(L-R) Principal David Marino with SRC students Daniel, Freya, Lachlan, Teisha and Lockie at Kapunda ANZAC Day dawn service.

Welcome to our first School Newsletter for Term 2 2024.

Firstly congratulations to all students on their achievements over Term 1:

• There were a high number of Personal Effort awards achieved, with 111 individual awards.
• This is higher than the number of individual awards achieved each term in 2023.

We are measuring Grade Point Average (GPA) for all year levels this year. This includes every grade achieved by every child for every subject, to track and monitor growth:

• Our Whole School GPA higher in Term 1 2024 than in Term 4 2023.
• This represents a growth of nearly 5% in student grade achievement.

Well done to all students and staff for their work.

Term 2 is set to be another immersive term for our school, with a range of learning activities and opportunities designed for students to learn, achieve and grow.

Upcoming learning experiences will include:   

• Sports Studies camp Week 1.
• Parent/Teacher Interviews Week 2.
• Scott Darlow Aboriginal Education and Music visit Week 3.
• Year 11 Monarto Excursion Week 4.
• Year 7 Zoo Excursion Week 5.
• Year 10 Immunisation Week 6.

Term 1 School Holidays

Over the school holidays, teachers for Year 12 subjects provided guidance on tasks for students to undertake and extend their learning, including Mathematics, Sciences and PE.  

ANZAC Day Dawn Services

On Thursday 25th April, a number of Prefects, SRC members and staff attended ANZAC Day Dawn Services across our region to pay our respects and represent our school.

School Open Day – Sunday 19th May, 2 – 4pm

Our upcoming School Open Day is scheduled for Sunday 19th May from 2 to 4pm. This will be an opportunity for prospective students to see our curriculum offerings, including current Year 6s and families – as well as families looking to enrol for other year levels. It’s also a great opportunity to meet our staff and see our vibrant school culture and facilities. We look forward to seeing you there.

Congratulations to Mr Tim Jones, who has been reappointed to the Deputy Principal role from 2025 for another tenure. Mr Jones has been a key part of Kapunda High School’s progress, direction, development and rebuild. We look forward to his continued involvement in our school!

At the end of Term 1 we farewelled Ms Natalie Dibb, who has been part of the Kapunda High School community for a significant number of years. We wish Ms Dibb all the best for the future.

Conditions for Learning

To uphold and foster a school environment that is conducive to learning and where everyone can be and achieve at their best, we have clarified our Conditions for Learning. This includes: 

• SunSmart rules and practices.
• Mobile Phone and Personal Electronic devices policy
• School Uniform
• School Lockers and Bags
• Academic Assessment Policy

Please note that Hats are not required in Term 2, unless for specifically identified activities such as PE classes, excursions or extended outdoor activities. Please see our school website for further information.

Governing Council

Please be advised that our next Governing Council meeting is scheduled for the evening of Tuesday 21st of May. Governing Council is a key group who contribute to the direction, progress and advancement of our school.

Let’s keep working together to ensure an environment where every young person can learn, grow, achieve and strive for their best. I look forward to connecting with you at our upcoming Student, Parent, Teacher interviews and our work ahead over Term 2.

David Marino

Principal

Parent Teacher Interviews Tuesday, May 7th 4pm-7:30pm (T2W2)

Flu Vaccinations Thursday, May 9 (T2W2)

Open Day Sunday, 19th May 2pm-4pm

Governing Council Meeting Tuesday, 21st May (T2W4)

Terry White Chemmart Kapunda will once again be coming onsite and offering Influenza Vaccinations to students.

Information has been emailed to families, along with a Pre Vaccinations Screening form. If you would like your student to receive this vaccination, please fill out and return the form to Student Services by Monday, May 6. Hard copies of the form are also available from Student Services.

Tab Mackenzie 

Immunisation Coordinator

On a beautifully sunny day in Term 1, the Year 11 and 12 Biology classes took the trip to Flinders University to participate in workshops which aligned with their current or next topic of study.

The Year 12s did a Forensic Science laboratory session, which focused on DNA Biotechnology. The students were able to see how Gel Electrophoresis is used to separate mixtures of DNA/RNA or proteins, based on size.

The Year 11s did a Microbiology workshop, where they were told a cafe had experienced a food contamination incident, and they needed to determine which species it was, so they could control the spread.

Both workshops gave students the opportunity to use facilities and equipment we do not have at KHS and experience the practical exercises they might undertake at university. It was also a chance to talk to current postgraduate students about their studies and what would help our students in their future career or study choices.

After the workshops, the students had lunch at the university. It was a great day for all. We hope to do another excursion in Semester 2.

Some student thoughts on the excursion ...

"I thought it was a very beneficial excursion for it gave us an interactive opportunity to solidify our learning from term 1” Caitlin Both.

“I really enjoyed the experience and it gave me insight into what biology is like at University” Courtney Edwards.

Thank you to Ms Kerensa Greenfield for organising and liaising with Flinders University for this excursion.

Kerensa Greenfield and Emily Patrick

SACE Biology Teachers

The Design and Technology teachers are looking for racking to hold the recycled timber that has been donated to the school by Barossa Demolition. If anyone has racking suitable for holding lengths of timber that they would be prepared to donate can you please contact the Technologies Coordinator Paul Johnson.

Paul Johnson

Technologies Coordinator

Year 7 Award Recipients 

The Personal Best Awards are awarded to students who achieve excellent effort in most or all subjects. Students from all year levels receive these at our End of Term Assembly. Congratulations to everyone who received a certificate! And well done to all students for your efforts throughout Term 1. It's certainly been an excellent and promising start to the year!

More Year 7 Award Recipients:

Year 8 Award Recipients:

Year 9 Award Recipients:

Year 10 Award Recipients:

Year 11 Award Recipients:

Year 12 Award Recipients:

Re-making Eringa: Principal's Award

Re-making Eringa- Principal's Award Recipient Sam with Mr Marino

The recipient of the Re-Making Eringa: Principal’s Award for Term 1 goes to a student who has demonstrated Innovative and Entrepreneurial thinking.
Student Sam demonstrated Entrepreneurial thinking by designing a solution to a student issue.
He developed a prototype student laptop case using the three Entrepreneurial capabilities:
1. Find an opportunity
2. Learn by doing
3. Make it happen!
Congratulations and well done, Sam!

In a time-honoured tradition, Kapunda High School brings back the much-revered footy match between the best of our Staff and the greatest of our most Senior students! 

Friday, June 7 (Week 6) will be the Golden Event not to miss! From the start of lunch to the end of the day, we will have footy, BBQ, minute-to-win-it games to win House Points, half-time entertainment from our music students, an ICE-Box Challenge and loads of fun. 

The SRC will be hosting a BBQ and selling FightMND beanies and socks for the "BIG FREEZE 10". Wear your casual clothes and consider coming in the colours that support your chosen team - THE STAFF or THE SENIORS!! [This will be the term's casual day event, if you want to wear casual clothes, please consider bringing a gold coin donation.] All monies raised on the day will go to FightMND.

To make sure you don’t miss out on any socks or beanies, you will have the opportunity to preorder them prior to the date. Parents and caregivers are welcome to come along, watch the game, buy lunch at the BBQ and enjoy the fun. More information to follow soon.

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.