Tenison Woods College Mount Gambier

𝐓𝐑𝐘-𝐀-𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 💇‍♀️🔧

During Term 2 (Weeks 3 & 6) and Term 3 (Week 3), Tenison Woods College Year 10 students had the opportunity to participate in the TAFE SA Try-A-Trade Program at the Mount Gambier Campus.

Students gained valuable hands-on experience across a range of trades, including construction, plumbing, bricklaying, and tiling, while also completing their white card training.

Additionally, a hair and beauty program was also on offer, with five students embracing the opportunity to explore their passion for the industry and gain valuable insight into potential future career pathways.

These highly sought-after programs provide students with a practical introduction to trade industries and often inspire future pathways into VET qualifications in Years 11 and 12.

A big thank you to TAFE SA and CITB for supporting our students to develop skills, confidence, and career awareness through these engaging industry experiences.

𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐅𝐮𝐧 🔬

This week, we celebrated Science Week, with fun sessions set up by our science faculty during lunch time each day, exploring a range of experiments and hands-on activities which showcased the many different sides of science.

Students eagerly participated in the sessions, where they found themselves amazed by a spectacular elephant toothpaste demonstration, discovered a hidden world through the lens of a microscope, explored human body models, tested engineering skills in earthquake and paper plane challenges and witnessed static electricity in action with the Van de Graaff Generator. There was also the opportunity to sample edible insects and create periodic table inspired biscuits. Students were able to use physics to create artwork with acceleration of gravity and centrifugal acceleration, while also making their own mind-bending optical illusions.

Classrooms also embraced the theme of the week, including Mrs Birch's Year 1 class, which created fun Science Week inspired crowns.

Science Week provided an opportunity for students to think critically, ask questions, and experience science beyond the classroom through fun, interactive learning. The enthusiasm shown across the week was outstanding!

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬! 🔬⚙️🚀
Last week, some of our Year 9 and Year 10 students spent the day at Wulanda taking part in The National Science and Engineering Challenge as presented by The University of Newcastle. In small teams, students competed against the local schools in various intricate STEM activities.
This included the construction of wind turbines, autonomous gliders, and a research station for Antarctica. Students also worked together to communicate using secret codes, and plan effective electrical supply for a small town.
Our bridge building team was very successful on the day, with their bridge coming in equal first place. It was a day full of inspiration and aspiration for the future, and we can’t wait to attend again next year!

𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟏𝟎 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 🔨

The Tenison Woods College Year 10 Concept to Construction students recently completed their major Semester 1 project - designing and constructing 1800mm x 1600mm cubby houses which will make a meaningful difference in the lives of local families.

Working in groups of four or five, students spent an entire semester taking their projects from concept to construction, developing their design ideas, planning materials, learning construction techniques and working collaboratively to bring their cubby houses to life. The project provides students with valuable hands-on experience while developing their problem-solving, teamwork, communication and practical skills.

Now completed, the cubby houses will be donated to foster care families across our region, providing children and young people in care with an exciting place to play, explore and spend time outdoors.

We are extremely grateful to OneForty One, who generously transported the completed cubby houses to their new homes.

Pictured with ac.care executive manager - out of home care Shalini McCarthy and senior manager - foster care Sherri Winter, are students Cruize McGregor, Eddy Kahorao, Duke Bradley, Austin Smith and Sarah Sagasser.

This project is a wonderful example of students using their skills to create something practical, meaningful and genuinely beneficial for the wider community. Well done to all involved!

𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐓
Tenison Woods College is a dynamic Early Years - Year 12 Catholic co-educational College with over 1600 students. The College is situated in picturesque grounds on the outskirts of Mount Gambier, SA.

We are seeking two (2) suitably qualified staff members for the following Permanent part-time positions, commencing late Term 4, 2026 (on or around 23 November 2026)
• FRONT OFFICE ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT
EDUCATION SUPPORT OFFICER (ESO3)

Role 1: Monday to Friday, 7.5 hours per day (37.5 hours per week)
41 weeks per year, 8.00am – 4.00pm.

Role 2: Monday to Thursday, 4.25 hours per day, Friday 7.5 hours per day (24.5 hours per week) 41 weeks per year
10.00am – 2.15pm Monday to Thursday; 8.00am – 4.00pm Friday.

All Staff must be prepared to support the Catholic ethos of the College and participate in our Pastoral Care Program.

You can find the Job Description and Position Information Document at the below link or on the Tenison Woods College website at www.tenison.catholic.edu.au/Our-College/Employment and you can Apply via the “Apply” button at the top left-hand side of the Job Description or via the below QR code.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 4.00PM, MONDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2026

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭 🫂💚
Recently our Year 7–9 students were fortunate to participate in a wellbeing session with Sharn from Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation.

Students explored mental health and mental illness, signs of anxiety and depression, how to check in on a mate, and practical strategies to strengthen their own wellbeing and resilience.
A valuable opportunity to build understanding, reduce stigma and encourage young people to seek support when needed.

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 🏆

A pair of high-achieving Senior School students have been recognised for their efforts while completing VET courses alongside their Year 12 studies.

Andrew Hinchcliffe and Jules McClure have both completed Certificate III's in Business through Queensford College, which has come on board as a new registered training organisation (RTO) for Tenison Woods College in 2026. The duo completed their courses to a high standard and have as a result received awards for their outstanding efforts.

Andrew received the Academic Excellence Award, which recognises an outstanding academic performance, dedication to learning, and consistent commitment to achieving excellence throughout his studies. Andrew's trainer expressed a great appreciation of his professionalism, positive attitude, and commitment to continuous learning, while his willingness to engage in class discussions, complete assessments to a high standard, and strive for excellence made his achievement truly well deserved.

Jules received the Leadership and Initiative Award, with her trainer stating she had consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, a proactive attitude, and a genuine willingness to support both her classmates and the learning environment. Her positive approach, professionalism, and commitment to studies made a meaningful contribution to the class. Jules' trainer was also impressed by her ability to take initiative, encourage others, and approach challenges with confidence and determination - all qualities which reflect the values that Queensford College strives to foster.

Congratulations to both students on their well-deserved recognition and wish you all the best for future endeavours!

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲 💙
On Wednesday, the Junior School joyfully celebrated Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, honouring Australia’s first saint and the founder who continues to inspire our MacKillop community.
Year levels gathered in the Chapel for a reflective Liturgy, considering how Mary trusted God completely and showed Jesus’ love through kindness, courage and compassion. Students were invited to think about who might need a friend, encouragement or inclusion, and to reflect on Mary’s well known message: “Never see a need without doing something about it.”
Throughout the day, classes took part in activities that deepened their understanding of Mary’s charism and what it means to belong to the MacKillop Junior School.