Mr James Tamblyn
At our recent Senior School Student Leadership Induction Assembly I took the opportunity to explore the imperative of leaders building trust with their constituents. The controversy of the American Presidential Election that has unfolded this week provides the quintessential example of the reasons why many people find it increasingly difficult affording trust to leaders in our modern world.
I have recently re-read Paul Browning’s book Principled, in which he identifies his top ten tips for leaders striving to build trust with those they lead. The principles themselves are equally applicable to those in formal positions of leadership and to those simply seeking to build strong and healthy relationships with others.
At the assembly I focused on four of Paul’s suggestions, particularly in the context of the roles our student leaders were being inducted into. The first of these is to listen. Talking is easy. Listening is hard work. Listening is not about you; it is about connecting deeply with the other person. Active listening requires you to suspend your own opinion so you are fully attentive to the speaker. Genuine listening builds trust. And it’s rare. Great leaders really listen to others.
The second is to admit your mistakes. It is important to remember that leaders are not infallible and have not been appointed to roles because they’ve lived error-free lives.Ìý We are all human, and each one of us can at times respond in ways that do not align with our own aspirations for ourselves. The willingness to be vulnerable, the ability to be self-reflective and to apologise when an error has been made exemplifies a leader’s humility.
Providing affirmation involves letting people know that you recognise what they have done, and that you are grateful for their efforts. Humans have an innate desire to be appreciated and valued. There is a wealth of research that indicates nobody is immune to the motivating effects of acknowledgment and thanks. And saying ‘thank you’ increases the likelihood not only of others helping you, but of them helping someone else too.
And visibility is about being present to the people you have been entrusted to lead. There is real value in being with your people, in getting around to all parts of the school and listening to the ‘pulse’; hearing people’s stories, knowing people’s names, celebrating the great things that are happening, and modelling your own expectations. Being visible gives the people who follow you the chance to get to know you, to see if you are genuine, to learn what you stand for.
All these aspects of leadership are about building trust. And if you take time to build trust, and recognise that it’s people who matter most, you’re well on your way to becoming a leader that people will be inclined to follow. Best of luck to all our newly appointed 2021 Senior School Student Leaders.
Mr Andrew Whiteman
“Success is a journey, not a destination. Sometimes the doing is more important than the outcome.”Ìý
Success comes in many different forms and for each and every individual success can mean a different thing. Success can be measured by the effort put into a task and sometimes the struggle to achieve success is a lesson learned in itself. At this time of year, many students look to the future and say, ‘IÌýwant to be successful this year’ or ‘I want to achieve an A in my History exam’. We know and tell our students that not all students are going to be in the A grade band and that all we ask of them is that they put in the best effort for each task. The effort in trying hard and seeking to work through difficult times builds the resilience required to succeed in life. Students learn the lessons that they are not given grades because of who they are but are awarded grades for the work that they have produced. Sometimes they will be happy with a result and, at other times, they may feel like their effort is not rewarded. Learning from each and every moment in life is going to hold them all in good stead for the future.
We continue to keep our Year 12 students in our prayers as they complete their final Stage 2 examinations this week. Year 11 students were provided with their Semester 2 examination timetable and next week the Year 10 cohort will also have this distributed. Our focus for both year levels is that we are aware there are still pieces of work to complete but planning their time and making the first step to complete work is the most important thing now. With some students feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable with the workload over the next few weeks, we have encouraged them to reach out to teachers to discuss how they can best plan out their work to ensure they are successful.
Thank you to the students who attended the City of Tea Tree Gully Youth Leadership Event at the Golden Grove Art and Recreation Centre last week. A day of listening to motivational speakers, mixing with students from other schools and with other leaders at ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë proved very successful. The way our students interacted with others and demonstrated a mature approach to their leadership was very pleasing. There were many good ideas as the students returned to school. We look forward to seeing them put these into practice in 2021 and beyond!
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ÌýMr Josh Willis
It can be possible for Middle School students to lose focus during Term 4 as many end of year events such as Spring Carnival and Senior School farewells take place. As students and staff begin to prepare for further end of year celebrations and events, it’s important that students remain focused on completing assessment tasks to the best of their ability and finishing the year in a positive fashion.
With many students experiencing some fatigue towards the end of the year, it is important that all students are taking care of their wellbeing. There are many different ways students can do this such as:
Our pastoral team at ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë is always available for any student who needs extra support or someone to talk to. Below are members of our pastoral staff that play a vital role in ensuring that the wellbeing of our students is enhanced each and every day.
International Baccalaureate – Middle Years Programme
The week, students have been discussing and gaining a further understanding of service as action. As IB learners, our students strive to be caring members of the community who demonstrate a commitment to service. This is making a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. Service as action is an integral part of the MYP Programme, especially in the MYP Community Project that students will complete in Year 9.
There are many important outcomes from service as action including:
A final thank you to all staff, students and parents who have assisted in this week’s IBMYP evaluation. Mrs Hayley Mayer and Ms Sarah Mossel have done a brilliant job in leading the College through this process and we look forward to continuing to improve the way we deliver learning experiences to our students.
MrÌýRandall Pearce
World Teachers’ Day
In Week 3, the College celebrated World Teachers’ Day, a day where we acknowledge the professionalism, dedication and expertise of those responsible for educating our students.
World Teachers’ Day was introduced in 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), to celebrate the significance of competent, qualified and motivated teachers as instrumental in shaping the futures of children, students and young people.
As many parents know instinctively, the impact individual teachers have on a child’s education can be great. Teachers are central to learning and, while there are other important factors, including the quality of the curriculum, school environment and student ability and commitment, it is teachers that breathe life into what is being taught and who engage and motivate students.
At the Junior School we recognise that parents are their children’s first teachers, during the course of primary and secondary school it is often individual teachers that enliven education and motivate students to identify what is most exciting and rewarding.
Each one of us, if asked, could most likely name one or two special teachers that made what was being studied engaging, lively and relevant and who sparked an interest and passion for learning that was life changing.
Teaching is a vocation, a calling from God, not just a ‘job’.ÌýI encourage you to take the time to personally thank your child’s teacher.
Important Notice
If your child has borrowed a ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë Netball dress, Basketball singlet or Soccer shirt for Extra-curricular sport this year, please return to the College Office by the end of Term 4.
Planning on Shopping for uniform in December or January? Please note that bookings are needed. to book online.
Devon Spring Sale – Special Offers available in Store – click on the link for details.Ìý Devon Spring Sale
Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, shipping delays are likely to impact the delivery of some uniform items. Parents should continue to order, and all delayed orders will be delivered free.
Devon Uniform stores will be closed from Sunday 20 December and will reopen on Monday 4 January 2021.
Has your child lost their jumper, rugby jumper, hat, or even their Blazer? There is a large number of uniform items in Lost Property, mostly unnamed, both in the Junior School and at the College Office.Ìý There are also often drink bottles, lunch boxes and other sundry items.
We are continually collecting items of uniform that don’t have any identification. Please ensure that all items of College uniform are clearly marked with your child’s name. When items of uniform are found, any item that is named will be returned to the student’s class or teacher, or directly to the student. All food and drink containers, as well as wet or damp items, will be disposed of at the end of each week, as these could be a health issue.
Junior School parents can visit the Junior School Office to check for any lost property.
All lost property from the Middle and Senior School will be displayed to students from TuesdayÌýÃ ÌýThursday next week during Home Group. Students will be given details about this via SEQTA notices.Ìý Please remind your child to check for any items they have misplaced.
Any items not claimed at the end of the year will be donated to the P&F Shop or discarded.
The Robotics Season is well and truly alive at ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë. This year we need judges for our VEX and FIRST Lego League Robotic Competitions. No experience necessary and virtual training sessions will be starting next week. For VEX, the training session will be next week across several days after work of 30 minutes (only one session needed) and for FIRST Lego League the following week.
VEX Robotics is a platform we use in curriculum across Years 6-12 and as an extra curriculum offering from Years 3 onwards.ÌýOur VEX tournaments will be held onÌýTuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 November, and if you can help out on either or both days that would much appreciated.Ìý
FIRST Lego League is a competition held at ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë onÌýSaturday 21 November, which comprises of extra-curricular students from Years 7-9. Teams from around South Australia come and compete.ÌýWe would again love it if you could come and help. Volunteer registration system is found here:Ìý
Being able get a glimpse of the passion STEM Robotics brings out in the children is a truly rewarding experience and one we hope you join in on.
Mr Emil Zankov – Digital Technologies Teacher
Each year a group of Year 4 and 5 students train in the lead-up to and participate in the City-Bay event. Unfortunately, the 6km event isn’t being held this year due to COVID restrictions.
As this event is so loved and beneficial to the students, we have an alternate event and a group of students and staff have been training in earnest to run a similar distance at Anstey Hill this Friday, November 6.
We are supporting the Childhood Cancer Association (CCA) again this year, a very worthwhile charity that appreciates our support. We aim to reach $1000 with your assistance. If you would like to help us reach our goal, donations can be made by following this link ÌýÌýÌýÌý
CCA is missing out on valuable funds this year due to the City to Bay not going ahead in its usual format, so all donations will be gratefully received.
During Term 3, Year 6 students learnt about a range of Aboriginal art communities and styles. From the subtle washes of the Hermannsburg School of Art painters to the vibrant batiks of the Ernabella community students enjoyed experimenting with materials and techniques.
At the start of Term 4 Year 6s collaborated to create large scale paintings in response to different Indigenous communities. They learnt about cultural appropriation and how it is inappropriate to copy the artwork and symbols used by Indigenous artists. Students then developed their own symbols and imagery by focusing on their personal relationship with the school environment and ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë’s location.
Mrs Grant’s class examined the changing seasons in our environment inspired by Indigenous artist Noŋgirrŋa Marawili.
Ms Mossel’s class explored the significance of visual imagery created by the Spinifex artists and how they were one of the first communities to use Visual Art to prove ownership of their land in a court of law.
Mrs Benyk’s class looked at the vivid work of the Ninuku Artists and how their work reflects the myriad of colours represented in the landscape. They then created paintings representing specific spaces in the school.
Students were excited and engaged throughout the task with one of the highlights being working together whilst sitting outside on the lawn in the sunshine.
Mrs Kai Benyk – Visual Art and Media Art Teacher
Year 6 Camp – Roonka Water Activity Centre
Although the weather could have been a little kinder for the Year 6 Outdoor Experience this year, student were still able to enjoy the many activities offered at the Roonka Water Activity Centre, at Blanchetown in the Riverland. Fishing proved very popular with the students, with many trying to catch a fish for the first time. Canoeing, raft building, cooking their own meals, cleaning dishes and erecting the tents were other skills that brought the groups together, as they worked through challenges with their peers. There were also lots of laughter and smiles even though some of the students were taken out of their comfort zones.
Year 10 Camp – Goolwa and Adelaide Coastline
On 27 and 28 October, Year 10 Geography students enjoyed their Geography camp to Victor Harbor, staying at Nunyara Conference Centre.
Students visited the Goolwa Barrage and learned about the significance of the Murray River mouth. We then went into the Dunes and tested several hypotheses including that wind decreases with distance from the beach. Students saw first-hand evidence of Ngarrenjeri occupation of the dune system in the middens that occurred there. A visit to the Port Elliot Bakery and lunch at Horseshoe Bay was a good way to break up the day. We then walked across to Granite Island learning about the Fairy penguins and human impacts on the ecosystem. A walk up to the Bluff gave amazing views across Victor Harbor before we drove to Nunyara where students were impressed with the quality of the accommodation. The girls had views across the lights of Adelaide from their fully equipped apartments. Dinner was delicious followed by games and supper.
The next day we ventured down to Hallett Cove to see examples of erosional landforms including a cave and cliff. Students also learnt about the impact of tectonic activity and glaciers on Hallett Cove. Afterwards we went to Glenelg, sketched a tombolo, and had lunch at the Bay enjoying ice-creams and hot chips.
Finally, at Tennyson dunes, we compared the vegetation biodiversity across the sand dune system that is one of the last remaining relics of what the dunes were like before European settlement.
Mr Andrew Penny – Learning Area Coordinator, Humanities
Year 11 Camp – Geography Riverland
On Monday 19 October, a group of Year 11 Geography students left ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë for the Riverland. After stopping at Waikerie for a break, our group headed to Banrock Station where we explored the unique ecosystems that form the wetland and Mallee Plains ecosystems.
Next we visited the first Solar Farm in Australia at Lyrup. The owner, Andrew Caire, also established the luxury ecotourism business, Pike River Luxury Apartment and Villa’s. Our students adjusted the angle of the solar panels to maximise the solar energy being captured. Students were impressed with the quality of the environmentally friendly accommodation.
We crossed the river on the Ferry and went into the township of Berri for dinner. A stunning sunset greeted us at Camp Kedron. Competitive games and supper finished the evening.
The next day we went back to Banrock for the Ranger’s talk and then travelled to Greenfields Wetlands. After lunch, students compared Greenfields Wetlands with Banrock Station.Ìý
Mr Andrew Penny – Learning Area Coordinator, Humanities
On Wednesday 28 October, the Year 7 cohort competed in their long-awaited annual event, Battle of the Bands. As usual the competition was fierce with each class vying to be the winners. Performances were again outstanding and very entertaining. It was fabulous to see some students playing instruments they have never tried before. Congratulations to Mr Raymond’s class 7R, who came out the deserving winners of the shield for 2020.
On Monday 2ÌýNovember, both the Stage 1 Biology students and the Year 7s ventured to Adelaide Zoo for a fun filled day of learning. Stage 1 Biology students enjoyed a talk from one of the Zoo Educators relating to their topic of Ecosystems and Biodiversity. Year 7s spent the day working through booklets looking at particular animals, their habitats and where they fit into their food web. Overall it was a lovely day filled with valuable learning for all students and staff involved.
Miss Samantha Ireland – Learning Area Coordinator, Science
On Tuesday 27 October, the Year 11 Physics cohort went on an excursion with Miss Atkins and Mrs Griffiths to The University of South Australia at Mawson Lakes.
At the University, students were able to explore how RADAR technology is used by scientists at Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) in weather forecasting, weapons technology and police radar. Students had the opportunity to use this method to calculate the speed of sound with some of our group obtaining very accurate results!
The second part of the day led students into the undergraduate room of radioactivity. Here they got to watch the decay of various radioactive materials and also determine what types of materials and thicknesses of lead were able to block the powerful radiation emitted. Students had fun exploring these corners of Physics and were able to see how the theory learnt in the classroom can be put into practice.
Mrs Natasha Atkins – Mathematics & Science Teacher
The inaugural One+ Titration competition was held Monday 19 October and ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë’s competitors were Year 11 students Holly, Alannah and Caterina. Eleven students from the three campuses were required to find the concentration of a solution of sodium hydroxide given a solution of known concentration of oxalic acid. This competition allowed the students to practise the skills learned in our Year 11 Chemistry course, with Alannah (centre photo) placing 4thÌýhaving a margin of error less than 2%. The girls enjoyed the experience and will hopefully compete in next year’s RACI Year 12 state competition.
Mrs Leonie Brown – Science/Chemistry Teacher
Bailee Illman and Dakota Illman
Congratulations to Year 5 students Bailee Illman (5P) and Dakota Illman (5B) who played in the State Basketball Championships recently winning the Under 12 State Reserves Championships.
Well done to both girls.
Extra-Curricular Sports feature articles and results below:
TERM 4
Week 1
Basketball
Cricket
Netball
Tennis
Volleyball
TERM 4
Week 2
Basketball
Cricket
Netball
Tennis
Volleyball
TERM 4
Week 3
Basketball
Cricket
Netball
Tennis
Volleyball
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 Ìý Service times are 8:30am and 10:00am.
Please contact Dave Brown on dave@ttganglican.org.au for more details, or check their Ìýfor links.
If you are struggling and would like to talk with someone from the church during these trying times, please phone 8264 3736.
St Mark’s Anglican Church currently have a 9:00 am traditional service and a contemporary service at 4:00pm. Please email office@stmarksgoldengrove.org.au to advise if you will be attending either service for COVID-19 requirements.
St Mark’s Kids Club (for Reception to Year 4 students) has also resumed this term on Thursday afternoons at 3.30pm (meeting fortnightly). Please email office@stmarksgoldengrove.org.auÌýif you would like to attend.
For further information about St Mark’s services and Kids Club, please visit the website atÌý