The Week Ahead - Term 2, Week 2
Monday 22 April - Friday 26 April
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome back to Term 2. I trust that you have had a relaxing and safe Easter term break as a family. Thank you for your support in getting your students back into the busyness of the new term. The students need to be congratulated on how quickly and easily they have settled back into school life, albeit in a short week, which is always a sign of great routines and expectations already in place. It was wonderful to host so many families at the Student, Parent and Teacher Conversations held at the Senior College campus on Monday.
It鈥檚 important, as part of our working relationship with you, that we can affirm, early in the school year, how your child[ren] has settled into school. Just on Monday evening, I mentioned to a few families the importance of the college, as the second educator, working hand in hand with you as the primary educators of your children. I am looking forward to another busy but productive term with you.
I need to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate The Arts Department on planning and hosting an Arts Tour, for 40 of our Senior College students, to Melbourne and Sydney during the past term break. From all accounts this was a rich learning experience for both the students and staff. The students need to be acknowledged for being wonderful ambassadors for Concordia. This was also our first major interstate learning tour post Covid.
There are numerous activities, events and excursions happening across the college in Term 2. Please familiarise yourself with the College calendar so that you don鈥檛 miss out on an event. We will endeavour to keep reminding the Concordia and wider community of these activities via our various information platforms.
On Wednesday we held our Cross-country carnival, across all campuses, after rain delayed the event last term. Congratulations to those athletes who Achieved the Possibilities and shone in their area of strength and will now go on to represent Concordia at the next level of competition. Well done to all the other runners who also achieved various personal milestones by stepping up on the day, completing their race and earning points for their house. Thank you to the many parents, caregivers, family members and friends who attended on the day to support the students.
Thank you to all of the staff who helped on the day. A final thank you must be extended to Mr. Josh Biscoe, Mr. John Matthews and Mr. Darryl Fry who planned, organised, put up with a wet weather delay last term and then hit the rest button this week. An outstanding morning of Cross-country running all up 鈥 well done to everyone!
As you get back into the rhythm of Term 2, remember that there will be moments when your patience as a parent will be tested. This is normal as school busyness, before or after school activities and home commitments begin to bump up against one another. Before you raise your voice or become impatient, take a deep breath and remember the goal is to raise kind, capable individuals and it's not about winning every battle with your child.
Think of it this way: is your child learning valuable life skills when you react in anger? While immediate compliance might feel like a victory, in the long run, it might teach them that anger solves problems 鈥 a lesson we probably don't want them to carry forward.
Here's the good news: even when you feel your patience wearing thin, you can steer testing situations back on track. By keeping the big picture in mind, which is raising a well-rounded person, you can naturally gravitate towards patience, resilience and love. Here are some tips to consider at the start of Term 2:
- Take a time-out: Feeling overwhelmed? Step away from the situation for a minute to collect yourself.
- Focus on solutions: Instead of dwelling on the negative behaviour, work together to find a solution that works for everyone. Remember to reach out to the College if we are able to be part of finding a solution.
- Positive reinforcement: Catch your child being good - this is something which we talk about consistently within our College environment. Acknowledge and praise positive behaviour to encourage more of it.
Remember, we're all human. There will be times when frustration gets the best of us. But by focusing on the long-term goal, we can turn those frustrating moments into valuable learning experiences for both ourselves and our children. Let's work together to raise kind, responsible individuals, one patient step at a time!
As we come to the end of the first week back, please remember that Concordia propagates a strong open-door policy. This always allows for timely, transparent, trusting and face-to-face conversations as the approach to our working partnership. I look forward to again engaging with and walking the journey with you in Term 2.
Have a safe term and relaxing long weekend.
Yours in Christ.
Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College
Quote of the week:
The sign of great parenting is not the child's behaviour. The sign of truly great parenting is the parent's behaviour. [Andy Smithson]
From the College Pastor
From the College Pastor
Easter!
Welcome to Term 2! I hope and pray that you had a joyful Easter celebration and a restful holiday (at least for students). We are starting with a busy but short Week 1, including the delayed cross country and then the Show Holiday on Friday. Week 2 sees us observe ANZAC Day in our chapels that week. We are still in the Easter season, which runs for 7 weeks and serves as a reminder of the momentous events of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Talk about Achieving Possibilities! That day changed everything. It brought a new reality, a new hope into the world and those early followers of Christ, who at first struggled to understand what was happening ended up trumpeting the message of the resurrection into the whole world, bringing hope and joy to many people and peoples. Billions of people celebrate Easter around the world, drawing hope and strength from God鈥檚 mighty acts, and daring to live and hope in the face of the huge problems and issues facing our world.
May you also be able to draw hope and strength from the resurrection of Christ, which is Good News for all of us: God brings new life, even out of death, with God there is a future, there is life, there is hope 鈥 always. May this hope enable you to step with confidence into the demands and challenges of the new term and bring the love of Christ into your classrooms, families, and workplaces. God is with you indeed!
鈥淒on鈥檛 be alarmed,鈥 [the angel] said. 鈥淵ou are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. (Mark 16:6)
Thomas B枚hmert
College Pastor
Community News
From the Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
The State of Youth Mental Health
Welcome back to all of our families to another exciting school term. For many adolescents returning to school after the holiday period can be a time of adjustment and calibration. It is normal for them to have mixed feelings about returning to school. Some feel a sense of anticipation for what the term has in store; whereas others may feel more anxious or uncertain about how to cope with daily college life. These are common and normal reactions when returning to school; however, parents should remain vigilant about their children鈥檚 mental well-being as progress through the school term.
In recent years, conversations surrounding mental health have gained significant momentum, and rightfully so. Adolescence marks a pivotal stage of development, characterised by rapid physical, emotional, social and cognitive changes. Amidst all of this, many young people struggle to understand mental health challenges from anxiety and depression to stress and social pressures.
According to recent research, the frequency of mental health disorders among young people is increasing. One of the reasons being attributed to this rise is the heightened stress and anxiety that young people face in today鈥檚 society. Academic stress, social media and family issues are all influencing factors. In addition to this, our young people face many social pressures amongst their peer groups in the effort to be noticed or accepted. This can often leave students pondering about their own self-worth in the pursuit of trying to fit in.
Parents can play an important role in their children's mental health. Creating a safe and open environment for your children to talk about their emotions, thoughts, and feelings is vital. Encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper sleep can help reduce their stress levels and boost your child's overall mental health. There are also many resources and services available to children, adolescents, and their families, such as school counsellors, various mental health organisations, support lines, and of course, mental health professionals. It is important to remember that seeking help is a show of strength, not weakness, and that early intervention is critical in addressing young people's mental health difficulties.
To assist families with understanding youth mental health issues further, we would encourage you to access the resources through the SchoolTV link provided below. Within this link you will find an array of resources, factsheets, videos and advice from trained professionals to assist you and your children through various mental health challenges.
If you have any concerns about your child鈥檚 mental health, then please contact a member of our Pastoral Care Team to gain further support and advice.
Take care!
Mr Tony Manteufel
Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
From the Director of Marketing and Enrolments
Welcome Back to Term Two!
We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break, and we are excited to begin another term of learning and growth at Concordia 女女视频 College.
As we enter this new term, it is important to remember the values that make our community so special - kindness and patience. In a world that can often be fast-paced and demanding, we must take the time to show empathy and support to one another. We continually strive to maintain an environment where every student, teacher, and staff member feels valued and heard. The alarming stories you may have seen or heard about recently have come up in conversation around my family. Children take these events to heart and often need guidance to restore their faith in humanity. SchoolTV is a wonderful resource to help you navigate conversations about the world, respectful relationships and raising children in general. You will find the link on the front page of our website.
We would like to remind you that the deadline for specialist scholarship applications for the 2024 academic year is fast approaching. If you believe your child possesses a special talent or passion in areas such as music, the arts, leadership, or sports, we encourage you to apply. Detailed information about the application process can be found on our website. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity for your child to further develop their skills and pursue their passions! The deadline is 4pm on Friday the 19th of April, so the time to start preparing is now.
We are once again delighted to participate in the 2024 Toowoomba Royal Show. This weekend, Concordia 女女视频 College will have a stand at the show, where our dedicated staff will be available to answer any questions, you may have about our College and its programs. We invite the entire Concordia community to come and say hello. It's a fantastic chance to learn more and share with others information about the exceptional educational opportunities we offer.
Remember, your support and involvement in our College community play a vital role in the success of our students. We are excited to see you at the Toowoomba Royal Show and look forward to strengthening the bonds that make Concordia 女女视频 College such a welcoming and inclusive place.
Speaking of connection, please look for us on social media. You will find Concordia 女女视频 College on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Our social media pages are a good way to keep up to date with achievements happening within the Concordia community. If you have children like mine, you might get limited information on what has been happening in the day, social media posts will help you to start conversations and give you an insight into what they have been up to.
Thank you for finding your perfect fit in Concordia. I am sure Term 2 will be wonderful.
Ms Belinda Sanders
Director of Marketing & Enrolments
Sharks Touch Football
South West Highlanders Futsal Academy
Toowoomba Basketball Association
Christian Life Week
CLW 2024
We have just come out of holidays, but LYQ are organised and inviting students from Yr 3-12 to various camps/CLWs for the winter holidays (both at Coolum/Sunshine Coast and Darling Downs). Early Bird Rate are available. Find more information here:
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
From the Junior College Directors of Campus
Concordia鈥檚 Vision Statement is to, 鈥淚nspire lifelong learners, critical thinkers and caring citizens in a Christian Community". This approach is called an holistic approach and goes beyond academic achievement, encompassing the intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and ethical development of students. It recognises that each child is a unique individual with diverse needs and talents.
Academically, a holistic approach involves fostering critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving skills, and a love for lifelong learning. This is brought into all aspects of curriculum and work is often done through integrated units to make the learning relevant to our students' lives and the development of their thinking and learning.
Students' emotional development focuses on building resilience, self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication skills. As you will have seen, our Wellbeing Program is delivered to support the students in these areas. This program will begin in Week 3 of this term and will be delivered by both Directors of Campus as well as our Student Counsellor.
At Concordia, we strive to create a supportive learning environment where students feel valued, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential. Ultimately, educating the whole child requires collaboration between educators, parents, and communities to ensure that every aspect of a child's growth is nurtured and supported, laying a strong foundation for success in school and beyond.
Thank you for the support and encouragement you give our staff as they create this supportive learning environment. Our doors are always open and if you have any questions or concerns, please be in contact with your teacher. We love to work together to ensure the best for our students.
We are looking forward to another busy but productive term and encourage you to read The Week Ahead in detail each week so that you know what learning and events are on.
Blessings for a great term.
Mrs Juanetta Priest - Director of Campus (Hume Street)
Mrs Jackie Minnikin - Director of Campus (Warwick Street)
JC Uniform Guidelines
As the weather begins to cool and the leaves change colour, schools across the country begin the process of transitioning from their summer to winter uniform. The changeover to winter uniform can bring a sense of excitement and anticipation as students get to experiment with new outfits and styles. It can also be a challenge for families who may need to invest in new pieces of clothing to ensure their child is properly dressed for the colder weather. Despite these challenges, the changeover to winter uniform is an important annual tradition that helps students prepare for the upcoming season and creates a sense of community and unity within the school.
This time presents a great opportunity to review our uniform guide. A few points to note that have been discussed on recent assemblies or in classrooms are鈥
路 Monday is our formal uniform day regardless of weather unless notified by College.
路 Sport shoes are navy or white and worn only with sport uniform.
路 Layering under uniform is fine as long as we can鈥檛 see it.
路 Woollen jumper is worn with formal uniform or with sport under the jacket.
路 Jacket can be worn with either uniform.
路 Hoodie and track suit top is only worn with sport uniform.
路 There is a formal pant option for the girls sold at the uniform shop.
路 Girls may wear socks or navy tights with formal skirt.
路 Orders for uniforms, may be phoned through to the uniform shop and items will be delivered to the Junior Campus.
路 Indigenous shirts may be worn with sport uniform on a Wednesday.
Please pay particular attention to the requirements around hair listed in the Uniform Guidelines attached.
Please ensure that you name any pieces of uniform so that it can be returned to the student.
JC P-2 Track and Field Carnival
The JC Prep to Year 2 Track and Field Carnival will be held on Friday 26 April 2024 at the Hume Street Campus. All students are to be dropped at HSC by 8.20am and will finish at approx. 12.30pm. WSC students will then return to their campus via College bus.
For more information, please click on and .
Book Club Orders - LOOP On-Line Payments
A note about Book Club
The Junior campuses use LOOP (Linked Ordering and Online Payment). For those who are unfamiliar with it, here鈥檚 what you need to know:
LOOP enables parents to order and pay for their child鈥檚 book club order online. (Cash payments will be no longer available)
To order through LOOP, go to , register and set up an online profile with a password.
You can add your child鈥檚 name and select their class and, by entering the 4350 postcode, you will be able to select their school from the drop-down box.
The Junior campuses are set up as Concordia Hume Street Campus and Concordia Warwick Street Campus.
Please submit your order before Monday 6 May 2024 and the books will arrive at the school in due course.
For more information, follow this link:
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
HSC Parent Connect Meeting - Tuesday 23 April
Our next Parent Connect meeting will be held on Tuesday 23 April at 5.30pm in the Resource Centre. Everyone is welcome to attend.
HSC Tennis Coaching - Term 2 2024
Tennis coaching will be available in Term 2, 2024. Please click below for the relevant information:
HSC Aussie Hoops Program
HSC Parent Connect Mother's Day Stall - 10 May
This year, the HSC Parent Connect will be having a Mother's Day Stall on Friday 10 May. The gifts will be $5.00 each and can be for Mums, Nannies/Grandmas or other special motherly role models in your family.
For ordering purposes, please indicate if you are wanting to purchase a gift and how many you would like via the form below.
HSC Weekly Events
Please to view HSC's Events for Term 2 2024, Week 2.
Warwick Street Campus
WSC Tennis Coaching - Term 2 2024
Tennis coaching will be available in Term 2, 2024. Please click below for the relevant information:
WSC Weekly Events
Please to view WSC's Events for Term 2, Week 2 2024.
WSC Campus Photos - Your Photos Are On Their Way!
![](https://media.digistormhosting.com.au/clc-au-qld-41-website/content/The-Week-Ahead/2024/Term-2/Week-2/Late-Orders-Social-Media-Flyer-Phone-002.jpg?v=1713326046)
WSC Aussie Hoops Program
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Stephen Street Campus
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter break, filled with joy, reflection, and perhaps a little indulgence in chocolate treats. It's always rejuvenating to have some time away, and I trust you returned refreshed and ready for the exciting term ahead.
Firstly, I want to extend my gratitude to all who participated in and supported our Arts Tour during the first week of the holidays. Our students had the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Sydney and Melbourne, experiencing top-quality performances such as "Grease the Musical." A special thank you goes to Ms Eagleson, Ms Merretz, Ms Tessmer, and Mr Roche-Kelly for accompanying our students on this memorable journey. We are so excited to see these tours up and running again.
Our annual Cross Country event took place this week Under the glorious autumn sky. Congratulations to all participants for their dedication and sportsmanship. We eagerly anticipate the announcement of the winning House, a testament to the collective effort and spirit of our community.
Excitement is brewing in the chess community as we prepare to host the Darling Downs Open Chess Competition from 2-6 May. This event promises to be the pinnacle of chess competitions in Australia, with substantial prize money and the participation of esteemed grandmasters. We extend our appreciation to our Parent Connect and all volunteers who are generously offering their time and support for this new prestigious event in the chess calendar.
We will be holding a subject information evening on Tuesday 14 May for the 2025 Years 9-11cohorts parents and students. This valuable session will provide insights and guidance as students navigate their subject choices for the 2025 academic year. Teaching and leadership staff will be on hand to talk about all our academic options. Stay tuned for further details in the coming weeks.
Lastly, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge Mr Col Anderton, who will be concluding his tenure at Concordia this week. Col has been an integral part of our college, serving as a dedicated Head of Department and teacher since 2016. His commitment and care for our students have left an indelible mark on our community, and he will be greatly missed. We extend our best wishes to Col as he embarks on his new journey and express our heartfelt gratitude for his contributions to Concordia.
I wish to also welcome Mrs Chantelle Manteufel who will be commencing with us in this teaching position from Week 4. Chantelle brings a wealth of experience to our HPE department and sporting program.
I look forward to another incredible term ahead.
Yours in faith,
Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus
Boarding
Boarding News
Hi to all our Concordia boarding families.
We have welcomed back all our Boarding students for Term 2 yesterday and school commenced today.
Everyone was excited to catch up and chat. Some had gone on a school excursion to Sydney, some were fulfilling sporting commitments, while others were holidaying away from their homes. Many more were returning to their families and homes for a good rest.
This term, we have nine weeks, and the first week is already over. We have three short weeks due to public holidays, so there will be lots of activities, such as the Toowoomba Show, Anzac Parade, and an NRL game on the Gold Coast. We look forward to pleasant weather and seeing your children stay busy with sports and studies.Thank you to all the parents who sent their children back with laundry powder and shoe polish. If you have forgotten, please ensure your child can purchase some when they go to Clifford Gardens or Grand Central on their next outing.
Photos will be up next time, and until then, stay safe and take care of each other.
Mrs Maureen Taurima and Mr Andrew Bull
Boarding Houseparents