2026 Welcome Bulletin

Growing Connection and Belonging Together

As we begin the new school year, I warmly welcome our students and families to Faith for 2026. A new year always brings a sense of anticipation and opportunity, and we look forward to the growth, learning and shared experiences that lie ahead.

At Faith, we know that student success is built on strong foundations of connection and belonging. When students feel known, supported and valued, they are far more likely to engage deeply in their learning and thrive both academically and personally. Creating this sense of belonging is not something we do alone - it is achieved through a genuine partnership between students, families and staff, working together with the shared goal of helping each young person flourish.

Strong partnerships between families and the College are essential to supporting student success. Open, respectful communication helps ensure that students receive consistent guidance and care both at home and at school. We encourage parents and carers to reach out to staff whenever questions, concerns, or celebrations arise, as working together allows us to respond early, support wellbeing, and achieve the best outcomes for every student.

Parents and carers play a vital role in this partnership. Your encouragement, communication, and involvement help reinforce the values and expectations that support student wellbeing and learning. Likewise, we encourage students to take an active role in building positive relationships, showing care for others, and engaging fully in the life of the College. Together, we create a community where every student feels they belong.

The early weeks of the year offer many opportunities to strengthen these connections. Welcome evenings provide a valuable chance for families to meet staff, connect with one another, and gain insight into the year ahead. 

For our Year 7 students, camp is a significant milestone, supporting the development of friendships, resilience, and a sense of belonging as they transition into secondary school. Events such as the swimming carnival also play an important role, bringing our community together through shared experiences, school spirit, and celebration.

As the term begins, further information about sporting programs and a wide range of cocurricular opportunities will be shared. These programs offer students additional ways to connect, develop skills, pursue interests, and build friendships beyond the classroom, so please keep an eye on College communications, including newsletters, emails, Brightspace and the College app, to stay informed and engaged with upcoming events and opportunities.

As we embark on 2026 together, we thank you for being part of our College community. We look forward to a year marked by strong partnerships, meaningful connections and the shared joy of seeing our students grow and succeed.

Reid Dobson
Deputy Principal 

Learning and Growing
At the beginning of each new school year, there is an atmosphere of anticipation and curiosity about what the year will bring: new knowledge, experiences, challenges, and sometimes setbacks. The journey of learning is complex and rigorous and, we hope, exciting.

Learning is about more than performance or results. We believe learning is formative—it shapes who students are becoming. Our purpose is to help young people grow in wisdom, confidence, and character, so they are equipped not only for further study or work, but for purposeful lives through Christ.

When students understand why they are learning, they are more likely to engage deeply, persist through challenge, and take responsibility for their growth. Learning, in this sense, is a journey of formation—in minds, in hearts, and in hands.

Quality and Dynamic Instruction
Families can be assured that our focus is on high-quality teaching every day, grounded in consistency, clarity, and strong relationships in the classroom. In 2025, our staff and leaders worked with Dr Shyam Barr, author of Educate to Self-Regulate. We continue to work in this space to ensure our approach to teaching and learning is informed by best practice.

Effective teaching looks like clear explanations, well-structured lessons incorporating brain-based strategies, timely feedback, and teachers who know their students well. These fundamentals provide stability and confidence for learners and create the conditions in which students can thrive.

Building Strong Learning Habits

Success at school is built through habits formed over time. Across Years 7–12, we place strong emphasis on:

• attentive participation in class activities
• regular revision and consolidation of learning
• organisation and preparation
• resilience when learning feels challenging

Encouragement for 2026
Simple, consistent actions make a difference. Revisiting learning, reading regularly, asking questions, and reflecting on feedback all contribute to long-term growth.

Families, you play an incredibly vital role in supporting students’ learning at home. You can support learning at school by:

• encouraging regular attendance and consistent routines
• showing interest in both the learning and the journey
• supporting organisation routines, including managing resources and timelines
• reinforcing the value of effort and persistence, particularly through challenge
• helping your child navigate balance between school commitments and home life
• maintaining open communication with the College

Faith is a busy and exciting learning community. Thank you for supporting learning and for walking alongside us this year.

Lisbeth Goldston 
Director of Teaching and Learning 

Welcome to the New School Year: Key Information 

As we begin the new school year, we look forward to the learning, growth, and opportunities ahead. The start of the year is an important time to establish positive habits, clear expectations, and a strong focus on learning and wellbeing.

To support a smooth start, we would like to share some key information.

Key Contacts – Wellbeing Support
Our Heads of Wellbeing are available to support students with learning, wellbeing, and engagement throughout the year. Students and families are encouraged to reach out early if concerns arise.

• Foundation Phase – Year 7: Mrs Kate Manthey (Head of Wellbeing). Mr Matt Hay will take over this role during Term 1.
• Foundation Phase – Year 8: Miss Tammika Zischke (Head of Wellbeing)
• Exploration Phase: Ms Rachel Watts and Mr Pirouz Salari (Heads of Wellbeing)
• Graduate Phase: Mrs Emma Saal and Mrs Danielle Thompson (Heads of Wellbeing)

Attendance – Every Day Counts
Regular attendance plays a crucial role in academic success, wellbeing, and connection to school life. Each day provides valuable learning opportunities and supports positive routines and relationships.

Families are asked to notify the College of absences via the Faith App, phone, or email. If illness or personal circumstances affect attendance over multiple days, please contact the relevant Head of Wellbeing so appropriate support can be provided. Holidays during term time require an application and are generally discouraged.

Digital Citizenship and Responsible Technology Use
This year marks the introduction of the College’s Digital Literacy and Citizenship Program, designed to support students in developing the skills required to use technology responsibly, ethically, and with academic purpose.

The program will be implemented progressively across the year and includes:

• targeted digital learning modules
• the use of specific digital tools and licences
• a dedicated Digital Literacy Week

Students are reminded of expectations regarding responsible laptop use and care. Devices must be handled carefully and used appropriately for learning. For additional protection, students are encouraged to use their satchel when transporting laptops to and from school and between classes. Charges may apply in cases of repeated or deliberate damage.

In line with the College’s mobile phone policy, students are encouraged to keep their phones in their lockers during the school day. Mobile phones should only be used in class under explicit teacher instruction. These expectations support focused learning, positive social interactions, and student wellbeing.

With recent changes and increased restrictions around social media use for young people, families are encouraged to continue conversations at home about online behaviour, safety, and balance. These messages are reinforced through our digital citizenship learning and wellbeing structures.

We look forward to a positive and productive year ahead.

James Hallas  
Director of Communities and Culture  

This year is shaping up to be a busy and exciting year for the College as we not only build and prepare for the first stage of the Primary School opening in January 2027 but also many other improvement projects around the campus.

Building Works
The internal roads and dedicated bus road is well underway and is due to be finished late February. The bus set down and pick up area will be unchanged until the project is complete. 

As part of the road works, the Drop and Go area has been temporarily affected, but still usable, and our Facilities team have marked out two lanes for use. 

Over the break, the ovals were both renovated, a new shade structure has been installed on the side of the top oval, the G6 gym area has been converted into an additional classroom with adjoining additional space for 3D Printers, and an outdoor covered learning area was added to the Rural Operations area. We are currently working on uplifting some of the gardens, adding shade trees and seating for students to enjoy and shelter under. There are several other ongoing maintenance and projects as we continue to improve the campus and facilities.

Bus Services
Faith partners with Southern Cross Transit to operate our bus service. Route information is available on the College Website under the Community tab.  

The College bus operating system has changed from RollCall to TransportMe. If a Faith Bus is required on a casual basis, families will need to download the TransportMe app to purchase casual bus trips. Please click here for further information on how to download and use the app. All students are required to carry their Student ID to tap on and off the bus which enables efficient logging of students and tracking of their travel, visible through the App.

For existing and new families, bus route and booking information will be available in the TransportMe mobile App. 

If you require a Faith bus for your child/ren and have not yet applied, please contact Jacki Friels at jfriels@faithlcs.qld.edu.au

School Fees
The invoices for Term 1 Fees were issued and emailed on Friday 16 January and are due for payment by Friday 30 January. You can also access these through Parent Lounge. I take this opportunity to remind families that the College does not offer in-house payment plans, and full payment is due by the due date.   

Should you require a payment plan, you are welcome to utilise the Edstart service, a third-party service that supports families with flexible school fee payment options, which is a fee and interest free platform.

Edstart Contact Information:

• Phone: 1300 139 445
• Email: contact@edstart.com.au
• Website: www.edstart.com.au/faithlc

If you would like to discuss your family’s fees, please email accountsreceivable@faithlcs.qld.edu.au

Tuckshop and Uniform Shop
Families can place Tuckshop and Uniform orders online via the My School Connect App. Using this App enables your children to access these services without having to worry about cash or card payments. New families will soon receive further emails from My School Connect with instructions about how to activate your account and to add funds, so please keep an eye on your inbox.

Weston Davis
Chief Operating Officer

All systems go in Marketing and Enrolments!

Welcome back for another exciting year at Faith Lutheran College.

Term 1 is promising to be jam-packed with the following initiatives and events taking place:

Year 7, 2027 Enrolments
We are very close to starting a wait pool for Year 7, 2027. All current families with a child in Year 6 this year are urged to submit an application now.

Faith Primary School
We have been thrilled by the initial interest in our Primary School and are looking forward to finalising our first ever Years 5 and 6 classes for 2027 in Semester 1. 

Here's some of the exciting opportunities that Faith Primary will offer to students:

• Flexible, modern learning spaces (building starts soon!)
• Wellbeing support
• Year 6 Camp to Sydney and Canberra
• Year 5 Camp (venue TBC)
• Intraschool and Interschool sporting competitions
• Swimming lessons
• Visits to the gym, farm, and Performing Arts studio
• OSHC.... and much more!

We are excited to not only offer these amazing opportunities to our future Primary students, but to ensure a smooth, supportive transition to high school.

Families with a younger sibling who is in Years 4 and 5 this year are encouraged to submit an application for enrolment as soon as possible, if you haven't already done so. Click here to apply.

Open Day – Saturday 7 March
Our annual Open Day is always a huge day on the Faith calendar. We’ll be inviting students to volunteer to assist on the day. Please share this date with any friends or family who are considering Faith for their child’s education.

Website Update
Over the coming weeks, you’ll notice a few changes to the Faith website. We’re updating it so that it aligns with our new Prep to Year 12 offering, so families can easily find the information they’re looking for.

Keeping in Touch
Here are the best ways for families to keep up-to-date with what’s happening at Faith:

• Faith App: Make sure you turn on notifications – families find this really helpful
• NewsBites: Our fortnightly newsletter for all families
• Phase Newsletters: Sent on the alternate weeks to NewsBites with phase-specific information
• Calendar: You will be receiving your printed calendar by post, if you haven't already
• Social Media: Faith has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn - please be aware that following doesn't guarantee you'll see all posts

Wishing everyone in our College community a wonderful year in 2026!

Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing