The Hawke House Captains after their victory at the Swimming Carnival.

Welcome to our second school newsletter for 2024. It has been a successful start for students to the first three weeks of 2024, with a number of positive and enriching whole school events.

Firstly congratulations to Hawke House who won the Swimming Carnival, our first House Points event for 2024. Also an acknowledgement of all Houses and individual students, who were exemplary around their efforts, conduct and engagement throughout the day. The event was very well attended and organised, well done to Miss Falland and Mr Leslie on their excellent organisation of the event.    

School Improvement Plan

Over the latter half of 2023 we have been planning an updated school improvement vision with our students, staff and involving Governing Council.

This is aligned with the updated Department for Education Purpose for Public Education Strategy.

From 2024 we will be focusing on two key areas of impact, which align with our school vision, purpose and direction:

 Learner Agency

This area of impact aligns to the work we have been developing across our school in increasing student’s interest and passion for learning. We continue to grow significant learning opportunities for our students across Academic, Trade and Vocational pathways. This is occurring through Unit Planning across all Curriculum courses and programs we offer.

Some examples of this area of impact at Kapunda High School include our Entreprenuerial Learning vision and focus such as:

• AgVentures
• Kappy Brew Café
• Housing and Heritage Trades
• Villawood Partnership
• University of Adelaide Roseworthy Campus & High ATAR Program

We are continuing to grow and expand on the success of our Learner Agency opportunities for our students from 2024 and beyond.

Wellbeing and Engagement

This area of impact has seen significant growth over the past few years, with the introduction of our Wellbeing Hub, expansion of our Wellbeing Team and most recently the appointment of an on-site School Mental Health Clinician.

Some examples of this area of impact at Kapunda High School include our Wellbeing for Learning vision and focus such as: 

• Positive School Culture
• Youth Opportunities
• Healthy Minds
• UPLiFT program
• Berry Street Education Model
• SMART Training
• Passion Projects

We are continuing to grow and expand on the success of our Wellbeing and Engagement opportunities for our students from 2024 and beyond. 

I look forward to providing you with further information and student success stories as our work in these areas continues to grow.

Conditions for Learning

Students and staff have been working well to set a positive school culture, environment and tone where everyone feels safe, respected, included and they can achieve their best.  

Our school expectations set our conditions for learning and ensure that we can focus on learning, teaching and enriching curriculum experiences for every child.

Thank you to our parents and caregivers for your continued partnership and support for our school expectations.

Key areas for our school include:

• Positive Behaviour Recognitions – to celebrate ongoing individual student commitment and success to our school values.
  
  
• Mobile Phone and Personal Electronic Devices – to ensure students are safe and our school is a Mobile Phone impact and distraction-free environment, in line with Government legislation.
  
  
• Hat expectations – to ensure students are sun safe, in line with our Sun Protection Policy and Sun Smart policy.
  
  
• School Lockers – to ensure individual student health, wellbeing and safety. Our Lockers help students to be well planned and organised. Minimising the trip hazard of school bags is also vital in the case of emergencies.

Governing Council

Our Governing Council Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 27th February at 6.30pm. I encourage any parents/caregivers or community members interested in joining our school to please attend and also consider nominating to join the committee.

I look forward to working in partnership with you throughout 2024, to provide your child/ren with an enriching, memorable and enjoyable schooling experience.

David Marino

Principal

Year 7 Meet & Greet Tuesday, 20th February (Week 4)

Year 12 Meet & Greet Tuesday, 27th February (Week 5)

Governing Council AGM Tuesday, 27th February (Week 5)

Sports Day Thursday, 7th March (Week 6)

Student Free Day Friday, 8th March (Week 6)

Adelaide Cup Public Holiday Monday, 11th March (Week 7)

Good Friday Public Holiday Friday, 29th March (Week 9)

Easter Monday Public Holiday Monday, 1st April (Week 10)

Last Day of Term 1 Friday 12th April (Week 11)

The materials and services charges for 2024 are $480.00, less the $100 government rebate = $380.  This is used for the purchase of loan text books, equipment and materials used in the delivery of the curriculum.  A basic stationery issue is supplied (which is GST Free) which includes an ID card and monthly printing and internet allocation. 

PAYMENT OF MATERIALS AND SERVICES

The due date for payment of materials and services is Friday 12th April 2024 (End of Term 1).
Payment may be made by cash, cheque, EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard or by Direct Bank Deposit (see details below). Students are to make payments prior to the start of the school day (8:50am) to avoid carrying around large sums of money through the day.  Parents/caregivers are encouraged to make payments to the Finance Desk in the Front Office Reception Building from 8:30am-3:30pm.

Prompt payment of school charges ensures that all parents accept their share of the responsibility for the education of their students. 

INSTALMENT PAYMENT PLAN

Download and return the following form to apply for paying school fees by instalment this year.

SCHOOL CARD SCHEME  

School Card is available in government schools to:

• families with children aged 4 years and over who attend a school full time
• independent full time students studying year 10, 11 or 12
• Adult re-entry students undertaking subjects to complete their SACE.

To qualify, your family's gross income in the 2022/23 financial year must be below the threshold, based on the number of dependent children you have in your family.

Information on the eligibility criteria, income limits and the application process is available at the link:

If you think you may be eligible for School Card please complete the online application form at the link below as soon as possible.

Students have started well in their chosen subjects. All subject changes should have been completed by now. Well, done to all students on adjusting to the new sun smart policy, it’s great to see the Year 12s becoming leaders already.  

Year 12 Meet and Greet  

This year we are running a meet and greet session for parents/caregivers to catch up with teachers. The night will be held on Tuesday 27th February 4:30 – 6pm. Parents will be emailed the letter and instructions for booking interviews by the end of Week 3. If you have any problems with booking, please contact us.  

Formal – Thursday 14th March. 

Reminder that formal payments need to be completed by Friday Wk 6. During Week 3 Medical forms will be sent home with all kids – theses need to be returned ASAP, this includes any guests who attend Kapunda High School. A program for the night will be emailed to parents closer to the date.  

Last Swimming Carnival!

Monday Week 2, one week completed of Year 12.

Year 11 student Jada has won a Department for Education STEM scholarship to support her achievement in STEM subjects at SACE level. On Friday 9th of February, Jada along with her father Graham and School Mentor Kathy Coombs attended the STEM Scholarship Induction at the University of Adelaide, North Terrace campus. The induction gave Jada a chance to meet other current scholarship recipients, learn about the pathways of previous recipients and engage in STEM activities, while Graham and Kathy learnt about how the funds were administrated and the opportunities and goals of the scholarship program.

Kathy Coombs

Science Coordinator

Ms Fethers year 7 Fabric and Fibre class are learning how to use a sewing machine. This week they have practiced their accuracy and different stitch types. Next week they will learn how to thread the sewing machine.

Sam Fethers

Fabric and Fibre Teacher

Volunteers play a vital role in our school canteen being able to offer a wide variety of healthy food to our students and staff at recess and lunch times. Volunteers are encouraged to come and help in our canteen - even for an hour. Assistance during the peak preparation times, between 9:30am and 2:00pm would be most valued and appreciated. And of course, a regular commitment would enable Canteen Manager, Sam, to better plan the menu in advance. 

What hoops do I need to jump through?

Yes, there is some paperwork and some legal requirements such as completing the online Responding to Abuse and Neglect (RAN-EC) course and having a Working With Children Check (WWCC). Kaye Clancy can assist with beginning the process of applying for the WWCC, which is free to our volunteers. There will also be a general induction with the Department for Education and we will share other important information before you begin.Call the school and ask to speak either to Kaye, or Sam in the canteen if you'd like to learn more about the kind of help our canteen requires.

If you're keen to begin, please contact Kaye on 8566 2203.

On Tuesday of week 2, the Stage 1 PE, Health and Recreation class created an obstacle course and then had to guide their blindfolded partner, using only verbal instructions, through the course safely. They then learned how to reflect on SACE Capabilities such as the personal and social, and critical and creative thinking capabilities.

Shani Robinson
HPE Teacher