The Vine Issue 4 – 2023

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr James Tamblyn

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney spoke emotionally when asked on Thursday what the Voice to Parliament means for her, as she drew parallels to past referendums: 

‘You will make me cry again,’ she starts. 

‘I was 10 years old in 1967, so I spent the first ten years of my life not being counted. Not being considered, as did many other people on the stage today. 

‘We are not unaware of just how difficult referendum change is. We believe this will appeal to the fairness of the Australian people.’ *Courtesy ABC News 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made public the question Australians will be asked to vote on at the Indigenous Voice referendum:

‘A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?’

For the referendum to succeed, both a majority of national voters and a majority of states would need to vote for the constitutional change. In this context, I share with you a letter from the Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia, and the Hon Kyam Maher MLC, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. It pertains to an event at 11 am this Sunday, 26 March, where there will be a special sitting of Parliament with parliamentarians gathering to vote on the establishment of Australia’s first voice to Parliament for First Nations People. 

I encourage you all to speak with your children about the details of the referendum, as we will here at the College. 

Over the past 12 months, our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group has made significant progress on our RAP, of which the final elements are currently being designed. Pedare’s vision for reconciliation is guided by our Christian ethos, along with a commitment to developing meaningful relationships with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Our RAP details our vision for reconciliation, the actions we are currently taking and the new initiatives we intend to implement in order to advance reconciliation. We look forward to sharing and embedding this plan with our community very soon.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – TEACHING & LEARNING

Mrs Lauren Brooks

One of the new initiatives we have implemented at Pedare is our data analytics program called ‘Checkpoint’, which regularly monitors the progress of our Stage 1 and 2 students.

This week, teachers provided students with a Checkpoint report that highlights student effort and formative and summative progress.

We have talked with students about the importance of doing their best, being engaged, showing work ethic, initiative and active communication. Students understand that it’s not about the final grade. It’s about the journey to get there and their commitment to their best personal progress during their individual learning experience at Pedare. 

The Checkpoint period also serves as a platform for student self-reflection and goal setting. In addition, this information is shared between students, teachers and parents to ensure we regularly share how we can best support your child to be successful in Stage 1 and Stage 2 subjects. Parents are now able to access their child’s Checkpoint reports through your SEQTA Engage app.

Throughout this process, we have talked with our students about the ingredients for a successful learning journey. Our students know that success is possible for all students and that it is not about ‘how smart you are’. It is about how hard you work and how dedicated, persistent and consistent you are. All of our students are capable and have our unwavering support to achieve their goals – we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with you throughout 2023. 

INTERIM HEAD OF MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Josh Willis

As we approach the end of the term, we find ourselves in a busy time around the College. With events and assessments on our minds, it is the perfect time to emphasise the importance of time management.

Year 12 students engaged in their first of multiple sessions with Elevate Education this week. This week’s focus was on time management and how critical this is for success in their final year of school. 

Some of the key messages from the session were:

• Research has shown that every past paper practice you do throughout the year can significantly improve your performance in the final SACE exam.
• Students should have already engaged in past paper practice questions at this time of year.
• During study sessions, students should focus on tasks (not time) to engage deeply.
• Students should (of course) study without their phones nearby. The presenter talked about a highly effective app called ‘focus me’, a study tool that is a social media blocker for short periods of time.
• Forming subject-specific study groups can be very powerful, and there is a benefit of peer learning.
• Goal setting and breaking goals down into smaller parts to reduce feeling overwhelmed.
• Creating daily checklists (full of the smaller parts) and then celebrating mini victories when ticking these off to keep you motivated.

We look forward to the Annual Middle & Senior Athletics Carnival at Tilley Reserve next Friday, 31 March. This is always a fantastic day, full of fun for students, staff and families. We are excited for another successful carnival this year. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of events across the day and come together to create lasting memories with their peers. We wish all the communities the best of luck and wait to see who will come away with the victory this year!

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mr Randall Pearce

On Tuesday, 21 March, the Junior School celebrated Harmony day, a day to celebrate inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all our students. The message of Harmony Day is everyone belongs; to promote this, we challenged our students to reflect on how they can become better friends.  

This year, Year 5 students participated in a ‘Friendship’ workshop delivered by Tyson Greenwood from URSTRONG. The workshop focused on teaching students what to expect in their friendships through the ‘4 Friendship Facts’, applying them to their real-life friendship scenarios. Students learned what trust and respect look like in action and what happens when mistrust and disrespect seep into a friendship. Using the ‘Friend-o-Meter’, students reflect on the health of their friendships and ‘Friendship Groups’. They begin to understand how to manage conflict (in-person and online) and explore the different approaches for responding to ‘Friendship Fires’.

Year 5 students will then have the opportunity to practise their leadership skills with the knowledge gained from the URSTRONG workshop by teaching other Junior School students. Presenting our students with a platform to hone their communication, organisation and teaching abilities, all of which are vital components of leadership. The experience will prove to be a valuable and hands-on demonstration of their leadership capabilities by creating a positive impact within our school community.

What is God like?

When I talk with students about the Christian faith, one of the great challenges to negotiate is the ‘invisibility of God’. This is especially so with younger students. Their ability to grasp abstract concepts and unseen realities is often limited, and so most early years learning is constructed around sensory engagement. 

So how do you explain to young minds the existence of God, the Creator, who knows them and loves them… yet cannot be experienced with the five senses? Thankfully, God is very aware of this challenge and provides a means of knowing him through the use of biblical imagery, and the account of Jesus’ life on earth.

To describe how he longs to care for his people, he offers the image of a hen protecting her chicks beneath her feathers (Luke 13:34). As an example of how he watches over those facing new challenges, he paints the picture of a mother eagle supporting her young as they learn to fly (Deuteronomy 32:11). In other places there is the imagery of a light, a caring shepherd, a forgiving father and a strong fortress.

Most importantly, we have the gospel stories of Jesus, who came to reveal what God is like. He said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). His life is a window into God’s very heart and mind.

However, there will always be the need to take a step of faith and believe God is truly there. That’s because imagery points to the reality but can never replace it; and learning about Jesus is not the same as placing faith in him.

May this season of Lent be a time when you move to a place of deeper faith and trust in the God who is always there for you.

Mr John Morton – College Chaplain

Exchange Students

Willkommen in Australien!! (Welcome to Australia)

In Week 3 of Term 1, Pedare welcomed three exchange students from Bavaria, Germany: Emma-Leonie I (Emmi), Lara H, and Katherine P. They are here with us until the end of Term 1 and will return home at the end of the school holidays. The girls have all expressed how welcoming and friendly our Pedare community is and have thoroughly enjoyed their time here so far. They have also become big fans of our local wildlife, particularly the koalas and kangaroos! 

We formally introduced the girls at the Assembly and gifted them with cuddly versions of their favourite animals. Our Pedare students Eleanor S, Annabel K and Keziah C and their families have hosted the exchange students. In turn, these three Pedare students will be travelling to Germany at the end of this year, looking forward to experiencing a European Christmas.

The exchange students are part of a reciprocal exchange program created through an agreement between the Bavarian Youth Council and a committee of German teachers from both state and private schools, supported by the SA German Teachers Association. While the COVID pandemic stopped the program for a few years, it is now back. In Term 2, I will be seeking expressions of interest for next year’s exchange. If your child is in Year 9 or 10 German class, please consider this unique opportunity.

For now, let’s give a warm welcome to Emmi, Lara and Katherine. Enjoy the rest of your time in Australia!

Mrs Nicole Callen

Student Achievement

Contents

Art Gallery Excursion – Year 12 English

‘Choir of Man’ Excursion – Senior Music

Dilly Bag Design and Construction – Year 5

Energy, Mining and Resources School Outreach Program – Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics

Understanding Holy Communion – Year 2

St Patrick’s Day – Reception C

Art Gallery Excursion

Year 12 English

On Thursday, 16 March, Year 12 English students visited the Art Gallery of South Australia to gain inspiration for their narrative writing unit. We have just finished studying ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring,’ a novel by Tracy Chevalier. In this novel, Chevalier takes inspiration from the famous painting and writes a fictional account of the girl behind the artwork. Our Year 12s will now choose their own artwork from the gallery’s collection and write a narrative based on their chosen piece. It was lovely to see our students thinking so creatively and having conversations about what they imagined could be the story behind the painting.

Mrs Sarah Bloomfield

‘Choir of Man’ Excursion

Senior Music

On Wednesday, 15 March, the Senior Music students had the opportunity to attend the Adelaide Fringe to watch ‘Choir of Man’. 

Students relished the opportunity to attend this energetic and engaging male vocal group, which performed highly skilled acapella and rhythmic instrumental pieces. They were excited to have a photo with the performers after the show.

Mrs Nadine Stroud

Dilly Bag Design and Construction

Year 5

Year 5 students are getting ready for their upcoming camp in week 10, and they are doing it in style! In preparation for their trip, the students have been busy designing and sewing their own dilly bags. This activity is not only a great way for the students to express their creativity, but it also helps them develop practical skills such as sewing and design.

In addition to developing practical skills, the project of designing and sewing their own dilly bags is also an opportunity for Year 5 students to develop a growth mindset. Creating something from scratch can be challenging and sometimes frustrating, but it also presents an opportunity to learn from mistakes and overcome challenges.

Parents and staff have been instrumental in making this project a success. They have volunteered their time to lead a group of students, providing guidance and support throughout the process.

We hope the Year 5 students enjoy their upcoming camp and take pride in the dilly bags they have created.

Mrs Lauren Ciano

Energy, Mining and Resources School Outreach Program

Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics

On Wednesday, 22 March, the Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics class visited The University of Adelaide to attend an Energy, Mining and Resources School Outreach Program. Students were able to gain insight from engineers from BHP and Oz Minerals about different careers within the Mining and Resources sector. Students also took part in a hands-on activity where they were trying to work out where gas reserves would be found underground to aid in gas exploration.

Students visited the EXTERRES lab, where they met postgraduate students preparing for an upcoming Lunar Rover Challenge, where competitors will navigate semi-autonomous rovers they have designed and built themselves.

The students had a great day and were highly interested in the engineering options available in the Mining Industry.

Mrs Nicola Fotheringham

Understanding Holy Communion with the College Chaplain

Year 2

Year 2 students are developing their understanding of the sacraments through our Christian Life discussions. We are blessed to have Mr Morton as our College chaplain, as he was able to assist us in further exploring the meaning behind Holy Communion. 

Mrs Ailsa Burne

St Patrick’s Day

Reception C

Reception C students had an amazing time on Friday, 17 March, celebrating the spirit of St Patrick’s Day! They were introduced to Irish Dance and had a great time dancing to upbeat and lively traditional music. They also enjoyed colouring shamrocks with various shades of green to mark this special day.

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.

April Events at Gully Church

You are invited to some exciting events at Gully Church (Tea Tree Gully Uniting), 600 Milne Road, Banksia Park. Any queries, please contact Willow at children@gullychurch.org.au

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 8.30 am, 10.00 am, and 6.00 pm in person. If you can’t join us just yet, we’ll continue to stream at 8.30 am and 10.00 am online using Zoom and YouTube  Service times are 8.30 am and 10.00 am.

Please contact Dave Brown at 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.

Gully Church (Tea Tree Gully Uniting) – Banksia Markets

Gully Church hosts the ‘local and friendly’ Banksia Markets on the first Saturday of each month from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm at 600 Milne Road, Banksia Park. Stalls inside the hall and in the car park include produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, jewellery, tools, bric-à-brac and lots more.

For more information, contact the Gully Church website at https://www.ttguc.org.au/ or email office@gullychurch.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 a Sunday.  Also, on the second and fourth Sunday of the month, we have a cafe-style church, 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. 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 while enjoying delicious snacks, refreshments and pizza! The cost for each session is $5.

For further information, please contact the Office at 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