The Week Ahead - Term 2, Week 6
Monday 23 May to Friday 27 May 2022
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Thank you to the many families who contributed and supported the College so wonderfully at our Open Day last week on Saturday. The inclement weather did ease off for most of the morning affording the many visitors the opportunity to get a feel for school life at Concordia, but most importantly to meet some of the incredible people who make up our community. Those students who accompanied and led many of the tours need to be acknowledged for their confidence, presentation and being wonderful ambassadors for Concordia 鈥 thank you to all involved.
The latter part of Term 2 has our Year 11 students completing their IA1s [Internal Assessment 1] while the Years 9 and 10 students have begun to consider subject choices for 2023 - please join us for these information evenings when they come around. The Year 6 students and their families have begun to undertake personalised visits to Stephen Street Campus as they begin the journey of preparing for high school next year. The Year 12 students have 16 weeks of school time left to go while our Prep students are coming up to completing the first half of their first school year. There is so much to celebrate and so many people to acknowledge as we keep the learning and living journey moving along at Concordia every day.
One of the strategic areas which we are currently reviewing across the whole College is our pastoral care program and processes. An aspect of this program is the safe use and access of social media. A question I often get asked is about the affect of social media on mental health. To help us understand this better, I will be sharing with you information from an article published in the journal of Clinical Psychology Science about How harmful is social media to teenagers' mental health? According to one recent research study, social media is no more harmful than television was for young people in the 1990s.
The study looked at more than 430,000 young people aged 10 to 15 in the UK and US. It found no evidence that any link between mental ill health and technology had grown worse over time. The research examined TV viewing, social media engagement and the use of digital devices such as smartphones before comparing them with feelings of depression and behavioural problems. It aimed to investigate growing concerns that technology is becoming more prevalent in young people鈥檚 lives and more harmful to their mental health.
Other studies, however, have suggested a rise in teenage depression. A report by University College London in 2019 found that adolescents were more likely to feel depressed and to self-harm, and less likely to get a full night鈥檚 sleep, than ten years previously. In our home, when our children were still at home, all devices were on left on charge in the kitchen at night to ensure that social media and other temptations did not interfere with a good night鈥檚 sleep for all. To this day, Sylvia and I still leave our devices on charge in the kitchen rather than having it in the bedroom.
The study also found that there was no notable difference in impact between boys and girls. Some may assume, or have anecdotal evidence, that social media or smartphones result in poor mental health, but this is not necessarily the case. While some individuals may be more affected than others, on average research shows the relationship is weak.
Instead, there are other factors that appear to be more strongly related to poor mental health. Sleep, bullying and cyber bullying and conflict between parents have much greater impact. So, what can we do in the meantime? The wise parent keeps a close eye on the amount of time spent on social media and the materials being accessed. A family conference to agree on times and routines around social media and phones is strongly encouraged. When young people know that their parents are interested and watchful, research tells us that they are more influenced to make good and safe choices. So, in summary, limit screen time by setting clear expectations around when devices can be used [negotiate this with your child], no devices in bedrooms at night [parents to lead by example here] and make time as a family to do activities which don鈥檛 involve social media and phones.
We look forward, next week on Friday, to hosting the students and parents from the senior primary area of the Junior College as they participate in their Track and Field Carnival 鈥 and the long-range weather forecast is looking fine for this too.
Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing weekend.
Yours in Christ
Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College
Quote of the Week:
From the College Pastor
It鈥檚 raining at school today
For my first experience of Toowoomba鈥檚 dry season winters, it鈥檚 been rather wet lately. But as an old farmer told me many years ago (in a country parish I was serving at the time): you can鈥檛 grow anything on dust. I also noticed Jamie Pukallus, our Stephen Street Campus Director who lives out in the country, commenting how much he enjoys waking up to the sound of raindrops on the corrugated iron roof.
So, perhaps there is blessing in this rain, too, even if it makes some things a bit more difficult for the moment and we do remember and pray for all seriously affected by flooding.
Rainy days at school, especially when they go on and on and the children can鈥檛 play outside and blow off a bit of energy on the breaks, is another challenge altogether.
Colin Buchanan wrote a great song about all this. When our daughter was a child we would often listen to Colin鈥檚 songs when travelling in the car and we certainly appreciated his sense of fun, his catchy tunes and the way he brought to life bible verses and helped us remember them and keep God in the picture.
Finding joy in the rain, finding good things even in difficulties is certainly part of God鈥檚 gifts to us. And so St Paul, even when it was 鈥渞aining on his parade鈥, when rather than freely travelling and proclaiming the Good News of Christ, he was in a Roman prison with an uncertain future, wrote these words: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4). Much earlier Nehemiah, when faced with many difficulties during the restoration of Jerusalem and its walls in the fourth century BC, encouraged the people: the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
It appears that looking to God in all circumstance can help us find the moments of joy and give us courage for the next step. So, may you find moments of joy every day and be encouraged 鈥 and know that God is with you always.
And perhaps this video clip of Colin Buchanan鈥檚 Song, It鈥檚 raining in school today, will help. Enjoy!
Have a blessed week.
Pastor Thomas B枚hmert
College Pastor
Youth Alpha
Thank you for those who expressed an interest in the course. Unfortunately, we didn鈥檛 get minimum numbers for the Friday afternoon and are exploring other options. Please watch this space.
Feel free to contact me about this - thomas.bohmert@concordia.qld.edu.au
Pastor Thomas B枚hmert
College Pastor
Community News
Open Day Thank You!
Our Open Day last Saturday was a huge success with more than 270 people visiting us across all three campuses.
We received wonderful feedback and were thrilled to see the rain didn鈥檛 keep people away.
Many thanks to everyone in our College community who assisted in the lead up to the event and on the day. Your support is truly appreciated.
To everyone who helped spread the word about our Open Day, a massive thank you! The multitude of shares for our Facebook post did not go unnoticed. Thank you for helping to spread the word about our wonderful school.
I would like to make a special mention of how well our students represented the College at Open Day. They were exceptionally helpful, polite and dedicated on the day. They are truly our best ambassadors.
Mrs Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing and Enrolments
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience
The Concordia community is invited to join us for Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience on Friday 27 May in the Concordia Function Centre.
Dubbed the world's number one tribute show, Faulty Towers sees Basil, Sybil and Manuel from the classic comedy show Faulty Towers join us for a two hour dinner show filled with fun and frivolity.
The trio are returning for a second time to Concordia after our audience was delighted by them in 2018. Here are some photos from that show:
After the limitations imposed over the past two years with COVID-19, we look forward to seeing members of the College community come together for an evening of laughter and entertainment.
Here are the details for the event:
Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Friday 27 May 2022 | Arrive between 6.30pm and 7pm | Concordia Function Centre | $90 per person |
To purchase your tickets, please click the button:
HSC OSHC Election Day Sausage Sizzle and Bake Sale
HSC Parent Connect Homestyle Bake Fundraiser
The HSC Parent Connect are running a Homestyle Bake Fundraiser. For more information please .
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
From the Assisting JC Director of Campuses
It has now been two weeks since I walked up the stairs from the Prep room and into the upstairs offices to start my nine week stint as Acting Assisting Director of Campus.
How time has flown! No two days have been alike and I have loved the challenge that each day brings.
The day starts at around 5am when I quickly learnt that you may only have an hour to get dressed and ready for the day. Gym? Well, that might have to wait until the holidays!
Phone calls and texts can start coming in anytime from 5.45am when teachers or staff notify the Director of Campus of illnesses or changes which may affect the day. The little black book of supply teachers is opened and the phone calls for available supply teachers begin.
Emails are checked and then arrive at school.
Morning meetings are held at both campuses several times a week. The teachers gather for a devotion to start our day and then we chat about our day鈥檚 events and any 鈥楰ids in the News鈥. These are the children who may need an extra helping hand during the day.
8.15am and it鈥檚 the favourite time of day. Teachers and staff are out and about greeting parents and welcoming the smiling faces of our students into classrooms.
8.30am and it may be a walk around the classrooms to check all students have made it safely into classes and the teachers are all good to start the day. The school has suddenly quietened as students settle into their lessons for the day.
8.45am and a parent may have popped in for a conversation or a concern.
9am and its time to start working on those emails and discussing upcoming events which need to be organised with Carolyn and Marteen. The phone rings and you are invited to a classroom to see some amazing work. The Year 5 students are writing persuasive texts and would love to share.
9.30am and its time for a Leadership meeting where decisions for the school and curriculum are discussed and debated.
10.30am and the Grounds team arrive for a maintenance walk. The broken lock or clogged drain is noted.
11am and during morning tea a teacher enters the office to discuss two students who are finding it hard to agree to disagree.
11.05am and the office has a child in each chair with an ice pack. You discuss with each student their various ailments and then walk into the staffroom to see how the morning went for each teacher.
The bell rings! Morning Tea is done! Phew! Can it really be that time already?
Part 2 to be continued………..
to view WSC's Events for Term 2, Week 6.
to view HSC's Events for Term 2, Week 6.
Wishing you a safe and relaxing weekend.
Mrs Rowena Weier
Assisting Director of Campuses
JC Book Fair
JC Year 5 Colonial School - Monday 23 May
Below please find some information about the upcoming Colonial School. There is much interest and excitement among the Year 5 students and many questions remain to be answered: 鈥淲ait and See鈥 is my response to several queries.
If you have any concerns please let me know, but this is a fun educational experience which is very worthwhile. WSC students will need to be dropped to school at HSC for this event, starting at 8.30am.
JC Year 5 Colonial School 鈥 Monday 23 May, Hume Street Campus
A visit by the "Colonial School' will provide the students with the three Rs. The activities will include a selection of the following lessons.
鈥 An introduction to the dreaded Edwardian Classroom punishments.
鈥 A cleanliness inspection to see if students have washed behind their ears and cleaned their fingernails.
鈥 An arithmetic lesson using those fine old pounds, shillings and pence which will never be replaced.
鈥 A Victorian textbook spelling test designed to embarrass the classroom best spellers.
鈥 A writing lesson using the latest copperplate writing style.
鈥 A reading lesson from the latest texts that have arrived in the colony from reputable British publishers.
Excursion Uniform - Students are encouraged to dress in clothing appropriate to the 1918 era on this day.
Edwardian boys should wear long trousers or jeans with long socks. The long socks should be worn over the trousers. Alternatively, knee length shorts could be worn. A shirt with or without collar and boots or closed shoes are necessary to complete the picture. Braces could also be worn.
Young Edwardian ladies can wear a long dress or a skirt and blouse. Young ladies should remember not to expose their ankles.
Of course, everyone's shoes should be polished (the teacher will probably check these). Fingernails should be short and no dirt under the nails. In Edwardian time, coming to school dirty could mean that the student in question would receive four strokes from the teacher's strap or cane.
Food during the excursion - As we would like this to be a whole day experience in times of school life in Edwardian times you may consider sending recess and lunch in keeping with the era. Bread and cheese or bread and jam (no butter) wrapped in brown paper or a damp tea towel and tied with string would be appropriate. No poppers but water could be sent. An apple a day keeps the doctor away should be remembered!
WSC students will return to their campus by College bus for a normal school pick up.
The day promises to be a great learning experience for the children.
JC Years 3-6 Inter-House Track & Field Carnival
On Friday 27 May, the Junior College Years 3 to 6 will be competing in the annual Track and Field Carnival at SSC. for a copy of the program.
We are also seeking Parent Volunteers to help out with Timekeeping and Check Starter on the day. If you are available and would like to help out in one of these roles, please submit your availability via the link below.
Outside School Hours Care
Hume Street Campus
HSC Wine and Cheese Night - 10 June
HSC Disco - 10 June
HSC Library News
The Book Fair is approaching fast and I am looking forward to many excited students coming into the library to 鈥渟hop鈥 for new books.
We have just had to make a change to the date at Hume Street Campus. As the track and Field Carnival for Years 3 to 6 has been rescheduled to Friday 27 May, we will now have the Book Fair on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 May. The Library will be open before school from 7.30am and after school until 3.30pm on these two days should you wish to attend the Book Fair with your child. Next week the students will be able to have a look at the books that will be for sale and fill out a wish list to bring home to discuss with you. There will be prizes that some lucky students will receive of Book Vouchers to spend at the Book Fair. Payments for the books can be made by either EFTPOS or Cash.
I look forward to seeing many of you supporting this wonderful week of events.
Mrs Karen Maben
Junior College Library Coordinator
HSC 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 9.
Warwick Street Campus
WSC Year 4 Cycle Safety
Each year, the Year 4 students attend a Cycle Safety Program with the PCYC at Groom Park. Please find below the details of the program.
Time and Dates:
Tuesday 31 May and Tuesday 7 June - 9am to 1.30pm
Students are required to:
鈥 wear their sports uniform and College hat;
鈥 bring a packed lunch, water bottle and sunscreen;
鈥 if you have a bike helmet you are welcome to bring it along. Bikes will be provided by PCYC.
If you haven't already done so, please log in to Parent Lounge to submit your permission for your child to attend.
WSC Parent Connect Wine & Cheese Evening - Friday 3 June
WSC Disco - Black & White Theme - Friday 3 June
WSC 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 9.
WSC Library News
The 2022 Concordia Warwick Street Campus Scholastic Book Fair has finally arrived.
The books have arrived and are now all on display at the Resource Centre. If the reactions from the students are an indicator of how successful it will be, then it is shaping up to be a very exciting annual event. They are thoroughly enjoying browsing the great selection of books, packs and novelties. I am sure that you have been receiving wish lists from your children who are very keen to make a purchase.
The Book Fair will be open for browsing and purchasing on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 May from 7.30am before school and after school until 3.30pm on these two days.
I look forward to seeing many parents and their children supporting this very worthwhile event.
Mrs Karen Maben
Junior College Library Coordinator
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Campus
What a fantastic sight it was to see so many new and long-standing Concordia families join us for our Open Day last Saturday. As expected, our students and staff did a wonderful job showing off the many curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that exist at the College. It was apparent how much parents value a supportive and caring environment for their children. As I mentioned in my brief address to our visitors, this has been a particular strength of Concordia that I have noticed in my few shorts months as Director of Campus. Students are known here, and there is a deep sense of care for each student within our staff.
Visit to Parliament House
On Wednesday, Mr Baker and I will be taking our College leaders on a trip to Queensland Parliament, where we will be shown around by former Concordia student and now Member of Parliament, Mr David Janetzki. We will also have lunch with Mr Janetzki, and I am sure our leaders look forward to his insights on life beyond school and the inner workings of our democracy.
School Photos 鈥 26 May
Next Thursday we have our SSC school photos. Students will have received their photo purchase options package. A timetable has been organised for the day, with students coming out for brief periods during the day for individual and group photos. This may mean that morning grooming routines may need a little longer than usual, but enough about our staff!
Parent Connect - Faulty Towers event
Tickets are selling quickly for the Parent Connect hosted Faulty Towers Dining Experience on Friday 27 May. It is sure to be an evening of great entertainment and culinary delight. This is a great way to come together as a community, and let our hair down following another disrupted and demanding year. I look forward to meeting with those people I haven鈥檛 yet had the chance to catch up with.
Harnessing social media and its impact on mental health
I often receive questions from parents about how to effectively support their teen with healthy use of social media. While social media has many positive aspects in helping young people connect, there are obviously some pitfalls and potential dangers to mental health if social media is used extensively without parent mediation.
Below is a video from the safety commission on how parents can support their children with maintaining a positive and healthy balance in how they use social media.
Have a great week.Yours in faith,
Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus
SSC Photo Day - Thursday 26 May
. Online orders remain open until photo day, following that time you can still order by phoning the MSP office (a late fee will be incurred).
Elevate Parent Webinar
Year 9 into Year 10 2023 Information Evening
Boarding
Boarding News
Hello to all our families near and far!
A slow and cool start to the week with more rain to come. Our students are all doing well with minimal flu symptoms, just a few grizzles about feeling tired and cold. Could I please ask that when you are next talking with your sons and daughters, you remind them to wear extra clothing on the cooler days? At times, I am sure they feel I am a broken down record repeating myself continually!
Sports Transport
Thank you to all the parents who have completed all the necessary paperwork relating to external sports transportation. This information has all been updated onto Reach for future reference.
Housekeeping
At the end of this term we will be asking all students to take home as many of their personal possessions as they can as we will be hiring out our facilities during the holidays and we want to ensure that the students' belongings are safe. For those students who fly home, we will be making available a secured area to store their belongings.
As it is midyear, many students will also need to have their duvets and blankets laundered. This can be done when they go home or we can make arrangements for them to be laundered at a cost at the drycleaners and charged to your accounts. Please feel free to contact me on 0490 890 917 if you are interested in the latter option. We request that all clothing is clearly named for identification purposes with a fabric permanent marker. This will help to eliminate any lost or misplaced clothing issues.
Activities for this weekend will be shopping at Grand Central and Ten Pin Bowling.
Next Thursday we have a small group of female students from Pacific 女女视频 College staying in Giabal with us. The girls are all looking forward to being hosts and to making new friendships with other girls.
Take care and look after each other.
Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls' Houseparent