From The Principal
Marion Coady
From The Principal
Marion Coady
Welcome to the first newsletter for 2024.
The 2024 academic school year commenced on 29 January. We had a whole school assembly emceed by the two school captains. Our 2024 Student Representative Council, (SRC) were inducted in front of the students and staff.
I would like to warmly welcome our new year 7 students along with students who have joined us in other year levels.
It is important that students work with their peers and teachers to take full advantage of the learning that is available to them. This requires not only concentrating on their work in class. It includes accessing the support provided by teachers both in and outside of lessons. Students need to develop a schedule of when their work is due and not fall into the trap of leaving things to the last minute. In other words, avoid procrastination. Seeking help early is essential, when students are unsure of what they have to do. Trying not to get behind with their work and allowing too many tasks to be tackled at the same time particularly as due dates loom.
A reminder that mobile phones are banned in school. Our process is that students, without exemptions need to secure their mobile phones and smart watches in their Yondr pouches. The Yondr locking and unlocking stations are located at entrances to the school. Students who arrive late or need to leave early can have their pouches locked or unlocked at Student Services.
During the school holidays there were some improvements around the school.
This included:
Planned developments for 2024 include:
Staffing:
This year we have welcomed the new staff as follows:
Teaching -
Ms Amee Allison
Ms Melissa Applegate
Ms Annelle Ascough
Ms Amanda Chandler
Mr Alan Cook
Mr Nick Drury
Mr Joel Fitzgerald
Ms Kerry-Anne Grace
Mr Michael Harris
Ms Thirza Hayward
Ms Elle Laurence
Mr Craig McArdle
Mr Andrew McNichol
Ms Helen Pike
Support Staff -
Ms Ciara Flynn
Ms Jane Johnson
Ms Angela Winter
We have also welcomed our new Speech Pathologist Ms Eliza Mather who will be working with teachers to support student learning and achievement.
We have welcomed back -
Mr Simon Bell
Ms Anna Cocks
Ms Phoebe Cole
Mr Jeremy Holmes
Ms Effie Thomas
In addition to our teaching and support staff we have welcomed five pre-service teachers and a social worker on placements.
Ms Hayley Baker will not be returning to Aberfoyle Park High School as she has won a position in another school.
The 2024 School Sports Day will be held on Thursday 7 March.
Prior to the sports day, we are having house meetings for the four houses Yarta, Karla, Tindu and Tirntu. Students will be nominating for the events. There will be some pre-sport day events which will be held on 29 February.
Our Sports Day provides students with the opportunity to participate in a range of ways including contributing to the carnival atmosphere by dressing up in their house colours
The 2023 Class of Year 12 students face the end of the school year with their results being released on 18 December. Our students should be justly proud of their achievements.
A summary of the results for the 2023 Class of Year 12 includes:
Congratulations to Julia Mikhailova who achieved an ATAR of 99.85 with merits in Specialist Mathematics and English Literacy Studies. Julia is undertaking an Engineering degree at Sydney University. We will be inviting her to the Class of 2024 Graduation to acknowledge her achievements as the 2023 Dux of our school.
Our students have been offered places in a broad range of tertiary courses. They span across criminology, teaching, law, engineering, psychology, nutrition business management, design and medical science to name a few. We have students who are continuing their apprenticeships and traineeships and wishing well to those who are going into employment.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of the Year 12 subject teachers for their commitment and perseverance throughout 2023 and the unrelenting commitment to make sure students completed their work.
Information about the forthcoming Governing Council Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 20 February has been emailed to all families. Involvement in the Governing Council provides parents/caregivers with the opportunity to have input into the policies and direction of the school. There are a total of 16 positions on the Governing Council for parents/caregivers.
If you are interested in attending the AGM and/or nominate for the Governing Council, please contact Rachael Kuhl by ringing the school on 8270 44 55, select 4 or email rachael.kuhl201@school.sa.edu.au
Executive
Marion Coady - Principal
Cassie Dickeson - Deputy Principal
Ryan Brown - Assistant Principal: Innovation in Curriculum and Pedagogy including IGNITE
Fran Charlton - Assistant Principal: Senior School Innovation and 7-12 Career Education
Jarrod Chave - Assistant Principal: Information Systems Timetable and Daily Organisation
Jenna English - Assistant Principal - Middle school Innovation and 7-12 Wellbeing for Learning
Lee Pope - Business Leader
Curriculum Leadership
Steve Kammermann - The Arts
Fran Charlton - Cross Disciplinary studies related to SACE compulsory requirements
Chris Brookes - English/EALD
Amanda Chandler - HASS
Anita Sharrad - Health and Physical Education
Fran Charlton - VET
Nick Drury - Personal Learning Plan (PLP)
Joel Fitzgerald - Design and Technologies
Leadership Related to Wellbeing
Harmony Fenoughty - Year 12
Julie Mohtasham - Year 11
Nick Drury - Year 10
Shauna Thompson - Year 9
TBA - Year 8
Vanessa Ingram - Year 7
IGNITE
Amee Allison - IGNITE leader
Support for Learning Needs
Ben Young - Learning Inclusion including differentiation
Support for Specific Student Groups
Vanessa Ingram & Nigel Lockyer - First Nations students
Alanna Maurin - English as an additional language/dialect
Support for Student Wellbeing
Jules Hanrahan - Wellbeing Leader
Alan Peat - Wellbeing Leader
We will be advertising some positions later this term. Once the processes have been finalised about who has been appointed, information will be provide in the newsletter.