News

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. 

On Thursday 29 November we 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.

Advent begins – Christ in our Lives

The Season of Advent begins this Sunday and so does the beginning of a new Liturgical Year in the Church. The Advent Wreath is a sign to us of the coming of Christ Our Light into our lives and our world. 

I invite you to see Advent as a time to pause and reflect upon our lives and decide what’s important and where our energy and attention should be focused. The less we do this the more we can be enticed by so many superficial interests and issues. However, the more we consciously pause and reflect and exercise our gift of freedom to do what’s right and good, the more human we become. As Christians, the more consciously we pause and reflect, the more open we become to the presence of God in our lives and the power of his grace and to shape our lives. Advent then is the time for conscious reflection upon our lives in the light of the presence of Christ amongst us.

As we prepare for Christmas, there’s always a real challenge for us. This time of year we all become so much busier with all the break ups, socials and preparations for Christmas. Instinctively, we speed up and busy ourselves attempting to do so many things. The invitation to us today is the opposite. Pause, slow down, reflect, listen and pray – make the experience intensely personal. Advent is a time for more prayer as individuals, families and as parish community.

In such a way Advent will be an opportunity for real change and renewal in our lives, unleashing the power to reflect upon our lives, humbly name our challenges, be freed and forgiven for past poor choices and experiencing the loving forgiveness of God as we move forward with hope and confidence.

As a College community we annually erect the Giving Tree in the Front Office, and this is an opportunity for everyone in our community to share the joy of Christmas. Gifts and money donated to the Giving Tree will be shared between AC Care and Vinnies who will assist local families this Christmas.

Families may also wish to consider the gifts that ensure others not necessarily known to us enjoy a better Christmas and life; a gift that keeps on giving. Such donations can be made by visiting the websites of such preferred Catholic charities as Caritas, Vinnies and Mercy Gifts. Other charities to consider in such a way may be Oxfam, World Vision, Salvation Army and The Smith Family.

Classes will be participating in activities centred on the Advent theme.  Advent wreaths in classrooms are the symbolic reminders of the prayer and action we focus upon during Advent.  In the midst of the activities occupying us in these final weeks of the school year, the advent reflection speaks to our school community:

"Advent really is some part of us

when we recognise in ourselves

the darkness before the dawn

the good slow work of time

the pain before the birth of something new

worry, fear, disappointment

balanced by patient, waiting, listening in hope

because Christ is near."

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.

Parish Facebook Page

Check out the parish Facebook page, ‘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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