A message from our Principal, Nicole Gregory

At Monday鈥檚 Prize Winners and Scholars' Assembly, our panel of outstanding TLC graduates, reflected on their time at school and offered thoughts and advice for our community. A common theme appeared in their messages: consistency.

Great learning, it turns out, is not about difficulty or intensity, it is about consistency.

You can鈥檛 get into shape by going to the gym for nine hours, it won鈥檛 work. But if you work out every day for twenty minutes, you will absolutely get into shape. Intensity is like going to the dentist 鈥� it鈥檚 fixed in time, we know exactly what date we鈥檙e going, we know how long we鈥檙e going to be there, and we know that when we come out our teeth will feel smooth and look pearly. But if that鈥檚 all we do, our teeth will fall out. In other words, intensity is not enough. So we're also supposed to brush our teeth twice a day for two minutes in the morning and two minutes in the evening. What does brushing your teeth for two minutes in the morning and evening actually do? Nothing. It does absolutely nothing. Unless you do it every single day. Can you leave out a day, sure. How many days can you leave out? I don鈥檛 really know. How many times do you have to brush your teeth before it works? I don鈥檛 know that either. And this is why people don鈥檛 do the small consistent things 鈥� we don鈥檛 know the impact or see the difference immediately. We want instant success or instant recognition.

For that reason, we prefer intensity. We like things that are fixed in time and easily measured. For example, if we want to make leaders, we invite outside speakers, everybody participates, and we give the event an 8/10 鈥� leaders are done, right? Of course not. Leadership takes time, patience, consistency鈥�humanness.

It鈥檚 the same things at school, we should do things consistently. So instead of trying to do three hours of schoolwork in one night, it鈥檚 breaking a task down into smaller parts, doing a little bit each day. It鈥檚 ensuring you do not have your phone near you when you study, not just one night, but every night. It's spending your lunchtime connecting with someone by asking how they are. It鈥檚 building relationships with a friend, slowly. What does it do? Nothing. It does nothing, but if you do it on a regular basis over the course of time, what ends up happening is that you discover you can focus for extended periods of time, that you trust your friends, that you love your family, that God is all around us, that you believe to the core of your being that if something is wrong someone will be there for you.

And what starts to happen is that you are willing to be vulnerable. Vulnerable doesn鈥檛 mean walking around crying, what vulnerable means is that I am willing to raise my hand and say, I am in trouble, I don鈥檛 know the answer, or I don鈥檛 know what I鈥檓 doing. Without any fear that by revealing those things will you be humiliated.

So here鈥檚 to consistency. Get started on something small this week and challenge yourself to do it consistently. For me, I will be challenging myself to get out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off, rather than pressing snooze ten times. I want to get better, I want to make the most of my time, but I know it won鈥檛 just magically happen. The same is true for anything you want to be better at.

Till next Tidings.

Mathew Stein | Deputy Principal - Curriculum, Professional Practice and Transformation

Happy Families INSIGHTS. ISSUE 1 | TERM 1 | 2025

Has your usually chatty child become quieter than normal? Does your typically confident kid need extra hugs?

The start of a school year brings a unique mixture of emotions for both parents and children. Whether your little one is taking their first steps into kindergarten, starting a whole new school (or high school), or just moving up to a new year level with friends, that flutter of anxiety their stomach (and yours) is completely normal. These transitions are crucial moments for emotional growth.

Recent research in childhood development shows that periods of change鈥攚hether it's starting school, changing classes, or moving to a new suburb鈥攁re remarkable opportunities for your child to develop resilience and emotional intelligence. When they tell you they are worried, these concerns aren鈥檛 necessarily something to 鈥渇ix鈥�. Rather, it's a sign of their developing emotional awareness.

Consider what's happening when your child says they're worried about school. They might be:

• Processing complex social dynamics: A new friend group, new classmates, new teacher,
• Anticipating academic challenges: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how to do what they鈥檙e going to ask me to do鈥�, or simply
• Responding to a change in routine.

Each of these concerns represents their brain working to prepare them for new experiences.

Some practical steps can help:

Slow things down.

Rather than running full steam ahead and filling up their calendar, start slow. Ease into thinhs. Reduce after-school activities if your child needs it. Keep plans simple on the weekend. Leave margin so you can be available.

Time your conversations.

The best time to talk isn鈥檛 necessarily as soon as you see them. While some kids are excited to tell you everything the minute they see you, most prefer to have some time to relax and decompress. You probably don鈥檛 like being interrogated when you arrive home. Nor do they. Give them time to process. Some children need quiet time; others might want physical activity to release the day's tensions.

Ask deep questions.

When it鈥檚 time to talk, rather than saying, 鈥淗ow was school today?鈥� ask them to tell you who they spent time talking with and how it felt. Invite them to tell you something they did that was challenging. Have them consider how they showed determination. Who did they help or show kindness to? Deep questions create connection.

Listen to their specific concern

Are they worried about how big the school is (or how big some of the kids are)? Making friends? Understanding new rules? Each worry gives you insight into what support they might need.

Ask practical questions.

Do they like their lunch? Are they feeling like the morning routine is working for them? What鈥檚 their favourite afternoon tea?

When they do share concerns, listen more than you solve. Rather than rushing to fix every worry, help them identify what they're feeling and why. Say things like, 鈥淭hat sounds tricky鈥�, and 鈥淲ow, how do we solve that one?鈥� This builds their capability and confidence.

Without being overzealous, watch for physical signs of anxiety: stomach aches, sleep changes, or increased clinginess might appear. These aren't just "attention-seeking" behaviours鈥攖hey're often genuine expressions of emotional processing.

Remember: Your role isn't to eliminate their anxiety but to help them understand and work with it. (Think of Riley in Inside Out 2. When anxiety takes over, it鈥檚 a problem. But it does play an important role.) When we support children through transitions while validating their feelings, we're helping them build emotional skills they'll use throughout their lives.

Every child moves through transitions differently. Some might be excited about new books, fresh pencils, and their new teacher, while others need more time to warm up to change. Neither approach is wrong - they're just different ways of processing the same big step.

Your child is learning to navigate complex feelings about school. The key is remembering that this anxiety isn't a problem to solve, but rather a normal part of growing up. By staying present with them through these feelings, you're teaching them that they can handle big emotions and new experiences - even when they feel overwhelming at first. Supporting a child through these transitions can be emotionally taxing for parents too, but this investment in understanding and
patience pays off in building your child's emotional toolkit and their resilience.

From January 23 to 25, the TLC Music - Secondary Ensembles Music Camp brought together 44 talented students and 7 dedicated staff members for an unforgettable musical journey. Held over three days, the camp featured a diverse range of ensembles, including Symphonic Winds, Jazz Band, Rock Band, Secondary Vocal Ensemble, and the Paganini Strings group.

The camp was a vibrant hub of musical exploration and skill enhancement. Each ensemble had the opportunity to delve deep into their repertoire, guided by experienced instructors who provided invaluable insights and techniques.

Beyond the technical growth, the camp fostered amazing connections among the participants. Students from different ensembles mingled during breaks, sharing their passion for music and forming friendships that will last a lifetime. The collaborative environment encouraged a sense of community and mutual support, making the camp not just an educational experience but a social one as well.

One of the standout moments was the Trivia Night, where students and staff competed in a friendly battle of wits. The excitement peaked with the awarding of the TLC Perpetual Tea Cup, a coveted prize that added a touch of tradition and fun to the event.

Another memorable highlight was the 鈥淪ing-a-long Hamilton鈥� on our 2^nd night at camp. Participants enthusiastically belted out their favourite tunes from the popular musical.

The camp concluded with a Camp Concert, where each ensemble showcased their hard work and dedication. The audience was treated to a diverse array of performances, the energy and enthusiasm were palpable, leaving everyone in attendance inspired and impressed.

A special thanks goes out to the families who helped unpack the truck back at TLC. Their support and involvement exemplify the amazing community spirit that makes events like this possible.

In summary, the TLC Music - Secondary Ensembles Music Camp was a resounding success. It provided a platform for students to extend their musical skills, build lasting connections, and experience the joy of making music together. The memories and lessons from this camp will undoubtedly resonate with the participants for years to come.

Katrina Wellins | Director of Performing Arts

Happy New Year and welcome to Term 1 2025! We hope our TLC community had a wonderful break and enjoyed their time with family and friends.

Our TLCCA Executive had a well-deserved break and have returned to our duties refreshed and ready for a fabulous year connecting with everyone.

A massive shout out to our Second Hand Uniform Shop 'dream team' comprised of parents, carers and students working hard during the 鈥淏ack-to-School鈥� week. Meeting and greeting new families, answering questions, providing advice (not just uniform-related either), offering suggestions, catching up with existing families, tidying, cleaning, hanging, folding and, most importantly, being a friendly face.

These ladies and young ladies were doing it all and doing it out of the kindness of their hearts! Giving back to our beautiful TLC families in their own time, around their own family, business and career commitments. We are so grateful for these hard-working and generous ladies and the difference that their work is making in our TLC Community.

SHUS Not Accepting Items

Our SHUS is sorry to report that they are not currently able to accept new items for sale as they are at capacity. They will work through their backlog of items to be processed and once they have made room on their racks they will begin accepting items for sale once again.

TLCCA February Meeting

Wednesday 26 February in the Main Administration Staffroom.

We welcome and love seeing new faces at our meetings. Meetings are always attended by a Executive Member of TLC and they are a great opportunity to hear about what is going on around the school.

There will be a lot to discuss - previous Meeting Minutes are available to review on 成人B站 website here.

Second Hand Uniform Shop Opening Times

• Monday 鈥� Friday 8am 鈥� 9am
• Tuesday 2:30pm 鈥� 3:30pm

Kristina P | TLCCA President
[email protected]

TLC Learn to Swim are now offering early morning classes! Jump over to the website to find out more about booking in your child for the before school lessons.

• Visit

DATE CHANGE: Yr 8-9 Parent Information Evening will now be held on 18 June (not 18 February)

成人B站 extends sincere thanks to our TLC Sponsors, whose steadfast support plays a vital role in fostering the overall development and wellbeing of our students. We acknowledge and value the dedication of the businesses listed below, whose investments directly enrich the educational journey of our students. Their contributions provide invaluable resources and open doors to opportunities that might not have been accessible otherwise. We are truly grateful for their commitment to enhancing the educational experiences at 成人B站.

• Click here to find out more about becoming a TLC Sponsor

Gold Sponsor: Luxury Lifestyle Homes

Luxury Lifestyle Homes exemplifies unparalleled excellence in the design and construction of dream homes in Brisbane. With meticulous attention to detail, they are dedicated to transforming visions into reality. What sets Luxury Lifestyle Homes apart is their fusion of precise workmanship and proven processes, ensuring clients receive a home that is not only tailored to their exact specifications but is also completed on time, within budget and without stress. The team at Luxury Lifestyle Homes takes pride in bringing dream homes to life, creating a delightful and stress-free experience for their clients throughout the entire process.

Community Sponsor: North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical

Since 2004, North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical have been the local electrician serving the North Lakes community. As a family-owned and locally operated electrical contracting business, they have successfully contributed to the growth and development of the Moreton Bay Region. When you choose their services, you are not just hiring an electrician; you are investing in a relationship built on trust and expertise.

Community Sponsor: The Vinyl Loft

The Vinyl Loft stands as a prominent player in the Australian vinyl crafting sector, consistently advancing and establishing a renowned position for delivering high-quality branded vinyl with a commitment to exceptional customer service. As an authorised Australian supplier, The Vinyl Loft offers a comprehensive range of quality branded vinyl, DTF Transfers, blanks, tools, and accessories, catering to diverse crafting and business requirements.

Community Sponsor: The Yiros Shop North Lakes

Since 2015, The Yiros Shop has believed in serving only the best to our community across Brisbane and now wider Queensland. Their meals are authentic and fresh, adding a modern twist to traditional Greek favourites by focusing on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. The Yiros Shop are proud to be a family owned and operated business carrying recipes down through generations and creating the best Greek food choice around.

Community Sponsor: Easy As Driver Training

Jacqui & Warren from EasyAs Driver Training as proud TLC Parents and big supporters of our TLC Swim Club, coming on board this year as our inaugural TLC Swim Club Community Sponsor. If you're here to learn to drive then EasyAs Driver Training is the right place for you. We are long established and recognised for excellence.