The Vine Issue 9 – 2022

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr James Tamblyn

With masks off and larger gatherings returning, life at the College over the past month has had much more of a community feel. Undoubtedly one of the silver linings of the Pandemic is a renewed appreciation from people of the benefits of connection. 

In Psalm 133, we hear of the importance of being together, particularly in light of periods of imposed separation. ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!’ (Psalm 133:1) This verse emphasises the importance of the relationships that people have with one another. And our call to be people of peace, inclusion and understanding. 

An integral part of the school experience for young people is learning how to live with others; learning how to share, to compromise, to forgive and to disagree both respectfully and compassionately. With settings in schools now allowing this to happen more regularly, we very much look forward to supporting students to further strengthen their connection with others, developing skills and attitudes fundamentally important to living lives of peace, acceptance and tolerance.  

As we approach the end of Term 2, I take the opportunity to thank families for your ongoing commitment to work in partnership with the College. The first half of the year has been exceptionally busy. I trust that the three-week mid-year break will provide you all with an opportunity to spend some quality time with your family. 

My thanks to our staff for their outstanding contributions to the community in the first half of the year. As I say often, the quality of a school cannot exceed the quality of its staff, and Pedare is blessed to have such a high calibre of people committed to the very best educational outcomes for our students.  

Semester One Reports will be circulated to families towards the end of the first week of term break. A reminder that Term 3 commences on Monday, 25 July. 

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – TEACHING & LEARNING

Mrs Lauren Brooks

The Psychology Behind a Successful Student

Earlier this week, Year 12 students engaged in a support session aimed at exploring the psychology behind a successful Year 12 student. 

Students explored how powerful self-belief and positive self-talk can be. Once we say ‘I can’t’, tasks or problems can become insurmountable. The ‘I can’t’ narrative we can tell ourselves promotes work avoidance, which means the to-do list only grows bigger, making things even more challenging when we try to come back to it again. Redefining our own language, believing in ourselves and manifesting ourselves completing this work successfully redefines the narrative in our mind from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I will’. 

It does not mean we won’t make mistakes or experience challenges. But it means we are committed to trying and completing one small step at a time. The example given in this session was as simple as writing ten words for an introduction. Rather than avoiding the work altogether, start by writing ten words. Take a break. Come back and write a little more. Once we believe in ourselves, we can develop the intrinsic motivation needed to generate effort and action. 

I will. Powerful language. 

There is no doubt about it – Year 12 is hard. The assessments keep coming, the content is challenging, and although it is a short year, the light at the end of the tunnel can feel distant into the future.

But luckily, we can do hard things. 

Working towards the SACE certificate or the ATAR at the end of the year can be overwhelming. Throughout the support session, students explored the value of breaking Year 12 into smaller, achievable goals. Successful students focus on one task at a time, switch off distractions, work towards small goals, and stop to celebrate the little wins along the way. 

One of the reasons we introduced the Year 12 Checkpoint program was to give students something small to work towards every four or five weeks. These Checkpoints have become an important opportunity to regularly press pause, reflect, celebrate and set short-term goals for the future. 

The final word from the Year 12 support session? 

It is cool to aim for big goals, but it is okay to struggle along the way – because we can do hard things. 

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL / HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Andrew Whiteman

Year 10 and 11 examinations

In the final weeks of a very busy Term 2, several important events remain for our Senior students. Next week our Year 10 and 11 students embark on their Semester One examinations. These examinations provide excellent preparation for the years ahead. Year 10s will start their regular timetabled lessons on Monday, with their examinations commencing on Tuesday 28 June. For Year 10 students, this first attempt at a semester exam will challenge them to recall their learning from across the two terms. Teachers have been providing tips on exam preparation and techniques when entering their exam rooms. Students are reminded to wear their formal winter uniform and are only required to attend school for their examinations. Study spaces, including the Catford Library, will be provided should students have a morning and afternoon exam or wish to study at school.

Year 12 Formal

Year 12 Formal will be the year’s highlight for our most senior students. This year we will again host over 80 students at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday 1 July. The event promises to match the glitz and glamour of the recent Logies! 

Year 11 Outdoor Education Experience

Congratulations to all students who attended the Year 11 Outdoor Education Experience at Woodhouse last week. Students completed various team-building activities that tested them mentally and physically. The Rock Climbing Wall, Abseiling and the Flying Fox were busy throughout the day, but perhaps the biggest ‘heart in the mouth’ moment came from the Giant Swing. Many students faced their fear of heights, and the loud shrieks of excitement when flying toward the earth meant this was the most memorable moment for the students. The day provided an excellent opportunity for the students to bond together and build friendships away from the classroom.

Resilience is a word that has come to mind often when I have been reflecting on Term 2. For many students and families, gaining some learning continuity was very difficult. COVID and other sicknesses significantly impacted staff, students and our community. It has taken a lot of resilience for our students to show up and put their best foot forward continually. We have learnt resilience from a difficult Term 2; I am sure we can begin Term 3 in a positive manner. 

A reminder that Semester Two reports will be released to parents via SEQTA Engage on Friday, 8 July. I hope you have a wonderful holiday break, and we look forward to seeing all of our students for the start of Term 3 on Monday, 25 July. 

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

 Mr Callum Iles

If there was one thing that I wish I understood better when I was a teenager and a young adult, it was the damage that comparison can do to you. When I was growing up, I would always compare myself to those around me who had more money, a better house, a nicer car, the perfect body, better grades and lots of awesome stuff, and it created a huge amount of dissatisfaction in my life.

I look back and think myself lucky when compared to the current generation, as I could only compare myself to those who were physically around me. Now we live in a time where social media has allowed us to compare ourselves to anyone anywhere across the world. The young people of today are comparing themselves to billionaires, athletes, professional models and those who seem not to have to go to school or work. 

How on earth are we supposed to be happy with our lives when we are exposed to the world of Instagram perfection every day?

I completed a course on wellbeing a few years back where I recall them referring to a study where they found the most damaging thing a person can do for their wellbeing is to go on social media, and comparison is at the heart of why. 

How can we be content when so many people out there seemingly live the dream?

I am going to outline a couple of things I have found helpful in navigating these challenges.

1. Remember who you are

Psalm 139 is a Psalm written by King David, which is a reminder to us all of who we are and whose we are. It says:

For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

 My frame was not hidden from you

    when I was made in the secret place,

    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

    all the days ordained for me were written in your book

    before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God!

    How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,

    they would outnumber the grains of sand—

    when I awake, I am still with you.

This Psalm is a reminder that we were each made intentionally by God. Each one of us is unique, and each one of us reflects the uniqueness of God. So when we feel different from those we see around us, take heart; it was supposed to be that way!

Howard Gardner, an educational theorist, popularised the concept of multiple intelligences as he looked at how not everyone is intelligent in the same way. The person next to you might be exceptional at Maths and the person on the other side at sports, but what is your unique intelligence? If you are not sure, maybe it is time to do a few new things and work it out. We all have a unique place in this world, and we have a lifetime to work out what it is and how we can contribute to making the world better through it.

2. Don’t compare yourself to other people; compare yourself to who you were yesterday.

Carole Dweck, a researcher from Stanford University, popularised this concept called Growth Mindset. It is amazing that students learn about this concept from Junior School onwards and are pretty good at it these days, but basically, we need to make sure we are always thinking about how we can improve, grow and get better at things in the future. No one is fixed in who they are and how they think, and we need to ensure we maintain this for the remainder of our lives.

By comparing ourselves to who we were yesterday, we keep that growth mindset and remove the temptation to compare ourselves to others. At Assembly last week, we spoke to Jack W, the incredible Middle School runner. I can compare myself to Jack and get down when he eclipses my best running times, or I can do my best, check my times and look to improve with each run. Jack got to where he is today by maintaining a growth mindset and working incredibly hard, and now he is reaping the rewards of this.

By defeating the enemy of comparison, we can be more content and confident in who we are. And this is a message all Middle Schoolers need to hear.

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mr Randall Pearce

One of my most recent reads is ‘The Resilience Project’ by Hugh Van Cuylenburg, who after spending some time in India teaching in a poor, rural community in 2008 discovered that…. 

Despite the fact these people had very little to call their own, I was continually blown away by how happy they were. It was this experience, and subsequent post-graduate studies, that have led me to some pretty simple conclusions about the things that we need to be doing here in Australia if we want to be happier. In a nutshell, I learnt in this desert village that practising gratitude, empathy (compassion) and mindfulness leads us to a happier, more fulfilling experience. – Hugh van Cuylenburg

Junior School teachers and students currently engage in weekly lessons and activities through the URSTRONG program to help develop a culture of kindness. Combined with our Christian Life program, we see students develop skills around the fundamental principles of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM), along with developing their emotional literacy to build resilience.

A wonderful part of each term is when we come together to celebrate the learning that has occurred over the term. Specifically, I look forward to seeing the recipients of the Shine Awards and for what. 

When I look at the list of students each term, I know that many will feel sad because they missed out. They might have also missed out on a role in the musical, a sporting team, PSV or even a School Captain’s position and so feel they have never been publicly acknowledged.  

I know first-hand how hard it is for class teachers to choose who in the class is going to receive such acknowledgement. We lose sleep and labour long and hard; unfortunately, there is no perfect system. 

Every time a child can cope with disappointment, they’re learning. They’re learning that sometimes life is unfair, that effort goes unrewarded, and that goodness doesn’t always trump popularity. And they’re such hard lessons – but such valuable training for life.

Resilience (or resiliency) is our ability to adapt and bounce back when things don’t go as planned. Resilient people don’t wallow or dwell on failures; they acknowledge the situation, learn from their mistakes, and then move forward.

Psychologist, Martin Seligman, says the way that we explain setbacks to ourselves is also important. (He talks about optimism and pessimism rather than resilience; however, the effect is essentially the same.) 

This “explanatory style” is made up of three main elements:

• Permanence – People who are optimistic (and therefore have more resilience) see the effects of bad events as temporary rather than permanent. For instance, they might say, “My boss didn’t like the work I did on that project”, rather than “My boss never likes my work.”
• Pervasiveness – Resilient people don’t let setbacks or bad events affect other unrelated areas of their lives. For instance, they would say, “I’m not very good at this”, rather than “I’m no good at anything.”
• Personalisation – People who have resilience don’t blame themselves when bad events occur. Instead, they see other people, or the circumstances, as the cause. For instance, they might say, “I didn’t get the support I needed to finish that project successfully”, rather than “I messed that project up because I can’t do my job.”

The fact is that we’re going to fail from time to time: it’s an inevitable part of living that we make mistakes and occasionally fall flat on our faces. The only way to avoid this is to live a shuttered and meagre existence, never trying anything new or taking a risk. Few of us want a life like that!

As this is the last Vine for the term, I wish you a very enjoyable break. Take this time to refresh and re-energise, and see you back soon for a fantastic Term 3. 

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Year 12 Drama Performance

22 June 2022

Chinese Cooking Lessons

Year 5

Buddy Visits

Year 12s and Receptions, Year 10s and Year 6s

UniSA Capstone Excursion

Senior School

Casual Day – Winter Warmers

16 June

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.

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