The Vine Issue 18 – 2025

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr James Tamblyn

It’s been lovely to welcome so many families and friends to the College over the past week to celebrate milestones, enjoy a range of beautiful performances from our students, recognise and extend thanks to community members for their contributions in 2025 and acknowledge student achievements. Thanks to all families and friends who have been able to join us for these special events.

My thanks to all members of our community for your exceptional support throughout 2025. Congratulations to our students who represent themselves, their families and Pedare incredibly well. We are so proud of how they commit to their learning, but more importantly, how they look after each other, aligning their behaviours with our values of kindness, respect and inclusivity. Their academic achievements over the course of the year reflect the safe and connected community that they play such a significant role in creating.

Thank you to our staff for your incredible work over the course of the academic year. We are so fortunate to have such a committed and talented team of professionals. You inspire our students, and you challenge each other. The quality of a school cannot exceed the quality of its staff. Our College is exceptional because of your dedication to our students.

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Ms Lisa Daws

Junior School has achieved many wonderful things throughout the year in which we need to reflect on and be thankful for. The refinement of the curriculum, the engagement of families and the community, and the strengthening of the Junior School leadership and teaching team are wonderful testaments to the goals we have set and worked on in partnership this year. Thank you!

On Wednesday, 26 November, Reception students enjoyed a hands-on GooRoo Animation incursion. They learned the magic of stop-motion filmmaking by designing characters and collaboratively shooting their own short animated movies. This exciting workshop fostered skills in digital literacy, teamwork and imaginative storytelling.

​​On Tuesday, 2 December, Junior School buzzed with anticipation for Welcome Day, igniting the idea of the 2026 school year as we greeted our newest cohort of students and their families. The day was a major success, offering everyone a chance to meet their new teachers, connect with classmates and confidently chart their course for a seamless and dynamic transition into the year ahead.

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mrs Eliza Buckoke

As the year draws to a close, we celebrate the achievements, transitions and community spirit that define the Middle School experience. It has been a busy and rewarding final term!

Well done to the approximately 90 Middle School students who took part in the Anglican Cup last week. This full-day sporting event covered a wide range of sports, and it was wonderful to see the enthusiasm, skill and sportsmanship displayed by all involved.

We were delighted to celebrate the culmination of our students’ Middle School journey at the Year 9 Graduation yesterday morning. This celebration allowed students and families to reflect on their growth and achievements before they move into Senior School.

Looking ahead to next year, it was great to connect with parents on Monday evening at our Welcome Night for families new to the Middle School. Our incoming 2026 Year 6 and 7 students engaged in the Welcome Day activities on Tuesday, making new connections with each other and with teachers. We are excited to have them join us next year and look forward to celebrating their growth along the way.

We send our best wishes to the dedicated teams of VEX Robotics students who are competing in the National Competition this weekend at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Good luck to all participants.

There have been many meaningful activities as part of our end-of-year program. Congratulations to our Year 6 students on the impressive and innovative projects showcased at their recent Science Fair. Our Languages students concluded the year with engaging cultural activities, including Chinese cooking, German food tasting, and a range of other incursions. Also, our Middle School students are excited to embrace the festive spirit by putting on a Christmas Pageant for the Junior School students to enjoy on Monday.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Junior Primary Nativity Musical

What a truly magical event our R-2 Nativity Musical ‘A Midwife Crisis’ was. The audience was captivated by the performances, especially the Year 2 students, who took on the lead roles with impressive confidence and flair. Their commitment to their characters and delivery of their lines and songs were exceptional, proving they are stars in the making!

The energetic ensemble cast, featuring all of the Mid-Year Reception to Year 1 classes, was exceptional. They brought delightful energy and infectious enthusiasm to the stage, filling the Chapel with joy.

By sharing this story, students connected with the narrative of service and compassion, reflecting the core teachings of Jesus. Their performance was a vibrant celebration of community and the values we hold dear. 

Congratulations to every student involved, and thank you to the staff who made ‘A Midwife Crisis’ an unforgettable experience. We are so proud of all our young performers!

Ms Holly Collins

End-of-Year Languages Activities

To celebrate another productive year of language learning, students of German and Chinese classes enjoyed various activities at the end of Term 4.

Year 7 German students participated in a Christmas workshop, decorating biscuits and creating festive crafts. Year 7 Chinese students made dumplings and enjoyed a traditional Chinese meal. Year 8 German and Chinese students engaged in a coffee shop activity, practising their language skills in ordering food while sampling a range of treats.

Year 9 German students visited Nido Early School to share their language and culture with younger children through songs and games. Year 9 Chinese students visited Reception classes, introducing Chinese language and culture through interactive activities. Both experiences reflected our commitment to experiential learning and community engagement, allowing students to take on leadership roles, apply their language skills in authentic contexts and inspire younger learners. It was a meaningful and rewarding conclusion to their Middle School language learning journey.

Ms Grace Liu

Year 5 Student Voice and Action

We celebrate the inspiring work of a group of Year 5 students who have taken big steps towards making our Junior School more sustainable. 

As part of the Year 5 Exhibition, they researched, collaborated and developed detailed proposals outlining practical ways Junior School students could improve composting processes. With the help of Mrs Johnson, plans are now in place, and we look forward to introducing some exciting new waste reduction and sustainability processes at the start of the 2026 school year. 

This achievement demonstrates the power of student voice and the impact our young leaders can have on the entire school community.

A massive thank you goes to the Year 5 students for their vision and hard work, and to Mrs Johnson for facilitating this important project.

Mrs Laura Logan

Year 4 Chinatown Classroom Market

During Weeks 7 and 8, Year 4 students transformed their classrooms, bringing the vibrant atmosphere of Chinatown to life. Working collaboratively in Communities, they planned and created their own authentic market stalls. This project was a dynamic exercise in cultural immersion, culminating in students producing their own unique products, practising excellent customer service and engaging in conversations in Chinese, demonstrating impressive linguistic and entrepreneurial skills. Students ensured every ‘customer’ received a polite and helpful interaction. This immersive activity successfully integrated language skills, cultural understanding, business acumen and outstanding service practices, culminating in a highly successful and engaging cultural event.

Miss Cami Song

Year 9 Individuals and Societies – Parcels of Hope: ANZAC Biscuits Bake

To conclude their World War I (WWI) depth study, Year 9 Individuals & Societies students took part in a hands-on activity baking traditional ANZAC biscuits. This practical task helped students explore how these biscuits served as a symbol of comfort and connection for soldiers far from home. Working in small groups, they baked and packaged their biscuits, then wrote supportive messages, imagining the encouragement troops in the trenches might have valued most.

For many, the experience deepened their understanding of the human side of the war. Zali L said it “helped me understand the joy these biscuits would have brought to soldiers.” Charlie J described it as “a fun break from the classroom” that added authenticity to the unit. Maya H felt that it was “a nice way to wrap up the term and topic.”

It was a memorable way to finish the WWI unit. Thank you to the Year 9 Humanities team for their effort in making this activity a success.

Mrs Lauren Griffiths

Year 8 Science – RasCubes

This week, two Year 8 Science classes tested RasCubes through our involvement in the Fleet Space Launch Box program. Students built cube satellites and measured temperature, pressure, signal strength, acceleration and a range of other quantities using various data sensors. They then shared a short presentation with their peers.

Ms Atkins ran the workshops, with her love of space truly shining through! (With a degree in Astrophysics, Ms Atkins is certainly our resident space guru!).

We look forward to all students across our Science programs utilising the cube satellites to further connect with an understanding of space technology, drawing on valuable data sensors to explore the importance of space exploration in greater depth. 

Mr Emil Zankov

Junior School Brightens Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Junior School was proud to participate in a heartwarming initiative this term, offering our creative support to the Women’s and Children’s Paediatric Rehabilitation Unit. Students and teachers dedicated their time and artistic flair to decorating the ward’s walls, aiming to create a more cheerful and welcoming environment for patients and their families.

The rehabilitation unit provides vital support for children recovering from serious illness or injury, and the environment plays a crucial role in the healing process. Recognising this, students created vibrant artwork, banners and themed decorations designed to spark joy and curiosity.

This project was more than just decorating; it was an act of community and compassion. Every piece of artwork was made with the intention of bringing a smile to the faces of the children and adolescents undergoing rehabilitation, and to provide a small moment of light and comfort to their families. We hope that these colourful additions help to make the ward feel a little more like home during a challenging time.

We extend our gratitude to the staff at the Paediatric Rehabilitation Unit for allowing us to contribute to their wonderful work. This initiative was a truly rewarding experience for our Junior School students, demonstrating the power of art and empathy in supporting the wider community.

Mrs Lisa Daws

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.

SAPSASA Cricket Teams

Congratulations to Pedare students who were selected for the Tea Tree Gully District SAPSASA Cricket teams. Samar M (Year 6) and his team won the Grand Final against Onkaparinga South on 26 November, the final day of the carnival. Samar was also the leading wicket-taker for the district throughout the event.

We also congratulate Yeliz D (Year 6), whose team finished second in the carnival. Well done to both Samar and Yeliz on their performances and their selection for this year’s competition.

Mr Heath Perry

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