We are blessed at Tatachilla that you as parents have chosen us as a place of learning and nurture for your son or daughter. The relationship that we form together with your child is at the centre in all that we do. In this relationship we include you as their parent. We encourage parents to be actively involved in our community through a variety of ways throughout the year. Here are some ways that partnerships have been fostered at the start of a new year, where parents can have an active role in the lives of their son or daughter at Tatachilla.
 

Sub-school information nights for parents

We were delighted to welcome over 900 parents over the last three weeks at Junior, Middle and Senior School Parent Information Sessions. All these nights took on a different structure with the hope that parents connected with their child’s core class/home class teacher, key leadership staff and fellow parents.

All information sessions across the sub-schools focussed on building a relationship with one main class or home class teacher. This teacher is the central contact for you as parents, as it is this teacher who supports the learning and wellbeing of your child.

Each sub-school session focussed on the importance of executive function or learning habits that we are developing in teaching and learning practices within the classroom setting, but also through the Middle and Senior School Deadline Handbook.

Parents were able to meet and make new connections with fellow parents over a sausage sizzle, food platters and wine. This social invitation and fellowship is also extended to families at our Twilight Food Affair on Friday 22 March (Term 1) and Tatachilla Winemakers on Friday 1 November (Term 4). Make sure you place these dates on your social calendars.
 

Special rituals that mark new beginnings and transitions

The Junior School marks the special rite of passage - starting school, through the “Tea & Tears” parent coffee welcome on the first day of the year. Parents were invited to the Junior School Chapel in Week 3 where each child in Reception received a children’s Bible. This ritual aims to build community and commemorate the children’s start of school and bring parents together to experience the spiritual life in our College Chapels and fellowship.

Year 7 parents were warmly welcomed to the Middle School in the first week of Term 1, with parents assisting their child with transitioning into a secondary setting. The orientation program ended with students taking their parents on a tour around their new school. It was so empowering to see our Year 7 students speak with passion, knowledge and confidence about their new school after 4 days of being here. The Year 7 Canberra Trip this week is a great challenge for the Year 7s to embrace together. This camp builds a special bond that brings the students and staff together quickly; as they learn to grow through challenges and take positive risks.
 

Parent volunteers and mentors

There are many ways parents can volunteer and mentor students at Tatachilla. Two programs in the Senior School are the Australian Business Week and Mock Interviews where Year 10 students learn real world learning experiences and skills. If you own your own business or are involved in the employment industry, we are looking for parents to volunteer for these programs. Please contact Mrs Margaret Naylor, Assistant Head of Senior School for more information.

We strongly encourage parents to be involved in College community events. Helpers are needed for Sports Day, Twilight Food Affair, the College Musical and Winemakers of Tatachilla. For more information please contact Mrs Sally Moran, Community Relations & Fundraising Officer.

Thank you to new parent volunteers, many from Reception families along with other year levels in the Junior School as LAP volunteers. Your support is greatly appreciated and will be valued by our children and teachers.
 

Leaving your family’s lasting memory at Tatachilla

We have launched a fund-raising paver campaign and hope Junior School families will take part, with the funds raised going to outdoor bench seating. Part of this campaign is to have a paver with your family or children’s name on it that will be laid in the new Junior School pathway. Look out at the back of the newsletter for the order form.
 

Have your voice heard in the future strategic directions of the College

The College is currently working through a strategic planning process for the future. As part of this process we will shortly be inviting parents to complete a survey in relation to future vision and direction for the College, followed by small parent focus groups for deeper exploration.

Enriching our children and young people’s lives through active partnerships with parents is our vision and mission at Tatachilla. It is through this partnership that we hope we will find the treasure in each of our students’ lives as they grow with us.

Blessings for the week ahead.

Ms Sarah Hoff-Zweck
HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL