News

It has been another busy week here at Tenison Woods College and it was great to meet all the families that attended the R-12 Parent Information Evening and Welcome BBQ on Monday 13 February.

R – 12 Parent Information Evening and Welcome BBQ – It’s About Building Relationships
Thank you to the families who supported the learning of their children by attending the R-12 Parent Information Evening and Welcome BBQ on Monday 13 February. Parents had a chance to meet our teachers, learn about the teachers’ hopes for the year, and hear about the classroom processes that will ensure learning is achieved in the best possible way. Parents also had an opportunity to informally meet the Leadership team at the school and ensure that we commenced the journey of serving your child’s individual needs in a deliberate manner.

Step Up to the Potential of One
At the information evening, I reiterated to parents that a school community will only be as good as the parents in the community genuinely want it to be. I therefore asked that parents commit themselves to the variety of support required to ensure we offer the best possible Catholic school family environment to our students. I encouraged parents to think about:

Helping the teacher in the classroom;
Becoming a parent representative for a class to assist the teacher in coordinating the involvement of other parents at particular times;

• Offering services to the school Board or its sub-committees;
• Joining Friends of Music or Friends of Titans to support our student activities;
• Helping in the canteen;
• Volunteering for working bees;
• Actively participating in school events;
• Contributing talents to the Friends of Tenison Woods (Old Scholars) Association.

I urge our parent/carer community to consider how they can contribute to making Tenison Woods College the best place possible, which ultimately means better experiences for your child.

Working Bee Saturday 18 February 8.00am - 12.00pm
Can you offer half an hour of your time on Saturday 18 February for our Working Bee? During the Working Bee we are particularly looking to revitalise Junior School and Middle School play areas by barking, painting the play equipment and carrying out other forms of maintenance which will ensure the appeal and longevity of the equipment and play spaces. We’d love as much help as you can offer and any time you can spare will be appreciated.

Please bring any gardening equipment you think could be of use: gloves, shovel, rakes, wheelbarrows, even your ute. The working bee will commence at 8:00am. Morning tea and refreshments will be supplied with a BBQ available from 10:00am. Supervised activities for children will be available. For those able to assist on the day we ask that you please complete the form distributed on Thursday 9 February and return it to the Front Office.

Wellbeing and Resilience
What skills would you like your child/ren to have to greet the opportunities and challenges of life?

Studies have shown that curiosity and grit are the two personal characteristics which are the most significant predictors of success in life; two critical traits that will make us grow into the people God is calling us to be.

As a committed member of the Limestone Coast Region of Wellbeing Project, in partnership with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Tenison Woods College is developing a whole school way of talking about, measuring and critiquing the resilience and wellbeing of our community. The project complements our strong commitment to wellbeing and resilience through the variety of programs offered to students, families and staff, by giving us a common language and a frame of reference through which to view the associated issues across our school community.

Last year our staff and interested parents were trained in the SAHMRI course. The course comprises five modules, which is 10 goals of the SAHMRI, Wellbeing and Resilience Centre, ResilienceWerks Course. 

I invite parents to express interest in the first of the parent training courses, which will be conducted this year from Week 6, Tuesday 7 March. The courses will then continue for five weeks for two hours per week on 14, 21, 28 March and finally 4 April. 

More information will follow but I urge parents to consider the course. What better way to assist your children develop wellbeing and resilience skills than to learn, practise and reinforce them at home. To book early for the course please contact Mary de Nys on 8725 5455.

Caring for One Another – Road Safety In and Around Our School
I remind families to monitor their speed and adjust it accordingly as they approach the school on Shepherdson Road and White Avenue in the interest of safety for all, but particularly for our students. I also remind students to utilise the various designated crossing areas which are monitored by our staff. Crossing the roadways at other areas can cause danger for students but also increases the difficulty for drivers in the area. 

I appreciate the time pressures which force a family’s hand in relation to drop off and pick up times and routines, but I ask families to consider collecting students from the school’s side of White Avenue. I am aware that picking up students from the Malseed Park side of White Avenue has caused a very hazardous situation at the conclusion of the school day, with students crossing the road without the protection of cars travelling at reduced speeds.       

The school Board will continue to work with the authorities to consider any possible traffic measures which could reduce the risk to young lives. However, attention to safety, due care by drivers and removing the risk of crossing White Avenue will have the most significant impact on safety for our students.  

Year 4-7 Twilight Swimming Carnival and Year 8-12 Swimming Carnival
The 4 – 7 Twilight Swimming Carnival held at the Aquatic Centre on Friday 10 February was a great success. Students were involved in a range of swimming events which made for a fast moving and highly enjoyable community building afternoon. The event was well planned by Grant Lean and Morgan Fisher and strongly supported by 4 - 7 staff, Leadership team and  PE staff.

The strong tradition of swimming excellence and fun-filled water novelty games continued on Tuesday 14 February at the 8 - 12 Swimming Carnival. Thank you to Ciaran Buckley, Morgan Fisher and the Health and Physical Education team, who planned a well organised carnival that was very well supported by students, staff and families. 

Need a tutor? yourtutor is our free online tutoring service
I remind families that Tenison Woods College students in Years 3 -12 have access to a free online tutoring service, yourtutor. Students are able to connect to expert tutors for live, one-to-one conversations about homework, assignments and exam preparation from 3:00pm – 10:00pm Monday to Friday. Give it a try – I know you will appreciate the service offered by yourtutor!

God Bless,
David Mezinec | Principal