Year 12 Major Award Winners at Senior School Presentations on Monday Evening

Welcome to the final Kapunda High School newsletter for 2024.  

As we finalise Term 4 and look back on our year, it has been a highly positive and successful time of learning, growth and achievement for our students and school.

Some notable recent activities for our students include:

• Year 9 Japanese Visit to Kapunda Primary School.
• Governing Council Final Meeting, celebrating student and school success and passing the interim Budget for 2025.
• Centenary Foundation Interviews and Final Meeting.
• Year 8 St Kilda Playground Excursion
• Year 6/7 Transition Visit Day.
• Senior School Presentation Evening.
• Middle School Presentation Day.
• Year 7 Bounce Excursion.

Presentation Evening

On Monday 9/12 evening, we celebrated the achievements of our Senior School students and congratulated our newest graduates - the Class of 2024! The evening was a superb acknowledgement of our Senior School students’ many achievements over the past 12 months, with some very impressive learning, results and teamwork demonstrated. See further in this issue of the School Newsletter for further information around specific award winners.

Presentation Ceremony

On Tuesday 10/12, we celebrated the achievements of our Middle School students, marking high achievement of Year 7 to 9 students and also acknowledging the graduation of Year 9s to Senior School next year. See further in this issue of the School Newsletter for further information around specific award winners.

Highlights of 2024

2024 has been an exceptional year for students and our school. Looking back on 2024, it’s been a year of great progress and achievement for the students of Kapunda High School.

Our focus on growing Learner Agency and Wellbeing – delivered by thoughtful and caring staff – has seen quality learning experiences, achievement and growth for our young people. 

• Our Personal Best Effort data has shown a continuous 24 month period of growth, with 366 awards issued over 2023 and 437 awards issued over 2024. Well done to all involved!

Based on the Purpose for Public Education state-wide strategy, we have seen:

• Higher Grade Point Average: every grade for every subject for every student in the school over the past 12 months.
• Higher rates of student Belonging, Engagement and Connection with school.
• Higher Attendance and participation

It’s also been a year of innovation in learning with:

• Introduction of EdChat – being at the cutting edge of AI and how we can harness this technology for learning and constructive purposes. We are one of a handful of schools in the state to trial this new technology with students.
• Entreprenuerial Education – Student Enterprise Café, Tractor Driver Training, Honey Production and Passion Projects – to inspire enjoyment in learning. Finalist in Public Education Awards with Ms Karen Bromley’s achievements.
• VET & Specialist Programs: Introduction of the VET Heritage Trades program, a first in Australia and also winner of the SA Award for Most Innovative VET Program.
• High ATAR Program – introduction of a specialist focus area and partnerships, which will keep growing.
• Positive School Culture – Berry Street Education Model, House System and Positive Recognition points increasing student’s connection with their peers and school.

Sporting Successes

It’s also been an exceptional year for sporting success achieving State-wide championship status in: Football, Netball, Lower North Athletics and Santos state-wide competition within our competitive divisions. Our school also received the Howard Mutton Shield, for high levels of engagement and success in State-wide School Sports. Well done to all involved including our HPE team and thank you to parents/caregivers who have gone out of their way to facilitate School Sports.

Congratulations to all of our students on their efforts, learning and achievement over what has been a highly successful 2024. 

Governing Council

Thank you to our Governing Council members over 2024 and also Chairperson, Mrs Sue Woods, for her dedication and efforts to advance our school over many years of service. Sue’s contributions, dedication and leadership has had a tremendous impact in progressing and advancing our school. Sue Woods was recognised for her contributions through the Eringa Award in 2024. Congratulations.

Farewell also to Mrs Rosi Wendt, who also leaves Governing Council this year and has contributed significantly to Governing Council, including with the 100 Years at Eringa School Celebration in 2022. This work was recognised with an Australian Citizen of the Year Award for 2023.

Staff Farewells

This year we have a number of staff moving on to different opportunities, including:

• Paul Johnson – D&T Coordinator and Teacher for 7 years, moving to an Adelaide school.
• Tash Koritsa - HASS Teacher & School Leader for nearly 6 years, moving to an Adelaide school.
• Mary Reeves – Finance Officer over a year, moving to a nearer school.
• Nic Fontanelli – Contract Teacher over a year English/HASS, moving to a nearer school.
• Blake Launer – Contract Teacher for a year in Wellbeing/HPE/Maths, moving to Darwin.

Congratulations to all and we thank you for your service to our students and school.

As you may be aware from recent correspondence, I will be moving to Nuriootpa High School in 2025. A big congratulations to Mr Tim Jones, who will be the Principal of Kapunda High School in 2025. Mr Jones is a highly capable school leader, who has led our school through many complex times. Ms Emma Oliver will step into the Deputy Principal role for 2025. I have full confidence in and wish the team every success.

On a personal note, I’d like to sincerely thank the Kapunda High School and local community for your partnership over the past 3 years. Each school assembly I say to our students and staff that ‘it is a great privilege to be part of Kapunda High School’ and so I take this opportunity to say it has been a great privilege for me to lead Kapunda High School over this period.  

Have a safe and relaxing holiday break and festive season. For all those who have graduated and moving on – I wish you every success. For those returning, I wish you all the best for another successful school year at Kapunda High School in 2025.

Regards

David Marino

Principal

Senior School Presentation Ceremony

On Monday evening, we held the Senior School Presentation Ceremony. There were many awards presented across the evening, and the graduating class of 2024 received many accolades. Congratulations to all recipients, your efforts and achievements across 2024, and your entire high schooling career, have not gone unnoticed!

Year 10 Awards

Year 11 Awards

Middle School Presentation Ceremony

On Tuesday, we held our Middle School Presentation Ceremony. Students from years 7, 8 and 9 were awarded for their efforts accross 2024. 

Congratulations to all students who were recognised on Tuesday. 

During activity week this week, Miss Ahrens took a group of Year 7 students through an art activity. The students used fluorescent pastels to draw underneath a black light, making the artworks glow. 

The Year 9 Japanese class recently visited KPS to lead engaging Japanese cultural activities with the primary school students. As part of this experience, the KHS students designed and conducted their own activities, demonstrating both creativity and a strong understanding of their chosen topics. They had to research and prepare thoroughly to confidently teach and showcase these cultural elements. The visit was a rewarding experience for everyone, fostering interaction and teamwork while giving KPS students a glimpse into the types of activities they might enjoy in high school. This initiative also aimed to support a smooth transition to KHS by building meaningful connections between the students. 

Sarah Holty

Japanese Teacher

If your student needs to go on a different bus than usual, please send them to school with a note for Reception staff/ bus coordinator. The note needs to contain the below information:

- Student's name 
- Which bus they need to catch
- reason
- Date of travel
- Parent's name and signature

At Reception, staff will be able to fill out a bus pass using this information, which will then allow your child to catch the bus. 

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 recently exceeded her fundraising goal of $1500, but please consider donating to this cause, as every dollar counts. 

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

Good luck Kaylee!

Please see below for upcoming trading hours at the Smithfield Devon Uniform store.

Last day of trade is Wednesday 18th December.

First day of trade is Monday 6th January.

Throughout January, we’ll be open for our regular trading hours: Monday 8.15-11am, Wednesday 2.15-5pm and Saturday 11am-1pm.

In week 0, we’ll be open from 9am -5pm Monday January 20th – Friday January 24th and Saturday January 25th 10am-1pm.

We’ll also open on Tuesday 28th 8.15-11am.

Ideally customers should make an appointment for uniform fittings to help our staff manage the increased traffic during that time.

After hours appointments are also available throughout January on Wednesday and Saturday, but only by booking online. These special appointments need to be booked one week in advance.

Parents can book an appointment during regular trading times or after hours by following this link Schedule Appointment with Devon Clothing

Or by scanning the QR code below.

Please book promptly as appointments during January fill very quickly. We will still serve customers who come to the shop without appointments however, longer waiting times may apply.