The Vine Issue 16 – 2025

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr James Tamblyn

On 11 November each year, Australians pause to reflect on the lives lost in war and the sacrifices made by those who served in the armed forces. Remembrance Day, a time of solemn tribute, is a significant occasion for the nation, providing an opportunity to honour and remember those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.

At Pedare, students and staff from across the College will come together on Tuesday to mark this special occasion at our Year 4-11 Remembrance Day Service. Our youngest students (R-3) will also gather for a Junior School service to mark the day. My thanks to all involved in ensuring these events are appropriate 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, which has devastated so many lives. We pray also for those diligently serving our nation, both at home and abroad.

The first week of Year 12 exams are now complete. My thanks to our dedicated team of staff who continue to find time to support our Year 12 students pastorally, and with their final exam preparations.

Whilst our most senior students complete the final part of their schooling journey, simultaneously, our newest students have commenced their transition into Pedare. 2026 Reception students have joined us for visits over the past fortnight and are settling in well, supported wonderfully by Junior School staff. We extend a very warm welcome to our newest and youngest students and their families, and look forward to sharing their learning journeys from next year.

We are delighted to share with families that the very final stages of the Catford Building Project are almost complete; we anticipate practical completion in the coming days. We look forward to introducing Senior School students to this incredible new home for learning and supporting opportunities for them to familiarise themselves with Catford in preparation for their studies in 2026. We also look forward to welcoming families to view Catford through a series of ‘open house’ invitations in the latter part of this year and early in 2026.

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Ms Lisa Daws

It’s so encouraging to see the energy and enthusiasm in the Junior School as we head toward the end of the year.

Leadership, Community and Learning

Year 1 students had a brilliant time on their recent Gorge Wildlife Park Excursion, where they acted as inquirers, asking great questions and deepening their understanding of local habitats and biodiversity. This hands-on learning is truly invaluable! We thank parent volunteers for their support, time and partnership on the day.

A warm welcome to the newest families joining us next year. 2026 Reception Transition program has started and ensures opportunities and experiences for both students and families to ensure a smooth and happy start.

We are so proud that Year 4 students have started their journey towards nominating themselves for student leader positions in 2026. Successful candidates have undertaken interviews and community presentations in the last fortnight. All students have displayed brilliant qualities, ambition and empathy for each other as the process has unfolded. We look forward to announcing our 2026 Junior School Leadership Team later in the term.

Spotlight on Achievement

The music department has been buzzing with pride following our recent performances! The Years 1-3 and Years 4-6 Recital Afternoons were both wonderful successes. These recitals truly showcased the students’ dedication, skill and the courage they displayed as risk-takers stepping onto the stage. We had an incredible afternoon sharing their progress and musical talent with the community.

A special mention must go to the Pedare Student Voice (PSV) team, a group of students from each year level who meet to make our school a better place. These students, motivated by a strong sense of community service, recently demonstrated their commitment by volunteering their time to help with a range of jobs around the Junior School. This action is a fantastic example of caring in action!

This week has been a powerful for student agency as the Junior School community engaged in Learning Journeys. Parents and students celebrated milestones together in classrooms, with students as highly reflective learners. Thank you to all who joined us to share in this process, which offers such a rich perspective on your child’s growth and understanding this term.

We held a very meaningful Final Worship service recently, which included a heartfelt video compilation of prayers from the Mid Year Reception students. A lovely reflection of gratitude and community spirit.

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mrs Eliza Buckoke

Term 4 continues to be a busy and fulfilling time as students consolidate their learning, prepare for transitions, and celebrate the performing arts.

The last few weeks have showcased the incredible dedication and talent within our Music program. On Thursday, 6 November, we held the Years 4-6 and Years 7-9 Music Recital Evenings. This was a fantastic opportunity for students, from those beginning their music journey to those with extensive experience and highly impressive skills, to perform for an audience and step outside their comfort zones. It was wonderful to see each student on stage showcasing their talent in such a personal way.

In Week 3, we held the annual Year 7 Battle of the Bands. Each core class worked with their Music teacher to present a class performance. This year’s winning class was 7M.

Year 6 students had the opportunity to visit Adelaide City to explore Parliament House and the Art Gallery, linking their classroom studies to civic and cultural life. Next week, we look forward to celebrating PE Week, which includes a range of events designed to promote movement and wellbeing, such as the Year 6 Wellbeing Walks and a whole-school Reception to Year 11 Health Hustle.

Following their successful visit last term, we look forward to welcoming the Year 5 students for another visit in Week 5 this term, as a final lead up to Welcome Day on Tuesday, 2 December.

Thank you for your continued support of Middle School students as we head into a busy assessment period.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Mid-Year Reception Robotics

Mid-Year Reception students have been busy transforming into little engineers as they delve into the exciting world of robotics using the VEX 123 kits! This hands-on, playful introduction to coding and technology helped the students learn the basics of sequencing and instruction.

They imagined their VEX robots as creepy-crawlies, adding craft materials to turn them into amazing spiders! They then coded their robotic arachnids to go on adventures to a chosen destination. This experience introduced foundational STEM skills whilst encouraging storytelling, problem-solving and teamwork.

Miss Georgina Saunders

Junior School Pedare Student Voice (PSV) in Action

The Junior School PSV (Pedare Student Voice) Representatives, comprising of two students from each class, have been in action across the College. As a new initiative offering service to others in the Junior School, this group invited staff to consider what opportunities they may have for welcoming some extra helping hands. After a very keen take-up, these students were delighted to help with reading in classrooms, packing of donated goods for parish churches, recording a video piece for World Teachers Day, and even teaching Mid-Year Reception students about turn-taking. Students felt first-hand the satisfaction of contributing in not only fun, but meaningful ways. Great work PSV Action Crew!

Mrs Lisa Lacy

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.

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