Concordia College (CC) is an ELC–12 independent, co-educational, Lutheran school with campuses located in the Highgate and Blackwood areas of Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1890, the college is a school of the Lutheran Church of Australia and has been an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School since January 2001, offering the IB Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes.
History
Concordia College was founded by W. F. Peters, a Lutheran pastor 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.
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.
Campus and Facilities
Concordia is located on three campuses across Adelaide: Concordia and St John's Campuses are situated in suburban Highgate, 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. 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. 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 Tech Centre: Facilities for woodworking, metalworking, plastics and electronics. 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. 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 Choirs such as the Testosterphones, 7/8, Senior, McKenzie Jazz, Prelude Jazz, and Mattson Jazz choirs, the annual College musical, Big Bands, School Orchestra, Concert Band, Music Ensembles (Wind, String, Percussion), Chapel music, Chess Club, Debating, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Pedal Prix, Ski Trip, Pokémon club, Drama club, Backgammon club, Tech 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. Students may also volunteer for respective leadership roles in their year level, such as, Middle School Leader in Year 9, 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.Scott Theatre: , , Until 2009, they moved to the Hopgood TheatreHopgood Theatre, Ramsay Place, Noarlunga Centre 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. After COVID, Concordia College musicals then returned to the Hopgood Theatre until it closed for renovations in late 2023. Since then, all College musicals have taken place at the Futures Church campus in Paradise. Musicals presented have included: Year Musical2026Shrek2025Mamma Mia!2024Chicago High School Edition2023All Shook Up2022Oliver!2021Beauty and the Beast2020High School Musical2019The Addams Family 2018 Legally Blonde 2017 Annie 2016 Hairspray 2015 Godspell 2014 The Sound of Music 2013 Guys and Dolls 2012 Aladdin 2011 The Wizard of Oz 2010 Grease 2009 Children of Eden 2008 Oklahoma! 2007 Beauty and the Beast 2006 Cabaret 2005 Les Misérables 2004 Viva Mexico 2003 Little Shop of Horrors 2002 The Mikado 2001 Godspell 2000 42nd Street 1999 The Wizard of Oz 1998 Guys and Dolls 1997 Me and My Girl
Others in previous years have included: L'il Abner, Carousel, My Fair Lady, Annie Get Your Gun, The Boy Friend, Fiddler on the Roof, The Pirates of Penzance, Calamity Jane, Viva Mexico, Ruddigore, HMS Pinafore, Can You Imagine, Free As Air, A Penny For a Song, God So Loved, Where Is God, Anything Goes, Tom Sawyer, Salad Days, and Trial By Jury.
Sport 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 7–11, 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.
Football – 2019 Volleyball (6) – 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020
House system 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 Heroes Malvern Yellow The Malvern Lions Winchester Red The Winchester Warriors