From the Principal

Dear Parents

Year 10 Graduation
On Wednesday 7 December, we celebrated the culmination of the Year 10 students’ journey at Trinity Blakeview, all the way from Reception. Fittingly, each student was accompanied by a current Reception student. All students were farewelled with a certificate and a special Blakeview commemorative candle. Mrs Deborah Russell welcomed the students into Trinity College Senior and wished those leaving Trinity College all the best. Thanks to Mrs Pearce and the Middle School leadership team for the organisation and planning for the event. My thanks to Mr Hately, Mr Dancer, Reverend Ruth and Mrs Russell for their attendance. Students, staff and parents were entertained by a PowerPoint created by Gabe Hart and Hannah Koler and by a performance by Rebecca Pearson. Thank you to all the parents who attended and for all their support over the many years. To Mrs Sonia Holton, thank you for the special morning tea and the celebratory cupcakes. The cupcakes have become a special Blakeview tradition, alongside the candles. Many Year 10s proudly showed me the graduating cap design on the cupcakes in their little boxes.

Each graduating Year 10 student received a commemorative candle

Our graduation cupcakes have become a Blakeview tradition for our Year 10 students

Year 6 Graduation
With the restructure of the Middle School Year 6 students had thought they had missed out on graduating in Year 5 from the Junior School. However, on Monday 12 December students graduated and were welcomed into the Middle School by Mrs Pearce. Thank you to Mrs Sulser, Mr Bonnett and Mr Green for their efforts in co-ordinating the very first Year 6 Graduation ceremony. Thank you also to Mrs Mason and Mrs Pearce for the Middle School handbook and information session that followed.

The Junior School Carols Night
On Friday 9 December I was one of many enjoying the singing and performances of the Junior School students from Reception to Year 6. It was wonderful to see the amount of non-perishable items donated to Anglicare and the enormous Hampers of Hope that every class had contributed to over the Term. These were gladly accepted by a representative from Anglicare and also blessed by Chaplain David MacGillivray. Every year level performed and students from all year levels spoke about the Tree of Life. Thank you to Mrs Sulser, Miss Knuckey and the Junior School staff for a wonderful night. I would also like to express my appreciation to Mr Coad and the Year 4 sound crew for a job well done! Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who came along.

Speech and Award Ceremony
The ceremony, held on Thursday 15 December was a successful and positive end to the 2011 school year. Our guest speaker Mr Glenn Docherty spoke about the four pillars of life that assist you in achieving your goals and ambitions; family, school, faith and yourself.

Thank you to Mr Hately for attending, officiating with the award giving and speaking to the parents and students. A very special thank you to the wonderful staff at Blakeview, especially the office staff, for their efforts with this very special occasion; there is a great deal of organisation involved.

God bless every member of our school community at this most special of times. May you know good cheer and a time of hope and celebration; and that 2012 brings you everything you wish. To those of our community, not returning in 2012, thank you for your contribution to Blakeview. To our Year 10 students and those moving to other schools, I pray your learning journey continues to be a rewarding and exciting one. We wish you every success.

Merry Christmas

KAREN McMAHON
Principal
Blakeview School

“Christmas is the celebration of the keeping of a promise….a saving promise.” Michael Card

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From the Head of the College

Dear Parents

As the year draws to a close it is great to have an opportunity to reflect on the celebrations that have occurred and that are still to come at this extraordinarily busy time. 

I have had the pleasure of being involved in Year 10 graduation ceremonies at North, South, Blakeview and Gawler River schools and the Trinity College Senior (TCS) Valedictory Service.  It is always astonishing to hear of the great feats that our students achieve and the manner in which they go about their study at Trinity. 

Year 12 students have finished their time at Trinity College and I wish them all the very best of luck as they await their SACE results.

An enormous amount of work is undertaken during the last weeks of school to ensure that the end of the year is well managed and memorable for students, including “O” week for Year 11 students; Year 10 orientation to TCS, House dinners, final assessments and school speech day ceremonies. 

I would like to thank all students for their contribution to the life of their school and to thank, on behalf of all parents and students, the teachers for their tireless efforts throughout 2011. 

I would also like to thank parents for your commitment to your children’s education over the course of the year.  I would encourage all parents to continue to be involved in College life as far as they are able; it certainly makes a difference to the lives of our students.

Have a blessed and safe Christmas and New Year.  I look forward to meeting with you all again in 2012. 

NICK HATELY
Head of Trinity College

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Better Buddies Program a Great Success

As we reach the close of the 2011 school year we celebrate the success of the inaugural year of the Better Buddies Program at Trinity College Blakeview. Participation rates were excellent with 90 students from Middle and Junior Schools’ involved, attending meetings every Friday and presenting regularly at whole school assemblies.

The Better Buddies Program encourages children in their first and last year of primary school to buddy up and learn the values of caring for others, friendliness, respect, valuing difference, including others and responsibility. By extension all children in the school learn these values through formal and informal activities, including their interactions with the mascot Buddy Bear a giant, fun-loving purple bear. For more click here.

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Junior School News

Junior School News
It has been another very fruitful year with many high points. As 2011 draws to a close, I give my very sincere compliments for the ongoing support and spirit of the many wonderful members of our school community and their contributions toward the building of belonging. We have settled in to our new school and made it our own. It has been a wonderful year for new beginnings that have built upon our already successful history. In 2012 we will continue to establish ourselves even further.  The tennis courts are almost complete, a new PE shed will soon appear and the new garden at the back of building three is beginning to take shape. What an amazing place we are all creating.

May God’s richest blessings be with all of you and your families for the festive season. A Merry Christmas everyone.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

CATHRYN SULSER
Head of Junior School

Christmas Carols Evening
Blakeview students and staff celebrated with our Christmas Carols evening. It was a day filled with lots of hard work, anticipation and laughter as staff and students worked together to present another enjoyable and successful evening. The students sang beautifully and our guests were all suitably impressed. 

Hampers for Hope
At our Junior School Carols Night Year 5 students Emily, Lachlan and Matthew talked to the audience about 5 East and Reception Knuckey’s visit to Anglicare. The excursion involved students in both classes combining to work in small groups. Each student brought along a small donation of money and combined their funds as a group to buy items with the intention of donating them to the Anglicare pantry. Students worked in groups with parents and teachers to consider carefully the best items to buy and donate. Some of the items purchased included tinned food, long life milk, cereals, tea, pasta, cordial and pudding.

The excursion came about due to our involvement in the Anglicare Hampers of Hope Project. The project provides each class with a basic family profile and students then create a hamper of much needed items for their family. We know the recipient families will be very grateful to receive these hampers for Christmas.

Reception students also helped load the truck that visited the school to collect the hampers to distribute.

Anglicare personnel were thrilled with the contributions and could not believe their van was almost filled to the brim. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Your kindness will certainly make a difference this Christmas for some of our fellow community members. Your donations on the Carols evening also meant we were able to give Anglicare a monetary donation. Thanks to all students and their parents for their kind donations. Thanks also to those parents who helped on the excursion.

2012 Staff Details

• Reception - Miss Annis, Mrs Lewis and Mr Warner
• Year 1 - Mrs Stafford + (additional teacher yet to be appointed)
• Year 2 - Miss Anderson (Mrs Meldrum), Miss Blieschke (Mrs Putsey) N.B. Mrs Meldrum will be replaced by Mrs Annette Blackett in Week 5
• Year 3 - Miss Nicholson and Mrs Rose
• Year 4 - Mr Coad and Miss Hutcheson
• Year 5 - Mrs East and Mr Hawkey
• Year 6 - Mr Bonnett and Mr Green
• HPC - Mr Bonnett
• HTL - Miss Annis
• PE/Sports - Miss Hutcheson

Mr Warner has also been appointed to the position of Christian Liaison Officer and we all look forward to his tenure.

2012 Class Placements
Class placement information for 2012 has been distributed to families. Class lists were formulated in Term 3 and finalised at the beginning of Term 4. Year 1 classes for 2012 will be those that are presently RW and RK.  As the class structures changed mid-way through the year, the intent is that these classes will now remain the same for the next 12 months.  Mr Warner’s class goes to 1 Stafford and Miss Knuckey’s class will go to a new, yet to be appointed, Year 1 teacher.

A range of factors are considered when placing students into class groups. These include social, academic and physical considerations, as well as administrative constraints such as gender balances and class size. When developing class lists, we work corroboratively with teachers, learning support and other stake holders within the school, while also considering the above information to develop a big picture approach to classes. The ultimate aim is to develop classes that are balanced across a broad range of perspectives.

2012 Book Lists
Book lists from 2012 have been sent to families. Should you require further reference, book lists will be available on the Trinity College Blakeview website from early January 2012.

Year 6 Camp
This camp was the highlight for many students. We cannot speak highly enough of their behaviour and active participation in all activities over the three days. Students were challenged physically and mentally with the hike to and from the beach, beach activities and team building sessions on the last day. They rose to each challenge and had success both individually and as groups. Students participated in rescue board riding, learned how to rescue a drowning person, what rips and other dangers were as well as some basic first aid. Once back at the campsite they spent time on the jumping pillow, playground and doing activities in the evening competing against each other. Surprisingly one of the most interesting activities was dish washing - students found learning how to wash and dry dishes using a tea towel enlightening. New friendships were established and many were strengthened. The weather was perfect and made the camp an experience that most will never forget. 

PE Uniforms 2012
The sports uniform for next year must be the red top. White tops can no longer be worn for PE and House tops can only be worn on Sports Day.

Years 4 and 5 Portfolios
Portfolios have been kept for 2012 teachers and will be given to students in Term 1 next year.

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Middle School News

We would like to wish all families a Merry Christmas and happy New Year. May you all have a safe and happy holiday and we look forward to seeing you back in 2012.

2012 Day one Term 1
School will resume on Monday 30 January 2012. All students will meet their House Tutor during lesson 1 which starts at 8:50am. All students should gather at their House room prior to the beginning of lesson 1. Students will receive their semester 1 timetable during this lesson.

2012 House Tutors and Rooms
Download the list of 2012 House Tutors and House rooms here.

Year 10 Graduation
The Year 10 Graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday 7 December. Many of the Year 10s have been at Trinity Blakeview since reception. Thank you to all special guests who joined us in celebrating this important event.

The 2011 Year 10s are a very unique and special group of students and we, the Trinity College Blakeview community, have been blessed to be part of their journey so far.

To be part of the journey and watch young people celebrate their strengths, realise new interests, explore passions and improve areas requiring development, is nothing less than an absolute joy and honour.

We farewell aspiring journalists, teachers, plumbers, builders, electricians, real estate agents, scientists, personal trainers, artists and many more budding careers.

We wish the 2011 Year 10 students the very best for their future and we encourage them to stay committed and be consistent in their efforts to strive for their best. Download a copy of the School Captains' graduation speech here.

Year 8 Retreat to Blackham
On the Friday of Week 8 and Monday of Week 9, Blakeview Year 8s headed to the Blackham environmental bush site. Students undertook numerous activities in team building, leadership, compass navigation and lightweight camping skills.

Each day began with a brief skills session. Day one started with how to use a compass in a bush environment, followed by a boot camp session to test the students’ skills in team work and their physical stamina. Although the tasks were physically demanding, it was made a lot easier when they worked together as a team. When lunchtime came, two minute noodles cooked on a tranjia stove were on the menu. While the noodles were fantastic, getting a tranjia past cleaning inspection was a harrowing experience for many.

Day two started with a how to pitch a lightweight tent session where students were to experience what sleeping in the bush is really like. Next was boot camp part two and students were still keen to be involved after Fridays’ tough session. Activities included log and sand bag carrying, tractor tyre flipping and lots of push ups, star jumps and the dreaded burpees. All students got through the sessions albeit with a few scrapes and bruises and their willingness to work together was very impressive. After lunch, students took part in an extended orienteering game based on The Amazing Race television show. Working their way through the many clues, physical and mental challenges at each of the checkpoints and the three kilometre orienteering course, all students concluded their journey by having to consume one dry weet-bix each before the timer stopped for their group.

After two days of exhaustive work where students learned and developed some valuable individual and team skills, all students were happy to farewell Blackham - for now anyway. Well done to all students on an excellent effort over the two days.

2011 Term 4 Academic and Effort Award Winners and ALC Award Winners
Download a complete list of winners here.

Year 9 Mathematics Calculators
An email was sent to all parents of students in Year 8 concerning the requirement for a calculator in Year 9. At the time we believed a graphic calculator would be required for students studying Mathematics Extension in Year 9. Since then the requirement has changed and a scientific calculator is sufficient for all Year 9 students. This update is shown on the book list. However, most students already have a scientific calculator.

Year 10 Mathematics Core and Extension students will need the graphics calculator, as listed in 2012  the book list.

IAN WARD
Head of Teaching and Learning 7-10

Craigmore House Proves Small Change Can Make a Big Difference
Throughout 2011 Craigmore House has collected loose change in the belief doing something small can potentially add up to something big for someone.

We raised $83 through small change donations which is enough to buy clean drinking water, a fruit tree and a child's immunisation. These items have been purchased through World Vision and will benefit a community in a third world country.

"If you can't feed one hundred people, just feed one" Mother Teresa

KYLIE NEAGLE
Head of Craigmore House

Anglicare Food Drive
On Thursday 1 December (Week 7) the Middle School students from Trinity College Blakeview demonstrated their great care and compassion by donating non-perishable items for our annual Anglicare Food Drive.

As in previous years there was an excellent response with some students saving their pocket money and shopping carefully for members of the community less fortunate than themselves. We collected items such as pasta, long life milk, tinned goods and special items like tinned puddings and custard for a special Christmas dinner.

Christmas is a very challenging time for those in our community struggling to provide for their families and it is wonderful to see how our school community comes together each year to support such a fantastic cause. Special thanks must go to Taylor Mace from Playford House for outstanding contributions and to the Year 7-10 students who assisted Mrs Dodsworth in packing the goods for collection.

We look forward to supporting Anglicare again in 2012.

LIZA DODSWORTH
Christian Liaison Officer

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Parents and Friends News

Blakeview Parents and Friends Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 15 February 2012
All welcome to attend.

Download the latest newsletter here.

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Library News

Download the latest newsletter here.

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Sports News

Thanks to everyone involved in Trinity Sport for 2011.  We once again had excellent participation across numerous sports, with around 1200 students representing the College in over 200 teams from reception right through to Year 12.

We also had some outstanding individual and team achievements including state finals for soccer, netball and basketball, which included an open soccer state title.  Other excellent team results included our open boys athletics team and our College cross country squad.  Individually, students from across the College were chosen in numerous state teams and elite squads while swimmer James McKechnie became a national champion swimmer and 2011 Sportsperson of the Year Travis Head toured India with the Australian U/19 World Cup Cricket squad and played in the SA Futures Team.

Elsewhere, Trinity College has created a Sporting Hall of Fame, elite performance academies have been initiated and have forged a greater commitment to developing the whole athlete through focused strength and conditioning programs.  Netball continues its exceptional popularity and has now moved the majority of it teams to a STARplex based competition, while swimming and cricket have confirmed high-level coaching appointments for 2012.

A big thank you to all the coordinators, coaches, grounds staff, volunteers and parents for making 2011 another outstanding year in sport.

Check out a video montage of our successful sporting moments here.

RUPERT SAPWELL and CHRISTINE MURRAY
Trinity Sports Office


Netball Teams Are Great Trinity College Ambassadors
Trinity Sports Co-ordinator Christine Murray recently received a letter acknowledging the wonderful sportsmanship displayed by our netball girls recently.

“The Netta 2 Trinity 1 girls played St Brigid’s tonight (and won 14 - 0). The Trinity girls were complimented by the coach of the St Brigid’s team several times during the game and after the game for their fantastic attitude. They were caring and helpful to the St Brigid’s girls encouraging them and showing them what to do and where to go on the court. Even though the Trinity girls are not greatly experienced and in fact have not won a lot of games themselves they showed fantastic sportsmanship throughout the match and I believe would even and shot a goal for the other team if they could have!

If there is an opportunity to recognise them before the end of the school term I think they highly deserve it and have certainly shown Trinity in a very good light to people from outside the Trinity community.

Chantelle Murch
Charlotte Brookes
Tilly Thomas
Helen Mulder
Danielle White
Marisha Capponi
Jade Wood

were the girls who played in the team tonight.

Regards

Jill Richard
A very proud coach!”

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Community News

• Special Family Christmas Eve Service - St Francis' Anglican Church Trinity College Chapel Gawler. 7pm - 8pm. Celebrate the birth of the King through the retelling of the events of the first Christmas. Download a flyer here.
• Gawler Library School Holiday Program - download a flyer here.
• International Rwanda Exhibition - the exhibition opened on Saturday 10 December UN Human Rights Day. Visitor will learn more about the events leading up to and after the Rwanda genocide.
• Would $500 assist you with education costs? – Saver Plus is delivered by Anglicare SA and is looking for new participants. You could receive up to $500 to help pay for education costs including text books, computers, excursions and swimming lessons. For more details click here or email Debbie Rieger or telephone 0457 778 022.
• The Australian Lions Drug Awareness Foundation provides development and provision of suitable drug awareness resources and materials for use in the community by Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs.  For more information visit the website or download their latest newsletter.
• The Australian Air Force Cadets is one of the premier youth organisations of Australia and is currently recruiting for 2012. Click here for more details.

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STARplex News

We have a fun-filled season of activities to keep your child active and entertained during the December/January holiday period.

Get in the swim of things

• Swim School Holiday Programs - 19  to 23 December 2011 and 16 to 20 January 2012
• Sammy’s Survivor Week - 9 to 13 January 2012

Try a taster package

• STARfun Holiday Program 20 and 21 December 2011

High energy skills

• Gymnastics Clinic - Friday 20 January 2012

Move to the groove

• Hip Hop Dance Workshop - Monday 23 January 2012
• Zumba Atomic Dance Workshop - Wednesday 25 January 2012

Rule the court

• Junior Basketball Camp - 23 to 24 January 2012
• Junior Netball Clinic - 23 to 24 January 2012

Download a Holiday Program booklet for more detail and book early to ensure your place.

** JANUARY SPECIAL EVENTS **

• National Baptist Basketball Carnival
  Sunday 8 January - Sunday 15 January 2012
• The Outer Space Collector
  Friday 20 January
  Join the outer space collector  Blip as he secretly visits earth to collect information and stories that make us unique.
• Australia Day Basketball Carnival
  Friday 27 – Sunday 29 January 2012
  Junior boys and girls, senior men, women and mixed teams from across SA. Nominate a team today or come and watch the local talent on display.

Come in and visit or phone STARplex Reception on 8522 0622 to find out more or to make a booking or visit our website.

The STARplex team would like to wish all Trinity families and staff a safe and happy holiday.

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Blakeview School - Bentley Road, Blakeview SA 5114 – PO Box 279 Smithfield SA 5114
P 09 8254 6622F 09 8254 6419 E blakeview.office@trinity.sa.edu.au W www.trinity.sa.edu.au

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