NewsBites - Term 4, Week 8, 2024
Finishing Well
As the end of the year draws near, I am filled with gratitude for what has been a remarkable 2024 at Faith Lutheran College.
This year has been one of growth, achievement, and celebration.
Together, we marked our 25th anniversary, a milestone that reminded us of our strong foundation and the community that has made our College what it is today.
We have been nationally recognised for our innovative curriculum design, witnessed students achieve personal bests in academics, arts, and sport, and celebrated countless moments of joy and connection.
From the classroom to the sports field and beyond, this year has truly reflected the strength and spirit of our College community.
With just over a week to go, it is vital that we finish well. This is a time to focus on concluding projects, celebrating achievements, and reflecting on the journey we've shared.
I encourage all students to stay committed, uphold our values, and give their best in these final days.
Thank you to our students, staff, and families for your contributions, support, and dedication.
Let’s finish this year strong!
Yours in Christ,
Doug Braiden
College Principal
Embracing Change: A Term of Transitions
This term at Faith has been a period of reflection, celebration, and transformation as students begin to journey through their respective Phases. From farewells to new beginnings, the events of this term have underscored the importance of transition in our students’ lives.
Firstly, we celebrated Presentation Night, a highlight of the College calendar. This evening showcased the exceptional accomplishments of our students across academics, arts, and service. It was a moment of pride for families, staff, and peers, as we recognised not only achievements but also the dedication and perseverance that led to them.
Last week’s Valedictory Ceremony served as a poignant moment as we bid farewell to the graduating class of 2024. These remarkable young people now step into the next chapter of their lives, embarking on paths that lead to university, TAFE, travel or the workforce. It was a time to honour their achievements, resilience, and contributions to the school community, wishing them success in all their future endeavours.
As we approach the end of the term, the focus shifts to transitions across, and within, Phases. Students in the Foundation Phase will prepare to move into the Exploration Phase, while those in the Exploration Phase will step into the responsibilities of the Graduate Phase. This process will be supported by a variety of activities and guest presenters, designed to equip students with skills, insights, and confidence for the challenges ahead in 2025.
One of our key upcoming events is the Exploration Phase Evening, which will provide students and families with a comprehensive understanding of what lies ahead. It will set the stage for the Exploration Phase Camp, a cornerstone experience emphasising leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. Through these experiences, students will develop the skills and character needed to navigate their next steps with confidence.
This term has been a reminder of the fluid nature of school life, as students continuously grow, adapt, and prepare for what’s next. Each event has highlighted the incredible potential within our students and the strength of our community in supporting them.
As a College, we embrace change not only for our students but also within our broader community. This year, we have been working on the development of a College Reconciliation Action Plan, which will be unveiled early in 2025. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering inclusivity, respect, and meaningful connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ensuring that reconciliation is central to our future.
As we conclude another year, we look forward to seeing the growth these transitions inspire, knowing that our students are becoming equipped to lead, serve, and succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Reid Dobson
Director of Communities and Culture
Christmas is around the corner, and I want to take this opportunity to let you know about an alternative Christmas present that you could give to someone special this Christmas, or even your entire family.
The opportunity is called Gifts of Grace – it is a Christmas gift catalogue produced by Australian Lutheran World Service. You can find out more by visiting www.alws.org.au Essentially, the purpose is to flick through the gift catalogue like you would other sales catalogues, but, in this catalogue, you are choosing gifts that benefit people less fortunate than ourselves. An example of what you can purchase is a contribution to a water hand pump for a school in Nepal, textbooks for refugee children or seeds and farm training for people in Indonesia.
I spoke about this opportunity at Chapel this week and some students took home a Gifts of Grace catalogue. The senior class of 2024 also donated a substantial portion of their legacy gift to this cause. Many people I know do their Christmas shopping entirely with this catalogue – buying gifts that truly matter for all their friends and family and passing along a card telling their friend or family member what was purchased on their behalf.
We all have lots of material possessions. It is doubtful that we need more. Consider purchasing a gift of grace this year.
Ps Nathan Glover
College Pastor
Presentation Night Photos
Congratulations to all the award winners from the 2024 Presentation Evening on Tuesday 12 November!
Parents and caregivers can download professional photos from this event by using the below button.
Please note that the link will expire on Friday 6 December.
Valedictory Photos
We are so proud of our 2024 Graduates and wish them every success as they begin the next exciting chapter of their lives.
Professional photos from the Valedictory Service can be downloaded using the below button.
The link will expire on Friday 6 December.
Thank you to everyone who made both the Presentation Night and Valedictory Service a success.
Special thanks to Luke Willey for taking the professional photos at both events.
We look forward to celebrating our top performing ATAR students at our Scholar's Assembly in Term 1.
Bianca Coleborn
Director of Marketing
Uniform Shop
Walk-In Opening Hours 2025
If you require any uniform items for the 2025 school year, the Uniform Shop will be open on the following days for walk-in customers (NOT uniform fittings):
| Date | Hours |
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Tuesday 14 January
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10am to 4pm
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Thursday 16 January
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10am to 4pm
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Saturday 18 January
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11am to 1pm
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Tuesday 21 January
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10am to 4pm
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Thursday 23 January
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10am to 4pm
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Friday 24 January
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9am to 4pm
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New Student Uniform Fitting Appointments
If you have a new student starting at Faith in 2025, you will need to make a Uniform Fitting appointment at the Uniform Shop. These appointments can be made online. Visit www.schoolinterviews.com.au, click on 'Make a Booking' and use the code: zp24e
For the dates available and further information, please click here.
Hair with Heart
Our very own Mr Richard Tank has been growing his hair for an incredible five years, and the time has come for a big change! At the start of Week 10 (hopefully), he’ll be cutting it all off to support Hair with Heart, a charity that creates wigs for children experiencing hair loss due to illness.
This isn't the first time Mr Tank has done this, having donated his very long hair in 2019 - check out the photo!
Let’s rally behind Mr Tank and his inspiring act of kindness! Your donations will make a difference, helping Richard reach his goal and supporting children in need.
Every dollar counts! Show your support by donating today. Together, we can help Richard’s Big Chop make a BIG impact.
You can donate here by using the button below:
Celebrating Year 8 Identity and Creativity
The Year 8 Project-Based Learning (PBL) task, “How Has My Identity Changed?”, is a remarkable opportunity for our students to reflect, create, and express their personal growth. This year’s project will culminate in a vibrant exhibition of student artwork at the much-anticipated Foundation Festival Showcase.
Through this task, students explore one of the five arts disciplines—visual arts, music, drama, dance, or media arts—and create a piece that represents their evolving identity. The driving question, “How has my identity changed?” invites students to reflect on their journey through the Foundation Phase, unpacking the various experiences, relationships, and milestones that have shaped who they are today.
Each project is a culmination of rigorous learning and thoughtful exploration. Students are challenged to appropriate concepts from other artists within their chosen discipline. Whether it’s a painted canvas, a choreographed dance, a composed piece of music, or a media production, each artwork offers a unique lens into the lives of our Year 8 students.
We warmly invite families, friends, and community members to join us at the Foundation Festival Showcase to celebrate these incredible young artists, along with the Year 7 students, who are showcasing their Water in the World water purification prototypes. This event is not only a display of talent but also a testament to the power of creativity and self-expression in shaping our understanding of who we are.
Save the date and prepare to be inspired by the voices, visions, and stories of our Foundation Phase students!
Andrea Blakely
Head of Wellbeing - Foundation Phase (8)
As the Exploration Phase ends for the year, we reflect on a year filled with growth, challenges, and discovery. Years 9 and 10 have been all about exploring new subjects, developing independence, and preparing for the senior years ahead.
Students have navigated a diverse curriculum, tackled assessments, and engaged in co-curricular opportunities that allowed them to uncover their passions and strengths. From building skills in core subjects to experiencing electives and hands-on projects, this phase has laid a strong foundation for their future academic and personal endeavours.
We commend the resilience, curiosity, and determination shown by students throughout the year. To those moving forward, continue to embrace learning with an open mind and a willingness to explore. Congratulations on completing this important milestone!
In the Classroom - Exploration Phase Students Take on Detective Investigations
Exploration Phase students are stepping into the shoes of detectives in an exciting and hands-on elective course, Detective Investigations. Designed to introduce students to the world of criminal investigations, the program teaches real-world skills like evidence analysis, witness interviewing, and constructing compelling cases—all within a safe, educational environment.
This term, students have been tasked with solving two staged crimes: a graffiti incident at the Graduate Phase lockers and a mobile phone theft near C Block. Through teamwork and critical thinking, they have collected a range of evidence, including CCTV footage, witness statements, photo ID boards, and criminal history information. This brief of evidence compiled by the students has been essential in piecing together the sequence of events and identifying potential suspects.
Adding to the authenticity of the experience, students were required to issue search warrants for the suspects’ premises before conducting their interviews. The warrants, drafted by the students themselves, were reviewed and officially authorised by a Justice of the Peace. This step provided students with additional evidence, such as clothing and other items linked to the crimes, enhancing their investigative process and reinforcing the importance of legal procedure.
"One of the most rewarding parts of this course is watching students think critically about the evidence and collaborate to build their cases. It’s not just about solving the mystery—it’s about learning communication, ethical decision-making, synthesis of information and teamwork."
— Josh Searchfield (who leads the course alongside school principal, Doug Braiden)
This week, students advanced their investigations by interviewing suspects in both cases. Armed with evidence from witness testimonies, CCTV footage, and their authorised searches, they developed their own questions, analysed alibis, and worked to identify inconsistencies in the suspects’ stories. The program also provides a glimpse into career pathways in law, policing, forensic science, and other fields requiring methodical analysis and critical thinking.
One student described the course as “the perfect mix of fun and challenge,” adding, “It’s great to learn skills that we can use in real life while having the chance to play detective.”
The Detective Investigations course is just one example of how contemporary learning is engaging and inspiring our students in innovative ways. Stay tuned for updates as our Exploration Phase detectives uncover the truth behind these intriguing cases!
Wednesday Projects - Cooking and Craft for a Cause
Sally from the Laidley Community Centre visited the College Wednesday Week 7 (13 November), providing students with an opportunity to share their learning and demonstrate the skills they have developed throughout the semester while making toiletry bags and frozen meals for community members in need. The group has made 259 individual and two family sized meals in total (!), with Sally collecting 40 of these today to help individuals in need immediately.
The group visited the Community Centre to deliver more meals and toiletry bags this week. The group are looking forward to seeing firsthand where their products are going and how they are supporting their local community!
Jabez Castray
Head of Learning - Exploration Phase
Celebrating Milestones and Embracing the Future
As the year draws to a close, the Graduate Phase has been buzzing with activity, reflection, and celebration. Last week marked several significant events for our school community, especially for our Year 12 students, who are preparing to embark on new journeys beyond the classroom. From their final retreat to a memorable Valedictory Service, the Class of 2024 has left an enduring legacy at Faith.
Here’s a recap of the highlights from this special week.
Year 12 Retreat
On Wednesday, our Year 12 students experienced a day to remember at their final retreat. The day began with sunshine and smiles at Wet ‘n Wild, despite early forecasts predicting storms. Following this, students returned to campus to rehearse for their Valedictory entry and exit, shared a pizza dinner, and opened heartfelt letters of reflection from their families.
The evening concluded with a movie night in the Info Hub, complete with popcorn and treats—a final opportunity for the Class of 2024 to bond and reflect on their shared journey. We extend our gratitude to everyone who helped make this day special.
Year 12 Legacy Announcement
The Class of 2024 has left an enduring mark on our community through their Legacy Fundraiser. With the funds raised, they will donate Gifts of Grace through Australian Lutheran World Services and provide a new undercover table and chairs on a concrete slab for future students to enjoy.
Thank you to Sophia Hardy and Sapheara Ruthenberg for presenting this legacy gift during Thursday’s Valedictory Service, a thoughtful contribution that reflects the class’s commitment to giving back.
Valedictory Service
The week culminated in a heartfelt farewell to the Class of 2024 at Thursday’s Valedictory Service. Held in the Sports Centre, the ceremony brought together hundreds of guests to celebrate our students’ achievements and bid them farewell as they embark on new chapters.
Following the service, the graduates made their final walk down Faith Avenue, surrounded by students, staff, family, and friends—a touching moment that symbolised their transition from students to alumni. Here's the link again to download photos from Valedictory.
We are immensely proud of the Class of 2024 and look forward to hearing about their future successes, whether in university, apprenticeships, work, or travel. Equipped with curiosity and a love of learning nurtured here at Faith, they are ready to embrace any challenge or opportunity that comes their way.
Congratulations, Class of 2024! May your futures be bright and fulfilling.
Emma Saal and Josh Searchfield
Heads of Wellbeing - Graduate Phase
Choir Workshops and Performance
Lucem Vitae is a Brisbane-based classical music ensemble who are currently undertaking a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF)-supported project, “A Musical Christmas”, in Laidley.
This project, which involves a series of vocal workshops as well as a combined Christmas concert at the Laidley Anglican Church with the Lockyer Valley Something to Sing About choir and our singers/orchestra, aims to share the joy of singing and Christmas music with the Laidley community over the Christmas season.
As part of our project this year, they are extending an invitation for Music students in Year 10 and above, to take part in two upcoming workshops and also the performance on 21 December. See the flyer below for further information. If you're interested, please email lucemvitaemusic@gmail.com to register your interest or just turn up on the day.
