Middle school news

STEM Day out inspires year 8 Innovation

On Friday 1 August 2025, a group of 43 enthusiastic year 8 students embarked on a fascinating journey into the world of STEM at Science Alive!’s STEM Day Out, held at the Adelaide Showgrounds.

 

Highlights from the day included:

Meet and greet with amazing animals

Thanks to Animals Anonymous, students had a unique opportunity to get up close with a range of animals—capturing memorable moments and sparking curiosity about wildlife and biology.

Battle Bots action

Robot enthusiasts enjoyed thrilling Battle Bots competitions in the Robot Zone, where creativity, engineering and robotics came together in an exciting showcase.

Winning prizes on the Discovery Trail

Students navigated the fun and educational Discovery Trail, engaging with STEM challenges and interactive exhibits—and many walked away with exciting prizes.

Broader learning and inspiration

STEM Day Out exposed students to the vast opportunities within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With over 80 hands-on exhibits, students connected with early-career scientists, engineers, and industry professionals, gaining insight into real-world STEM careers.

A big thank you to Science Alive! for hosting this immersive event, and to Animals Anonymous for making the animal encounters so impactful. 


Year 8 students celebrate Science Week with a Scavenger Hunt

In week 4 of this term marked Science Week and our year 8 students celebrated with an exciting science-themed scavenger hunt organised by the Science faculty.

 

Students were challenged to find science staff around the school and collect answers to a series of questions. The activity sparked curiosity, teamwork, and plenty of fun as students raced to complete the challenge.

 

Congratulations to Ainsley D. and Olyvia L, who were the first to collect all the correct answers and were crowned the winners of the scavenger hunt!

 

Thank you to our science team for creating such an engaging way to celebrate Science Week and inspire our students to explore the world of STEM.


Students get hands-on at CMI Toyota Adelaide

Eight lucky students from Aberfoyle Park High School recently had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at CMI Toyota Adelaide, gaining valuable insights into the automotive industry.

 

The visit was led by CMI Toyota’s Apprenticeship Manager and made even more special by their guide for the day—a senior mechanic and former Aberfoyle Park High School student. 

 

He took the group through a series of practical workshops, sharing his journey and giving students a firsthand look at what a career in automotive technology can involve.

 

Students learned essential car ownership skills, including how to:

  • Check a car before buying
  • Change a tyre
  • Perform oil and fluid checks
  • Check air pressure
  • Carry out general motor inspections

 

They also explored hybrid and electric vehicle systems, gaining insight into the future of automotive technology.

The tour included a visit to CMI Toyota’s three-story showroom, featuring a wide range of vehicles including the latest Landcruiser and the iconic Supra, as well as a walk through the workshop floor and apprentice training centre.

 

This inspiring and educational experience gave students a deeper understanding of automotive careers and the real-world applications —guided by someone who once walked the same school halls.


Book Week 2025: celebrating stories and creativity

Congratulations to all our year 7 students who embraced the spirit of Book Week by dressing up as their favourite book characters! The creativity and effort on display were truly impressive, with every costume telling its own unique story. It was a tough job choosing winners, but each Care Group winner was awarded a bag of goodies, generously donated by our wonderful Library team.

This year’s Book Week theme was “Book an Adventure!”, celebrating 80 years of Children’s Book Week in Australia. The theme, brought to life by illustrator Jess McGeachin, encouraged students to explore the magic of storytelling through bold journeys and imaginative quests.

Weare also proud to share that the 'Dress as a Character Event' raised $440.75 for The Smith Family, supporting educational opportunities for children who may otherwise struggle due to lack of resources.

 

As part of the celebrations, our Library staff created a fantastic Book Week display that captured the spirit of the event and brought stories to life. Featuring colourful decorations, themed book selections, and creative visual elements, the display was a hit with students and staff alike. It served as a reminder of the joy and imagination that books bring to our lives and helped make Book Week at our school even more special.

We hope this celebration not only brought fun and colour to the day but also inspired our students to continue discovering the joy and adventure that books can bring.