Teacher Awards

Chris Davis explained that the suggestion for recognising teacher excellence in our local schools had arisen about 18 months ago.He reflected that we now live in a world of rapid change with many of the jobs of today disappearing in coming decades.....we must prepare our kids to be able to handle such change. His Vocational Committee decided to 'give it a go' and contacted principals of 16 schools for expressions of interest, of which 11 responded positively. 18 nominations were received.

Mayor Michael Hewitson, well versed in education, emphasised the need to lift the status of teaching - this is our future. Teachers need to be empowered to achieve the best of results. Teaching aimed at filling tradional roles/jobs is counterproductive.....the ability to adapt to the jobs of tomorrow is far more important. More young people will want to start their own companies and this is promoted in Unley through Fishtank. He praised our club for its contributions to the Unley community and beyond.

Emma Fowler, Principal of St Raphaels School, emphasised the pernicious nature of social media and the steps being taken at her school to defeat the 'Tech Giants'. She was very supportive of the steps being taken to prevent kids under 16 from accessing social media. Phone removal at school was having a positive impact. Importantly the antidote to consumption of social media crap is development of a love of literature which was happening at her school. Reading is vital. We are entering the world of Ai and robots where new skills and adapatbility are paramount.

Mayor Hewitson was asked to present the initial awards. The first was for Group Teamwork and was presented to the Wellbeing Team from Unley Primary School. This team comprising Danni Giro, Tenille Hartzenberg and Denby Tams (see photo right to left) was selected by Principal Amy Reid (an apology for the meeting) to implement strategies for improving the wellbeing of kids at the school, particularly those who struggle. A whole of school approach was adopted and marked improvements were noted in calmness, mindfulness, and social skills. Effective thinking tools were developed.

Encouragement was the second award to recognise relatively new teachers who were making a difference.

• Tia Della Pace, who is in her second year of teaching at St Raphaels. Tia has put great effort into creating a welcoming, inclusive and learning environment, and is an effective teacher
• Brendan Whatley, who is in his first year at Concordia. Brendan came to teach there with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He is versed in world affairs, economics, history, geography and lots more. He teaches effectively and communicates well with students.

• Amanda Benger from Urrbrae High School. Amanda is an agricultural science teacher who has a B Sc, B Ed and psychology qualifications. Her teaching ambit includes the rural sciences, biology, psychology and recently developed a horticultural curriculum for the school. She advises on SACE standards in her fields of teaching. Amanda is very supportive of aboriginal students at the school, teaches exceptionally well and collaborates effectively
• Meelying Lee from St Raphaels School. Meelying is an outstanding teacher who works very hard to get all her students to reach their full potential. She mentors students who require help. Importantly, there has been a marked measurable improvement in test results for phonics, literacy and numeracy. The proof is in the pudding.
• Ashleigh Miller from Unley High School. Ashleigh was nominated by a student who heaped her with praise for excellence in teaching of STEM subjects - maths,science and physics.The  fluency and interest created in her teaching has been first class. Additional support has been provided when needed.

                              

Finale

ROGUES GALLERY - TEACHER AWARDS

Rotary International News

In Appalachia, resilience isn’t just a tool – it’s a value

Posted on October 11, 2024

 

By Kiran Singh Sirah, 2011-13  Rotary Peace Fellow

 

Hurricane Helene rained sadness and pain for 600 miles across our region with catastrophic impact. In parts of Tennessee, across the mountains in western North Carolina, and beyond, the magnitude of the destruction is devastating. Some have described this as a once-in-a-1,000-year event. A Tennessee civil engineer suggested that the only place anywhere in the world capable of withstanding rainfall like this without serious consequences is the ocean.

 

An image keeps returning of a place close to my heart. It’s located just a stone’s throw from where my wife and I were married, on the banks of the ancient Nolichucky River, which flows through this region from one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. It’s a place that holds meaning for many communities – especially for those who live there, who have been displaced from their homes, or are experiencing the loss of loved ones. The image is of Unicoi County Hospital, where just a few days ago, staff and patients had to be rescued from its rooftop.

Some years ago, when the hospital was still in the concept stage, I worked with hospital staff, trained volunteers, and medical teams on a project with a group of teens. It was a unique arts, heritage, and health collaboration that resulted in the hospital receiving a storytelling designation – the only one of its kind in the world.

 

A core part of this project involved creating a junior board of young folklorists, made up of students from Unicoi Middle School. The Junior Board created a time capsule and learned how to interview community members – from local farmers to food truck owners, teachers, fellow students, their own grandparents, and former hospital staff. They gathered objects and stories, reflecting generations of community life, home, family, place, and belonging.

                       

 

One member’s father crafted the capsule from local wood, using nuts and bolts from the old CSX train – once a major transporter of Appalachian coal – a detail reflecting the rich history of this place. Inside the capsule, they placed photos, recordings, and transcripts they had collected, reflecting the traditions and heritage of their home place. Some even wrote letters to future hospital staff and young people.

The capsule was placed inside the hospital as part of its launch, to be opened in 25 years (2044) – a decision made by the junior board. Everyone involved received a special key, so that when we come back together, it could be opened as a group. I placed my key on my sacred home mantel shrine.

 

Whether or not this time capsule is eventually recovered, I believe what these young people created has become a story itself, one that is now part of a much larger narrative – another kind of Appalachian time capsule – connected to the values, traditions, and history of this region. It involves the story unfolding right now, of how people, in crisis, are helping one another by delivering food, checking on neighbors, holding someone suffering in their hearts, making gifts and donations, or praying for those impacted. These are the kind of stories that will live in the hearts and memories of people for generations to come.

 

All rivers begin as trickles. The water flows and joins larger bodies, combining with other channels to form a greater network. Each of us is like those trickles. We have our own stories, memories, hopes, and dreams, that together, form a larger river – a narrative of who we are, individually and as a culture.

While I’m newer to this place I now call home, what I have learned from living here is that in Appalachia, resilience isn’t just a tool – it’s a value. One that exists in the people and history, passed down through generations, across these mountains.

These rivers are powerful. But so are we.

Coffee Chat at Impressa, Unley Shopping Centre

10.30 am on the first Friday of the month is good for a chat with Rotary friends and a caffeine fix - Next one is Friday 1 November 2024

Upcoming Meetings

Tuesday 29 October 6 for 6.30pm Castello's Cucina

Guest Speaker: Aysa Khojesteh Rotary Youth Sailing Challenge and Rob Freak Behind the Badge

Welcoming team: Ross Smith & Vera-Ann Stacy

 

Tuesday 5 November 6 for 6.30pm Castello's Cucina

Guest Speaker: Nic Jeffries South Australian Youth Orchestra

Welcoming team: Garry Taylor & Christina Way

 

Apologies and Meeting Enquiries to: Secretary Greg McLeod on 0417 811 838 or email to secretary@unleyrotary.org.au

Venue Set-up Enquiries to: Bulletin Editor Stephen Baker on 0403 687 015

 

Saturday Thrift Shop Roster

Early Shift: 10.00am to 1.00pm    Late Shift: 1.00pm to 4.00pm 

 

Week 1: 2 November 2024   

Early: Haydn Baillie & Wendy Andrews  (Jerry Casburn) |  Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen

 

Week 2:  9 November 2024  

Early: Greg Mcleod & Wendy Andrews |  Late: Virginia Cossid & Vera-Ann Stacy

 

Week 3: 16 Novemberr 2024

Early: David Middleton & Nathan White  |  Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare

 

Week 4: 26 October 2024  

Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran |  Late: Jason Booth & Ken Haines (Vera-Ann Stacy)

 

Week 5:

Early: Bob Mullins & Wendy Andrews |  Late: Virginia Cossid & Paul Duke

 

Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: Vivienne Wood 0408 819 630; e-mail: vwood@ozemail.com.au

Mitre 10 and Bunnings Barbeques 

The Mitre 10 BBQs are the first and third Saturdays of each month. Morning shift 8.30am - 12 noon; afternoon shift 12.00 - 3.30pm, then clean-up.....next due Saturday 1 November

 

ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm

Morning shift: 8.00am – 12.30pm | Afternoon shift: 12.30 – 5pm

We have been allocated the last Monday of each month, the next being Monday 28 October 

 

The Tale End.....

More news from abroad

A couple was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary on the beaches in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Their domestic tranqility had long been the talk of the town. People would say "What a peaceful and loving couple!"

 

The local newspaper reporter was inquiring into the secret of their long and happy marriage.

 

The husband replied "Well, it dates back to our honeymoon in America. We visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and took a trip down to the canyon floor by horse. We hadn't gone far and my wife's horse srumbled and she almost fell off.

We proceeded a little further and her horse stumbled again. My wife quietly said, 'That's Twice!'

We proceeded a little further and her horse stumbled for the third time. My wife quiely removed her revolver and shot the horse dead.

 

I shouted at her. "What's wrong with you woman! Why did you shoot the poor animal?.Are you stark raving mad!"

 

My wife calmly looked at me and said, That's once!'

 

and closer to home

 

I was listening to the radio this morning when the host invited male callers to reveal the nicknames they have for their wives/partners.

Best call was from the brave chap who called his wife - Harvey Norman   -  explaining 'Absolutely no interest for 36 months.'

 

 

and from Jerry

 

                                        

 

                

                                          

 

 

 

 

                              

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