Mr James Tamblyn
National Reconciliation Week 2022 takes place from 27 May to 3 June. This year’s theme ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’ is a challenge to all Australians – individuals, families, communities, organisations and government – to tackle reconciliation and make change with brave actions where they live, work, play and socialise.
More information about National Reconciliation Week can be found via this link.
Students and staff across the College will be involved in a wide range of activities throughout the week. Further details can be found in this edition’s articles from our Heads of School. Through the development of our own Reconciliation Action Plan, Pedare aspires to embed the principles of reconciliation, every day, through practical plans of action built on relationships, respect and opportunities. My thanks to Head of Junior School Randall Pearce for his leadership of this and to all community members involved in facilitating the activities planned for the National Reconciliation Week 2022.
Year 7 Reconciliation Language Learning and Art Activities, 27 May 2022
As communicated to all families earlier in the week, the requirement to wear masks in schools will be removed from Monday, 30 May. Despite the mandate being lifted, masks remain strongly recommended for all adults, including visitors and students in Years 3-12. Those choosing to continue wearing masks will be supported to do so. I thank all students, staff and families for your support of the mask mandate in recent months.
On Tuesday, 31 May, we will farewell Liz Denton-Brown, a stalwart of the Pedare community. Liz joined Pedare as a staff member in 2000 and, over the past 22 years, has served the community in a range of roles, including Junior School Librarian, Middle School teacher, Daily Organiser and, most recently, R-12 Teacher Librarian. Opportunities have been arranged for students and staff to farewell Liz in the coming days. We wish Liz and her husband Rob every blessing and happiness in retirement and thank Liz for her significant contributions to Pedare over the past two decades.
Mr Andrew Whiteman
‘Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realise this.’
The quote above from Henry Ford was probably not intended to describe the Year 10 Outdoor Education Experience, but it does fit very nicely! The brave souls of Year 10 were treated to some of the most beautiful weather I have ever experienced on the Murray. As the culmination of the Outdoor Education experiences at Pedare, this camp is designed to challenge the students and to use all of the skills they have learnt along the way in the various year level camps. I was impressed with the variety of meals cooked by the male students! The memories of this camp will last a lifetime, and although some students may have come back with the grumbles of it being ‘too cold’, ‘too hard’ and ‘I was hungry’, the tough experiences they endured together will give them strength later in life. I congratulate all the students who attended and thank the staff for their commitment to kayaking, rafting and camping over the three days.
Year 10 Outdoor Education Experience, 18-20 May 2022
Another important event was the Year 12 retreat held last week at Nunyara in Belair. Our cohort was treated to a fun-filled day that challenged them physically, mentally and socially. Year 12 can be a stressful year, and the day allowed our students to forget their worries and enjoy their classmates’ company. The yoga meditation session was a highlight of the day. Thanks to Ms Jan Robbie for all of her organisation and the Community Coordinators for their assistance on the day.
Year 12 Retreat at Nunyara Conference Centre, 16 May 2022
This coming week is National Reconciliation Week, and the College has a number of valuable activities to mark the occasion. At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples for the benefit of all Australians. In Community lessons, students in the Middle and Senior School will reflect on what the week means to Indigenous Australians and reflect on the theme for 2022, which is ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’.
The excitement is building for the 2022 Swimming Carnival, which will be held at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre in North Adelaide next Friday. We look forward to another day of fun competition amongst our Communities.
Mr Callum Iles
As I write this, there is clanking and banging of VEX Robotics training happening in the background; the murmurs of young innovators solving problems and finding solutions ring through the air.
In the context of changing governments and seemingly insurmountable problems like rising inflation, masses of government debt, dissatisfied voters and complex geopolitics, we will need young problem solvers, and Pedare is building them one Tuesday night at a time.
All students in the Pedare Middle School have different stories, motivations, passions and backgrounds. They are driven by different things, have different goals and value different things. The wonderful thing is that even though the students are different, they can all still find a home and can still find their thing. So many students have found digital technologies to be their passion, and this is a skill set they will have well beyond middle school.
The Pedare College prayer says, ‘Diversity inspires our creativity’, which is at the heart of the culture we are working to create in the Middle School. The ways we are different mean that we can approach problems more effectively.
There are many ways the Middle School is developing these problem solvers, through the MYP Curriculum, SPARK, Community Project, and Think Club. Think Club inspires future problem solvers, where students come together to have their minds stretched as they take on incredibly challenging problems and scenarios. This group is going to the Da Vinci Decathlon in the coming weeks and will no doubt make the school proud.
God is the ultimate problem solver, creatively building this world and finding a unique way for each of us to escape the problem of our sinfulness. Each one of us has been made in the image of God; therefore, we bring with us a portion of God’s creativity as we approach life’s problems. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:8, ‘And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.’ God will bless us as we do good works by providing us with all we need to solve the problems we face.
As we look to the future and the uncertainty it brings, it is encouraging that we are building a generation of problem-solvers, powered by God’s creativity, to tackle whatever comes their way.
Mr Randall Pearce
National Reconciliation Week / Year 5 Assembly
National Reconciliation Week—held every year from 27 May to 3 June—is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
What is reconciliation in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples for the benefit of all Australians.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australia’s colonial history is characterised by devastating land dispossession, violence, and racism. Over the last half-century, however, many significant steps towards reconciliation have been taken.
Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort.
During the Year 5 Assembly, the three classes shared their current unit of inquiry, ‘Sharing the Planet’. The Year 5 students have spent the last couple of weeks learning about Indigenous cultures, focusing on understanding the critical aspects of culture (both visible and invisible), Indigenous languages, agriculture, and Indigenous Astronomy.
The Year 5 students have learnt more about the first contact between the Indigenous Australians and the Europeans. The students have participated in a cultural simulation task to experience a taste of the misunderstanding and conflict that can arise when different cultures meet without gaining an understanding of each other’s perspectives.
During Art lessons, students have created a piece of work that reflects the conflict between the traditional owners of this land and the European’ settlers’, as they learn about the ongoing ripple effect of the British arrival and their treatment of both the environment and the First Nations peoples.
Such learning has led the Year 5 students to explore the more recent history, including discrimination towards Indigenous Australians in its many forms. The students considered the key dates that bookend Reconciliation Week, investigating the 1967 Referendum, Sorry Day, the Stolen Generation, as well as introducing Mabo Day and the treatment of Indigenous Australians regarding land-ownership.
Structuring and timing this learning helps our students to consider what action they are undertaking to help us as a class, school, community, and nation move towards Reconciliation.
Great Work, Year 5 Team!
Year 5 Assembly, 27 May 2022
From the College Chaplain
From the early 12th century through to the period of the Renaissance, architects in Europe were obsessed with construction techniques and ornamental styles that came to be known as ‘Gothic’. This was especially the case when designing churches and other large buildings. In France, over 500 churches were built in the Gothic style during a 100-year period. Many of the great European churches and cathedrals from this period are still standing today.
Gothic style features include high rib-vaulted ceilings, pointed arches, large columns, flying buttresses, and a plethora of windows to flood the sanctuary with light. The most noticeable feature is the high towers and spires from a distance, which draw the viewer’s eye toward heaven.
This was the exact goal of the Gothic architect—to create a sense of height, transcendence and elevation above the earth. Such places of worship aimed to lift the worshipper toward heaven, enriching the effect with sculpture, carving, and intricately designed stained glass windows.
Many features of Adelaide’s St Peter’s Cathedral reflect this Gothic style. Last week, our Middle School Captains attended the Cathedral, along with other students from all the Anglican schools in the Adelaide and Fleurieu region. It was an engaging and interactive opportunity for hundreds of students and school staff to join together and lift our eyes and hearts toward the one who calls us to worship Him above all others.
John Morton, College Chaplain
Student Attendance
At Pedare, student attendance is a high priority. To maintain a standard of excellence it is important that students attend school every day and arrive at school on time to ensure they can maximise their learning potential and well-being.
The College sends an SMS to parents of any students who are not at school by 9:00am where we have not received any notification from parents. We will follow up with parents any absence that remains unexplained.
What to do if my child is absent, will be late to school or needs to leave early?
We understand that there will be times when students are unable to attend school for reasons including illness, injury and unforeseen personal circumstances.
All students arriving late or leaving early, must sign in or out at the College Office or Junior School Office. Furthermore, if students become unwell while at school, they should report to the College Nurse in the Health Centre who will contact parents if they need to go home.
Explained Absences
If a student is absent for 3 or more days due to illness or injury, a Medical Certificate should be provided; however, this is not required if they test positive to COVID-19.
If your child will be absent during the term for 3 or more days due to known reasons, you must apply for an Application for Exemption from School Attendance. Application forms are available from the College Office and 4 weeks’ notice is appreciated.
Please follow the link for a letter from Rory’s School lunches regarding their updated Menu from 1 June 2022 with some price increases.
Uncollected lunch orders
At times, lunch orders are not collected, mainly due to an unplanned absence from school when unwell.
Parents can cancel their own lunch orders on the QKR app up until 8:30 am, the day of the order. If you can’t cancel an order by 8:30 am, you can always call Rory’s parent helpline. Rory’s parent helpline is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. Rory’s parent helpline number is 7084 1801.
Please note that any lunch order that is not collected or cancelled, will be discarded at the end of the lunch break due to food safety.
Rory’s parent helpline is also available for anything canteen related for example dietary enquiries, general questions, and feedback.
next week
Telstra has advised us that our old phone lines are being decommissioned in line with the NBN rollout.
The College is testing the replacement phone line technology over the next two weeks and during this period outbound phone calls from the College will come from 08 7081 2130 through to 08 7081 2139.
Therefore, calls coming from the College next week will not come from the Pedare number that you expect.
After the testing period, the existing College phone numbers will be retained, and all incoming and outgoing calls will use the current phone number. (08 8280 1700)
Reading is such an integral part of learning and relaxation. We are so thrilled to celebrate with the following students who have worked so hard to achieve Lexile 1000 and those who have been given the Scholastic Awards.
Lexile 1000 (Term 1):
Lexile 1000 (Term 2):
Scholastic Reading Awards :
Today Pedare took home the girls, boys and combined winners trophies for the E Grade School Sport South Australia Swimming. Fabulous effort from everyone – congratulations!
Senior Art Big Day Out
12 April 2022
At the end of term 1, Senior Art students joined Mrs Benyk, Mr Gale and Mrs Kenny in the city for a big day out visiting Jam Factory, Samstag Exhibition, SACE Art and Design Show, Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) and more. There was an underlying theme for students to think about connections and their future. As we popped into the UniSA campus, Adelaide College of the Arts, and Flinders Uni’s CDW studios, our students had an excellent opportunity to look at the 2021 students’ final projects and folios from around the state. AGSA guides presented our tours through the gallery on portraiture and perspective. Year 12 students were lucky to gain entry into the exhibition “The spirit of the pumpkins descended into the heavens”, showcasing the work of Yayoi Kusama.
Emily Kenny
JS Leadership Day
Woodhouse Activity Centre, 17 May 2022
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.
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 8:30am, 10:00am, and 6:00pm in person. If you can’t join us just yet, we’ll continue to stream at 8:30am and 10:00am online using Zoom and YouTube Service times are 8:30am and 10:00am.
Please contact Dave Brown on 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.
Tea Tree Gully Uniting host the ‘local and friendly’ Banksia Markets on the first Saturday of each month from 8:30am to 1:00pm at 600 Milne Road, Banksia Park. Stalls inside the hall and in the car park include produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, jewellery, tools, bric-a-brac and lots more.
For more information contact the TTG Uniting Church website at https://www.ttguc.org.au/
St Mark’s Anglican Church has a 9.00 am traditional service each Sunday morning and 9.30am each Wednesday morning. We would love to see you at either or both of our services. We are located on the corner of The Golden Way and Wynn Vale Drive, Wynn Vale.
For further information and updates about St Mark’s services and events, please visit our website at https://www.stmarksgoldengrove.org.au/ or visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stmarksgoldengrove.org.au
Golden Grove Uniting Church, corner of Crouch and One Tree Hill Road, Golden Grove, has a traditional service at 10 am on Sunday. Also, on the second and fourth Sunday of the month, we have a cafe-style church, which is 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. It is held in the Church hall on the first and third Sunday of each month during the school term, from 6.30-8.30 pm. 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 whilst enjoying delicious snacks, refreshments and pizza! The cost for each session is $5.
For further information, please contact the Office on 8251 4298 or email office@goldengroveuniting.org.au. You can even check our webpage: https://www.goldengroveuniting.org.au