News

A Week of Swimming Talent and Fun

The strong tradition of swimming excellence and fun-filled water novelty games continued last week with the Year 8-12 Swimming Carnival on Thursday 15 February and the Year 4-7 Twilight Swimming Carnival on Friday 16 February. And in the middle of all that, the Tenison Woods College interschool swimming team excelled at the SESSSA Interschool Carnival on Friday 16 February, winning for the fourth year in a row! Special thank you to Ciaran Buckley, Grant Lean and the HPE Team, who planned two wonderful opportunities for students to shine, as well as have a lot of fun! Thanks also to all the students, staff and parents who ‘put their hand up’ in a variety of ways to make the two days a wonderful start to our College sporting calendar.

Lenten Season and Project Compassion – Hands Up for a Just Future

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 “For a Just Future.”  It throws a spotlight on our global challenge and how our aspiration for true justice can transform lives. As Pope Francis indicates, “Cultivate with love the seeds of goodness, beauty and truth that God sows in every new generation.”

Ensuring our school is a safe place for all

As the school year commences I want to assure all parents and carers of our absolute commitment to ensuring that Tenison Woods College is a safe place for all. I say to students as I visit classes, that my most important job as principal is to keep all our students, staff and parents safe. As such:

• Our staff are committed and trained to protect the children and young people in our care.
• All staff and regular volunteers have current police checks.
• We teach our children age-appropriate strategies to keep themselves safe through South Australia’s Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum.
• Staff complete certification and undertake regular updated training in Responding to Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care Settings.
• We also promote strategies to minimise bullying and help students stay safe online.

You can read more about our commitment to the wellbeing of your child on our website 

Additional information about the broader protection policies of Catholic Education SA can be found on their website. 

The Catholic Education SA website also includes links to online resources for parents and students on a range of topics including anxiety, depression, bullying and how to support your child.

If you have any questions or concerns about child safety please contact Jennie Sanderson, Director of Wellbeing.

Fair Funding for Catholic Schools

As we head towards a State Election, parents are encouraged to consider how each political party is promising to support our Catholic schools.

Until recently, Catholic schools in South Australia received the lowest level of funding in the country. In November, the State Government announced that it would increase recurrent funding to our schools. This equates to a $14.3 million increase in 2018 and brings us into much closer alignment with the amount Catholic schools receive in other parts of the country. The State Government also announced a capital grant of $5.5 million indexed annually to CPI.

While this is good news for our schools, there is much more that can be done to ensure our schools receive adequate support.

Click here to read more. 

Parent Course – Wellbeing and Resilience

Don’t forget to register for the Parent Wellbeing and Resilience Course.

In partnership with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Tenison Woods College is developing a whole school community way of talking about, measuring and critiquing the resilience and wellbeing of our members. The project complements our current strong commitment to wellbeing and resilience through the variety of programs offered to students, families and staff, by giving us a common language and frame of reference through which to view the associated issues across our school community.

This year we are continuing our parent training course, beginning on Tuesday 27 February from 7:00pm to 8.30pm. The course will run for five consecutive weeks.

Come along and learn some new skills, or refresh some old ones, in a friendly, non-threatening, social environment. For more information or to register your interest please contact the Wellbeing Director, Jennie Sanderson here.

Parent Representatives Reception – Year 8

As indicated previously, with our commitment to fostering positive parent relationships within our school community, Tenison Woods College is introducing a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in 2018 and will also reinvigorate the Class Parent Representative Program. With the enthusiasm of parent, Aleathia Holland.

The first PTA meeting for the year will take place on Thursday 15 March from 5.00pm-6.00pm in the PRC Common Room. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Parent representatives are being finalised for each class and we look forward to gathering with them to discuss how they can support staff in building community. 

Parent Representatives assist the classroom teacher in welcoming families to the class and the school. They also liaise with families and the teacher to facilitate strong communication, providing a sounding board for parents in relation to questions or concerns they may have about their child’s learning and wellbeing.

God Bless.

David Mezinec | Principal

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