Many exciting things have happened at the beginning of this term and they will spill over into the coming week. It was wonderful to wander the campuses after the close of the school day, and to see our students playing sport, enjoying music rehearsals, and studying in areas such as the Library. I have also enjoyed attending a fully student led NAIDOC Dinner that was scheduled early in Term 1, 2020 for this past week. My reflection is that we need to manage what we are doing, in line with the guidelines, in a way that allows us to return to a normal program of events. Well done to our community for all the support needed to make Concordia Lutheran College a very special place.

This week I noted that new shade sails were being erected over the seating area at the Hume Street Campus. What a sensible and much needed addition  to this campus and I pass on the thanks of the Concordia community to the Commonwealth Government, Dr John McVeigh and the P&F at the Hume Street Campus for the financial input to ensure that this important project is completed.

The 2021 Term Dates are now available. Please click here to view and download.

Join us in August for a million epic adventures for one incredible cause. Help us towards our goal by reading! Parents can sign students up here.

Don't forget to share your reading with us to win points for your House in the House Reading Challenge.

Contact Library staff for details or if you have any questions.

There have been many changes and cancellations with sport in 2020 due to COVID-19, but we are pleased to advise that there are many sporting opportunities reopening within the Junior College for Term 3.

This week has seen the recommencement of a live Assembly and Chapel. The last time we were able to do this was Term 1, Week 7! It felt so good to see our Student Leaders back in front of our community in this new format, doing what they do so well. The Arts, Sports and Ministry Captains have highlighted the programs that we have been able to continue, launch and reboot. I encourage students to take advantage of this window that we have where many of our activities are running in a relatively normal format, to sign up and reap the rewards.

Information will be coming out next week regarding Googa, the Year 11 Camp and end of year activities. I am pleased to say that under the current guidelines, these camps and the key Year 12 activities will be able to proceed, including the Year 12 Valedictory Dinner at USQ. We are meeting with Empire Theatre staff next week to discuss what our Presentation and Awards Evening might look like at the Empire, but are also considering other formats for this event with a combination of live and streamed participation.

Years 11 and 12 Agricultural Studies

Years 11 and 12 students studied sheep hearts and completed a dissection this week in Agricultural Studies. Next week, they will be dissecting sheep brains. Please make sure your child comes with their smell senses turned down and their learning and fun sensor dial turned up.

Year 8 Science

Mrs Elisabeth Smit will be conducting extra Science Skills lessons on Wednesday mornings. If any students would like to be part of this program, please see Mrs Smit as soon as possible.

Mr Dennis Wolbers
Science - Head of Department

The landscape of live music performance has changed significantly this year, however, the music is still playing. Our vocal and instrumental ensembles across all three campuses have recommenced rehearsals this term and what a fantastic relief this has been. We are busily practicing for Concordia’s inaugural livestream concert on 21 August from 6.30pm and our ensembles are keen to make it memorable. The upcoming Facebook Live event will feature our Concert Band, Big Band, Saxophone Quartet, Choir, Rock Band and Con Voce (our small vocal ensemble). Make sure you tune in for this special event.

If you are interested in joining one of our many ensembles please contact Mr Edwards or one of our brilliant Arts Captains, Bridie Middleton, Alana Coverdale or Jeremiah Hukkinen for more details.

When COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the College’s annual Futures Expo in Term 2, the Careers Department took the opportunity to think outside the box!

How do we create a platform for students in Years 9 to 12 and their parents, to visit online and interact with representatives from exhibitors from universities, TAFE, training providers, DFA, QPS and other organisations to provide information about careers and pathways post graduation?

The answer was the Virtual Futures Expo 2020 in MS Teams, designed to bring students to one location to obtain information from local education and training providers about future pathways. Through live chats and online ‘virtual booths’, the Expo helped students figure out what they were passionate about and what they needed to do to get there.

Term 3 is here, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone back on the courts and fields for some exercise and sporting activities as soon as possible.

The following training sessions recommenced in Week 2:

• Athlete Development Program starts Tuesday, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
• Commit to be Fit starts Wednesday, 3.30pm to 4.30pm

Commit to be Fit is open to all interested SSC students who would like to get active or improve their fitness. The Athlete Development Program is for students who were selected to apply to participate in Term 2. 

Year 8 student, Charlie Pietsch, has been selected to be a member of the Brisbane Bandits 2020 Academy. Charlie will be taking part in baseball training and games in Brisbane to expand his already extensive knowledge of the game. Congratulations, Charlie, on your selection!

Duke of Edinburgh international Award so far has been an amazing experience. When completing this award, there are four main aspects: working on the development of new skills, participating in sporting/exercise activities, volunteering in the community and the completion of an adventurous journey. For me, it really brought together all these activities that I was already completing but also challenged me to find new skills and to continue their development.

One of my favourite experiences so far was definitely completing my adventurous journey with Tyla, Courtney, Savanah and Jessica from school. It was amazing to spend time with like-minded people, make new friends and experience the great outdoors. However, my favourite activity is probably bushwalking with the Toowoomba Bush Walking Club. This comes under Sport and Recreation and it has taken me on so many adventures that I couldn’t have even dreamed of. Since joining I have done some basic rock climbing, impromptu abseiling and many remote pack walks.

Hello to all and we apologise that we haven’t provided much news lately about the happenings in Boarding.

As you are all aware, due to the Covid-19 pandemic we are under the guidance of Queensland Health, and our emphasis was on keeping everyone healthy. Our second priority is to guide the students to concentrate on the completion of their school work, as Term 2 commenced with online learning, a genre much different to the norm of face-to-face learning.

Term 3 is a continuation of the above – health and study but we are happy to report that the boarders are also commiting to exercise and (limited) sport. A great initiative implemented by Concordia is Commit To Be Fit – every Wednesday afternoon after school the boarders are motivated to engage in a series of fun, but strenuous, activities and games.

Apart from this scheduled exercise, the boarders have also taken it upon themselves to just get outside on many a day, enjoying the sun, having a walk, kicking the football or throwing the frisbee.

As the Concordia pool has re-opened, on the weekend the boarders have had fun ‘making a splash’.

While we are a long way from what boarding was before the pandemic, so far in Term 3 we have made a step forward, and the boarders are flourishing in being more active.

This past week we celebrated NAIDOC Week with the annual NAIDOC Dinner. Thank you to Mr Tyrone Lanagan and his staff for another fabulous evening.                                              

Have a great week!

Maureen and Ross
Boarding Houseparents