News

NAIDOC Week - Because of her, we can!

This week we are enjoying NAIDOC Week celebrations, which are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme for NAIDOC Week draws inspiration from the love of mothers and the model of Mary in our faith tradition. The Australian Catholic Bishops write: “Despite all the horrendous stories of injustice and the untold thousands of chapters that could be written on the matter, it is heartening to recognise the mothers who have battled and largely succeeded in holding Indigenous families together …  The dark abyss of Aboriginal History in Australia, as we know it, has been remarkably bathed in the light that emanates from the goodness, and the heroic efforts, of many people who are driven by a sense of charity and a longing for what is right. Most notably among these people are numerous mothers in Indigenous Communities throughout the land whose love and determination have achieved inspirational things for themselves and their families. In prayerful thanksgiving we salute them and commend them to Almighty God and to the care of Mary, the Mother of the Church, who has steadfastly lived the Beatitudes of Jesus. May these mothers continue to emulate Mother Mary in what they say and in what they do. In the words of the Holy Father, Pope Francis: “She is that woman who rejoiced in the presence of God, who treasured everything in her heart and who let herself be pierced by the sword. Mary is the saint among the saints, blessed above all others. She teaches us the way of holiness and she walks ever at our side”  (Pope Francis I, Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete Et Exsultate, para #176, in 2018 Australian Catholic Bishops Conference).

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 has been a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. I thank staff, students and parents for the enthusiasm and commitment with which the week is being acknowledged.

Putting Hands up and Helping Out this Term

As second term draws to a close on Friday, students will be given the opportunity to pause and reflect on the invitations to put their hands up and help out 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 and the office team for the way they have nurtured relationships that have called students to move beyond themselves and think of others, as also a powerful way of realising their own potential.

Staff News

• Basketball Coach – Thank You and Farewell Rohan Stevenson

Rohan Stevenson has elected to pursue opportunities back in Newcastle and will conclude as Titans Basketball Coach at the end of this week. We thank Rohan for his contribution to the High Performance Sports Program and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.

• PR and Events Team – Thank You Emma Herring

We wish Emma Herring all the best as she commences maternity leave from the second week of the student vacation. I also take this opportunity to thank Emma for her commitment, flair, communication skills and organisational prowess, all of which has been a wonderful asset to our school community.

We also welcome Grace Forgan to the Public Relations and Events Team. Grace comes to us with a range of experiences in representing and promoting organisations, with an accentuation of quality service. We look forward to Grace’s talents complementing our school community as Emma looks to the higher duties of maternity leave. 

Welcome Back

In Term 3, we welcome back Phil Ciabattoni, Sarah McDowell, Marie Hoare, Jill Rogers and Jane Van Eeten who are returning following periods of leave in Semester 1.

Student Exemption Form for Absences Over 5 Days

If your child will be absent from school for more than 5 days, please ensure that you contact the Administration Office to obtain a Student Exemption Form. All absenteeism for more than 5 days is approved by the College Principal and entered into our Attendance system to ensure accurate records are maintained and family government benefits and allowances are protected.

Tenison Woods College Shining Light Awards – A great deal to celebrate!

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 Mount Gambier; are invited to the 2018 Shining Light Awards on Saturday 27 October. Tickets are now on sale online at http://www.ticketebo.com.au/shininglight.

The event will be held at the Commodore on the Park, where the following 2018 Shining Light Recipients will be celebrated:

• Alan Balshaw
• Anthony Casadio (dec)
• Sally Duigan
• Jeanette Elliott
• Jenna McCormick

We will also be holding a BBQ lunch and tour of the College on Sunday 28 October.

Carparking Care

I ask all community members to please park only in the designated car park spaces around the school and refrain from parking elsewhere on school grounds. This includes, but is not specific to, disabled car parks and the grassed areas adjacent to the gym, classrooms and shedding.

As has always been the case, where there may be a specific medical concern due to injury and special needs, please let us know so that we can implement a suitable support plan for your family.

Out of School Hours Care – Deliberate Care, Deliberate Learning

I have been delighted by the response to our OSHC service that has now been available to our community for four 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 & two 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                          2:15pm–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 8724 4633 or email oshc@tenison.catholic.edu.au.  You can also visit the OSHC page on our College website where you’ll find more details about the OSHC Program.

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 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 utilised fully to ensure our young children shine.

God Bless,

David Mezinec | Principal

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