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The Vine Issue 8 – 2026
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
Mr James Tamblyn
On Thursday, 4 June, we officially opened the Catford Building. It’s been wonderful to welcome the community into Catford this year, having achieved practical completion late in 2025. Catford is our new ‘home at school’ for Senior School students. Named in honour of our founding Principal, Geoff Catford, and his family, Catford now stands as a centrepiece of our campus.
The official opening was an opportunity to express our gratitude to those involved with the project, and commit to the ongoing stewardship of our learning community. Business Manager, Amanda Simpson and Property and Grounds Manager, Peter Slawinski were recognised for their tireless leadership and internal oversight of the project. Both contributed countless hours and were integral to the coordination of the project. We acknowledged staff and community members who contributed to the design consultation process, and we thank our Board who had the foresight to endorse the Catford project, so soon after the One College project which consolidated our school onto one site in 2019.
Architects Swanbury Penglase, led for the bulk of the project by Simon Best, have designed a tertiary-style hub which has already seen a material impact on engagement and learning. The lantern at the heart of the building is the architectural highlight; a constant reminder of our mission to see our students’ lights shine. Fibre optic cabling has our Catford Lantern shining permanently as a ‘light on the hill’.
The professionalism displayed by our builders Marshall and Brougham throughout the construction phase was exemplary. We commend in particular Damon Kiely for his project management and Christian Thiry for his meticulous site management. Navigating a project of this scale within an active school environment is no small feat; the Marshall and Brougham team managed the safety and logistical challenges with a level of care that ensured daily operations continued without disruption.
My thanks to all involved in making Catford a reality, and those who ensured this week’s official opening was such a wonderful celebration. Students can be proud of the way they have embraced and are caring for the space; we look forward to Catford being a place of belonging, connection, learning, striving and opportunity for generations of students to come.
Catford Official Opening – Thursday, 4 June
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – TEACHING & LEARNING
Mrs Eliza Buckoke
It is incredibly rewarding to watch students step outside their comfort zone to test their skills and collaborate under pressure. Fostering the resilience to embrace complex challenges and take intellectual risks is central to our learning culture at Pedare.
Recently, seven mathematics teams competed against 50 teams from eight schools at the Inter-School SA Curriculum Maths Quiz Night. Demonstrating exceptional teamwork and sharp critical thinking. Students won the overall competition across all three divisions (Years 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12), alongside multiple category excellence awards.
Simultaneously, Year 5-9 teams represented the College beautifully at the rigorous da Vinci Decathlon hosted by St Peter’s Girls’ School. Competing across ten distinct disciplines, Junior and Middle School teams secured fantastic top-three placements in Code Breaking, Science, Mathematics and Ideation.
Behind the scenes, academic programs and feedback mechanisms continuously evolve to support student growth. As we approach the end of the term, there will be a few updates to Semester 1 reporting formats.
To provide greater clarity for Junior School families, our reporting language is shifting away from IB terminology to align more closely with ACARA frameworks and bespoke Pedare language. To ensure consistency across secondary cohorts, the Middle School report format will now align with the Senior School, with final grades of A+ to E- awarded for every subject.
Looking ahead, the Semester 1 Academic Awards will be presented early next term under revised criteria, celebrating the dedication and academic drive of our young people. Year 10 & 11 students are turning their focus toward their upcoming exams, and the subject selection process for next year will also commence soon. These milestones are a wonderful opportunity for young people to take accountability for their progress, and we remind them that success is simply about putting our best effort in every day. We wish them all the best as they begin preparing for these next steps.
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – STUDENT LIFE & WELLBEING
Mr Josh Willis
Success in the classroom comes with how students care for ourselves outside of it. To support this, students will be participating in a regular Wellbeing Review during their upcoming wellbeing lessons using The Healthy Minds Wellbeing Wheel.
The Wellbeing Wheel provides a practical framework for the self-management of personal wellbeing. By becoming effective self-managers of their own daily habits, young people create a strong foundation for good mental health. After all, wellbeing isn’t something that just happens to us; it is something we can actively monitor, adjust and improve through daily choices.
Once a term, students will use an interactive booklet and engage in guided classroom discussions to check in with themselves across six key areas of life. This is not a test with right or wrong answers, nor is it a competition or comparison against peers. Instead, the wheel acts as a personal map, helping each individual student track their own unique habits and recognise a need to adjust, seek support or implement practical strategies to stay balanced.
The 6 Domains
The Healthy Minds Wellbeing Wheel distills six evidence-based domains for students to reflect on:
- Primary Relationships: Evaluating personal connections with the people they live with or are closest to emotionally, ensuring they build encouraging, supportive networks.
- Biological Needs & Bodily Health: Managing physical fundamentals of daily life, including sleep, diet, hydration and monitoring sugar or caffeine intake to support stable energy and mood.
- Exercise & Movement: Taking charge of regular physical activity as a deliberate and profound tool for mood management, stress relief and long-term health.
- Fun, Interests & Social Life: Balancing responsibilities with conscious downtime, hobbies and social connections that allow the brain to recuperate and buffer stress.
- Psychological Skills: Developing internal tools for emotional self-regulation, helpful thinking, self-compassion and building the resilience to tolerate discomfort.
Values, Meaning & Purpose: Connecting daily actions to identity, exploring what personally motivates them and discovering what drives them each day.
During these lessons, students will score themselves from 1 to 10 in each category based on how they feel they are doing right now. The goal isn’t to achieve a perfect score, but to look at the big picture and take action. For stronger areas, they will identify the good habits they need to maintain; for less-developed areas, they will brainstorm small, realistic steps to lift that number.
By returning to this Wellbeing Review consistently each term, students will build the lifelong self-awareness needed to sustainably manage their personal wellbeing. We encourage you to ask your child about their Wellbeing Wheel check-in and chat about the small, positive habits they are choosing to focus on this term!
ACTING HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
Mrs Lisa Lacy
Student achievements have been a highlight in the Junior School recently. Today we celebrated a myriad of achievements at Assembly, learning about the happenings in Physical Education, the creativity in Performing Arts and the wonderful cultural learning opportunities in Chinese Language.
Junior School Specialist Assembly – Friday, 5 June
We have also seen students represent the College at the da Vinci Decathlon, the IPSHA Poetry Recital Competition and in Cross Country running at State level. We have been so incredibly proud of these students for their preparation, participation and confidence in giving their very best and representing us in these forums.
Evan P (Year 4)
Amelia W (Year 5)
Achievements of another kind have been evident in our Mid-Year Reception classroom too, as our newest learners have proudly arrived, excited to join Pedare. Led by amazing teachers, Mrs Orlando and newly-welcomed Mrs Henderson, students are already demonstrating curiosity, confidence and independence navigating their new classroom, playspace and friendships. We can’t wait to see all that they will achieve in their schooling journey in the coming years.
ACTING HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ms Simara Conroy
At the Combined Anglican Schools Service, Year 9 Student Leaders represented the College with confidence and maturity. They participated in faith-based workshops, which provided a valuable opportunity for leaders to connect with peers from other schools and to learn how others worship.
Well done to Year 9 Leaders who volunteered to contribute during the Service through the reading of The Lord’s Prayer and the Sending Forth Prayer. Service Captains also helped with the blessing of the College Chaplains on behalf of all of the students of Pedare. This event was a wonderful opportunity for Year 9s to show their commitment to this year’s theme, ‘Called to Contribute’.
The Middle School Combined Gathering brought all communities together in the Chapel for a spirited quiz titled “How Much Do You Know About Pedare?”. The students were all actively involved and enthusiastic, competing fiercely to earn community points. Congratulations to Hillcott for demonstrating the most knowledge and emerging as the winners for the Middle School. I extend my sincere thanks to the Community Coordinators who planned and hosted this event.
HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Mr Joel Cockerill
On Tuesday, 2 June, Year 11 and 12 students explored the One+ Careers Expo, a fantastic initiative that brought a diverse range of recruiters, universities, trade organisations and external learning institutions directly to students. It was wonderful to see students engaging so maturely by asking questions, exploring diverse industry pathways and mapping out the practical steps required to achieve their post-school goals.
One+ Careers Expo – Tuesday, 2 June
Complementing this experience, Year 10 students recently participated in Career Speed Dating Interviews, where they had the invaluable opportunity to hear from several Old scholars. Representing various professional fields, these alumni provided authentic, real-world insights into their industries, helping students clarify their own future. We are incredibly grateful to Old scholars for giving back to the school community in this meaningful way.
Year 10 Career Speed Dating Interviews – Wednesday, 3 June
As the term progresses, our focus naturally shifts toward consolidating the semester’s learning. This is a critical time of preparation, and we wish Year 10 and Year 11 students all the very best as they finalise their current assessments and prepare for their upcoming mid-year exams.
I encourage all students to maintain strong study habits, establish a consistent revision routine and balance their hard work with healthy wellbeing practices over the coming weeks.
FRUITFUL REFLECTION
Combined Anglican Schools Worship Service
On Tuesday, 26 May, Pedare Middle School Captains joined with hundreds of students from Adelaide Anglican schools in a day of connection, learning and worship at St Peter’s Cathedral. Students reflected on different aspects of this year’s theme, “Love God, Love Neighbour”. This included a panel discussion with new Archbishop, Bradly Billings, card making for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, worship through dance, learning about Anglicare, Creation Care and Service Through Leadership. The day concluded with students leading each other in song, prayer and reflection. It was wonderful to see Pedare Captains represent the school with great energy and thoughtfulness, coming back inspired to consider new ways in which we might connect with our Anglican Identity throughout this year.
Mrs Alaina Frost
Combined Anglican Schools Worship Service – Tuesday, 26 May
COLLEGE NEWS/NOTICES
2027 Senior Academic Scholarships
Registrations are now open for the Senior Scholarship Test for students entering Years 10, 11 or 12 in 2027. This is open to both new and current students.
Applicants are required to register online to sit the Senior Scholarship Test, where they are required to demonstrate a range of skills such as the ability to interpret, infer, deduce and think critically. The tests are not curriculum-based and do not test the ability to retrieve learned knowledge, nor are they diagnostic.
The closing date for registrations is Monday, 15 June 2026.
For more details and to register, head to the College website: https://www.pedarecc.au/enrolments/scholarships/
2027 Music Scholarships
Applications are now open for 2027 Music Scholarships.
The Pedare Music Scholarship Program recognises individual musical talent, demonstrating the commitment of the College to the Music curriculum and the Musical life of the College.
These scholarships, open to instrumentalists and vocalists, will be awarded to students who display outstanding musical ability and a sound academic record. The College has a strong music culture with Concert Bands, a Stage Band, Choirs and a Jazz vocal ensemble, String Ensembles, a string quartet, percussion and guitar ensembles. The Senior and Junior Musicals are performed biennially. Applicants may have a contemporary, jazz or classical background in Music.
For more information and an application form, please contact the College Registrar, Julie Holland at: [email protected]
Simon Tolley Wine Partnership
Following our announcement at the 40 Year Gala Celebration, we are delighted to officially launch our partnership with Simon Tolley Wines.
To honour our shared history, we have created a limited-edition 40 Year Wine collaboration, offering premium-quality wines to our community at very reasonable prices.
Please use the link below to secure your order: pedarecc.sa.edu.au/40YearWine
2027 China Tour
We are thrilled to announce that planning is officially underway for the 2027 China Tour. This immersive cultural tour offers students a unique opportunity to travel, experience the rich traditions, history and lifestyle of China firsthand.
Students will navigate and experience real-world international settings, from world-renowned local cuisine to exploring iconic landmarks. These include the legendary Great Wall, the ancient architectural wonders of the Forbidden City and China’s futuristic and high-tech cities, providing them with a global perspective on one of the world’s most influential cultures.
Opportunities like this have a lasting, positive impact on a student’s personal growth, confidence and worldview. We warmly encourage you to consider this incredible adventure for your child, as the memories and friendships they make will stay with them for a lifetime. Should you have any questions, please contact Ms Guo for more information: [email protected]
A New Online Home for Pedare
We are excited to announce that a brand new Pedare website will be launching soon! As part of our commitment to continually improving how we connect with our community, we have been working to create a more modern, mobile-friendly experience for our current and prospective families.
Along with streamlined navigation, the new site is designed to be more than just an information hub; it captures the true spirit of Pedare. It showcases the breadth of opportunities our College offers, the vibrancy of student life and the strong community that brings us all together. Keep an eye out for the Official Launch in the coming weeks!
Pedare Robotics Shirts Now Available to Order
After several seasons of offering the Pedare Robotics tops exclusively to teams qualifying for the National Championships, we are excited to announce that the official Pedare Robotics shirt is now available for pre-order to all students (and parents) participating in the VEX Robotics program!
This is a fantastic milestone as our program continues to grow.
To ensure all families have time to order, the deadline has been extended and will now close on Thursday 11 June at 4:00pm.
Term 2 Casual Clothes Day
Students from Reception to Year 12 will be dressing in a touch of green for Term 2 Casual Clothes Day on Friday, 12 June. The focus for this day is in support of the Australian Conservation Foundation. They run major campaigns in areas such as climate action, nature protection, food accountability and protecting native wildlife and habitats. In a world where sustainability is so important, we hope our donations can help in their efforts to protect our environment through positive actions and raising community awareness.
It is customary on Casual Days for students to make a $2.00 gold coin donation; however, all donations are welcome and can be made through the Qkr App College Events → Casual Clothes Day.
LEARNING HIGHLIGHT
da Vinci Decathlon
Three teams of Year 5-9 students headed to St Peter’s Girls’ College to compete in the prestigious da Vinci Decathlon. Facing off against 25 other schools, students put their minds to the test across 10 intense academic disciplines, including Code Breaking, Engineering and Creative Producers.
The Pedare teams showcased exceptional teamwork, walking away with outstanding results:
- Year 5/6 Team: 1st in Code Breaking, 2nd in Science, and 3rd in Mathematics
- Year 7 Team: 3rd in Ideation
- Year 9 Team: 2nd in Ideation
Congratulations to all students on these amazing academic achievements!
Mrs Renee Simanis
da Vinci Decathlon – Tuesday-Thursday, 26-28 May
Inter-School SA Curriculum Mathematics Quiz Night
Pedare teams competed in the Inter-School SA Curriculum Maths Quiz Night at Golden Grove High School, achieving a “clean sweep,” winning the overall competition across all three divisions (Years 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12).
Students competed against 50 teams from eight different schools, demonstrating exceptional mathematical skill and teamwork. Please join me in congratulating the following students on their remarkable achievements:
First Place Winners:
Division 1 (Year 7/8): Year 8: Ella M , Hannah Y, Yicheng L and Hartaj B.
Division 2 (Year 9/10): Year 10: Allegra B, Jacinta F, Janu M and Natalie P.
Division 3 (Year 11/12): Year 11: Sahitya C, Ryan F and Luke M.
Category Excellence (1st Place Knowledge Category):
Year 7 Team: Finn F, Evan L, Jamie T, and Sarah Y.
Year 12 Team: Fiona C, Anne V, Riley L and Thomas P.
Commendable Performances
We also recognise the Year 9 team (Melinda W, Angus S, Alex J and Bassil A) and the second Year 11 team (Joshua D, Alex M and Krish T), whose strong performances contributed significantly to our school’s overall success.
A sincere thank you to staff for their time and dedication in supporting students throughout the evening. Their mentorship is greatly appreciated. Congratulations to all students involved for their incredible results.
Mrs Jan George
Inter-School SA Curriculum Mathematics Quiz Night – Thursday, 28 May
Year 12 Kayaking Expedition
Year 12 Outdoor Education students recently completed a three-day kayaking expedition on the River Murray near Renmark. With a stunning morning fog, abundant birdlife and star-filled nights, students experienced the very best of the Murray.
Highlights included fishing from the riverbanks, visiting the historic WWII Japanese internment camp at Woolenook Bend and completing an impressive 17km paddle in a single day. Students showed great resilience, and determination throughout the journey.
Mrs Bronwyn Dutch
Year 12 Kayaking Expedition – Wednesday-Friday, 27-29 May
Year 11 Outdoor Education Bushwalk
Year 11 Outdoor Education three-day bushwalk had students taking full responsibility for essential planning components, including risk assessments, route mapping and meal planning. This expedition marked the students’ first experience transporting all necessary food and equipment required to self-sustain for the duration of the trip. Throughout the journey, they were challenged to navigate demanding terrain, make critical decisions regarding group safety and manage camp craft. The class demonstrated an outstanding willingness to engage with these challenges, with every student exhibiting significant personal and collaborative growth.
Mr Hayden Bruse
Year 11 Outdoor Education Bushwalk – Wednesday-Friday, 20-22 May
Year 11 Society and Culture Excursion
Year 11 Society and Culture students recently visited the Adelaide Holocaust Museum and Andrew Steiner Education Centre as part of their unit, Upstanders and Bystanders: The Changing Nature of Resistance Movements in Society.
Led by Holocaust Educator Dana Urban-Alazraki, students participated in an engaging and thought-provoking workshop exploring the history of the Holocaust and the importance of “upstanders” in society. Students learned about figures such as Aboriginal leader William Cooper, who protested against Kristallnacht in 1938, Jewish Partisan resistance groups and other key upstanders across Europe.
The excursion provided a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice, supporting students in their upcoming assessment task.
Mrs Lauren Griffiths
Year 11 Society and Culture Excursion – Monday, 11 May
Year 10 Media Excursion
On Tuesday, 26 May, Year 10 Media students were greeted at the PBA FM studio by Station Manager Bronwen and volunteers David and Nick to experience how a Community Radio station operates. They showed PBA FM’s role in providing a voice for the marginalised groups of people in the region. The class also recorded stingers (promotional audio) for their audio plays and were interviewed live on air for the show ‘Northern Voices’.
The experience was valuable for students looking for a career in media to make connections with the industry and to see how their skills can be applied and developed.
For more opportunities like these, students should consider Media Studies in Year 11, with the first Stage 1 class proposed for 2027. Additionally, the station volunteers would love for Pedare families to tune in on 89.7FM or to contribute to the station in support of local initiatives.
Mr Rhys Clark
Year 10 Media Excursion – Tuesday, 26 May
Year 9 Specialist Physical Education Golf Excursion
Year 9 Specialist Physical Education classes hit the greens at Little Para Golf Course to put their skills to the test. The day began at the driving range, where students used advanced Trackman technology to analyse their swings, tracking their distances, ball speed, launch angle and shot direction.
Next, they put that data into practice on the 9-hole Par 3 course. While there were plenty of bogeys left out on the grass, many students dug deep to snag some impressive pars and birdies. The biggest buzz of the day came from Aadish D, who confidently claims he hit a hole-in-one. While eyewitness accounts remain suspiciously divided, we are happy to let the legend live on! Well done to all the students for a great day of sportsmanship and fun.
Mr Jeremy De Kok
Specialist Physical Education Golf Excursion – Monday, 25 May
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.
Leos Club Beanie Donation
James T (Year 7) donated 270 hand-made beanies as part of a Leos Club project to support those sleeping rough this winter. James reached out to family, friends and fellow members of his Church community to produce this incredible result. All beanies will be donated by the Pedare Leos Club to Hutt Street Centre. Ten of these beanies were even made by a former Pedare staff member, Mrs Denton Brown. Thank you to James and all those who supported him as this will make a real positive impact to those who need it. Thank you also to the Golden Grove Lions Club for continuing to support Leos Club here at Pedare.
Mrs Morgan Rigby
Probationary Black Belt Kenpo Kungfu
Elijah C (Year 12) achieved his Probationary Black Belt in Kenpo Kungfu through Crocodile Martial Arts Australia (CMAA). This was a non-stop 90 minute grading covering self-defence techniques, staff usage and free form sparing. This is the first rank of black belts within the Kenpo Kungfu Adult program of CMAA and was achieved after three years of hard training. Elijah also achieved the teaching rank of Sempai earlier in this year within his leadership role for CMAA.
Mr Nicholas Wing
Lions & Leos National Convention
Students from Pedare Leos Club joined Lions and Leos from all over Australia to attend the National Convention at the Adelaide Showgrounds. This was a fulfilling weekend of service, new connections, skill development and a reminder of the power of community.
Pedare Leos Club were a key contributor to the Convention, organising thousands of essential toiletry items to create a ‘production line’ at the Convention where 500 toiletry bags were packed ready to be donated to the Hutt Street Centre. Furthermore, Leos organised for Convention attendees to make dog toys that will be donated to the Lions Assistance Dogs.
Students attended skill development sessions and interacted with Leos from all over the country. We thank all the students who contributed to the success of the National Convention and making a difference in the local community!
Mrs Morgan Rigby
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
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