NewsBites - Term 2, Week 5, 2025

Celebration of Student Achievement

As we officially reach the halfway point of the term, I want to take a moment to highlight the incredible achievements of many students across the College. 

Earlier this week, several of these students were acknowledged at our mid-term Assembly for their growth and/or achievement in the areas of academics, sport, performing arts, and community service. It was a wonderful occasion that celebrated the tremendous effort and accomplishments of so many at Faith so far this term. Well done!

We were also blessed to hear a message from Pastor Nathan, who reminded us of the inherent worth and dignity of every individual in our community. While it is right to acknowledge exceptional student achievement and contributions both within and beyond our College, it is equally important to remember that every person here at Faith is known, loved, and cared for.

Echoing part of Pastor Nathan’s message, in the busyness of the school term, if any student is finding things challenging or overwhelming, please know that support is always available. Our College places the highest value on connection and belonging. 

Yes, we intentionally mark important days like Harmony Day, RUOK? Day, and National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence – but just as importantly, we strive to ensure that every day at Faith reflects a culture where people feel seen, supported, and valued – just as God, sees, loves, and values us.

I encourage all students to continue striving for their personal best – both inside and outside the classroom. I also urge students to reach out for support if they ever face difficulties that feel too much to handle alone.

I look forward to the remainder of the term, celebrating continued student achievement and witnessing how we care for one another through a strong sense of community and belonging.

Yours in Christ,
Tyson Kenny
Acting Principal 

Interviews for Primary School starting soon!

The commencement of our Primary School in 2027 might seem like a long time away, but it's almost time for us to start interviewing for our first ever Year 5 and 6 students.

Below you will see some of the designs for our new primary school classrooms - as you can see, they are unlike anything else in the Lockyer Valley!

We'll have three classes each of Years 5 and 6 students and we're humbled to have already received enough enrolment applications to fill more than a third of the spots available.

Any families with students currently in Years 3 or 4 and would like them to join us in Years 5 and 6 are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible so they can be included in the first round of interviews.

If you have any questions regarding enrolments, please contact us at enrolment@faithlcs.qld.edu.au.

Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing

A Meaningful Start to Term 2

Projects on a Wednesday provides students with the freedom to explore new skills and interests without the pressure of producing an assessment. 

The program in Foundation Phase allows students to engage in hands-on projects across a variety of areas offered around the school, such as cooking, woodworking, and 3D printing. Since the focus is on the learning process rather than the final product, students are encouraged to think big, take risks, and build confidence in their abilities. The absence of assessments creates an environment where creativity and curiosity can thrive.  

Here are some updates on projects taking place in the Foundation Phase:

"As a group, we are trying to make mosaic tiles for the Foundation Phase buildings - each represented by the house colours of the College. This project taught us how to overcome challenges and solve problems as they appeared during our planning. One of our first obstacles was choosing which idea to choose, as our group had many different ideas. To solve this, we created a voting and elimination process that led us to a final decision. Later, we realised that the materials we first planned to buy were too expensive, so we had to find a more affordable alternative. These experiences strengthened our teamwork, flexibility, and ability to think creatively under pressure."

By Abby, Charlotte, Birva and Ivy (Creative Innovators)

"Our driving question was ‘How can we introduce healthy foods to the Tuck Shop that will be purchased?’.  Last week we got the opportunity to go to the kitchen and learn how to bake healthy dark chocolate chip raspberry cookies. Our main ingredients in the cookies included chia seeds, chocolate chips and raspberries. These cookies were quite easy and fast to make.  We learnt how to use the kitchen space and equipment responsibly, and where to find everything. Tahlia learnt how to measure amounts properly, and we learnt that cookies could look disgusting but taste amazing. Our main feedback on the cookies was that they tasted delicious, but we need to improve their appearance. Next week we are going to go back to the kitchen to improve our cookies so that they look better."

By Claire, Tahlia, Madison, Willoughby, Ella (Healthy Habits) 

"Our first step was brainstorming our vision for the garden. Once we had our idea, we measured the available space to plan accordingly. Now, all that’s left is to order the plants and dive into the fun (but messy!) part - planting!  We are growing a variety of plants, including different fruits, vegetables and herbs. Among them there are apples, bananas, tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, mint, lemons, strawberries, and broccoli as well as carrots. These were all chosen to contribute to a healthy, thriving garden providing nutritional benefits." 

By Audrey, Millie and Sophia (Into the Wild)

Choosing Kindness, Leaving Legacy: The Graduate Years at Faith

As our Graduate Phase students move through the rhythm of Term 2, it’s easy to be swept up in the practical demands of assessments, deadlines, jerseys, and formal committees. But underneath all of that lives something deeper - something more enduring.

These final years of school are about so much more than academic milestones. They are about the kind of people our students are becoming. About how they will be remembered.

At Faith, the Graduate Phase is intentionally shaped as a time of legacy-building. Not just the legacy of what students achieve, but how they make others feel. It's about how they show up for one another. The quiet encouragement in the classroom or on the pathway. The effort to include someone sitting alone. The willingness to lead by lifting others - not for applause, but because it’s right.

This term, we’ve reminded our students of this truth: you don’t need a badge to be a leader, you only need a heart that chooses kindness. In the busyness of senior life, those choices matter more than ever. 

These years will be remembered. Not just by our students themselves, but by those who walked beside them. Friends, teachers, younger peers… even strangers who were shown unexpected grace.

It’s no surprise that this message aligns beautifully with our Fruits of Faith - particularly care, grace, respect, honour, faith, and service. These are the virtues we hope our students carry beyond the College gates. Because while ATARs may open doors, it’s character that sustains purpose. 

It’s kindness that leaves a legacy.

Share Your Memories, Hopes and Prayers

To support this journey, we are inviting students, families, past students, and community members to share with us:

• Your favourite memory from your final years of high school
• Your hope or prayer for our current Graduate Phase students

Whether it’s a funny moment, a lifelong lesson, or simply a word of encouragement, we’d love to pass your reflections on to our Graduate Phase students as part of our moments of reflection.

Your words could become part of a powerful reminder: that the senior years are not just about the finish line - it’s about the people you become along the way, and the ripple effect your kindness can leave behind.

Share your memory and message:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/diYmtkvinb

Let’s remind our Graduate Phase students that they are not walking this path alone. That they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Let’s show them what legacy really looks like.

Andrea Blakely & Emma Saal
Heads of Wellbeing – Graduate Phase