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Some of this year’s highlights, shared at last week’s Year 6 -11 Presentation Night, have included our first Year 12 end-of-year Retreat to the Bunya Mountains, Grandparents’ Days – with 415 grandparents in attendance across our 3 campuses, our Arts Tour to Sydney and Melbourne, an outstanding Prep – Year 12 Visual Arts Showcase, a full cycle of school camps, Christmas for the Bush – one of my favourite Chapel services each year, the Year 9 Rite Journey culminating in 4 weeks at Googa, a very Successful Oktoberfest, many Instrumental and Choir Showcase events, our Futures Expo and Twilight Learning showcases, QCIS Sports victories, successfully completing and meeting our Accreditation cycle requirements for the next 5 years as well as progressing our Master Plan with the building of Stage 1 to commence fully at the start of 2025. Wow, and that’s only a brief snippet of the busyness which has been 2024.

Achieving the above as well as many other learning, sporting, cultural and social outcomes don’t just happen for our students at Concordia. Every day brings with it a balance of scaffolding, reflecting and at times resetting as we consider what learning and living has gone before us. I need to thank every family for your partnership and willingness to walk this journey with us as a college.

One of our intentional focus areas in Semester 2 was revisiting our college Values of Courage, Learning, Compassion, Excellence, Respect and Service, also known as our “CLCers”. Unpacking and discussing these values affirmed why we do what we do at Concordia daily. Life isn’t perfect at Concordia, welcome to the real world I say, but we continue to strive to do a fantastic job of providing a deep feeling of community, consistent and reflective pastoral care and a real-life learning program as we strive for a wholistic grounding for every student in our care. Our Vision Statement of Inspiring Lifelong Learners, Critical Thinkers and Caring Citizens in a Christian Community remains the foundation on which this is all being built.

Several upgrades and refurbishment projects will await us on our return in the new school year as part of our maintenance plan. A significant project will be the building of Stage 1 of our Master Plan. As I look back on our journey at Concordia over the past 3 terms, we are reminded that change is constant and if we don’t move with the times as a College, we will be left behind.

During my address at the Years 6 to 11 Presentation Night this past Monday, I spoke to the students about the Advent Candles and how they remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. As we count down to Christmas, let’s remember these four candles and what they stand for. Hope, peace, joy, and love – these are the true gifts of the season and who knows, maybe if we all light our candles, we can make the world a little brighter, one flame at a time. Let’s all be hopeful, be a peacemaker, spread joy, and show love and may Christ be at the centre of your Christmas this year.

I would also like to encourage every student to read at least one good book during the upcoming break and request that you, as the parents, attend a church service as a family over Christmas, to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

I would like to extend my very best wishes to every family for a blessed Christmas, a chance for some well-earned rest and a safe start to the new year. See you back in 2025.

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

A Christmas Blessing from my family to yours:

Wishing your family a season of spiritual reflection, gratitude and the joy that comes from celebrating the birth of our Savior.

I guess it comes down to our foundation – we do what we do because we know of God’s deep love through Christ, a love that extends to each and every member of our community.

As the (school) year comes to an end, we are entering again this special time of year – Advent and Christmas, where we are invited to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, God’s love entering the world in a very human way.

It is a time filled with expectation, with hope, with light – and there is a reason that we use a tree with lights at this time. Jesus said of himself: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness.” (John 8:12), and the start of John’s Gospel reflects on light entering the world in the person of Christ: The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. (John 1:9) Of course you know the stories of shepherds and light in the middle of the night and angels and the star that led people to the manger of Jesus’ birth.

Martin Luther is credited by some to have started the tradition of a Christmas tree in homes, with candles and decorations. The story goes that he was inspired by the stars on a winter evening and brought a small fir tree into his home to decorate with candles. He explained to his children that the tree represented:

• The eternal love of God
• The steadfastness of their faith
• The star that led the Wise Men to Christ

This is a picture of the Christmas tree in my parental flat, which to this day is put up and decorated by dad on Christmas eve. As you put up Christmas trees and Christmas lights this year, may you be able to reflect on the reason for this tradition and let the light of Christ shine in your lives and through you in this world.

Thank you for all your support this year and wishing you a light-filled Christmas, restful holidays and a hope-filled New Year.

God bless,

Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

Learning: What amazing opportunities our students have had to excel with their learning in 2024 at Concordia ŮŮ��Ƶ College. Deep learning has been seen across all departments through the implementation for project-based learning units, extension programs and facilitated development programs to support learning needs. The success of these programs cannot be achieved without the tireless efforts and expertise of our teachers and learning assistants. Their work and quality teaching has provided our students with the opportunity to excel in their areas of their interests. I would personally like to thank all staff for their work this year in guiding and growing our students this year.

Compassion. Compassion is the heart of our college and is essential toward the culture that we want our students to live by. This quality that is valued each day through the way in which our students treat others, the support they provide to their peers and the Pastoral Care pathways available for all members of our college. This was best reflected this year through our acknowledgment of “Strive to be Kind Day.” This day placed emphasis on treating others with kindness and compassion to build more connected communities. But this is not something that is celebrated on a single day but carried throughout our engagement across all areas of the college. Compassion is the key to living a happy and healthy life.

Courage. There have been times throughout the year where our students have had to take risks for their learning and wellbeing. This takes courage and builds resilience to handle the struggles that they will encounter throughout their life. In 2024, students have developed their courage by taking a stand against poor behaviour and promote the safety and wellbeing of others. This was highlighted through the National Day of Action Against Bullying in Term 3. Students have been empowered to take the courage to speak up and support their peers through the implementation of our CLC CARE platform. This provides students with a voice to support others and builds partnerships with our Pastoral Care support network to provide care and respect for others.

Service. Compassion is the quality that unlocks our ability to be humble and kind. But it is service that allows compassion to be shared with others. The service our college provides to others within the community is unlike any other school. Our students have demonstrated this through our peer support program, Salem Aged-Care visits and representation at community-based events. In 2024 our students have shown their servant heart and willingness to help others.

Excellence. This past week, our college had the opportunity to acknowledge student achievement at our annual 6-11 Presentation evening. How fantastic it was to see so many students across our college cross the stage to be recognised for their efforts and successes in 2024. This is just an example of culmination of student efforts striving to achieve excellence within their areas of interests.

Respect. What I am most grateful about our college, is the emphasis on always being respectful toward others. Respect builds empathy and this year our students have made it their mission to all students feel like they belong and are respected. But respect also needs to come from within. When students treat themselves with respect, this inspires others to do the same through their actions. Throughout this year, students have shown respect by engaged positively with their teachers and supporting their peers.

As a community we should remember that when we apply each of these values daily then we take the next step toward “Achieving the Possibilities.” For these are the same values that are embodied by Christ. These deep connections provide our college with the keys toward knowing ow to care for God’s earth and all who live in it.

Thank-you again to all members of our community for a wonderful year and I look forward to working with you all again in 2025.

Take care,

Mr Tony Manteufel
Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

Mark your calendars! The closing date for scholarship applications is Monday, 3 February 2025. Please be mindful, as no late applications will be accepted. To apply, visit our website where you’ll find detailed information about each category and gain access to the portal for uploading your application materials.

For more details and to start your application process, please head over to our website.

I would like to take a moment to share some personal reflections and extend my heartfelt gratitude. I've found joy in shining a spotlight on our talented students who deserve recognition for their achievements and contributions. Speaking with parents who have deep-rooted connections to Concordia has been incredibly rewarding. The genuine sense of community you've shared is a testament to the nurturing environment of our college that I passionately guard. I am looking forward to meeting new families who will join our Concordia family in just a few months' time.

While the teaching schedule takes a well-deserved pause over the holiday break, the Marketing Department remains busily committed. We're working on the delivery of your 2025 printed calendar which we hope you will use and proudly hang on the fridge or kitchen cupboard. We're also hard at work on producing the upcoming edition of The Concordian magazine, which celebrates the talents and stories of our community.

We are also very excited to soon see the sod turn on Stage One of the Master Plan project. It’s very close and the wait will be worth it.

Thank you to all the families who continue to support Concordia and help shape its future. Your word-of-mouth endorsements play a central role in welcoming new students to our college. I genuinely appreciate your willingness to be an integral part of our team in this capacity.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a New Year full of optimism.

Warm regards,

Ms Belinda Sanders
Director of Marketing & Community Engagement

As another year draws to a close, we pause to reflect on the journey we've travelled together as a school community. 2024 has been a year of growth, achievement, and connection, and we are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support from our parents, carers, staff, and students.

Across all year levels, students have embraced challenges, explored new ideas, and developed skills that will serve them well into the future. From hands-on projects and collaborative problem-solving to thought-provoking discussions and creative expression, every moment has been an opportunity for growth. Our dedicated staff have worked tirelessly to provide engaging and innovative learning experiences, fostering curiosity and a love of learning in every student. It has been inspiring to witness the passion and perseverance of our learners as they continue to achieve their full potential.

To our dedicated staff: your passion for teaching and nurturing each student’s potential has made a lasting impact and we thank you for the incredible dedication to our students. To our families: your encouragement and partnership in education have been invaluable. And to our students: your curiosity, resilience, and enthusiasm continue to inspire us all.

We would like to extend a special message to our Year 6 students. Thank you for your leadership and contributions throughout the year. It was a joy to celebrate your journey and reminisce during the Year 6 Dinners. You have grown into young individuals of remarkable character, and we wish you every success as you transition to the next chapter of your schooling. We warmly invite everyone to join us for the Year 6 Final Chapel on Wednesday, 27 November, at 2pm, as we come together to mark this special milestone.

As we head into the holiday season, we wish you joy, rest, and the opportunity to spend time with loved ones. We look forward to 2025 with excitement, ready to embrace new opportunities, challenges, and celebrations.

Thank you for being part of the Concordia family this year. May your summer break be filled with peace and happiness.

Blessings for the week ahead.

to view HSC's Events for Term 4 2024, Week 9.
to view WSC's Events for Term 4 2024, Week 9.

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

At Concordia we recognise the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the outstanding effort and achievement of our students.

At the end of the Semester 2, we will celebrate our students at a special Recognition of Achievement Assembly which will be held at each campus on Monday 25 November.

Hume Street Campus will hold their Assembly at 8.30am.
Warwick Street Campus will hold their Assembly at 2pm.

Parents are welcome to come along and help celebrate our students.

We also appreciated the many spectators who came out to support our students during the races throughout the carnival.

A tremendous amount of planning goes into organising these events, and I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed. Special thanks to Parent Connect for coordinating the meal deal and to Jamie Ramia for providing the coffee and food vans, which were very popular. I also want to acknowledge all the staff officials for their flexibility and enthusiasm in various roles, as well as the ground and office staff. Additionally, a big thank you to the SSC students and parents who assisted with timekeeping and marshalling throughout the day—a fantastic effort indeed! Lastly, I would like to recognise Troy Chandler for his expertise in pool setup and event recording, which ensures that the carnival runs smoothly each year.

From this carnival, we will be selecting our Central Zone and QCIS representative teams for 2025.

Congratulations to the Age Champions and to the students who broke records. Special mention goes to the winning house for 2024, ALTUS!

1^st place – ALTUS

2^nd Place – STEDMAN

3^rd Place - KESSLER

CONCORDIA LUTHERAN COLLEGE 9-13 YEARS INTER-HOUSE SWIMMING AGE CHAMPIONS 2024

Open 100m - Distance Event Champions

Cheers

Mr Darryl Fry
Teacher / Junior College Sports Coordinator / Head Coach, Touch

Last year the Hume Street Campus community brought in over 10,000 cans, bottles and poppers to be recycled to Containers for Change as part of the Year 3 and 4 Environmental Sustainability PBL unit. As a community, we raised over $1000 and was able to fund new soccer goals that students are able to enjoy each day.

This project was so successful last year so Student Council and the Environmental Captains would like to set a new sustainability goal for us all as a community. We would like to collect another 10,000 cans, bottles and poppers for 2024. This works out to $1000! With this money raised, we plan to buy $1000 worth of lunchtime activities to benefit every student in the school.

This money may go towards extra ezyrollers, more balls, STEM and library activities and different equipment for the playground. There is a big bin located outside the Year 3 classroom, home reader room and the kindy. Both eating areas will also have a bin especially for poppers. We encourage you to please recycle and bring in any spare cans, bottles and poppers to support this worthy cause.

There is a scheme number on the poster if parents would like to take this in directly to Containers for Change. Please see Mrs McManus if you have any questions about this. Thank you.

Awards Presentations
Our Sport Awards as well as our Year 4 Borgelt Award will be presented at our Musical on Tuesday 26 November. 

Food Vans
The food vans will be available in the Junior Playground 5pm-5.45pm.

Arrival and Costume Information
Students will be required in their classrooms at 5.45pm to be ready for a 6pm start. Please see below for all student costume requirements:

Prep

• Black t-shirt
• School sports shorts
• Sports shoes and socks

Year 1

• Christmas shirt
• School sports shorts
• Sports shoes and socks

Year 2

• White t-shirt
• School sports shorts
• Sports shoes and socks

Year 3

• Shirts supplied by school (wear any shirt on the night, students will change in the classroom)
• School sports shorts
• Sports shoes and socks

Year 4

• Shirts supplied by school (wear any shirt on the night, students will change in the classroom)
• School sports shorts
• Sports shoes and socks

Year 5

• Christmas shirt
• School sports shorts
• Sports shoes and socks

Year 6

• Individual items for each character, list to be sent by teacher

Term 4 has been no less impressive, with significant milestones across the college. The Year 9 students completed their Rite Journey, a program that has guided them in reflecting on their transition to young adulthood. Watching them grow through this experience has been a testament to the strength of our pastoral care and the commitment of our staff and families in nurturing the whole person.

In sport, our students have once again proven themselves to be fierce competitors. The Netball and Rugby 7s teams have continually developed and these teams were unlucky at times not to taste more success. Regardless, their progress and achievements reflect the dedication of our students and their coaches to growing together through sport.

Meanwhile, our talented performing arts students and backstage crew have been hard at work preparing for our 2025 musical, Anastasia. The energy and enthusiasm in rehearsals hint at something truly spectacular on the horizon. I for one can’t wait to see this all come together next May.

As we look toward 2025, I am filled with optimism. With plans to expand our programs further, develop our campus facilities (including the exciting Master Plan building works), and continue nurturing the gifts of every student, the future is bright. None of this would be possible without the extraordinary contributions of our staff, who go above and beyond to support our young people and the unwavering support of our families. Together, we are building a community where every child can thrive.

As we prepare to celebrate the Christmas season, I am reminded of the incredible gift of Jesus’ birth. His love and grace guide us in our daily lives and remind us of the importance of faith, hope, and love. My prayer for each of you this Christmas is that you find joy in the company of loved ones, peace in moments of reflection, and hope for the year to come.

Thank you for your partnership throughout 2024. May God bless you richly over the holiday season, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in 2025.

Yours in faith

Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus

Maureen

Boarding Coordinator