COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr James Tamblyn

Sabbatical Leave

I am delighted to return to the College this week following seven weeks of sabbatical leave. My thanks to the College Board for their endorsement of my leave. I very much appreciate the time away and was able to find a good balance of study, professional learning, travel, family time, reflection and planning. 

My visit to British School Jakarta was very beneficial. I spent time with staff from many sectors of the school and was able to get a good sense of their operations, opportunities and challenges. Beautiful campus. Great learning experience. 

I then travelled to Boston and completed a short course for school principals at Harvard. The program of learning was excellent. Very privileged to be able to study at such an esteemed and renowned university. Met some wonderful people from all over the world. I estimate there were 130 school principals and leaders involved in the program. Approximately half were from the USA. The study was quite intense and the days were long. Lots of homework and presentations to prepare based on the coursework. Good to get a taste again of what students experience each day. 

I then spent some time in New York. Ground Zero was a special place to visit. Impossible to imagine the reality of being present there during the 9/11 attacks. A very surreal and spiritual experience. There were many other highlights from this amazing city. My thanks to Mandy Hore for her leadership in my absence.  

Stewardship

I spoke with Middle and Senior School students at assembly this week about our role as stewards. Stewardship is a concept we discuss regularly, and refers to our responsibility as temporary custodians of Pedare. Specifically, we speak about our role as:

Stewards of our standards; doing everything to the best of our ability 

Stewards of our culture; caring for each other with kindness, respect and inclusivity

Stewards of our facilities; caring for our buildings, grounds and resources

We have the privilege today of benefiting from the stewardship of those who have come before us. In all the categories listed above, our job is to ensure we leave our College in a better position than we found it. My thanks to students, staff and families for your ongoing commitment to caring for our community of faith and learning as we pass through.

‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’

1 Peter 4:10

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Ms Lisa Daws

What does it mean to be a community? In Junior School, we believe it’s about more than just being together, it’s about building a foundation of kindness, empathy and gratitude. This past fortnight, students have truly brought these values to life.

As Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

Actions and words can have a lasting impact, and the feeling we leave with someone is often the most important thing. Kindness, empathy and gratitude are three fundamental qualities that create a positive and supportive environment for everyone. 

This powerful idea has been a central theme in our learning. From the “Walk a Mile” event, to the Year 1 students who recently connected with the Tea Tree Gully Council and practised empathy while thinking about inclusive playgrounds, children are learning to connect with the world in a meaningful way.

Junior School Captains recently attended the Anglican Student Leaders Workshop, focusing on service, charity and justice. They’ve returned with a renewed passion to inspire their peers. We’re so excited to see how their leadership will continue to shape our school culture.

Thank you to the incredible Parents and Friends Association for organising the recent Junior School Disco! The joy on every child’s face as they danced to the beats provided by The Amazing Magic Mike showed the power of coming together and creating memorable experiences. We are so grateful for your hard work and also for the staff who supervised the evening.

Finally, get ready for an adventure! Book Week is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see our students’ favourite characters leap from the pages. A friendly reminder that our dress-up day and parade will be on Friday, 22 August.

The past two weeks have been a beautiful reminder of the vibrant, compassionate community we have. Thank you for being a part of it!

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mrs Eliza Buckoke

The Middle School continues to be a vibrant and exciting place, with students demonstrating incredible growth, talent and community spirit. It’s been wonderful to see students embrace opportunities to challenge themselves and grow.

In Week 3, Year 9s embarked on their 4-day camp in the Flinders Ranges, which included a challenging yet highly rewarding solo night. Their engagement throughout the camp was exceptional, and we’re excited to see the increased confidence and maturity that will come from this experience. This week marks another significant milestone for our Year 9s as they complete their final speeches for the Community Project. This is the culmination of their hard work and dedication to this significant personal project, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.

It was wonderful to see our students’ willingness to give back to the school community. A group of Year 8s have volunteered to join the crossing monitor roster this term, supporting the Year 9s, and we’re proud to see them giving their time for this important community service activity. Year 8s will also soon have the opportunity to apply for Student Leadership positions for 2026. During this fortnight, Year 6s and 7s had a visit from the Gideon’s Bible Society. A short service, led by Mrs Frost, conveyed the importance of the Bible and the significant, long-standing work of the society.

A small group of Year 7s and 8s were selected to participate in the One+ Science Awards, where they achieved exceptional results, taking home the top prizes in each year level. We’ve also had students involved in the One+ Book Cup and the Australian Mathematics Competition.

As part of Science Week, Year 6s undertook an Amazing Space Race activity. On Monday this week, we celebrated the launch of the SALA exhibition at the Grove Shopping Centre, where many pieces of Year 7 art with the theme ‘What’s for dinner?’ are on display. This exhibition will run for two weeks, so please get along to The Grove Village and have a look. We are so grateful to the many staff involved in ensuring our students have a wide range of opportunities to enhance their learning and grow in confidence!

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce the development of our new ‘AICE’ (Agency, Innovation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship) program. In Week 7 this term, we’ll be holding our first Year 8 ‘AICE’ Challenge Day. We can’t wait to see the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of our students in action.

P&F Father’s Day Stall

Pedare Parents and Friends Association is excited to continue the cherished tradition of its Father’s Day Stall on Friday, 5 September. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Junior School students to find a special gift for their dads, stepdads, grandfathers, uncles or any other significant male figure in their lives.

Students from Mid-Year Reception to Year 5 will visit the stall with their class to choose a gift priced at $5, $10 or $15. Please purchase a separate voucher through the Pedare Qkr! app for each gift your child wishes to buy, as each voucher is for one gift only. For example, a $15 voucher buys one $15 gift, not a $10 gift and a $5 gift. Vouchers must be purchased by 5:00 pm on Monday, 1 September.

Your support helps the Parents and Friends Association continue to provide wonderful opportunities for the students in the community.

Mrs Emily Chadbourne

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

MASA Maths Competition & MASA Annual Student Quiz Night

Last term, over 70 students participated in 64th MASA Maths Competition, where 4 students were awarded exceptional results. In Year 7, Yicheng L was awarded a High Distinction, and from Year 11, Ojus T was awarded a Credit in the Senior division. Fiona L (Year 6) and Sarah Y (Year 5) were awarded overall joint 4th place in the state.

On Wednesday evening, in celebration of National Maths Month, the brightest mathematical minds from Years 5, 6 and Stage 2 represented Pedare at the MASA Annual Student Quiz Night. The atmosphere was filled with energy and focus as six teams navigated a diverse range of challenges. From baffling general knowledge questions to complex mathematical puzzles, students demonstrated remarkable resilience and intellectual agility, confidently deciphering the problems set before them.

We are immensely proud to celebrate one of the primary teams, who took home Best Overall Team. Furthermore, one of the teams distinguished themselves by winning the Best Mathematics Team.

Events like these are invaluable for fostering a love of learning, promoting teamwork and showing that maths can be both challenging and incredibly fun. A sincere congratulations to the winning teams and to every student who participated with such enthusiasm.

Mrs Jennifer George

Senior Chinese Excursion

Students collaborated in groups to develop a business proposal for a Chinese investor interested in setting up a culturally inspired venture in Rundle Mall using their language skills to incorporate Chinese cultural elements into their ideas. They researched market needs, created innovative concepts such as specialty shops or cultural experience centres and designed posters that showcased their proposals with visual appeal. Afterwards, we enjoyed a traditional hotpot lunch in Chinatown, followed by a walk-through nearby shops where students compared Chinese grocery items with those found in local supermarkets, further deepening their cultural insights.

This excursion provided students with a meaningful opportunity to apply their Chinese language skills in real-world contexts, bridging cultural knowledge with entrepreneurial thinking. It encouraged them to explore how language and culture intersect in business settings, while fostering teamwork, creativity and critical thinking. By engaging in authentic cultural experiences, students gained a deeper appreciation of Chinese traditions and their relevance in the local community.

Mrs Grace Liu

Year 12 SEM Testing

In Week 3, shared facilities had the use of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Students were able to prepare slides of their dried samples and study at them under the SEM. After a short demonstration on how to use the microscope, students enjoyed maneuvering slides to discover amazing results. They explored various materials such as coir, copper, rice and plastic.

Mrs Leonie Brown

Year 9 Outdoor Education Experience

Last week, Year 9 students enjoyed an unforgettable camp at Argadells Station in the Flinders Ranges. Perfect weather and a stunning backdrop set the scene for adventurous activities, including rock climbing at South and Warren Gorges, mountain biking along picturesque trails and bushwalking carrying full overnight packs. Evenings around the campfire brought laughter, games and valuable time together.

A standout moment was the solo night, which students embraced with maturity and respect. The teacher led debrief the next morning saw students sharing thoughtful and heartfelt reflections. The positive energy on the final day of camp was undeniable, as stories and thanks flowed freely. The Year 9 cohort should be proud of their enthusiasm and conduct during this Outdoor Education experience. Thank you to all our dedicated teachers who attended this camp and supported students throughout their time away from home.

Mrs Bronwyn Dutch

JAM Band Incursion

The College hosted an engaging music incursion called Just Add Music (JAM) Band, which captivated the Junior School students. The JAM Band delivered a lively and creative performance, with 15 songs for 50 students to participate actively, by handling props, wearing costumes or taking part in a captivating starlight show on the ceiling of the chapel. Thank you, JAM Band, for a delightful Friday afternoon filled with music, dance and enjoyment!

Mrs Holly Collins

NEWS, UPDATES AND RESULTS

The Pedare Extra-curricular Portal is the central hub for information and links to our Sports and Clubs program. Regularly updated, it provides the latest news, announcements, results and important updates on Pedare’s extra-curricular activities and events.

Pink Round – Raising Awareness for Breast Cancer Research

From 31 July – 3 August 2025, students involved in the South Australian Association of Sport (SAAS) Competition participated in Pink Round. Pink Round is implemented in sporting programs to raise awareness, support and encourage education in breast cancer, which is the second leading cause of death among women worldwide. Where it affects 1 out of 8 women, and 1 out of 1000 men. We wear the colour pink to raise awareness, start conversations, donate funds and encourage everyone involved to talk with their female friends around spreading awareness and support for education and research. So how can we help?

1. Educate Yourself
Stay updated and seek out accurate information about the disease.

2. Educate Others
Take the opportunity to start conversations about breast cancer with people around you.

3. Know Your/Others Risk
For example, if there’s a history of breast cancer in your family, your personal risk will be much higher.

4. Make an Appointment

Thank you to all who got involved.

Mrs Alana Tronnolone

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.

On Sundays, we meet at the church at 8.30 am, 10.00 am and 6.00 pm. If you want to discover what the bible says Christianity is all about, join one of the numerous weekly bible discussion groups, or want to find out about our Kids Club (R-6) from 3:30-5pm and Youth group (Y7-12) from 7-9pm that both operate on a weekly basis during school terms.

Please visit our website (https://ttganglican.org.au/) or contact Rick Maude at [email protected] for details.

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]  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