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From the Prinicpal
21.11.18
Mount Gambier Christmas Parade Congratulations
Thank you to Sharn de Nys and the Junior School and Early Learning Centre Staff, who prepared the float in the Christmas Parade on Saturday 17 November. Thank you to the families who gave their time and talents to the preparations, ensuring a wonderful experience for our young.
As always, Nathan Creedy’s Thunder Drum Corps made their presence and drumming skills powerfully felt during the Christmas parade.
The parade was also testimony to how connected our staff and students are in the community, from Girl Guides to the variety of dance, martial arts, and calisthenics groups. Congratulations to all involved – an excellent community celebration!
Senior School Awards Celebration
The Senior School Awards Celebration on Tuesday 20 November in the Barrie Holmes Stadium was a significant milestone in the learning journey of our senior students. This was also a time to reflect on how we have put our ‘hand up to help out.’
I was delighted that supporters of the College and sponsors of awards were also able to celebrate with us. Tenison Woods College is an innovative, dynamic community that draws inspiration and support from relationships that exist beyond the school community. The backing of College sponsors and supporters is greatly valued, and I appreciate that they assisted us in celebrating student achievement Tuesday morning.
Congratulations
Congratulations to our students who received awards, and who have put their hand up in a range of significant ways. By putting their hand up they have enhanced our community; their success is the success of the community.
I also took the opportunity to thank the Year 12’s for the way they have lead our Senior School Students in aiming to be the best they can be with all their time, passion, courage and full attention this year.
Special thanks to Evangelia Wichmann and Daniel Ker for their leadership of the school. It has been a very impressive year, a year in which they have truly “let your light shine.” We wish Evangelia, Daniel and our Year 12 students well as they leave us to further put their hand up and declare their presence in the world beyond school; a world that needs their creativity, problem solving and integrity.
We also congratulated Emily Turley and James Lucas, their selection as School Captains and thanked the array of excellent students who offered themselves as school leaders, auguring very well for next year.
At Tenison Woods College, every learner has a place, every learner has a pathway, every learner will shine. That is our challenge and our celebration. In acknowledging the role of teachers in our College community I underlined that every staff member is a teacher, from the formal classroom teacher to our Front Office Team, Uniform Shop, and to Grounds Team and Cleaners.
Thank you Marie Hoare and Ted Van Eeten
I took the opportunity to celebrate the careers of Mrs Marie Hoare and Mr Ted Van Eeten with 39 and 36 years of service to the Tenison Woods College community. 75 years of service in total, spanning a range of areas, but more recently in the Science, Careers, Visual and Graphic Arts areas. Using my language teacher mathematics skills, I estimate that over 10,000 lives of students and families that have been impacted by their presence, creativity and wisdom through their service of Tenison Woods College. Furthermore, they have had a significant impact on the staff. This is an outstanding legacy which we celebrate and we thank Marie and Ted for all they have been to us as teachers, colleagues, mentors and friends.
Leadership in Many Dimensions
In a large Community, much goes on below the surface of what is seen. At this time, I acknowledge the wonderful leadership of our Deputy Principal, Liza Couzens, Head of Senior School, Sean Quirke, the Senior School Leadership Team and the College Leadership Team for all that has been achieved to support the College life of our students.
Special thanks to the many parents who have offered their talents to the work of the College Board and its six sub-committees under the leadership of Emma-Kate Griffiths. Likewise, I thank the enthusiastic Aleathia Holland and the committed PTA (Parent Teacher Association) for gathering our dedicated parents and staff together to create a community of connection and action.
I thank Father Dean Marin, Father Peter Fountain, Father Michael Romeo, and Father Christopher Matala for their outstanding commitment to the College at the same time as serving a very large South East Deanery up to Bordertown and through the Southern ports. This support has manifested in a variety of ways for its people, its ideas and structures and importantly for its Catholic culture and charism and represents the strong support that we enjoy from the parishes in our region.
Invitation to Keep Putting that Hand Up
It was heartening to see the depth of talent in our senior school and a pleasure to acknowledge outstanding efforts, commitments and dispositions. In many ways I expect success in this community; a community of abundance, where we have excellent resources and excellent people, where all have a home, a place to be themselves, and opportunities to forge their pathway in life.
However, in our abundance much is asked of us in terms of our leadership. These awards are not the final destination or end game, rather they validate that we have a great deal to offer our community. We are challenged to be people for the world, to continually put our hand up and help out; to care about the reality of others, and ensuring our actions enable others to do good or shine.
So I asked students to take confidence from this celebration Tuesday; confidence to ‘let your light shine’ and use your gifts to serve others, so that in their giving and service they become the type of people our God knows they can be.
Thanksgiving Mass
On Thursday 29 November at 9:00am we will gather in the Barrie Holmes Stadium for our whole College Thanksgiving Mass. At this celebration of Mass, an event which is the source and summit of our Christian lives, we celebrate and give thanks to God for the many gifts and blessings we have received throughout this school year. We remember our successes and our struggles, our joys and our sorrows. We come with grateful hearts and spirits to meet our gracious God in Word and Sacrament.
Celebrating as a large learning community, that is comprised of and nurtures smaller learning communities, we will ask for God’s blessing especially on our Year 5 students moving into Middle School, our Year 9 students going into Senior school and our Year 12 students who move into a journey beyond school.
Year 12 Graduation
The Graduation on Friday 30 November from 6:30pm is not only an opportunity to celebrate the journey of the students in our community over the years, but also an opportunity to wish them well as they greet life and take their place in our community.
White Ribbon – Changing the Story
During this period our students are devoting some time to discussing the White Ribbon Campaign that challenges domestic violence and particularly our commitment as a school in ‘Breaking the Silence’ on disrespectful behaviours.
I invite our community to sign up for the White Ribbon oath:
“I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women. This is my Oath.”
Students this week are reflecting on how they can rewrite the ‘story’ of domestic violence through a practical and daily commitment to gender equity and respect for each individual in a variety of ways
I urge parents to find some time to discuss this issue with their children and adolescents. Parents (males and females) may also like to register as White Ribbon Advocates; men and women who advocate against domestic violence, by following this link to find out more.
Satisfaction Surveys
We at Tenison Woods College are constantly reviewing our offerings and approach, refining as required, with the aim of ensuring that we offer our young the best possible opportunities and outcomes.
To this end I invite our parents/carers to participate in a Satisfaction Survey that will offer us data to reflect on the type of learning community we are creating and the type of issues we need to consider, to make the College the best possible.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could take the time to complete the Parent Satisfaction Survey by Friday 30 November.
Thank you for your contribution and should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me on 8725 5455.
Parish Facebook Page
Check out the parish Facebook page, Don't forget to ‘like’ and ‘follow’.
BYOD at Tenison Woods College
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.
2019 Shining Lights?
Now who should be one of our 2019 Shining Lights?
Criteria and nomination forms are available here
Key dates for the commencement of 2019:
A full list of 2019 key dates will follow soon, but to assist with planning I inform our College community of dates to commence the academic year:
- Tuesday 22 January All Teaching Staff commence
- Wednesday 23 January CESA Live, Learn, Lead Together Celebration in Adelaide for all Catholic Education SA Staff
- Thursday 24 January Staff Planning Day
- Friday 25 January Book collection day and Staff Planning Day
- Monday 28 January Australia Day Public Holiday
- Tuesday 29 January Staff Planning Day
- Wednesday 30 January Reception, Years 6, 8, 10,11, 12 commence Term 1
- Thursday 31 January All other students commence Term 1
You will note the staggered start to the commencement of the year for students. This approach will assist students in the identified year levels to complete the best possible transition processes with the relevant teaching and support staff. We also look forward to preparing transition programs that will accentuate our relationship with parents and carers in the support of student learning and wellbeing.
God Bless,
David Mezinec | Principal