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News
From the Principal
26.09.18
Fairer Federal School Funding Commitment Welcomed
Families who choose Tenison Woods College, and other non-government schooling options, will continue to be supported after the Federal Government last week announced important changes to its school funding arrangements.
As a Principal of a Catholic School I welcome enthusiastically the changes, knowing that the initial 2017 funding model threatened the future of low-fee, faith-based schools in remote and higher socio-economic status (SES) areas. In effect it meant that many families would not have been able to afford to continue the education of their children at their school of choice.
This is because the initially chosen and geographically based SES (socio-economic status) methodology was flawed because it assumed all families living in the same suburb were equally wealthy, which is not the case. The reality is low-fee schools draw a higher proportion of students from lower income families and therefore need more funding support.
The new funding arrangements will re-assess the socio-economic status (SES) of parents at non-government schools in a more accurate way. This is good news - not only for families with students in Catholic schools - but for all South Australian low-fee non-government schools.
I believe that it is important for Australia to have a strong government school sector and an affordable non-government schools sector working side by side to educate our students, and I feel this revised approach enables both to eventuate.
As indicated by our Director, Dr Neil McGoran, “There are some technical aspects of the school funding model that need to be resolved. I’m hopeful that, for the foreseeable future, this will put our schools on a much firmer foundation and put an end to the pressure of funding uncertainty.” This is critical when we consider that one in five children in Australia are educated in a Catholic school, providing a very effective and efficient schooling option for Australian families.
As a Catholic school that gains 54% of its funding from the Federal Government, 14% of its funding from the State Government funding, and 32% of its funding from parent contributions, it is clear the significance of this announcement for the Tenison Woods College community.
As one of 103 Catholic schools in South Australia educating around 46,000 primary and secondary students, I am delighted that a fairer funding model has been achieved for our families.
Leaving Families Thank You Celebration
I am delighted that we will on Thursday 27 September take time to say farewell to a number of families who will complete their formal association with the College. As their last child finishes Year 12, we will acknowledge the journey together.
Many of these families have had a long association with the College and I look forward to celebrating with and thanking those families who have committed many years to Catholic education in our region.
Thank you Sonia Braithwaite and Shirley Rhodes
As term 3 concludes we offer our deep thanks to Sonia Braithwaite (Year 4 teacher) and Shirley Rhodes (Home Economics teacher) who both move to retirement and new adventures from Term 4. Both Sonia and Shirley have shown many years of deep concern for their students, an enthusiasm for learning and a capacity to inspire our young to be their best. As we wish them all the best for the next chapter of their life, we appreciate the wonderful legacy of commitment and self-effacing service to students, families and colleagues that has been etched in the history of Tenison Woods College as well as the Limestone Coast region.
Library Thanks - Liz Vears
We also wish Elizabeth Vears all the best as she concludes her wonderfully loyal and approachable service in the library. As we offer our thanks to Liz we also welcome Jessica Lucas to the Library Team. Jess, who is a parent at the school and a member of the wonderfully responsive Uniform Shop Team, will commence her role at the start of Term 4. Jess will be also continuing her efforts in the Uniform Shop.
Sally Telford – Maternity Leave
We wish Sally Telford all the best as she approaches maternity leave. We look forward to welcoming another member of the Telford family early in term 4.
Key dates for the commencement of 2019:
A full list of 2019 key dates will follow soon, but to assist with planning I inform our College community of dates to commence the academic year:
Tuesday 22 January 2019 All Teaching Staff commence
Wednesday 23 January CESA Live, Learn, Lead Together Celebration in Adelaide for all Catholic Education SA Staff
Thursday 24 January 2019 Staff Planning Day
Friday 25 January 2019 Book collection day and Staff Planning Day
Monday 28 January Australia Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 29 January 2019 Staff Planning Day
Wednesday 30 January Reception, Years 6, 8, 10,11, 12 commence term 1.
Thursday 31 January 2019 All other students commence term 1.
You will note the staggered start to the commencement of the year for students. This approach will assist students in the identified year levels to complete the best possible transition processes with the relevant teaching and support staff. We also look forward to preparing transition programs that will accentuate our relationship with parents and carers in the support of student learning and wellbeing.
Attention Years 8 and 9 - BYOD at Tenison Woods College in 2019
I remind our community that as from 2019 students in Years 8-12 will be asked to Bring Your Own Device as part of our evolving ICT strategy at Tenison woods College. I remind families, for more information about the BYOD program, obtaining free Microsoft Office software and device options, please visit the Portal@TWC help site www.tenison.catholic.edu.au/portaltwc It is a wonderful resource prepared and curated by our committed ICT Support Team.
Shining Light Awards – Ticket sales closing soon
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 Mount Gambier; are invited to our reunion Awards and BBQ Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October 2018.
During the Shining Light Awards evening we will present our 2018 Shining Lights at the Commodore on the Park, and celebrate the contributions of the following Shining Light Recipients:
Alan Balshaw
Anthony Casadio (Dec)
Sally Duigan
Jeanette Elliott
Jenna McCormick
Tickets on sale now with a month to go, ticket sales will be closing soon. Tickets can be purchased from ticketebo
Following the awards, there will be a BBQ lunch and college tour at 12:30pm on Sunday 28 October, following Mass at St. Pauls Church at 11:00am.
Thank you for the gifts and talents revealed during term 3
As term three draws to a close we are thankful for the many gifts received as a school community. The opportunity to participate in learning experiences has generated new understandings, knowledge and skills founded on good relationships within and beyond the school community. I am thankful for the gifts and talents offered by our committed teaching, support, office and grounds staff and very pleased at the opportunities seized by our students. The resultant learning and experiences have ensured an animated, dedicated school community.
Thank you to Liza Couzens, Leadership Team and other staff who covered my absence during term 3. Their wonderful efforts were greatly appreciated.
Thanks also to the College community for the wonderful support offered at the passing of my mother and Nada’s mother, Olga Mezinec. The messages, prayers, flowers and cards have been heartening and greatly appreciated during this time of loss.
Best wishes for the student vacation!
David Mezinec I Principal