2017 Shining Light Awards

Welcome back to school!

I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing vacation break and are ready to take on the final term of the year. Over the holidays, there was quite a lot going on in the College community...

Shining Lights Awards
Last Saturday evening, 14 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 137 years.

Our focus this year at the College is “stepping up to the potential of one,” and Saturday evening we stood in our abundance, on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. 

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.

Sacrament Program 2017-2018
Forms are now due back at the Parish office so please return them as soon as possible during office hours. The first family session will take place on Thursday 9 November, as per the program schedule.

Coin Trail
Year 12 students have organised a ‘Coin Trail’ on Wednesday 25 October to assist Catholic Charities in South Australia. Students are encouraged to bring along any loose change to add to the trail.

Exam Prayer
As senior students enter into the exam period, we keep them in our thoughts and prayers...

Last Saturday 14 October, staff, teachers and members of the Tenison Woods College Community gathered together for a working bee. New bark was laid, the junior playground was given a spruce-up and some structures were given a fresh coat of paint, in readiness for Term 4. Thank you to our wonderful College Community for dedicating their time.

Please note, all School Photos have been distributed. If you ordered photos but have not yet received them, please phone the office to discuss (08) 8725 5455.

On Tuesday 17 October, Tenison Woods College welcomed former SANFL footballer Stewart McCully.

Stewart currently runs his own mentoring program, Next Level Elite, working with high performing athletes in team and individual sports, including Olympic, National and aspiring athletes. He was a guest to the College as part of the High Performance Sports Program and spoke to students from Years 8-12. 

During his presentation, Stewart spoke about how his program is designed to help elite athletes achieve their goals in the sporting arena and also in life. By fostering a collaborative culture between athletes in different sports, he aims to ensure that each individual has the opportunity to reach their full athletic and personal potential.

He discussed and interacted with the students about the power of support, leadership, and the actions the students can take now to reach their potential.

Kate Exelby | Athlete Welfare Manager - High Performance Sports Program

Since 2014 we have extended the invitation to families to BYOD from years 8-12. There have also been some students from years 6 and 7 who were invited by their individual class teachers to avail themselves of this opportunity. 

While from 2014 the BYOD approach has been an invitation, the significant nuance next year is that BYOD will become an expectation.

In the Senior School from 2018
We are asking each Senior School student to commence 2018 with their own laptop device.  This means that there will not be loan devices in the PRC. There will however be a small number of day loan devices in the Library/resource hub to accommodate only temporary student ICT needs and issues. This small pool of loan devices will not be available for long-term use.  

In the Middle school from 2018
The current situation with devices in classrooms will continue, with students in years 8 and 9 being invited to participate in the BYOD program.

In the Middle School from 2019
We are asking each Middle School student to commence 2019 with their own laptop device. 

Last Tuesday 17 October, High Performance Sports Program Cycling student athletes Amy Wight, Tess Wight, Pru Riddoch and Jack Opperman had the privilege of attending a training workshop at Blue Lake Sports Park with former Australian Institute of Sport and New South Wales Institute of Sport cycling coach, Jacki Barnett. Jacki assisted the students in developing their riding technique, preperation methods for competition, as well as the psychology behind being a successful athlete.

• Tuesday 8.00am - 12.00pm
• Thursday 1.00pm - 5.00pm

Monday - TBC
Tuesday - Cassie Edwards
Wednesday - Emily Hart
Thursday - Lyn Wilson
Friday - Teresa Cain

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Thursday 19 October

• SESSSA Year 8/9 Baseball
• Staff AR17 Launch Night, 5.00pm

Friday 20 October

• STUDENT FREE DAY - Mount Gambier Show
• Staff AR17 Conference

Saturday 21 October

• Mount Gambier Show 

Sunday 22 October

• Youth Mass, 5.00pm, Saint Paul's Church

Monday 23 October

• Year 6 & 7 Swimming lessons, Mount Gambier Aquatic Centre (until Friday)

Tuesday 24 October

• Election of 2018 School Captains

Wednesday 25 October

• Year 10 Boys & Girls Basketball, Mount Gambier Icehouse

Friday 27 October

• Year 12's last day of formal classes
• Year 12 Farewell Assembly and Morning Tea for families
• Junior School Rainbow Disco, 4.30pm, Saint Paul's Hall

Tenison Woods College was recently honoured to receive recognition for its ongoing sustainability projects.

The Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce “Outstanding Business Awards” took place on Friday 13 October, at the Barn Palais. The College was awarded ‘Sustainable Business of the Year’ for our continued development in the space of sustainability-based concepts.

The award is a great achievement for the College, giving recognition to the hard work and dedication from the whole community over the past 12 months.

This award could not have been made possible without the continuing drive and passion of David Mezinec, the ongoing support of the College Board, the innovative ideas developed within the Sustainability Steering Committee, as well as the support for within the wider Mount Gambier community.

A special thanks also goes to the 40 members of our student Enviro team. These students continue to go above and beyond and have now set their sights on an overhaul of the school’s waste systems, propagation of native seeds, and improving on the lighting efficiency within the college.

I encourage all members of our College community to continue to do their part in the field of sustainability; using less and giving more. As a collective we can make a real difference locally, nationally and globally.

Tom Linnell | Early Years to Year 12 Sustainability Coordinator

Planning for 2018 classes is about to begin in both the Junior and Middle School. Staff give deep and careful consideration to the class placement of students, ensuring the best and most informed educational and wellbeing decisions are made. At the beginning of Term 4, Junior and Middle Primary students will receive a note from class teachers regarding this process; please ensure that you discuss this with your child, sign and return the relevant section. Students currently in Years 8 and 9 will work with their home group teacher to identify and name those students who best support their learning at school.

If you feel there are exceptional and valid circumstances for your child that need to be considered, please address these in writing to Jill Rogers, Head of Junior School (R-5) at rogej@tenison.catholic.edu.au or Ian Ross, Head of Middle School (Years 6-9) at rossi@tenison.catholic.edu.au by Friday 27 October 2017 (end of Week 2, Term 4). Please note that requests for specific teachers are unable to be considered.

Thank you.

Jill Rogers | Head of Junior School
Ian Ross | Head of Middle School 

On the last day of Term 3, Year 1 student Lauren Jones was Tenison Woods College's Principal for a Day! Mr. David Mezinec stepped aside and was Miss Jones' aide for the day. Together they performed stringent tests on the playground equipment, took part in 'quality control' of the canteen food, approved staff annual leave and finished the busy day with a whole-school assembly. We hope you enjoyed your day as Principal, Lauren!

Applications open soon for Bendigo Bank 2018 Scholarships. Please read the information carefully and apply online at Bendigo Bank 2018 Scholarships

These scholarships are for rural students who are graduating Year 12 this year. Applications open on 1 December 2017 and close on 29 January 2018. Students should highlight their financial needs and/or social challenges, demonstrate community involvement, leadership roles and academic achievement. It is important that you address the criteria set out in these scholarships in your application.

The application form can be downloaded here

Marie Hoare | Careers Coordinator
 

On the last Thursday night of Term 3, the College community took time time to say farewell to a number of families who will complete their formal association with the College, as their last child completes Year 12 this year. Families enjoyed the opportunity to share stories and memories of their child's time at the College. 

Congratulations to Year 12 students Laura Turley and Emmerson White for recently receiving an Archbishop Student Award! For Faith Leader, Laura Turley, the award comes after she was one of two students in the state to receive the Knights of the Southern Cross Scholarship earlier this year. Well done Laura and Emmerson!

Click here to read the Southern Cross article about the awards, including an interview with Laura Turley.

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Tenison Woods College
Shepherdson Road (PO Box 965)
Mount Gambier South Australia 5290

t: (08) 8725 5455 (Main Office)
f: (08) 8724 9303
t: (08) 8724 4650 (Senior School)
Absentee Line: (08) 8724 4659
OSHC Line: (08) 8724 4633

e: news@tenison.catholic.edu.au
w: www.tenison.catholic.edu.au