News

The Vine Issue 15 – 2025

October 24, 2025

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr James Tamblyn

This week, we celebrated the final stage of our Year 12 students’ journey at Pedare. At Friday’s Thanksgiving Service, I spoke about the varied predictions about what the rise of Artificial Intelligence will mean for the future. How much will it replace the need for human intelligence? For human beings? And what does this mean for our graduates, given the career path they plan to forge or the skills they have. Many are predicting a diminishing of the centrality of human beings to the functioning of our world.

I encouraged them to take comfort in the promise that we are God’s masterpiece. Not humanoids. Not ChatGPT. In Ephesians 2:10, we read, ‘We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.’

2025’s Year 12 students graduate in uncertain times. We do not know what the future looks like. But we never have. Regardless of what they choose to do, key to their success in our rapidly changing, highly unpredictable world will be their deeply human qualities which are unable to be replicated by machine technology. Love, kindness, compassion, patience, persistence, creativity.

As we read in Jeremiah 29:11, ‘For I know the plans I have for you’, says the Lord. ‘Plans for your wellbeing and not for trouble. Plans to give you a hope and a future.’ This verse serves as a reminder that even when the path ahead seems uncertain, there is a greater purpose at play. Have faith in God, trust in that purpose, and it will empower you to embrace the future with hope and joy.

We wish our graduates every blessing, every success and every happiness with all that lies ahead, and we look forward to following their progress with great interest. To the parents of our graduates, thank you for your support over the journey. Your contributions to our community are so highly valued and most greatly appreciated. Perhaps the most special part of the past few days has been sharing it with you. And to our staff, thank you for all your hard work over the academic year. You are an amazingly committed and talented team of professionals. You inspire our students, and each other. I say this often; the quality of a school cannot, ever, exceed the quality of its staff. And our College is exceptional because of your dedication to our students.

Year 12 Final Worship & Guard of Honour – Thursday, 23 October

Year 12 Thanksgiving Service – Friday, 24 October

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – TEACHING & LEARNING

Mrs Kat Elliott

Senior School Leadership Induction Assembly is always a highlight of our College calendar. This event was an occasion to formally recognise and commission the 2026 Year 12 leaders who will step into pivotal roles of service and influence in the coming years.

We had the opportunity to reflect on the nature of leadership and celebrate the potential that lies within the student body. At Pedare, we view leadership not as a position of power, but as an opportunity for service. This model is grounded in the Christian ethos of servant leadership, which is about putting others first, listening with empathy, acting with integrity and inspiring positive change through encouragement and action. We formally thanked all the 2025 Year 12 leaders, who were chosen by their peers and teachers, because they have demonstrated these qualities. They have shown a commitment to College values and a genuine desire to contribute to the well-being and growth.

This Assembly wasn’t just about badges and titles; it was about acknowledging character and entrusting responsibility.

It was a great pleasure to formally congratulate the 2026 College Captains, Leah H and Ojus T, knowing that they will lead as diligent, compassionate and principled individuals. We also celebrated the 2026 Sports Captains, Arts Captains and Senior School Community Captains. Particularly exciting was welcoming the inaugural Senior School Petworth Captains. We are sure they will set a high standard going forward. We eagerly anticipate the 2026 Academic Captains, who will be announced later this year once academic results are finalised.

The outgoing 2025 Captains shook hands and passed badges to the incoming Captains, a beautiful tradition signifying the transfer of responsibility, the continuity of the College’s spirit, and the enduring light of leadership that passes from one generation of students to the next. It’s a visual reminder that new leaders do not start from scratch but build upon the legacy of those who have gone before them.

As we congratulate the newly inducted leaders, it is also important for every student to remember that leadership is not confined to those with a badge.

College Captains – Leah H & Ojus T

Sports Captains – Keeley D & Nathan M

Arts Captains – Maddison B & Yan F

Brooklyn Captains – Nitya B & Finlay H

Eldergreen Captains – Jordan M & Shenae S

Greenwith Captains – Hayley-Marie C & Utsavi V

Hillcott Captains – Oscar E.& Jack W

Petworth Captains – Taylor V & Anne V

Surrey Captains – Ethan L & Mitchell L

Senior School Leadership Induction Assembly – Thursday, 16 October

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Mrs Mandy Hore

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful break and have returned refreshed and rejuvenated, ready for a busy final term.

You will have heard increasing media information about the upcoming social media ban for young people. From 10 December 2025, all restricted social media platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from having social media accounts. This follows amendments to the Online Safety Act 2021 in late 2024.

This requirement applies to services classified as “social media platforms” under three conditions: enabling online social interaction, facilitating interaction between users and permitting users to post material. Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube are expected to be affected. Messaging-only apps (without social interaction features) are generally excluded, while platforms like YouTube Kids will not be restricted.

The legislative intention is not to eradicate online learning, but to provide young people with critical respite from risks associated with social media, which undermine wellbeing and learning. There is wonderful information available from the eSafety Commissioner at: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions

As a parent or caregiver, you can support your child by talking calmly and openly about the age restrictions. This includes asking how they use social media now, helping them understand how the law might affect them and guiding them to prepare for the change.

eSafety has developed sample conversation starters for parents and caregivers, and a Get-Ready Guide for helping under-16s prepare for the change. The eSafety Commissioner also offers the following tips for parents:

Lead with empathy, letting them know you understand their feelings.
Ask them how they currently use social media.
Talk about the new law and what it means.
Explain that the restrictions are to protect them, not punish them.
Talk about the sorts of risks the law aims to help them avoid, including spending too much time on screens and being exposed to negative and harmful content.
Focus on what they can still do online and offline.
Reassure them that they can always come to you or another trusted adult to talk about their concerns.
It’s OK to try again later if the talk has not gone very well. Lots of little chats are often more effective than one big conversation.

I also draw your attention to some parent information webinars that may be useful: https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/webinars

Over the course of the term, students will have time in their Home Groups to discuss and unpack these changes and work in partnership with their teachers to understand them. As always, if there is any support you need or if we can help in any way, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Head of School or myself.

Enjoy your week! Best wishes to the Year 12s as they head into their final exam period.

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Ms Lisa Daws

Welcome back to all Junior School families for Term 4! It’s fantastic to see students’ smiling faces and energy filling our College again. We’re looking forward to a busy, engaging and highly successful end to the school year.

Term Break Highlights & Week One Wonders

A big thank you to our dedicated Vacation Care team! They did a phenomenal job providing wonderful, enriching and safe experiences for students throughout the break. Your hard work is truly appreciated.

Vacation Care – October 2025 Term Break

Week 1 was a whirlwind of activity, beginning with our Welcome Back Assembly. Staff and students gathered to reflect on the term ahead, with Mrs Lacy delivering an inspiring message on our SHINE values. She reminded us that these values (Safe, Honest, Inclusive, Neat, Engaged) aren’t just for the classroom; they are innate qualities within us, ready to be used at home, at the shops and throughout our community.

The learning is already in full swing:

Year 1 students had a fantastic visit from SciWorld, engaging in rotations that explored their Unit of Inquiry on forces, focusing on pushes and pulls.

Year 1 SciWorld Incursion – Wednesday, 15 October

Year 5 students started work on their final, major project: the Exhibition. Groups formed and are already collaborating, developing inquiries they will proudly present to the community in Week 6.
Year 3 Sleepover last Friday was a great success! Students loved ‘camping’ out at school, engaging with Active Ed and a Magician, and relaxing with movies.

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mrs Eliza Buckoke

Welcome back to a busy and exciting Term 4! Students have made a strong start to the final stretch for 2025.

Welcome Back to Term 4 – Monday, 13 October

Thank you to all students for proudly wearing their summer uniform. It’s wonderful to see the standard of presentation remain so high. As the weather warms up, please remember that hats are required for all outdoor activities this term.

VEX Robotics competition season remains in full swing as Year 6 to 8 teams head off to the tournament this week at the Salisbury Community Hub. Teams continue to demonstrate excellent skills and teamwork throughout these challenges!

Years 6-8 VEX Tournament – Thursday, 23 October

A huge congratulations to Hannah Y (Year 7), who was selected to perform at the prestigious Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) SA & NT 2025 Showcase Concert on Saturday, 27 September, at Elder Hall, University of Adelaide! This is a wonderful and well-deserved achievement.

Further highlighting the dedication of Pedare’s Music faculty, the talented Senior Jazz Vocal group, Luminaire (Years 9–12), had the honour of being invited by Rev Peter Morel, Moderator of the Uniting Church SA, to sing at the ‘Renew’ Conference on Saturday, 18 October. Their emotional performance of ‘Painted on Canvas’ moved the crowd, and they also led the congregation in singing ‘Goodness of God’. A very special opportunity to share their passion for music with the wider community.

Luminaire at the Uniting Church SA’s Renew Conference – Saturday, 18 October

Year 6 students had a fantastic and memorable time at their camp at Roonka Adventure Park last week. They returned with new stories and stronger friendships, benefiting from the exciting outdoor activities that helped build resilience and foster a stronger sense of community outside the usual classroom setting. This was a valuable opportunity for growth as we head towards their transition to Year 7.

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Josh Willis

The beginning of Term 4 brought immediate celebrations, including the highly anticipated Middle and Senior School Spring Carnival, a major charity fundraiser. Despite some overcast weather, Year 6-12 students had a great day, enjoying carnival attractions and side-show games with their Mega-Passes. The lovely atmosphere successfully fostered community spirit, with all proceeds going to the charities nominated by each Community: World Vision, Nepal Youth Foundation, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Australian Migrant Resource Centre, SA Native Animal Rescue (SANAR) and the Sammy D Foundation. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to these important charities.

Middle and Senior School Spring Carnival – Wednesday, 22 October

We also recognise and celebrate Year 12 students and their families as they conclude their journey at the College. These final days have provided wonderful opportunities to acknowledge the students’ exceptional achievements and service at Pedare. It has been a time for Year 12s to express their genuine gratitude to the teachers and families who have supported their academic and personal growth. These final college moments naturally evoke a mix of emotions: a little sadness at leaving, immense joy at the friendships they’ve made, relief at reaching the finish line and great excitement for their future.

Year 12 Students & Staff Morning Tea and Breakfast with Families – Tuesday, 21 October & Thursday, 23 October

The week culminated with two major milestones: Year 12 Thanksgiving Service and Graduation Dinner held today. We thank all Year 12 families who attended these final celebrations. To those undertaking final exams, remember to maintain a balanced lifestyle and have confidence in the hard work you’ve already completed.

To those who have already finished their studies, we wish every one of you the very best in your chosen paths in 2026. Please know that while your time as students has ended, your place in the Pedare community remains.

FRUITFUL REFLECTION

God’s Love Gift

John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life”.

God’s love, our term theme, is vast, inclusive and initiated by Him for all humanity, not just a select group. It is not because of anything we have done.

This love is expressed through the immense, incomprehensible sacrifice of His gift to humanity: His son, Jesus Christ. To truly receive the benefit of this gift, we are encouraged to respond by believing in Jesus. This means more than intellectual agreement, it implies trusting, relying and committing our whole life to Him. For those who believe, there is a two-fold promise: we will avoid spiritual death and instead receive everlasting life.

As we head into the Christmas season, we have the opportunity to reflect on Jesus’s birth, whose life offers the free gift of eternal love and ‘salvation’.

Mrs Miriam Smith

COLLEGE NEWS/NOTICES

Speed Limit Updates

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport advises the community that a new 40 km/h speed limit will be implemented on The Grove Way and The Golden Way from November 2025.

This 40 km/h speed limit will be in place during the morning and afternoon from 8.00 am to 9.30 am and 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm on school days. The reduced speed limits will be introduced throughout South Australia on state-managed roads (main roads) near schools with speed limits of 50 km/h or higher. Speed limits will be enforced at each site once signage is installed.

Read Frequently Asked Questions

Sibling Enrolment

Have you enrolled younger siblings of children already attending the College?

There is currently a very strong demand for enrolments in all year levels at the College, with waiting lists in most year levels for 2027 and 2028.

If you are yet to register an application for your child for 2027 and beyond, please contact the College as soon as possible to secure a place.

It is the responsibility of parents/caregivers to complete a separate application form for each child wishing to attend the College; otherwise, placement cannot be guaranteed.

Please contact me for an application form or collect one from the College Office.

Julie Holland
Registrar and Communications Manager
[email protected]

Academic Scholarships for Year 7 in 2027

Registration is now open for the ACEP test for Academic Scholarships for students who will enter Year 7 in 2027.

The ACEP test will be held at Pedare on Saturday, 7 February 2026.

Online registrations are now open and will close on Thursday, 23 January 2026. The fee to sit the scholarship test is $150.

Please visit the College website for more details and to register.
https://www.pedarecc.au/enrolments/scholarships/

Reversible College Hat

The College bucket hats for Middle and Senior School students are now available in a reversible format with Community colours on the reverse side, perfect for Community events.

Available in store at Devon Uniforms

Note: The reversible hat is optional, and the current navy bucket hat is still available.

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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Student Music Performances

At the end of Term 3, music students Keziah C (Year 12) and Hannah Y (Year 7) had the opportunity to perform solo on their instruments.

Keziah performed at the Brilliant Brass Concert at Unley Town Hall, accompanied by the brass band directed by her trombone tutor, Mr Bruce Raymond. Keziah performed ‘Evergreen’, arranged for trombone, to a very receptive audience. This concert also featured virtuoso clarinet player Andy Firth and jazz pianist David Goodwin. It was a real treat for Keziah to perform in the same concert as these professional musicians, which she did with confidence. The afternoon concert was also attended by several other budding brass students at Pedare and their families, inspiring the next generation of musicians.

Hannah was invited to perform at the AMEB SA and NT Showcase Concert at Elder Hall on Saturday, 27 September. This was a selection of students who had demonstrated the ‘wow’ factor in their AMEB exams. Hannah performed one of her Grade 8 violin pieces, Legende (Op. 17) by Henryk Wieniawski, to a very receptive audience.

Congratulations to both of these music students on their achievements in music, making the most of their wonderful opportunities to share their musical gifts with the community. I am so proud to celebrate these special moments alongside their families.

Mrs Nadine Stroud

LEARNING HIGHLIGHT

Year 6 Camp

Energetic and enthusiastic Year 6 students had a fantastic time at their camp last week. The beautiful weather perfectly complemented the aquatic activities at Roonka River Adventure Park. Sunscreen-covered students enthusiastically rotated through canoeing, raft-making, water ecology and fishing. They especially loved the free time to swim in the river and lagoon, making excellent use of the waterslide and flying fox. Year 6 classrooms were abuzz on Monday, 21 October, as students shared highlights from their unforgettable experience.

Mrs Bronwyn Dutch

Year 6 Camp at Roonka River Adventure Park – Wednesday-Friday, 15-17 October

“My best memory of camp is when I caught the water scorpion. It had a stinger thing on the end, but that was actually how it breathes, which is really cool.”
- Marcus B, 6R

“I learned that even the tough moments turn into the best memories when you’re with friends. Canoeing taught me teamwork and how to stay calm when things go wrong. Cooking on the trangia showed me how to make simple but delicious meals outdoors. And setting up a tent? It’s harder than it looks, but so satisfying once it’s done!”
- Avia C, 6R

“The best memory of this amazing camp was when we had free time. The waterslide was an amazing experience as we could go down in many different ways, like going backwards, lying down, and even the normal way. We could also jump down into the river, which was also a fun experience and was safe as we had life jackets to wear!”
- Aryan K, 6AZ

“The best memory of camp that I had was when I was hanging out with my friends in the afternoon on the grass patch area during free time, and just throwing a vortex around and having a laugh over jokes and funny things that happened.”
- William L, 6H

“My best memory of camp was the canoes. I also loved the bus trips because on the way there, I was very excited, and on the way back, I was just straight jumping to get back to school and then go home.”
- Nicole Y, 6H

“My best memory was on the second night, my class went to a fire pit and made a bonfire. Some people told scary stories, and someone else brought marshmallows. My favourite part was when we played a game for rock-stick-leaf. It really made me look back on the camping trip, and wish it had gone for a little longer!”
-Nancy Y, 6HA

Year 3 Sleepover

Year 3 students participated in an overnight experience last week. Friday afternoon was filled with fun team-building activities, before experiencing a thrilling magic show where the laughter did not stop. We enjoyed delicious Paella for dinner and doughnuts for dessert before settling in to watch the movie Charlotte’s Web, after completing our study on this novel during Literacy Unit. Sleeping proved difficult for some, but most students were exhausted from a fun day full of exciting experiences and memories to share with family upon pick-up on Saturday. Students demonstrated persistence, integrity, teamwork and kindness, making for an experience enjoyed by all.

Miss Kayla Gyles

Year 3 Sleepover – Friday, 17 October

Stage 1 Specialist Mathematics Incursion

Last term, Stage 1 Specialist Mathematics students participated in an incursion focused on the field of surveying. Led by experts from Surveying SA, this session provided a comprehensive look at what a surveyor does and the diverse ways their work impacts our lives.

The presentation showed students how surveyors measure and map everything from local environments to vast industrial sites. Students learned about advanced technologies like laser scanning, reality capture and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). They saw how these tools are used in a variety of fields, including public safety, where they help accurately document accident scenes. This part of the presentation demonstrated the modern applications of surveying and how it goes beyond traditional mapping.

This hands-on and insightful experience not only gave students a deeper understanding of surveying as a profession but also highlighted the exciting career opportunities available in this dynamic field.

Mrs Nicola Fotheringham

Stage 1 Surveying SA Incursion – Thursday, 25 September

Extra-curricular

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.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR PORTAL

Lions Cub Club Staff Appreciation Day

Lions Cub Club has been busy making pipe cleaner flowers for the Junior School staff for Staff Appreciation Day. Lions Cub Club meets every Thursday after school during the term, as part of the College’s extra-curricular program. Members of the Golden Grove Lions Club work with students, supported by a staff member. Mrs Burne has been performing that role for the last two years. Students learn leadership skills and democratic decision-making while giving service to others.

Annette Slater

Leos Club C1 District Lions Convention

On Friday, 10 October, Leos Club members attended the C1 District Lions Convention in Adelaide. They were invited to carry the flags into the Adelaide Town Hall after the Lord Mayor’s address. It was a proud moment for the Leos, whose presence and service were much appreciated by the adult members. Afterwards, they were given an exclusive tour of the council chambers. Pedare’s Leos Club President, Sophia C (Year 10), also made a speech on Saturday at the Convention. This was an excellent display of the community spirit, service mindset and pride that is fostered in Leos Club. Thank you, Golden Grove Lions Members, for continuing to support us each week and for the invitation to be involved in the Convention.

Mrs Morgan Rigby

Badminton 2025 YONEX Australian Championships

Congratulations to Rebecca Q (Year 6) for her outstanding performance at the Badminton 2025 YONEX Australian National Team and Individual Championships (Under 13) in Perth. Rebecca absolutely shone on the national stage, representing South Australia in the team championships, playing 7 matches (Girls’ Singles, Mixed Doubles, and Girls’ Doubles) and winning every one. In the individual championships, she took home bronze in the Girls’ Doubles and made it to the Quarter-Finals for Mixed Doubles.

We celebrate Rebecca’s incredible achievements as a direct result of her hard training and strong commitment.

COMMUNITY NEWS

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

KEY DATES

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

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