AFL Legend Nathan Burke Visits College

The Tenison Woods College 2017 Immersion Program to Timor-Leste is fast approaching. Under the guidance of Bernadette Fisher and a committed band of parents, students have been busily fund raising to support the people of this beautiful but impoverished country. 

Youth Survey
In 2018 there will be a Synod of Bishops in Rome on ‘Youth, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment’. Pope Francis has asked that the voices of young people be evident in the Synod conversations and so every diocese throughout the world has been asked to provide information about their young people.

In response, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has created an online survey for young people between the ages of 16-29. The survey is for all young people, whether practising or non-practising Catholics, and whether deeply committed of those on the margins.

The survey is available at this link: https://www.catholic.org.au/youthsurvey

Year 8 Retreat
Next Wednesday the Year 8’s will spend the day at Casadio Park at the Year 8 retreat. As this retreat falls in Refugee Week the Year 8’s will connect the theme of the ‘Fruits of the Holy Spirit’ to ways in which we create a place of welcome and inclusion for all. We are excited to welcome old scholar Sr Elizabeth Young back for the day as a guest speaker and co facilitator.

Parish Mass 9.15am each Thursday
Week 7: Thursday 15 June – Year 4 & 5
Week 8: Thursday 22 June – Year 9
Week 9: Thursday 29 June –  Year 7

Michelle Coote | APRIM - Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission

The first of the Year 12 external assessments was completed on Wednesday with the performance of In Absentia at Wehl Street Theatre. This year we had the added complication of one of our onstage students becoming medically unfit to perform seven days out from bump in. The unique thing that these students face when taking this subject, is that they are studying for their external exam at the same time as attending normal classes (unlike swot vac at the end of the year) and their success or failure is public. However, I am sure that audience members will agree that these students showed skill and maturity beyond their years during this play.

I am very proud of this group of students, pulling together to support one another under very stressful conditions to perform a challenging script. Without the support of many people, this wouldn't have been possible. With significant thanks to Beth Creedy, Katrina Mott and student teachers, Eliza Suggate and Michelle Berlin for the extra time dedicated at the theatre and preproduction period; the skills of Justin Kenny, Nathan Woodruff and Talya Todd are also appreciated.

Thanks to all who managed to find time to assist us last Wednesday with supervision, packup, loading, promotions and Front of House.  

Kirsty Wodson | Learning Area Coordinator (Arts)

We are delighted to announce that Year 10 student Emily Jennings has been selected to attend The 13th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp which will be held in Shanghai in July this year. The camp is an opportunity for young people (aged between 15 and 17) of different nationalities and from different countries to get together, form friendships and spend ten days experiencing Chinese culture.

Only 25 youths are selected from all over the world each year to attend the camp. An application process is compulsory and then students are selected based on criteria including their ability to speak the Chinese language. This is a great opportunity for Emily and as one of only three Australians to be picked, it recognises her commitment and competency of the Chinese language. Her selection is also testament to the quality of our language learning program here at Tenison Woods College.

Well done Emily, we look forward to hearing all about it when you return!

Bo Wei Xu | Chinese Teacher

Sandra Sochacki is generously making pencil cases to donate to the East Timor Stationery drive. If anyone has, or would like to donate, some zips for these cases please leave them with the Front Office.

Ideally the zips need to be between 23 and 30cm (max).

Thank you in advance.

Year 8 student Angus Aitken and Year 7 student Patrick O'Hehir, were selected to be part of the Lower South East Under 13 Boys Hockey Team. The team competed in the Junior Zone and Under 13 State Championships which were held in Adelaide over the June long weekend. After playing seven games without a loss the team then went on to play the Grand Final at the State Hockey Centre on Monday 12 June. The Lower South East Under 13 Boys Hockey Team won the Grand Final against the Riverland 2-1. Congratulations boys!

Friends of Tenison Woods College; past scholars since the inception of Marist Agricultural College or the Convent of Mercy, parents of former scholars, past staff members, past volunteers, in fact anyone who is proud to be or have been associated with Catholic education in Mount Gambier; are invited to our Shining Light Awards on Saturday 14 October, 2017. More details to follow, including information on how to purchase tickets, but for now lock this date in your diary, let your old school friends know and get along – you won’t be disappointed!

Information from: Skilling Australia – Perceptions are not reality

Australia’s Vocational Education & Training (VET) system is internationally respected for its ability to deliver flexible, relevant and responsive education and training to explicit national quality standards. However, multiple misconceptions surround the VET industry. Compared with university, VET is often considered the poor second cousin, seemingly receiving less positive attention in the media, among career counsellors and, significantly, with parents. Confusion about career earnings, employability and course relevance have led to a culture of belief that only university qualifications guarantee a future career. The core of the myths and false perceptions surrounding VET simply do not stack up against the facts. 

Myth #1
VET graduates earn low wages
One in five Australians (21%) believe one of the main reasons Australians are increasingly choosing to undertake university courses over VET/TAFE courses is because of the perception that VET graduates earn lower wages than university graduates.2 Of these Australians, 68% indicated that they believe the average VET graduate earns at least $10,000 less than the average university graduate. Close to one in three (31%) believe that the wage gap is more than $20,000.3

Fact
VET graduates earn wages comparable to, if not exceeding, that of university graduates
The median full-time income for a VET graduate is $56,000.4 The median graduate salary for students completing a Bachelor’s degree is $54,000.5 VET graduates also have the capacity to earn higher salaries than many Bachelor degree graduates: the highest average starting salary for a VET qualification (Certificate IV in Hazardous Areas – Electrical at $85,4006) is higher than the highest starting salary with a Bachelor-level degree (Dentistry at $80,0007).

Keep an eye out in next weeks' newsletter for more facts surrounding Vocational Education & Training.

Joanne MacLean | VET Coordinator and Business Studies Teacher

Tuesday - 8:00am – 12:00pm

Thursday - 1:00pm – 5:00pm

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Thursday 15 June

• Nathan Burke Incursion
• LSE Girls 9-A-side Football Carnival

Friday 16 June

• Jump Rope for Heart, 9:00am, Barrie Holmes Stadium
• Junior School Assembly, 2:15pm, Barrie Holmes Stadium
• Casual Clothes Day

Sunday 18 June

• Body and Blood of Christ
• Timor Leste High Tea Fundraiser, 2:30pm Parish Hall
• Refugee Week Commences

Monday 19 June

• Stage 1 Rock Climbing Camp D, Mount Arapiles (until Wednesday)

Wednesday 21 June

• Year 8 Retreat, Casadio Park

Thursday 22 June

• Newcastle Science & Engineering Challenge, Barrie Holmes Stadium
• Semester 1 Year 11 Exams commence (until Tuesday)

Friday 23 June

• Feast of Sacred Heart
• Year 12 Winter Sleep out
• Junior School Assembly, 2:15pm, Barrie Holmes Stadium

In 2017, Refugee Week will be held from 18 - 24 June, raising awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. Originally celebrated in 1986, Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day (20 June).

The biannual trip to Italy has been scheduled for 27 September – 20 October 2018 (although these dates may change slightly). This is an exciting opportunity for students at Tenison Woods College and Grant High School currently in Years 9 and 10 and adults who wish to accompany the group. The trip will comprise ten days/nights in Turin with a host family at our sister school, Liceo Scientifico Statale Copernico and twelve days touring Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome. We have also planned day trips to Mont Blanc, Siena, Pisa and Pompeii.

We will be discussing the proposed itinerary, the curriculum links and the approximate costs involved in more detail at an information evening on Tuesday 20 June at 7.00pm in the Tenison Woods College staffroom.  If you are unable to attend please email me with your expression of interest for your child and/or yourself. My email is greed@tenison.catholic.edu.au. Please note that this is an opportunity and is not compulsory.

Micki Greenham | Tour organiser

On Thursday 1 June, Tenison Woods College Year 8 and 9 boys competed in the Annual 9-A-Side Carnival, held at Blue Lake Sports Park.

Participation numbers were high and we created three teams for both Year 8 and 9 students. These six teams were made up of 11-12 students, all eager to have fun and enjoy a days’ worth of nothing else but football! Each team completed four games throughout the carnival against surrounding schools; Mount Gambier High School, Grant High School and St Martins Lutheran College.

The Year 8 and 9’s were very successful on the day, not only through participation and having a go, but through displaying great knowledge of football as well as skill with the ball. Our two top teams in each grade won all four games. This allowed Tenison Woods College to temporally defend the 9-A-Side Carnival Championship title. However, as the carnival shield is an overall result from both the Boys and Girls competitions, we will need to wait and see how the girls compete on Thursday 15 June to hopefully secure the title of back to back champions.

We congratulate the boys on their performance, and wish the girls best of luck for their upcoming event.

Morgan Fisher | PE Administration Trainee

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Monday
Toasted cheese sandwich $3.50
Toasted ham and cheese sandwich $4.00

Tuesday
Penne pasta carbonara $3.50

Wednesday 
Hokkein noodles (vegetarian) $4.00 

Thursday
Hot chicken wraps (plain or sweet chilli) $3.50.

Friday
Tuna Mornay $4.00. 

Monday - Cassie Edwards
Tuesday - Julianne Teagle Lillecrapp
Wednesday - Liz Fennell
Thursday - Julie Considine
Friday - Kate Pohlner

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Tenison Woods College
Shepherdson Road (PO Box 965)
Mount Gambier South Australia 5290

t: (08) 8725 5455 (Main Office)
f: (08) 8724 9303
t: (08) 8724 4650 (Senior School)
Absentee Line: (08) 8724 4659
OSHC Line: (08) 8724 4633

e: news@tenison.catholic.edu.au
w: www.tenison.catholic.edu.