Solar energy systems generate electricity with minimal environmental impact, providing a cleaner alternative that contributes to a healthier planet. The Year 4s put this energy knowledge to use last week, with the challenge of cooking an egg, using only the energy from the sun.

A Learning Egg-sperience!

Students designed devices that would harness the sun’s energy to create impressive solar-powered ovens. They set their ‘ovens’ up on the Oval on a comfortable 24-degree day, and experimented with baking eggs. After working hard on their designs, it was up to the sun to do the rest, over the course of several hours.

At the end of the experiment, students experienced results that ranged from sizzling success to valuable learning experiences. Now, their job is to eggs-amine what worked and what didn’t, in order to refine their designs for another attempt next week!

Mrs Janine Homer, Year 4 Teacher

We are grateful to each of the below staff members for their contribution to the education of the students they have taught.

Those we are saying goodbye to, in 2023

Mrs Mel Rogers (Humanities and previously Pastoral Care Department 2014 – Aug. 2023). Mrs Rogers has decided to go back to her counselling roots and has taken a position at Emmaus Christian College as a school Counsellor.

Mr Daniel Lee (Physics, Mathematics and Senior Digital Technologies 2019 – Sept. 2023). Mr Lee has taken up an opportunity to use his skills in the growing defence industry here in SA. Mr Andrew Kennedy has temporarily covered some of Mr Lee’s classes for the latter part of this year and we are grateful that he has assisted the College and our students in this way.

Mrs Kerri-Ann Sweet (our former Science Coordinator 2010 – 2023). Mrs Sweet who has been a core part of our Science and Mathematics faculties, has taken leave this year and has now settled in Canberra, teaching at Brindabella Christian College. Mrs Tracey Hopps has been the Science Coordinator for this year and will continue in that role in 2024.

Mrs Vivien Brook came on board in Semester 2 this year to cover Mrs Laura Hill’s classes, as Mrs Hill is on Maternity Leave. Mrs Brook will be finishing her contract at the end of this term, and we are grateful for her stepping into this role.

Those we are welcoming to Cedar in 2024

I am pleased to announce our new teachers starting their journey with us in January:

Mr Glen Surtees (our new Digital Technologies Coordinator and English Teacher). Mr Surtees will be teaching Digital Technologies to most year levels, and we anticipate and look forward to the growth of this subject over the coming years. He comes to us from Durban High School in South Africa.

Mr Richard Debrah (Physics and Mathematics). Mr Debrah comes to us with a high level of proficiency and experience from Trinity Lutheran College in Victoria.

Mrs Jocelyn David (Middle School Mathematics and Canopy). Mrs David also comes with much experience and knowledge in these areas. Many of our students will already know Mrs David as she has been a regular relief teacher for a few years.

Mr Rodney Hrvatin (Humanities and English). Mr Hrvatin comes to us from Harvest Christian College and has a solid background in these subjects and will be a great addition to these faculties.

Mr Jake Battersby (Health and Physical Education). Mr Battersby has taught previously at Emmaus Christian College and many of our students will know him from his attendance at SACSA carnivals this year.

Year Level and Faculty Coordinators

Our Year Level Coordinators and Faculty Coordinators will mainly remain the same in 2024, with a few exceptions.

Mr Andrew Mooney will be stepping away from the Year 8 Coordinator role. We are thankful for his contribution to this role over several years now, especially for his excellent rapport with the Year 8 students. Mrs Ysobel Coleman will be undertaking this role for the next two years, and she is very excited to build upon Mr Mooney’s legacy.

I’d also like to thank Mrs Caitlin Lorenz for undertaking the Health and Physical Education Coordinator role for the past two years. As she focuses more on her Food and Hospitality and Child Studies specialist areas, Mr Tom Giles will now be enthusiastically undertaking this role in his fourth year at the College.

We are also pleased to announce that Mrs Rachael Montgomery will be managing our High School SPARK program (Gifted and Talented), in lieu of Mrs Danielle Cioffi (Director of High School Curriculum) who will be taking on some additional responsibilities as part of her Leadership role. I’d like to thank Mrs Cioffi for her management of this program since its inception. Mrs Cioffi will work alongside Mrs Montgomery in the transition and will still have general oversight of this program under her broader Leadership responsibilities.

Night of Nights

Year 12 students arrived in style for their Formal, and, for the first time, were accompanied by parents for pre-dinner drinks and canapes.

The inclusion of family members provided a special time for the wider Cedar community to reminisce about the years spent together, many for their entire schooling.

After farewelling their parents, the Year 12s enjoyed a fun evening together, hosted by the dynamic duo of Mr Mooney and Mr Nowak.

As the night unfolded, the Year 12 band set the stage ablaze with renditions of student favourites, turning the dance floor into a lively spectacle. The celebrations marked a perfect conclusion to a truly memorable year for the graduating class of 2023.