Penbank Letter Home
Growing Stronger and Wiser as a Community
I would like to thank all members of our community for your support, understanding, and expressions of goodwill during IDAHOBIT week. It was a trying week for us all. While the external noise was raging, it was so pleasing to feel to support within the community; from students, parents, and members of staff.
I am pleased IDAHOBIT was celebrated across the three campuses in a manner that is age-appropriate and meaningful for all students. Days like IDAHOBIT are integral to our embedded and integrated approach to wellbeing. In recent Messenger issues, I have spoken about the work of Dr Helen Street and the idea of ‘contextual wellbeing.’ This approach focuses on creating a school culture and environment where everyone in the community feels valued, connected and that they belong. IDAHOBIT is one of several great teaching moments on the international calendar where we can highlight and demonstrate inclusion, creating a sense that no matter how different we are, all students can find a safe space at Woodleigh. These are not strategies that can be delivered by a program or through an external organisation; these ideas must be embedded in everything we do.
IDAHOBIT is a chance to raise awareness of difference, and also to normalise difference to help eliminate fear from society. All of our students are different. If they see difference as acceptable, they are more likely to be comfortable with who they are and who they are becoming.
For senior students, this occurs through guest speakers, events held at school and encouragement from external support groups to find their voice and be vocal about celebrating the day. For our junior students, this is more difficult, as concepts such as homophobia are hard to discuss and very difficult for our youngest students to understand. However, this is where our culture of inclusion and belonging develops its foundations. For younger children, visible and tangible examples are required, visible difference that they can engage with, be curious about and ask questions of. While for some, Drag Story Time could be seen as controversial and provocative. However, it does provide a safe environment for all students to engage with difference, be curious, and ask questions.
Last year’s Drag Story Time was a huge success, with our students asking enlightened and well-informed questions that reflect our school culture of respect for others. I would like to thank and acknowledge those members of our community who supported the school during this day and the subsequent issues raised externally. I would also like to thank those members of our community who had concerns about this day and spent time with myself, and members of our leadership team working through their concerns. This proved to be a great learning moment for us all, as we develop understanding of others’ perspectives in a respectful and curious manner.
I was reminded of how deep the culture of respect is at Woodleigh at a recent SIS Senior Boys’ Football match that Craig Azzopardi and I coached. Last week, when Nazareth College arrived for the match, we realised that they only had 14 players, most of whom were recruited from other sports and younger age groups. They had been hit hard by COVID and other school events. Craig raised this with our team of high-performing athletes and without hesitation they offered to play for the other team, ensuring everyone had a positive and respectful game of football. Not only did they play for the other team, they encouraged, supported, coached and brought the younger players into the game. A positive experience for both teams. The scoreboard was irrelevant on the day as both teams departed as friends and better for the game.
Speaking to the Nazareth Staff and students after the game, they said they were amazed by the welcoming nature of our school, our staff, and our students. They said that there was an automatic sense of our culture upon arrival as our students randomly offered to help and to guide them to the oval. Staff volunteered to assist them to prepare, and our players deliberately assisted with their game to support the younger players. While this was no AFL standard match, and most of our players will represent their local teams in more serious games on the weekend, this was a fantastic experience for all involved and a great example of how well-being can be enhanced by the environment in which we learn and live.
I would like to thank all members of our community for your support, interest, and collaboration for the first half of the term. As a community we may not always agree on everything; however, I know that we can work our way through any issue and come out the other side stronger and wiser.
David Baker
PRINCIPAL
Penbank Letter Home
A warm welcome to Term 2 parents, staff, and friends. We’ve enjoyed an excellent start to the term. Most recently, it was an absolute pleasure to be with the Year 6 children and staff exploring our capital city, Canberra. A ‘treasure chest’ of sights, people, places and ideas, the learning experience for all was immensely appreciated.
Real world learning – Canberra in action!
Well prepared for the parliamentary processes by teachers Sammy and Mick, the children were delighted to see the Prime Minister and politicians in action. We also met our local member, Zoe Mackenzie. Zoe’s personal assistant is a past Penbank/Woodleigh student, Marshall Grande. We were mutually excited to meet up and share the experience of parliament. Very proud of Marshall’s achievements – I love seeing the chosen pathways of former students – they accomplish amazing things!
Participating in role plays that provide an actual experience of parliament enabled the children to understand the two houses and the processes for decision-making. Learning about our country as a democracy is a sophisticated concept that is better understood when you’re immersed in it in a real and hands on way. (Very important for children of our age and stage). The children also appreciated the importance of the Arts and places that capture our history such as the National Museum, War Memorial and Government House.
Canberra is a beautiful city planned by Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahoney. Seeing the layout of the city from Mt Ainsley, the Arboretum and Lake Burley Griffin itself provided different perspectives of the amazing design of the city and surroundings.
Overall, I was most impressed by the engagement of the children in Sammy and Mick’s groups. They totally immersed themselves in the experience and represented our school with pride and respect.
I thank all staff involved in making this study tour such a wonderful experience for our Year 6 students. Thank you, Mick, Sammy, Daisy, Franny, Andy and Pete (behind-the-scenes coordination). Such powerful learning due to your diligent planning and support!
Up and running!
Progress at this time of the year is rapid with all children throwing themselves into the many experiences offered at Penbank. Cross Country events including our Minimbah friends has been a highlight along with PERCY (Penbank’s Early Running Club Yay)! Coordinated by Pete, many children and parents joined in these early morning runs that well-prepared our students for the events held in recent weeks.
In the classroom, from our youngest children to our Year 6’s, involvement in the conceptual understandings of the Units of Inquiry motivate the children to learn in multiple ways through this transdisciplinary approach. Reading and writing and exploring all sorts of maths concepts have also progressed significantly, especially for our younger children in Foundation to Year 2. Samples of the children’s work are displayed throughout our learning spaces, so do come in and have a quick look if you have a moment.
Student Reports
At the end of this term, parents of children in Foundation to Year 6 will receive a written report documenting the progress and general involvement in the school day of each student.
Love is love!
Rainbow Day and celebrating our mums and the wonderful women in our lives focuses on the love and care that we all share for each other. Although I was unable to be a part of the celebrations last week due to my involvement in a conference in Adelaide, I do hope the various occasions were most enjoyable for everyone.
Coming up …
National Reconciliation Week is an important feature of this term. The theme, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, we are committed to being a part of creating a just, equitable, and reconciled country for all. Please join us for our National Reconciliation Week celebrations; School Meeting – Thursday 1 June, 8:50am and the Woodleigh National Reconciliation Week Community Gathering to be held at Penbank Wednesday 31 May, 7:00 pm. There will be much to show and tell!
Click here to book your tickets no later than Monday 29 May.
A very inspiring beginning to the term, I thank you for your support and participation.
Kind regards,
VIVIENNE
Head of Campus
A warm welcome to Term 2 parents, staff, and friends. We’ve enjoyed an excellent start to the term. Most recently, it was an absolute pleasure to be with the Year 6 children and staff exploring our capital city, Canberra. A ‘treasure chest’ of sights, people, places and ideas, the learning experience for all was immensely appreciated.
Real world learning – Canberra in action!
Well prepared for the parliamentary processes by teachers Sammy and Mick, the children were delighted to see the Prime Minister and politicians in action. We also met our local member, Zoe Mackenzie. Zoe’s personal assistant is a past Penbank/Woodleigh student, Marshall Grande. We were mutually excited to meet up and share the experience of parliament. Very proud of Marshall’s achievements – I love seeing the chosen pathways of former students – they accomplish amazing things!
Participating in role plays that provide an actual experience of parliament enabled the children to understand the two houses and the processes for decision-making. Learning about our country as a democracy is a sophisticated concept that is better understood when you’re immersed in it in a real and hands on way. (Very important for children of our age and stage). The children also appreciated the importance of the Arts and places that capture our history such as the National Museum, War Memorial and Government House.
Canberra is a beautiful city planned by Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahoney. Seeing the layout of the city from Mt Ainsley, the Arboretum and Lake Burley Griffin itself provided different perspectives of the amazing design of the city and surroundings.
Overall, I was most impressed by the engagement of the children in Sammy and Mick’s groups. They totally immersed themselves in the experience and represented our school with pride and respect.
I thank all staff involved in making this study tour such a wonderful experience for our Year 6 students. Thank you, Mick, Sammy, Daisy, Franny, Andy and Pete (behind-the-scenes coordination). Such powerful learning due to your diligent planning and support!
Up and running!
Progress at this time of the year is rapid with all children throwing themselves into the many experiences offered at Penbank. Cross Country events including our Minimbah friends has been a highlight along with PERCY (Penbank’s Early Running Club Yay)! Coordinated by Pete, many children and parents joined in these early morning runs that well-prepared our students for the events held in recent weeks.
In the classroom, from our youngest children to our Year 6’s, involvement in the conceptual understandings of the Units of Inquiry motivate the children to learn in multiple ways through this transdisciplinary approach. Reading and writing and exploring all sorts of maths concepts have also progressed significantly, especially for our younger children in Foundation to Year 2. Samples of the children’s work are displayed throughout our learning spaces, so do come in and have a quick look if you have a moment.
Student Reports
At the end of this term, parents of children in Foundation to Year 6 will receive a written report documenting the progress and general involvement in the school day of each student.
Love is love!
Rainbow Day and celebrating our mums and the wonderful women in our lives focuses on the love and care that we all share for each other. Although I was unable to be a part of the celebrations last week due to my involvement in a conference in Adelaide, I do hope the various occasions were most enjoyable for everyone.
Coming up …
National Reconciliation Week is an important feature of this term. The theme, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, we are committed to being a part of creating a just, equitable, and reconciled country for all. Please join us for our National Reconciliation Week celebrations; School Meeting – Thursday 1 June, 8:50am and the Woodleigh National Reconciliation Week Community Gathering to be held at Penbank Wednesday 31 May, 7:00 pm. There will be much to show and tell!
Click here to book your tickets no later than Monday 29 May.
A very inspiring beginning to the term, I thank you for your support and participation.
Kind regards,
VIVIENNE
Head of Campus