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COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Mr James Tamblyn

It was wonderful to welcome our students for the commencement of the academic year last week. Very pleasing also to welcome so many parents to our Junior and Middle School Information Evenings earlier this week. One of our central beliefs about an exceptional education is that relationships are at the core. Strong connection between students and teachers, complemented by regular communication between school and home, are imperative. If you need any support or have any questions, please ensure you reach out and allow our staff to support you as required.��

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL (TEACHING & LEARNING)

Mrs Kat Elliott

It has been such a delight to see students start the school year so positively. Our first two weeks have been a vibrant blend of excitement, growth and enthusiasm, setting the tone for a year filled with promise and potential.

This year’s theme: Empowerment is not just a word but a guiding principle for everything we aim to achieve together. It inspires confidence, provides the tools for success and enables individuals to take agency in their own learning and the choices they make. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field or in the arts, empowerment means fostering an environment where students are encouraged to take risks, ask questions and explore new ideas. It’s about creating a space where everyone—teachers, students and staff—works together to build skills, ignite passions and support each other’s growth.

The first two weeks have shown the power of our school community coming together, and with the theme of empowerment, there’s no limit to what we can achieve this year.��

This Thursday’s Celebration of Achievement Assembly saw our top achievers from the Class of 2024 recognised for their outstanding achievements. We recognised that these exceptionally high achievers did not reach their Year 12 results by giving up or giving in when faced with challenges. They were a wonderful example and inspiration to us all—demonstrating how to aspire, persevere and make the most of the support within our community.

We celebrated the outstanding character that enables these students to achieve so much. After all, the ATAR is just a number—it may open doors to a particular course, but more importantly, it represents something far bigger, something much more important. It represents that these students have sustained their efforts, overcome adversity, and pushed themselves to be their best.����

We thanked all the teachers along the way who supported our graduates, from Reception through to Year 12, as well as the friends and family who are part of Pedare. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate such outstanding young people. We are blessed indeed to be part of this wonderful community.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Mrs Mandy Hore

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and holiday break, sharing special moments with family and friends.

As we ease back into routine, it is timely to revisit the importance of school attendance, including arriving at school on time.

Regular school attendance is crucial not just for academic success but also for students’ emotional and mental well-being. A well-organised and punctual start to the day sets a positive tone, fostering focus, connection and responsibility.

Maximising time at school also…

The Community Breakfast is a great opportunity to connect, strengthen our community spirit and for families to meet the Community Coordinators. This morning, we enjoyed the Brooklyn Community Breakfast, and over the coming weeks, the remaining Communities will have their turn. I look forward to sharing these moments with you.

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Ms Lisa Daws

The start of the year has been filled with excitement and a strong sense of connection as students settle into their classes, reconnecting with friends and embracing new opportunities with enthusiasm.

We are excited to welcome many new faces to the Pedare family this year. Our community has grown with 30 new Reception students joining our 21 Mid-Year Receptions, along with 24 Year 5 students and 10 new students across Years 1 to 4.��

We also extend a warm welcome to our new staff: Lisa Lacy (Assistant Head of Junior School), Wayne Martin (Diverse Learning Coordinator), Emma Nicholson (Year 2), Fallon Sandercock and Alannah James (Diverse Learning Assistants), as well as returning staff Jasmine Orlowski (Year 2) and Alice Dunstone (Year 1).

A big thank you to all students and staff who have helped make our newcomers feel at home; we are grateful to have you as part of our Pedare community!

This year, we are focusing on empowering our students to be confident, curious and engaged learners. From our youngest Receptions taking their first steps on their school journey to our Year 5 students stepping into leadership roles, it has been fantastic to see everyone embracing challenges and supporting one another. Each individual is encouraged to be a superhero of kindness, as “Every act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to ripple through and create a wave of positive impact.”

Junior School Parent Information Night was held this week, providing families with valuable insights into the year ahead. It was fantastic to see so many parents engaging with teachers, asking questions and building connections within our College community. We appreciate your partnership in supporting our students’ learning and growth.

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mrs Eliza Buckoke

The Middle School is off to a great start, and we are so pleased with the way students have returned and engaged in learning opportunities and other activities so well.

This week, we held our Year 6 & 7 Parent Information Evening, providing a great opportunity for families to meet the Core teachers. It was a pleasure to connect with so many parents, and we encourage you to reach out for support at any time. The Core teacher—or in Years 8 & 9, the Home Group teacher—is often the best first point of contact.

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Josh Willis

The new school year is well underway, and we extend a special welcome to our new students and families joining our community for the first time. We look forward to getting to know you and supporting you on your journey with us.

For our Year 12 students, this year marks a significant milestone, the final chapter of your Pedare journey. It is a year filled with challenges and opportunities. As the leaders of our student body, Year 12s set the tone for the rest of the school. We encourage them to approach this year with determination, balance and a strong sense of purpose.

At the end of last year, our current Year 12s attended the Year 12 Thanksgiving service for the Class of 2024 for the first time. It was fantastic to have them there, acknowledging the efforts and achievements of those who had walked the path before them. Many from the Class of 2025 shared how inspired they were by the graduates who received special awards, expressing their own aspirations to be among those recognised at the end of last year. We look forward to walking alongside them, supporting them every step of the way and have every confidence in their ability to achieve great things.

I look forward to 2025 being a year of learning, connection and success, and wishing you all a fantastic start to the school year!

2025: The Year of the Snake

As the lunar calendar turns, Pedare welcomes the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, intuition and transformation in Chinese culture. It inspires careful thought and strategic action, encouraging growth and self-discovery. This year promises opportunity, change and meaningful progress in 2025.

At Pedare, we commemorate the Year of the Snake with engaging activities. In Junior School, students explored Chinese mysteries and legends to understand Lunar New Year traditions and Chinese zodiacs. They engaged in various crafts to express their hopes for a fantastic year.

Middle School students embraced Lunar New Year traditions by crafting decorations like spring couplets, lucky signs and paper cuttings. In Senior School, students embraced the tradition of making a new year calendar. They wrote a lucky sign on the 2025 calendar and decorated it as a creative reflection of their aspirations.

As we embrace the Year of the Snake, we wish you and your families wisdom, growth and new opportunities. May 2025 bring prosperity, harmony and meaningful connections in all aspects of life.

Mrs Grace Liu
Learning Area Coordinator – LOTE

December 2024-January 2025 Vacation Care Fun

Despite a shorter December-January Vacation Care period, we still had an exciting, action-packed holiday program. Students and educators explored new places across Adelaide, creating some core “first” memories for many students.��

A standout experience was the Adelaide Oval tour, where students went behind the scenes at the very place their football heroes play. Walking onto the oval to the sound of cheering left many speechless.

Out tree climb at Kypo Forest took adventuring and swinging to new heights. Many students challenged themselves, faced their fears and developed new skills—all while connecting with nature on a thrilling day out.

We were also lucky to have the Junior Tradies team visit, giving students a hands-on taste of the construction industry. They built playhouses with bricks, drove mini construction vehicles and tried their hand at traffic control. As some students said, it was one of the best Vacation Care programs yet!

We’re excited to share our April Vacation Care plans—stay tuned for the release in Week 7!

Ms Katy Allen
OSHC Director

NEWS, UPDATES AND RESULTS

The Pedare Extra-curricular Team are excited to bring you a new portal, containing information and links all in one location to our Sports and Clubs program.

The Portal is updated regularly to bring you the latest news, announcements, updates, results and more of Pedare Extra-curricular activities and events.

Please click here to visit the College Calendar for a full list of College events