Tension Woods College

Every Learner Will Shine: Tenison Woods College

Leading with Purpose, Inclusion, and Innovation

In the heart of Mount Gambier, South Australia, Tenison Woods College stands as a shining example of what education can be when faith, inclusion, and innovation align. Under the steady leadership of Principal David Mezinec, this Catholic co-educational college has evolved into a vibrant, future-focused learning community where sustainability, wellbeing, and personal growth are at the center of everything.

Rooted in the teachings of its namesake Father Julian Tenison Woods, the school carries forward a legacy of compassion and curiosity that began decades ago—today expressed through modern sustainability practices, inclusive education, and a deep belief that every learner has a place, every learner has a pathway, and every learner will shine.

A School with Deep Roots and a Clear Vision

The history of Tenison Woods College is a story of connection. Before the year 1972, the Mount Gambier site was home to separate Catholic schools—a Mercy school for girls and a Marist Agricultural College for boys. Their amalgamation marked a new chapter of collaboration and inclusivity, one that brought together diverse traditions under a shared mission, and evolved to become a reception to year 12 school in 2000.

In 2014, the addition of the Early Learning Centre expanded the college’s reach from the earliest years through to Year 12, creating a seamless educational journey for students and families.

Now home to 1,756 students across four sub-schools, Tenison Woods is a thriving hub of learning where every stage of development—spiritual, academic, emotional, and social—is intentionally supported.

“Ultimately, we keep things simple so that our young ones understand what we stand for,” Mezinec explains. “Every learner has a place—meaning every student belongs. Every learner has a pathway—we know them well and help them find where they’re called to be. And every learner will shine—that’s both our challenge and our daily celebration.”

That philosophy is more than a motto; it’s a framework that shapes every classroom, program, and interaction across the campus.

Faith in Action: Shining for Others

Faith and service remain cornerstones of the Tenison Woods identity. Students are encouraged to “shine so that others can be better,” a gospel-inspired approach that connects spiritual growth with tangible community action.

This philosophy takes form in a remarkable partnership with Hatolia Catholic College in Timor-Leste, where students raise funds, share learning experiences, and welcome visiting educators to Mount Gambier. “It’s about giving back, learning from others, and helping our young people understand the world’s interconnectedness,” Mezinec says.

The college’s scholarship program is another powerful expression of compassion in action. Rather than rewarding athletic or academic excellence, these scholarships remove barriers for children in need—particularly those under the care of South Australia’s Minister for Child Protection. “We don’t offer scholarships for talent,” Mezinec emphasizes. “We offer them so that every child who wants to be here can be here. We tell our families not to let money be the thing that prevents access to Tenison Woods College.”

Today, nearly 60 students benefit from these fully supported placements, changing the trajectory of young lives and reinforcing the college’s commitment to equity and inclusion.

Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn

Leadership and agency are woven into the fabric of the college—from the youngest learners in the McKillop Junior School to the senior students preparing for graduation. Each sub-school nurtures its own student leadership team, with opportunities for cross-school collaboration that build confidence and accountability.

“It’s not lip service to leadership,” Mezinec says. “We expect our students to do things for others—to lead with purpose.”

That same philosophy extends to staff. With 311 educators, many working part-time to maintain a healthy work-life balance, Tenison Woods fosters an environment where professional learning is as valued as teaching itself.

Every teacher participates in the college’s Community of Practice (CoP) program—an annual showcase where staff share research, innovations, and classroom insights with peers. “Each teacher presents something they’ve been developing in their craft,” Mezinec explains. “It’s a celebration of learning, and it keeps our learning culture alive and dynamic.”

Educators also receive specialized training in trauma-informed pedagogy through the Life Buoyancy Institute, equipping them to support students navigating complex emotional and social challenges.

Project Recology: Turning Waste into Wonder

Perhaps the most visionary expression of the college’s ethos is its internationally recognized Project Recology initiative—a comprehensive ecology and sustainability program that blends environmental stewardship with entrepreneurial learning.

Inspired by Pope Francis’ 2014 encyclical Laudato Si, which calls on all people to “care for our common home,” the program embodies a deep ecological consciousness. “Our belief is that where the planet is hurting, the most marginalized in our world are also hurting,” Mezinec says.

Project Recology is more than a sustainability campaign—it’s a living classroom. Students operate a bio-digester that converts food and green waste from over 1,700 students into compost within eight hours. Excess compost is sold locally, teaching students how environmental responsibility can create value.

Plastic recycling is equally innovative: bottles and plastics are transformed into marketable products like bowls, earrings, and planter boxes, which are designed, manufactured, and sold through the school’s Pop Shop. The shop is operated by students in the college’s Inclusion Unit, known as Poplars, which supports 43 students with intellectual disabilities.

“They’re learning that caring for the planet can also be a business opportunity,” Mezinec explains. “We’re probably the only school in Australia doing this at this scale—and it’s changing how students think about sustainability.”

The program’s success has drawn national and international recognition, earning the college both an Innovation Award from Catholic Education South Australia and a trip to Abu Dhabi, as a finalists in the Zayed Future Energy Prize for the Oceanic region.

Looking ahead, Tenison Woods aims to be zero-waste by the conclusion of 2025 and energy self-sufficient by 2030 through expanded solar infrastructure—another bold target that reflects the school’s determination to lead by example.

Spaces that Inspire

The college’s forward momentum is mirrored in its physical environment. The recently completed McKillop Junior School building—named after Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint—has become a regional landmark for contemporary educational design.

The facility emphasizes connection, autonomy, and collaboration, housing Years 1–6 in open yet intimate learning hubs. “It’s a space that encourages independence while still feeling like a community,” Mezinec notes.

Next on the horizon is Stage Three of the master plan: a Health, Physical Education, and Dance Studio Complex, set to begin construction in early 2026. The project will include new gym and fitness facilities, changerooms, and a performing arts studio, developed in partnership with the Football Federation of South Australia.  Plans also include the installation of Mount Gambier’s first synthetic sports pitch, reinforcing the college’s status as a regional High-Performance and Sporting Academy School.

“Our sporting academies in basketball, football, netball, soccer, hockey, tennis and cricket are thriving,” says Mezinec, proudly noting several alumni now playing in the Australian Football League (AFL). “Recently we’ve had young people like Brad Close, Angus Clark, and Oscar Adams go from our classrooms to the national stage—and they all finished their schooling with us.”

From Garden to Table

The college’s sustainability journey continues in the kitchen through the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, where students learn to grow, harvest, and cook their own food. The initiative ties into vocational training through the Sugarloaf Café, a fully operational on-campus Training café where senior students pursue up to certificate III in hospitality.

“The café provides real-world experience,” Mezinec explains. “Students prepare meals for our Early Learning Centre and cater for local events like race days. It’s hands-on learning that connects education to employment.”

These initiatives, from composting and solar to hospitality and horticulture and agriculture, form a holistic ecosystem of learning that prepares students not just for exams—but for life.

A Living Legacy

After more than 14 years at the helm, David Mezinec remains both principal and visionary, guiding Tenison Woods College with the same curiosity that inspired its founding namesake. His leadership blends compassion with practicality, shaping an institution where ecology, equity, and excellence coexist.

“The future of education is about connection—between people, planet, and purpose,” he says. “Our goal is to help every learner find where they belong, discover their pathway, and let their light shine.”

From its humble beginnings to its global recognition, Tenison Woods College is proving that when education is grounded in faith and driven by innovation, the light of learning truly shines for all.

AT A GLANCE:

Name: Tenison Woods College

What: Leading school district with a recognized focus on sustainability and inclusive learning

Where: Mount Gambier

Website: https://www.tenison.catholic.edu.au/

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