Mr James Tamblyn
With the six-day lockdown now ending early at midnight Saturday, and the news that schools can reopen, we look forward to welcoming students back to the College on Monday morning. Lessons will run as normal for all students in the Junior and Middle Schools.
Year 10 and 11 exams will now be able to take place at the College. A revised schedule has been communicated to students and parents.
We are still unclear on how restrictions will impact the format and timing of the Year 12 Formal, Welcome Day and Junior School Nativity but will provide updates as soon as we have clarity. I will communicate again on Sunday afternoon when we are also hopeful of having clarity about sport and co-curricular activities over the next fortnight.
As articulated by the Chief Public Health Officer said, the lifting of the hard lockdown does not mean that the risks associated with COVID-19 have passed. As a result we will continue to minimise the number of people coming and going from our site. Wherever possible we ask families to drop and collect children at the gate and maintain the appropriate physical distance from other adults.
My thanks to all members of the Pedare community for your support and patience through the unique circumstances of the past week in South Australia.
Mr Andrew Whiteman
We often say at school that no two days are the same… in 2020 that statement has never been more true. The range of emotions that families, staff and students have had to deal with over the past week have been immense. Towards the end of any year, people start to get tired but in a year like we have had every emotion seems to be heightened. This week saw us move very quickly into a hard lockdown and we appreciate that students across the entire College were upset at the speed of which the entire state had to move. In saying this, our students handled the announcement very well and I hope that the support they receive from school and home is helping them through these challenging times.
Information about the Stage One and Year 10 examinations has been sent to students and families and we look forward to completing these. Given the circumstances of this week, there should be no need to compare our end of year exams between students or with past results. These exams should be looked upon as learning experiences for our students and even though the results will be reported there are a number of factors that will influence the final grades.
Many people experience an anxious feeling or stress during an examination week. As much as possible, we want to maintain a calm environment and reduce the feelings of students being overwhelmed by exams. Sometimes easier said than done.
For the coming days below are some tips to try and overcome feelings of stress or anxiety:
As always do not hesitate to make contact with our pastoral team if you have any concerns about your children. The students have worked hard all year and we would like them to finish off the year on a positive note.
We thank you again for your understanding and patience at this time as our staff prepare for the final weeks of the year.
Mr Josh Willis
2021 Student Leadership Team
I am very pleased to announce the Middle School Student Leadership Team for 2021.
There was a very strong pool of Year 8 students who applied for these positions. We were so pleased with the way that all applicants presented themselves during the application process, which made these decisions very difficult. We look forward to the following students leading the Middle School in 2021.
Middle School Captains
Community Service Captains
Community Captains
Year 5 Transition Opportunities
Over the past term, Year 5 students have engaged in various learning opportunities in the Mallee building, with a range of Middle School Teachers to best prepare them for 2021. We have been exposing these students to some Middle School offerings, facilities, processes and staff members.
Students have been engaged in specific subject lessons including, Art, Science, HPE, Technology, Positive Education and Core lessons. This week was the final instalment of these experiences for 2020. We are excited to welcome these students as members of the Middle School in 2021 and look forward to further transition opportunities for these students on Welcome Day.
Mr Randall Pearce
This week I was rostered to deliver a morning staff devotion on Monday morning. My inspiration for this came from a Churches’ message board which I pass each day on my way to Pedare. The message simply said ‘Pray – a 4 letter word you can use anywhere.’
I knew straight away that this simple message would provide me inspiration for my devotion and I now know that with the recent events within South Australia and the lockdown we are currently experiencing this message and my devotion is timely to share with our community.
After reading this message, I then decided to do a bit of a search of other 4 letter words you can use anywhere and provided a biblical verse for context.
KIND
Ephesians 4:32
New International Version
32 ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
LOVE
Mark 12:20
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
HOPE
Romans 12:12
‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.’
WISE
Proverbs 29:11
‘Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.’
So, during this time of lockdown my prayer for our community is to be KIND to one another, show LOVE to all, don’t give up HOPE and continue to pray for our leaders to continue to make WISE decisions at this difficult time.
Congratulations to the following Middle School students on being inducted as the 2021 Middle School Captains:
2021 Middle School Captains
Caitlyn Ekins & Ryan Ansari
2021 Community Service Captains
Louise Shimmin & Ranya Tongaria
2021 Brooklyn Captains
Brooke Silby & Lachlan Saunders
2021 Eldergreen Captains
Olivia Arruzzolo & Lara Cullen
2021 Greenwith Captains
Patrick Hancock & Gideon Malherbe
2021 Hillcott Captains
Ava Haldane-Spencer & Tayla Ktisti
2021 Surrey Captains
Bella Cornell & Chloe John
On Wednesday 11 November, College staff, Years 5 to Year 11 students and invited guests, gathered together in the Wattle Courtyard to honour the men and women of Armed Forces in Australia and around the world who have given their lives in conflicts. The moving service included a speech from Mr Mike Meredith, a long-standing Army Reservist and staff member of Golden Grove High School, prayer’s read by students, a minute’s silence, the Last Post and captains from Junior, Middle and Senior Schools laying a wreath at the bottom of the cross.
Lest we Forget.
JUNIOR SCHOOL REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
On Wednesday 11 November, the Junior School combined their Junior Worship with the Remembrance Day ceremony. Mr John Morton, College Chaplain, led the service with the message about how Jesus came to serve by giving up his life and dying on the cross for us. In the Bible are the words ‘No one has greater love than the one who gives their life for their friends’ – John 15:13 NIRV
These words are sometimes read during Remembrance Day services, reminding us that some brave people in our country have given their lives to serve us and keep us safe. It is important to participate in honouring those who sacrificed so much during times of war.
Receptions also enjoyed making and decorating letters for a ‘We Will Remember Them’ sign that was hang on the Junior School Administration building for Remembrance Day.
In Year 2, students are passionate about their gardening and worm Subpods. They have recently enjoyed making sandwiches using the lettuce they have grown themselves. Students have been enthusiastically ripping cardboard as a means of adding carbon to the worm farm Subpods, along with their food scraps.
Mrs Ailsa Burne – Year 2 Teacher
Year 2B students have enjoyed watching the YouTube version of ‘No Way Yirrikipayi’, as read by Nina Black. In Addition, ‘Say Yes, A story of friendship, fairness and a vote for hope’ by Jennifer Castles sparked robust discussion and the following comments were made:
Year 9 Media Art students have completed installing a bright and colourful mural that is exploding shapes and patterns for Junior School. The design was created in collaboration with Year 3 and Year 9 students. Kiera Crossman, Tyson Fisher, Maya McInnes and Mary Tolmachoff had the opportunity to use aerosol to transform a piano into a permanent installation that includes Psalm 100:1 “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” Students are encouraged to come and play the piano, have fun and be inspired by the creative design.
Well done to all the students involved and thank you to Mr Pearce and Miss Orlowski for their assistance with this project. Thank you to the grounds staff for also assisting with making this happen.
Mrs Leah Grant – Visual Art, Media Teacher
Recently, Year 12 Art students displayed their artwork in the Wattle Centre.
This was a wonderful Visual Art exhibition of outstanding work and accompanying statements which revealed a rich analysis of the context that the students had chosen to explore.
Mr Tom Tymukas – Learning Area Coordinator, Art
On Thursday 12 November, the annual Community Cross Country run was held. It rained, it cleared, it rained, it cleared, and just when we thought we were safe to start the first race, back came the rain! Although the conditions weren’t what everyone had hoped for, students contributed to the event with great effort and enthusiasm, enjoyed time with their peers and teachers and upon returning was given a much deserved Zooper Dooper. That is a win for all Communities.
Ms Jan Robertson – Assistant Head of Senior School
On 30 July 2020, 62 students from Year 4 to Year 11 took part in the Australian Mathematics Competition. Students in more than 30 countries take part, with questions demonstrating the importance and relevance of mathematics in students’ everyday lives. Pictured are the students who received a High Distinction or Distinction. Congratulations to all students who achieved highly in this competition.
Mrs Nicola Fotheringham – Learning Leader, Mathematics
High Distinction and Best in School
High Distinction
Distinction
Credit
Credit
Premier’s Reading Challenge
This year, we are again delighted at the enthusiastic participation of our students in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Reading is so critical for the development of literacy and learning and of course has the added benefit of relaxation and enjoyment. We commend our students on their effort and commitment in completing the challenge.
The number of Medals and Certificates presented to students in Junior, Middle and Senior School were:
Literacy Pro Millionaires Club and Lexile 1000
What a team of champions these students are! With the cut off fast approaching, students pushed harder to achieve these milestones. This has been a superb effort and should be applauded.
Lexile 1000
Lexile 1000
Millionaires
Millionaires
Congratulations to all our avid readers.
Mrs Liz Denton-Brown – Teacher, Librarian
Jack Williams
Congratulations to Jack Williams, Year 6, who competed in the Viva All Schools Championships on 31 October and 1 November at the South Australian Athletics Stadium. Representing Pedare in the U14B category, Jack won gold in both the 800m and 1500m.
Well done Jack.
Extra-Curricular Sports feature articles and results below:
TERM 4
Week 4
Basketball
Cricket
Netball
Tennis
Volleyball
TERM 4
Week 5
Basketball
Cricket
Netball
Tennis
Volleyball
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.
St Mark’s Anglican Church currently have a 9:00 am traditional service and a contemporary service at 4:00pm. Please email office@stmarksgoldengrove.org.au to advise if you will be attending either service for COVID-19 requirements.
St Mark’s Kids Club (for Reception to Year 4 students) has also resumed this term on Thursday afternoons at 3.30pm (meeting fortnightly). Please email office@stmarksgoldengrove.org.au if you would like to attend.
For further information about St Mark’s services and Kids Club, please visit the website at https://www.stmarksgoldengrove.org.au