musical theatre skills including breathing, articulation and how to present confidently on stage. We worked on acting skills that helped me to embody a character more fully. We participated in dance warm-ups to learning choreography. From this we learnt two musical theatre pieces and a song which were performed on the Thursday night for parents.

This was such a great experience and I highly recommend it to students who love music, acting and music theatre. You will make friends and take away life-long skills from working with professionals in the industry. 

Georgette May
Year 11

Years 7 to 12 Disco

Please note, students are to register if attending the disco. 

Boarding

Boarding News

Hello to all our families near and far.

It's lovely to be reminded of the simple things in life as I watch kids of all ages and different cultures communicate. While they all have fancy phones with all the apps, one cannot replace the value of face-to-face communication. 

I have had the pleasure to care for and oversee our lovely Japanese students during their stay at Concordia. I have, many times this week, smiled to myself about the way these kids have engaged with each other. A smile, a hello, a thank you, little chuckles, happy grins, welcoming gestures, warm thank yous. They all translate for me as the international language of happy teenagers.

Our Japanese students have thoroughly enjoyed their stay and our students have been fantastic hosts. We look forward to the next group in Term 4.

Welcome from the Leadership Team