The Vine Issue 4 – 2026

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – TEACHING & LEARNING
& HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mrs Eliza Buckoke

We are pleased to confirm that the NAPLAN testing period for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 is now complete. We commend students for their focus throughout the testing period and their flexibility in adapting to technical challenges. These assessments provide valuable data, and we are proud of the way students applied themselves.

As staff continue their curriculum development, we focus on our Guiding Principle of Thrive. We believe that when students are clear about their purpose and understand what success looks like, their confidence builds and their effort follows. To support this, teachers have recently been sharing Learning Snapshots, which are designed to provide clear visibility into student progress and their next steps towards growth.

Parent-Teacher Interviews have been underway across the Junior School, with Middle and Senior School families connecting this week and again in Week 11. These conversations are a fantastic opportunity for staff and parents to discuss student goals, celebrate achievements and ensure a strong partnership. Strengthening the bridge between school and home is vital at every year level; please remember that beyond these formal sessions, we encourage parents to reach out to staff at any time with questions or concerns.

We have also seen excellent examples of leadership in action. Middle School Specialist Captains for Global, Service and Wellbeing collaborated to prepare and deliver an insightful community lesson for Harmony Week. We are incredibly proud of all Year 9 Student Leaders and the meaningful contributions they continue to make within the community this year.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – STUDENT LIFE & WELLBEING

Mr Josh Willis

Confidence and Motivation

Academic success is inextricably linked to a student’s emotional and social wellbeing. Two qualities stand out as key drivers of student growth: confidence and motivation. Confidence helps children believe in their abilities and face challenges with a positive attitude, while motivation drives their desire to learn, explore and achieve their goals.

Fostering these qualities involves creating an environment that encourages children to take risks, learn from their mistakes and celebrate their achievements. Confidence is built when children feel capable and valued, while motivation is fuelled by the belief that their efforts will lead to growth and success. By actively supporting both, we can help young people thrive in the academic, social and personal areas of their life.

How We Can Support  

By offering positive reinforcement, setting realistic expectations and celebrating their efforts, we can model a positive mindset that helps young people develop both confidence and motivation. This nurtures students into becoming self-assured individuals who believe in their ability to succeed, setting the foundation for a fulfilling future.

There is a fantastic series of resources on Confidence and Motivation available on SchoolTV, which has practical strategies on providing opportunities for autonomy and supporting your child as they persevere through difficult tasks. 

I encourage you to take some time to explore the resources below. 

Click here for the Confidence & Motivation edition of SchoolTV

As always, we welcome your feedback on these resources. If you have specific concerns regarding your child’s wellbeing, please do not hesitate to reach out to members of the Pedare Wellbeing Team.

Celebrating Harmony Day

This Thursday, we celebrated Harmony Day, a reminder that “everyone belongs” at Pedare. Students were encouraged to wear orange or a cultural item of clothing, symbolising our commitment to an inclusive and respectful culture. It was wonderful to see Middle School Wellbeing, Global and Service captains take the lead by creating meaningful activities for their peers to complete in Home Group. By focusing on these values of inclusion and respect, we aren’t just celebrating diversity, we’re strengthening the very sense of belonging that gives students the confidence and motivation to thrive.

ASSISTANT HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL – STUDENT LIFE & WELLBEING

Mrs Lisa Lacy

We have been presented with wonderful opportunities to consider and celebrate students learning in a variety of ways.

NAPLAN tests have been completed by Year 3 and Year 5 students across key learning areas in literacy and numeracy. These provide the college and families with an additional snapshot of data about strengths and learning growth. We have been so proud of the way that students have been prepared and resilient in giving their best on these tests.

This week, we also concluded Parent Teacher Interview evenings, providing another valuable opportunity to strengthen home & school partnerships and share insights on student learning and wellbeing with families. Thank you to all who juggled diaries, siblings and family commitments to meet with us and extend your ongoing support in this way.

I also found an opportunity to observe and reflect on learning taking place in yard spaces. From game tactics on display on the Oval, to the skills being demonstrated on playground equipment and the physical benefits of play. Seeing students’ social learning through turn-taking, team-building, sharing, organisation, trial and error, creativity and design skills is a joy to remember, consider and celebrate.

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Joel Cockerill

Year 12 students recently gathered for their highly anticipated Formal, celebrating a significant milestone in their final year of schooling. It was a fantastic evening of camaraderie as students took a well-deserved break to connect with their peers. The cohort represented the College with maturity and joy, creating lasting memories. The exclusive Pedare photobooth proved incredibly popular for capturing these special moments, while the ice cream bar offered a delicious and much-appreciated treat. The highlight for many was seeing the sheer energy and enthusiasm as students showed off some highly energetic moves on the dancefloor.

Equally impressive was the recent Year 10 and 11 Drama Showcase. Stepping onto the stage requires immense bravery, and our students rose to the challenge beautifully. The evening featured a captivating array of performances, with students delivering powerful monologues and engaging scenes drawn from classic Shakespearean writing alongside other well-known theatrical pieces. The dedication to their craft was evident in every scene. I was deeply moved by the excellent courage and raw talent displayed by our young actors throughout the night.

Congratulations to all involved in making both of these events such a resounding success.