Newsroom
News
From the Principal
22.11.17
Mount Gambier Christmas Parade Congratulations
As always, Nathan Creedy’s Thunder Drum Corps made their presence and drumming skills powerfully felt during the Christmas Parade.
The parade was also testimony to how connected our staff and students are in the community, from Girl Guides to the variety of dance, martial arts, and calisthenics groups. Congratulations to all involved – an excellent community celebration!
White Ribbon – Changing the Story
During this period our students are devoting some time to discussing the White Ribbon Campaign that challenges domestic violence and particularly our commitment as a school in ‘Breaking the Silence’ on disrespectful behaviours.
I invite our community to sign up for the White Ribbon oath:
“I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women. This is my Oath.”
Students this week are reflecting on how they can rewrite the ‘story’ of domestic violence through a practical and daily commitment to gender equity and respect for each individual in a variety of ways. As the culmination of the work that has been occurring throughout the school on respectful relationships, the Wellbeing Team will conduct a Walk for Respect on Thursday 23 November. The walk will take place on the College oval during homegroup and coincides with White Ribbon Day, which occurs on Saturday 25 November.
I urge parents to find some time to discuss this issue with their children and adolescents. Parents (males and females) may also like to register as White Ribbon Advocates; men and women who advocate against domestic violence, by following this link to find out more:
Principal’s Performance Appraisal
I thank the students, parents and staff who offered feedback during the process of my seven year review. The review was conducted by Sue Kennedy-Branford, Principal Consultant with Catholic Education South Australia, Peter Daw, Principal of Mercedes College and Paul Rijken, Principal of Cardijn College and attempted to consult representatives across our whole community.
I thank the community for giving their time and energy to the process and all the feedback in the areas of:
- Leading Teaching and Learning
- Promoting a strong Catholic Identity
- Leading Improvement, Innovation and Change
- Leading the Management and Administration of the College
- Engaging and Working with the Community
There were several points of reflection to assist me in my work and to also help refine our priorities, structures and processes. I was also delighted that the review celebrated the commitment, support and passion of our College community; a community which is a delight to serve as Principal.
Celebrating and Giving Thanks
We move into a period of the year when we witness the fruits of our dedicated efforts as students, staff and parents. At the same time we give thanks for all that has comforted, gifted and challenged us.
On Thursday 30 November we will gather in the Barrie Holmes Stadium for our whole College End of Year Thanksgiving Mass. At this celebration of Mass, an event which is the source and summit of our Christian lives, we celebrate and give thanks to God for the many gifts and blessings we have received throughout this school year. We remember our successes and our struggles, our joys and our sorrows. We come with grateful hearts and spirits to meet our gracious God in Word and Sacrament.
Celebrating as a large learning community, that is comprised of and nurtures smaller learning communities, we will ask for God’s blessing especially on our year 5’s moving into Middle School, our Year 9’s into Senior school and our Year 12’s who move into a journey beyond school.
Every learner …
At Tenison Woods College every learner has a place, every learner has a pathway, every learner will shine. That is our challenge and our celebration. And every staff member is a teacher, from the formal classroom teacher to our Front Office Team, Uniform Shop, and to the Grounds Team. If we understand that every moment is a teachable and learning moment, then we truly understand the power of Tony Robbins’ statement:
“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”
I thank our staff for their wonderful commitment to being present to each learner in these moments; knowing each learner, inviting each person to be their best, gathering around when times are tough and enthusiastically celebrating the successes of our students as they find their pathway, the pathway that speaks to them and nourishes them.
Farewell Stratfords
At this time, I also farewell Daniel and Kim Stratford. Together, they have offered 30 years of service to our community and ensured that our health and physical education, as well as mathematics and science experiences for our students have been the highest calibre, leading to wonderful opportunities for our young. We wish Dan and Kim all the best as they relocate to Adelaide and pursue new adventures with Bella, Lewis and Will.
Below the surface
In a large Community, much goes on below the surface of what is seen. At this time, I acknowledge the leadership of our Deputy Principal, Liza Couzens, Head of Senior School, Sean Quirke, the Senior School Leadership Team and the College Leadership Team for all that has been achieved to support the College life of our students. I thank these staff for their passion, discernment and care, modelling our Christian culture of service, presence and relationship in the Senior School.
Special thanks to the many parents who have offered their talents to the work of the College Board and its six subcommittees under the leadership of Emma-Kate Griffiths, as Board Chair. I am also delighted to see the effort of the Friends of Music, as well as the Friends of Titans, supporting the vibrancy of these programs.
Likewise, I thank Father Dean Marin and Father Michael Romeo for their outstanding commitment to the College at the same time as serving a very large South East Deanery up to Bordertown and through the Southern ports. This support has manifested in a variety of ways for its people, its ideas and structures and importantly for its Catholic culture and charism, and represents the strong support that we enjoy from the parishes in our region.
Invitation to Service – Senior School Awards
It was heartening to see the depth of talent in our senior school and a pleasure to acknowledge outstanding efforts, commitments and dispositions at the Senior School Awards on Monday. In many ways I expect success in this community; a community of abundance, a big mustard tree, where we have excellent resources and excellent people, where all have a home, a place to be themselves.
However, in our abundance much is asked of us in terms of our leadership. These awards are not the final destination or end game, rather they validate that we have a great deal to offer our community. We; parents, staff and students; are challenged to be people for the world, to step up to the potential of one, to care about the reality of others, and ensure our actions enable others to do good or shine.
So I asked students to take confidence from this celebration on Monday; confidence to ‘let their light shine’ and use their gifts to serve others, so that in their giving and service they become the type of people our God is inviting us all to be.
Parish Facebook Page
Check out the parish Facebook page, ‘like’ and ‘follow’ it at www.facebook.com/mtgambiercatholicparish.
God Bless,
David Mezinec | Principal