Temple Christian College Paralowie

Stage 1 Drama Production – The Importance of Being Earnest

On 28 May, our Recital Room transformed into the dignified apartment and garden of two Victorian gentlemen, as our Year 11 Drama students performed Gary Peterson’s one-act version of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’.

Adapted from Oscar Wilde’s classic play, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ is a satirical comedy about Victorian etiquette. It follows two gentlemen, who both invent fictitious personas to escape social obligations – inevitably resulting in mistaken identities, witty banter, and romantic misunderstandings. The efforts by our team of students well and truly paid off, with an entertaining evening full of laughs and surprise endings.

This Reconciliation Week, we join together as a community to listen, learn, and walk in respect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. May we continue to pursue truth, compassion, and unity as we journey towards reconciliation.

Term 2 kicked off in the best possible way with the Year 12 Retreat. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to take a moment out of the busyness of school and focus on connecting with one another and reflecting on their journey together to this point.

Over three days, the group came together through team-building activities and group events. These were filled with honesty, humour, and the kind of conversations that don't usually happen in a classroom. Skit Night was a standout, with students bringing serious creative energy to the stage. The 'From the Screen' Dress-up Quiz Night was another highlight.

But beyond the fun, the retreat offered something more: a moment to breathe, reflect on how far everyone has come, and look ahead with clarity and confidence. Year 12 is a big year, and this was exactly the right way to begin it.

A huge well done to every student who showed up, leaned in, and made the experience what it was.

As part of The Rite Journey Challenge Program, students took part in the ‘My Story’ Day incursion during Week 3. In preparation, each student wrote and presented a short speech to their classmates, sharing the story of their life to this point. They reflected on their identity, the experiences and people who have influenced them, and the person they hope to become in the future.

For many students, this was a significant and deeply personal challenge that required courage and openness. Through the experience, students came to recognise that sharing their story can build meaningful connections and that their experiences are valued and respected. The day provided an opportunity for classmates to develop greater empathy and understanding for one another, while also highlighting that many struggles and challenges are shared by others, reminding students that they are not alone.

On Tuesday of Week 2, Year 10 Media Studies students were treated to a photography walk from the Botanic Gardens to the West End of the CBD. They had an opportunity to apply the composition and exposure techniques learned in class to photograph some beautiful images of nature, portraits, architecture and street art. They will be able to use these photographs in various pieces of work back in class.

Our Year 7 students finished their Term 1 learning in Classification at the Cleland Wildlife Park. We visit the Education Unit run by Andrea and her team of skilled educators. This consolidates our understanding of classification in a real life setting.

The experience is enhanced with a relaxed immersion amongst the Australian Wildlife where students were able to feed many animals and observe the nocturnal house.

We are grateful for the ongoing support of Cleland Wildlife Park and the long term relationship between Temple Christian College.

Our Year 8 students enjoyed a fantastic camp from Wednesday to Friday in the final week of Term 1 at Adare House, Victor Harbor.

Across the three days, students took part in activities such as kayaking, mountain biking, body boarding, and beach games. Students demonstrated a positive attitude, strong teamwork, and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones.

It was great to see friendships grow and confidence build throughout the camp. A big thank you to all the staff who supported or attended the camp also.

The Year 7's completed their first project in Art and Design class. Students were introduced to Cubist artists and created their own Cubist-inspired artworks. This task marks the starting point in developing drawing skills, leading towards more advanced and complex artworks.

In the final weeks of Term 1, Year 10 Active Lifestyles students have been exploring the important topic of Nutrition. This unit has provided students with the opportunity to reflect on their own eating habits and develop a deeper understanding of how nutrition impacts overall health and wellbeing.

As part of their learning, students completed a three-day food diary, where they recorded everything they consumed. They then analysed their energy intake and evaluated their daily servings from the five main food groups, comparing their results to the recommendations outlined in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

A key focus of the unit was learning how to make healthier food choices. To bring this to life, students participated in a hands-on cooking practical, where they recreated popular takeaway-style foods using healthier ingredients and cooking methods. The menu included “The Big Mac Decoded,” a healthy chicken burger, KFC Zinger sliders, and chocolate kidney bean muffins.

This practical experience not only built students’ confidence in the kitchen but also demonstrated that nutritious food can still be enjoyable and satisfying. It was fantastic to see students engaging enthusiastically and applying their knowledge in a real-world context.

The Year 7 HASS classes recently enjoyed an engaging excursion to the Food Forest, where we were warmly welcomed by Graham and Annemarie Brookman. They generously opened their farm to our students, showcasing a wide range of sustainable features in action.

Throughout the visit, students explored key concepts of permaculture and sustainability, gaining valuable insights into how environmentally responsible practices can be applied in everyday life. The experience was highly interactive, combining hands-on learning with plenty of walking, sunshine, and real-world observation.

It was a fun and meaningful excursion that deepened students’ understanding of sustainability and brought their classroom learning to life