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The Courier Term 3 2016 Flipbook PDF
The Courier gives a snapshot of Woodcroft College life.
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Courier Woodcroft College
Term 3 2016
A Reception to Year 12 Independent School providing students with an excellent, all-round education in a Christian environment.
Woodcroft College is a Reception to Year 12 independent school providing students with an excellent, all-round education in a Christian environment.
Bishop-in-Residence Week by Fr Andrew Forder, Chaplain
The first week of this new term had the Bishop of The Murray, the Right Reverend John Ford, spend quality time with the students and staff of the College. He presided at the commencement Eucharist on Monday 18 July where he preached on the theme of truth. Later that afternoon, Bishop John met with the Religious and Values Education (RAVE) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Theory of Knowledge (TOK) teachers to devise a timetable for the rest of the week where he would visit a range of classes across the Middle and Senior Schools. My Year 8LM students met him on Tuesday, where along with his “cool” English accent, they were impressed with Bishop John’s insights on the story of Joseph and the nature of God’s love for us. Bishop John presided at Mass on Wednesday 7:30 am before spending the middle of the day with Senior School RAVE classes, and the afternoon in the Junior School where he worked with Craig Bennett and Year 4 students on Leadership. The following day, he visited the Junior School Assembly. After spending more time in Middle School classes, Bishop John was joined by a colleague, Bishop Lindsay Urwin (from Melbourne). Together they discussed Faith and Knowledge issues with the Year 11 TOK classes with Catherine Lockhart and Jamie Frost. Mrs Lockhart writes, “From previous lessons the students had designed some philosophical, ethical and religious questions to pose to the Bishops. The Bishops were very impressed with the level of deep thinking
evident in the students’ questions and enjoyed the intellectual challenge of tackling these questions and posing new ones for the students. The discussion covered topics such as the notion of free will, ethics and the nature of goodness to what makes a religion as opposed to a belief. I have no doubt that everyone left the lesson with more questions than answers but that is exactly what you want from a TOK lesson”. Bishop John departed the College on Friday afternoon after spending two more lessons in class. In the Year 10 lesson, students were starting a unit on the Protestant Reformation and Bishop John noted the main features and theological reasons behind the C16 Reformation in continental Europe (Germany and Switzerland) and how the political situation in England was different under King Henry VIII. The students had the opportunity to ask the Bishop about his work and his reasons for moving to South Australia from England. It is certain that only after five days, the presence of Bishop John cemented the already strong relationship that exists between the College and the Anglican Church. For our staff and students, his presence puts a personal face to his important work as chief pastor of our diocese. I would like to thank Bishop John for his time and work with us and for being so open and honest. No question was too difficult to receive! I also wish to thank the RAVE, TOK and Junior School teachers for hosting Bishops John and Lindsay in their classrooms and Mark Porter for inviting them to be with us.
Legacy Day by Kia Sheidow, Head of Middle School Each year, our Middle School students and staff volunteer their time to support Legacy Day. It is important for our young people to be provided with opportunities to develop and demonstrate their understanding of what it means to be selfless and empathetic towards others. More importantly, our students witness positive role modelling through the service and involvement of our staff. Editorial Enquiries Jane Gull, Marketing Coordinator T: +61 8 8381 0404 E: [email protected] Published by Woodcroft College Inc Approved for Print Post 100005301
This year, our volunteers raised approximately $700 for Legacy who provide services to Australian Defence Force families who face hardship due to serious illness, injury or death of a loved one. We look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for our students to contribute to the wider community in the future.
Woodcroft College Bains Road (PO Box 48) Morphett Vale SA 5162 T: +61 8 8322 2333 F: +61 8 8322 6656 E: [email protected] www.woodcroft.sa.edu.au www.facebook.com/WoodcroftCollege CRICOS No: 01645K
Cover photo: The whole school celebrated the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book Week during Term 3.
Junior School Olympics Day by Kate O’Driscoll, Year 2 Teacher
Every four years the world comes together to celebrate peace, diversity and accomplishment through sport at the Olympic Games. This year, as the world celebrated the start of the 31st Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, the Junior School participated in its 3rd Woodcroft Olympics. This was designed to give the students an understanding of the foundational values of the Games and to promote global-mindedness. All classes participated in a range of fun, hands-on activities. For the Opening Ceremony, run by our Reception to Year 4 Student Representative Council (SRC), students came with flags and carnivale-style masks, ready to celebrate. It was then on to the Gymnasium where students were broken into country groups within their class to compete in a range of relay-style races. Races included hockey dribbling, equestrian hurdles and skateboard cycling to name just a few. Many of the Middle and Senior School PE Faculty followed the sounds of cheering and laughter into the Gym to see students having a fantastic time. The day ended with a Closing Ceremony run by our Reception SRC, culminating in a fantastic performance by some of our Year 3 and 4 students. Thanks to the staff and students for making the day a great success, and a special mention to the Olympics Committee who oversaw the organisation of the day.
Shakespeare 400 Festival by Kerri Proctor, Head of English
‘Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.’ Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare ‘A celebration William Shakespeare would be proud of’. If this was our objective, then Woodcroft College certainly achieved success, recognising 400 years of Shakespeare’s works and his contribution to literature. Our Festival explored many aspects of life in C17.
and Year 11 Drama performances throughout the day, helped our students understand the cultural context of Shakespeare’s plays. We also had a fencing display, natural remedies for disease and some stocks for demonstration purposes.
A thoroughly sensory experience was provided for all students with a medieval banquet, a display of photographs from Stratford upon Avon, and artwork from across the school. The scents of lavender and cloves from the Apothecary Corner, a hail of Shakespearean insults thrown across the Primary Hall, and a showcase of Year10
Of course, the day would not have been complete without the opportunity for a Shakespeare ‘selfie’ with the likes of Hamlet, Tybalt, Mercutio, Titania, Friar Laurence and William Shakespeare himself. It certainly was a fun and educational experience for all involved.
Staff Profile Kerri Proctor
This term the school decided to celebrate Shakespeare’s 400th Anniversary with a festival of its own.
and Leeds, Kerri worked in two secondary schools, serving finally as Head of English at Balshaw’s Church of England High School.
Who better, then, to profile in this Courier than one of the festival organisers, our Head of English, Kerri Proctor?
It was during her time there that she met and married her husband Steve.
Kerri and her younger brother were born in Brisbane and spent their early years on the Gold Coast.
Together they travelled around the world on their honeymoon.
For family reasons, they moved to the UK with their parents and completed their primary and secondary education there.
They visited Australia, and decided to settle here with their two children, Sadie and Daisy, scholars of Woodcroft College, in 2008. Their third daughter Scout was born in 2014.
Kerri’s always had a passion for sport, which she’s indulged, both as an observer and competitor. She attended the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982 and was inspired by the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. She even represented Great Britain internationally in athletics. Along the way, she travelled extensively in Europe, worked for Camp America, spent two summers as a lifeguard on Long Island, in the Hamptons, New York, and worked in the athletes’ village at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Given her background and interests, it’s no surprise that at one time Kerri wanted to be a sports journalist. However, influenced by inspirational teachers of her own, she decided to become a teacher. After completing her teacher training at universities in Staffordshire
Today Kerri keeps up her interest in reading and sport. She belongs to a local book club, and loves to keep fit by running. She and her family also like camping and the beach, where they like to swim and where Kerri is involved in surf lifesaving, coaching the athletics at Southport. Kerri enjoys her teaching and her role of Head of English. Together both positions have given her a rare opportunity this year to engage, not just with her classes, but also with the whole school community as we celebrate the Bard’s anniversary and his contribution to world literature.
The Arts Showcase by Renée McCarthy, Director of Music
performing Adele’s Hello, using harmonic tubes, bells and whirlies, body percussion and vocals. This year’s Captains and Leaders ran two weeks of auditions over two rounds to allocate eight lucky places in the coveted program.
Hosted by Year 12 Music students and Music Captains Maisie Broadhead, Jasper Dowdell, Ryan Olsen and Dale Temby, along with Music Leaders Cameron Maddern and James Palmer, the evening was a huge success and once again our students performed to a sell-out crowd.
While the performances were exciting, emotional and highly polished, the magic behind the curtain never ceases to amaze me. Our Year 10, 11 and 12 Music students ran the stage with valuable help from Andrew McLean, Karen Watson and Old Scholars Amy McDonald, Curtis Dowdell, Hayley Wedding and James Olsen. They worked so hard over the rehearsal days to pull the show together, and the teamwork, peer mentoring and experience from running the theatre was invaluable.
The highlights of the evening were Jasmine Siegertsz’s operatic number O Mio Babbino Caro, Camyrn Jordans’ Billie Jean, highlighting her vocal harmonies and loop pedal, and the special group
Each year we present a finale, and the pressure is on to deliver something special. This year’s finale was unlike any other. A 20 minute medley Through The Ages (or as I like to call it, ‘The forties
The Arts Showcase is the highlight of the year for Music students, and this year’s show didn’t disappoint.
to the noughties’) starting with Lucinda Edwards, Monica Horta and Camryn Jordans as The Andrews Sisters in Bugle Boy, and moving through snippets from Elvis, The Beatles, KISS, Queen, Cyndi Lauper, Bon Jovi, Britney, Gotye, Coldplay, and finishing with Macklemore’s Can’t Hold Us. The band transitioned from piece to piece like professionals and stood up for my favourite part, the YMCA. Both performances saw the audience dancing along, and the standing ovation on Friday was a touching tribute for our students. The support of our parents and extended family in the musical journey of our students is very much valued and appreciated. To our amazing Music students, I say: Thank you for attending early morning, lunchtime and after school rehearsals, for learning your parts, for letting me dress you up in costumes and painting your faces, for working as a team, and for making my job fun. I am proud of you all.
Year 1 Art Exhibition by Michelle Sutherland, Junior School Art Teacher The annual Junior School Art Exhibition took place in Week 3. Craig Bennett formally opened the Exhibition which ran over three days. The Gallery was filled with displays of work that promoted storytelling through Visual Arts. In preparation for the exhibition, students from Year 1 were immersed in art experiences that allowed them to express themselves and their ideas without inhibition. Students were also introduced to a range of artists and styles which influenced their work. The exhibition was an opportunity to appreciate and celebrate our Australian culture and heritage. Cave paintings and individual dot paintings reflected student learning and understanding of the role dreaming stories play among Aboriginal people and their communities.
Year 12 Drama
An excursion to the Art Gallery and Botanic Gardens before the Exhibition enabled students to make connections and understand the importance of celebrating, sharing and appreciating art. Of particular interest were wonderful examples by Indigenous artists, including a range of modern and traditional works. Through the art pieces viewed, students further established an understanding of the sensitive and sacred nature of Aboriginal art and symbols.
Children of the Black Skirt is a modern Australian play written in 2005. It explores the abandonment, identity, poverty and abuse of children residing in an abandoned orphanage. The spirits of these children share stories from C19 Scotland and England and C20 Australia. In this way, they find hope through the act of storytelling.
Thank you to the wonderful parents, grandparents and others who attended the Year 1 Exhibition. The students were very excited to be able to share their stories and amazing artwork to a wider audience.
Artwork by Owen
Artwork by Jack
by Laura Huisintveld, 2016 Drama Captain On Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 June, the Year 12 Drama class performed the play Children of the Black Skirt by Angela Betzien. They presented the chilling play over two evening performances to captivated parents, students and teachers.
The cast rehearsed during Term 2 and spent after school Thursdays, weekends, Drama lessons and public holidays together to recreate the world of the Black Skirt. To aid in character development the theories of Bertolt Brecht and Frantic Assembly were workshopped, developing routines to expand on each character and the underlying themes. The play was originally written for three performers, but Rachel McCall, our Director and Drama teacher, believed the script could be reworked to accommodate a larger ensemble. While the original text was retained, many of the characters’ identities were adapted to fit the actors. Genders and contexts were changed to better portray this gothic fairy tale. Focusing on physicality, all students devised routines to release each spirit, incorporating improvisation techniques to convey acceptance into each movement. The role of the Black Skirt was silent. A conscious decision made to enhance the power the character holds over the children. The themes of isolation and abuse were further explored through lighting and sound effects, and represented through the sinister character of the Black Skirt. The entire class presented an interpretative and thought-provoking play and worked together to form a strong ensemble. Through their determination and collaboration, the cast was able to exceed the expectations of many teachers, parents and students. They entertained their audience and reimagined Angela Betzien’s original play.
The PYP Exhibition by Karen McCulloch, Manager of Teaching and Learning-Junior School
The Junior School Primary Years Program (PYP) Exhibition was presented to the Woodcroft College community on Monday 5 September. The Year 5 students had spent Term 3 inquiring into the Central Idea of “People’s actions make a difference to the world” through a range of topics, including water pollution, deforestation, immunisation, drugs in sport and cyberbullying. With the help of the Year 5 teaching team and mentors from around the school, the students created presentations that both informed and entertained their audience from the school community. The PYP Exhibition is a chance for students to display their skills and knowledge through an in-depth inquiry. It is an opportunity for students to acknowledge and build on all of their skills and knowledge gained throughout their Junior School education and for them to demonstrate independence and responsibility for their own learning. Students are able to display attributes from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile and attitudes through the learning process. One important component of this year’s PYP Exhibition was the action that resulted from the students’ inquiries. Our Year 5s were able to educate the community about issues and make a difference to the world in which they live. I would like to congratulate our Year 5 students on their hard work which resulted in a creative and informative display on issues that affect not only our school community, but the worldwide community in which we live.
Adelaide Crows Visit by Craig Bennett, Manager of Student Welfare-Junior School A large contingent of community development staff from the Adelaide Football Club visited the school early in Term 3 for a presentation relating to Growing with Gratitude which focused on 5 Habits of Happiness. The program aims to assist students to develop greater resilience, build their emotional and physical wellbeing, and promote positive thoughts and habits. The students were presented with a series of short video clips featuring their favourite Crows players, followed by a discussion about particular Habits of Happiness. The students enjoyed interacting with the presenters, and all were given some Crows posters and booklets. Some were lucky enough to receive prizes as well. There was even a special appearance from the club’s mascot, Claude the Crow, which was again enjoyed by all. Following the presentation, the Reception to Year 2 students participated in a coaching clinic, including goal kicking, tackle bag and relay games. Everyone enjoyed the sessions and went away with some very positive messages about happiness.
Science Week by Leone Shapter, Scientist-in-Residence The visiting Drones, Droids and Robots show from SciWorld was a flying success. Balloons and rockets were flying around the Primary Hall as we learned about the forces involved in flight. Students experienced a role-play and discovered that most robots only do what you tell them to do and putting your shirt on is a lot more complicated that it looks! However, the ultimate show stopper was the Drone and its stunt flight of flips. SciWorld often run workshops and pop-up science shows throughout the school holidays. For more information visit: http://sciworld.org.au/.
Book Week 2016
Australia! Story Country by Tina Jameson & Maryann Pearson, Teacher-Librarians
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a nationwide organisation dedicated to raising community awareness of the wealth of quality literature for children and young adults. Each year, they select a theme to be the focus of an annual Book Week celebration. Our challenge is to turn these themes into displays and activities to engage our students and encourage a lifelong enthusiasm for reading. This year’s theme, Australia! Story Country, offered so many opportunities, as we are a nation with many tall tales, traditional tales, wild yarns, success stories and adventures. We chose to tie this year’s Book Week celebration in with our major schoolwide celebration for the year, ‘Shakespeare 400’, celebrating the life and works of William Shakespeare, and his ongoing legacy to people today. We asked the question ‘What if Shakespeare were Australian?’ challenging students to turn Aussie Yarns into sonnets, or take a classic scene from a Shakespeare play and give it an Australian twist. Students were also encouraged to ‘decorate’ the inside of a large scale ‘Globe Theatre’ replica with traditional Australian art and Shakespearian quotations. Leading up to Book Week, Woodcroft College was privileged to welcome two authors to speak to our Middle School students – Carole Wilkinson, best known for her much loved ‘Dragonkeeper’ series, and Michael Wagner, known for stories that make parents roll their eyes while their children laugh out loud. Michael also shared the inspiration behind some of his books and highlighted the importance of making mistakes and learning from them through the stories he told from personal experience with our Junior School students, and Year 3 students visited the Woodcroft Community Library where they heard from Mark McBride, the illustrator of the Deltora Quest series. The children were enthralled as he created a fabulous dragon and talked to them about illustration using different techniques and the factors you need to consider as you create art. In the Junior School the theme provided inspiration for a story writing competition, a trip around Australia with popular Australian picture book characters and QR codes, the conversion of the library door to an outback shed and veranda, and a myriad of activities in classrooms and the Junior School Library. Dress up day provided an opportunity for book characters to come to life as the students came to school dressed as their favourites. They shared the books that their character came from with their buddies at House Meetings. The finale to the celebration was a performance by Splash Theatre who entertained the children with a play featuring a variety of Australian stories both old and new. Of course, no Book Week is complete without a celebration of those books awarded with the CBCA’s coveted Book of the Year awards. Details about this year’s shortlist and the winners can be viewed at: https://cbca.org.au/. Meanwhile, our library staff will be eagerly waiting to see what inspiration next year’s theme can provide.
Old Scholars News
Share your news We always enjoy sharing our Old Scholars news with our wider community. From engagements and weddings, to babies and career progression, it’s great for our families to keep up-to-date with our Old Scholars’ celebrations and achievements. All you need to do is provide a short paragraph and a photo (1MB minimum size). This can be uploaded online via the College website at: http://www.woodcroft.sa.edu.au/old-scholars, or emailed directly to: [email protected].
Vale, Ted Ward It was with much sadness that we learned of Ted’s death last term.
Melanie Fuller (’10)
Ted joined the Woodcroft community in the 1990s.
On 24 June, Melanie Fuller, returned to Woodcroft to give a presentation to the Year 11s and 12s about life after school, and the Army Reserves.
He edited the Courier and College Yearbook, served as Archivist, produced two editions of the school’s history Dreams and Realities, and served on the College Council.
Melanie, who was a previous College Captain, is currently studying her PhD in Nanotechnology at Flinders University, looking at a more effective treatment method for Cystic Fibrosis.
Ted was intelligent, sensitive, full of grace, and totally dedicated to the education and welfare of young people.
She is also a Combat Engineer Officer in the Australian Army Reserves. She gave students information about the Gap 6 Program, a six-month full time army commitment in the Reserves that can be undertaken in a gap year, as well as other part-time jobs on offer when students finish high school. The students were able to inspect four vehicles, including a Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV), Mack Dump Truck, G-wagon and ambulance. For further information on the Army Reserves, visit: www.defencejobs.gov.au.
We will miss him but remember always his wonderful contribution to the College community.
Reunion RSVPs A reminder to the Classes of 1996, 2006, 2011 & 2015 to RSVP to your reunions by the following dates: Class of 1996 Wednesday 5 October Class of 2015 Monday 10 October Class of 2011 Monday 10 October Class of 2006 Wednesday 19 October
Contact Us
Reunions
To share your news, email Don Eacott, Old Scholars Liaison Officer: [email protected] To update your details, visit: http://www.woodcroft.sa.edu.au/old-scholars
Class of 2015: Friday 14 October 2016, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Class of 2011: Friday 14 October 2016, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Class of 2006: Friday 4 November 2016, 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm Class of 1996: Friday 21 October 2016, 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm