KHS students on Operation Flinders

Welcome to our final School Newsletter for Term 2, 2024.

Over recent weeks students have completed Semester 1 subjects and transitioned into Semester 2 learning. Recent learning experiences and initiatives have included:

• Year 7/8 & 9/10 Netball.
• Open SSSA Knockout Netball.
• Operation Flinders immersion program.
• Aboriginal Learners Kapunda Kindy Visit.
• Year 7 to 10 Passion Projects.

Semester 1 has also welcomed initiatives in the Performing Arts, including student community performances:

• Year 8/9 Drama Production evening.
• Music Showcase evening.

Week 10 – from Monday 24th June has seen the transition into Semester 2 subjects. This time is intended for fostering good working relationships and setting up for success: setting up classroom norms, agreements and expectations and working through intended learning, skills and requirements for learning programs. This week has also been Year 11 Australian Business Week, a highly-engaging tradition at Kapunda High School. Year 11 students and mentor teachers have been working through developing their Business Plan and strategies.

Positive School Culture

A high number of Positive Recognition points have been achieved by students across our three School Houses, Kidman, Hawke and Hughes. We finished Term 1 with each House around 1000 points – which have grown to around 1500+ Positive Recognition points near the end of Term 2. These points will grow even further in the final week of term with individual and collective student achievement. Well done to all students on your efforts and visible growth in learning.   

Positive Recognitions are a Positive School Culture strategy we introduced and have grown on from 2023 as a school, to increase student belonging and engagement as part of their schooling experience. Students accrue points personally and for their School House through modelling school values, maintaining sound explained attendance, efforts and achievements across their learning programs. 

Curriculum

Semester 1 has seen significant growth across our engaging and enriching Curriculum offerings. This includes many firsts for Kapunda High School, including:

• Year 10 Tractor Driver Training.
• Student Enterprises, e.g. Kappy Brew Café, KHS Country Fresh Honey and more.
• Introduction of Passion Projects: Middle-School Years 7 to 9.
• Introduction of High ATAR Program: Senior-School Years 10 to 12.

2025 Curriculum Prospectus

Our Curriculum Prospectus 2025 is in the final stages of development and will be released early Term 3, to help families navigate subject selection for the 2025 school year. Further information about 2025 Subject Counselling will be shared in the coming weeks.

DfE AI in Schools: Proof of Concept

We are fortunate to be part of the EdChat – Artificial Intelligence in Schools Round 2 ‘Proof of Concept’ for the Department for Education. We will be rolling out a trial of the tool in Semester 2.  

A lot of planning has gone into the development of this tool from industry experts, with the safety of students being paramount. SA is a world-leader, taking a proactive learning approach to this technology. We have assembled a team of teachers who will be trialling the tool with an identified class in Semester 2. Further information is available here: 

All families have received a letter with information on the trial and how to ‘opt out’ of their children having access to the EdChat software ahead of Term 3.

Grounds and Facilities

We continue to make sound progress with our Grounds and Facilities re-developments, to ensure our school learning environment and atmosphere is safe, inclusive and conducive to learning. Periodical updates include:

• School Traffic: Front of School and Back of School Road traffic flow and signage is under review by LRC.
• Security Cameras: our request is now under consideration as part of the School Security Program.
• School Perimeter Fencing: immediate areas are being where there are neighbouring houses, including removal of dangerous trees and replacement of fences.
  • Other areas, such as the School Oval have been added to a future minor works priority schedule.
• Annual Tree Audit is scheduled for Term 3.
• School Oval: new signage for responsible oval usage is working well, no incidents reported.
• School Re-build: our re-build program planning is progressing well and awaiting final approval sign-off.

Staffing Updates

Congratulations to Mr Blake Launer, who has been appointed to our Positive School Culture Leader role for the remainder of 2024. Mr Launer joins the Wellbeing Team, consisting of: Mrs Avylon Magarey (Wellbeing Coordinator), Ms Isabel Osuna-Gatty (Mental Health Clinician), Mr Dale Price (Youth Worker) and Ms Renee Floyd (Pastoral Care Worker). Student wellbeing is a focus area of our school, through our Wellbeing Hub and Wellbeing for Learning strategy across a range of proactive learning programs and initiatives.

Year 12 Holiday Tuition Sessions

Each school holidays, a selection of Year 12 classes run School Holiday Tuition sessions on-campus at school. This information is being collated and will be communicated with relevant students and families. I encourage all students to make the most of these opportunities and continue to strive for your personal best.

I wish you a safe and productive school holiday period. Let’s keep working together to advance our student learning experiences, opportunities and achievements and enrich schooling at Kapunda High School. 

David Marino

Principal

Centenary Foundation Year 12 Information Session Wednesday, 3rd July (T2W10)

Last Day of Term 2 Friday, 5th July- Early dissmissal time of 2:15pm (T2W10)

First Day of Term 3 Monday, 22nd July (T3W1)

Student Free Day Monday, 2nd September (T3W7)

Student Free Day Tuesday, 3rd September (T3W7)

School Closure Day Friday, 6th September (T3W7)

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.

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.

On Thursday 13th June, our three girls netball teams competed in round 1 of the SSSSA Netball Competition.

The Years 7/8 and 9/10 teams travelled to Nuriootpa Netball Courts.

The Year 9/10 team won against Nuriootpa HS and also against Faith Lutheran College. They will advance through to the next round of competition.

On the same day, the Open Girls team travelled to Pedare Christian College. They won against Pedare and Gleeson College. They lost to Modbury by 1 point. 

Well done to all the teams on their efforts and achievements. You have all done an excellent job representing KHS in the wider community.

5 students from KHS and 5 from Nuri High have completed an 8-day wilderness adventure through the Flinders Ranges! Throughout the journey, they tackled prickles, climbed steep mountains, and endured long, grueling walks with over 15kg on their backs. The students slept in hutchies, cooked meals over a fire, and with limited supplies, trekked nearly 100km. Despite facing many fears and adversities, they emerged stronger and more capable individuals.

Josh Banks

Staff Participant

Reminder to parents to please update your child/rens year level when using the QKR! app. Year levels do not automatically rollover at the beginning of the year, you need to manually go into the app and update the year level.

In Week 8, our Year 10, 11, and 12 Music students impressed family and friends with a series of ensemble and solo performances during the music showcase. They demonstrated their understanding of new repertoire and musical techniques, highlighting both individual skills and cohesive teamwork. The students' performances reflect their hard work and dedication, and we look forward to more opportunities to display their talents in the future.

Ms Holty & Mrs Thorne

Music Teachers

This Semester, students in our technologies department have been working hard on projects and perfecting their skills. 

The Year 9 Innovations in Textiles class have been creating surf wear items containing a secret pocket for a mobile phone and car keys. We had some lovely volunteer students model some of the products.

Latte art created by Aalisha, one of our Kappy Brew baristas.

Students in Year 11 Child Studies have been designing and creating a toy/learning resource that supports a child with a disability to engage in play/learning. 

Students were very creative, inclusive and did a wonderful job. 

Mr Johnson and Mr Brady were very impressed with the quality and craftsmanship of student projects in Design and Technology this semester.

Are you mindful or is your mind full?

Mindfulness is the exercise of simply being present. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress” (mayoclinic.org).

Mindfulness helps us empty our mind, it is beneficial for children and adolescents, especially when feeling anxious or fidgety.

Below is a poster to help you practice mindful breathing.

Isabel Osuna-Gatty

School Mental Health Practitioner

Our drum students usually have their lessons online, but on Tuesday they had a visit from their Instrumental Music teacher, Mr Peter Matzick. Harrison, Riley, Jedd and Jordan all participated in an individual lesson and finished off with a percussion ensemble session which sounded great!

Carolyn Thorne

Music Teacher

The Materials and Services Charges for 2024 are now overdue. Please pay immediately or contact finance on 8566 2203 (extension 4).

INSTALMENT PAYMENT PLAN

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

SCHOOL CARD SCHEME  

School Card Applications are now overdue. If you think you may be eligible for School Card please complete the online application form at the link below ASAP. Please ensure you have lodged your school card form online ASAP.

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:

With Semester 2 beginning, students had their first Passion Projects lesson.
Passion Projects will be taking place over Semester 2 as an opportunity for students to engage in deep learning in an area of passion.