NewsBites - Term 2, Week 1, 2025
I pray that all students and families enjoyed a safe and blessed Easter. It has been wonderful to welcome all students and staff back this week, with many important events and activities already taking place.
Firstly, I wish to thank all students and staff involved with the College’s ANZAC Commemorative Service. This was an incredibly moving service, solemnly paying our respects to past and present servicemen and women. I look forward to being joined by many staff and students on Friday this week in Laidley for the ANZAC Day March and Service. A reminder that we will meet at the Anglican Church in Ambrose Street from 10.10am.
Like most school terms, Term 2 is similarly packed with many important events and activities, such as next week’s Parent Teacher Interviews. I encourage all families to engage with the various forms of communication from the College regarding these upcoming events, including NewsBites, Phase Newsletters, and the College’s relevant social media accounts.
As many would know, there are many developments taking place at the College. This includes the new Administration and Student Services building, which is nearing completion. Important upgrades are also underway at the Foundation Precinct, as well as key road and carpark upgrades. I thank all students and families for their patience with these works, which, while occasionally causing minor disruptions, will deliver significant benefits.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge an important staffing appointment. From next week, Mr Weston Davis will officially commence in the role of Chief Operating Officer. Weston has been a familiar face at Faith for several years, serving on the College Council and Finance Committee since 2016. His extensive background in governance, financial oversight, and strategic planning makes him well-suited for this role.
Weston brings over a decade of leadership experience, most recently as School Manager for the UQ School of Veterinary Science. There, he managed budgets, risk, capital projects, and compliance. With a CPA qualification and a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy), Weston’s expertise in operational management and strategic thinking will be invaluable as Faith continues to grow. We are excited to welcome Weston into this position and look forward to his contributions in strengthening the College’s operations.
I look forward to the term ahead, as we work together as a community to help our students to be awakened and empowered as learners so they can experience a purposeful life through Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Tyson Kenny
Acting Principal
Welcome to Term 2!
We’re so pleased to welcome our students, families, and staff back for what promises to be an exciting and enriching Term 2. As always, our College community is buzzing with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and grow together.
This term is filled with wonderful events that showcase the heart of our community and culture, including:
- ANZAC March
- Interhouse Cross Country
- Foundation Phase Mother's Day Event
- Foundation Phase Movie Night
- Internal & External Showcase
- Grandparents' Day
- ...and so much more!
These events are a vital part of who we are as a College – a place where learning goes beyond the classroom and relationships are nurtured through shared experiences.
We encourage families to stay connected by regularly checking the College calendar, reading our emails, and keeping an eye on social media posts for event updates and reminders. Your involvement helps make these events so special, and we look forward to seeing you throughout the term.
Here’s to a fantastic Term 2 ahead!
The Importance of Attendance – and How to Apply for Extraordinary Leave
At Faith, we value the importance of consistent attendance. Being at school every day allows students to fully engage with their learning, connect with peers, and make steady progress towards their academic goals.
Students with ongoing or extended absences can find it challenging to maintain continuity in their academic learning. More than that, time away from the classroom can impact a student's sense of connection and belonging – both of which are essential for wellbeing and success at school.
While we understand that sometimes families may need to request leave during term time, extended absences can place additional pressure on both students and staff. With this in mind, the College has clear expectations and processes for applying for extraordinary or extended leave.
Key Information for Families:
- The College has a Student Extraordinary Leave Policy. If your child will be away during the school term (outside of scheduled holidays), your family must seek approval.
- To apply, families should email the Principal at faith@faithlcs.qld.edu.au with the subject line “EXTENDED LEAVE REQUEST”.
- The email should include:
- The dates of the intended absence;
- The reason for the leave;
- Awareness of any assessment deadlines that may be missed.
- Leave requests must be made at least one full term in advance.
- Leave for family holidays or social reasons is not classified as Approved Leave. In these cases, students will not be provided with alternative assessment arrangements – particularly in the Graduate Phase.
- In Foundation and Exploration Phases, missed or incomplete assessments can usually be managed in a way that avoids disadvantaging the student.
- In the Graduate Phase, however, flexibility is very limited. Missing assessments can result in unmet course requirements, affecting a student’s eligibility for their QCE, ATAR, or TAFE rankings.
- Not all applications will be approved, even with appropriate notice.
We encourage all families to plan events and holidays during school breaks and to speak with teachers or the Wellbeing team if they have any questions. Thank you for your continued support in helping every student thrive — both in their learning and in their sense of belonging at Faith.
In Christ,
James Hallas
Acting Director of Communities and Culture
Faith Shaves for a Cure: Our community coming together to show compassion and care for those in need
The last day of Term 1 was a memorable day for many students as we celebrated and supported World’s Greatest Shave at Faith. Our College community came together to support the Leukaemia Foundation by colouring, shaving and cutting along with supporting various food stalls. Students taking part in the shave itself raised $5,399—surpassing our initial goal of $5,000. On the day sales at the various stalls run by the Community Crusaders and Service teams will see this total reach close to $6,500.
While the day was wet, it couldn’t dampen the excitement of the six students taking part. Their collective efforts in shaving, cutting, or colouring their hair not only raised vital funds but also heightened awareness about blood cancer, a disease that affects thousands of Australians each year. Many of our participants knew someone who directly who had been directly impacted by cancer so wanted to raise funds in memory of them.
The fundraising success of our team members has been truly commendable. Below is a summary of how much each student has currently raised.
• Olive Morrissey - $1,491
• Connor Skerrett - $1,261
• Khaleesi Bennett - $736
• Jackson Bird - $606
• Levi Crowden - $598
• Lawson Jenkins - $500
I am truly proud of these students and their fundraising efforts and commitment to this cause. It is extremely nerve wracking to lose as much hair as they did, but it showed their willingness to step out of their comfort zone to help support this worthy cause. Both Olive and Khaleesi also collected their ponytails to donate to charity for the creation of wigs to help those directly impacted by cancer who had lost their hair due to various cancer treatments.
The funds raised will support the Leukaemia Foundation's mission to provide care and assistance to those affected by blood cancer. This includes funding for research, patient support services, and accommodation for families undergoing treatment. Every dollar contributes to making a tangible difference in the lives of those battling this disease.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated, donated, and supported this cause. Your generosity and spirit of giving are what make our College community so special. Together, we have shown that by working together, we can make a difference. A special thanks goes to Gemella from Gem’s Hair Studio, and Kristy Klee from Hair By Kristy for helping to shave heads and cut ponytails on the day.
For those who wish to learn more or continue supporting this cause, please visit our team page: Faith Lutheran College Plainland – World's Greatest Shave.
Dreaming Big: The Power of Goals and Future-Focused Thinking in the Foundation Phase
As we step into Term 2, Foundation Phase students find themselves not just learning content—but also learning more about who they are, how they like to learn, and who they might want to become.
For our Year 8 learners, they will begin considering their subject preferences for the next stages of their learning journey - the Exploration Phase. With more than 80 subjects on offer, students have the opportunity to lean into the topics they are passionate about and consider courses they want to explore further.
This is the perfect moment to talk about goals—and dreams
Setting goals isn’t just a motivational catchphrase; it has the potential to be a powerful practice for developing a student’s sense of agency, purpose, and resilience. When students take time to articulate what matters to them and what they’re working toward, they’re more likely to take ownership of their learning. And when families engage in future-focused conversations it becomes a collective journey.
Educational research highlights goal setting and motivation to have significant positive impact on student learning. In particular, students benefit most when goals are specific, challenging (but attainable), and when they receive regular feedback about their progress.
Perhaps even more important is the mindset that surrounds goal setting and future-focussed discussions. At Faith, we want students to understand that success doesn’t always look like a straight line. Setbacks will be part of the journey, and it is in the moments of challenge that character is shaped, and deeper learning can occur.
As families, you play a vital role in framing these conversations. Here are some ways you can support your child through the next exciting season:
- Talk about dreams not just careers, but the kind of person they hope to be.
- Encourage goal-setting that’s specific, realistic, and driven by intrinsic values.
- Discuss what success means in your family and how setbacks can be seen as stepping stones, not stop signs.
- Help them see connections between what they’re learning and the future possibilities it opens up.
- Celebrate effort and growth of the journey, not just the end result.
At Faith Lutheran College, our Foundation Phase doesn’t just set the foundation for learning curriculum —it’s about awakening potential and empowering learners.
Lisbeth Goldston
Head of Learning (7)
Welcome Back
We hope everyone had a relaxing break and is ready to get into the swing of Term 2. It’s a great time to reset, refocus, and make the most of what’s ahead. There’s plenty happening over the next few weeks, and we’re looking forward to seeing what everyone can achieve.
Subject Showcase – Wednesday 14 May
Our Subject Showcase is coming up this term on the evening of Wednesday 14 May, and the whole Faith community is invited. It’s a great chance to see what’s on offer for students next year and to have conversations with the teachers who make it all happen.
With over 90 courses in the Exploration Phase, the evening promises to be full of variety. Whether your student is interested in Aeronautical Engineering, Photography, the history of the Mongol Empire—or something completely different—there’s something to spark their curiosity and passion.
Parent-Teacher Interviews – Monday 28 April
A quick reminder that Parent-Teacher Interviews are happening this coming Monday 28 April. These sessions are an important part of the learning journey, offering a space to talk about progress, strengths, and where to focus next.
Students are encouraged to come along with their parents or carers and take part in the discussion. It’s a valuable chance to reflect on the term so far and plan ahead together.
Exploration Phase Student Jake Brookes Awarded Laidley RSL Sub-Branch Bursary
Congratulations to Jake Brooks, who has been awarded one of the Laidley RSL Sub-Branch Bursaries for his thoughtful and well-researched essay on Dallas ‘Dal’ John Ryan, a member of the 11th Light Horse Regiment during World War I.
The Laidley RSL Sub-Branch extended their sincere thanks to Jake and our school for participating in the program, noting their appreciation for the effort Jake put into his work and the high standard of his submission.
In his essay, Jake explores the remarkable life of Dallas Ryan—from his early days in northern New South Wales to his service in the 11th Light Horse Regiment and his later years in Laidley, where he continued to serve the community. Jake’s writing pays tribute not only to Ryan’s contributions but also to all those from the Lockyer Valley who served during the First World War.
Well done, Jake, on this well-deserved recognition.
Jabez Castray
Head of Learning - Exploration Phase
Graduate Phase: Connection, Celebration and Christ-Centred Support in Term 2
As we return to College life for Term 2, we pause to acknowledge the Easter season we’ve just come through—a time of renewal, reflection and hope. For many, Easter offers a reminder of the grace extended to us through Christ’s resurrection and the invitation we have to begin again with purpose and peace. We hope our Graduate Phase students and families experienced a break that brought both rest and restoration, and moments to reconnect with loved ones and with faith.
Breaks such as these are also a chance to work smarter, not harder. As we reminded students at the end of last term, even during rest, small actions—like planning ahead, catching up, or preparing for upcoming tasks—can ease the workload of the term ahead and create much-needed breathing space as things get busier.
We began this term with our College ANZAC Day Service, honouring those who have served our country and those who continue to do so. It is a joy to know that many of our Graduate Phase students will also be representing the College at the Laidley ANZAC Day March and Service this Friday, showing leadership, respect and commitment to community.
As always, we remind students and families that we are on this journey together. Senior schooling comes with both challenges and triumphs, and we are here to walk alongside every student—to support, guide, and celebrate with them. If there’s any way we can assist, please don’t hesitate to reach out. As we often say, balance and communication are key to making the Graduate Phase as joyful and successful as possible.
We’re also thrilled to share that the 2026 Senior Attire has been officially approved and the online store is now open! Orders will close on Friday 9 May 2025, so we encourage students and staff to place orders early. Congratulations to the Jersey Committee for their outstanding effort in consulting, designing and collaborating with Dynasty and the Senior Leadership Team. Their initiative and leadership have made a lasting contribution to the identity of the 2026 senior cohort.
This term will also see the formation of the 2025 Senior Formal Committee, as we begin planning the event—a key moment in the Year 12 journey. The Legacy Committee will also continue their work, coordinating fundraising initiatives to support both a lasting gift to the College and a charitable donation to serve the wider community.
Our Academic Monitoring Meetings have resumed as well. These provide an important opportunity for students to connect with their academic mentor, reflect on Term 1, set clear goals, and access support where needed. Students will complete a reflection activity in Phase Coach to guide these conversations and ensure they’re both purposeful and personalised.
We are also looking forward to the upcoming Cross Country and Stampede, a much-loved event on our College calendar. For our Year 12s, this marks their final College Cross Country—an opportunity to lead by example, enjoy time with peers, and create memories that will last long after they cross the finish line.
Finally, as more of our students gain their Provisional Licences, we want to both celebrate this milestone and remind families of the importance of our Students Driving to School Policy. This form must be completed prior to students driving to and/or from the College, especially if transporting other students. The form is quick to complete and is available under ‘Forms’ on Brightspace, or directly here: Student Driver Authorisation Form
We are excited for what lies ahead in Term 2 and look forward to continuing this journey of growth, connection, and purpose with each Graduate Phase student.
Andrea Blakely & Emma Saal
Heads of Wellbeing - Graduate Phase