Issue 1 February 2013 - The Peninsula School

The School with spirit!CadetLeadershipCourses-December 2012Just as many of their peers were hitting the beaches for the startof the summer break in December, a group of dedicated TPSCadets travelled to Puckapunyal Military Training Area for 8 daysof intensive leadership and self- development training.With extremely hot weather at various stages the cadets hadto draw on many character strengths, including persistence,courage, resilience and a fair degree of optimism to cope withthe changing conditions as well as long days in the classroomand in the bush and insect swarms in the sleeping quarters!Cadet Lance CorporalsJames Wozny and Sean Leescompleted the Junior LeadersCourse, along with CadetsBenjamin Jones, AndrewLythgoe, Samuel Humphris,Nicholas Jackson, Rhys Butler,Joshua Whitaker, AlexanderWarr, and Vincent D’Alo.Cadet Corporals, Jake Miller-Randle, Drew Mitchell andDaniel Isaac all completed theSenior Leaders Course. CadetMiller-Randle was awarded DUXof the course which is a fineachievement.Cadet Sergeant, Victoria Roadnight, was the first female TPScadet in some years to complete the CUO Course. It has beenmy pleasure since then to offer her the role of Cadet UnderOfficer, the highest rank a student can reach during their time inCadets. She will now have a strategic leadership role within theUnit and will work closely with Senior Cadets and staff to ensurethe Program is delivered successfully.I hope to be able to offer the othersuccessful cadets responsibilitypositions and promotions in duecourse.The benefits of participating inthese courses extend equally toTPS Army Cadet Unit, to its cadetsand to its staff. The unit will bemuch improved as a result of theskill development of so many of itsmembers. The cadets have alsohad an opportunity to mix withcadets from all over Victoria, fromother school based units and alsocommunity based units. Similarlythe staff have now successfullyconducted training at a higherlevel, taking responsibility for theJunior Leaders’ Course.Years 7-12Academic GoalSetting‘To reach a port, we mustsail – sail, not tie at anchor– sail, not drift.’– Franklin D. Roosevelt(32nd President of the United States ofAmerica)Employing the analogy of sailing, ‘FDR’ makes a salientobservation regarding the importance of acting with purpose. Justas the ocean currents will knock and drag a boat in any directionthey desire, so too are our lives susceptible to the whims andtides of time and place. Goal setting is a means by which we canguide our path, and, not to abuse the metaphor, set sail for land.Stephen Covey in his 1989 book, ‘The 7 Habits of HighlySuccessful People’, considers what it is about goal settingthat is important. He identifies that central to success in life is‘independence’ or ‘self-mastery’: moving oneself from a state ofdependence upon others to instead taking control and settingour own agenda. Covey puts forward that to do this the individualmust:Be Proactive – taking initiative in life and recognising that ourdecisions are the primary determining factor in how our livesevolve.Begin with the end in mind – clarify what is that we value andthus want to achieve in life. We must envision the ideal and worktowards it.PositivePsychology forSenior SchoolFamilies– Years 10, 11 & 12Have you wondered how to apply the principles of PositivePsychology in your home? Would you like to learn more about thescience of wellbeing? If so, this short course is for you.Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths andvirtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. PositivePsychology focuses on cultivating increased levels of happinessand fulfilment regardless of one’s circumstances. Simply put, it isthe study of ‘what is right with life’.Put first things first – Prioritise, plan and execute tasks based onimportance rather than urgency.At The Peninsula School, we have introduced academic goalsetting at Years 7-12 to foster habits and thinking akin to Covey’sideas on what leads to success. This semester, students willwork with their Tutor to develop three learning goals that take thefollowing form:I want to achieve______________________, by doing____________________________.In working with their Tutors, students are encouraged to draw onthe feedback from last semester’s report, their own desires andself-understanding, and the insight of their tutor to develop goalsthat are realistic and measurable; goals that will inspire them toachieve. These goals, once finalised, will be printed on eachstudent’s Interim Report which students will be asked to co-signwith their Tutor; acknowledgement of the joint role of Tutor andstudent in the learning process.Throughout the semester, Tutors will return to each student’s setof goals and engage in a self-reflective process to consider whataction each student has taken to achieving their goals and how thejourney is progressing. At the end of the semester Tutors will thenreflect on this formally through the Tutor Report that is includedwithin each student’s set of reports.It is the desire of The Peninsula School that students learn to valuegoal setting as an integral component of learning and achieving.Through doing so, if you forgive me one final pun, each student canweigh anchor on their journey of learning towards their potential.I can be contacted directly via e-mail at cbacholer@tps.vic.edu.au;or alternatively via telephone on 97887709.Mr Cameron BacholerDirector of Teaching and LearningJoin us and learn about your character strengths and how to applythese and other positive psychology techniques to better supportyour children as they navigate the challenges of Senior Schooling.The short course involves attending two, 2-hour workshops to beheld in The H.A. Macdonald Pavilion.The School is working with an Honours Psychology student fromEdith Cowan University who will be inviting attendees to complete avoluntary survey and attend a focus group following the workshops.The information collected will be confidential and will be analysedto ensure the course meets the needs of those who attended andto further develop materials for future courses being offered tofamilies.Workshop Dates: Thursday 18 April 6:30pm – 8:30pmThursday 2 May 6:30pm – 8:30pmRSVP: Nichole Hargreaves: nhargreaves@tps.vic.edu.auThe future of the TPS Army Cadet Unit is bright. Our aim tobuild stronger, more confident, more skilled and knowledgeablestudents who are well equipped to serve and lead others, ismore achievable than ever with the increased participation inthe Puckapunyal Courses Camps in recent years, as well as theongoing success of so many of our students in a range of cadetsactivities.Enrolments are now taking place for Semester 1 2013. Pleasefeel free to contact me if you are interested in )what the CadetProgram can offer.Jacky HowgateCAPT (AAC )OC The Peninsula School Cadet UnitNotice of Council Parking BlitzWe have received notice from the Mornington Council that their Ranger Team will soon be focussing their attention on driverswho park illegally around schools during drop off and pick up times.The Council has asked that we bring this campaign to our community’s attention as offending drivers are placing students atrisk. Infringement notices will be issued.Some of the infringements that Council will be attentive to:• Parking on nature strips• Double parking• Ignoring ‘No Parking Anytime’ signs• Parking in disabled parking bays• Stopping in bus zonesWhilst this notice refers primarily to illegal parking outside of the school gates, I would note that the same rules apply withinthe campus.G. AldersonBusiness Manager

A very warm Peninsula welcome to our new staff...Our new Head of SeniorSchool, Kate Hadwen,has had a distinguishedcareer in a variety ofeducational institutions.She was Head ofPastoral Care andBoarding at PerthCollege and is currentlyattaining her Doctorate inPhilosophy.Jodi Shepherd returnsto us in 2013 to workin our MathematicsDepartment. For thepast two years Jodihas been working atCaulfield GrammarSchool.After completingseveral teaching stints,replacing staff onLeave Elsa Walters willjoin our staff on apermanent basisteaching in the earlyChildhood Centre.It is exciting to have threepast students join ourteaching staff; RachaelHiggins (Class of 2002 –formerly Rachael Butler).Rachael comes to usfrom Overport PrimarySchool after teachinginterstate.Jessica Neylon (Classof 2004 – formerlyJessica Collins –married during theholidays) will beteaching in the Juniorschool. Jessicaarrives via BentonJunior College whereshe taught Year 5.Justin Whelan (Class of1993) has joinedour staff and he willbe teaching a Year 5class. Justin has beenteaching at MountMartha primary andOverport primary inrecent years.Meghan Hutchins isa graduate teacherwho will join our JuniorSchool staff. Meghanrecently completedher Master of Teaching.She will assist withprograms in both theJunior and MiddleSchools.Maesson Harbourcomes to us via ToorakCollege, WoodleighSchool and PenbankSchool to teachPhysical Education andcoordinate the JuniorSchool sport program.Jacinta Richards, agraduate teacher hasjoined our EnglishDepartment aftercompleting her Masterof Teaching at theUniversity ofMelbourne. Jacintaalso has a keeninterest in History.Sean Verwey, also agraduate teacher, joinsour MathematicsDepartment. Seancompleted his secondaryeducation at HaileyburyCollege and, morerecently, has undertakenhis Master of Teachingat Melbourne University.Monica Thatcher willbe working with uswhile Karen Boag ison Leave. Monica hasa strong backgroundin English and Year9 programs. Monicajoins us from SunburyCollege.Kerryn Heazle will beworking in our DIDand MathematicsDepartments for Term 1and will replace TraceyCarter when she takesLong Service Leave inTerm 2. Kerryn holds aDoctorate in Chemistry.Leah Bright replacesDavid Gregory whilehe is on Long ServiceLeave. Leah comesto us via HeathmontCollege where she wasthe Arts Coordinator.Xiang Lu has beenappointed to cover forWen Yang while he is onLeave. Xiang Lu hashad experience as aVCAA assessor, taughtat Westall College and llectured at Zheng ZhouUniversity in China.Warwick Armstronghas been appointedas the Head of Boys’Boarding this newcareer opportunitywill enable him tocombine his teachingskills and outdooreducation experienceto great advantage.Shelly-Ann du Plooyjoins us as a Boys’Boarding HouseSupervisor. Most recentlyshe has worked for JohnPaul College.Tahlia Butland hasbeen appointed to theAFL Trainee positionfor 2013. Tahlia wasthe Prefect whoinitiated the Birthdayrecognitions for Year 7students, she was alsoCaptain of our Girls’Swim Team.Debbie Harris hasbeen appointed HealthServices Manager.Debbie has a wealth ofexperience working withchildren in the healthindustry. She comes tous by way of MalvernPrimary school.Opportunityof a Life-timeAs part of The Peninsula School’s OutdoorEducation program in 2013 Year 10 studentshave the opportunity to participate in a sailtraining voyage on the Tall Ship Enterprize. The trip will commence at Williamstown wharf on Monday16 September and conclude at Williamstown on Friday 20 September.Thomas Sun wasappointed to theposition of AssistantAccountant early TermFour last year. Thomasholds a Bachelor’sdegree in Commerceand a Masters inFinance.Pam Frost joined ourAccounts Department latelast year in the positionof Accounts ReceivableOfficer. Pam has had25 years’ experiencemanaging school tuitionaccounts at Haileyburyand most recently atToorak College.... and especially our newstudents!The VoyageCrew complement will comprise the Master, 1st &/or 2nd Mates, Cook and general purpose hands (allwith Victoria Working with Children Checks and appropriate maritime qualifications). Students will beplaced in a three-watch system with the officers and encouraged to participate in the daily running ofthe ship. During the voyage the students will have the chance to get familiar with shipboard routine andsafety – and induct those eligible to climb the rigging. The voyage plan will be to our Master’s discretionaround Port Phillip Bay and weather permitting, perhaps up to Port Phillip Heads.The Opportunity of a Life-timeThis voyage would comprise 5 days and 4 nights and include meals and berth from the Monday nightthrough Friday afternoon. This opportunity, due to space on board Enterpize, can be available to only10 Students and will cost $1200. A staff member from TPS will also be on board with our students.The journey on Tall Ship Enterprise is weather dependant. We would make refunds if Enterprize couldnot make sail because of weather or operational difficulties.Camp selection forms will be available from Thursday 14th February. I encourage students to takeadvantage of this amazing opportunity by selecting ‘The Enterprize’ as their first camp preference andreturning their forms promptly.Tim HumphrisCoordinator of School SailingDaniel DaviesDirector of Outdoor Education

The School with spirit!Pavilion Opening Hours Term 1The H.A. Macdonald Pavilion will be open for coffeeevery morning during Term 1 from 8.30am – 10.30am.All parents are welcome to use this opportunityto meet other parents in this friendly,informal setting and if you don’t havetime to stay, just grab a delicioustakeaway.We look forward to welcoming you.Winter Sport– mouth guardsPlease note that it is official School Policy that ALLstudents playing soccer and football MUST wearan appropriately fitted mouth guard whilst playingand at training where contact occurs.The only exception to this policy is for thosestudents who have a mouth guard waiver formsigned by their parents. Any waiver forms must bereturned to Mr. Brennan. Copies of these forms onLearning Point.All soccer players must also wear shin guards.Stephen BrennanDirector of SportIndividualSportingAchievement2013 Victorian Track andField ChampionshipsThe 2013 Victorian Track and Field Championships were held 8th –10th February at Lakeside Stadium. The results were as follows:Year 7Ryan Bolton13th Under 15 100m10th Under 15 200mJesse Dunsmore11th Under 15 1500mYear 8Dylan Burrows11th Under 15 400m3rd Under 15 200m HurdlesJai Taylor4th Under 14 1001st Under 14 Long JumpZoe Craig11th Under 15 200m2nd Under 15 Triple JumpLaurene Colin10th under 15 3000mYear 9Alexia Loizou2nd Under 16 400m5th Under 16 200mMichael CannGold U15 Javelin4th under 16 Discus1st Under 16 Long Jump1st Under 16 Triple JumpYear 10Kayla Cheasley2nd Under 17 1500m1st Under 17 3000mRiley Cridland3rd Under 17 2000m SteeplechaseEllie McKenzie1st Under 17 100m2nd Under 17 200mJustin Wolsley11th Under 17 1500mYear 11Brad Cann3rd Under 18 Discus5th Under 18 Shot Put1st Under 18 HammerThrowHarrison Prior2nd Under 18 Javelin2nd Under 18 Discus2nd Under 18 Shot PutShaun Walton2nd Under 18 1500m1st Under 18 3000mSwimmingThe following Peninsula swimmers competed at the State Age LongCourse Swimming Championships held at MSAC in December:-• Charlee Cook• Tom Cook• Natalie Dimitrakas• Madison Howe• Samantha Howe• Adam HowgateMedals were won by:-• Adam Howgate – Gold 50 Freestyle, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze• Samantha Howe – 2 Silver, 1 Bronze• Madison Howe – 1 SilverSurf Life SavingSamantha Howe and Adam Howgate have both representedVictoria in Surf Life Saving during the summer break.Samantha was selected for the State Development Team whichtravelled to Adelaide to compete in the Southern States Challengeagainst South Australia and Tasmania.Adam was selected for the Victorian State Team which travelled toSydney to compete in the Interstate Championships against teamsfrom around Australia.Senior / MiddleHouseSwimmingThe final overall results were…1st Newton2nd Carr3rd Ansett4th Clarke5th Town6th CountryWell done to the Heads of House and good luck in catching thegreen machine/ Barlow juggernaut! The House Aths are next!Karen BoagConvenor of House ActivitiesDisclaimerWith regard to goods or services advertised in this publicationThe Peninsula School and the publisher accept no responsibilityfor any products or services statements made herein. Anycontributions may or may not be included for print and ifincluded may be altered by the editor to suit the needs of thepublication.Year 12Trent Radin2nd Under 20 1500m5th Under 20 800mCaleb Wheatley6th Under 20 3000mSteeplechaseSarah Buchanan(Class of 2012)1st Under 20 400m1st under 20 400m hurdlesThe Peninsula School • Wooralla Drive • Mount Eliza • VIC • 3930t: 03 9788 7777 • f: 03 9787 7646 • e: peninsula@tps.vic.edu.au • www.tps.vic.edu.au