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Thank you to our incredible staff for embracing and guiding the changing landscape for our College and looking after this journey with so much energy, without a complaint and always focused on providing the best learning and pastoral care outcomes for our students.

As a closing article for the term, I would like to focus on Communicating as a Family. Strong families communicate well about good and bad things. This allows them to celebrate together when times are good and to talk about problems when times are tough. This creates a safe place for children to share difficult feelings like embarrassment, confusion, or shame. It also strengthens family members’ relationships with each other. There are many ways to encourage good communication in your family. Consider these ideas:

• Encourage family members to talk to each other – and listen so everyone gets a chance to express how they feel.
• Have family meals together as often as possible, at the table with the TV off and phones turned off. This is a time when you can share what’s happening in your lives.
• Help children learn words that express their thoughts and feelings, so they know how to ask for what they need or want.
• Really listen and respond in a sensitive way to all kinds of things – not just nice things or good news, but also anger, embarrassment, sadness, or fear. You don’t always have to solve the problem or give advice.
• Guide family members to learn to negotiate and compromise when there’s a problem, so everyone gets part of what they want.
• Don’t forget non-verbal communication. You can use positive nonverbal communication like smiles, eye contact and physical affection to strengthen your relationships.

Children learn about good communication from the way we talk to them and others. This includes watching how we manage conflict or solve problems with others. When our children see us sorting out problems calmly and respectfully, we help them develop important skills for life. [Acknowledgement: raisingchildren.com.au]

It was very fitting for the College, this afternoon, to wrap up the term by slowing down and being still as we reflect on and celebrate the meaning of Easter. Thank you to Pastor Thomas, Mrs. Minnikin and Mrs. Priest for looking after these services on our campuses.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish every family a safe and relaxing term break away from the routines of school life. See you back for the start of Term 2. Have a safe and happy Easter!

Yours in Christ.

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

Quote of the week: He is Risen, He is not here. [Mark 16:6]

On May 6 this year at Westminster Abbey in London an important event will take place: The coronation of King Charles III. Whether you like to monarchy or not, it will be an important celebration with lots of pomp and ceremony. But all the ancient rituals have an important purpose: to enthrone the new King as ruler of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth – albeit in a largely ceremonial role these days. However, it is still an important and powerful public role. There are expectations, responsibilities and duties that go with it. And a certain authority and influence.

Coronations have been important ceremonies from ancient times. The person placed on the throne could influence the course of national and sometimes international history. I guess often people place a lot of hope on their leaders, sometimes those hopes are misled. Hitler was elected by a people blinded by his false promises during an acute economic crisis, many Russian people place big hopes on Putin, Barak Obama was elected with huge expectations and hopes placed on him, things he could never dream to fulfill in the daily grind of politics.

When Jesus rides on a donkey into Jerusalem he reflects an ancient Jewish tradition for kings on their way to coronation to enter the capital Jerusalem this way. There was also a messianic prophecy attached to this form of arrival. With him on the way are not only his followers, but also crowds of pilgrims going up to Jerusalem to fulfil their religious obligations and worship at the temple for Passover, one of the most important Jewish festivals, remembering the achievement of freedom from Egypt.

It was always a potent time - and the Romans were on high alert for uprisings, well aware that they were not welcome as overlords by the Jewish people. So, when Jesus comes along on a donkey, the crowds, well versed in the biblical stories and longing for freedom get the hint and start worshipping and praising God – and welcoming Jesus like a King on his way to the coronation.

So as Jesus rides into Jerusalem, the high expectations of the singing crowds ride along with him. But Jesus does not meet expectations.

Instead of going to Pilate’s palace and knocking down the doors and kicking Roman backsides, he goes to the temple, the most holy place in the world for the Jewish people - and he kicks Jewish backsides, he kicks out traders and merchants selling there and profiting from the system of sacrifices that is associated with the worship at the temple. This doesn’t go down well, neither with the ruling class, nor with the people and so 5 short days later the joyful and hopeful entry into the city is forgotten and the cries of Hosanna have turned into cries of crucify him. And we all know how this ends….

What does this story teach us? I guess in one way we are invited to rejoice with the crowds, with the people who at the time recognised a truth about Jesus, he was and is the Messiah, God’ promised Saviour, who has come to bring us life. But perhaps also like the crowds, our expectations are not always met. We want a Saviour, a Jesus who takes away all our pain, who helps us to be victorious over anything that might stand in our way – be it temptation, or an obstacle, or trouble, or sickness, a Jesus who makes everything right.

And when he doesn’t, when things don’t go our way, when we suffer and struggle, it’s easy to turn, like the crowds. Now, we might not set out with cries of crucify, but we might just turn away, give up our faith and declare Jesus useless, a story for kids or the weak, something of no importance to me and my life.

And the culture we find ourselves in has by and large done exactly that. Our values and foundation in Australia and elsewhere in the Western world are deeply rooted in our Christian ancestry, in the teachings of the bible, in Jesus’ ethics – but we are turning away from this, seeing it as without value and importance anymore. And I guess some of the recent scandals in the churches - after all the communities that are entrusted with the message of Christ - have not helped things either. So, it is easy to turn away from God, from Christ, from all that is connected to this.

But there are also consequences to this turning away and I think as a community we are experiencing this. Note how people seem careless with each other, become very vicious towards those who may have a different opinion, cancelling them mercilessly. Or how there appears to be increasing numbers of those who seem to not care at all - even pushing elderly citizens over just to get their handbag or car keys. Australia apparently has (after the US) the second worst offender rate for child sex crimes. What is going on here?

I wonder, maybe this story of Jesus entry into Jerusalem is an invitation to us to reconsider, to reflect on what this man, Jesus, really was on about, who he really was and is and what this may mean for us. Maybe it is an invitation to join into the Hosanna’s (cried of “God save us”, quoted from the Psalms), an invitation to reflect on our fickleness and God’s constant love, and again know of our need for God, for Christ, for love, for hope, for life. Something given in spades through the resurrection!

Easter services at ELF (in the chapel)
9 am Good Friday and 9 am Easter Sunday

May our Lord bless you through this time of Lent and encourage you with his deep love. Pastor Thomas.

Have a blessed week.

Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

At our school, we believe that it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our First Nations peoples. We want to work towards creating a school community that is inclusive, respectful, and welcoming to all, regardless of their cultural background. As a school of the ŮŮ��Ƶ Church of Australia we can draw on a long history of working with First Nations people across our continent. Our community also has a strong and long-standing presence of First Nations boarders, who make important contributions to our community.

Our RAP will outline specific actions that we will take to achieve our goals. These actions will include initiatives such as:

• Incorporating Indigenous perspectives and histories into our curriculum
• Developing partnerships with local Indigenous communities to promote cultural learning experiences
• Recognising and celebrating significant Indigenous events and milestones
• Developing policies and practices that are culturally responsive and appropriate
• Providing professional development opportunities for staff to increase their understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories.

We believe that our RAP will help us to create a school community that reflects our shared values through our commitment to reconciliation. Our confidence to be able to embark on this journey and create positive change stems from, in part, our Kindergartens at both our Warwick Street Campus and Hume Street Campus, who have already ventured into embedding Reconciliation as part of their Educational Programs and Practice. We hope that you will join us on this journey and support us in our efforts to promote greater understanding, respect, and recognition of Indigenous cultures and histories.

If you, or anyone you know would like to form a part of RAP Action Group as a contributor, or if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our RAP, please don't hesitate to contact Pastor Thomas who chairs our Reconciliation Action Plan.

Sandy Kimmins
Service & Educational Leader - Warwick Street Kindergarten

It’s about our commitment to embracing the possibilities of every student and for them to aspire to their full potential. Concordia’s commitment to its students extends beyond the classroom. I was very proud of the work on display at Open Day earlier this month. It showcased a true sense of community.

I encourage everyone to take the opportunity over the holidays to look up our Specialist Scholarship page on our website as applications close Friday 21 April. On the page you will find scholarship opportunities that reflect our belief that children have varying interests and talents that deserve to be treated equally.

On a personal note, my first term at the College has been a time of learning, adapting and madly trying to absorb how to use what seems to be a mountain of computer programs.

I still haven’t got a handle on many of them, but it is on my growing list of projects to get through over the holidays. The one question I constantly have been asked since arriving at Concordia in January is: ‘Do I miss the radio?’ (as I worked at ABC Southern Queensland for 23 years before coming to Concordia). And the answer to that question is ‘I haven’t had time to’. My job at ABC Southern Queensland involved a lot more than presenting and producing a radio show, and that is like my role here, as it comprises a lot more than the title suggests. I am thankful for being busy (most of the time); I could think of nothing worse than having time spare to try to think of what I should do next.

I hope you have noticed that Concordia is getting a little more traction in the mainstream media. Later this week you will read an article in The Chronicle about the success of our swimmers, and ABC Southern Queensland will feature a story on our Japanese study tour visitors on Friday morning.

I am going to take some time to recharge over the holidays and reflect on the amazing achievements since the start of 2023 and what we all are blessed to share, this great environment we work, parent and study in.

A very happy Easter to you and your families.

Ms Belinda Sanders
Director of Marketing & Enrolments

I have been amazed by the leadership shown by our students. They have been heavily involved in growing the culture of our College through the implementation of a range of events and new initiatives. What has been clear to see is that there is a strong sense of community and a vast array of opportunities to be involved in the College. From sporting trials, to musical rehearsals and Student Council events; I have seen our students as active participants in their learning and they should be proud of their achievements.

Term 1 is always a busy time in the school calendar. For some students, like our Year 7s, it has been a term of firsts and a time of transition. Taking time to get used to new routines, subjects and classmates. This can be a difficult journey, but one that brings tremendous opportunity for growth and new experiences.

Through our Pastoral Care Program, students have learnt more about themselves and their strengths that places them in a good position to succeed in the coming months. Our focus has been around becoming more self-aware of personal qualities and what to do when faced with unexpected challenges. From this, they have learnt how to self-manage their own emotions and make effective decisions to enhance their own wellbeing.

Next term, we will look to build upon this learning by examining how to foster positive relationships with others, setting goals and reaching them, and how to build empathy toward others. This will help to build resilience amongst our students and provide them with the necessary skills to be able to live a healthier and happier life.

If you would like any further information about how to develop resilience at home, click on the School TV link provided below that contains a range of information for parents.

On a personal note, thank-you to all families that made me feel welcome in my first term at Concordia ŮŮ��Ƶ College. Take care over the school holiday period and I look forward to seeing you again in Term 2.

God Bless!

Mr Tony Manteufel
Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

The end of a term is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made. They can also reflect on the skills they have learned, the knowledge they have gained, and the friendships they have formed.

Teachers also have much to reflect on at the end of a school term. They can look back on the lessons they have taught, the progress their students have made, and the challenges they have faced. They can evaluate the effectiveness of their teaching strategies and consider ways to improve in the future.

The end of a school term is also a time to celebrate achievements and reflect on their progress. It is a time to feel proud of themselves and the work they have accomplished.

Finally, the end of a school term is a time to look ahead to what is to come. Students can begin to set new goals for themselves and think about what they hope to achieve in the next term. Term 2 will hold more exciting learning opportunities, Camps for Years 4 and 5, all our Track and Field events and carnivals and Eisteddfods just to name a few.

For now, we thank each student, staff member and parent for the learning and support of this learning that has occurred in Term 1. We pray you have a blessed and refreshing holiday and look forward to seeing you again Tuesday 18 April.

to view HSC's Events for Term 2, Week 1.
to view WSC's Events for Term 2, Week 1.

Have a wonderful Easter break.

Mrs Juanetta Priest - Director of Campus (Hume Street)
Mrs Jackie Minnikin - Director of Campus (Warwick Street)

Drop Off and Pick Up from HSC: We ask that parents drop their child at the Hume Street Campus (HSC) on Wednesday 26 April by 7.15am, for a 7.30am departure. The students will depart the Gold Coast Recreation Centre at 1.30pm, Friday 28 April and should arrive at HSC at approximately 4.30pm. Students can be picked up anytime after this. Parking for both the drop off and pick up will be on the sports oval.

Should you any further queries regarding this camp, please contact your child’s teacher.

Permissions Required Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission.

• Login to >
• click on Events & Payments >
• click on JC 2023 Year 4 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.

What to Wear Students are invited to wear something white or old to school for the fun run and waterslide. The colour shows up great on light or dark clothing.

What to Bring Please send in a towel, their sports uniform and underwear to change into after the fun run is finished. A plastic bag is also a great idea so that wet clothes can be carried home.

Schedule 11.00am - Meal Deal 11.30am - Years 2 and 3 11.55am - Kindy, Prep and Year 1 12.20pm - Years 4, 5 and 6

Activities Waterslide Other Activities and Lots of Colour

Parent Helpers Parents are absolutely welcome to come and help squirt colour over your child/ren. If you are available we would love to see you here.

The Colour Explosion Fun Run will be held on the top oval.

We hope to see you there.

Having said that, the pace of this term has certainly left my head spinning. Concordia ŮŮ��Ƶ College is certainly a place where people don’t do things by half, and certainly have fully taken on our theme of embracing the possibilities.

From the start of the term, our students have shown a remarkable level of engagement in their academic pursuits. They have actively participated in class discussions, taken initiative in their research projects, and shown a willingness to explore new ideas and concepts. Their commitment to learning has been truly inspiring, and we are proud of their accomplishments.

Beyond academics, our students have also made the most of the co-curricular activities available at Concordia. From Musical preparations, opportunities within the SPARC program, to sports and community service, they have demonstrated a passion for exploring their interests and developing new skills. They have excelled in competitions, performed well refined productions in music and other areas, and made meaningful contributions to the wider community through their volunteer work. On this last point, one of the true highlights for me this term has been our Service Learning group within the SPARC program, and the relationships they have made with community organisations such as Toowoomba Hospice. Our students care deeply about the world around them and show an acute sense of empathy for those who are in need.

Our Student Representative Council have been busy beavers in running events to further enhance the positive culture within the College, supporting our Swimming Carnival and organising Burrito Day and an end of term Easter raffle. The enthusiasm of this group is commendable and continues to support the strong student voice welcomed at Concordia.

Finally, we must acknowledge the positive spirit and sense of community that our students have fostered this term. They have supported one another and have been very welcoming to new and visiting students such as our current Japanese Study Tour group. I have lost count of how many times I have heard that we have the most respectful and kind-hearted students at Concordia.

As we approach the term break, we want to thank our students and staff for their hard work and dedication, and wish them a restful and enjoyable break. We are excited to see what the next term holds for our Concordia community – I am sure that We Will Rock You!

Have a great Easter break.

Yours in faith,

Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus

This week we have had the pleasure of hosting a group of Japanese students staying in the Boarding houses. It has been a wonderful experience for all. The staff from Tyler International yet again have incorporated many activities along with classroom integration to enable the students to experience life in a Boarding school.

We all had a very enjoyable Easter dinner last night, thank you to the Kitchen staff. Our meal was roast pork with seasonal roasted vegies. Afterwards we had the Famous Concordia Egg and Spoon Race. Mr Wally was again reminded of the rules however that fell on deaf ears. Our photos will show you all what a fun fill night it was.

On Saturday we all travelled down to Wet n Wild for the day with everyone enjoying the lovely Gold coast weather and the water attractions. Thank you again to Mr Andrew for Driving the school bus and Miss Sera for volunteering to come along.

Last night we bid farewell to Sataro and Masato as there time has sadly come to an end at Concordia. They will begin the journey home to Japan. Our students were very sad to see them go. Friendship made for life.

Whilst our students will be travelling home, please remember the Toowoomba Show if you are staying in town. Pop in and say hello to our marketing team.

Hope you all enjoy our photo gallery this week.

Enjoy the holidays with your children

Take care of each other and travel safe.

Happy Easter

Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls' Houseparent