The Week Ahead - Term 2, Week 5
Monday 17 May to Friday 21 May 2021
From the Head of College
The coming week will see schools around Australia celebrate National Boarding Week. Boarding remains as an important part of the educational environment in this country and Concordia 女女视频 College has a proud history of boarding spanning 75 years. While student numbers have waxed and waned during that time, the current residential program is a strong part of our College culture.
We have many reasons to join the celebration - our 鈥楲earning in Residence鈥 model came through the challenges of 2020 in a strong position, and we are looking to learn from this experience and build an even stronger residential program for students who come from rural and regional parts of Australia, as well as from overseas once the borders reopen. It is important to note that all six 女女视频 boarding schools in Australia are co-educational, which is a core difference between our schools and other boarding institutions. Congratulations and well done to our staff, students, and supportive parents 鈥 鈥楲earning in Residence鈥 is to be celebrated at Concordia 女女视频 College.
The College鈥檚 camping and outdoor programs are a unique part of the educational offerings at Concordia. This week we will farewell our Year 4 students as they enjoy the activities at Tallebudgera. I know that this is an exciting time for children from both campuses and I look forward to hearing all of the 鈥榯ales from camp鈥.
Kind regards
Mr Adrian Wiles
Head of College
From the College Pastor
Community News
Farewell to Mr Adrian Wiles
Kokoda Challenge 2021
Concordia has been participating in the Kokoda Challenge since 2010. This year we have three teams participating who have already started their training.
The Kokoda Challenge is an endurance race which aims to develop the Kokoda virtues in its participants, qualities of mateship, endurance, courage and sacrifice, while also raising money to help Australian teens reach their potential. Participants trek a 96km or 48km course nonstop that leads along fire trails, crosses 12 creeks and summits 5,000m of vertical elevation in teams of four students and one adult leader.
Thank you to our Group Leaders for 2021 - Patrick Rudd, Karin McKenzie and Jana Anderson.
The goal is to finish as a complete team within 39 hours in honour of the spirit forged on the Kokoda Track in 1942 by the 39th battalion. The event is held in the Gold Coast hinterland (Mudgeeraba) on the weekend of 17 and 18 July 2021. Students and support crews are tested both mentally and physically throughout this gruelling trek, but the achievement is well worth it and will never be forgotten.
There is also a fundraising component to the challenge which requires that the students raise a minimum of $650 per team to go to the Kokoda Challenge youth program for under privileged youth. If you would like to make a donation to support our students please head to the links below.
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
Junior College Choirs heading to the Eisteddfod
The Toowoomba Eisteddfod is back in action and this weekend we will be seeing our Junior College Choirs performing on the main stage at the Empire Theatre. The Toowoomba Eisteddfod is always a highlight for our College鈥檚 music performance program. It offers the opportunity to perform on the wonderful Empire theatre main stage, receive high quality feedback from guest adjudicators and build those all important performance skills. Our Choirs have been working very hard in rehearsals and are ready to perform.
The Junior College Senior and Junior Choirs will both be performing on Sunday 16 May, session commencing at 1.30pm. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online $13 Adults, $7.50 secondary students, $3 12 years and younger (competitors are free and have allocated seating with their choirs). Come along and support these wonderful young musicians.
Under 8s Day - Lost Property
We have some lost property left at the Hume Street Campus from the Under 8s Day held on Tuesday 4 May. Please contact Carolyn Lynch on 4688 2700 (option 2) for more information.
We have a blue striped hoodie and a pair of blue glasses with coloured arms (see photos in gallery below).
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
From the Director
NAPLAN Wrap Up
Another year of NAPLAN has been completed and our first online. We can happily report that the system coped very well and that our students did an excellent job of trying their best. We love to remember that this is three days in the life of our little people and that each child has their own set of strengths. Our Track and Field Days give our sport people a chance to shine, NAPLAN give our academic students their moment to shine and this weekend, we get a chance to let our music shine at the Toowoomba Eisteddfod. In saying that, we all enjoyed the moment when we got to celebrate the end of NAPLAN for this year!
Eisteddfod
If your child is in Years 3 to 6, we will meet you on the green to the left of the Empire Theatre at 1pm for Junior Choir and 2.30pm for Senior Choir on Sunday 16 May. Please ensure that you see the HSC Staff member and sign your child in with us. At the conclusion of this event, we will meet you in the same place and again request that you sign them out with the HSC Staff member.
JC Track and Field Age Champion Presentation
On Monday 17 May we are holding a Special Assembly to present our Age Champion Medals. This will be held at 8.30am in the HSC Hall. Parents with students receiving an Age Champion medal will have received an invitation via email.
National Simultaneous Storytime
Our students will be excited to welcome some Education USQ students to celebrate National Simultaneous Storytime with us on Wednesday 19 May. This is an Australia wide Literacy initiative where many students around Australia will be enjoying the story, 鈥淕ive Me Space鈥. It is a story about a child pretending to be an astronaut. We will be able to share in the reading of this book recorded by NASA astronaut, Dr Shannon Walker. Our USQ students also have some follow up activities to do with us. Thank you, Nicole Brownlie, for organising these students for us.
Disco and Parent Wine and Cheese Evening
Friday 28 May will be the exciting date for our Neon Disco. Our students always enjoy the disco and this year we are expecting it to be even more exciting.
To ensure that it is a COVID safe event, it will be run by our staff with a special Parent Wine and Cheese Evening being held in the Resource Centre. Parents are asked to register their attendance .
Our Preps this year love to sing and dance so we think that many of them would like to be part of the disco but to assist them they will meet in the Prep room and be able to choose whether to watch a movie or go up to the disco with one of our staff members.
to view HSC's Events for Term 2, Week 5.
Mrs Juanetta Priest
Director of Campus
HSC Disco
Disco and Parent Wine and Cheese Evening
Friday 28 May will be the exciting date for our Neon Disco. Our students always enjoy the disco and this year we are expecting it to be even more exciting.
To ensure that it is a COVID safe event, it will be run by our staff with a special Parent Wine and Cheese Evening being held in the Resource Centre. Parents are asked to register their attendance .
Our Preps this year love to sing and dance so we think that many of them would like to be part of the disco but to assist them they will meet in the Prep room and be able to choose whether to watch a movie or go up to the disco with one of our staff members.
Tuckshop Orders
At HSC, Tuckshop is held on a Thursday. All orders are to be completed online at 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 8.
Warwick Street Campus
From the Director
NAPLAN - Wrap Up
Our Years 3 and 5 students can be proud of their efforts this week after participating in their first online NAPLAN. Apart from a few minor technical issues, all ran smoothly with students working calmly and carefully through each testing area. It always helps when there are a few motivational treats to get you through as well.
Parent Connect Meeting
It was wonderful to see so many parents at our Parent Connect meeting last Monday night. With a focus on friend-raising as well as fundraising, there are some exciting activities planned for the months ahead for the families of WSC. Please keep an eye out for the next meeting time.
As we move into Week 5, we wish our Year 4 students all the best as they head off for their turn at Tallebudgera for camp. After missing out last year, this will be the first time these students get to experience a school camp. I look forward to joining them on Thursday next week.
Eisteddfod
If your child is in Years 3 to 6, we will meet you on the green to the left of the Empire Theatre at 1pm for Junior Choir and 2.30pm for Senior Choir on Sunday 16 May. Please ensure that you see the WSC Staff member and sign your child in with us. At the conclusion of this event, we will meet you in the same place and again request that you sign them out with the WSC Staff member.
National Simultaneous Storytime
Our students are excited to be participating National Simultaneous Storytime with us on Wednesday 19 May. This is an Australia wide Literacy initiative where many students around Australia will be enjoying the story, 鈥淕ive Me Space鈥. It is a story about a child pretending to be an astronaut. We will be able to share in the reading of this book recorded by NASA astronaut, Dr Shannon Walker.
to view WSC's Events for Term 2, Week 5.
Blessings for the week ahead.
Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus
Tuckshop Orders
At WSC, Tuckshop is held on a Wednesday. All orders are to be completed online at 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 8.
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Campus
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend 鈥淏eef 21鈥 in Rockhampton, an event that attracted over 100,000 visitors from across Australia. In many ways, Beef was like a Concordia family reunion of past and present students and parents. More broadly, it was an opportunity to catch up and connect with so many other people and stakeholders. My key take away was an even stronger appreciation of the opportunities within the agricultural sector. From agribusiness to the automation of on-farm tasks to genetics, genomics the consolidation of data and the utilisation of blockchain to ensure the security of paddock to plate traceability. Interestingly, Meat and Livestock Australia have set a target to be carbon neutral by 2030! This will be an interesting space to watch or be involved with, as research and investment seek to tackle this significant challenge.
On the home front, this has been NAPLAN week for our Years 7 and 9 students. Like many schools, Concordia took the opportunity to facilitate the NAPLAN tests online. Feedback from Mrs Roz Cook, Years 6 to 8 Year Level and Pastoral Coordinator, was that students were happy with the online format and that the tests, spread over three days, went very well. As with each year, there is quite a bit of commentary around the NAPLAN test. Mr Wiles was a guest of Belinda Sanders, ABC Southern Queensland, this week to discuss his perspective on the NAPLAN test. and go to 1:58.57.
Our Years 11 and 12 Geography students dodged the unseasonal storms of Wednesday to undertake their fieldwork at Irongate Conservation Park, Pittsworth. They made it back, with data in hand, just in time before the heavens opened!
Tonight our Year 11 students will be stepping out in style as they head to Brisbane to enjoy a cruise on the Brisbane River. This is always an enjoyable night of dancing, deep-fried delights and the lights of the city.
Lastly, I want to say a public thanks to our amazing P&F. The support that flows through this group of parents, generously lending their support to events and providing valued feedback, is greatly appreciated. Their work is often invisible but also equally invaluable. Our SSC P&F is currently working on a Parent Connect gathering for next term - watch this space.
Have a great weekend.
Mr Jason Smith
Director of Campus
SSC Photo Day - Thursday 27 May
SSC Photo Day is on Thursday 27 May. All students need to wear Formal Winter Uniform. Envelopes from MSP photography were distributed to all students during Home Class last week. If your child did not receive an envelope, please ask them to speak with their Home Class teacher or contact Student Reception on 4688 2789.
Parents are able to on or before photo day using their personalised Shoot Key (which is on the envelope). Parents can also order with cash on Photo Day. Please, do not send money in prior to photo day.
All orders received after photo day are subject to a $20 search fee.
If families would like family photos (sibling photos), please collect a Sibling Photo Envelope from Student Services.
Please contact Student Services on 4688 2789 if you have any concerns.
Sport News
Congratulations to the following students who have recently competed at the State Championships:
- Skye Arnold - Football
- Kaitlyn Zelinski - Rugby League
- Grace Webcke - Netball
Boarding
Boarding News
This week we would like to introduce our Learning in Residence Boarder Captains Carolyn Marschall and Jack Bolam. Please feel free to have a chat with both Carolyn and Jack about their time here on your next visit to the College as they are always around on travel day.
Carolyn Marschall
I am from Goondiwindi, Queensland. I have a brother who came to Concordia two years ago (who also was a Boarder Captain). My parents run a transport and crane hire business from Goondiwindi to Brisbane.
I study General Mathematics, Accounting, Drama, English, Geography, and a Certificate III in Allied Health Service (TAFE course).
My interests are Art, Drama, motorbike riding and hanging out with friends. Sports are Netball, Futsal, AFL, Rugby 7s, Pedal Prix and Cycling.
My personal goals are to, in the future, become a Sonographer and travel if COVID allows. As a Boarder Captain, I hope to create a positive boarding environment and have stronger connections with the day-gos and boarders.
I believe a good role model is someone who everyone can look up to for different reasons. Someone who has a fair go attitude and will give everything a crack. I think they should always aspire to do better themselves and treat everyone with equal respect.
This is my third year in boarding, and it is sad to think it will be my last. I was so excited to become a boarder because I thought it was like having a sleepover with your friends every night. And I have gained many brothers and sisters over the years that will stay lifelong friends. I must say boarding life has its pros and cons but that鈥檚 like anything. On the whole, I鈥檒l miss boarding and I definitely won鈥檛 forget the memories made.
Our newly refurbished Captain's room is located at the end of the top floor. This has allowed us to move our isolation room closer to the office with its own amenities.
Jack Bolam
I鈥檓 from a cattle station outside Cunnamulla, Queensland. I have one younger brother and my parents are both farmers. I began at Concordia in 2016 in Year 7.
I study Math Methods, English, Agriculture studies, Geography and Drama. I love spending time with my mates and enjoy hobbies such as backyard sports and constructing trinkets. I play AFL in the 2021 Schools Cup.
For my goals as Boarder Captain, I wish to make boarding as comfortable for the students as possible while aiming to get as many new ideas from the students so as to keep boarding a fun place to be.
A good role model is someone who can listen to everyone and do their best to help everyone they can out.
As for my brothers and sisters in boarding, between the smart, the sporty and the great people around, they all make boarding a welcoming, fun and a great place to be. They always have your back and there鈥檚 always someone you can relate to and get along with.
Happenings of the week
Last week we had the Track and Field Carnival and some excellent results were achieved by our boarders. Girls and boys alike did boarding proud with their fantastic efforts and results. Well done to everyone who participated and also to those who simply braved the cold weather and cheered everyone on.
Well done to Kaitlyn Zelinski on her rugby league trip to Cairns.
Students all enjoyed the gold coin donation 鈥淒enim Day鈥 last Friday.
Jacinta and Kahlia鈥檚 parents Mr and Mrs Kucks attended Beef Week in Rocky and dropped in on Mr Smith at the Concordia stand. This would have been a nice surprise! Thanks Nadine, for the pic.
A huge congratulations to Selina Richards for qualifying for the QLD under 15 Weightlifting Championships being held on 11-13 June in Brisbane. Watch the space!
Thank you to all those who completed and returned the Learning in Residence survey this week. We are all looking forward to the positive feedback.
Please enjoy the gallery of photos below.
Mrs Maureen Taurima and Mr Ross McKeown
Houseparents