News

End of Term Gratitude

This final newsletter for Term 1 provides an opportunity to reflect on the journey and give thanks for the many good things that have happened throughout the term. I congratulate students on their commitment to school life, which has been evident in application to learning experiences, school events and class activities. 

I have seen many examples of staff, students and parents prepared to put their ‘hand up to help out,’ and in doing that, beginning to realise their own talents and then indeed the talents of our community.  Such journey starts small, but with confidence and support of those around us I am confident that we will see our commitment to serve others make a significant impact on those around us in a variety of ways. 

Such impact has been expressed significantly through student, staff and parent efforts in relation to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion Campaign. The school’s commitment to fundraising has been one rich expression of our community’s desire to work "For a Just Future” and assist those in need.

The groundwork established in Term 1 will provide a very good foundation for students to build upon in Term 2. I trust students will find time this week to thank staff members for their work throughout the term.

Volunteers – Thank You

It is also timely to reflect on the many people; students, staff, parents, and friends of Tenison Woods College, who have offered their time and talents to our community this term. Canteen helpers, parents who listen to reading and support class activities, those who offer their talents to committees and officiate at school events all provide testimony to the generosity so rich in our community. I sincerely thank such people for their commitment to creating community through their service to our school.

Art Excellence Recognised – A Legacy of Excellence and Passion

I am delighted to inform the College community that 2017 Year 12 student, Victoria Circelli has had one of her paintings from her Stage 2 SACE studies chosen to reside in the Office of the Minister of Education and Child Development for the next 12 months. The same piece of work was chosen for the 2018 SACE Art Show which took place earlier this year in Adelaide.  As we congratulate Victoria, I think it is also significant to realise that Victoria’s success follows on from Abbie Hay’s success in 2015, Meghan Lynch (2012) and Chelsea Burford (2013), pointing to the very high standards which are being achieved in our Art Faculty; a wonderful legacy of commitment to our young, inspiring a love of artistic endeavour and excellence in achievement.

Master Plan Deliberations Continue

This week we continued our communal refinement of our proposed master plan through deliberate consultations with students, staff and parent representatives on Wednesday 11 April, facilitated by Pino Dichiera (Edge Architects) and Peter Smith (Catholic Education South Australia, Planning and Development Team).

The day assists us in taking the next step with the master plan, accentuating also how we envisage the following will have on the design of our learning spaces:

• Student Centred Learning
• Teacher Collaboration
• Positive School Climate
• Technology Integration
• Flexible Scheduling
• Connection to the environment, community and our global network

Further discussion will evolve around:

• How do we see a ‘learning space’ looking (both internal and external) – from general teaching spaces and then breakout spaces?
• What do we want to achieve and learn in the spaces?
• How do we achieve the evolution from teacher centred learning to student centred learning – and what does this mean regarding the built form?
• Are we looking at similar spaces for Junior, Middle and Senior – or will there be some subtle differences based on the different social and age specific needs?
• How do we bring the outside in – and the inside out?

I always look forward to these reflections and the impact on how we conceptualise our preferred future as a growing Early Years to Year 12 Co-educational Catholic Community.

Leadership Development at Tenison Woods College

Over the past four years we have deliberately accentuated and fostered leadership in our College community. We have since last year developed a deliberate project devoted to fostering student leadership and I am delighted with the evolution of those reflections and deliberate actions. I also look forward to how we will accentuate male student leadership in our community through this project.

I am also delighted that in the first three days of the upcoming holidays, 28 staff will commit to working with the internationally recognised Brown Collective and Catholic Education South Australia consultants, to further develop their own leadership skills, dispositions and journey. I am thrilled that so many staff are working with one another to further their own insights, which will of course ultimately benefit our College community.

Best of Luck Sarah and Cali - World Agility Championships

We wish Sarah McDowell and her dog, Cali, all the best as they compete in the World Agility Championships during May this year, as Mount Gambier’s very own international representatives on the world agility stage.

BYOD at Tenison Woods College

Thank you to the Senior School families who have supported the Bring Your Own Device approach this year with all the challenges and successes that it has brought for the family. I remind families, for more information about the BYOD program, obtaining free Microsoft Office software and device options, please visit the Portal@TWC help site. It is a wonderful resource prepared and curated by our committed ICT Support Team.

Parish Planned Giving Rebate

I remind families that parents contributing to the St Paul’s Planned Giving may claim a rebate from Tuition Fees of 50% of their contribution up to a maximum claim of $750. Official Parish receipts are to be presented to the Business Manager after the 30 June 2018 for a deduction to be made.

End of Term

I remind families that there will be an early school closure to conclude the term, Friday 13 April. As with past practices, Junior School will conclude at 2:15pm and Middle and Senior School at 2:20pm. 

ANZAC Day – ‘Lest we forget’

We look with anticipation to the ANZAC Day commemorations. I believe ANZAC Day not only offers us an opportunity to acknowledge those Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who fought and died at Gallipoli in 1915, but is also a day of remembrance for all soldiers who have died while fighting for their country, as well as their families whose lives have been significantly transformed by the supreme sacrifice. Furthermore, ANZAC Day invites us as a community to acknowledge the commitment of our contemporary armed forces and their families; a day to say thank you with deep appreciation.

I encourage families to become involved in the commemorations on 25 April this year, Wednesday of the second week of our student vacation.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We shall remember them.

God Bless,

David Mezinec | Principal

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