Concordia College at Murtoa, c.1890sThe college at Highgate on opening day, 1905Gymnasium team in front of the main building, c.1921
Concordia College was founded by W. F. Peters, a Lutheranpastor in the Victorian country township of Murtoa. Peters purchased a private school founded in 1887 by T. W. Boehm, and re-established it in 1890 as a boys' college and training ground for future pastors and teachers. Lutheran leaders in South Australia moved the college to its present Highgate site in 1905. With the involvement of Pastor P. B. Zweck, Concordia became a Christian co-educational secondary college in 1927, operating under the South Australian District Synod of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Today, the college accepts all students whose parents are prepared to support the educational program and Christian ethos.[citation needed]
In 2016, Concordia College amalgamated with the neighbouring St John's Lutheran School to form an ELC to Year 12 college, which was followed by a further amalgamation with St Peters Lutheran School at Blackwood in 2023. As a three-campus college, leadership restructuring between 2021 and 2023 led to the creation of a new role, "Head of College", that holds responsibility across all three campuses of the college. The Head of college is supported by three campus principals: Principal – Concordia Campus, Principal – St John's Campus and Principal – St Peters Campus.
Over the last two years, there has been significant and ongoing construction activity at both the St John's Campus and Concordia Campus, which has seen the redevelopment of many primary school facilities and the construction of 'Fortiter' – a new ELC to Year 12 gymnasium complex.
Campus and Facilities
Concordia is located on three campuses across Adelaide: Concordia and St John's Campuses are situated in suburbanHighgate, south of the Adelaide CBD, while St Peters Campus is located in the foothills of Adelaide in Blackwood. The Concordia Campus offers education for students in Years 7 to 12, while the St John's and St Peters Campuses both remain as Early Learning to Year 6 schools.
The Concordia Campus includes:
Concordia College Chapel: The Chapel features a waterfall and fountain visible through a glass wall behind the altar, and a cross with a crown of thorns. The facility doubles as an assembly hall and a performance venue.
The Suaviter: Named from the school motto, the Suaviter is one of the original school buildings, and was formerly the chapel. Retaining its stained glass windows, it has been converted into a conference and exhibition/display centre with catering facilities, where students participating in the hospitality curriculum receive training.[1]
The Yangadlitya Resource Centre was opened on 29 May 2006 by Ningali Cullen, one of the first female indigenous Concordia College students (class of 1954). The college was given permission to use the name "Yangadlitya" (meaning "for the future") by the elders of the Kaurna people, who are the traditional custodians of the land on which Concordia stands.
Murtoa: Named after the town Murtoa, Victoria, the original location of the school, and built in 2010, this building includes a television studio and media-editing suite as well as several multipurpose classrooms. The music centre has been expanded into the building featuring new practice rooms. Built by Sarah Constructions, it features a design similar to the Yangadlitya building, including a skybridge connecting the two.
The Hamann Wing: The original building of Malvern College purchased by Concordia for the relocation to Adelaide. Later renamed after former headmaster Professor H.P.A. Hamann, it is a heritage listed building.[2]
Named after the college motto "Fortiter in Re, Suaviter in Modo," Fortiter was opened by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, the 36th Governor of South Australia, in September 2023. As an ELC–12 gymnasium, this multipurpose facility includes two large courts, a weights room, changing rooms, various classrooms, administrative and function spaces, kitchen facilities, and a large foyer area. The gymnasium can also be converted into an events venue for services, functions, and other significant events at the college.
The Former Gymnasium: A large gym area (used for basketball, netball, volleyball, etc.) with a weights room, classroom, changing rooms, administrative facilities, and foyer.
The Atrium (formerly Maths Centre): Senior classrooms.[3]
The Nautilus Centre: Opened by Hieu Van Le AC, 35th Governor of South Australia in 2017, the science building includes laboratories, classrooms and associated offices. The Nautilus Centre features a swinging pendulum which was purchased by the Ajaero family.
The Peter Schmidt Music Centre: Practice rooms, a computer room and an ensemble room. Named after former Head of Music, Peter Schmidt
The Drama Centre: Originally the school gym, it is now a performance area with lights, sound and video facilities.
The Concordia Cafe: An externally managed business from which students can purchase food and drink items at recess and lunch.
Curriculum
Primary School and Early Years Learning
Inquiry-based learning in the Early Learning Centres follows the Early Years Learning Framework and International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). All programs within the Early Years are underpinned by the Reggio Emilia Philosophy, in which children have opportunities to participate in structured programs that promote experiential and play-based learning experiences in a constructivist and relationship-centred environment.
The Primary School Curriculum in Reception to Year 6 follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), where students engage in pastoral care programs and have opportunities to participate in various co-curricular activities.
Middle and Senior School
The Middle School Curriculum in Years 7–10 incorporates the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP). Students in years 7 and 8 undertake a common course, except in 'Language B', where they choose from German or Chinese. An after-hours Special Interest Music Program is available to selected students in Year 8. Students in Years 9 and 10 are able to make subject choices in The Arts and Technology learning areas.
Years 11 & 12, students are taught per the curriculum of the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). The IB Diploma Programme was offered as an alternative until 2022 when it was terminated due to lack of interest. Students in the Middle and Senior Schools also have various opportunities to pursue VET courses and interests beyond the traditional school setting.
Music
Concordia College offers an extensive music program from Reception to Year 12 which encourages students to learn musical instruments and participate in ensembles, band groups, choirs and more. Groups include a range of Concert Bands, Big Bands, String and Percussion Ensembles, Wind Ensembles, Senior and Jazz Choirs and String Quartets. These ensembles perform in a number of services, concerts and other performances, both internally and externally throughout the school year. Concordia's music program has seen a number of ensemble groups participate in ABODA, Generations In Jazz (GIJ) as well as interstate and overseas performances.
Arts and Design
Students at Concordia College also have opportunities to engage in a range of comprehensive arts and design programs. Subjects offered within these areas include Visual Art, Art Design, Design, Technology and Engineering, Food Design, Media, Photography and Digital Technologies.
Co-Curriculum
Co-curricular programs and activities offered include national subject competitions, career counselling and work experience, excursions, field camps and instrumental music tuition. Other extra-curricular programs include Middle School, Year 9 & Senior School choirs, the annual College musical, Big Bands, School Orchestra, Concert Band, Music Ensembles (Concert Vocal, String, Percussion), Chapel music, Chess Club, Debating, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Pedal Prix, Snow Trip, Writers' Club, Mind and Body Club, Electronics Club and House competitions.
Student Leadership
Students from any year level may participate in the College Student Forum (a Student Representative Council) and students in Year 12 may become a School Captain, Deputy School Captain, Student Leader or House Captain.[4] Students may also volunteer for respective leadership roles in their year level, such as an Ambassador in Year 9, Middle School Leader in Year 10, Peer Support Leader in Year 11 and Action Leader in Year 12.
Musicals
Concordia students may participate in the annual College musical. The musicals were performed at the Scott Theatre[5] until 2009, then moved to the Hopgood Theatre[6] for the musical Grease. The Sound of Music in April 2014 was the first Concordia musical to be held in the College Chapel. While Godspell was also held in the chapel, the 2016 performance of Hairspray was once again in the Hopgood Theatre. The performances are generally held in March or April. A long-established tradition, these musicals are a showcase of the music and drama departments. In 2020, all performances of the College Musical were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a performance in the College Chapel without an audience was filmed. Musicals presented have included:
Concordia College is a member of the Sports Association for Adelaide Schools (SAAS), and the Independent Girls Schools Sports Association (IGSSA). The sports offered at the college include: basketball, cricket, cross country, football, hockey, netball, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and volleyball. Students also have the opportunity to participate in:
Knockout Competitions – the college enters teams in statewide competitions in sports such as basketball, netball and volleyball.
Sports Day – a whole school athletics event, held annually in March at the Santos Stadium with a focus on participation.
Interschool Athletics SSSSA – (combined boys/girls) in Term 1; Achilles Cup (Boys) and IGSSA (Girls) competition in Term 3.
Swimming Carnival – a school event for Years 7–10, held in the last week of the school year at Unley Swimming Centre.
Interschool Swimming Carnivals – organised by SSSSA (combined boys/girls) and IGSSA (girls only)
House Sport – Lunchtime netball, volleyball, and chess for which students may earn house points
Interschool Chess – the college participates in inter-school chess through the South Australian Junior Chess League
IGSSA Premierships
Concordia College has won the following IGSSA premierships.[7]
As with most Australian schools, Concordia College utilises a house system. There are currently four houses, three named after three of the streets surrounding the college and the fourth, Malvern after the neighbouring suburb.
House
Colour
Moniker
Cheltenham
Green
The Cheltenham Army
Highgate
Blue
The Highgate Hornets
Malvern
Yellow
The Malvern Lions
Winchester
Red
The Winchester Warriors
Students represent their house in a number of activities, including Sports Day, Swimming Carnival and lunchtime house sports. Students earn points for their house through participation in these activities, and the house with the most points at the conclusion of the school year is awarded the House Shield.
Leske, E. 1990. Concordia 100 years, Murtoa-Adelaide: a history of Concordia College, Adelaide. Concordia College, Highgate, South Australia. ISBN0-646-00401-8.
