News

Lenten Season and Project Compassion – Love your neighbour
This week’s Shrove Tuesday pancake fundraising day and Ash Wednesday liturgies mark the start of Lent; the season in which we prepare for Easter.

Students are being encouraged in class to develop a communal action during the Lenten season to bring about change in our world. Fundraising throughout the six weeks of Lent will contribute to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion Campaign “Love your neighbour.” It throws the spotlight on our global challenge and how love for our neighbours can transform lives.

As Pope Francis, in Laudato Si, indicates: “We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it.”

Caritas Australia continues its long-term development for people in need, a model of development that acknowledges human dignity, works towards sustainability and self-reliance, and brings about social change. I urge parents to discuss this issue with their child/ren and reiterate the point that individuals can create a better world through their daily decisions and the commitment they display to improving the plight of others.

Athletics Carnivals – Excellence, Fun and Community Spirit
I congratulate staff, students and parents on the 8-12 Athletics Carnival on Thursday 23 February and Friday 24 February – another outstanding day of personal bests, fun and relationship building.

I thank our Sports Captains, Madi Turner and Will Stafford, the House Leaders, Ciaran Buckley, Morgan Fisher and the Health and Physical Education Team on a very well organised, engaging carnival. I look forward to the following carnivals:

            R-2 Sports Day                                                         Friday 10 March
            SE Interschool Athletics Carnival (MGHS)               Wednesday 22 March
            3-7 Sports Day                                                         Friday 31 March

I extend a warm welcome to parents, carers and family members to attend these carnivals to witness the athletic endeavours and also meet other families who are part of the College community. Catering will be provided at the carnivals, so come to the College for a long lunch break from work commitments, enjoy the athletics and have a bite to eat at the same time. 

Wellbeing and Resilience Course for Parents
Last year all our staff and interested parents were trained in the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) course. The course comprises five modules, which is 10 goals of the SAHMRI, Wellbeing and Resilience Centre, ResilienceWerks Course. 

I invite parents to express interest in the first of the parent training courses, which will be conducted this year from Week 6, Tuesday 7 March. The courses will then continue for five weeks for two hours per week on 14, 21, 28 March and finally 4 April. 

More information will follow but I urge parents to consider the course. What better way to assist your children develop wellbeing and resilience skills than to learn, practise and reinforce them at home. To book early for the course please contact Mary de Nys on 8725 5455.

Parents as the First Educators
At Tenison Woods College we appreciate the importance of parents and carers as the first educators of their children, realising that all we do supports their efforts or assists them to exercise their influence with greater confidence. We are also seeing the importance of grandparents in the evolving family paradigm of our society and how they are impacting on the learning, wellbeing and faith formation of our students.

I have also said on many occasions that the greatest determinant of student success at Tenison Woods College is parent involvement in their child’s learning and our learning community. The literature in the area of improving student achievement repeatedly indicates that parental attitudes and behaviors are the most significant variables. Interestingly, improving student achievement, according to the data, is not dependent on more money or smaller classes, but in the hands of parents, carers and school staff who play a critical role in their children’s physical, social, moral and academic development.  

With this in mind, I am delighted to see parents and carers becoming involved in a variety of opportunities in our learning community, such as literacy and numeracy information sessions, as well as parent class representatives. I am also thrilled to see staff teams across the school planning opportunities for parents to become increasingly involved in the learning of their child/ren this year through some creative experiences and events. I encourage parents, grandparents and carers to accept the invitations that will be extended to them. I invite parents, grandparents and carers to contact me should you have ideas of how we could better involve parents, grandparents and carers in our community or support them as the first educators of our children.

Board Annual General Meeting
I remind parents and carers of the Annual General Meeting of the Tenison Woods College Board, which will be held Wednesday 22 March at 7:00pm in the Pam Ronan Centre. Nominations are sought for people interested in serving on the Board this year. Please read the Board nomination letter.

Caring for One Another – Road Safety In and Around Our School
I remind families of the importance to monitor their speed and adjust it accordingly as they approach the school on Shepherdson Road and White Avenue in the interest of safety for all, but particularly our children. I also remind students to utilise the various designated crossing areas which are monitored by our staff. Crossing the roadways at other areas adds to the potential danger for our children but also increases the difficulty for drivers in the area. 

I appreciate the time pressures which force a family’s hand in relation to drop off and pick up times and routines, but I would ask families to consider collecting students from the school’s side of White Avenue. I am aware that picking up students from the Malseed Park side of White Avenue has caused a very hazardous situation at the conclusion of the school day, with students crossing the road without the protection of cars travelling at reduced speeds.    

Drop in to the Sugarloaf Café
I am thrilled that the Sugarloaf Café is inviting parents to meet at the café to catch up over a coffee and their culinary delights. Come and try the café once you have dropped off your children in the morning, or call in before you collect children at the end of the day. With a special area dedicated to adults, it’s a great place to catch your breath, take a moment for yourself and meet other parents who enjoy great coffee! 

Toddler Time @ TWC
Toddler Time playgroup at the Tenison Woods College Early Learning and Community Centre (ELCC) is again offering local families an excellent experience for their children. The sessions occur from 8:45am to 10:15am and from 10:30am to 12:00pm each Wednesday. Enquiries and registrations can be directed to Audine Bryant at bryaa@tenison.catholic.edu.au.

God Bless,

David Mezinec | Principal