A Better Tomorrow – Walking with Courage

As we step into a new year, we embrace the theme ‘For a Better Tomorrow’. It’s a call to growth, hope, and action—reminding us that the choices we make today shape the future ahead. At LORDS, this connects with the LORDS Way of Learning and the value of courage, which we are focusing on over the coming weeks.

Courage is more than bravery in big moments; it is found in the small, everyday decisions to do what is right, to ask questions, to step into the unknown, and to keep going when things feel challenging. It’s the courage to be curious, to try, to fail, and to try again. It’s the courage to listen and learn.

Joshua 1:9 reminds us:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

A better tomorrow is not built on fear but on faith. It is shaped by those willing to act with integrity, kindness, and resilience. As we journey together this year, may we step forward with courage—learning, growing, and making a difference in our school, our homes, and our wider community.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of a new year and the opportunities ahead. Fill us with courage to face challenges, and hearts open to learning and growing. May we trust in Your presence and walk boldly into A Better Tomorrow, knowing that You go before us. Amen.

• This year we will be praying for families in our community and their needs: Abbato, Abercrombie, Adams-Jones, Addison-Finnigan, Admiraal, Ahitaan
• Give thanks for the start of the year and new relationships that are being made
• To the people of Far North Queensland as they recover from recent weather events
• For new staff and families of LORDS that they feel welcome and part of the LORDS community

The Power of Partnership: Parent Engagement at LORDS

At LORDS, we know that education is more than what happens in the classroom—it’s a partnership between school and home. That’s why Parent Engagement is a key strategic priority for us. When families and schools work together, students thrive—not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well.

Research consistently shows the power of parental involvement in education. Studies from the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) highlight that strong parent engagement leads to improved student motivation, higher academic achievement, and greater well-being. It’s not just about helping with homework—it’s about showing interest, fostering positive attitudes toward learning, and being an active part of your child’s educational journey.

So, what does meaningful parent engagement look like? Here are some practical ways to get involved:

Stay Connected – Read newsletters, attend parent connect / information sessions, and follow school updates. A little awareness goes a long way.

Be Present – Whether it’s attending assemblies, volunteering at events, or supporting extracurricular activities, your presence matters.

Encourage Learning at Home – Ask questions about what your child is learning, discuss books, and create a home environment where curiosity and learning are valued.

Partner with Teachers – Building relationships with teachers fosters a strong support system for your child. Open communication helps us work together for their success.

Model a Growth Mindset – Show your child that learning is a lifelong journey. Celebrate effort, resilience, and progress—not just results.

At LORDS, we are committed to fostering a strong, connected school community where families feel welcomed and valued. Parent engagement isn’t just a strategy—it’s a way of being, and together, we can make a lasting impact on our children’s future.

We invite you to step in, be involved, and journey with us. Because when schools and families partner well, A Better Tomorrow isn’t just a vision — it becomes a reality.

After busy weeks of preparations to welcome back our LORDS families, we all took a moment to gather together and share a delicious and healthy lunch prepared by our friend Sian at Black Sheep Brew & Chew.
Our staff were gifted a wide-brimmed sun-safe LORDS hat and a LORDS water bottle to stay hydrated out in our playgrounds and at Sport.

VCOP WORKSHOPS

Our staff are life-long learners at LORDS! Staff in the Junior School spent the day refining their thinking around the VCOP program used across Prep-6 as part of our approach to teaching English. Secondary School staff explored what ‘quality feedback’ looks like with a workshop facilitated by Vanessa Noonan from Lutheran Education Queensland and also engaged with workshops from QCAA covering a wide range of topics including analysing to improve student learning and developing quality pieces of assessment. All of this professional learning focuses on improving student learning outcomes across the school.

We love a great quote from our students, “Student orientation is celebrating coming back to school” (Year 1 student).
It was a great celebration to see so many of our students back on campus connecting and getting ready for the 2025 school year. We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus for our first full day of learning tomorrow.

SMILING FACES - It was terrific to welcome back all our students. We look forward to seeing how our theme for 2025, ‘For a better tomorrow’ unfolds throughout this year.

In Year 7 LORDS students experience a range of subjects before choosing electives in Year 8. One of these learning experiences is Home Economics/ Food Technology.
Year 7 students learn about nutrition, healthy lifestyle choices, and basic cooking techniques. This week they were making smashed avo! Delicious!

We celebrate the diverse pathways and triumphs of our LORDS Senior class of 2024! As a school community, we are very proud of these young people and their fine achievements.
This is the sixth year of ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank - a number between 0.00- 99.95) in Queensland. It has been wonderful to see how our students’ resilience and hard work has paid off. Each student has a unique story, and we rejoice in their achievements.

We give thanks and acknowledge the support and encouragement of our staff and parents who contributed to their success. We wish our students every blessing with their future endeavours as they continue to serve the community beyond the gates of LORDS. We pray that their passion for learning, serving, and growing will be life-long.

We take a moment to reflect on and celebrate our graduates’ remarkable achievements. From impressive ATAR results to a variety of pathways leading to bright futures, our graduates have demonstrated the heart of a wholistic education at LORDS.

Beyond academic success, these young people have embraced the LORDS Ways—showing courage, compassion, and curiosity. They have pursued their passions, developed their unique gifts, and grown into individuals ready to make a positive impact on the world.

To our 2024 graduates: Your future is as bright as your commitment to living with purpose, service, and love. We are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see the places you’ll go! You will be missed.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

God bless you all.
Ms Hoff

The Mathematics Department is on the lookout for any students interested in competing in Mathematics Competitions throughout the year. We have a couple of key competitions we want to enter students and teams into. These would be a great way for students to improve their own personal problem-solving skills as well as learning to work collaboratively with their peers. All competitions are run in year-level groups of 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12, meaning students will work with a year above or below.

The first competition we have this year is in Week 1 of Term 2. It is an individual-based competition where students will respond to problems in exam conditions. Their individual responses will be sent away to be marked, and the students will receive a grade based on their responses in comparison with the state. Although the final competition is done as individuals, we will prepare as teams.

The next competition is project-based and finalises in August. This is a mathematical investigation that can be on a variety of topics. The investigation can be done as an individual or in teams. Students will have a variety of choices as to how they present their investigation. Your investigation will be judged alongside other students in the state.

To begin preparing for the first competition, we will start meeting at least once a week during a break time work through problem-solving questions from past competitions to help develop the required skills.

If you think your child would benefit from this experience, please encourage them to email Mr Rowe or to come and find him during the day.

email: matthew.rowe@lords.qld.edu.au

Pathways Discovery Placement!

Over the school holidays, Year 11 student, Mirabella B, had the opportunity to experience working alongside Doctors and Surgeons at a Brisbane Neurosurgeon Clinic.

When asked about her time on placements, Bella provided the following feedback:

"It was great! I observed several roles around the office, such as theatre bookings, reception, and phone hubs. I also became familiar with the software they use to make bookings and keep track of patients.

I talked to quite a few different neurosurgeons, including the only female surgeon in the clinic. She let me observe several consultations, which were very interesting, and I learned so much.

My supervisor said that if I go to a university nearby, I may be able to come back for possible part-time work or long-term internships while I'm studying.

The whole team was so nice, and a couple of the surgeons told me to keep in touch, and if I needed anything while at medical school/training as a doctor, I could reach out to them anytime.

Overall, it was a really great experience, and I learned so much."

Considering a career path? Why not initiate a Pathways Discovery Placement in 2025!

Contact Pathways Coordinator, Stacey Martin: stacey.martin@lords.qld.edu.au

Today we celebrated 4 students who have been with us since Kindy through to Year 12. This is a first for LORDS. Congratulations to Sophie M, Ella W, Katelyn L, and Joseph S for being part of the LORDS story since 2012. We can’t wait to see what adventures unfold for them in the future.

Our 4 Year 12 Captains joined Chappy Jez and student leaders from several other schools at Lutheran Youth of Queensland 'Momentum' Leadership Camp.
Mia, Joseph, Anna, and Layla, developed effective leadership skills as they focused on key topics such as communication, teamwork, decision-making, and positive culture building.
Leadership isn’t just about being in charge—it’s about collaboration and servanthood. For our student leaders, leadership camp emphasized the value of working with others toward a common goal, 'For a better tomorrow'.
We look forward to the legacy our leaders and the entire class of 2025 will leave the LORDS community.

The school year is off to a great start, and it has been wonderful to see our students settle in so smoothly. From reconnecting with friends to embracing new learning opportunities, the energy and enthusiasm across the school have been exciting.

A particularly exciting part of this year has been welcoming our Year 6 students into their brand-new learning space. The new area provides a fantastic environment for collaboration, creativity, and leadership as they embark on their final year of primary school. Alongside this, work is well underway on our new playground, and we can’t wait to see our students enjoying this amazing new space once it is completed.

It has been a pleasure meeting so many students and families already, and I look forward to continuing to build strong connections throughout the year. A big thank you to all the parents and caregivers who attended our Parent Connect Evening. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet, share insights about the year ahead, and strengthen the partnership between home and school. Your involvement and support are truly valued, and we appreciate the time you took to engage with us.

As we continue the term, I encourage families to stay connected and reach out with any questions or thoughts, my door is always open. Together, we can create a positive and supportive learning environment that helps every child thrive.

We look forward to an exciting and rewarding year ahead!

Mrs Rebekah Bruyn

Head of Junior School

Great news for our Junior School students.....the handball courts are now installed! Thanks to Friends of LORDS for making this happen with their generous funding.

We are so excited to share our new Junior School Building with you. The finishing touches are being made in readiness for back to school next week. It will be home to our Year 6 classes and includes a new staff area, leadership offices, and an undercroft area for undercover play. More handball courts are in the undercroft area too!

Ms Hoff loved visiting Mrs Carr’s Year 3 class to share our ‘All About Me Bags’ with everyone. Understanding people’s stories is so important. Stories allow us to celebrate how we are the same and how we are different. One of our Ways of Being at LORDS is, ‘I can be empathetic’. Actively listening to other people’s stories develops our hearts and connections with others. What a great way to start the year. What would you include in your ‘All About Me Bag’ ?

Although we opened on the 6th January, last week we officially welcomed the remaining Little Wonders children to Kindergarten for 2025.

The children have all been lucky to be provided with a Hat, Shirt, and a Drink Bottle this year. Providing a subtle transition to school by practicing wearing uniforms and caring for our own belongings.
Since the beginning of the year, we have been actively learning what school readiness is all about.
Listening to instructions, concentrating at group times, focusing on individual challenges, and making lots of new friends.

We remind LORDS families for their future Little Wonders children to please make sure you visit the LORDS website for our Kindergarten.

Get your applications in asap for your starting year of Kindergarten to avoid disappointment.
Applications for 2026 are already at capacity and a waitlist is now active.

The year of intake is as follows:
Class of 2026: 1.7.2021 - 30.6.2022
Class of 2027: 1.7.2022 - 30.6.2023
Class of 2028: 1.7.2023 - 30.6.2024
Class of 2029: 1.7.2024 - 30.6.2025

Our students were spotted being very creative on their lunch break today! Our theme for this year is ‘For a better tomorrow’ and these students are putting that out for all to see!

This theme is calling us to lead with hope, purpose, and faith as we shape a brighter future. In the bible, we are reminded that God wants a better tomorrow for us and has plans for us as we adventure into the future:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Together, we are building a better tomorrow—one moment, one step, and one life at a time. We look forward to seeing how this theme will unfold in our community throughout this year.

Gold Coast Running Festival
27th April 2025
Welcome to the Gold Coast and the 14th anniversary of the von Bibra Mitsubishi Gold Coast Running Festival 2025. 
Come and run in the Gold Coast sunshine and enjoy the fast, safe, closed road circuit. With distances available for all running and walking abilities, we have a race for you, your running group, and the whole family!

Students/Parents nominate, pay, and do everything themselves. We have just set up a team called LORDS, and students/parents have the opportunity to join this event if they would like to. The link to register is below:

REGISTER HERE

More information about the event:
FIND OUT MORE

LORDS will be hosting Ultimate Athletics on our school oval in February for any Junior School families interested in signing their children up. Little Athletics Queensland: Athletics Website

Our new LORDS Indigenous House Shirts are available to buy!

Shirts can be worn for all House events (swimming carnivals, cross country, athletics carnivals, and other inter-house competitions throughout the year). They can also be worn during Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. For all students Prep-Year 12.

Your child's house can be located in Parent Portal under their General Details.

Logan Kangaroos, Albert Eagles, Pimpama Dolphins.

Sizes Available:
Childrens: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14

Teens/Adults: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL

$30.00 each (plus fees)

(Try on at Reception in the Administration Building if unsure of size.) All payments are to be made online only.

Please wait for an email from Reception after purchase to collect your shirt/s.

BUY HERE

Our LORDS tuckshop offers a range of fresh, healthy, affordable food options for morning tea and lunch 4 days a week (closed on Thursdays).

Please note our new cut-off time for online ordering this year is 8.15am.

Orders can be placed via the flexischools app --->>> https://flexischools.com.au/

Existing users - please remember to update your child's class for 2025 in the profile section of the app before placing your first orders for the year.

New users - instructions on how to order online can be found here --->>> https://www.lords.qld.edu.au/community/tuckshop

Students from Years 7 - 12 and staff may purchase over the counter with cash or eftpos at break times.

If you have questions please email Liz Madden --->>> tuckshop@lords.qld.edu.au

We are excited to present an "Adult Learning Pathway" offered by Aurora Training Institute and held on our LORDS campus in 2025.
If you are interested in studying for a Certificate III in Business, please read the attached flyer and follow the directions to sign up.

We kindly request that you don't email the school with any questions - please refer to Aurora Training Institute by email: toula@aurora.edu.au

ADULT LEARNING PATHWAY

It was buzzing in the Learning Hub as our first day of school photos kicked off.
So lovely to see one of our Year 12 students, Ella with her 3 siblings. Ella started in Kindy at LORDS in 2012 and now she is a graduating member of the Class of 2025! Ella was joined by her siblings: Asher in Prep, Josie in Year 5, and Levi in Year 9. Mum even got into the photo to mark the last year of all 4 children at LORDS!

A snazzy new burgundy golf cart for our Maintenance Team!

Another big bus wrapped in our beautiful student photos. Can't miss LORDS out on the road in 2025....our fleet of buses looks amazing.

Outside School Hours & Vacation Care

Before and After School Care is available on site at LORDS Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays.

Please contact the coordinator Amanda Johnson at lords.oshc@qlecs.org.au for details. For change of bookings please text 0437 519 754.

Uniform Purchases at The School Locker

LORDS uniforms are available at The School Locker, 3892 Pacific Highway, Loganholme Phone 3440 9701.

Our uniform policy for 2024 is located here

Second Hand LORDS Uniforms

Sustainable School Shop enables parents to buy and sell second-hand LORDS uniform items online.

To search for items in the Sustainable School Shop go to: http://www.sustainableschoolsh...

School Office

Our office hours are between 8.00am – 4.00pm, Monday to Friday with the exception of Public Holidays.

School Policies

You can access our Child Protection Policy and Grievance Policy on our website or a hard copy at Reception in the Administration Building.

Tuckshop

Our Tuckshop on Wheels operates for morning tea and lunch on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Orders are to be placed online via Flexischools prior to 8.15 am each day. Students from Years 7 - 12 and staff may purchase over the counter with cash or eftpos at break times. We do not allow Junior School students to purchase items over the counter. All Junior School orders must be placed using Flexischools.

http://www.flexischools.com.au...

The LORDS Parent Handbook can now be accessed by logging into Parent Portal and looking under Parent Forms.

Alberton Lutheran Parish

Phone: 0490 456 624

St Peters (Alberton, Alberton Rd): 8.00am

Bethlehem (Stapylton-Jacobs Well Rd, Woongoolba): 9.30am

Bethesda Lutheran Church Divine Service

Phone: (07) 3807 6600

(81 City Rd, Beenleigh)

8:30am HC every Sunday

Pastor David Haak

Bethania Lutheran Church

Phone: (07) 3200 5357

(5-17 Church Rd, Bethania): 9am

Pastor Peter Laihia

Our Business Directory is now live on our website.

Please click here to access it.

Disclaimer: Information provided in the online directory or advertising pages on this website is intended to provide a guide to businesses, organizations, and resources that support the faith-based community. LORDS or any of its employees neither endorse, warrant, nor guarantee the products or services advertised in the directory or on any website page.  The information provided in each listing on this website is published as obtained from external sources that provide the information.