The Week Ahead - Term 4, Week 3
Monday 17 October to Friday 21 October 2022
From the Head of College
Dear Parents and Caregivers
The end of Week 2 has brought us to the end of what has been a big week for our Year 12 graduates and their families. This past Monday saw us acknowledging and celebrating these wonderful young adults, in front of their family and friends, at the Year 12 Valedictory and Recognition Service. Today, they were magnificent hosts, for the Years 7 to 11 students, parents and staff, as they led their final Chapel service at Concordia.
This group of Year 12 students have been outstanding in leading and setting a very settled tone which has permeated throughout the whole College. We pray that God will bless, guide and keep these young adults safe as they begin to prepare for their final exams as well as their respective journeys of either further studies or work beyond school. Our blessings and prayers go with their parents too and I would like to personally thank you for your partnership with the College over the years. God bless!
This past Monday saw the College celebrate the reopening of The Edge Caf茅. Well done and thank you to our Year 10 Certificate III Hospitality students for taking care of this initiative. I believe that it鈥檚 鈥渁ll in the beans鈥 to making a good coffee and these students were on the money! The Edge Caf茅 will be open every Monday from 8am to 9.15am, so please drop in and enjoy a coffee for only $3. We are looking forward to our students adding some caf茅 treats to the menu in the coming weeks.
It was wonderful to be part of the official opening of the refurbished Lecture Theatre on Wednesday evening. Thank you to all the families who have bought a seat as part of the fundraising initiative which has driven this project. Every new seat will be a blessing to the many students, staff and parents who will be using this venue over the coming years. Thank you to those staff and College Council members who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this project a reality.
I believe that our Year 9 students are all doing an exceptional job of participating in the program and various challenges which Googa has presented them over the past fortnight. Two more weeks of adventures and personal growth await these students. Thank you to those staff members who have been visiting our students during this time. I too look forward, with Pastor Thomas, to catching up and spending some time with our Year 9 students in the coming fortnight.
Next week will see Concordia hosting and welcoming several of our 2023 students and their families as part of our Orientation Day program across all campuses. Please join me on Monday in welcoming these new families to our wonderful community.
We also look forward to welcoming the WSC students鈥 grandparents to a morning of learning, sharing and celebrating with their grandchildren next week on Friday. I have heard that the students and staff have a wonderful program and a delicious morning tea planned for the grandparents.
I would like to wish every family a safe weekend and let鈥檚 hope that the weather begins to warm up a little more over the coming days.
Yours in Christ
Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College
Quote of the Week: The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow. For every challenge encountered, there is opportunity for growth.
From the College Pastor
Celebration and challenge
After the wonderful Valedictory Service and awards ceremony at USQ on Monday farewelling our Year 12 cohort and celebrating their achievements and input in our community over the years, I flew to Adelaide to attend the General Pastor鈥檚 Conference of the LCA in the beautiful Barossa Valley. This conference was in preparation for the much delayed face to face part of the 2021 LCA General Synod which, God willing, finally will take place next February. It is just one of the many events affected by the pandemic.
It is always a great occasion to meet old friends and renew connections as 女女视频 pastors from across Australia and New Zealand gather to discuss and work through important issues for the church. We serve in a wide variety of contexts, from small rural congregations, to indigenous communities to large urban churches, in aged care and schools and many other places.
While we all face different challenges, there are common themes and it is good to share with and encourage one another. It is very clear that while the church was once at the core of our Australian and NZ societies, this is no longer the case, and the church鈥檚 voice is not welcome by large sections of society.
At the same time, churches provide community, care and connection across the continent for many people still and potentially could play in important role as we face the new situation of our world, post covid, with the reality of war and divisions, of uncertainties and a loneliness epidemic. We are seeking to find ways to 鈥渟ing the Lord鈥檚 song in a strange land鈥 (Psalm 137) as LCA Qld District Bishop Mark Vainikka reminded us recently.
I believe that at Concordia we are indeed growing and learning in this space as we continue to strive to provide a caring community, where God鈥檚 love is shared in both word and deed and where our students can learn and grow and are prepared for a life beyond the security of a school community. As we release another cohort of Year 12 students into life beyond school, my prayer is that these young people will take with them what they have learned and experienced here, not just the academic and intellectual aspects but also the spiritual aspects, which can provide them with support and strength as they face the challenges of life.
We know that God will continue to love them and travel with them 鈥 as God is with all of us, and assures us, in the words of the prophet Jeremiah: I know the plans I have for you,鈥 declares the Lord, 鈥減lans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jer 29:11)
May you be able to live in hope with this divine assurance. Have a blessed week!
Pastor Thomas B枚hmert
College Pastor
Community News
Sports Breakfast
Ensemble Showcase - Progress and Potential
We warmly invite parents to attend this special concert in the Concordia Chapel. This concert is a public performance which will display the hard work that the Year 5 cohorts have put into learning their new skill - playing an instrument. There will be some fun pieces you are familiar with, mixed with some music specifically written to focus on instrument techniques. The concert will demonstrate the students鈥 ability to work as an ensemble, follow direction from a conductor and perform publicly on their instrument.
WSC Trivia Night - Friday 4 November
One of the highlights on the Warwick Street Campus calendar each year is the P&F Trivia Night. Each year we have seen this event grow in numbers as our community comes together for a night of fun, laughter and friendly competition. I encourage everyone in our community to come along to enjoy the fun. Family and friends from outside our community are also most welcome to attend.
This year, we are delighted to be holding the annual Trivia Night on Friday 4 November, with Lee Faulkner from MMM Radio as our host for the evening. To ensure we continue to provide a wonderful event, we need some assistance from our community. If you are able to assist with organising the night, being a sponsor, donating prizes or even putting a table of guests together to support the event, we would be very grateful for your assistance. I understand that everyone is busy, but if you could give some of your time, even in a small way, it would be appreciated.
If you would like more information about the Trivia Night and what you can do to support the event, please contact me or email Mrs Angharad Lubbock, angharad.lubbock@gmail.com for further details.
Tickets are on sale now! To purchase your tickets or a table, click here.
The WSC staff are already studying up for the occasion and we look forward to seeing you there!
Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus
HSC Parent Connect Mango Fundraiser
Lecture Theatre Official Opening
The refurbishment of the Lecture Theatre at Stephen Street Campus has been finalised with a special Official Opening ceremony taking place on Wednesday night.
All 84 seats in the Lecture Theatre were sponsored by generous members of the community who donated $500 per seat to make the refurbishment a reality.
The below video shows what the Lecture Theatre looked like before, during and after the refurbishment.
Congratulations to everyone who was involved with this project, particularly Mr Tyrone Lanagan who coordinated not only the refurbishment but also the Official Opening catering on Wednesday night. Many thanks also to Mr Adrian Wiles, Mr Anton Prinsloo, Mr Lindsay Bovill, Mr Kyal Osborne and Mrs Rett Cullinan for their important roles in this project.
The Lecture Theatre is now used frequently by students and staff members and has been a wonderful outcome for our College community.
Mrs Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing and Enrolments
Project Based Learning at Concordia
Junior College
From the Junior College Directors
Concordia Junior College is blessed to have a talented group of staff, teaching and non-teaching, who work tirelessly every day to support our students. Some of these staff members have been a part of our community for many years and have worked across both Junior College Campuses. Mrs Marie Smith is one of these valued staff members.
Mrs Smith has worked at Concordia for 19 years. After dedicating so many years to Concordia, and Warwick Street Campus, Marie has decided it is time to move on and will be leaving us at the end of Term 4. Marie and her husband Derick have decided a seachange is in order and will be moving to Bribie Island in December. Mrs Smith is loved by many students, both past and present, and will be greatly missed by us all.
We look forward to celebrating Marie's time at Concordia and giving her the farewell that she deserves at the end of the term.
On Monday we look forward to welcoming all new students, including our 2023 Preps, for Orientation Day. As all students will be moving to the next year level for the morning with their new teachers, it is important for us to inform you of some other changes to our staffing for 2023.
Mrs Rowie Weier will be stepping out of Prep at WSC next year to take on a Curriculum role in the Junior College, as well as supporting Mrs Libby Scouller with Learning Enrichment. Rowie has done an outstanding job in Prep for the last seven years and is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.
Mrs Leanne Auricht will be joining the WSC staff as our new Prep teacher. Leanne is a very experienced Early Years teacher and comes to us from Immanuel 女女视频 College in Buderim. We are fortunate that Leanne will be joining us for the morning on Monday and will be working with Rowie in the Prep room.
We also welcome Mrs Christa Connolly to our classroom teaching team next year as she takes on the role of Year 3 teacher at WSC. Christa is a familiar face across both Junior College campuses, and we look forward to her continuing with us in 2023.
With the staffing changes mentioned above, our JC teachers for 2023 are as follows:
Hume Street Campus | Warwick Street Campus | |
---|---|---|
Prep | Mrs Natalie Blackwell | Mrs Leanne Auricht |
Year 1 | Mrs Angela Norley (3 days) | Mrs Lee-Anne Millett |
Mrs Melissa Reimann (2 days) | ||
Year 2 | Mr Matt Barnes | Mrs Jodi Lundie-Jenkins (3 days) |
Mrs Emma Stewart (2 days) | ||
Year 3 | Mrs Sally Weir | Mrs Christa Connolly |
Year 4 | TBC | Mrs Barbara Riehl |
Year 5 | Mrs Belinda McManus | Ms Tammy O'Rourke (3 days) |
Mr John Trappett (2 days) | ||
Year 6 | Miss Kellie Maddock | Mr Paul Baker |
Junior College Staff | |
---|---|
Learning Enrichment | Mrs Libby Scouller |
Learning Enrichment / Curriculum | Mrs Rowie Weier |
PE / Sports Coordinator | Mr Darryl Fry |
Music | Mrs Hayley Sugars |
German | Frau Linda El Attar |
Visual Arts | Mr John Trappett |
Instrumental Music | Ms Christina Marangelli |
to view HSC's Events for Term 4, Week 3.
to view WSC's Events for Term 4, Week 3.
Mrs Juanetta Priest - Director of Campus (Hume Street)
Mrs Jackie Minnikin - Director of Campus (Warwick Street)
Dress Like a Farmer Day - 19 October
Prep to Year 2 Piano Fingers Author Visit
The Prep to Year 2 students will be going on an excursion to The Lighthouse Toowoomba to view the Caroline Magerl鈥檚 Piano Fingers Exhibition.
The author we are going to see is Carolyn Magerl, who is the author and illustrator of the 2021 CBCA Honour Book, Nop, which we have in both of our library collections and Hasel and Rose. Her latest book Piano Fingers is currently on order and we will have a copy at each campus by the beginning of next term. In the weeks leading up to the event, I will be sharing Nop and Piano Fingers with the students to familiarise them with her writing. Her stories have themes of friendship and resilience and her illustrations are beautiful.
Caroline Magerl was born in a small German town near Frankfurt and came to Australia when she was two years old. Soon after, in a suburban Sydney backyard, her parents built a yacht which became a home and way of life. Until Caroline was 14, the family sailed the east coast of Australia. At 16, Caroline joined another yacht, crossing the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. After the return voyage she worked as a cook, painting in her spare time. Caroline now works as an artist, illustrator and printmaker and received an ASA children's picture book illustrators' grant to work on Hasel and Rose. She has exhibited widely overseas and in Australia.
The author visits for Caroline Magerl鈥檚 Piano Fingers Exhibition have been booked in and are as follows.
Tuesday 18 October 鈥 HSC Prep to Year 2
Thursday 20 October 鈥 WSC Prep to Year 2
Time 鈥 9am to 10am
Venue 鈥 The Lighthouse Toowoomba 鈥 126 Margaret Street
Parent Permission Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission by Thursday 13 October.
Library News
In the past week, the students will have all received the final Scholastic Book Club brochure for 2022. Remember when you are placing orders online you can nominate that the purchase is a Gift and I will keep aside the order and contact you directly to collect it from the office to keep it a secret from your children. There are some great books and packs that make ideal Christmas gifts. The last day for ordering is Friday 21 October.
Finally as the end of the year is fast approaching, I would like to ask for your assistance in ensuring that your children are returning all of their Library Books and Home Reader loans regularly. There will be no borrowing over the Christmas school holidays so it is very important to begin returning all overdue books as soon as possible.
Thank you for your continued help with reminding your children the importance of keeping their loans up to date. I am very impressed with the minimal amount of long term overdue books. Any outstanding books will be added to family accounts at the end of the term.
Mrs Karen Maben
Junior Campus Library Coordinator
JC Year 5 St Helena Island Excursion - **Change of Date** Thursday 27 October
As part of our Humanities and Social Sciences Curriculum, we have organised an excursion for Thursday 27 October, to St Helena Island for our Year 5 students to develop their knowledge and understanding of prison life experiences. Please click on the for more information. Parents are requested to go to Parent Lounge to submit your permission by Monday 17 October 2022
- Login to >
- Click on Events & Payments >
- Click on - JC 2022 Year 5 St Helena Island Excursion >
- Accept >
- Save
Important Note: Please check and ensure your child's medical conditions and Emergency Contact Information is up to date.
JC Christmas for the Bush
Care Outreach has been supporting Outback families for over 25 years. Many rural and remote families are in their 10th year of drought. These families need us more than ever this Christmas.
In Term 4, the Junior College will be again supporting Care Outreach with their Christmas for the Bush appeal. You can help by donating...
- Non-perishable food and Christmas treats
- Toys and family gifts
- Toiletries
- Pre-paid visa cards
Donation baskets will be placed in every classroom. 100% goes to our farmers! For other specific needs, please visit and click on the 'Christmas for the Bush' tab.
Christmas for the Bush will conclude with a Junior College Chapel Service in the SSC Chapel on Friday 28 October at 9.30am.
Outside School Hours Care
OSHC Kids Cooking Club with Bec Turner
Hume Street Campus
HSC Musical - Change of Date - 24 November 2022
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.
HSC Prep to Year 6 Swimming Lessons - updated spreadsheet
On Friday 7 October, students from Prep to Year 6 will commence their swimming lessons at the Concordia Aquatic Centre. Each of these classes will participate in eight lessons over Term 4. Please for the schedule.
Please ensure that students have the following:
- Dressing gown - this is great for the students to wear to and from the pool as we don't know what the weather is going to be like;
- Thongs
- Swimming togs - it would be great for our Prep students to wear their togs to school
- Goggles
- House swimming cap
- Towel
To avoid any lost items, please clearly label all of your child's items including their shoes, underwear and uniform.
Warwick Street Campus
Grandparents鈥 Day Invitation - Friday 21 October
Grandparents鈥 Day Catering - Friday 21 October 2022
We would love your help on Grandparents' Day to either provide a plate of food for morning tea and/or help set up and serve.
to register your interest.
Please find below the list of food suggestions for each year level to bring for children and grandparents to share for morning tea:
Prep 鈥 Fruit Platter
Year 1 鈥 Biscuits/Slices/Cakes
Year 2 - Sandwiches
Year 3 鈥 Biscuits/Slices/Cakes
Year 4 鈥 Savoury
Year 5 鈥 Savoury
Year 6 鈥 Sandwiches
Please be aware of the 鈥楴o Nut鈥 policy when baking or purchasing your food items. We ask if you could please use disposable plates and containers to make it easier with clean up. Could we please have all plates of food delivered by 8.30am on Friday 21 October? Plates can be taken directly to the Resource Centre unless it needs to be refrigerated in The Shed fridge or handed in at Reception.
WSC Musical - 22 November 2022
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 7.
WSC Prep to Year 6 Swimming Lessons - Term 4
Our Prep to Year 6 students have commence their swimming lessons at the Concordia Aquatic Centre. Each of these classes will participate in lessons over Term 4.
Please ensure that students have the following items:
- Warm clothing - this would be great for the students to wear to and from the pool as we don't know what the weather is going to be like
- Swimming togs
- Goggles
- House swimming cap
- Towel
To avoid any lost items, please clearly label all of your child's items including their shoes, underwear and uniform.
Stephen Street Campus
From the Director of Campus
This week marked the final week for our Year 12s as one cohort. From today they start their SWOTVAC period in readiness for externals exams in Week 4. It has truly been a week of mixed emotions 鈥 starting with a special night on Monday at the Recognition and Valedictory Evening where we acknowledged the achievements of the group and individual Year 12 students who have done so well this year.
Things turned a little competitive on Tuesday evening however, when the Year 12s and staff came together for a game of Laser Skirmish on Stephen Street Campus. The Year 12s, dressed mainly in black, were very much in 鈥済ame on鈥 mode and took no prisoners in their efforts. The staff, not to be outshone, also put their bodies on the line in the name of pride. Mrs Karin McKenzie may have taken things too far though coming off second best in an army roll that put her at one with nature…. This will remain an inside joke, but let鈥檚 just say, we didn鈥檛 all come out smelling of roses!
Our final Year 12 chapel was held this morning with the attendance of their family and friends. There were more than a few tears shed as the cohort reflected amusingly on their time at Concordia and the amazing memories they will take with them. We wish this group all the best as they finish their time with us, with our full confidence that they will now go on to become incredible young adults.
Year 9 Camp 鈥 Googa
I was lucky enough to get some time this week to make my first ever trek out to Googa to visit our Year 9 students in the second week of their stay. Unfortunately, I didn鈥檛 get to spend time with the boys on this occasion, but I was very impressed with the way the girls were embracing the challenge as they started their four-day three-night survival camp鈥搊ut. I am so grateful that our College puts such an emphasis on this experience, as it is truly unique in this day and age that teenagers can still participate in a program that removes them from technology and other comforts so they can develop their own resilience and build lifelong relationships with peers. When I asked what message they had for the younger students, they said 鈥渂e thankful for the basic things like a comfortable bed and flushing toilets鈥. Great advice. I can鈥檛 wait to go out again before the end of the camp to see the progress they have made.
Year 7 Oktoberfest Excursion
A big thank you to Ms Katharina Riehl who organised the Year 7 excursion to Oktoberfest this Thursday. Students returned yesterday with big smiles as they recounted the food choices and ride options. I personally benefited, with a pretzel gift which was very filling and tasty. These days are a great way for our students to connect with culture, particularly given our German heritage, as well as deepening connections they have as a group and with our staff.
Year 2023 new student Orientation Day
On Monday 17 October, we will be holding our Orientation Day across the three campuses. On Stephen Street Campus we will be holding activities and sessions for new students in Years 7-12, with a key focus on our incoming 2023 Year 7 students. They have already had opportunities through our Connect afternoons to meet other students and staff, however this day will provide them with a much greater insight into life at Concordia. We look forward to seeing all of these bright faces Monday and sharing some of these initial moments with our community.
Have a great week.
Yours in faith,
Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus
State Level Music Representation
Concordia had a number of students represent the College in the Queensland Conservatoriums State Honours Ensemble Program, Queensland in the final weekend of the September holidays. The students had a fabulous four days representing Concordia, which culminated in the concert at the Conservatorium.
This program is an educational program for music students that helps extend and encourage their pursuit of musical excellence. Students need to be nominated from their school to apply before they are then selected from a list of criteria.
Congratulations to the following students: Lily Pietsch (Trombone), Meg Simpson (Voice).
Visit The Edge Cafe!
Start your week off on the right foot with a coffee or hot chocolate from The Edge Caf茅, freshly prepared by our Year 10 Hospitality students.
The Caf茅 is open 8am 鈥 9.15am every Monday this term. All beverages are one size and a bargain $3 each (Soy + 50c). Payment via MSA or EFTPOS, no cash.
Students, parents and staff are invited to pop in and have a coffee take away or stay and chat while Kochie catches you up with the latest news on Sunrise.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Upcoming Elevate Webinar
We鈥檙e excited to announce that Elevate Education will be hosting a free webinar for our parents on Wednesday 26 October.
Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn how you can help better support your children at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school:鈥
Wednesday 26 October, 6.30pm
How to Help Your Child Manage Their Time
In this webinar Elevate will be showing parents how to:
鉁 Align family expectations on homework
鉁 Work with your child on managing other activities such as your child's hobbies or sports
鉁 Create the best weekly planner tool for your child
Sport News
Queensland Schools Track and Field
As members of the Darling Downs Track & Field team, Coach John Mathews, Chloe Denning and Alex Roberts attended the Queensland Track and Field titles in Brisbane today.
Alex competed in the Triple Jump. Although missing the final, he accomplished a personal best of 11.20m.
Chloe ran brilliantly in both the 3000m and 800m events, narrowly missing the final.
Congratulations, we are so very proud of you.
It was great to see past student and current Queensland and Australian Wheelchair Basketball Athlete, Hayden Siebhur at the State Championships. He is current training in Brisbane at QSAC.
Team Sport Competitions
Rugby 7s
The U13 boys had a fantastic start to their Southwest Rugby 7s campaign this week with two wins against the TSHS/Highlands combined team and Toowoomba Grammar School Green team. The Opens on the other hand, fought valiantly with only six players but unfortunately went down to Toowoomba Grammar Black and Blue. Full results can be seen below.
U13 Boys
- Concordia 28 Vs TSHS/Highlands 7
- Concordia 21 Vs TGS Green 14
Open Boys
- Concordia 0 Vs TGS Black (score unknown)
- Concordia 12 Vs TGS Blue 28
U15s Girls
- TAS/Concordia Vs Our Lady of Southern Cross 鈥 Draw (score unknown) Pictured below are Concordia's team members Kara Tapau, Bayley Evans and Caitlin Wiggins.
- TAS/Concordia 24 Vs Downlands 0
Volleyball
Round 8:
鈥 Mixed team Vs Digger in Paris 鈥 We lost 69-96.
Round 9:
Both games this week were incredibly close.
鈥 Intermediate girls (Tuesday night) lost to Highlands Girls 2 sets to 1 with the final scoreline being 64-65.
Round 10:
鈥 Mixed team (Wednesday night) defeated Jump Around (St Mary鈥檚 Seniors) by 1 point, 91-90.
Next week鈥檚 games:
Round 11 鈥 Intermediate girls (Tuesday 18 October) Vs SJC Short Servers (Joey鈥檚) at 6.45pm on Court 3 (no duty)
The Wednesday team has finished the league portion of the season in 3rd and so will be playing in the semi-final next week. Well done!
Boarding
Boarding News
Hi to all our wonderful families near and far.
This week has again passed so quickly. School events and timetables have been very busy for all our students. Today our Year 12 students had their final chapel. A sad yet happy time as they grapple with the realisation that their days as boarders and students of Concordia is quickly coming to an end.
Chrissy and Bradley are both walking around with big smiles on their faces however as an old hand in boarding I know they will also be trying not to think about the next step in their lives. They are just in the moment and good on them. Completing their secondary education is a huge achievement, let alone having spent all these years in boarding as well. It will be great for them to re-establish a full-time position back in their respective homes.
Our other many students have had a busy week with sporting commitments and school events. Our students at Googa are having a blast and will have many stories to tell on their return. Andrew and Wally went to Googa on Tuesday to see all the Year 9 students and thoroughly enjoyed their experience.
Many thanks go out to all those who have helped and supported the boarding program over the past few weeks during my absence. Continue to feel free to contact me via phone on 0490 890 917.
I would like to remind you all that while we endeavour to support the requests for student leave and we do accept that there will always be last minute requests, we would appreciate it if leave can be requested at least one day in advance where possible. Thank you for your consideration.
Take care and stay safe.
Mrs Maureen Taurima
Girls' Houseparent