From the Principal

After a cold, wet start to term 3, we have settled into Semester 2 properly, with students from year 7 to year 11 thinking about the subjects that they will select to study in 2026, and year 12 students eyeing their final full term of school and the coming assessment deadlines.

Students in years 7 to 9 should by now have returned their 2026 subject selection forms and will be engaged in filling in their web preferences with the assistance of their care group teacher. Students in years 10 to 11 have a little longer to choose their subjects, with the Career Expo in week 1 of the term, the SACE, VET and IBDP Information Night in week 3 and Pathway Planning events in week 4 all providing support to choose 2026 subjects with a future pathway in mind.

During the holidays, the bi-annual ski trip was held and was a great success.  Students experienced real and artificial snow and took on the challenges of skiing and snowboarding with gusto, benefitting from their professional lessons and developing a commendable level of confidence and skill.  The ample snowfall supported the building of snowmen, delighting the students who attended.

During week 1, year 7 students participated in their camp to AFL Max and spent a great two days out of school crawling through obstacle courses, solving problems with critical thinking and overcoming challenges, all while spending time with their peers and teachers in a different environment.  Next year’s camp has already been booked for our 2026 cohort of year 7s.

On the student free day held on the 21 July, staff worked in teams to update their assessment practices as we work through the process of implementing the new South Australian Curriculum.  Particular areas of focus were the connections between assessment criteria and skill development, and the place of assessment on the learning continuum.

Students will have noticed 3 new drink fountains around the yard and some concreting to replace lifting paving.  Our dedicated facility for the delivery of Certificate III Information Technology, focusing on cyber security, opened in week 1, thrilling students with its immersion lighting and state of the art equipment. Upcoming facilities upgrades this term include the installation of the acoustic baffles which absorb noise between the band room and Home Economics area and the painting and re-carpeting of the Music Theory room.

Two new teachers have been welcomed to the school this term: Ross Braendler, teaching English and HASS and Angela Wang, teaching Mathematics.  Chris Jones has won the role of year level leader with year 11 students. Hazel Bashford will conclude a 12-month stint as our Business Leader at the end of week 5.  I would like to wish Hazel every success in her Business Leader’s role at Playford International College. 

At the end of week 2, a group of our music students travelled to Balaklava to participate in their Eisteddfod, with our Concert Band winning first place in the Senior Concert Band section, against other schools, including a specialist music school -a fantastic achievement.

I’d like to wish all of our students a terrific first half of term 3 – work hard at learning, have fun and enjoy our wonderful school.

Cassie Dickeson