������

Congratulations to all our students on how well they have returned to school. Thank you for your support and patience in this process. It has been a busy fortnight with various rites of passage events, Parent Information Sessions and the Secondary College Interhouse Swimming Carnival already completed. I need to use this opportunity to acknowledge the incredible job done by all the staff in getting the College ready for the start of the 2026 school year. Their flexibility, professionalism, dedication to the task in hand, resilience and collaboration mixed in with lots of laughter and humour need to be applauded and acknowledged. The college has also been a hive of activity over the summer break, with various upgrades and refurbishments happening across the Secondary College.

This year, our college theme is Celebrating the Journey Together and what an exciting journey awaits us as we continue to prepare to bring the Prep - Year 6 students onto the new Junior College site at the start of Term 3. What a privilege to be part of this new and defining chapter in the history of ������. Further details about various aspects and logistics of the move will be made available in a timely manner.

I would like to share with you, as an easy-to-read opening article for 2026, some thoughts and strategies put forward by Michael Grose about helping our children thrive at school in 2026 and beyond.

1. Master the routine

• The Power of Sleep: Aim for a consistent bedtime with a 45–60-minute wind-down routine. A rested brain is a learning brain.
• Study Schedule: Set a specific time for "Reading" or "Projects." Be flexible with sports but keep the habit firm.

1. Fuel a love for reading

• Read Together: Daily shared reading builds comprehension and connection.
• Visible Literacy: Keep books, magazines and newspapers in reach. Make reading Easy, Essential and Enjoyable.
• Be the Model: Let them see you reading. Dads, your influence is a game-changer for boys!

1. Partner with their teacher[s]

• Stay Connected: Attend conferences [interviews] and events, and stay current with school newsletters.
• Collaborate: View the teacher as your best ally. If an issue arises, address it early and respectfully.
• Solve problems early: Don't let concerns linger. Reach out early with a mindset of "How can we solve this together?"

1. Establish high (but reachable) expectations

• The Sweet Spot: Set goals just above their current level—within reach but requiring effort.
• Praise the Process: Value effort and persistence over grades. This builds a "Growth Mindset."

1. Have a dedicated learning zone

• Dedicated Space: Create a quiet, well-lit area. Keep the bed for sleep, not for homework.
• Equip for Success: Keep supplies (stationery, tools, books) organised and ready to go.
• Nurture Curiosity: Encourage "Why?" questions and hands-on exploration outside of school hours.

We value the partnership between ������ and home, and open respectful communication is the cornerstone of this collaborative relationship. Your involvement is essential to the success of your student[s], and I encourage you to reach out to the college with any questions, concerns and ideas. As the school year gets underway, I would like to remind you of the strong open-door policy that I propagate. This relational and working commitment with you as a family is also extended to all members of ������’s Leadership Team. We have planned several events throughout the year to keep you informed about your child’s progress to allow you to be involved in their journey at ������. Our mantra remains that Every Student is Fully Known and Fully Loved at ������. Please stay connected with us throughout the year.

I would like to wish everyone every success and blessings for the 2026 school year, and I hope to see many of you face-to-face when possible.

Yours in Christ.

Mr Anton Prinsloo
Head of College

Our theme for the year reflects that: Celebrating our Journey together. We already had a number of special events, celebrations, as we started the school year, with the Yr 12 leadership ceremony, the Opening Service with all students from Yr 1-12, installations of student leaders across the college, parent morning teas, the SSC swimming carnival and so on! A busy and positive start!

In our staff PD week, we reflected on what our journey together might look like, and there were some exciting ideas about how being in one location can enhance and grow our teaching and learning opportunities for all students. Of course, there are things we want to bring with us and maintain, including our common ethos of being a community where every person is fully known and fully loved – inspired by our Christ-centred foundation.

As we face the challenges and opportunities this year will bring, we do so together with each other, and under the guidance of our loving Lord, who promises to be with us through all changes and who holds our future securely in his hands.

In the scriptures, we find this verse from the Psalmist: How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Ps 133:1), which will guide us on our way through 2026.

We are deeply aware that everyone, no matter what part of the College you belong to, no matter whether you are a student, staff or parent, everyone has a role to play and a contribution to make as we come together. Together we want to celebrate and give thanks for the journey that we are on.

May our Lord be close to you and encourage and bless you on your journeys, and may He guide us together on our shared journey through this year.

God bless.

Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

Scholarship applications are now in, and we are looking forward to meeting all of our applicants over the coming weeks. It is always encouraging to see the range of young people putting themselves forward, and we appreciate the time families have taken to complete these applications.

There has already been plenty happening across our campuses. The Stephen Street Campus Interhouse Swimming Carnival was a great way to begin the year, with strong participation and plenty of house spirit. Events like this play an important role in building connection and pride within our student body.

Our boarding students also took part in a team-building day, which helped create strong bonds for the year ahead. Our boarding community continues to be a valued and vibrant part of ������, and we are very pleased with the way students have started 2026.

We have also formally recognised our 2026 student leaders from across the College. These students have stepped into important roles of responsibility and we look forward to seeing how they contribute to our community throughout the year.

Our February Family Tours are now very close. These tours on 27 February 2026 are a valuable opportunity for families to experience ������ firsthand, meet staff and see our learning spaces in action. If you know families who may be interested in ������, we would appreciate your encouraging them to register on our website and attend.

Please also note our Open Evening on March 31. This will be an important event for prospective families to learn more about the College, speak with teachers and gain a clear sense of what ������ offers. We would love student help and will be asking for volunteers, so we get closer to the date.

As we move further into the term, I look forward to continuing to work alongside our families, staff and students. Thank you for your ongoing support as we begin another busy and productive year at ������, with one heart.

Warm regards,

Ms Belinda Sanders
Director of Marketing & Community Engagement

This year, the Peak2Park School Challenge is proudly sponsored by Finch Legal, with a $1,500 gift card prize to be awarded to a student from a participating school team.

How it works

· Anyone who registers as part of our school team goes into the draw

· One bib number will be randomly selected from all school team entries, and the school that bib number is registered under will win the $1,500 gift card

· The more ������ members, the more chances we have to win

It’s a simple and fun way to encourage whole-school participation, movement, and connection, while also supporting Momentum Mental Health through this year’s Peak2Park event. Whether your school community walk or run the 4km or 10km, every entry counts toward your school’s chances in the draw.

If your interested in taking part in this event, you can register here: . On the day make sure to wear ������ colours so everyone knows your apart of our team.

As always, we want to remind families that our doors are open. If you have any questions, concerns, or simply want to check in, please do not hesitate to reach out. Strong partnerships between home and school are central to supporting our students, and we value open and honest communication.

Our theme for 2026 is “Celebrating the Journey.” This theme invites us to honour our history, the people and stories that have shaped our community, while also looking ahead with hope and excitement. As the year unfolds, this will include our campus move, which is a very significant milestone for our school. Please be assured that we will be very intentional and mindful in how we support students through this transition, taking time to walk alongside them, answer questions, and ensure they feel safe, confident, and supported every step of the way.

We look forward to sharing this journey with you throughout the year and celebrating all that lies ahead.

At ������, our school uniform plays an important role in promoting pride, belonging and equity within our community. Wearing the uniform correctly helps to foster a positive school culture and reflects our shared commitment to high standards. In 2026, we will be placing a renewed focus on the correct wearing of school uniform for all students from Prep to Year 12. A separate email will be sent to families outlining the uniform guidelines, with particular attention drawn to a small number of items.

Our strength as a school lies in our people, and we are grateful for the shared journey we continue to take together. We look forward to the months ahead as we celebrate our history, embrace change, and keep our focus firmly on the wellbeing and growth of every student.

to view HSC's Events for Term 3 2025, Week 2.
to view WSC's Events for Term 3 2025, Week 2.

Mrs Juanetta Priest - Director of Campus (Hume Street)
Mrs Jackie Minnikin - Director of Campus (Warwick Street)

We're lucky enough to have a Water Slide alongside the Colour Fun Run this year, don't forget to bring a towel and a change of clothes!

I want to say thank you to our students and our staff for getting this year off to such a strong and positive start. We have made some changes that were outlined in the beginning of the year update letter, which we think will further reinforce expectations and pastoral care processes for the benefit of our student body.

Congratulations to Altus House for their win at our SSC Interhouse Swimming carnival this past week. It was a day of very spirited and fun-filled enthusiasm, and a reminder of the wonderful, supportive attitude our students bring every day. From a competitive perspective, there were numerous records broken, with many in our youngest age group, which speaks to the calibre of talent coming through our college. Well done also to Kessler House for taking out the House Spirit award. We wish our top performers all the best as they head off to the QCIS Swimming Carnival on February 27.

We have a lot of things still to look forward to in 2026.

On 9 February, we will recognise the academic achievements of our 2025 Year 12 cohort at our Scholars Assembly. This will include the announcement of our College Dux for 2025. Later that evening, we have a tour, a parent and staff meet-and-greet and Years 7-12 Information Evening. This is a chance to meet our teaching staff while enjoying some canapes, before finding out more about what’s happening in 2026.

On March 2, we are having Digital Safety and Wellbeing Workshops for students in Years 5 to 12, to be followed by a parent information session later in the evening. This topic continues to be one needing considerable attention as we continue to provide information and support for students navigating a complex online world.

There is a lot of excitement about two tour opportunities happening this year. The Arts Tour to Sydney will take our students to galleries and theatres to see the pinnacle of what the Australian Arts scene has to offer.

In early December, we have the Agricultural and Food and Fibre Trip heading off to New Zealand, in what is our first international tour in a number of years. Students will see a range of farms and businesses that are actively pursuing more sustainable farming practices.

As we navigate a very big year ahead, I remind families of the importance of open communication. Your feedback and support help us to see every student not only succeed, but also prosper.

Finally, I would like to welcome our new Head of Department for the Arts - Steven Leadbetter. Steven has an extensive background in the performing arts and has been instrumental in the success of the Arts program, most recently at Highfields State Secondary College. As an old scholar, Steven knows the values and heart of ������, and I have no doubt will nurture this in leading the next chapter of our Arts program. I know our entire community will make him feel welcome.

Here’s to a fabulous year ahead!

Yours in faith,

Mr Jamie Pukallus
Director of Campus

This year, each student of the Middle and Senior college received a Welcome back to school attachment via their email address. It details the expectations of students around lockers, diaries, uniforms, and morning procedures for students. Ms Jess Merretz is the Year 7, 8 & 9 Level and Middle College Coordinator and the way the Middle College Hub services students this year is outlined in this welcome attachment. Located in B2 is the Reflection Room, and B10 is the meeting room. Ms Leah Bowes' role is the Senior College careers advisor and Year 10, 11 & 12 Level and Pastoral Coordinator. The Senior College Hub is in E Block, and the Careers Hub is just before the Uniform Shop. Please take the time to revisit their welcome emails, where the goals and passion for their roles are outlined.

Mrs Karen Watson, within the student services hub, provides daily support to students – lost property, spare locker keys, student cards, urgent Middle College Hub or Senior College Hub matters, and connects them with other important spaces of support (no appointment required). Families can make appointments to see the Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing, Mr Tony Manteufel, through here or by calling Student Services 07 4688 2700. Please click  for an understanding of the student services hub structure.

the middle and senior college student finds themselves in a new world where they are encouraged to use their college-provided tools to access and engage with their curriculum, extracurricular activities, social & emotional wellbeing and community learning areas. Using this self-empowered decision-making, the students will bring themselves to any one of our student service spaces and request access to their support needs.

We also wish to remind students and families that they have access to our Careers, I.T, Drama & Music spaces, Indigenous space with Ms Karley Banks, Open Door, C Block for AG or Food/Tech support, and the Library with Mrs Heidi Edwards, where Homework, Book & Dungeons & Dragons Clubs operate.

The new year is not without financial changes for families. For discussions on balances, a reprint of statements, or to make a payment over the phone via credit card, you can call the Business Office directly anytime between 8-4pm during the weekly Term time on 07 46882700. Via email to accounts@concordia.qld.edu.au, you can request or notify of changes. In person, by appointment or drop in, you can confidentially speak directly with one of the Business Office team.

We endeavour to support all our students and families with a positive start to 2026!

Last Saturday, our Boarders travelled to Emu Gully for our annual Boarding Team‑Building Day. This remains a highlight on our calendar, offering students the opportunity to step beyond their comfort zones, build resilience, develop teamwork skills, and take on leadership roles. It is a day that both challenges and inspires, and we are thrilled to share a photo gallery from the experience below.

Over the past week, I have enjoyed speaking with many of our parents and wish to reassure you once again: your children are thriving. Their strong home‑grown values are evident in every aspect of their boarding life, and it is a privilege for us to walk alongside them on their ������ Boarding journey.

This term, we are pleased to welcome two new staff members to our team. Both are enthusiastic lifelong learners who will be supporting academic tutoring during the week and leading activities on weekends. Please feel free to introduce yourselves and say hello when you visit the boarding house.

In the week ahead, we will release our upcoming Activity Program, showcasing the wide range of weekend events available. Many students have also committed to after‑school sports, co‑curricular activities, and external club training. A reminder that the swimming pool is open for supervised lap swimming on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 5:30–7am for those wishing to build fitness.

Until next time—take care and stay safe.

The Boarding team

Maureen

Boarding Coordinator

His work has taken him across the world, including Sweden, Finland, Egypt, Mongolia, Chile, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and China, where he services mining machinery and supports operations in demanding environments. Gary reflects that his time at ������ helped shape the way he applies learning in practical settings today. Guidance from his physics and technology teachers played a key role, as did the sense of belonging created by his home teacher. One of his favourite memories is completing projects in the manual arts room, including a chicken coop that he still uses years later! Once a ������n, always a ������n.