Welcome to our school newsletter for Week 7, Term 2 2024. 

As we reach the final weeks of Semester 1, there is much to celebrate in student progress and achievement across our school. 

Our focus this year is to grow on students’ achievement and engagement in learning through a focus on Learner Agency and Wellbeing, some of these initiatives including:

• Learner Agency: voice and choice in learning, passion for learning, learning how to think innovatively (Entreprenuerial focus).
• Wellbeing: focus on school engagement and belonging, resilience and regulation, positive recognition and reward.    

We are on-track in our progress to meet School Improvement Plan Targets, with:

• Student Grade Point Average (GPA) on the rise from 2023 to 2024.
• Student Attendance on the rise from 2023 to 2024.

This a reflection of the positive school environment which students, parents/caregivers and staff contribute to, as well as intentionally design and foster.

Students v Staff Football Match: Kapunda Klassic

On Friday 7/6 the Year 12 students vs staff football match was held with a charity focus on raising funds for MND. An age-old tradition stretching back countless years, it was great to see strong school community involvement whether students and staff were participants, spectators, part of the organizing group or parents/caregivers supporting and cheering.  

Well done to all involved, including special guests Mr Drew Mickan and SAPOL officials.

There has been lots of positive feedback from the school community about this event, a revival of an old Kapunda High School tradition. 

Also an acknowledgement to the staff, students and community members involved in bringing this day together, as part of our positive school culture initiatives.

Further information about this event is included in this edition of the school newsletter.

Staff Professional Learning Day Tuesday 11th June

On Tuesday 11/6 we held a joint-school collaborative moderation event for all teaching staff across Kapunda High School and Nuriootpa High School.

The day focused on moderation of assessment tasks across all learning areas and was a great opportunity to share teaching practice, strategies and ideas.

Feedback from staff involved in the day indicated it was highly valuable.

Moderation of assessment tasks is an ongoing professional practice which all teachers undertake.

School Visit from Deputy Chief Executive and Infrastructure

On Thursday 6/6 we were pleased to receive a school visit from Department for Education leaders:

• Mr Ben Temperly – Deputy Chief Executive
• Mr Bill Glasgow – Executive Director Infrastructure
• Mr Jeremy Schutz – Senior Manager, Business and Administrative Services

The visit was a great opportunity to showcase the innovation, initiatives and progress taking place at our school across learning programs and also facilities re-development. The visitors were positive about the positive energy and environment they observed across our school, including our Heritage Restoration skills program, Student Enterprise initiatives, the Wellbeing Centre and Agricultural ventures.  

We acknowledge and thank Mr Temperly, Mr Glasgow and Mr Schutz for their ongoing involvement and support of our school, including our strategic and facilities focus.

Artificial Intelligence: Department for Education EdChat Trial

I’m pleased to share that our school has been selected to take part in a Department for Education Artificial Intelligence Learning Tool Trial ‘EdChat’, rolling out this term.  

This is an exciting opportunity for our school to be at the forefront of tools for learning in education.

EdChat is a co-learning tool, which helps tailor students’ learning experience and find information for their studies. It is not designed to complete work for students or take away from learning opportunities for students.

A letter will be going home to selected classes regarding this opportunity to participate. Parents/Caregivers will be provided with further information about the tool, how it will be used and whether they would like their child/ren to participate in the trial. 

If you would like to see further information about this, please visit the official website here:

You may also like to view a video with further information and examples of how the tool can be used for education purposes here:

Staffing updates

This week we farewell Assistant Principal: Positive School Culture & Wellbeing, Mr Sam Milne, who leaves Kapunda High School. Mr Milne has contributed much to our school over the past two years, some of this including: House Points system, Golden Events, Wellbeing for Learning model and most recently Passion Projects.

Mr Milne is pursuing an opportunity in the elite sporting industry, with the South Australian Cricket Association and we wish him every success.

On behalf of the Kapunda High School community, a big thank you and well done to Mr Milne for all of his efforts and contributions to Kapunda High School.

In follow up to Mr Milne leaving, Wellbeing Leader Ms Avylon Magarey takes the lead of our Wellbeing Hub and Mr Blake Launer has been appointed to a new Positive School Culture Leader role. Students will continue to be well catered for through the Wellbeing team also consisting of Youth Worker Mr Dale Price, Pastoral Care Worker Ms Renee Floyd and Mental Health Clinician Ms Isabel Osuna-Gatty.

Welcome Ella McDonald, who joins us in a contract teacher role in the English / HASS learning areas.  

Governing Council

A reminder that our next Governing Council meeting is upcoming on Tuesday 25th June at 6:30pm in the Resource Centre.

Let’s keep working together to foster an environment where every young person can learn, grow, achieve and strive for their best.

David Marino

Principal

KHS is still desperately looking for homestay families for three male Japanese students from July 31st- August 14th.

The benefits of hosting a student are:

• building a connection with another culture,
• creating the opportunity to build friendships, 
• support with a Working with Children Check,
• reimbursement of approximately $300 per week

You will also have access to 24/7 support. Homestay families are responsible for providing a bed (shared room is fine) and meals. Families are also able to host two students. The only requirements are a brief home inspection and Working with Children Clearance. 

If you are interested in hosting a Japanese student please contact Scott Durand, the Japanese teacher at Kapunda High via email (scott.durand752@schools.sa.edu.au) or via phone 8566 2203.

KAPUNDA  HIGH  SCHOOL  -  HIRING  NOW  -  SCHOOL BUS DRIVER

TO START THIRD TERM 2024

Great opportunity to supplement your income if on a pension or semi-retired.

It’s a great bus route of Freeling / Fords.

Approximately 15 hours a week, Monday to Friday.  7.30am till 8.30am -    3.00 till 4.30pm.

Employment is on a casual claim paid basis.  Additional hours available if willing to drive for school excursions.  This is paid separately by the school.

Requirements :-

Miniumum license required is MR.  The driver will need accreditation, this entails WWCC, Medical, national police check and relevant driver license.

If interested please contact Kaye Clancy ( Bus Coordinator) Kapunda High School.

Email :-  kaye.clancy848@schools.sa.edu.au.  Phone (08) 8566 2203

Please pass on to anyone interested.

On Friday, 7th June KHS held the Staff Vs Students Football Match Golden Event. A long held tradition at KHS, the day was higly anticipated by all.

The SRC spent several weeks prior raising funds for Fight MND. They sold beanies, socks, donuts and also ran a BBQ and Casual Day on Friday. 

Half time entertainment was provided by our Music students. At the end of the game, members of the losing team were dunked with ice buckets.

The link to donate is still active if you'd like to contribute to our online fundraiser:

The final results of the match were:
Students 8.6 (54)
Staff 10.6 (66)

An amazing afternoon was had by all, the game was a great show of sportsmanship and community.

On Monday 4th June, 17 students travelled to Balaklava to compete in the SSSSA basketball competition. The Year 7 & 8 Girls and Boys Basketball Teams won all their games, and will be proceeding to the next level of competition. Amazing effort from all involved, congratulations!

According to the World Health Organisation, "mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community” (WHO, 2024).

The South Australian Department of Education’s School Mental Health Service (SMHS) provides mental health practitioners to support young people with mild to moderate and emerging mental health concerns.

Mental Health is an integral component of an individual’s health and well-being, our emotional wellbeing helps us make informed decisions, create and build relationships and shape our world.

The SMHS is available at our school, please contact the School Wellbeing Team for more information.

Isabel Osuna-Gatty

School Mental Health Practitioner

In Drama, we have introduced a small group production for drama classes from year 8 onwards. Students can perform on or off-stage to form and create a stage production. This semester, we had our year 8 and 9 performances of ‘Over the Garden Wall’ and ’10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse’.

The night was a complete success, with many families and staff braving the cold weather to see the students perform. We are excited to continue this new tradition with another year 8 group and year 11s next semester. Keep an eye out for more photos and success on and off the stage.  

 

The World’s a Stage! 

Benjamin Forster and Nic Fontanelli 

Drama Teachers

Mr MacPhee's Year 9 History class has been studying World War 1 this term. Students had to build a diorama showing the conditions of trench warfare. The class worked very hard on their creations, and the results were excellent.

The HEX High Accelerator program offers Year 10 - 12 students a 6-week online program that takes students beyond the classroom to explore the world of innovation. Gain high-demand skills, connect with supportive peers, access mentors from leading companies (like Atlassian) and receive formal academic credentials recognised at universities worldwide.

It's an accessible, practical, fun and collaborative program to introduce students to a future career – with a tech, startup and impact lens.

Get $100 off thanks to an exclusive offer to the RDA Network. Regional Development Australia Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains manages Barossa Regional University Campus so we can share this exclusive deal with our local community.

Term 3: 22 July - 30 August 2024
Register at the link below:

Email info@barossacampus.com.au for the discount code.