The Vine Issue 8 – 2020

REMINDER – TUESDAY 9th JUNE 2020

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr James Tamblyn

As Pedare’s current Strategic Plan ‘Towards 2020’ nears completion, the process of consultation to design and develop our new strategic direction begins. The College can be well pleased with its growth and achievements in recent years which have placed us in a position of strength to embrace the challenges and opportunities of a new decade.

Our facilities are magnificent, our culture is strong, our staff are exceptionally committed and are focussed on how they, in their roles, are contributing to the experiences of our students. There is a strong connection within the College between students, families and staff, and a tangible sense of community where kindness and inclusivity permeate our interactions. We are indeed in a good place, and I acknowledge the work of all those who have contributed to Pedare over our 34-year history.

In coming weeks and months our staff, students, families and community partners will be engaged in a consultative and collaborative process to design Pedare’s next Strategic Plan. At the heart of this will be the facilitation of an exceptional program of learning for our students, ensuring individual needs are identified and prioritised, and that the College’s vision is a shared and lived reality for all our members.

Pedare’s vision is to foster partnerships with families enabling students to:

• excel in learning
• be globally focussed
• have a strong sense of self-worth
• make a difference in the community

I look forward to the opportunity of exploring this in the context of our current local and global circumstances.

Let Your Light Shine is our College motto, and a statement that has encapsulated Pedare’s focus on the uniqueness of each individual since our inception. This premise challenges us all to explore our gifts and talents with a vigour that honours our potential; our gifts from God, designed to be explored, nurtured and developed in ways that align with His plan and purpose for each one of us. In the development of our new strategic vision we will explore the qualities and character strengths our community believe are most critical for development in order for us to be fulfilling this purpose, collectively and individually.

I very much look forward to working collaboratively with you all on this most important strategic project.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL/HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Andrew Whiteman

As the weather turns and the days become shorter and colder, the challenge for all of us is to maintain our energy levels and continue to look for the good around us. Over the past weeks and months, we have all seen tragedy and misfortune take hold of the news cycle. In the past week, the events taking place in the USA have highlighted racial tensions in supposedly the capital of the free world. Closer to home, we celebrated Reconciliation Week where we highlight the need to truly reconcile and acknowledge what has happened in the past and encourage everyone to work together for a positive future.

In the school environment, we cannot shield students from the messages on the news and social media. We have encouraged our students to talk about what they have seen and how it makes them feel. Every day, students are dealing with numerous pressing issues; work, social, friendship or family issues just to name a few. It is important that students have an outlet to express how they feel. We encourage you to speak with your children about how they are coping with any challenges at school; whether they are in relation to workload, friendship or other issues that may arise. Encourage your children to also reach out to teachers, the Student Counsellor and their Community Coordinator if they need someone to talk to.

Year 10 and Year 11 Semester 1 examinations will take place in Week 8, 15 – 19 June. Year 11 students are only required to attend school for their scheduled exams. Year 10 students will attend normal lessons on Monday and Tuesday and then only attend when they have a scheduled exam from Wednesday to Friday. For Senior School students, the changeover to Semester Two occurs in Week 9 with many students beginning a new subject. A reminder that students have until Friday of Week 10 to make any adjustments to their timetables.

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

 Mrs Lauren Brooks

We were excited to launch our inaugural Middle School Emerging Leadership Forum over the past week. An important element of our Middle School focus is about building agency, leadership and giving students a license to have a genuine impact on the direction of Middle School. Students involved in this process will be spending time with our Middle School Leadership team to discuss critical elements of our school, voice their opinion on areas we can improve and consider areas of support most needed for their year level.

IB Middle Years Programme Evaluation Information

Pedare is proud of our International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). The MYP has been designed as a comprehensive curriculum framework that provides academic challenge and develops the life skills of students from the ages of 11 to 16. These years are a critical period in the development of young people. At a time when students are establishing their identity and building their self-esteem, the MYP can motivate students and help them to achieve success in school and in life beyond the classroom.

In Term 4 of this year, Pedare is being evaluated by the IB to ensure we are meeting the IB programme standards and practices. This experience occurs once every five years and is a fantastic opportunity for our Middle School to reflect and assess the IB standards and practices, seek continual improvement in the delivery of our programme and look to enhance the already fantastic culture we have developed over the past 15 years in our IB Middle Years Programme.

Soon we will be sending out a survey to our Pedare community to seek feedback from you to be a part of this evaluation process. Our parents and friends of Pedare offer a critical perspective on the outward-facing aspects of the College’s implementation of the programme, including communication and resource development. We look forward to engaging in reflective conversations with our community about our Middle Years Programme to inform our direction and continual improvement moving forward.

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mr Randall Pearce

Mid-Year Reception  

On Friday 5 June, we welcomed 18 new faces to the Junior School, our Mid-Year Reception children. They have started their transition to full time school, which will see three half day visits and two full day visits before they start with us at the beginning of Term 3.

These children certainly come with energy to burn and a thirst for knowledge and understanding. I am very proud of this program within the Junior School and have seen the program develop over the years. Our Mid-Year Reception program supports children and their families who have missed the cut off date to start school at the beginning of the year and provides both a nurturing and academic program utilising the Australian Curriculum.

It is my pleasure to announce that Miss Kimberly Capper has accepted the role at Pedare as our Mid-Year Reception teacher. With ten years experience both locally and internationally, Kimberly has recently returned home from the UK. Kimberly offers great experience in the Junior Primary years; she has held leadership positions in curriculum development and has extensive knowledge of the Primary Years Program (PYP) which will provide the framework of learning your children will experience. The children and families are very blessed to have such an amazing teacher as their first educator.

I am looking forward to getting to know these Mid-Year Reception children and seeing their little red hats amongst us in the yard again.

Cross Country

We were very blessed with beautiful weather today for our Cross Country run with students from Reception to Year 5 participating. I was proud to see the spirit amongst the children and the can-do attitude displayed by all to complete the gruelling course designed by Mr Perry with the support of the Year 5 students.

Many thanks to Mr Perry for his organisation and preparation to ensure another successful Junior School event.

CONTENTS

Reconciliation Week

National Simultaneous Storytime

Year 1 – Greenhouse Visit

Students & Families Supporting UnitingCare

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Junior School Cross Country Run

Extra-Curricular Continues

RECONCILIATION WEEK

On Wednesday 3 June, Pedare Junior, Middle and Senior students came together to celebrate National Reconciliation Week.

This is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Students had great fun placing their hands in red, yellow or black paint to create a handprinted Aboriginal banner.

 Mr Josh Willis – Assistant Head of Middle School

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME

Any excuse to read! Pedare celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime in our Junior School on Wednesday 27 May.

Our teachers shared the story of Chicken Divas by Lucinda Gifford with their students. This was very well received by all, resulting in our students being enthusiastically engaged in various craft and writing activities related to the story. Mrs Rachelle Knight used the sign language version of the story with her students.

The Year 4-6 ‘Melodica’ choir recorded a Chicken song which was presented at the Week 6 Junior School Assembly. Very well done to all.

Mrs Liz Denton-Brown – Teacher/Librarian

YEAR 1 – GREENHOUSE VISIT

As a part of our Unit of Inquiry, Year 1 students have been learning about how the food we eat goes through many changes.

In Week 5, the students were very excited to be able to walk to the Middle School to explore Aquaponics and the Greenhouse.

To help us with our learning, Mr Zankov explained how these systems worked and delighted the students with a demonstration of how the Farmbot waters the plants.

Another highlight was when the students were given the opportunity to feed the fish in Aquaponics.

Here are some comments from the students:

• “I liked the robot because it can move.” – Alex
• “I liked it when the farmbot watered the plants to help them grow.” – Angus
• “The robots and aquaponics are systems.” – Callie
• “I really liked the aquaponics because we got to feed the fish.” – Benjamin
• “We had to feed the fish special food.” – Kennedy

Mrs Sharon Booth & Mrs Elizabeth Morgan – Year 1 Teachers

STUDENTS & FAMILIES SUPPORTING UNITINGCARE

Middle and Senior students continue to support UnitingCare Salisbury with donations of food items. Over the last three years, the College has forged a connection with this organisation who provide a valuable service to people in need in our local community. Donations are made fortnightly at our Worship services, but are welcome at any time; items always in high demand include long-life milk, pasta & sauces, rice, spreads and tinned soup and vegetables

Junior School PSV are also supporting UnitingCare at Modbury Uniting Church where an Emergency Relief Centre has been set up to provide for the many individuals and families who have been affected by the economic fall-out of COVID-19.  If you wish to support this initiative, students can bring non-perishable goods in and take to the Year 2 classrooms. The Junior School food drive is only running for a fortnight 3 – 17 June.

If families prefer, you can also donate to UnitingCare Emergency Relief Centre Appeal by clicking here

Donations over $2 are tax deductible. Donations will help UnitingCare ERCs to source food, packaging and safety gear to enable the church to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

Thank you to College families for your care and generosity towards others.

NEWS

Extra-Curricular Sports feature articles and results below:

JUNIOR SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RUN

On Friday 5 June, the Junior School Cross Country Championships were held on the Junior School Oval. Thankfully the weather was perfect for the run, with all participants looking very colourful in their Community colours. Students ran in their year level groups, and were required to complete a 3-lap course to be eligible for selection in the Pedare District SAPSASA team to represent the College. Those selected will be notified once details are known.

Congratulations to the Surrey community for being the winners of the Shield!

EXTRA-CURRICULAR CONTINUES

Extra-curricular sport is gradually getting back to normal at Pedare with Girls’ Soccer, Boys’ Basketball and Junior School Futsal well underway with their training. Students are very excited about being back with their teammates again.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR RESULTS

DUE TO COVID-19 THERE ARE NO EXTRA-CURRICULAR RESULTS AT THIS STAGE

Tea Tree Gully Anglican

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, the Tea Tree Gully Anglican Church is no longer able to meet together in their traditional Sunday format. As such, Sunday gatherings have been suspended but are currently meeting online using Zoom and YouTube  Service times are 8:30am, 10:00am and 6:00pm.

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.

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