The Vine Issue 1 – 2018

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr Mike Millard

Welcome Back

Welcome to 2018 to all students and their families for what will be a very exciting year, as we prepare for One College in 2019. It will take the entire year to prepare for One College and the changes are already well under way. The current priority is completing the full transportable relocation which has been delayed, as we await the delivery of steel for a canopy over what will become the Performing Arts Precinct or Danthonia deck in 2019.

I do want to stress to the community that it is ‘business as usual’ in terms of learning. Whilst some classes have been relocated to allow for the completion of the Danthonia rooms, learning has not been affected. This relocation will end in just a matter of weeks.

With the demolition of Redgum, we have cleared the way for the building of the new Middle School, on what has been ‘revealed’ as a large site on the eastern slopes of the College. The construction of the Junior School, Middle School and Blue Gum Gymnasium will happen concurrently to allow the builders to achieve economies for Pedare.

SACE Merit Ceremony Government House

The seven Pedare students who achieved a Merit for the Year 12 studies in 2017 were presented with their certificates at the special Merit Ceremony at Government House on Tuesday 6 February 2018. This is a very special occasion for students and their families as they come together to celebrate a successful conclusion to their Year 12 studies.

The Pedare students who received the awards were:

• Michael Yang – Mathematical Methods, Psychology and Specialist Mathematics
• Xueying Sun – Psychology, Research Project
• Kane Abraham – General Mathematics
• Charlotte Armitage – Psychology
• Georgia Rohrsheim – Food Technology
• Isobel Cassidy – Geography (lsobel was a Year 11 student studying a Stage 2 subject)
• Noshin Hassan – English (Noshin was a Year 11 student studying a Stage 2 subject)

Academic Achievement Assembly

Congratulations go to the nineteen 2017 Year 12s who are now members of Pedare’s 90+ Club. Please click here to read about the 90+ Club members’ academic achievements, who were congratulated at the Academic Achievement assembly held on Thursday 8 February.

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mr Randall Pearce

The year is new. Shoes are shiny, and all the lunchboxes have lids! Everything is bursting with possibility.

Welcome to the 27 new students from Year 1 to 5 and the 51 new Receptions who have joined our community. I look forward to getting to know you and working with you and your family.

For many of us, the summer break has been an opportunity to think about what is really important – about what we want for ourselves and our students and about where we are all heading

The vision of Pedare has, at its foundation, a deep belief in the potential of our young people, and in teachers’ potential to make a real difference. Our commitment to our own lifelong learning is an important part of making that difference.

I am proud of the recent efforts and attendance at Professional Learning that has seen Pedare staff further their understanding of the Primary Years Program (PYP) and adoption of a guided inquiry pedagogical approach to our teaching and learning program. Through the PYP we aim to provide a curriculum that is:

• Significant
• Relevant
• Challenging and
• Engaging

This, teamed with our caring and devoted staff who prioritise student wellbeing, allows Pedare to offer a wonderful learning environment.

2018 is a year of change and opportunities, as we transition into One College, One Campus. Indeed it is an exciting time and we are committed as one in the Junior School, to continue to provide the warm, caring environment that allows our students to excel.

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mr Andrew Whiteman

Welcome back to all our families and I trust that you had an enjoyable time over the Christmas holidays. While away from school, we are able to unwind from the busyness of Term 4 and hopefully settle into a more relaxing routine. I hope you were able to spend some time with your families and enjoy the sunshine during the break. While the end of the holidays can lead students to start to worry about school and just “which class am I going to be in” or “will I be with my friends” it was very pleasing to see so many smiling faces as they entered the yard for the very first time. Year 6 students began their Middle School journey in style and the teachers were thoroughly impressed with the eagerness and joyful nature of the cohort. The Middle School continues to grow and I spoke at our first assembly about the wonderful welcoming nature of the students and the fact the students of Pedare love being connected to the College. We strive for success and have high expectations of the students, both inside and outside of the classroom. It was once again great to see the school come to life for another year.

We welcome two new staff members who will be teaching in the Middle School this year. Mrs Leah Grant has been appointed in the Arts area and will be teaching Visual and Media Art across the College as a replacement for Mrs Kai Benyk who is on maternity leave. Ms Samantha Ireland joins us to teach both Mathematics and Science. Both have started well and we warmly welcome them and look forward to their contribution to the College.

Walking around the school, it is easy to see the building works have started to change the shape of the College already. No doubt it was a surprise to some to see some of our Year 9 classrooms moved over the holidays to behind the Chapel. With some minor relocation of teaching spaces taking place in the first weeks of school, students have shown great adaptability and resilience and really hit the ground running in regards to their learning. We are hopeful the two Year 9 classrooms, Music rooms and Year 8 classroom will be in use within the next week. You will hear more about the building works throughout the year and suffice to say, both students and staff are looking forward to seeing it all be created around us.

It was wonderful to see such a large number of parents attend the Year 6 Meet the Teacher evening held on Monday 5 February. Parents were given an overview of the building project to date and had a chance to meet and speak with their child’s Core Teacher. The fact that there is a lot of physical change to buildings ahead could lead to some distraction throughout the year but they were assured it is business as usual and that learning will be our focus in 2018. We look forward to seeing many parents at the Year 7-9 Parent Information Evening on Monday 19 February from 6:00pm. Again another opportunity for families to put a face to the name of their children’s teachers and meet with them briefly in their classrooms. At this evening the parents of Year 7 students will also hear from our Camp Coordinator Mr Michael Secomb who will provide information about the requirements for the upcoming Year 7 camp in Week 8.

As the new school year begins and students move into new classes and meet new teachers, please do not hesitate to contact any of your child’s teachers if you would like to discuss their learning or pastoral needs. All of the teachers here at Pedare are accessible via email or phone and, if required, you can request to meet them at a mutually convenient time. Once again, welcome back and we look forward to another exciting year at Pedare.

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Mrs Gillian Edwards

Welcome to Senior School 2018.

We have returned to some exciting physical changes to our site and the students are to be commended on the way they have responded to any relocation of classes or facilities. The start to the school year has been very smooth and student learning has well and truly commenced.

The Senior School focus for this year refers to some important skills that our students will need to continue to develop as they move through Senior School and on to the world beyond. They are: Creativity, Adaptability, Problem-Solving and Balance. Our students have been encouraged to become engaged in both our academic and extra-curricular programs whilst maintaining a balance in their lives that promotes their health and well-being.

We welcomed the Year 10 and Year 11 students and their families to a Senior School information evening, where they were given an outline of the year ahead and met their new Home Group teachers. Year 10s learnt about their up-coming Camp Capabilities, which will certainly give them a chance to develop some of the focus skills. Mr Millard also took the opportunity to provide everyone with an update of the building program. We thank everyone for their attendance.

The annual Academic Achievement Assembly saw nineteen 2017 Year 12s inducted into the 90+ Club; certificates presented to those students who were awarded Merits; the College Dux Cup presented to Michael Yang; and the 2018 Academic Captains inducted into their role. We congratulate Jackson Mickley and Sophie Szabo on their appointment. Please refer to the details that follow.  A special thank you to Xueying Sun, who spoke on behalf of the members of the 90+ Club, for her words of advice and encouragement to the student body and particularly the current Year 12 Class of 2018, who were presented with their badges too.

We look forward to a happy and successful year working with our students and their families. It has got off to a very pleasing start.

Michael Yang

2017  COLLEGE DUX

Xueying Sun

Speaking on behalf of 2017 90+ Club Members

Sophie Szabo and Jackson Mickley

2018  ACADEMIC CAPTAINS

Class of 2018

BROOKLYN

Class of 2018

ELDERGREEN

Class of 2018

GREENWITH

Class of 2018

HILLCOTT

Class of 2018

SURREY

TOPICS

Academic Achievement Assembly

SVC Representatives – 2018

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 8 February

90+ Club

Pedare Year 12 students are driven by personal goals, and many want to achieve an ATAR of 90 or better to become a part of the College’s 90+ ATAR Club. This year, 100% of Pedare students achieved the SACE, with 29.8% of all subject results in the A grade band and 77.7% of all subject results were B grade or above. The median ATAR score was 81.6 (when translated means 50% of Pedare students were in the top 18.4% of results statewide). This affirms our commitment to excellence in learning for each student.

Michael Yang (99.4) – College Dux 2017

Merits: Mathematical Methods, Psychology, Specialist Mathematics

Pathway: B. Actuarial Studies, A.N.U., Canberra

Oliver Fulcher (97.45)

Pathway: B. Nursing, University of Adelaide

Andrew Nam (96.75)

Pathway: B. Physiotherapy (Hons), Uni SA

Xueying Sun (96.55)

Merits: Psychology, Research Project

Pathway: B. Health & Medical Science, University of Adelaide

Kane Abraham (96.45)

Merit: General Mathematics

Pathway: Combined Degree in B. Health Science & B. Nursing (Pre-registration), Majoring in Health Management, Flinders University

Ryan Clapp (95.45)

Pathway: B. Exercise and Sport Science, Uni SA

Denali Wright (94.1)

Pathway: B. Law & B. International Relations (Double Degree), University of Adelaide

Ciara Begbie (93.75)

Pathway: B. Psychological Sciences, University of Adelaide

Sarah Arbery (93.65)

Pathway: B. Science, Masters of Secondary Teaching, Uni SA

Lachlan Schomburgk (93.65)

Pathway: B. Commerce, University of Adelaide

Curtis Graham (93.2)

Pathway: Awarded a scholarship to study B. Ocean Engineering, Australian Marine College, Tasmania

Charlotte Armitage (93.1)

Merit: Psychology

Pathway: B. Education (Primary & Middle), Uni SA

Pal Tear (92.5)

Pathway: B. Arts, Masters of Teaching, Flinders University

Franziska Bunkenburg-Lee (91.85)

Pathway: B. International Relations, University of Adelaide

Connie Truong (91.3)

Pathway: B. Medical Radiation, Uni SA

Nathan Caeran (90.95)

Pathway: B. Human Movement, Uni SA

Aneesa Abdullah (90.25)

Pathway: B. Psychological Sciences & B. Business, Flinders University

Laila Moodley (90.1)

Pathway: B. Psychological Sciences & B. Human Resource Management (Double Degree), Uni SA

Lachlan Goldie (90.05)

Pathway: B. Electronic/Electrical Engineering, University of Adelaide

Other Merits: 

Georgia Rohrsheim

Merit: Food Technology

Isobel Cassidy (Year 11 studying a Stage 2 subject)

Merit: Geography

Noshin Hassan (Year 11 studying a Stage 2 subject)

Merit: English

Georgia Rohrsheim

Merit – Material Products 1 Food Technology 

Isobel Cassidy (Year 11 studying Stage 2 Subject)

Merit – Geography

Noshin Hassan (Year 11 studying Stage 2 Subject)

Merit – English

SVC REPRESENTATIVES – 2018

Friday, 9 February

On Friday 9 February, the Junior School officially inducted the Student Voice Council for Semester 1 2018. These students were chosen due to their willingness to support and act on behalf of their fellow students. During the assembly, the new SVC Representatives promised to work towards making our school community an even better environment to learn and play and in return the Junior School community made a promise to help them in their duties.

Congratulations to the following students:

NEWS

Extra-Curricular Sports feature articles and results below:

FIRST Robotics Competition – 2018

The FIRST Robotics Competition is once again up and running at Pedare in 2018. This is the 3^rd year the College has been involved after being the first school in South Australia to enter this international competition. FRC is a large-scale robotics competition, which brings together students and mentors to build robots that perform in a competitive but gracious environment against teams from all over the world.

Some key improvements for 2018 include:

• Using the 2016 robot carcass for testing and practising control systems
• Prototyping systems using the VEX Robotics system, enabling “practice” and prototyping of ideas
• Setup and physical construction of the playing field and key elements.
• Experience of mentors & students who have participated in 2017.

Please click the links to learn more about Pedare Robotics and the 2018 First Robotics Championship.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR FIXTURES

Extra-Curricular Fixtures are available on the Pedare App and on the College website.

Click here to view the Extra-Curricular fixtures online

Ash Wednesday Service

Join with others in our College community and members of St Mark’s to observe the commencement of Lent, a time when many Christians around the world prepare for Easter with a season of reflection and repentance. Rev Mark Hawkes will lead the service, which will include Communion and the opportunity to receive the sign of the cross in ash for those who value that tradition. The service will be held at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Wynn Vale on Wednesday 14 February from 7:30 – 8:00am. Click here for more information or contact Mr John Morton, College Chaplain on 8280 1770 or jmorton@pedarecc.sa.edu.au

Marriage Course – TTG Anglican

TTG Anglican will again be offering the Marriage Course to the Pedare Community. This course is for couples wanting to grow in their understanding of each other and is designed to enhance marriage relationships. The course is done in a very supportive and discreet way, with privacy and confidentiality assured for all couples. There is no group sharing in the session format as you have the opportunity to talk privately at your own table. All course materials are provided and a special supper is served each evening. The sessions are held on over 7 Thursday evenings, starting on 22 February 2018 and finishing on 12 April (there will not be a session held on 29 March, Easter Thursday). For more information and on-line booking https://ttganglican.org.au/ministries/marriage-course/ or email mc@teatreegullyanglican.org.au or phone Andrew on 0432 103 159.

Tea Tree Gully Anglican

Generators Kids Club (Years R-6)

Come and join us. Generators Kids Club meets Fridays each fortnight for great games, craft and bible time. Our next Kids Club is on Friday 16 February from 3:30 – 5:30pm. The craft this week is making your own chalkboards. The Term 1 program can be downloaded from our website. For information about 2018 Kids Club, phone Rick on 8264 3736 or click here

SWAT Youth (Years 7-12)

Meets Friday each week at 7:30pm. Come for a great time of games, friendship and bible discussion. Next meeting is on 16 February. For information about 2018 SWAT Youth, phone Dave on 0403 723 953 or click here.

Normal Weekly Services – Check out our website for more details.

Sunday@8:30: Prayer book service – weekly communion.

Sunday@10: Family service and specific children’s ministries. Communion on third Sunday of every month.

Sunday@6.00pm: Youth, young adult and those young at heart. Communion first Sunday of every month. There is no children’s program but drawing supplies and a withdrawal room are available for your young ones.

AnglicareSA – Rymill House Estate Fundraiser

For as little as $300 you can change a young person’s life forever – and at the same time experience premium trackside hospitality and the refinement of Rymill House Estate at this year’s motor racing event to be held on 1 – 4 March. For young people, leaving care involves transitioning from dependence on state accommodation and support to so-called self-sufficiency. To find out more about how you can help click here.