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Reunion and Shining Lights Awards

Last Saturday evening, 27 October, I was delighted to be involved in a celebration of Catholic school communities in Mount Gambier; communities which have let their light shine for 138 years.

I was delighted to see Noel Bull, one of last year’s Shining Light, with us again Saturday evening. Noel’s invitation to youth last year, “to put their hand up to help out,” became our theme for the 2018 year. And after an outstanding year, our School Captains Evangelia Wichmann and Daniel Ker, presented myself and the staff with a cushion Friday morning as a memento of their year. Stitched on the cushion was “Hands up. Help out. 2018.”

I indicated to the reunion guests that the cushion symbolised what the Shining Light Awards and our annual reunion is all about – connecting the wisdom and inspiration from the past with the enthusiasm and vision of our young of today. And what a wonderful, connection it has been in 2018. Noel’s inspiration combined with Evangelia and Daniel’s wonderful leadership ensured that our student community was wonderfully active, proactive and responsive. The students raised in excess of $11,000 for charities this year in addition to putting their hand up to create community, connect with other school communities and be present to others in our school family.

So, the evening continued the journey of telling our school story proudly, by capturing the story of individuals who offered insights into who we were, who we are, and who we want to be.  

The evening was all about valuing that story of endeavour, from the pioneering efforts of Father Julian Tenison Woods and Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, to the Sisters of Mercy and Marist Brothers, who chose the path less travelled and made all the difference to the families of the South East. As such we valued the story of St Joseph’s Convent, St Mary’s School, Mater Christi College, Marist Brothers Agricultural College, St Paul’s School, Tenison College and now Tenison Woods College. The evening celebrated the contributions of all students, parents, staff and friends of the College who have helped us evolve to become the community we are today.

Shining Lights

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.

So, Saturday, in the capable hands of the talented David Kenseley, local identity and former student of Tenison College, we continued by celebrating:

• Alan Balshaw
• Sally Duigan
• Jenna McCormick
• Jeanette Elliott
• Anthony Casadio

These Shining Lights add to our honour roll from 2017, including:

• Maurice Corcoran
• Natalie Medhurst
• Robert Peake
• Pauline Kenny
• Noel Bull

And our 2016 Shining lights:

• Lorraine and Ken Gazzard
• Jessica Braithwaite
• Tony Pasin
• Cristina D’Agostino
• Eric Roughana

We heard Saturday about their life and contributions, their inspirations and motivations, as people who have let their light shine. Just like the Shining Light mementos they received as an acknowledgement, they have stood out as beacons for those around them. 

I trust that these stories will help us reflect on others who deserve nomination, in the spirit of telling the wonderful story that has evolved today to be Tenison Woods College. 

Thanks

I feel the reunion was a wonderful celebration of individual endeavour, but also of the family nature of our community and the way this community over many years has inspired individuals to achieve and serve their community. The recurring theme was the significant impact of teachers who inspired our young to dream, work hard and be the person they are called to be. 

I thank members of our community for attending this significant evening in the story of our community. I particularly thank the Public Relations and Events Team: Jess Herring; Jason Scheidl; Grace Forgan; and Bhavani Bailey-Walters. Similarly I thank the Friends of Tenison Woods College Committee: Domenica Dunn; Michelle Coote; Francesca Dickson; Trudi Dempsey; Tory Brett; Joanne Turley; Patricia Kitney; Liza Couzens; Alex Nicholson and Neal Turley; for their efforts in preparing for the Reunion and the College tour on the following Sunday. Special thanks to Jen McCourt and our Hospitality students: Danielle Thomas; Daniela Ortiz Kaiser, Nadia Munguakwokwa, Amelia Taylor and Bianca Doody; whose service during the evening was exemplary. Likewise, our talented students Zoe Aberle and Aimee Black provided musical entertainment of the highest quality. Finally, it was a delight to have the reunion at the Commodore on the Park and we thank Tom Kosh and his team for their characteristic hospitality, support and generosity.  

Now who should be one of our 2019 Shining Lights? If you would like to put forward a nomination, please find the form here. 

All Saints and All Souls

At this time of acknowledging our College story and Shining Lights, the celebrations of All Saints Day, Thursday, and All Souls Day, Friday, call us to remember all those who have been faithful to the Gospel and have inspired us to live a faith-filled life. The pagan festival, Halloween, celebrated with growing enthusiasm in Australia, and interestingly, ‘hallow’ is an Old English word and literally means holy and can be used to describe saints. Halloween then actually means All Hallows Eve - or the day before All Saints Day.

These saints and these souls; these people, have gone before us and responded to the invitations of their time with an imagination, creativity and courage. In honouring their journey, we also commit ourselves to evolving our vibrant faith tradition in a way that honours the past, with excitement for the future, and confidence in a life beyond what we know.      

Celebrating our Year 12 Students

Last Friday we formally acknowledged the rite of passage for our Year 12 students and wished them well for the next critical stage of their learning journey.

I thank the students for the way they participated in the program of cooked breakfast, farewell assembly, morning tea with families and final Year 12 Mass. 

I also thank the staff and parents who played their part in making the day special, as well as the Sugarloaf Café for their wonderful catering during the day, including a final celebratory cake for the Year 12’s.

At this time I also offer deep thanks to the parish Rosary Beads Making Group, who presented hand-made rosary beads to each individual Year 12 student at their final mass together. A day of special memories for a group who have made a wonderful impact on our College community.

Student Leadership

At last week’s whole school assembly we thanked our Year 12’s for their efforts over the past year as our senior leaders; efforts which have been noted and appreciated. Our Year 12 Senior Leaders also concluded their active leadership in the School so that they have time to prepare for their exams and concluding assignments. We thanked the Music Leaders, Sports Leaders, Faith, Wellbeing, Sustainability and House Leaders for their commitment to our College community, noting also the particular leadership of our College Captains, Evangelia Wichmann and Daniel Ker.

Evangelia and Daniel had the pleasure of announcing that, from an outstanding array of young people who offered their talents, Emily Turley and James Lucas would be the College Captains for the next school year.

Following on from the student leadership this year I am excited about the next year of student leadership in the College and I pledge the College’s support for Emily and James’ efforts so that their servant leadership will have an impact. I also expect that their leadership will be critical to what we as a school achieve and how the student’s voice is given expression in our school community.

Parish Pastoral Council Nominations 

Parish Pastoral Council nominations are now being sought. Nomination forms are located on the Bulletin Stands at the church entrances. Please fill in the form with the name of a person you wish to nominate and return to the Parish Office.

Parish Facebook Page

Check out the parish Facebook page and don't forget to ‘like’ and ‘follow’.

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.

God Bless,

David Mezinec | Principal

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