Welcome to our School Newsletter for Week 7, Term 4 2024.

As we near the final weeks of Term 4 and the 2024 school year draws near to close – we do so in the knowledge that this term and year has seen exceptional opportunity, achievement and growth for our students.

In recent weeks students have taken part in a wide range of activities, including:  

• Year 7 Camp.
• Year 9 Excursion.
• Centenary Foundation Interviews.
• Whole School Assembly.
• House Meetings.
• Kapunda Art Gallery Weaving Workshop.
• Wellbeing and Engagement Collection Survey Term 4.
• Year 11 into Year 12 Taster Day.
• Transition Visits for Year 6 into HS.
• School Community Breakfast initiative.
• SRC Site Learning Plan 2025 consultation.

All the best to our Year 11 students who have now finished their studies for 2024. We wish you all the best in your next chapter as the incoming Year 12s for our school.

Site Learning Plan 2025

Over Term 4 we have been co-developing our Site Learning Plan for 2025. This outlines our goals, targets and actions on how we want to advance and progress our student’s learning and school. This aligns with the Purpose for Public Education Strategy for South Australia.

The Site Learning Plan replaces the previous School Improvement Plan model, which we have run over the past five years – but continues to build on our successful journey into developing Learner Agency and Student Wellbeing.

So far we have refreshed our School Vision and School Purpose. See the updated versions below:

School Vision

School Purpose

For our Site Learning Plan, we are focusing on:

We are on a successful pathway, with our results improving term-by-term and year-by-year. These targets and actions aim to create a safe, predictable and engaging learning environment that prioritises student wellbeing and empowers learners to take an active role in their education. 

Governing Council

Our final Governing Council meeting for 2024 is scheduled for Tuesday 3^rd December evening. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Governing Council in 2024 for all of their contributions, input and support for our school. Our school continues to grow from strength to strength and the investment of Governing Council has been a key factor in this success.

School Re-build

Our School Re-build and upgrade continues to progress well. Over Term 4 the building site has been a hive of activity, with lots of progress on Building C (formerly 60s Block Transportable) and Eringa.  

Our students have also been involved, with a site tour of the re-build and workshop with HSR, the Heritage Trade Specialist. To see the progress, have a look at the video from BADGE Constructions here:

https://www.facebook.com/BADGEConstructions/videos/595473706371780/

There have also been lots of interesting finds during the re-build of Eringa. These items will be displayed soon in our Library, so students and visitors can see what has been found during excavations. This will also form part of the displays we are developing for the future school museum, to be housed in the basement of Eringa. Lots of great opportunities for students to learn and contribute to the history of our school.

I look forward to connecting with you at our end of year Presentation ceremonies, to acknowledge and celebrate student success.

Regards

David

David Marino

Principal

Governing Council Meeting Tuesday, 3rd December (T4W8)

Year 6 Transition Day Thursday, 5th December (T4W8)

Senior School Presentation Ceremony Monday, 9th December 7pm (T4W9) 

Middle School Presentation Ceremony Tuesday, 10th December 10am (T4W9) 

Year 8 St Kilda Playground Excursion Wednesday, 11th December (T4W9) 

Year 7 Bounce Excursion Thursday, 12th December (T4W9) 

Last Day of Term 4 Friday, 13th December (T4W9)

Immunisations

Due to an unforeseen double booking, the Australian Dental visit scheduled for November 29th has been cancelled. We will notify of 2025 dates once booked in.

Tab MacKenzie 

Resource Centre 

Parents and caregivers, we kindly remind you to notify the school in advance via Daymap, email or a phone call whenever your child needs to sign in/out during school hours. This helps us ensure a smooth and efficient process for all involved. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Any student with overdue items such as laptops, chargers, text books, books and sport uniforms are required to return them no later than Friday 6th of December.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Student Services Team 

Bus Services 

If students require an alternative bus please advise them they need to visit reception and request a signed bus pass from the Bus Co-ordinator. Please act at your earliest convince to ensure a spot on the required bus. This allows us to advise the bus driver in advance allowing them to remain on schedule.

Bus Co-ordinator 

Finance 

All financial accounts must be settled prior to Friday 13th of December.

Finance Team 

In week 2 this term eight Year 7/8 Girls competed at the Statewide Schools Knockout Volleyball Tournament. The girls managed to take 1 win, 4 draws and 2 losses over the day to finish 7th in the pool. 

There were lots of nerves and lots of smiles on the day.

A great first effort for a new team and a fantastic beginning for the future of Volleyball at Kapunda High School!

The snorkeling crew had a particularly unique experience, as they had the chance to sample fresh razor fish—a first for many! Meanwhile, the full-day excursion to Berry Bay proved to be a highlight of the trip. Students embraced the challenge of surfing and bodyboarding, with some catching waves for the very first time.

The camp was a resounding success, fostering teamwork, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for the outdoors. A huge thank you to the staff and instructors who made this memorable experience possible.

We are proud of the students for their enthusiasm, positive attitudes, and willingness to step outside their comfort zones. Well done, Year 10s!

This camp will surely be remembered as a highlight of the year.

Josh Banks 

Year 10 Year Level Manager 

The Stage 1 physics class completed their Science as a Human Endeavour assessment by debating that "South Australia should invest in a Nuclear Power Plant at Port Augusta". While the debate was heated, with effective use of data and connections to economic and environmental impacts the Affirmative team came away with the win, but both sides presented their arguments effectively and the debate was conducted in good spirits

Kathy Coombs 

Science Coordinator 

Kapunda High students were extremely fortunate to be able to participate in a basket weaving workshop presented Sonja Rankine (https://www.lakunmara.com.au/). This opportunity was organised and funded by the Kapunda Art Gallery via a highways and byways grant (https://hb.org.au/). Sonja was an exceptional presenter engaging the Kapunda High students in traditional Aboriginal weaving practices. The students found the experience challenging but very rewarding with every student making a small basket or mat that you can see in the photos. This is an experience that we are hoping to be to provide to other students in the future. Kapunda High is very grateful to Penelope and Robin from the Kapunda Art Gallery for their endeavours to make this such a successful day and to Highways and Byways for providing the original grant. This is an excellent working example of community action enriching the lives of the Kapunda High learners. Many thanks also go to Mel Reschke ACEO, Avylon Magary KHS Wellbeing Leader and Nicki Winkworth Aboriginal Education Teacher for their support on the day. 

Scott Durand 

Aboriginal Education Teacher 

Kapunda High School students will be fortunate to be able to study German or Japanese for Year 8 in 2025. This will be a trial to see how popular German for students as a language. Students will still be able to study Japanese but will chose a preference in Week 8 (next week). The students will preference a language either Japanese or German and provide a reason for their choice. Not all students will be able to access their first preference. The opportunity to make a language choice during Year 8 is another example of students having more agency over their learning.

Scott Durand 

Arts, HASS and Languages Coordinator

Kapunda High’s Year 8 students were able to experience the trials and tribulations of starting and operating a business. We had two successful Market Days on Thursday November 21st and November 28th. Students designed a business model from scratch, developed a budget, then decided on a product or service to be sold on the market days. Products ranged from Lolly Pops to candles, snow cones, fairy floss and some services offered which included a car wash. All the stalls were operated with great enthusiasm and supported by the Year 7 and Year 10 students and therefore their families (thank you so much for your support) who were the customers for the experience. We hope to make the $20 Boss bigger and better in the future. 

Mike Hemphill

Business, HASS and English Teacher

Year 11 Student Kaylee is participating in the JDRF Jump for a Cure fundraiser in 2025. JDRF is the leading supporter of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research in the world. On Sunday February 16th, Kaylee will be skydiving over Semaphore beach. She has a goal to raise $1500 for her jump.

You can read more about Kaylee’s jump at the link below:

Please consider donating to the cause!