News

SHINE in 2019

On Tuesday evening I reiterated to parents, as I have indicated on many occasions, that a school community will only be as good as the parents in the community genuinely want it to be. I therefore asked that parents commit themselves to the variety of supports required to ensure we offer the best possible Catholic school family environment to our young.

I encouraged parents to think about:

• Helping in the classroom;
• Becoming a Class Representative for a class to assist the teacher in co-ordinating the involvement of other parents at particular times;
• Offering services to the School Board or its sub-committees;
• Joining the Friends of Music or Friends of Titans that meet to support our student activities;
• Helping in the canteen;
• Volunteering for working bees;
• Actively participating in school events; and/or
• Contributing talents to the Friends of Tenison Woods (Old Scholars) Association

I urge our parent community to consider how they can contribute to making Tenison Woods College the best possible, which ultimately means, the experiences for your child.

eSmart School – Smart. Safe. Responsible.

Under the leadership of Kirby Turnbull, we have spent 2 years as a school community working through the accreditation process and used the system and planning tool provided by eSMART and the Alannah and Madeline Foundation to plan, implement and sustain a school community where the smart, safe and responsible use of communications technology is the norm.

The essence of the eSmart approach is outlined below:

One of the aspects of this process was the review, analysis and updating of our ICT policy and ICT User Agreements. These updated policies are now available on the school website.

Over the next few weeks we will also be releasing an area on the website dedicated to eSmart, including information for parents and the wider school community.

I am delighted that Tenison Woods College is an eSmart School and I look forward to our continuing commitment to the highest possible level of ICT innovation that is complemented by safe and responsible use of ICT.

Parent Course – Wellbeing and Resilience

What skills would you want your children to have most, as they greet the opportunities and challenges of life?

Studies have shown that curiosity and grit are the two personal characteristics which are the most significant predictors of success in life; two critical traits that will make us grow into the people God is calling us to be. Furthermore, in these days of competing demands on our time and resources; the need to work through complex issues with our children, and the diversity of family structures, one of most valuable skills we can have is that of resilience. 

In partnership with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Tenison Woods College is developing a whole school community way of talking about, measuring and critiquing the resilience and wellbeing of our members. The project complements our current strong commitment to wellbeing and resilience through the variety of programs offered to students, families and staff, by giving us a common language and frame of reference through which to view the associated issues across our school community.

This year we are continuing our parent training course. The course will run for 5 consecutive weeks and a timing will be determined by the needs and availability of prospective participants.

Come along and learn some new skills, or refresh some old ones, in a friendly, non-threatening, social environment. For more information or to register your interest please contact Jennie Sanderson 

Caring for One Another – Road Safety In and Around Our School

Following on from the theme of helping one another, I remind families of the importance to monitor their speed and adjust it accordingly as they approach the school on Shepherdson Road and White Avenue in the interest of safety for all, but particularly our young. I also remind students to utilise the various designated crossing areas which are monitored by our staff. Crossing the roadways at other areas adds to the danger for our young but also increases the difficulty for drivers in the area. 

I appreciate the time pressures which force a family’s hand in relation to drop off and pick up times and routines, but I would ask families to consider collecting students from the school’s side of White Avenue. I am aware that picking up students from the Malseed Park side of White Avenue has caused a very hazardous situation at the conclusion of the school day, with students crossing the road without the protection of cars travelling at reduced speeds.       

The School Board will continue to work with the authorities and City of Mount Gambier to consider any possible traffic measures, which could reduce the risk to young lives. However, attention to safety, due care by drivers and removing the risk of crossing White Avenue will have the most significant impact on safety for our young.  

Years 8-12 Swimming Carnival and Years 4-7 Swimming Carnival

The strong tradition of swimming excellence and fun-filled water novelty games continues on Thursday 14 February at the Years 8-12 Swimming Carnival and Friday 15 February at the Years 4-7 Swimming Carnival. Thank you to Ciaran Buckley, Grant Lean and the HPE Team, who are planning two wonderful opportunities for students to shine, as well as have a lot of fun. 

The Years 8-12 Swimming Carnival on Thursday will commence at 8.35am and the Years 4-7 Carnival on Friday will commence at 11.00am. Please note, both days will end at 3.15pm and School Buses' will not be doing pick ups from the Aquatic Centre.

Need a tutor? Studiosity is our free online tutoring service

I remind families that students of Tenison Woods College in Years 3-12 have access to a free online tutoring service. Students are able to connect to expert tutors for live, one-on-one conversations about homework, assignments and exam preparation from 3:00pm – 10:00pm Monday to Friday.

Give it a try – I know you will appreciate the service offered by Studiosity!

God Bless,

David Mezinec | Principal

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO NEWSLETTER