The Vine Issue 16 – 2023

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr James Tamblyn

At 11am on the eleventh day of the eleventh month each year, we remember the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front after the combat of World War 1. This moment has been adopted all over the world as a time to remember those who have sacrificed and served in all wars and conflicts, recognising especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 

This year, plans were in place for Pedare, Golden Grove High School and Gleeson College to come together and mark Remembrance Day with a combined service on the Jackson Oval. Unfortunately, Friday’s weather conspired against us, and each school reverted to separate indoor services. 

At Pedare, students and staff from across the College came together to mark this special occasion at our Year 4-11 Remembrance Day Service. Our youngest students (R-3) also gathered for a Junior School service to mark the day. My thanks to all involved in making these events such moving and significant tributes to those who have served, and those who continue to serve. We offer our prayers to those around the world currently impacted by conflict, praying for swift and peaceful resolutions to the current turmoil that has devastated so many lives. We pray also for those diligently serving our nation, both at home and abroad.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Mrs Mandy Hore

I am guessing that many of you were like me and joined the thousands for an early start to secure that prime spot for the Christmas Pageant last Saturday.

It was my first as a grandma, and the first time in a long while that I actually watched the Pageant. For the past 10 years, I have worked behind the scenes, volunteering and checking participants in, ensuring their safety and induction.

This year, my family and I cheered from the pavement. We loved the noise and the pure joy on the faces of children, the chalk, Christmas hats and smiles — there was magic in the air.

The Pageant always signals me the beginning of the Christmas season (even though mince pies have been in the shops for 6 weeks).

As we approach the end of the term and the holiday season looms, I have found that it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily school life, assessments, tests, perhaps exams, concerts and end-of-term events. Add the hustle and bustle of the pre-Christmas rush, gifts to buy, decorations to put up, and festive events to attend.

Amid the busyness, it is easy to overlook the joy in the simple things that make this time of year truly magical. The Pageant was my reminder that it’s not about the extravagance of gifts or the grandeur of decorations; rather, it is the joy in the simple things — the warmth of being together, the laughter shared and the love that envelops our families.

I am inviting you to join me in grabbing hold of the joy that surrounds us in the weeks leading to the most joyous of seasons – Christmas – by very simply:

Savour the moments and reconnect with the simple joys that surround us that often get lost in the whirlwind of each day as we head into Christmas.

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Josh Willis

It was wonderful to be able to celebrate the Class of 2023 during the early part of the term. The special events over the past few weeks provided an opportunity to acknowledge the students for their exceptional achievements at Pedare and allowed them to express gratitude to those who supported them throughout their academic journey. These final days of school evoke a range of emotions, including sadness, joy, relief and a sense of excitement. We extend our thanks to all the Year 12 families who attended the Year 12 Thanksgiving Service and Graduation Dinner, the final celebrations for this graduating class. Congratulations and well done, Year 12 students. We wish you every success in your exams and the best of luck in your chosen paths in 2024. 

Year 10 and 11 students are now preparing for their Semester Two Examinations, which begin Monday, 27 November. These will again be Summative Exams, providing students with a great opportunity to demonstrate their responsibility, focus and self-discipline. These exams mark an essential step in preparing our students for Year 12 and future academic pursuits. We wish them well in this important examination period. 

The first day of Year 12 for our Class of 2024 will begin on Friday, 1 December. This ‘Year 12 Transition’ will be an opportunity for students to meet their 2024 teachers and shift their focus and mindset towards embracing the responsibilities and opportunities that come with being a Year 12 student in 2024. As we embark on this journey together, we are excited about working alongside and supporting these students as they enter a significant and exciting academic journey at Pedare.

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mrs Eliza Buckoke

It is hard to believe we are halfway through the term already! There continue to be many events and opportunities for students to shine. Well done to all of the Year 8 students who have applied for the various Student Leadership positions within the Middle School! Interviews have been held over the past couple of weeks, and we are so proud of each of the applicants and their efforts throughout the process. There are opportunities for Middle School Captains, as well as Wellbeing, Service, Global and Community Captains. We look forward to announcing the successful candidates later this term, with a formal induction to be held early in the new school year.

Last week, we held afternoon tours of the Mallee building, for our students new to the Middle School in 2024. Some of our current student leaders were on hand to greet families and talk about their own experiences of Middle Schooling at Pedare. It is an exciting time as we prepare to welcome our 2024 Year 6s, as well as new Year 7s. Whether they are coming from Pedare or from elsewhere, it is an exciting step as they prepare to start the next chapter in their schooling journey. At the same time, we are starting to prepare for our Year 9 Graduation ceremony, to be held on Thursday, 7 December. This is an important milestone for our Year 9s as they officially complete their IB Middle Years Programme and prepare to enter their Senior School years.

Congratulations to our Music staff and to all of the Year 7s for their amazing efforts in Battle of the Bands last week. It was great to see the teamwork and collaboration within each class, with each student making a significant effort. Well done to 7R as the winners for 2023!

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mr Randall Pearce

Staffing 2024

For me, change is an integral part of a professional’s journey. Staff movements, whether they involve changing year levels or moving to new schools, bring challenges, but they are both normal and healthy.

Currently, we are still deliberating over the staffing mix for 2024. We are dedicated to finding the right teachers and balance across the Junior School to support the children and families, as well as to further enhance the programs we offer.

Transition Visits

Our 2024 Reception students and 2023 Mid-Year Reception class have started their transition visits. For some, this transition will cause great excitement, while for others, a few anxious moments. This is normal. We have programs and people in place to support all the students. If your child is experiencing any anxiety regarding 2024, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss.  

Save the Date

Mark your calendar for the exciting events scheduled for the remainder of Term 4:

• Junior Primary Nativity (Reception, Year 1 and 2) – Friday, 1 December, from 9am in College Chapel 
• Thanksgiving (Years 3, 4 and 5 only) – Friday, 8 December, from 9am in College Chapel 

Please check the College website, calendar and newsletters to keep yourself informed about all the wonderful events planned for this term. 

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The annual Premier’s Reading Challenge finished in September, and I was delighted to hand out medals and awards to those students who participated. A total of 388 students from R-12 completed the challenge, each reading 12 books over the year, adding up to over 4600 books read in total!

As it was the 20th year of the Challenge, there was an additional award for those students who read 20 books, and we had 34 students complete this extra challenge. 

Thank you so much to all of the teachers and parents who supported our students in achieving these awards, and a huge congratulations to all participants. 

Ms Sarah Mossel

Contents

Overnight Experience – Year 3

Exhibition Journey – Year 5

Gorge Wildlife Excursion – Year 1

Children’s Show Segments – MYR & Year 8 Film/Media

ASTF Mars Challenge Showcase – Year 7 Sustainability

Cleland Wildlife Excursion – Stage 1 Biology

Overnight Experience

Year 3

On Friday, 3 November, the Year 3 cohort participated in their first Overnight Experience at the College. Students experienced a range of activities run through Active Education to build teamwork skills, and Marty McBubble performed a very entertaining show using bubbles. Year 3s enjoyed paella for dinner before settling in to watch the movie “Sing”. After some encouragement, the children fell asleep and woke up refreshed for a croissant breakfast. It was a fantastic experience to prepare them for a night away from home in Year 4 next year. A big thank you to Mr Pearce, Mrs Wallace, Miss Brown and Mrs Greco for their support in making this event a success. 

Miss Jasmine Orlowski and Miss Kayla Gyles

Exhibition Journey

Year 5

During the Year 5 Exhibition journey, students had the privilege of hosting Mrs Kamaputri, who delivered a session on ‘The Power of Media and Effective Communication.’ Engaging in an interactive game, the students gained insights into how messages and communication can be manipulated. They explored various forms of media, aiming to decipher the underlying messages intended for the audience. Students recognised that media is a storytelling platform that helps brands connect with their audience. We look forward to seeing how the students use this knowledge to elevate their communication skills!

Mrs Lauren Ciano

Gorge Wildlife Excursion

Year 1

On Monday, 23 October, Year 1 classes visited Gorge Wildlife Park as part of our ‘Sharing the Planet’ Unit of Inquiry to explore how animals are connected within their environment. Students had the opportunity to interact closely with some of the animals from the park, such as a koala, a snake and a spiky stick insect. We observed these animals’ habitats and discussed how these environments facilitated their survival. We then applied this learning to create our own habitat dioramas and informational books about a chosen living thing, which we enthusiastically presented to the class.

Mrs Rikki Hendry

Children’s Show Segments

Mid-Year Reception and Year 8 Film&Media

On Monday, 23 October, Mrs Fairey and the Year 8 Film and Media classes presented their Children’s Show Segments to the Reception classes. Mrs Logan’s Mid-Year Reception class liked one of the segments so much that they actually did the craft section.

Mr Rhys Clark

ASTF Mars Challenge Showcase

Year 7 Sustainability

Six Year 7 Sustainability students went to the Andy Thomas Space Foundation Mars Challenge Event, held at Lot 14 on Tuesday, 31 October. They took the opportunity to showcase their projected project, “Agriculture in Space!” and were excited to explore the “Plants in Space” display. Their presentations were articulate and well-received by students from other schools and the staff at the Space Centre.

Mrs Jude Johnson

Cleland Wildlife Excursion

Stage 1 Biology

On Wednesday, 1 November, two Stage 1 Biology classes ventured into the Adelaide Hills to visit Cleland Wildlife Park. Students are currently working on a Science as a Human Endeavour Task, which gives them the opportunity to explore the adaptations of an endemic species and investigate the impact of ecotourism. The highlight of the day was getting up close and personal with various wildlife, such as koalas and kangaroos.

Miss Hannah Dearman

NEWS, UPDATES AND RESULTS

The Pedare Extra-Curricular Team are excited to bring you a new portal, containing information and links all in one location to our Sports and Clubs program.

The Portal is updated regularly to bring you the latest news, announcements, updates, results and more of Pedare Extra-curricular activities and events.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Tea Tree Gully Anglican

Tea Tree Gully Anglican Church is a group of Christians who seek to serve Jesus in everything we do. Whether you are just visiting or looking for a Christian home, we aim to be a loving and supportive family for you. We meet at the church at 8.30 am, 10.00 am, and 6.00 pm in person. If you can’t join us just yet, we’ll continue to stream at 8.30 am and 10.00 am online using Zoom and YouTube  Service times are 8.30 am and 10.00 am.

Please contact Dave Brown at dave@ttganglican.org.au for more details, or check their Facebook page for links.

If you are struggling and would like to talk with someone from the church during these trying times, please phone 8264 3736.

Gully Church (Tea Tree Gully Uniting) – Banksia Markets

Gully Church hosts the ‘local and friendly’ Banksia Markets on the first Saturday of each month from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm at 600 Milne Road, Banksia Park. Stalls inside the hall and in the car park include produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, jewellery, tools, bric-à-brac and lots more.

For more information, contact the Gully Church website at https://www.ttguc.org.au/ or email office@gullychurch.org.au

Golden Grove Uniting Church

Golden Grove Uniting Church, corner of Crouch and One Tree Hill Road, Golden Grove, has a traditional service at 10 am on a Sunday.  Also, on the second and fourth Sunday of the month, we have a cafe-style church, a relaxed contemporary worship service at 6 pm in the Church hall.

Café Youth is a fun, interactive program for young people ages 14 and up looking to engage in topics of faith. Café Youth sessions start with a fun 30-minute activity based on the theme for the night, then followed by “Talk Time”, during which the group discusses a topic of faith while enjoying delicious snacks, refreshments and pizza! The cost for each session is $5.

For further information, please contact the Office at 8251 4298 or email office@goldengroveuniting.org.au  You can even check our webpage: https://www.goldengroveuniting.org.au

Please click here to visit the College Calendar for a full list of College events