Newsroom
News
From the Principal
05.07.17
2017 Shining Light recipients announced
The Friends of Tenison Woods College (Old Scholars Association) is very pleased to announce the five 2017 ‘Shining Light’ award recipients.
The awards aim to recognise significant contributions made by former students, families or staff to our local and global community in order to inspire current and future students about the essence of our community and their call to service.
Tenison Woods College and its predecessors, St Paul’s School, Tenison College, Marist Brothers Agricultural College, Mater Christi College, St Mary’s School and St Joseph’s College value the contributions of all community members, past and present and we think it’s important to recognise some of the stand out achievements within the community.
Our 2017 Shining Lights are:
- Natalie Medhurst
- Robert Peake
- Noel Bull
- Pauline Kenny
- Maurice Corcoran
The five ‘Shining Lights’ for 2017 join our 2016 and inaugural recipients: Lorraine and Ken Gazzard; Eric Roughana; Tony Pasin; Jessica Braithwaite and Cristina D’Agostino.
We look forward to presenting the Shining Light awards to recipients at a reunion dinner on Saturday 14 October, 2017. Friends of Tenison Woods College; past scholars since the inception of Marist Agricultural College or the Convent of Mercy, parents of former scholars, past staff members, past volunteers, in fact anyone who is proud to be or have been associated with Catholic Education in the Limestone Coast; are invited to our reunion Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October, 2017. More details to follow, but for now lock this date in your diary, let your old school friends know and get along – you won’t be disappointed!
NAIDOC Week - Martu Karu!
This week we have enjoyed NAIDOC Week celebrations, which are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2017 theme - Our Languages Matter - aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.
NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Stepping up to the Potential of One
As second term draws to a close on Friday, students will be given the opportunity to pause and reflect on the invitations to step up and display their potential throughout the term. This term has provided many opportunities for students to be engaged in a variety of learning experiences and it is for these experiences, that gratitude is expressed. Most importantly we are challenged to reflect on our relationships and how we have supported one another to be the best we can be. At this time, I also thank Teachers, Support Staff throughout the school and the Office Team for the way they have nurtured relationships that have called students to realise their potential.
Staffing News
We wish Judy Renney all the best as she approaches retirement. Judy will conclude her counselling role at Tenison Woods College at the conclusion of this term following fourteen years of care, compassion and deliberate action for the wellbeing of our families. A warm and fun-loving counsellor, Judy has won the confidence of our community through her insightful discernment and unwavering commitment to improve the voice of our young, many of whom have lost their agency and life’s compass through the challenges of school and family life. Judy will continue to serve the Mary MacKillop Memorial School community as counsellor for one day per fortnight until the conclusion of the year at this stage.
As we wish Judy all the best for the next stage of her journey, I inform the community that Laura Herbert will commence at Tenison Woods College in term 3, week 1 as our new substantive counsellor. Laura will increase her current commitment to the College community and work four days per week. Laura is currently a highly regarded lead practitioner and social worker with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
I am also delighted that Jessica Lindner will commence the role of Accounts Receivable / Finance Officer at Tenison Woods College in four weeks’ time. Jessica comes to us with significant experience in industry and will assist the hard working Finance Team of the College serve a growing College community to greet the future with confidence.
We wish Ted Van Eeten all the best as he takes some long service leave next term. We are also very pleased to welcome Yunita Manfrin to the College community, and look forward to Yunita and Meghan Lynch working together to cover Ted’s absence.
Alex Window will reduce his time by a day to assist Katie with parenting duties, as she increases a day to support our reception students. In wishing Alex and Katie all the best for their approach to serving the College community and family, we welcome Craig Neumann as the College’s new ICT Coach, joining Kirby Turnbull. Craig will easily step into this role with his extensive knowledge of SIMON and other College applications, as well as his service commitment to our community.
We continue to wish Shirley Rhodes all the best for her continued leave, and thank Carla McLaren for her continued service in supporting Shirley’s classes.
We also offer our best wishes to Gillian Clayfield, Poplars Manager, as she takes six weeks of leave.
Finally, I offer thanks to Angela Cutting who stepped into the role of ELCC Director during Domenica Dunn’s long service leave. Angela’s commitment, attention to detail and pastoral care for the children, families and staff has ensured that the service has continued to evolve in its wonderful service of families.
Likewise, I offer thanks to Sue Rundle for covering the absence of our Science Laboratory Manager, Dave Gritton, who was on leave for the last seven weeks of this term. I appreciate Sue fitting this role into her commitments, ensuring a very smooth running of the science laboratories.
Volunteer Focus at Tenison Woods College
If you are volunteering currently or would like to volunteer in any capacity at Tenison Woods College, we ask you complete the volunteer registration process this month. Please note that all of the processes are mandatory and the entire process is to be completed before you can be placed on the School’s Volunteer Register. This regulation is designed to ensure our children are protected and safe at school.
Please read and complete the Volunteer Registration Information Pack and hand it in to the Tenison Woods College Front Office. Prior to partaking in any form of volunteering, a Work Health and Safety induction must be completed. You can do this here or when you go to the College to submit your paperwork. A Catholic Police Check is also required prior to volunteering and this will be arranged through the College free of charge.
There is a process to sign up, please visit the college website for all of the details here: http://www.tenison.catholic.edu.au/community/volunteers
Trudi Dempsey, who manages the volunteer process, will issue people who complete the process with a warm beverage voucher from the Sugarloaf Café.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Out of School Hours Care – deliberate care, deliberate learning.
I have been delighted by the response to our OSHC service that has now been servicing our community for three years with distinction; a credit to our committed staff.
As we move into the holiday period I remind families that the service operates Monday to Friday (except public holidays & 2 weeks over Christmas)
- Before School Care (BSC) 6:45am–8.30am
- After School Care (ASC) 3:15pm–6:00pm
- Vacation Care/Pupil Free Days 6:45am–6:00pm
- Early Dismissal Days 2:00pm–6:00pm
In speaking with Sarah Seebohm about the OSHC Holiday Program, I sensed a strong excitement about what she had planned for our young; and excellent program underlined by fun and purposeful play, and challenging activities within safe limits in a nurturing and supportive environment.
For further information and bookings contact Aleisha or Sarah on 87244633 or email oshc@tenison.catholic.edu.au. You can also visit the OSHC page on our TWC website where you’ll find more details about the OSHC Program – http://www.tenison.catholic.edu.au/community/oshc
ELCC – Holiday Program
The Early Learning and Community Centre will continue to operate during the student vacation with its stimulating and individualised holiday learning program. I thank the ELCC staff who, under Angela Cutting and Domenica Dunn’s excellent leadership, are offering an inviting and engaging centre, accentuating the beautiful features of the building and outdoor play area, and ensuring a range of delightful resources are being utilising fully to ensure our young children shine.
God Bless,
David Mezinec | Principal