NewsBites - Term 1, Week 4, 2025

Rights, Responsibilities, and the Fruits of Faith 

At Faith, we believe that a strong, supportive, and values-driven community is essential for student growth and success. Our Rights and Responsibilities, alongside the Fruits of Faith, form the foundation for how we learn, interact, and grow together. These guiding principles are embedded in our daily practices, providing a consistent framework for expectations and behaviour.

Rights
Every member of our community is entitled to certain fundamental rights that create a positive and respectful learning environment. These include:

• The right to be respected and feel safe both physically and emotionally.
• The right to learn without disruptions.

These rights ensure that all students can engage in their education without fear or unnecessary obstacles, fostering a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect.

Responsibilities
With rights come responsibilities, and each individual plays a role in maintaining a positive school environment. Our key responsibilities include:

• Being organised, punctual, and having a growth mindset.
• Caring for our environment/s.
• Listening, engaging, and responding appropriately.
• Upholding the College’s values, ethos, and Fruits of Faith when representing Faith Lutheran College.

By fulfilling these responsibilities, students contribute to a safe and productive learning space that benefits everyone.

The Fruits of Faith
The Fruits of Faith represent six core values that underpin our behaviour and decision-making:

• Care (eg. Showing kindness and compassion towards others.)
• Honour (eg. Acting with integrity and respect for others.)
• Respect (eg. Valuing people, places, and the learning environment.)
• Grace (eg. Offering forgiveness and understanding in our interactions.)
• Service (eg. Helping and supporting those in need.)
• Faith (eg. Trusting in God and following Christian values in all we do.)

Bringing It All Together: Weekly Behaviour Focus
To reinforce these principles, we connect our Rights, Responsibilities, and the Fruits of Faith through a weekly behavioural focus. These topics highlight practical ways students can embody these values in their daily lives. For example, Week 4’s focus on Respecting Shared Spaces emphasised the responsibility to care for our environment by maintaining clean and orderly classrooms, walkways, and facilities.

Each weekly focus serves as a reminder of how we can align our actions with our values, encouraging students to be responsible, respectful, and considerate members of the Faith community.

We encourage families to engage in discussions with their children about the weekly behaviour focus. Talking about how these values are being demonstrated at school and in daily life helps reinforce their importance and provides opportunities for meaningful reflection and growth.

By integrating our Rights, Responsibilities, and the Fruits of Faith into daily school life, we create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. As we move through the year, these guiding principles will continue to shape our interactions, ensuring that FLC remains a place of growth, respect, and excellence for all.

James Hallas
Acting Director of Communities and Culture

Applications close on Friday 7 March and testing will be conducted on Wednesday 26 March.

Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing

Empowering Parents with Real Talk Parents Resources

Parenting in today’s rapidly changing world is complex and can be difficult, especially when discussing sensitive topics like relationships, self-worth, and online safety. 

Research shows that parental engagement has a significant impact on shaping a young person’s opinions and behaviours. Unfortunately, many parents/carers may feel ill-equipped in discussing challenging topics. 

As a College, we are excited to announce that we have partnered with Real Talk to enable parents and carers to access resources to help support your children. Their resources address critical issues, including digital safety, healthy self-worth, and respectful relationships, ensuring young people make informed decisions that positively impact their well-being.

Signing up to Real Talk Parents offers an exclusive free Premium Membership, normally valued at $58. By signing up, you will be provided access to an extensive library of resources tailored for secondary school students, however there are also resources for primary school aged students if you have children who currently attend Primary School.

What’s Included?

• Quick Reference Guides & Conversation Starters – Helping parents engage in meaningful discussions.
• Short Videos & Deep-Dive Seminars – Covering essential topics like love, sex, relationships, consent, and online safety.
• Printable Resources & Curated Links – Offering expert advice on managing digital exposure, peer pressure, and healthy boundaries.
• eSafety & App Reviews – Keeping caregivers informed on the latest trends in gaming, social media, and internet use.

All content is developed with mainstream Christian values, ensuring a holistic approach that integrates biological, sociological, psychological, and spiritual aspects of child development.

To access your free Premium Membership, visit the Faith Lutheran College page (this link). Parents are encouraged to sign up to gain access to these invaluable resources and help equip yourself to positively influence your child’s future.

If you have any questions or have any issues signing up, please don’t be afraid to reach out to Richard Miegel (Deputy Director of Communities and Culture) rmiegel@faithlcs.qld.edu.au

New in Foundation Phase as of Week 3, students have been introduced the world of Projects as part of our Wednesday program. In houses, students are introduced to the design thinking process, where they create solutions and products to support the community, whether it be our school or the local area. 

For this semester, students will be engaging with the following projects:

• Change Agents for Redbacks
• Creative Innovators for Stingrays
• Into the Wild for Scorpions
• Healthy Habits for Taipans

Our Years 7 and 8 students will be engaging in dynamic projects that embrace the Head, Heart, Hands approach, fostering intellectual growth, emotional connection, and practical application. This holistic framework ensures students develop critical thinking, empathy, and real-world skills, setting the foundation for lifelong learning.

Head: Encouraging Inquiry and Understanding
Students are challenged to think deeply and critically through inquiry-based projects. Whether investigating sustainability, exploring historical narratives, or delving into scientific discoveries, they develop analytical skills and a thirst for knowledge. These projects encourage research, questioning, and problem-solving, preparing students for future academic success.

Story arcs play a crucial role in supporting the inquiry-based process by providing a structured yet flexible framework for exploration. By guiding students through a beginning, middle, and resolution, story arcs help them make connections, reflect on challenges, and synthesise their learning in meaningful ways.

Heart: Building Emotional Connections and Community
Faith Lutheran College prioritises emotional intelligence and community engagement. Foundation Phase projects integrate themes of kindness, resilience, and teamwork. Students collaborate on initiatives that support their peers, local charities, or environmental causes, fostering a sense of responsibility and empathy. By making learning meaningful, students are inspired to act with compassion and integrity.

Hands: Applying Knowledge Through Action
Practical, hands-on experiences bring learning to life. Whether designing and building models, growing gardens, or creating performances, students actively engage in their education. This hands-on approach cements understanding, boosts creativity, and enhances problem-solving skills. Through experiential learning, students see the tangible impact of their efforts, reinforcing their confidence and abilities.

A Foundation for the Future
By integrating the Head, Heart, Hands philosophy, Faith Lutheran College ensures that Foundation Phase students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. These projects cultivate well-rounded individuals who are curious learners, compassionate citizens, and capable contributors to the world around them.

In Foundation Phase, we continue to nurture the next generation through meaningful, impactful learning experiences that shape minds, touch hearts, and empower hands.

Beck Smith
Head of Wellbeing

The Graduate Phase has certainly hit the ground running! A walk through our classrooms this week revealed a hive of activity, with students engaged in diverse and meaningful learning experiences. From conducting online scientific research and investigating the actions of plant hormones to counting ants in the great outdoors and sharing musical moments with friends, the variety of learning on display has been truly inspiring.

Beyond the classroom, our committees are in full swing, with our Year 12 students leading the charge in their Legacy fundraising campaign. Their dedication was on full display last week as they delivered over 90 surprise serenades to staff and students, bringing joy and raising funds for this important cause. A huge thank you to all involved!

As we move further into the term, we recognise that assessment can sometimes bring stress and anxiety. One of the best ways to manage this is through effective organisation. In this week’s STEP session, students were guided through the process of creating and importing their personalised assessment calendars into Microsoft Outlook. We strongly encourage all students to use Outlook as their primary platform for emails and scheduling to help them stay on top of their commitments.

A reminder to families about the AARA (Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments) process in the Graduate Phase. AARA is available to support students who require adjustments to exam conditions (such as extra time and rest breaks) or extensions on assignments. The application process and required documentation templates can be accessed via Brightspace and Parent Lounge > Links > Curriculum. For any enquiries, please contact aara@faithlcs.qld.edu.au.

Graduate Phase Road Safety Incursion
On Wednesday 26 February, all Graduate Phase students will attend the RACQ Docudrama road safety program during lessons 4-6. This program aims to empower students to make better and informed choices both as a driver and a passenger. 

The program enables young people to understand that they have a voice and a choice to make positive decisions that will keep them, their friends, and their family safe. We look forward to sharing this valuable experience with students and will share some follow up information for students and families after the incursion.

Wishing all our Graduate Phase students a productive and rewarding week ahead!

Emma O'Shea
Heads of Learning - Graduate Phase