The KHS Open Boys Football team after their Grand Final win on Wednesday

Welcome to our School Newsletter for Term 3 Week 5.

This week at KHS we have been recognising the contributions of our Support Staff, who work in a variety of ways to support the learning programs within the school as part of SSO Week. We are fortunate to have a highly specialised team of SSOs who work in a variety of areas to support school operations. At Kapunda High School we have a very committed, highly professional team.  On behalf of the whole school community I thank our SSOs for the work they do and the efforts they make every day for our school and students.

School Activities

Congratulations to the Open Boys Football team on their win against Berri Regional Community College in the state final on Wednesday. This follows a successful 9-A-Side football carnival hosted by KHS last week.

Science Week

Well done to Kathy Coombs and the Science team for their organisation of activities for the students across Science Week. Daily Science quiz competitions were available for Home Groups, and many of our Science classes were involved in an Escape Room Challenge Activity within their science lessons.

Work Experience

Last week, the majority of our Year 10 students undertook Work Experience at a range of workplaces both locally, regionally and in other parts of South Australia. The work experience program provides a valuable opportunity for students to explore future career opportunities, and to build confidence by challenging themselves in new ways.

Subject Selection

Subject Selection and Course Counselling process has started for all students in preparation for next year. Parent meetings will be taking place in week 6 for SACE students to assist with student choices that support future pathways. Year 10 lessons will be cancelled on Thursday the 29th and Year 11 lessons cancelled on Friday the 30th. This means Year 10 students are not required at school on the Thursday and no year 11's on the Friday. If are a parent/caregiver of a year 10 or 11 student please check your emails for information on booking a course counselling meeting if you have not done so already.

Preparations for the Remainder of Term

Kapunda High School has two planned Student Free Days, the first on Monday the 2nd September for Staff 'Berry Street' Training, and Tuesday the 3rd September where staff will be involved in a range of professional learning opportunities. Friday the 6th of September is our School Closure Day for the Royal Adelaide Show.

Centenary Foundation

I would encourage you to read the Centenary Foundation article in the newsletter. Our current committee have made a significant contribution over the past 18 Years. If anyone is interested in contributing to our school community please consider attending the Foundation's AGM which will be held on Wednesday the 18th September.

Tim Jones

Acting Principal

Hats required from  Monday, 26th August (T3W6)

Student Free Day Monday, 2nd September (T3W7)

Student Free Day Tuesday, 3rd September (T3W7)

School Closure Day Friday, 6th September (T3W7)

KHS Centenary Foundation AGM 7:30pm Wednesday, 18th September (T3W9)

KHS Centenary Foundation Grant Applications close Monday, 30th September

Open Girls Footy

On Monday 5th August, the Open Girls Footy team played in Round 3 of the SSSSA Football Carnival.
Unfortunately, the team was defeated by Loreto College 81-44.
The girls put on an incredible struggle considering the other school had a full bench and we were playing with no bench and 1 person down on field.
Congratulations to all the participants for your efforts! You should all be very proud.

Open Boys Footy

On Tuesday 6th August, the Open Boys Football team played in round 3 of the SSSSA Football Carnival at Dutton Park.
The team won both their games.

Game 1 V Birdwood
KHS- 66
BHS- 42

Game 2 V Seaton
KHS- 56
SHS- 37

The team also wore brand new guernseys that feature an Indigenous design.

They went on to play in the Grand Final against Berri Regional High School on Wednesday 21st August.

Kapunda High School (5.10 40)
Berri Regional Secondary College (4.10 34)

Kapunda High School Open Boys taking out the Division 3 flag by just 6 points.
This is the first time ever that KHS has won a state football final. Well done all. Thank you to Mr Launer, Mr McConnell and Sarah for their guidance on the day.

As the KHS Centenary Foundation approaches 18 years of operation, it is timely to reflect on some of its achievements.

Formed in 2007 to commemorate 100 years of secondary education in Kapunda the Centenary Foundation has provided significant financial support to almost 140 former students as they embark on their post-school education and training.  A higher than national average of students have achieved their goals and many have gained exceptional results on an international level.

Approximately $450,000.00 in total has been granted to students to go towards miscellaneous expenses related to their learning and training.  This has been a great boost towards fulfilling their individual hopes and dreams.

This money has been provided by generous donations from local businesses, community organisations and individuals. It also has a matching funds arrangement with universities and TAFE via the Country Education Foundation of Australia, of which the KHS Centenary Foundation is a member.

With a sound financial base as it heads into the future, the local committee is now looking to welcome fresh ideas and interested people to play a role. 

 If you have an interest or connection with Kapunda High School through your own education or family members, you would be a great asset to the committee. 

A number of the current committee members are already “giving back”, with their family members having been fortunate enough to benefit through the Centenary Foundation.  

Kapunda High School provides good support to the committee and assists with the grant  application process, along with other tasks.   

The Annual General Meeting is coming up in September where a number of long-standing members are relinquishing their roles.  Mr Barry Vogt (Chairman) and Mrs Anne Hornsey (Secretary) have served on the committee since the establishment of the Foundation.

Competent and enthusiastic people have committed to the main leadership positions. However, some administrative jobs need to be filled, with the position of Secretary now becoming vacant.  If you have some skills that you would like to share, you would be a very welcome addition to the committee.  A laptop is provided to assist with the tasks required and the school can assist with setting up. The role of secretary requires an average of 2-3 hrs per week over a 12-month period and attendance at four meetings per year. The KHS Admin team will also support this role when required.

If you are interested in contributing towards helping young people of the local area, please contact the KHS front office (8566 2203) and leave your name and phone contact and nominate a suitable time for a member of the committee to ring you to expand upon the role you may like to play.

The Kapunda High School Centenary Foundation Annual General Meeting is to be held on WEDNESDAY, 18th September 2024, commencing at 7.30 pm in Kapunda High School Building A - Level 1.   All welcome!

The Drama program is desperate for some props and costumes for our up-and-coming plays. If you have some suit jackets, dresses, shirts, hats (we need some character hats like a firefighter, or detective) for children aged 12 - 18. We would also love to get some coat hangers as we need to hang these up. We are also on the hunt for anything medieval for our year 11 play.

If you would like to ask any more questions, please contact me via email or DayMap.

Many thanks in advance,

Benjamin Forster

Drama Teacher

ben.forster101@schools.sa.edu.au

On Wednesday the 14th of August our Year 7s and 8s participated in a 9-A-Side Football Carnival at Dutton park. The event was organised by a KHS Year 11 sports studies class. Students played against surrounding schools including Burra, Riverton, Eudunda, and St Joseph's. It was a fun and enjoyable day for everyone.

Rochelle Ruediger

Year 11 Sports Studies Student

Last week the Advanced Heritage Trade skills group have commenced the first of 2 intensive weeks continuing the restoration of the Kidman Coach House. Working with their FCTA trainers, students have raked joints, matched original lime mortar mix, removed damaged stonework, observed cutting and shaping stones and repointed sections of the wall. This course leads to 20 SACE credits at Stage 2, along with the opportunity to work with and learn from an expert Stonemason.

Jason Keep

Assistant Principal- Pathways

On Friday 9th August, Year 11 and 12 students were able to attend the Flinders University Open Day. There was heaps of information available for students who are interested in a University pathway. Students were able to attend information sessions, participate in various activities and mingle with staff and current students.

Over the past two weeks, Year 12 students received visits from Flinders Univeristy and UniSA. Students were presented with information regarding University pathways for 2025. 

Material & Services Charges 2024

Thank you to those families who have paid school fees for 2024 or are paying in instalments.

Some fees however are still remaining outstanding and this can have an impact on the students learning environments and access to resources. These fees are now overdue and as per the debt collection policy all outstanding charges for 2024 will be sent to the Recoveries Unit at the Attorney General Office.

If you have not paid your fees as yet or are undergoing financial stress please contact the school finance office who is here to support you in any way they can.

Payments can be made via EFT, Cheque or cash to Finance in Reception (open 8am-4pm daily).

BSB: 105-006

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 057 125 140

FAMILY ID: eg. SMIT01 (this is on the left hand side of the invoice)

Instalment Plans

We offer families the opportunity to pay fees in instalments. For further information please contact the Finance Office.

School Card Assistance

School card applications are now overdue, if you are wishing to apply please complete the application form on the below link as soon as possible.

In the 1950s, the term Positive Psychology  was originally created by the psychologist Abraham Maslow to draw attention to the strengths that human have to manage sickness including mental illness.

In 2002, Dr Martin Seligman, previously President of the American Psychological Association, popularised Positive Psychology as a new branch of psychology focusing on the study of positive emotions and character strengths to build a flourishing life.

Seligman coined the term ‘PERMA’, his vision of human well-being based on five components: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.

PERMA is the basis of happiness. Think how you practice PERMA in your everyday life…

Isabel Osuna-Gatty

School Mental Health Practitioner

During Week 4 Year 10 students had the opportunity to undertake a week of Work Experience. A thank you to the employers that gave KHS students the opportunity and a well done to students that were involved. Feedback received has been very positive.

Jason Keep

Assistant Principal- Pathways

The Kapunda High School community are privileged to have a strong team of Support Staff whose dedication, hard work, and commitment ensures that our school operates smoothly and positively every day.

We are privileged to have the front office team, including Keeley Knowler-Pook who greets everyone with a warm smile, to the finance and admin team, Meagan Menzel, Kaye Clancy, Mary Reeves and Steph Bishop, who ensure resources are managed efficiently, keeping our school’s cogwheels working enabling us to provide the best education possible. Our school couldn’t operate with our  Student Support, Resource Centre and First Aid Team, Tab Mackenzie, Pam White, Monique Bubric, Josh Cliffe and Sue Devine, who are essential in providing guidance, support, and access to resources for students, staff and families.

We are grateful to the groundskeeping team, Lance Crowhurst, Peter Murphy and Gabriel Crowhurst, who work tirelessly to maintain the beauty and safety of our school environment, creating a space where students can learn and grow. And to the IT team, Jack Mickan and Zac Holmes, who work behind the scenes in supporting both teaching and learning by maintaining reliable technology, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring that students and staff have access to the digital tools necessary for success.

We are so lucky to have our wellbeing support team, Dale Price and Renee Floyd, are dedicated to fostering a supportive environment by addressing students' emotional and mental health needs, including the much-loved breakfast and lunch clubs, as well as dedicated programs that support students social and emotional development. And, too, for Mel Reschke and Luke Milera, Kapunda High School’s Aboriginal Education Workers.

Our school is so fortunate to have the incredible Inclusive Education team who support all students to achieve their best by providing assistance and adjustments to meet students’ needs in class, creating a studious space in the Learning Hub, providing support and calm in the interoception space, organising extra transition to high school for students with additional needs, as well as engaging learning programs such as MacquLit and Quicksmart: Tara Alcorn, Madonna Dolphin, Sarah Johnson, Nikki Keep, TJ Morgan, Aidan Mudge, Greta Ryan, Corrina Schultz, Kim Nys, Erin Symes, Leanne Laubsch and Amanda Reichelt.

Our Science Lab Assistant, Arron Flynn, supports engaging and interactive learning that is practical and hands on. And lastly, but by no means least, our lovely canteen staff, Deb, who play a vital role by creating a welcoming space for staff and students to refuel, contributing to the overall well-being and energy of our school.

Each of these roles is vital to the success of our school, yet they often go unrecognized.

At Kapunda High School, we strive to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of all our support staff. Their efforts are essential in creating a positive, inclusive, and thriving school community. They do more than just their jobs; they embody the spirit of teamwork, dedication, and care that defines our school.

To all our support staff: Thank you for everything you do. Your work is deeply appreciated, and Kapunda High School would not be the same without you.

Jen Williams

Assistant Principal

Inclusive Education

Kapunda High school has been announced as Finalist in the SA training Awards VET Innovation for schools. A link to the site is:

Jason Keep

Assistant Principal- Pathways