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Camp Success

I am continually grateful for the wonderful culture that has evolved with school camp, retreat, sporting and field experiences at Tenison Woods College. We as a school community understand the critical importance of these experiences in the development of our young and it is inspiring to see staff and parents working together to ensure that such opportunities offer students the greatest benefit. 

Thank you to all the staff, parents and carers who have committed themselves to the wonderful experiences such as Year 5 Noorla Yo-Long Camp, Year 6 Grampians Camp, Year 7 Canberra Camp and all Outdoor Education and Sporting Trips.    

50th Anniversary of the Dedication of the College Chapel

Monday 12 November we gathered to celebrate the 50 Year Anniversary of the dedication of the College Chapel, with a Mass, tree planting and refreshments.

Early in 1967, a decision was made to finally have a purpose built chapel for the Marist Brothers school. The Chapel had previously been housed in the Homestead and then later a Nissan Hut near to where the buses park today. An intensive fundraising campaign by the Old Collegians of the day raised $110,000 towards the Chapel and the new Science labs.

The buildings were officially opened by Dr. A J. Forbes, M.H.R., and on the following day the buildings were blessed by Archbishop Beovich. Other dignitaries were Br. Aidan, School Principal, Dean Travers, Parish Priest, Brother Oliver representing the Marist Brothers and Mr. John Duigan representing the Old Collegians Association.

Fifty years can be a remarkable point of pause for reflection, inviting us to see the implications, not only of the presence of this Chapel in our school and community, but of the power of the Eucharist in our lives. To mark the occasion Alan & Glynniss Balshaw, along with 2019 College Captains, Emily Turley and James Lucas, planted a Candle Pine conifer.  Interestingly, Alan was a student at Marist Agricultural College and an Altar Server at the Mass of Dedication of the Chapel on November 10, in 1968. Alan and Glynniss’ children also attended Tenison College. 

Now as Tenison Woods College we named Alan this year as one of our College Shining Lights and so just as the Chapel and Eucharist has given us a place of comfort, inspiration and a compass for our life, so to the life of Alan, Glynniss and his family have offered those around him and in our community a sense of comfort, inspiration and a compass for their life.

Following the tree planting a few stories were shared by attendees, celebrating the passion, commitment and can-do attitude of those on whose shoulders we stand proudly today.

Mount Gambier Christmas Parade

The next major production is busily being created by passionate families. Amid working bees, costumes and sewing machines, Tenison Woods College is being consumed by pageant activity, as the Junior School and Early Learning Centre, under the enthusiastic leadership of Sharn de Nys, prepare for the float in the Christmas Parade on Saturday 17 November.  Thank you to the families who are giving their time and talents to the preparations, ensuring a wonderful experience for our young.

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. During the next two weeks week we will enjoy the following...   

Senior School Awards Celebration

The Senior School Awards Celebration on Tuesday 20 November in the Barrie Holmes Stadium is a significant milestone in the learning journey of our senior students and a time to reflect on how students have ‘put their hand up to help out.’

Thanksgiving Mass

On Thursday 29 November at 9:00am we will gather in the Barrie Holmes Stadium for our whole College 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.

Year 12 Graduation

The Graduation on Friday 30 November from 6:30pm (with Graduates, friends and family gathering in the garden from 5:00pm). This special occasion is not only an opportunity to celebrate the journey of the students in our community over the years, but also an opportunity to wish them well as they greet life and take their place in our community.

Satisfaction Surveys

We at Tenison Woods College are constantly reviewing our offerings and approach, refining as required, with the aim of ensuring that we offer our young the best possible opportunities and outcomes.

To this end I invite our parents/carers to participate in a Satisfaction Survey that will offer us data to reflect on the type of learning community we are creating and the type of issues we need to consider, to make the College the best possible.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could take the time to complete the Parent Satisfaction Survey by Friday 30 November. 

Thank you for your contribution and should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me on 08 8725 5455.

Remembrance Day – Tenison Woods College Flyers

Remembrance Day is an opportunity for us to pay tribute to those men and women who have given their lives in the service of our country. As part of the College tribute our Year 7 students attended the Remembrance Day service at the War Memorial in Canberra, and our School Captains, Emily Turley and James Lucas, laid a wreath at the Mount Gambier service at Vansittart Park.    

This year, the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War, the College will also honour Remembrance Day at the Assembly on Thursday 15 with a ceremony, silence and ode, presented by Mr Bob Sandow, President of Mount Gambier RSL and also the presentation of the inaugural Tenison Woods College Flyers Award.  

Such commemoration helps us reflect on events that have shaped our history and on the lives that have been impacted by the will of others. As we reflect on those who have offered themselves for the cause of freedom, let us not forget the part our faith can play in bringing peace to our world.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not  weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Parish Facebook Page

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

BYOD at Tenison Woods College

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.

2019 Shining Lights?

Now who should be one of our 2019 Shining Lights?

Criteria and nomination forms are available here 

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.

God Bless,

David Mezinec | Principal

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