This week's image of the week celebrates the imminent reopening of our newly resurfaced oval, scheduled for next Tuesday.

Students in Years 7 and 11 travelled to PCYC Bornhoffen at Natural Bridge for a three day, two night leadership camp this week. The camp is located in beautiful bushland and offered students a range of activities to challenge and extend themselves. 

The camp gave the students a chance to identify within themselves personal strengths and areas for growth. They also were able to set goals that would push them outside of their comfort zone and with the support of their peers, rise up to the challenge. 

Bornhoffen, with its stunning location, was also a great opportunity for the students to just 'be' in nature. At different times they were able to simply sit and take in the beauty and serenity of the location, to immerse themselves (at times literally) in the beautiful Numinbah Valley where the World Heritage, Springbrook and Lamington National Parks meet. 

Activities were:

• Abseiling: students descended a 8-10m rock face adjacent to a spectacular waterfall. Students learned about assessing and managing risks, rationalising and overcoming fears, supporting and encouraging others. 

• Intermediate Creeking: students navigated a picturesque creek supplied by natural spring and recent rainfalls. The journey began at Blue Yabby Rock Pool with a refreshing dip and continued for approximately 500m along the creek, through pools and down rock slides and culminating with a leap of faith through a waterfall. Students learned to identify and navigate risks and obstacles, communicate and support one another while working in small teams. 

• High ropes - Students undertook the challenging high ropes course which included obstacles called "The Venetian Blinds" - 4 giant timber and rope ladders, suspended 10m from the ground, "The Lily Pads" - 5 flat disks, suspended by a single central rope in each. Students learned to assess and manage risk and fear, working as a team to support and encourage others.

• Low ropes course and team building games: students completed the low ropes course and participated in a range of team building games including: "Minefield" - using verbal communication only, guide your blindfolded, peers through an obstacle course, and "River Crossing"  - with a handful of stepping stones which can be easily 'washed' away, get your entire team safely across the imaginary rapid river. Students learned the importance of clear communication and active listening, they took on various roles within teams and experienced the challenges that come with group organisation. 

When the teachers were asked about the highlights of the camp, they responded with:

• Watching students coach each other across the high ropes, especially when they got stuck on the wooden slats section

• Seeing students who were scared of heights on the first day, doing the abseiling on day three

• Swimming under the waterfall with the group - freezing cold but the best experience listening to the screams of laughter

• The team building activities where the natural leaders shone and the group worked together to solve problems

• Watching the hills disappear as the thunderstorm approached on night two

• Students offering to help with jobs and tasks such as washing up and clearing tables - no moans and groans

• Creeking- the best activity! It was so much fun on a hot day, challenging whilst strengthening bonds and leadership skills.

Overall it was a fantastic experience where students and teachers were able to get to know each other better. Thank you to all the staff involved in making this a wonderful experience for our students. 

Mrs Fiona Stevens & Staff

Last week, secondary students auditioned to be a part of TMC's Got Talent. We're so excited to be back after having to cancel the performances last year. The event will be restricted to a student-only audience due to venue and space constraints. Each act will be filmed and made available to the performer.  This year's lineup is looking fabulous and we can't wait for our students to share their talents with their peers!

Ms Hanna Green

Full Name: Roshan Sabapathy 

1. What subjects do you currently teach? Chemistry, Science and General Mathematics

2. How long have you been a teacher?  21 years - now I feel old :(

3. What schools have you taught at previously? I taught in Singapore when I first started my career. I went back to my old school to teach. That was fun because I got to work with the very teachers who inspired me to become a teacher. Then I worked in a TAFE equivalent in Singapore. I moved to Mount Isa and taught at Good Shepherd Catholic College. After 2 years, I moved to the Gold Coast and worked with Assisi Catholic College for 9 years. I moved to a challenging school at Ormeau that had many behavioural issues and leant a great deal in the time I was there. After that I worked at the Australian Industry Trade College before I came to TMC.  

4. What attracted you to teaching in the first place?  Throughout my school life,  I had great teachers who cared. They taught me to be an individual, to never be afraid to ask questions and challenge the norm if necessary. They taught me to be kind to others and to understand another's perspective. They taught me to be creative and to be a critical thinker. They inspired me. I carry their legacy and try to match their vigour and tenacity. The fact that I can change a whole community, one student at a time, was attractive. That is why I decided, at the age of 15, that I was going to be a teacher. 

5. What is it you love about teaching now?  The students. They make me feel young. They brighten up the most cloudy day. They cheer me on. They challenge me. They help me grow.  

6. What is your favorite thing about TMC?  The small community. The perfect students who are well mannered and always willing to learn.  

7. What would be your dream holiday destination? Why?   Travelling around Australia in a caravan for years. Getting to know and understand the different communities in the outback. Being part of the community and contributing in any way I can.

When I started teaching I had this idea of a teacher, and at most times, I still feel I have the same ideology:

A Teacher...

• Is one who learns about life constantly
• Is one who keeps young by growing up again and again
• Is able to rationalize each event of a life
• Is usually looked up to, but he never looks down
• Learns as much as he teaches
• Is a permanent student!
• Gives knowledge without reserve, he gives himself and pieces of his life
• Shows the way which he thinks is the best, but he listens and is never afraid to try new ways
• Leads, but mostly he follows
• Shows his students how to lead and when they have learnt it well, he follows
• Is a person

School is officially in session at Tamborine Mountain College, and while the youngest students of the school are learning new skills in the classroom, there are a few other tried and true skills we shouldn’t let fall by the wayside. Life skills, no matter how old they may seem are worth learning, and we had the wonderful experience of gardening with Mr. J.

On Friday the 12th of February Mr. J taught the ‘Prep Val’ students the basic skills of gardening, how to care for plants and life cycles.

The students discovered that gardening is not only great for developing skills such as fine-motor coordination and concentration, but adds value as “real work” projects to complete. Our real world project of gardening will be ongoing with students caring for our garden throughout the year.

Ms Tahnee Brown

Every year TMC's P&F runs an initiative called the Parent Advisory Liaisons (PALs). Each year group from Prep - Year 3 is assigned one or two PALs who encourages community spirit in the class by organising a class contact list, social activities, welcomes new families and promotes P&F initiatives. The teachers will continue to exclusively communicate all information about classroom events, expectations, excursions, homework etc.

Last year we were unable to run our PAL program, but we are looking forward to bringing it back in 2021. Please look out for an email next week from our P&F about how you can get involved.

It's All About Me!

Over the course of this month Kindy was introduced to the concept of ‘Show and Tell’

which involved presenting an ‘All About Me’ poster. Thank you families for contributing and supporting us to learn more about your child. Mrs Hinkins tells me she is very proud of how in such a short time the Kindy classes confidence  has grown.  Show and tell helps the children establish relationships with their peers and encourages a sense of belonging to the class while getting to know each other better.

Following up with one of the children's interests into snakes, Vic class slithered like snakes moving their bodies through a thin tunnel, practiced their cutting skills while creating  spiral snakes and learnt some interesting facts about snakes.  Following children's interests forms part of our inquiry through play based learning  part of our curriculum and philosophy.  Interests become a great way for us to discuss real life situations too for example what to do in the event you see a snake at home or at the school.

Val class investigated recycling, thinking about the different ways they could recycle or conserve water, the teachers have found that taps are being left on in the bathroom. The children a  good discussion where they came up with some thoughtful ideas:

Reuse water from water troughs after play time to water the garden

Use the water that is collected in the box from hand washing outside, and remember to turn taps off!   

A highlight for this week was looking into animal environments - conserving and recycling helps us to look after the environment.   Mrs Ballie had found a tree frog inside that Pre prep released back into the environment.

Together as a whole group Vic played a rubbish sorting game which sparked a problem solving  discussion.  What items can you recycle, compost or take to the rubbish dump or op shop?

One way families can contribute to our programme and recycle  is by collecting boxes, yoghurt containers, plastic lids from home for us to reuse in the arts and craft area.  Your rubbish is our treasure.  We have some very imaginative and creative young people at the ELC! 

OSHC….

A highlight this week was a taste test on Wednesday.  Miss Phair organised several different tasting bowls, our brave participants were then blindfolded and asked to guess what it was that they were tasting!  Watch out soon for the Easter School Holiday Programme, book early to avoid disappointment!  

This will be available for booking through our Website: https://www.tmc.qld.edu.au/pro... 

Mrs Rachael Fernandez

Over the Christmas holidays, our oval was completely releveled with new soil and fresh turf laid. The grass has now taken and we look forward to opening the oval to play next Tuesday. This afternoon a roller was used to finish flattening the ground and the playing surface is perfect. Line marking will be painted next Monday and full field games will now be possible because of the consistent playing surface. Let the games begin!

Year 12 student and school captain Dylan Sippel has once again displayed his prowess with a baseball by being selected in the South Coast Region Open Baseball side to compete in the State Championships later this term. The Championships will be held in Bunya and will provide Dylan with the opportunity to be selected in the Queensland side. Of course, Dylan is no stranger to being selected in the regional team, with this being his 5th consecutive year (except 2020 due to Covid-19) in the side. 

Dylan’s career in baseball began in Grade 4 when a member of the Coomera Baseball Club came to the school. He has been playing for Coomera ever since and is now a Division 1 player and also a coach for lower grades. Dylan is primarily a pitcher but is also pretty handy in the field and with the bat. Dylan hopes to complete school and move to the U.S. where he hopes to get the chance to play College ball.

When asked how he feels about the upcoming State Championships Dylan stated, “[I] feel pretty confident. Southcoast are favoured to win”. Although for Dylan winning isn’t everything. He is also keen to catch up with his team mates from previous years whom he didn’t get a chance to see last year. This is perhaps even more important this year as one of Dylan’s former teammates tragically lost his life in a car accident recently and Dylan is hoping that the team can come together to help each other deal with their loss.

Here at TMC, we wish Dylan all the best with the upcoming Queensland Championships and can’t wait to hear of his success. 

by Portia Ilaoa

Primary Kyle House Captain, Archie Antunovic from Grade 6 Val, competed in the Little Athletics South Coast Regional Carnival held at Kingscliff NSW where he represented Tamborine Mountain Little Athletics Club.  He made the regional finals for the 100m, 200m and 400m running events and finished in the top 4 for the 200m and 400m, which has qualified him for the State Championships to be held in March at the QSAC Stadium in Brisbane. Congratulations, Archie!

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