The Vine Issue 16 – 2022

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr James Tamblyn

At 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month, we remember the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front after the combat of World War 1. This moment has been adopted all over the world as a time to remember those who have sacrificed and served in all wars and conflicts, recognising especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

At Pedare, students and staff from across our three schools came together to mark this special occasion at our Year 4-11 Remembrance Day Service. Our youngest students also came together for a Junior School service to mark the day. My thanks to all involved in making these events such moving and significant tributes to those who have served, and those who continue to serve.

This week we welcomed back to the College a number of Pedare Old Scholars to celebrate their 10, 20 and 30-year reunions. Those in attendance, including past principals Geoff Catford and Mike Millard, spent the evening reminiscing and touring the College. It was lovely to reconnect with a number of community members who had not been back to the College for many years and be able to share such positive stories of the College’s growth and evolution.

Building projects at the College continue to progress well. The new OSHC building is now complete and will become operational in the next few weeks once the final approvals for the service have been formalised. The building will be open for families to view on Friday, 18 November (Junior School Sports Day). New classrooms in the Boronia building are also complete and will be utilised as learning spaces from the start of 2023. The Banksia shade and decking, Mallee lower ground level development and Wattle Courtyard Outdoor Learning Space are all tracking well and are on target to meet scheduled completion dates. We look forward to these facilities being available for students from the beginning of next year.  

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL / HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Andrew Whiteman

Thank you to all of our Year 12 families for their attendance at the Year 12 Thanksgiving Service and Graduation Dinner. The final days of a student’s journey at Pedare always bring a range of emotions: sadness, anxiety, joy, relief and, of course, an element of excitement. Our Graduating class did themselves proud with the manner in which they finished their final school events. A beautiful send-off from the whole College on Thursday, 27 November, followed very nicely into our Service on Friday evening. At this event, we recognised the entire Year 12 cohort as well as our special award winners. Congratulations to all our winners and to the Class of 2022. Good luck to our Year 12 students who will complete their Stage 2 Examinations next week. We wish you all the very best in the future. 

Remembrance Day Service was held on Friday and, again, a wonderful display of the respect the day deserves. All students from Years 4 -11 attended the Blue Gum Sports Centre, where our special guest Lieutenant Lazarus Lai De Oliveira from the Royal Australian Navy shared some poignant words about the armed forces. He reminded us that there are many active service men and women around the world currently on duty and that we pay our respects to them as well as those that have gone before them. Our students were exceptionally well-behaved and understood the importance of the occasion. 

Our Year 10 and 11 students have two school weeks remaining and will be preparing for their Semester Two examinations shortly. Students in Year 11 will have their final day of lessons on Friday, 25 November and Year 10 final day of lessons is Monday, 28 November. A schedule will be provided to students this week. We wish them well in this important examination period. 

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

 Mr Callum Iles

Transitions

There is a famous saying, ‘if you are not going forwards, you are going backwards’. This is absolutely the case in business, education, and politics. Growing and moving forwards is a basic necessity of life.

My father, a Uniting Church minister for forty years, said in a sermon, ‘God doesn’t want you to be happy; he wants you to be growing.’ God is never happy leaving us the way we are, as evidenced by the transition of Christian-hating Saul into faith-filled Paul, fearful Peter into the Rock God built his Church upon, and the millions of people who have had their lives turned around by faith in God.

Transitions are so important because they are milestones of growth. They show us we are progressing, and we get certificates, achievements, trophies, degrees and certifications to prove this to us.

We have already seen the transitions of Year 12 students to life beyond school, and in the coming weeks, we will see Year 5s embark on some Transition Visit activities as they ready themselves for the new growth that will come with Middle School. The Transition Visit will be a time for students to get to know the Year 6 teachers and experience some fun activities, and Welcome Day in Week 8 will be an immersive day of what life will be like for them next year. These transitions are exceptionally important as they mentally ready themselves for the new expectations and the embracing of the Middle School mindset.

Later this term, the Middle School will be farewelling the Year 9s as they transition into Year 10. They are ready for new challenges and are ready to begin casting a vision for life beyond school, and the Senior School will do an exceptional job preparing them for that. This year has been filled with so many wonderful transition moments for the Year 9 cohort, including a challenging Outdoor Education experience, the relentless Community Project and the many assignments that helped them build good habits and apply the knowledge and skills they have absorbed. Their readiness for Year 10 is evident, and while their presence will be missed in Middle School, the Graduation Assembly in Week 8 will celebrate this significant milestone.

In the words of Lloyd Christmas, ‘I hate goodbyes’, but they often indicate growth and new beginnings, and I am excited for what these students will achieve in the future.

2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mr Randall Pearce

Staffing 2023

Whether moving year levels or moving to a new school, staff movement is part of a professional’s journey. There are some challenges that come from within, but they are normal and healthy.

Currently, we are still deliberating over the staffing mix for 2023. We are dedicated to finding the right teachers that balance across the Junior School to support the children and families and to continue to grow the programs that we offer.  

Transition Visits

Our new 2023 Reception children and current 2022 Mid Year Reception class have started their transition visits, along with our Year 5 students into Year 6. For some, this transition will cause great excitement, while for others, it will cause a few anxious moments. This is normal. We have programs and people in place to support all the students. If your child is experiencing any anxiety regarding 2023, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss this.  

Welcome Day

On Tuesday, 6 December (Week 8), we will welcome all new students to Pedare in 2023 from Year 1 to Year 7. New Junior School students will be buddied up with a current Pedare student, who will support and welcome these students to our school. All students will spend the day in the year level up, familiarising themselves with their teachers, peers and the type of learning that might take place in 2023. Please note the teacher your child visits on the day may not be their teacher for 2023. 

AnglicareSA Christmas Food Hamper Drive

This year, as part of our service to the community, we will join AnglicareSA’s Christmas Food Hamper Drive again.  

AnglicareSA provides Christmas hampers to hundreds of individuals, families and children in need each year. We join Anglicare SA, Anglican schools and churches to provide over 1500 Christmas Hampers to low-income families and individuals who will be facing an otherwise bleak and desperate holiday season. 

Junior School class teachers will share the items required for each Hamper, and we hope to be able to donate three hampers per class. Please note that participation in the Food Drive is voluntary.

These hampers will be presented to Anglicare representatives during the Year 3-5 Thanksgiving Service on Friday, 9 December.

End of Term  

Looking at this term’s end, I can affirm the work and care that all Pedare staff has for each child. The planned curriculum, activities and events will ensure a busy and fun term.  

To keep informed about all the wonderful events planned for this term, please keep an eye on the school website, calendar, posters, and The Vine.

• Junior Primary Nativity (Reception, Years 1 and 2) – Friday, December 2 – 9am – Chapel 
• Thanksgiving (Years 3,4 & 5) – Friday, December 9 – 9am – Chapel

Year 3 Camp

4-5 November 2022

2022 Art Exhibition

Middle and Senior School

VEX IQ Tournament

Years 3-8

Battle of the Bands

Year 7

VEX V5 Tournament

Years 9-12

Cross Country

Middle and Senior School

NEWS, UPDATES AND RESULTS

The Pedare Extra-Curricular Team are excited to bring you a new portal, containing information and links all in one location to our Sports and Clubs program.

The Portal is updated regularly to bring you the latest news, announcements, updates, results and more of Pedare Extra-Curricular activities and events.

Pedare Pride Cubs with District Governor

Tea Tree Gully Anglican

Tea Tree Gully Anglican Church is a group of Christians who seek to serve Jesus in everything we do. Whether you are just visiting, or looking for a Christian home, we aim to be a loving and supportive family for you. We meet at the church at 8:30am, 10:00am, and 6:00pm in person. If you can’t join us just yet, we’ll continue to stream at 8:30am and 10:00am online using Zoom and YouTube  Service times are 8:30am and 10:00am.

Please contact Dave Brown on dave@ttganglican.org.au for more details, or check their Facebook page for links.

If you are struggling and would like to talk with someone from the church during these trying times, please phone 8264 3736.

Tea Tree Gully Uniting – Banksia Markets

Tea Tree Gully Uniting host the ‘local and friendly’ Banksia Markets on the first Saturday of each month from 8:30am to 1:00pm at 600 Milne Road, Banksia Park. Stalls inside the hall and in the car park include produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, jewellery, tools, bric-a-brac and lots more.

For more information contact the TTG Uniting Church website at https://www.ttguc.org.au/

St Mark’s Anglican Church

St Mark’s Anglican Church has a 9.00 am traditional service each Sunday morning and 9.30am each Wednesday morning. We would love to see you at either or both of our services. We are located on the corner of The Golden Way and Wynn Vale Drive, Wynn Vale.

For further information and updates about St Mark’s services and events, please visit our website at https://www.stmarksgoldengrove.org.au/ or visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stmarksgoldengrove.org.au

Golden Grove Uniting Church

Golden Grove Uniting Church, corner of Crouch and One Tree Hill Road, Golden Grove, has a traditional service at 10 am on Sunday. Also, on the second and fourth Sunday of the month, we have a cafe-style church, which is a relaxed contemporary worship service at 6 pm in the Church hall.

Café Youth is a fun, interactive program for young people ages 14 and up looking to engage in topics of faith. It is held in the Church hall on the first and third Sunday of each month during the school term, from 6.30-8.30 pm. Café Youth sessions start with a fun 30-minute activity based on the theme for the night, then followed by “Talk Time”, during which the group discusses a topic of faith whilst enjoying delicious snacks, refreshments and pizza! The cost for each session is $5.

For further information, please contact the Office on 8251 4298 or email office@goldengroveuniting.org.au. You can even check our webpage: https://www.goldengroveuniting.org.au

Please click here to visit the College Calendar for a full list of College events