From the PRINCIPAL

TERM 1 | ISSUE 5 | 2019

While spending time with our Leadership Team on the Mornington

Peninsula on Monday and Tuesday, we had the privilege of visiting two

unique schools. The first was Woodleigh School, an Independent school

with three campuses and a huge focus on outdoor and immersive

experiences for their students from Foundation to Year 12. Woodleigh also

has a clear view of the changing nature of employment and the world we

must prepare our students for. They have recently decided to pursue

authorisation as an International Baccalaureate School, so it was wonder-

ful to be able to share our experiences with them.

Lakeside Lutheran in Pakenham was our second school visit. It was

particularly enlightening, as they are walking a similar journey of change

and growth to the one Encounter has been on in the past decade. Apart

from also having an Aldi on their doorstep, discussing with their key staff

the shared joys of a growing community was one that made us all feel

very grateful for being at Encounter. We truly know how blessed we are to

serve in this community.

Although I’d like to think it goes without saying, I truly hope all Encounter

families know we are constantly seeking ways in which to ensure we are

evolving and growing to be the best we can be. Complacency or an

attitude of ‘close enough is good enough’ is one that has always upset

and disappointed me, as it does an enormous injustice to the young

people and their families.

Whether it’s school visits, formal professional learning, robust debate

amongst staff teams or establishing formal strategic plans, Encounter will

continue to strive to find a future that is most meaningful for all students.

Blessings,

KELVIN

Week 10 Term 1

Monday 1st April JS Swimming -

Fleurieu Aquatic Centre

Year 6 Camp Week -

Kangaroo Island

Tuesday 2nd April JS Swimming

Wednesday 3rd April JS Swimming Year 12 Legal Studies

Excursion Friday 5th April

SASSSA & SSSA State Athletics

Early Learning Excursion -

Horseshoe Bay

Shine - Year 1

———————————————————————————

Week 11 Term 1

Monday 8th April JS Swimming -

Fleurieu Aquatic Centre

Tuesday 9th April JS Swimming

Wednesday 10th April Year 8 Immunisations - Dose 1 Year 10/11 Immunisations

(Men. B) - Dose 1

Thursday 11th April Last day of Term 1 Casual Day Closing Shine 2.30pm Parent/Teacher Interviews Foundation –Year 12 3.45 - 7.45pm

Friday 12th April STUDENT FREE DAY

Parent/Teacher Interviews Foundation – Year 12 8.30am - 3.45pm

Term 2 Begins Monday 29th April Opening Shine at 9am

From the Head of Junior School From the Head of Middle &

Senior School Did you know that there is research shows that

parents have a significant impact on their children’s

educational achievements?. In fact, parental engagement overrides all other factors that have

been shown to influence a child’s achievement.

It is therefore really important, that teachers and

parents develop effective relationships to bridge

student learning between home and school. One

way we do this is through the formal Parent Teacher

interviews held at the end of Term 1. While we

welcome communication with parents at any time

over the term, these formal interviews are

compulsory and provide a valuable opportunity to

'touch base' with families about the needs of their

child/ren, discuss progress, share concerns and work

with the teacher so your child can do the best they

can at school.

There are a variety of timeslots available on

Thursday 11th April, (after school/evening) and

during the student free day on Friday 12th April.

Please watch out for an email about how to book

your timeslot.

Bearing in mind that timeslots are only 15 minutes, the

following tips can help you make the most of the

Parent Teacher Interview: In the weeks ahead, check in with Seesaw to see

what your child has been doing in class. You may

have questions or concerns about what you have

seen. Ask if there are questions or issues your child wants

you to discuss with the teacher. Plan to bring something to take notes with

(paper and pen or a laptop or other device). Share a few things about your child with their

teacher - interests, strengths, favourite subjects -

to help them know your child better. Write down questions or topics you'd like the

conference to cover. Depending on your

situation, you may want to ask about eg. what

the teacher sees as your child's strengths and

challenges and how these are being addressed.

Please know too, that ultimately, you and your

child's teacher have the same goal in mind: to help

your child thrive at Encounter. Working together will

ensure the best chance of this happening.

Blessings TORI WEISS

This Friday evening is one of our Year 12 highlights,

being our Formal, held at Eat@Whalers. It is

always wonderful to see our young people come

together in their finery to celebrate this event in

their final year of schooling together.

Encounter Lutheran College acknowledges the

support of families/parents and siblings during this

event too. The first part of the celebration is

devoted to sharing community, with families,

students and staff coming together at the

beginning of the evening. Students then move

into the function area to begin their celebration.

Our students have spent considerable time

planning the evening; their outfits, the menu,

colour schemes and the awards! I am looking

forward to seeing them enjoying the evening.

On another note, this week I met with the Federal

Minister for Education along with other

educational stakeholders and elected officials to

discuss the potential for a regional study hub on

the Fleurieu. I left the meeting excited that our

young people may have access to further tertiary

and vocational training in the near future, with all

parties agreeing that support is necessary and

that a collaboration is imminent. Stay tuned for

further information as it comes to hand.

Last night our Wellbeing Team held a parent

information session where Counsellors from

Headspace discussed the issue of adolescent

mental health. Due to a power failure on the

South Coast, the evening ended up being

more of a ‘sit-down’ group discussion about

connecting with their young adolescent and

continuing open conversations, supporting them

through what has become an increasingly

difficult time in their lives. Our Year 7-9s also

participated in Headspace Mental Health

Literacy Workshops throughout the day.

Future information sessions have been planned to

continue to engage with and support parents

and students through the adolescent journey.

Blessings for your fortnight!

PENNY MCKENZIE

TERM 1 | ISSUE 5 | 2019

Introducing ………

Jim Nicholls

Staff Devotion

by Rochelle Grenfell

In the aftermath of the tragic terrorist attack in New

Zealand last week, we are reminded of the love

and humanity people are capable of.

Catastrophic, tragic events happen all across the

globe and when they do, the world comes together

to comfort, love and repair the damage that has

been done. We have seen people from all over the

globe, working together to make the world a safer

place.

Catastrophic world events don’t make sense to any

of us. In the face of the unknown and adversity it is

important to have faith in God’s world and the

people in it. Whenever there is trauma in the world,

there is also remarkable demonstrations and stories

of solidarity and kindness, love and support for

strangers. We belong to a humanity that is good

and kind.

When the world breaks the light pours in. It is a time

to show God’s love to our neighbours, to reach out

to those in need of comfort.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love

comes from God. Everyone who loves has been

born of God and knows God. Whoever does not

love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:7-8

TERM 1 | ISSUE 5 | 2019

Before returning to Port Elliot late last year, my family

and I lived on the Gold Coast where I held the

position of Head Groundsman at Hillcrest Christian

College so I am very excited to be back working in

a wonderful school such as Encounter and being a

member of the Grounds and Maintenance Team.

In my spare time, I enjoy Football, Basketball and

long walks along our beautiful coastline with my

wife Carol and our dog “Indi”.

I look forward to meeting you all in my “travels”

around the College.

GRATEFUL GRANDIES & FRIENDS

This group is up and running! Many thanks to the

Grandies who helped the P&F on Sports Day, either

through baking or helping on a stall.

The focus of this informal group is to connect with

the College through service, fundraising and social

activities. Our first event is being planned for

Thursday May 16th.....more details as they come to

light, but please mark this date on your calendar

and stay tuned.

For more information please contact: Mal Morgan malmorgan@internode.on.net

Phone: 0437991397

Merilyn Harrington merilyn.harrington@outlook.com

Phone: 0405789824

ROSETTA SHINES AT SPORTS DAY

Congratulations, not only to Rosetta House on their

win on Sports Day, but to all the students who

competed and/or supported their peers on the

day. The final scores were:

1st Rosetta 1252

2nd Coorong 1130

3rd Yilki 1107

4th Granite 1052

Thank you to all of the families who assisted with

marshalling, catering via the P&F and for generally

supporting the College by coming along to the

event and creating a fantastic atmosphere that

was felt by all.

A huge thank you to our staff who kept the day

ticking along and ensuring that students were able

to have a go and contribute on the day.

Troy Wegener & Justin Riggs

TERM 1 | ISSUE 5 | 2019

Catalyst * Research * Enrichment * Scope * Transformation

ENCOUNTER LEADERSHIP FORUM A select group of senior students meet fortnightly at

lunchtimes to hear from our staff about their

experiences with leadership.

In the last fortnight the group have heard from

Mr Tim Wormald ‘Politics and your voice’

Ms Julie Mariner ‘Leadership in Action – a case

study’

Next meeting is Friday 5th April with Mr Tom Ling

‘Leadership and Social Responsibility”

CREST EARTH

CREST EARTH is a group of Encounter

students from year 6 to year 12,

committed and determined to make

our College (and world) more

environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Students meet fortnightly to discuss and

action ways to make a positive

difference on our earth.

Australia uses over 10 million plastic bags a day!

CREST EARTH FACT:

AUTHOR VISIT ROSANNE HAWKE Encounter Lutheran College was delighted to receive a visit from South Australian author, Rosanne Hawke.

Mrs Hawke shared with the students her inspiration for writing novels and talked of her experiences living in

the Middle East for 10 years.

NEWS

NEST NEWS

‘I am reading Daughter of a Nomad at the moment which is about a girl who goes on an adventure to learn more about herself after finding out she was adopted. It is really intriguing and captivating and I am really enjoying it’. Lila, Year 7

‘Having Rosanne Hawke come in and talk to us was such a great e xperience! She was very inspirational and encouraged all the young writers in our school to not give up on there dreams. She even encouraged a few of us to start writing. She taught us so much about Pakistan and her stories are such fun to read. I am glad that I have found her books and I will spend more time reading them for sure’. Leila, Year 7

TERM 1 | ISSUE 5 | 2019

SAPSASA YEAR 6/7 GIRLS FOOTY

Our Year 6/7 Girls participated in the Crows Cup

SAPSASA Girls Football Carnival today at Strathalbyn

Football Oval, finishing in 3rd place in a field of 10

teams. The Encounter Team showed determination

and courage to win 4 out of their 5 matches in the

9-a-side competition. The girls had a fantastic day of

football, team work and fun and also enjoyed

meeting some of the players from the Crows

Women’s Team. Thank you to Ella Thomas (Yr 11) on

coaching our team and the parent helpers on the

day. Well done girls!!

YEAR 10 MATHS PROBABILITY GAMES

This week, the year 10’s were looking at probability

with and without replacement. This tied in well with

compound events. The students took part in a

game called egg roulette. The aim of the game is

to not have raw egg splattered on your forehead.

The game consists of 12 eggs, 7 hard boiled and 5

raw. The players take turns to choose an egg from

the dozen and splat it on their opponents heads.

The loser is the person who gets 3 raw eggs

splattered on their head first.

Students then spent the next lesson looking at the

probability of repeating the exact sequence of

events from the games, through the study of tree

diagrams and compounding events.

To view an “egg-cerpt” of the frivolities of the

game, click on the link below:

https://www.encounter.sa.edu.au/wp-content/

uploads/2019/03/Egg-Roulette-Prob.mp4

TEACHING & LEARNING FROM THE SPORT’S DESK

TERM 1 | ISSUE 5 | 2019

SPORTS DAY 2019

TERM 4 | ISSUE 4

Bookings for the Escape Rooms are essential.

To book your group in visit:

www.victor.sa.gov.au/library & follow the

Eventbrite link on school holiday fun

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/youth-week-

escape-the-room-harry-potter-ages-8-11-yrs-tickets-

57066363028

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/youth-week-

escape-the-room-star-wars-ages-12-20-yrs-tickets-

57065474370

For more information contact Lucretia Sperring on

8551 0586 or email lsperring@victor.dsa.gov.au

Holiday Club Bookings are now open for our Autumn holiday

festivities – get ready to Jungle Jam.

With carefully designed programs that cater for

primary school children of all ages, your children will

be asking to come back for more! Some of the

activities we have planned include games, arts &

crafts, sport, excursions, cooking, coding and more.

To attend any of our Holiday Clubs your child doesn’t

need to be a student at the school where we

operate. To attend our care, you must register your child.

Register now for free