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So, how has the 2024 school journey started for you as a family? Our hope is that your children have been Achieving the Possibilities they have embraced this year. 

Visiting our campuses as well as attending various extra and co-curricular activities, has given me the opportunity to see Concordia settle with great energy. Where I have touched base with parents, I have enquired as to how the students have found school life but very importantly, whether you, as our valued parent body, have also settled well, feel informed and have found your place within our community.

One of the parents I spoke to indicated that their student had settled back well, was happy to come to school, and felt socially well connected, but was finding it hard to get their child to talk about school. Given that we are still so early in the school year, I thought it fitting to share thoughts and ideas about why some children find it hard to talk about school.

‘How was school?’ is a big question. To answer, your child has to sum up a whole day, and that’s hard for children (and even adults!). A child might really want to say, ‘My day was so jam-packed with ideas and classes and social stuff that I don’t know where to start’. So, it’s easier just to say, ‘OK’. 

Some children feel their school experiences are private, so they might not want to share them. This is typical of school-age development as children shape their own identities and social worlds. But your child still needs to know you’re available when they’re ready to talk.

So why talking about school is important.

Talking with your child about the school day shows you’re interested in what’s going on in their life. This interest boosts your child’s mental health, happiness and wellbeing. 

It can also have a very positive effect on your child’s behaviour and achievement. It shows your child that you value school and education, which encourages them to also value education and school. 

Talking together about school also helps you get to know more about what’s expected of your child at school, how they learn and how they handle challenges. It can help you understand when your child is feeling less interested in school or having problems. 

When you’re in touch with your child’s feelings about school, you’re more likely to see problems before they get too big. This way you can work on overcoming challenges together. 

Thank you to those parents who have already taken up the opportunity to come in early and have the necessary conversation about whatever isn't working or what your child is finding difficult. 

Talking about school issues – like school projects or friendship problems – is also a great chance for you to express your family values about things like teamwork, respect for self and others, friendships, relationships, problem-solving and so on.

Some strategies for talking about school with your child.

When your child first gets home from school, they’ll probably be tired and hungry or thinking about other things. So, easing the transition from school or after-school activities to home can help your child feel more like talking.

It’s best to avoid asking your child a lot of questions straight away – this can be overwhelming. You can just let your child know that you’re glad to see them and talk about non-school topics for a while. 

Younger children will probably also like unpacking their bags and going through any notes before you ask about school. Saving questions about homework for later on can also take the pressure off! 

Every afternoon or evening will be different. Even if your child usually likes to share their day with you, there’ll be days when they don’t want to talk. Sometimes it’s a matter of sensing your child’s mood and picking the right moment. Some days there might not be a right moment, and that’s OK.

Simple, positive and specific questions about parts of the day can get your child talking. It’s good to use questions that invite more than a ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘OK’ response. For example:

• What’s the news from school today?
• What was fun?
• What did you like best at school today? - always start with this approach as it puts them and you in a positive mindset.
• What does your classroom look like at the moment?
• What did you do in class after recess or lunch?
• Who did you hang out with today?
• What subjects did you do today?
• What topics are you working on in science/maths etc. at the moment?

Remember to use respectful language when you talk about the school and teachers with or in front of your child. 

For example, ‘I can see that’s frustrating, but Ms Adams is your teacher and you need to speak respectfully to her’, or ‘Yes, that seems unfair, but perhaps you don’t know the whole story’.

As your child develops into the teenage years, they might want more privacy and time to themselves, which can make it harder to talk about school. But this isn’t the end of your warm, close relationship – it’s just that getting some distance from you is how your child becomes more independent. It can also help you pick up on the moments when your child is ready to talk. 

Ask about links between schoolwork and future plans. At this age, your child might be more open to talking about the links between their schoolwork and what they want to do when they finish school.

Look out for signs of problems Even if you usually have a good relationship with your child, they might not always tell you when they’re having a tough time. If your child is upset or nervous about discussing school or refuses to answer a question, there might be a problem. 

If you’re worried, you could try talking to other adults who know your child. At Concordia we strongly encourage you to make an appointment with your child’s classroom teacher, Year Level Coordinator, Head of Department, Director of Campus, Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing or Boarding House Parents to talk about what’s going on. 

The sooner you do this, the better and faster we can achieve a favourable outcome for your child.

The following month will see our Concordia students competing in the QCIS Swimming carnival, our Year 4 students go on camp to the Gold Coast, our Year 10s will be doing work experience, Cycle safety for Year 4, our "Autumn Leaves" Soloist Concert, Inter-house Cross-country and our Open Day on Saturday 23 March. This is just a few of the activities. 

Please keep checking-in with the college calendar which will give you the opportunity to be an integral part of your child's[ren] school journey and help with conversations at the end of the day. 

I look forward to seeing, connecting and talking with you over the coming weeks. 

[Acknowledgement: parentingideas]

Keep in touch and stay safe.
Yours in Christ.

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

Quote of the Week: Responding with love doesn't mean always giving our children what they want. It means giving our children what they need - to be heard, to be seen, to be understood, to be helped through their big feelings and to be peacefully guided back to peace. [I. Knost]

Reconciliation, a coming together between humans and God, and between humans and groups within human societies is a powerful movement that can bring new beginnings, peace and understanding and ultimately reflects God’s desire for the world he created to be whole, to live in peace (shalom).

We are daily working in this space, as we guide and help students to learn to share their lives together and support one another. Our use of a restorative justice approach is based on the foundation of God’s love for all that seeks to bring together individuals and communities in peace – which may include working through differences and hurts.

Our recently approved RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) is also based on this conviction as we seek to walk with our indigenous brothers and sisters and find ways to overcome the hurts and injustices of the past to build a positive and inclusive future for all Australians.

As you journey through this time of Lent, take the time to re-connect with God who loves each of you deeply and to seek the reconciliation you need at this time. And may our Lord bless you and grant you his peace on the journey.

Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

We want our students to be educated and informed around how to use technology appropriately to expand their thinking and engage with people in a respectful and kind manner. In today’s society we are faced with many ever-evolving apps and social media sites that have varying levels of risk and responsibilities. This extends to our parents and families on how we can best help support our children through their engagement with technology.

Social media has become such an integral part of a teenager’s life. However, many miss out on some critical social skills with most communicating whilst looking at a screen instead of another person. Statistics show that 60 per cent of 10-11 year olds are using at least one social media site, with the majority using age-restricted platforms. What kids do, post and say online is permanent and most are not mature enough to manage their own digital footprint. Friendships, relationships and even future job prospects are all put at risk.

Parents need to be aware of what picture their children are painting of themselves online. Unfortunately, many parents do not see the dangers inherent of these sites, as they form opinions based on their own experience. Over the years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of primary schoolers owning mobile phones, highlighting the importance to teach kids about the dangers of social media and the implications it can have.

Concordia ŮŮ��Ƶ College will be providing parents and caregivers the opportunity to engage in an informative presentation related to cyber safety student online interactions. This session will be held on Tuesday 27 February from 5.30pm – 6.30pm in the Stephen Street Lecture Theatre. We encourage families to come along to hear the messages presented by Erin Cash, who has had over a decade worth of experience in law enforcement. Our students will also be engaged in cyber safety presentations earlier that day to ensure they are best equipped with the necessary skills to better understand their use of technology.

To help families with these conversations at home, the SchoolTV link provided below offers parents a wealth of information about learning how to talk with your children about the inherent dangers of social media, as well as information on how to educate your family to be responsible users in the online world we live in.

If you would like any further information or would like some further support around these issues, please feel free to contact a member of our Pastoral Care Team.

Take care!

Mr Tony Manteufel
Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

Don’t forget to mark on your calendar, Open Day on March 23rd; a chance to walk through our campus, interact with educators and experience the Concordia way of life. Registration numbers are building rapidly, which is great news for Concordia ŮŮ��Ƶ College. Soon you will see our Open Day invitations, with corflutes and other advertisements to roll out across the region shortly. Any volunteers would be warmly welcomed.

To our current Concordia community, please spread the word and encourage friends to sign up through our website. Not only will they discover a unique spacious and welcoming educational setting, but they could also take home wonderful giveaways and prizes—including family movie tickets and our gorgeous garden chairs (made by our very talented students).

This week, my own children have chatted to me about the variety of programs available at Concordia. From play writing to the cricket pitches, their days are a blend of physical exertion and creative expression. I know many students are working on constructing model cars, delving into the mechanics and artistry of automotive design.

I also had the pleasure of observing a 'Science in Practice' class, where students learnt the craft of soap. These are the types of lessons that draw students into a world where chemistry is not confined to textbooks. This pragmatic approach to learning encapsulates our ethos; at Concordia, education is a living, breathing entity, underpinned by experiences that cultivate both the intellect and the craft of our students.

Thankyou, as always, for your support.

Ms Belinda Sanders
Director of Marketing & Enrolments

It was an impressive effort by all our athletes, with many achieving personal best times and CLC students qualifying in over 30 events to represent the Toowoomba Central Zone team at the Darling Downs Regional Swimming Championships in March at Gatton. The Concordia team will be supplying a major percentage of swimmers from the Central Zone. Great work to all involved in preparing our swimmers, and top marks to those students who put in the individual effort in their training. 

 A big thank you to Mrs Riehl and Mrs Scouller for their smooth management of the team on the day, having students ready to go for the races. Also, a big thank you to Troy Chandler from TJswim, your assistance before and on the day is appreciated as always. As a representative of Concordia Sport at these events, it is always rewarding to see our students do their best and to hear glowing feedback from the members of the community.

This carnival has proved to be an excellent platform to start our 2024 representative programs and is invaluable to the lead-up to the QCIS carnival at Dalby, where the mighty Concordia Lions will defend their title from 2023. Well done to all concerned and we wish our Central Zone representatives all the best!

Central Zone Representatives - Jonathan Rice, Nate Gadsby, Parun Benham, Verity Cooper, Douglas Plumb, Thomas Wise, Nicole Plumb, Manshi Bhardwaj, Evangeline Dealtry, Aahana Tamang, Benji Chettle and Thomas Richards.

Cross Country
Our Inter-House Cross Country carnival will be held on Wednesday 27 March 2024. We will be starting preparations for this event with training in both PE lessons and other sessions before school for those students who wish to attend, improve their fitness and have fun with their friends. 

Please see below information for these sessions. This is for students from Years 2 to 6.

Training Times/Weeks - starting 27 February, weeks 6, 8, 9 & 10.

• WSC – Tuesdays 7.30am - 8.00am (meet on oval)
• HSC - Wednesday 7.30am – 8.00am (meet on oval)

Students will meet Staff on ovals and be in PE uniform, they may need a spare pair of sneakers/socks depending on how wet the grass is each session. Also, they will need to bring a water bottle. Don't forget to bring puffers if needed.

Mr Darryl Fry
JC Sports Coordinator / Head Coach, Touch

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum.

NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learnt. NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards.

Teachers have been working with students to ensure they are familiar with the test formats. Excessive preparation and discussion using the terms of NAPLAN is not useful and can lead to unnecessary anxiety.

NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program and to advise them to simply do the best they can on the day.

To help prepare your child on the day, please ensure that they have a good night’s sleep, a suitable breakfast and arrive on time at school.

In Term 1, the funding will be used to support an after-school AFL Program as well as an after-school Netball Program. These Programs introduce students to the fundamental skills of this sport across a range of fun and engaging game-based activities. AFL and Netball are truly inclusive sports and provide the opportunity for persons of all ages, genders and abilities.  The details of these Programs can be found below:

Term 1 - AFL Sporting Schools Program

Eligible Students:       JC Years 3-6 students

Staff in Charge:         AFL QLD Development Officers

Coaching:                  AFLQ

Cost:                          Nil - Funded by Sporting Schools Program

Participation:             Limit of 25 students (first in basis)

Venue/Time Dates:    Hume Street Campus - Oval, 3.30pm-4.30pm                               

                                  Wednesday, 28 February

                                  Wednesday, 6 March

                                  Wednesday, 13 March

                                  Wednesday, 20 March

                                  Wednesday, 27 March

Term 1 - Netball Sporting Schools Program

Eligible Students:      JC Years 3-6 students

Staff in Charge:         CLC Netball Coaches

Cost:                         Nil - Funded by Sporting Schools Program

Participation:            Limit of 30 students (first in basis)

Venue/Time Dates:   Warwick Street Campus, 3.30pm-4.30pm                                 

                                 Monday, 26 February

                                 Monday, 4 March

                                 Monday, 11 March

                                 Monday, 18 March

                                 Monday, 25 March

To submit your child/children's interest in participating, go to > Events & Payments. Permission is due TODAY.

Please note, Parents are responsible for collecting their child/children after the session concludes. WSC Students attending AFL are able to catch a college bus over to HSC if required (subject to seats available). To make the bus booking please email bus@concordia.qld.edu.au with the specific dates required.

At Concordia, our teaching staff have done a lot of work around the work of John Hattie and Visible Learning. John Hattie is a prominent educational researcher and academic known for his work in the field of education. One of his most well-known contributions is the development of the "Visible Learning" framework. This framework is based on a meta-analysis of hundreds of studies on teaching and learning, covering various educational interventions and practices. Hattie produced this vast body of research to identify which factors have the most significant impact on student achievement.

One of Hattie’s focus’ has been on the effect of Homework on Student Achievement. Some of his findings have discovered that the act of assigning homework itself has very low effect on student outcome. For this reason, at Concordia we fully support homework that involves reading, phonic’ work, times tables, preparing for speaking programs and a small amount of finishing off or revision work.

Our students work incredibly hard throughout the day on their academics and the afternoons are for the development of all other areas such as sport, dance, music, board games, climbing a tree, and block building.

Please read our Concordia Junior College Homework Guidelines and for ideas of after school activities click this link If you have any further questions with regards to your child’s homework, please don’t hesitate to contact their classroom teacher.

Next week we begin our Prep 2025 enrolment interviews. We look forward to starting the process of welcoming these students to our Junior College. If you are yet to put in an application for Prep for 2025 or you know of someone who is thinking about putting in an application, we encourage you to do this as soon as possible as places are filling up extremely quickly across both campuses.

to view HSC's Events for Term 1 2024, Week 6.
to view WSC's Events for Term 1 2024, Week 6.

Blessings for the week ahead.

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

In the past week I have seen this on two distinct occasions – the Year 10 Dinner, and Year 7 Camp. These two socially natured events can be difficult for some students. 

The thought of starting conversations, getting up and dancing, or jumping on the camp bus can be a little overwhelming. This can leave these students with apprehension, feeling isolated and even embarrassed. But at Concordia, what you will see is one, two, three or more students take it upon themselves to offer a hand or word of support, always with a gentle heart and desire to include everyone. 

Every time I see this happen (which is often), I am deeply moved and so proud of the young people and emerging adults that the Concordia community is helping raise. 

To our families and staff, thank you for the positive influence you have had in creating this serving and humble character within our students.

I would like to further extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Year 7 students on their successful completion of the three-day camp at Alexandra Headlands, marking the commencement of their high school journey. 

This experience not only fosters camaraderie and resilience but also lays a solid foundation for their academic and personal development for the remaining Outdoor Education program ahead.

Today, we also embark on a significant journey with our Year 9 students as we officially commence the Rite Journey program. The dawn Calling and Departure Ceremony at Picnic Point symbolises the beginning of a transformative passage, guiding our students towards self-discovery, responsibility, and integrity with a Christian worldview. We are committed to providing them with the tools and support necessary to navigate this crucial stage of their adolescence.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce the upcoming Year 10 Work Experience block in Week 7. This invaluable opportunity empowers our students to explore their career interests, gain practical skills, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the professional world. We encourage our Year 10 cohort to embrace this experience wholeheartedly as they take meaningful strides towards their future aspirations.

In Week 8, our attention will turn to the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for our Year 7 and Year 9 students. While assessments are an integral part of our educational journey, let us remember that they are but one measure of our students' abilities.

Our College Open Day is coming up on Saturday 23 March. We encourage our current families to spread the good news about Concordia and what it has to offer. We will be looking for students to assist on the day with tours, displays and performances. We also would love to hear from any adults who can assist our Parent Connect with the BBQ and drink sales.

As always there is much to celebrate and look forward to at Concordia.

Have a great week.

Yours in faith,

Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus

Results

Volleyball Round 4

Junior Girls: Defeated 2-0
Intermediate Girls (Year 9): Defeated 3-0
Intermediate Girls (Year 10): BYE
Senior Girls: Defeated 3-0

Futsal Round 4 vs

U15 Girls: Vs St Ursula’s - Defeated
Open Girls: Vs St Joey’s – Defeated
U13 Boys: Vs Downlands – Defeated 4-2
U15 Boys: Vs Downlands – Won 12-2
Open Boys: Vs Downlands – Won 7-2

Cricket Round 2 Vs Downlands

Junior boys: Defeated by 47 runs
Senior boys: Won by 1 run

Basketball Round 2

7/8 Boys vs Lockyer SHS – Defeated 61-4
9/10 Boys vs Lockyer SHS – Won 44-20
9/10 Girls – Defeated
11/12 Boys vs Toowoomba SHS – Defeated 44-39
11/12 Girls vs St Saviours – Defeated 32-29

Please see emails from coaches for upcoming fixtures and other details.