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2011
Faith News
Events, people, happenings
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL

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A message from the Principal
“Old scholars… what lessons have you learned about
accomplishing your dreams…”
A number of articles in this edition of Faith News reflect the outstanding
achievements of students, past and present. It is right that we at Faith
recognise and celebrate student (and staff) effort and success. It is right in
this Christian school, that we encourage students to build on their learning
and to utilise their talents which God has provided.
For many of us, success and achievement don’t come easily and I believe it is
in the grasp of all of us to take charge and improve our outcomes. Of course
this means a commitment to hard work, quality research and investigation,
practice and rehearsal and a desire to raise the bar. An elite athlete, musician
or performer does not reach the pinnacle of their field by waiting for success
to fall into their lap. So it is with life long learning – we ourselves make it
happen with the support, coaching and mentoring of others.
Old scholars – I wonder what motivational advice you would now provide
to students at Faith to help them in their pursuit of excellence. To achieve
their best with the talents they possess. As members of a community, what
lessons have you learned about accomplishing your dreams and making a
positive contribution to society? I’d be interested to hear your views!
During term 3 this year, my wife and I were fortunate to take a Sabbatical
which we spent in the US and Europe. We visited 7 international, Lutheran
and Catholic schools, attended an IT conference and participated in several
recreational and spiritual experiences.
It came as no surprise that our school compares extremely well with those
we visited. We can be proud of our resources, facilities, the quality of our
teachers and programs, the respectful and dedicated nature of our students
and the support and loyalty we receive from families and the community.
Building Project
This year we embarked on our biggest building project
since the Barossa Arts and Convention Centre.
This $2.5 million project involves the renovations and building of new Music Practice
Rooms, a Drama Centre and new Physical Education facilities, including a new Weights
Room. These upgrades will improve work environments for students and staff, providing
optimal conditions for effective learning. Work is due for completion by February 2012.
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Can we do better? Of course! I have some ideas to put to the relevant
groups within the school and they relate to providing greater and ongoing
opportunities for students to conduct deeper investigations into local and
global areas of interest. We need to ensure that students are equipped with
the skills to work independently and at their own pace, to organise their study
programs, to research effectively and filter the mass of information available
to them, to understand how they can improve their capacity to learn and to
collaborate in a positive way to make decisions and solve problems.
“Old scholars... what would you say are the core capabilities for
developing in our youth?”
Girls in Science
Gavan Cramer, School Principal
Twenty-first century Australia needs more students
who have a strong background in Science. Every
year Australia needs to ‘import’ another 3,000 engineers from overseas. There are long
term shortages in Medicine, Dentistry and Science Education. One of the greatest
areas of concern is the lack of female graduates in IT and Engineering. Girls are well
represented in the Life Sciences, but are often missing from Physics and Chemistry
based degrees.
It has been exciting for me to see girls doing so well in the Sciences at Faith. Lisa
Neldner’s achievements (current Year 12 student) point to the outstanding results
that girls can acheive at this school. Last year, as a Year 11 student, she gained a 20 in
Year 12 Physics. This year she successfully applied for a $3,000 scholarship to attend
the prestigious Harry Messel International Science school for two weeks in Sydney.
Only 6 South Australians were chosen.
Junior girls at Faith are also showing that Science is not just for the boys! In our
recent Science Investigation Awards with Year 9 students, girls dominated the prizes.
Among them Elsa Schuster and Bridget Higgins’ research project (both pictured
above) on developing natural millipede barriers was outstanding. It is clear that a
new generation of girls will be leaders in Australian Science!
- Michael Borgas, Science Coordinator
”In the July school holidays I attended
the Professor Harry Messel International
Science School in Sydney.
This experience really opened my eyes to
all the different types of science research
that is happening in Australia and around
the world. It was also really fun to be able
to meet people of my own age and talk
to them about science, as well as other
things.
I find that the best thing about science is
the hands-on practical aspects, when you
can take what you’ve learnt and apply it
to the real world. Especially in Year 12,
designing your own practicals is a great
way to prepare for life after school, and to
recognise all the possible variables that
you can change.
Another great thing about science is the
range of things that it applies to. Science
is involved in most of the objects and
technologies that we use from day to
day.“
- Lisa Neldner, Year 12 Student

Academic Performance
Year 12 results for
2010 were, again,
outstanding with 9
students gaining full
marks for their subjects
and being awarded
a Merit Certificate at
Government House in
an Awards Ceremony
at the beginning of the year. Pictured (left to right) are Craig Moore,
Faith SACE Coordinator, Lisa Neldner, Christina Calvert, Miranda
Visual and Performing Arts
Lawrie, Sophie Grieger and Jacob Heinze (other recipients were
Henry Wolff, Nadia Schmid and Isabella Pittaway).
Our dedicated and committed teachers were thrilled with the high
Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) our Year 12 students
achieved with the majority getting their first University course
preference. Congratulations to the Year 12 class of 2010.
Year 12 Visual Art students, Henry Wolff and Jessica Bawden, were
among 20 exhibitors aged 15-25 at Chateau Tanunda for ‘Collective
Souls’ during SALA in August. They made a big impression amongst
local supporters, with Henry receiving a portrait award from Lynas
Valley Automotive.
Year 9 art students (pictured below) learnt plaster casting techniques
to create amazing scarecrows for the Barossa Vintage Festival, which
subsequently won the ‘Artistic’ division in the regional Scarecrow
Making Competition.
In August we staged an Arts Festival that included a Visual Arts
Exhibition, Dance Ensemble performances and a Year 12 Drama
production entitled ‘Beautiful Words’ (a play by Sean Riley). The weeklong
festival concluded with an on-stage ‘Dinner Cabaret’ catered for
by our food and hospitality students and featuring our Concert Band,
Jazz Choir, ‘Generations in Jazz’ Swing Band, Senior Vocal Ensemble,
String Orchestra and talented violin solosit, Nathan Ellul (Year 10).

Above: Carol Heinrich in the wine
making shed.
At right: Faith Led Steer Team
(left to right) Lauren Schwarz,
Will King, Cassie Kersley, Matt
Feltus, Kahlia Jenke, Jack
Maxwell, Nicole Fechner, Robert
Feltus, Chynna Eichner, Kate
Branson and Rhys Kretschmer
(in white coat) with the Grand
Champion Steer.
On the land
Wine making, vegetable growing and preparation of animals for entry into the Royal
Adelaide Show have all kept our Agriculture faculty very busy this year.
Royal Show success
Faith enjoyed spectacular success at this
year’s Royal Adelaide Show.
A team of 5 Led Steers were exhibited in a diversity of weight classes with 3 steers
taking out 1st ribbons in their class. The school’s Limousin went on to the open
competition against stud breeders to take out Champion Export Steer and
eventually the Grand Champion Steer Award from a total field of 186 animals.
This animal was donated by Sandra Keatley of Pebbly Range Limousin Stud at
Mount Torrens. Other successful steers were an Angus Heavyweight from local
breeders John and Caroline Hassing of Craneford as well as a lightweight Braunvieh
from Koijak Stud, Apsley. On the hook, the Grand Champion was placed 2nd in the
Export class and 5th highest scoring carcase of the show. A well muscled yearling
Santa Gertrudis steer from the Doering Brothers’ Walmona Stud at Dutton took
out the Lightweight Carcass class with a 1st ribbon.
Agriculture Co-ordinator, Bob Mitchell, reports that a large part of the school’s
success is due to the wonderful group of supporting cattle breeders who provide us
with quality animals.
The Santa Gertrudis was the 25th animal provided by Michael and
Paul Doering since 1985, so the
results with this animal were
particularly pleasing. “Our students did a fantastic job of presenting the steers in a
way that gave each animal a good chance of success.”
Faith also participated in the inaugural Merino Wether competition with a pen of 3
wethers donated by Turretfield Research Centre. The sheep were prepared under
the guidance of Agriculture teacher, Craig Moore, with assistance from Ian Koch,
Nunyara Merino Stud. The team took out first place for the Best Pen of Wethers
as well as first place in the Meat Value class. These wethers were prepared by Craig
Moore’s Year 12 Agriculture class and exhibited in a very professional manner.
Assistance from Darryl Smith of Turretfield was greatly appreciated.
Faith also entered a team of 8 Boer goats prepared by 23 enthusiastic students
under the direction of Tracy Becker. A variety of ribbons were attained both in the
show ring and on the hook. Annie Koch (Year 9), Leah Zimmermann (Year 9) and
Mathilda Murton (Year 8) were all chosen in the final of the handlers class.

Current student achievements
March
Kelly Dowden1, Year 10, featured in a segment on Channel 10’s science-based show, ‘Scope’’ as a result of an investigative project she
conducted in class with study partner, Jakarra Michalk, measuring the effectiveness of their own design of a cold pack body vest.
April
Sam Tebeck, Year 12, represented SA in the National Schools Triathalon Competition in Queensland.
Grace O’Connell, Year 12, represented South Australia in U18 State Hockey.
June
Year 12 music students, Nathan Bruhn and Liz Alderslade, were guest soloists in a program that included the Metropolitan Male Choir of
South Australia at St Petri Church.
Stuart Kalleske and Elliot Stansborough, Year 11, and Jess Mitchell, Year 10, received prestigious High Distinctions in the 2011 Australian
Geography Competition. Lisa Neldner won a $3,000 scholarship to attend the Professor Harry Messel International Students Physics School
at Sydney University, one of only two South Australian students to be selected.
July
Oscar Waterman, Year 9, competed in the SA Junior Heifer Expo at the Wayville Showgrounds, placing 4th in his handlers class and winning
the Sub Intermediate T&R Pastoral Encouragement Award in a class of approximately 40 competitors. Since the age of 8, he has placed or won
a major prize in every year he has competed.
Jessica Liersch, Matthew Verner, Nadia Schmidt, Tom Liersch and Grace Goodwin2, Year 11, participated in ‘Habitat For Humanity’ in the
Philippines, describing it as “truly life changing”.
August
Raf Thomson, Year 10, was selected to represent South Australia by Secondary School Sport SA at the School Sport Australia Boys Hockey
Championships in Newcastle. Rebecca Larecki (Year 11) represented Australia in the U19 Womens Lacrosse Championship in Hannover,
Germany. Georgina Pfitzner, Year 9, represented South Australia in Secondary School Sport SA Netball. The team were runner-up to
Victoria in the Grand Final. Phillip Herd (Year 9) has been selected in the U15 SA Cricket Team to compete in February 2012.
Celina Hage3 (Year 9) attends the Royal Academy of Dance and now has the opportunity to attempt her Bursary (only one is awarded each
year in Australia) after achieving a Distinction in her Advance 1 exam, which also counts towards her final SACE. Celina trains around 20
hours a week in addition to her study workload.
Visual Art students, Henry Wolff4 and Jessica Bawden, Year 12, were among 20 exhibitors aged 15-25 at Chateau Tanunda for ‘Collective
Souls’ during SALA. They made a big impression amongst local supporters, with Henry receiving a portrait award from Lynas Valley
Automotive. Emily Leadbeater (Year 8) prepares to compete in the National Equestrian Vaulting Championships in Sydney next month.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Exchange students
Exchange students continue to visit Faith and add variety and a special flavour to the
school community. Philip Sedestrom5, a Rotary Exchange student, stayed on from 2010
and farewelled the school at the end of term 2. His contribution was special. Not many
visitors from learn to play the didgeridoo! He was also keenly involved in the Easter
service with other Year 12s.
In term 3 we welcomed Theo Jourdain as a short term exchange from France. Then our
sister schools in Germany sent three students here for the whole of term 3; Kati Eisen from
Laurentius Gymnasium in Neuendettelsau, staying with Laura Downes family, Louise
Rath from Charlotte Paulsen Gymnasium, Hamburg staying with Grace Goodwin and
Malin Claussen also from CPG in Hamburg, staying with Jae and Jenna Jaensch. These
three exchanges are reciprocal. Later in the term, Liam Grieger and Kaitlyn Viergever
will head across to Long Island New York to spend term 4 with our sister school Long
Island Lutheran High School. We know all these students will reap the rewards of this
experience in a different country but we also know that the schools involved will benefit
as well from their strong contributions to school life.
Pictured at left (L to R): Exchange students from Germany, Kati Eisen, Louise Rath and Malin Claussen .

What are they doing now?
Henry Herkes1 (2010, at left) secured a place
a Potomac State College2 (University of West
Virginia) through the US Collegiate Soccer
Recruitment Program, along with a prestigious
one-year position as Resident Assistant (akin
1.
to a School Prefect, with only 30 places offered
annually on a campus of around 1500 students).
Henry’s commitment to part-time employment
with Barossa Farm Produce and The Farm
Function Centre – a job he was offered after Year
10 work experience at Faith – helped Henry gain
2.
this position. He arrived at Potomac in August
and is excited about starting this phase in his life.
Henry returns to Australia in May 2012 for the US Spring break.
Mia Baldwin, Keziah Carter and Kaleb
3.
Semmler3 (2010, left), were awarded the 2010
Australian Vocational Student Prize. In addition,
Keziah received a Prime Minister’s Award for Skills
Excellence in School in South Australia.
Dr. Natalie Williams (1994) recently graduated from the Doctoral
Degree in Music Composition at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana
University. She completed the 4-year degree majoring in Composition,
with minor field studies in Music Theory and Musicology. Natalie will
remain in the US as a permanent resident.
7.
High school
Engagements
sweethearts,
Jessica Saegenschnitter (2008) and Josh
Dutschke7 (2008) became engaged in July last
year. The couple share a home in Tanunda (picture
courtesy Leader Newspaper 2/2/2011).
Scott Dutschke8 (2004) became engaged to
Emma Fellowes of Blackwood on 17th July. The proposal was very
romantic; on a deserted beach after a helicopter flight over the
Daintree Rainforests and Great Barrier Reef and a six-course picnic
lunch.
Blake Parham9 became engaged to Julia Siudzinska of Poland on
8th July. The couple met two years ago when Julia was in Australia
as part of a Uni exchange program. Blake proposed after the gala
performance of a show called ‘Opera Goes West’ (he produced and
co-directed with Julia as his assistant producer), in front of cast, crew,
family members and reviewers! They will travel to Europe in October
while Julia studies at the University of Dundee. Blake will research
Polish composer, Sir A. Panufnik, as part of his Masters degree while
undertaking vocal study with German baritone, Ralf Ernst. He will
also perform at a large scale concert in Warsaw.
In the Madgen family, Carly Madgen (1999)
is working as a psychologist at the Women’s
and Children’s Hospital. Ben Madgen4
(2002, left) returned from Georgia, USA in
May 2010 and secured a contract with the
Sydney Kings in the NBL, also training and
playing with the Boomers. He has a Bachelor
of Business Admin degree from Augusta
State University and is now studying part
4.
time for his Masters in Business Admin from
Macquarie University. Tess Madgen5 (2007,
far left) is continuing with Bendigo Spirit after
two years at the Australian Institute of Sport.
She plays in the Opals squad. and is studying
5. 6. to be a PE teacher. Jack Madgen6 (2010, left)
deferred his Journalism degree and is having
a gap year, playing Senior Div 1 basketball
for Eastern Mavericks and A Grade football for Barossa Districts. He
hopes to secure a USA College scholarship for 2012.
Hannes Griesser (2009) won the Defence Science & Technology
Organisation Scholarship in Photonics from Adelaide University at
the end of 2010, the only first year student to receive this honour,
and has now won it for a second time in 2011. Shane Alford (2010)
received the University’s 2011 Marnie Cowen Music Scholarship.
Births
Marriages
Sharon (nee Mattschoss, 2005) and Samuel
Schmidt (2001) had a daughter on 26th May,
Lexi Sharon Schmidt10. Sharon and Samuel
were married on 24th October 2009 and
their family currently resides at Light Pass.
Samuel is a Vineyard Manager and Sharon
is employed locally as a Childcare Worker.
Congratulations on your beautiful addition.
Tim Doering11 (2005) married Elise Buttery at
Marananga on 6th August . The reception was
at the Novotel with a quick stop for something sweet on the way. The
couple will reside near Truro.
Emma Zbierski 12(2005) married Sean Johnson on 12th March at
Tabor Lutheran Church, Tanunda. The bridal party included Rachel
Johnson (Maid of Honour), Kate Petersen, Stella Geue, Sophie Feltus
(Flower Girl), Ella Sawyer (Flower Girl), Andrew Petersen (Best Man),
Alan Thomas, Joshua Zbierski, (2008), and George (Emma & Sean’s
dog was Ring Bearer). The reception was held at the Kapunda
Football Clubrooms.
8. 9. 11. 12.
10.

MENGLER VIEW
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL
CLASS OF 2001
10 YEAR REUNION
Please join us for drinks and canapes
Saturday 12th November 2011, from 5pm
Wine Education Centre
Faith Lutheran School
$35 per person
RSVP with payment by Wednesday 2nd November, 2011
Faith Luthern School, Magnolia Road, Tanunda SA 5352
office@faith.sa.edu.au
Magnolia Road, Tanunda SA 5352 · Box 296, Tanunda SA 5352
Tel: (08) 8561 4200 Fax: (08) 8563 2408 www.faith.sa.edu.au
MAGNOLIA FARE
FRIDAY 28 TH OCTOBER 2011
4pm ‘til late, Magnolia Road, Tanunda
• Gourmet Food & Wine • Over 40 Stalls
• Carnival Rides • Principal’s Wine Auction
• Live Entertainment by ‘Little Black Dress’
• Fireworks Finale