2024 Welcome Bulletin

Welcome all families to the new school year. 2024 promises to be an exciting year ahead at Faith, where all students will be provided with opportunities to be empowered as learners so they can pursue their passions and interests, as well as reach their learning potential. 

We understand that for students to achieve their learning goals and realise their full potential, an effective partnership between the College and each student’s family is essential. To build and maintain these relationships, we use various forms of communication, such as direct email, newsletters, the Parent Lounge LMS, the Faith App and social media pages. 

One key resource for families is the Parent Lounge LMS, which is an online platform where families can access and update important information about their students, including: 

• Assessment Calendars 
• Attendance records 
• Email addresses of staff members 
• Report cards 
• Student medical information 
• Timetable information 
• Whole College Event Information 

Continuing families can access Parent Lounge using their unique login and password, and new families will receive their login details shortly. If you have any questions or concerns about Parent Lounge, please contact the College Office for assistance. 

Another important aspect of student life at Faith is the opportunity for students to pursue projects on Wednesdays. These projects, which last six months, are available to students across all three Phases. Wednesday Projects provide students with the opportunity to work with other learners to solve real-world problems through a process of design thinking. Projects will not officially commence until Week 5, with the first few weeks of term designed to inform students about what projects exist, so they can select a project of interest to them in the coming weeks.  

Thank you for your continued support. I forward to an exciting and successful year ahead. 

Tyson Kenny 
Deputy Principal 

As we step into the promising year of 2024, I am filled with excitement and optimism for the journey ahead. In my role as Director of Teaching and Learning, I am eager to share with you the innovative strides we are making and the remarkable academic achievements that define our school community.  

Literacy Improvement: A Core Focus  
This year, we are placing a significant emphasis on literacy improvement. It's not just about reading and writing; it’s about empowering our students to navigate the world of information with confidence and skill.   

Exploration Phase takes off  
We are excited to introduce our exciting new Exploration Phase courses in 2024. The course offerings were carefully selected by our student course selection committee. They were written by our expert teachers and are designed to enrich students’ learning experiences, offering them more avenues to engage with learning that resonates with their interests and aspirations.  

Celebrating Academic Excellence  
Our commitment to high academic standards has recently been reflected in our outstanding senior results. I am incredibly proud to announce that we achieved a 100% Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) pass rate. Among these remarkable achievements, one of our students attained an ATAR of 99.15, showcasing the dedication and talent that thrives within our College. Additionally, our students have outperformed the state in external exams, setting a benchmark of excellence and hard work.  

Starting 2024 on the Right Foot  
As we embark on this academic year, I urge every student to focus on consistent attendance, being well-equipped for learning and dedicating time daily to review and reinforce what has been learned. These practices are foundational to academic success and personal growth. Let us all welcome the year 2024 with enthusiasm and a commitment to learning. Together, we will continue to build a nurturing and stimulating environment where every student can flourish.  

I am excited to witness the remarkable journeys that each of you will embark on this year. Let’s make 2024 a memorable year of learning, growth and achievement.  

Jen Gibb 
Director of Teaching and Learning 

A Positive Start to the School Year  

As we usher in a new school year, let's set the tone for a positive and successful 2024 by emphasising the importance of being prepared, organised and committed to regular attendance. This year, we look forward to building on the lessons of 2023 as we continue to strive for academic excellence and positive, authentic community engagement.  

Be prepared

To kickstart a successful academic journey, being adequately prepared and organised is paramount. Utilising the College diary is a practical way for students to stay on top of crucial dates, assignments and events. By recording homework and class notes, students not only ensure they are well-prepared for class discussions but also create a valuable resource for effective review and study. This year, all students will be provided with a College diary that will not only support their academic progress but also their well-being and resilience.   

Setting personal goals, completing homework consistently and collaborating closely with Phase Coaches and teaching staff contribute to a proactive and organised approach to learning. Bringing all necessary materials, such as charged laptops, textbooks, and writing tools, to school will ensure that students are adequately prepared for a productive day of learning.  

Attendance is important

Regular attendance is a cornerstone of academic success and the foundation for building strong relationships with teachers and peers. Numerous studies underline the negative impact of absenteeism on academic performance. The American Educational Research Journal suggests that missing just two days of school per month can hinder a student's academic progress, and chronic absenteeism significantly increases the risk of academic failure and graduation challenges (Balfanz et al., 2012; Chang & Romero, 2008).  

The College is committed to collaborating with families to address and navigate any concerns or challenges related to student absences, ensuring a supportive and inclusive approach to their child's educational journey. Please reach out to your child’s Heads of Wellbeing if you have any questions or concerns absences and attendance. 

Communication channels

In addition to consistent attendance, staying informed through College communication channels is crucial for both students and families. Engaging with emails, letters, social media and Parent Lounge ensures that everyone is aware of upcoming assessment dates, changes to the College calendar, significant events and co-curricular opportunities.  

For students, checking and responding to emails daily, reading daily notices and activating Teams notifications help facilitate staying updated. Parents can benefit from following the College's social media accounts and keeping an eye on the informative College newsletter, NewsBites, which features articles, opportunities and highlights of College activities.  

A collaborative effort

As we embark on this new academic year, we recognise the paramount importance of a strong partnership between all members of the College community—students, parents, families, teachers and administrative staff. Education is a collaborative effort that thrives on open communication, mutual understanding and shared goals.  

When students, parents and educators work together, the impact on a student's academic journey is immeasurable. This collective partnership extends beyond the classroom, encompassing the broader community engagement through events, social media and various communication channels. By nurturing a culture of collaboration, we enhance the overall educational experience, providing students with a robust support system that extends beyond academic pursuits.  

The commitment to working together strengthens the bonds within our College community, creating an environment where every member feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute to the shared success of our educational community.  

I look forward to the 2024 College experience. Together, let's create an environment where every member of our community thrives, learns and achieves their full potential. 

Best wishes for a successful and fulfilling new year!  

Reid Dobson  
Director of Communities and Culture  

Balfanz, R., Herzog, L., & Mac Iver, D. J. (2007). Preventing student disengagement and keeping students on the graduation path in urban middle-grades schools: Early identification and effective interventions. Educational Psychologist, 42(4), 223–235.  

Chang, H. N., & Romero, M. (2008). Present, engaged, and accounted for: The critical importance of addressing chronic absence in the early grades. New York: National Center for Children in Poverty. 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back to Faith this year and provide a few important updates and reminders: 

Fees 

Term 1 invoices were issued last week. Fees are due to be paid by 2 February 2024. If you intend to pay by direct debit or payment plan, please contact Edstart  to set up your payment plan, if  you haven’t already. 

Uniform Shop 

If you require uniforms we encourage you to make a booking for a fitting. Go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and use the code sudx5 to find available times and dates. Limited walk-in days are also available. 

Tuckshop 

We encourage all families to use My School Connect to pre-order tuckshop this year. This will enable you to get the food choice you want and avoid the queues. All new families should have now received an invitation from My School Connect to set up an account. For existing families, if you haven’t yet set up an account, please go to My School Connect and click “Join today”. If you have any issues, please use the contact form on their website to get assistance.  

Buses 

Updated bus routes and times are available on the College website by clicking here. Rollcall invitations will go out to all new bus families on Thursday.

Laptop Collection

Years 7 and 10 students are required to pick up their laptops from the College from Tuesday 16 January to Friday 19 January between 8am and 4pm each day. Please go to the Info Hub to pick up your laptop on these days. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Business Office on 07 5466 9900.

Jenny Doyle
Business Manager 

We are looking forward to welcoming almost 200 new students to Faith Lutheran College for first day of Term 1 next week. Welcome to this very special community that is committed to awakening potential and empowering learners for purposeful lives through Christ.

Here are some important updates from the Marketing and Enrolments department:

2025 Enrolments

If you have a member of the family in Year 6 this year and you haven't yet submitted an application for them to join us in Year 7 next year, please do so at your earliest convenience. We have already finalised around half of the 2025 cohort and are currently in the process of testing and interviewing applicants. 

We are unable to hold a place for a future student if we have not received an application form for them. To submit an application for enrolment, please click here.

2024 College Calendar

The 2024 College Calendar has been printed and posted to all families. Keep an eye on your mailbox this week!

Open Day

Our 2024 Open Day will be taking place on Saturday 16 March from 9am to 1pm. If someone you know is interested in joining the Faith community, please encourage them to register for our Open Day by clicking here.

Students are encouraged to volunteer to help out at our Open Day. Information will be shared with them when term commences.

Faith Primary School EOI

If you haven't submitted an Expression of Interest to enrol a younger member of your family in our Primary School from 2027 onwards, please do so by clicking here. Many thanks to everyone who has submitted an Expression of Interest - this will be immensely helpful for our application to the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB).

Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing