Tenison Woods Catholic School

20.03.25

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Building Update #1 – As you would have read in our first Building Update that was sent to all families last week, the building project has begun!

It has been wonderful to see Pascale Builders on site and setting up the construction zone for the first stage of the project – the development of the new Junior Primary building.

Over the next 6 months, Pascale Builders will be focusing their energies on completing the Junior Primary building, before commencing on the new Administration / Front Office building.

Please keep an eye out for further updates – many of these will provide you with information important to you and your child. Our school website will also have updates regularly added to it. https://www.twcs.catholic.edu.au/about/twcs-re-development-project

Carparking

During the construction period, there will be times when carparking and traffic around the school will be challenging during the peak drop off and pick up times. I ask you to PLEASE be mindful of:

- staying updated with the current notifications
- aware of neighbours and not parking across driveways
- blocking the entrance/exit to the carpark – if the line-up is not moving, please loop around the school
- walking through the carpark. With the footpath closed along the playground edge, Pascale have created a temporary walkway for families to use.

Our Carpark is a SHARED space, please make sure you do not park in the Parish Priest or mass attendee’s carpark. Even if it is going to be a ‘quick drop off’, these are reserved.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Building Update #1 – As you would have read in our first Building Update that was sent to all families last week, the building project has begun!

It has been wonderful to see Pascale Builders on site and setting up the construction zone for the first stage of the project – the development of the new Junior Primary building.

Over the next 6 months, Pascale Builders will be focusing their energies on completing the Junior Primary building, before commencing on the new Administration / Front Office building.

Carparking

Our Carpark is a SHARED space, please make sure you do not park in the Parish Priest or mass attendee’s carpark. Even if it is going to be a ‘quick drop off’, these are reserved.

General

As we approach the end of the term, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the events that have taken place in our school community as we look forward to the celebration of Holy Week and Easter.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the success of our community events. The Carnevale was a vibrant celebration of our diverse community, filled with joy and laughter. The whole school dancing was an absolute highlight. I congratulate Signora Larritt for her wonderful efforts in bringing this rich cultural celebration to life for our children.

Shrove Tuesday was also celebrate, with close to 400 pancakes cooked and served – I hear MR CAT’S were the best! A very special thank you to the P&F for donating the toppings and mix for our Pancakes, along with some special helpers who brought it all together. Lucy, Genevieve, Alana, Kirsty and Hamish all volunteered their time to help this celebration, THANK YOU.

The Ash Wednesday mass was a wonderful celebration with the parish as a meaningful start to the Lenten season, reminding us of the importance of repentance.

Our Getting to Know You Conversations have been reported as a wonderful opportunity for parents and teachers to connect and discuss the progress of our students. Thank you for your participation in these conversations.

The Welcome BBQ was another successful event organised by the P&F committee, that brought our school community together in a spirit of friendship and connection. OMG Donuts were an absolute hit, thank you to the volunteers who jumped on the BBQ at the last minute to make sure the snags were cooked and ready to serve.

The AGM was yet another example of the commitment of our families in being an active part in our school community. Thank you to our 2025 School Board Members:

Father Long Hai
Ben Catalano
Claire Little
Kelly Sergi
Dave Wylie
Gemma Smyth
Chris Trewin
Regan Marshall
Kirsty Miller
Reena Parmar
David Marshall (P&F Rep)
Jane O'Donoghue (P&F Rep)

In the past fortnight we have had NAPLAN for all Year 3 and 5 children. The NAPLAN assessments that our students undertook was approached with resilience and determination, and we are proud of their efforts. Each child completed assessments in Writing, Reading Comprehension, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. The results will provide valuable insights into our students’ learning progress and help us improve our teaching strategies.

As we move towards Holy Week, we are reminded of the journey that Jesus took for us. The week begins with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This is followed by the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, the Crucifixion on Good Friday, and finally the joyous celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Easter is a time of renewal and rebirth, a time to reflect on our own lives and how we can bring the message of Jesus into our daily actions.

In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to all parents, teachers, and students for their continued support and commitment to our school community.

God Bless,

Ben

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Message from Assistant Principal: Teaching and Learning

It has been a very busy start to the year and it’s hard to believe that the term is almost over. So many exciting events have happened this term and many more to come, R-2 Swimming Week, Year 3 Aquatics program and year 5/6 Camp.

R-2 Swimming Week and Year 3 Aquatics

During Week 9, our Reception to Year 2 students are participating in a swimming program at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Oaklands Park. This event is a key highlight of the term for our R-2 students.

Throughout the program, students learned about safe practices, focusing on safety procedures and symbols commonly found in swimming pools. They also explored swimming techniques and the enjoyment of physical activity. Our students showcased determination, perseverance, enthusiasm for learning, and bravery throughout the experience.

In Week 10, on Monday, our Year 3 students will take part in an Aquatics Program with Surf Life Saving SA at Glenelg Beach. This program will provide students with a deeper understanding of beach water safety while offering them the opportunity to enjoy fun activities in the sand.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the many volunteers who generously contributed their time and support throughout the week.

Maths Mastery Program

I am pleased to announce the launch of our Maths Intervention Program, Maths Mastery, this year. At TWCS, we are committed to proactively supporting all learners to ensure they thrive and reach their full potential. This evidence-based program aims to enhance children’s number knowledge and skills through a hands-on, multi-sensory approach. It focuses on essential mathematical concepts such as place value, addition, subtraction, time, multiplication, division, and fractions, with each session incorporating engaging, interactive learning strategies. I thank Amy Morony for her work in setting up the program and facilitating this program to our learners.

High Impact Teaching Strategies for teaching and learning

On Wednesday, March 5th, David Molloy, Ben, and I attended a professional learning session on high-impact teaching and learning strategies. The session provided a valuable introduction to the system’s direction, which is focused on High Impact Teaching and Learning, facilitated by TeachWell. This initiative aims to support students in developing skills across all learning areas. David and I look forward to furthering our learning in this area throughout 2025 and leading the staff in implementing these strategies over the course of the year.

NAPLAN Assessments

Last week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students participated in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). These assessments offer a snapshot of learning in specific areas, but it’s important to remember that each child has unique strengths.

We are proud of our Year 3 and 5 students for their focus, determination, and resilience throughout the NAPLAN process. A special thank you to our dedicated teachers, Rhys, Gina, Ethan, and Sophie—for their hard work in preparing our students and ensuring the smooth coordination of the testing process. Their efforts play a key role in student success.

Kind regards,

Claire Little

20.03.25

Religious Identity and Mission

Lent

We have now in the season of Lent, a six-week journey leading up to Easter. This is a significant time for Christians around the world, marked by prayer, fasting, and acts of generosity.

Lent calls us to prepare our hearts and minds, just as we would for important moments in our lives, such as a wedding or birthday. It is a sacred time to reflect on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, drawing closer to God through prayer, sacrifice, and service to others.

During this season, students are encouraged to show kindness, make sacrifices, and support those in need. May this Lenten journey bring renewal and growth to our school community as we strive to follow Jesus’ example of love and compassion.

Project Compassion

Earlier this year, Caritas Australia announced the launch of Project Compassion 2025, its Lenten fundraising and awareness appeal. Annually, over 1,700 schools and 1,200 parishes across Australia take part in this fundraising event.

This year’s Project Compassion has a theme of “Unite Against Poverty”. This theme resonates deeply with the teachings of Jesus, who showed great care for the poor and marginalised. Jesus did more for people every time he saw a need, often surprising those around him by some of the amazing things that he did; healing the sick and being a friend to people he knew were excluded or lonely. Jesus helped people every day. This Lent we are encouraged to try to be MORE, by being more kind, being more friendly and being more careful of looking after our world.

In Matthew 25, Jesus said,

“For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”

On Ash Wednesday the eldest child in each family was given a Project Compassion box to take home. During Lent we are encouraged to put loose change into the Project Compassion boxes to help raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world.

Online donations towards our school’s Project Compassion fundraising campaign can also be made at https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/o/tenison-woods-catholic-primary-school or by scanning the QR code

Lent

We have now in the season of Lent, a six-week journey leading up to Easter. This is a significant time for Christians around the world, marked by prayer, fasting, and acts of generosity.

Project Compassion

This year’s Project Compassion has a theme of “Unite Against Poverty”. This theme resonates deeply with the teachings of Jesus, who showed great care for the poor and marginalised. Jesus did more for people every time he saw a need, often surprising those around him by some of the amazing things that he did; healing the sick and being a friend to people he knew were excluded or lonely. Jesus helped people every day. This Lent we are encouraged to try to be MORE, by being more kind, being more friendly and being more careful of looking after our world.

In Matthew 25, Jesus said,

Holy Week events

This year, Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week, falls on the 13th April, which is the first Sunday of the school holidays. Holy Week is the most sacred time of the year for Christians, marking the final week of Jesus’ life on earth, from His entry into Jerusalem to His crucifixion and resurrection. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and community, inviting us to engage with the profound mysteries of our faith. Our school will honour Holy Week during Week 11 in a variety of ways including prayers, liturgies and our annual Caritas Carnival. More information regarding Holy Week events will be send out in the coming weeks via Audiri.

Caritas Carnival

On Monday 7th April, Week 11, we will have our annual Caritas Carnival at Tenison Woods school to highlight and celebrate the work of Caritas through Project Compassion. During this Lenten season, students are exploring the 3 Project Compassion stories of Lam, Irene and Toefuata’iga in their classrooms. They will then work together as a class to design a fun game, stall or activity which will help our school community gain a better understanding and awareness of their chosen story. Students will be given the opportunity to engage in these activities during our Caritas Carnival on the 7th April. We encourage students to return their Project Compassion boxes on the day or during Week 11. These can be sent to the front office.

Thank you to our wonderful Tenison Woods school community for your ongoing support of the important work Caritas do, through Project Compassion, to support those in need.