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Student Free Day - AR18

Thank you to all staff who made Thursday and Friday so successful, from teachers who presented their research to the many staff who facilitated and supported staff, and to all the staff who ensured the venue and catering was of the highest quality. It was an outstanding event, during which the wonderful collaborative and supportive qualities of our staff were displayed. Not to mention of course the talent, passion and commitment!

I was also delighted that the following special guests supported the AR18 Conference:

• Kris Massie, Director of ChiPT
• Dr Martin Westwell, CEO SACE Board
• Sandy Russo, Director of SPELD
• Rowena Ulbrick, Professional Learning and Innovation Specialist

The AR18 Conference and action research that occurred during the year underlined our understanding that the quality of our learning community is determined by the quality of our conversations. Furthermore, we appreciate that the quality of our questions and our listening will determine the quality of our conversations.

I am confident that these conversations and questions, as well as our deep listening are the ingredients of our success as a learning community where:

“Every learner has a place. Every learner has a pathway. Every Learner will shine. 
That is our challenge and our celebration.”

Should families be interested in having a sense of the wonderful inquiries conducted by staff at this year's confrence I invite you to refer to this link to view the AR18 Brochure. 

Celebrating our Year 12 Students

We will formally acknowledge the rite of passage for our Year 12 students and wish them well for the next critical stage of their learning journey.

Parents / Carers are invited to join us at the assembly this Friday morning, 26 October at 9:35am in the Barrie Holmes Stadium. 

This will be a great opportunity for parents and families to participate in some of the events the Year 12 students will be involved in.

I wish the Cohort all the best at this significant stage of their learning, and trust that the extra effort that they offer during this period will be appropriately rewarded with individual success.

Engaging with Laudato Si – On Care for the Common Home

I was delighted to be part of a wonderful gathering hosted by the South East Deanery Forum in Naracoorte; a Deanery Renewal Gathering on the Encyclical by Pope Francis, Laudato Si - On Care for our Common Home. Our Presenter and Facilitator, Fr Denis Edwards, priest of the Archdiocese of Adelaide and internationally recognised Theologian helped us understand the spirituality of caring for our common home. Dennis also clarified the message of Pope Francis, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all our relationships; that is, with God, with others, within ourselves and with our earth and all creation.

During October, which is World Mission Month, we are invited to show God’s love to those in our world who are in most need. A commitment to caring for our common home; planet earth; is our expression of our deep care for our brothers and sisters of this generation but also beyond. 

Congratulations Tom Linnell – George Alexander Fellowship

We congratulate Tom Linnell, who has been successful in obtaining the George Alexander Fellowship. The significant fellowship will enable Tom to study ‘Leadership for Sustainability in the 21st Century,’ which includes an intensive few weeks at Harvard University and visits to a number of leading schools in the space of sustainability.  Tom’s visit to the United States will occur from the middle of June 2019, and we look forward to Tom’s learnings benefitting our learning community.

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                           All Teaching Staff commence

Wednesday 23 January                    CESA Live, Learn, Lead Together
                                                            Celebration in  Adelaide for all Catholic Education SA Staff

Thursday 24 January                        Staff Planning Day

Friday 25 January                             Book collection day and Staff Planning Day

Monday 28 January                           Australia Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 29 January                          Staff Planning Day

Wednesday 30 January                    Reception, Years 6, 8, 10,11, 12 commence term 1.

Thursday 31 January                        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. It is a wonderful resource prepared and curated by our committed ICT Support Team.

Shining Light Awards - This Weekend

I look forward to celebrating our wonderful Shining Light Award recipients this Saturday night at the Commodore on the Park from 6:30pm. This is a wonderful evening where old scholars come together, to celebrate our story as a community as well as the rich history and achievements of the recipients. This year we acknowledge the following Shining Light Recipients:

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

Nut and Allergens Awareness Policy

As we commence Term 4, I remind families of our Nut and Allergens Awareness policy. This relates to our whole school approach to the health care and management of those members of the Tenison Woods College community who suffer from specific allergies. 

The policy, which can be viewed here is based on the College position not to guarantee a completely nut and allergen free environment, rather to minimise the risk of exposure, encourage self-responsibility and plan for effective response to possible emergencies. 

The College recognises that a number of students and staff suffer from potentially life-threatening allergies to certain foods or toxins. The College seeks the support of students, staff and parents in maintaining a minimised risk environment whilst at the same time ensuring we provide an effective response to potential anaphylactic situations.

Current medical advice from immunologists suggest that, in nut-free environments, allergic children and families run a real risk of letting their guard down and thinking they are in a totally safe environment. The College is aware of the stresses imposed on students, parents, care-givers and staff when having a student who suffers allergic reactions in their care. Therefore, the provision of procedures and systems to effectively manage such stress is also the aim of this policy.

The Nut and Allergens Awareness Policy accentuates the responsibilities of parents, students, staff and College Leadership. As Principal, where the safety of each individual community member is of paramount importance to me, I take my responsibilities seriously and look forward to: regularly reminding parents of the ‘Nut and Allergens Policy’ in the newsletter; reviewing the ‘Nut and Allergens Policy’ on a regular basis; and ensuring current medical information is available to staff.

God Bless,

David Mezinec | Principal

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