Student leadership workshop: Building stronger leaders for the future

On Tuesday, March 18 Aberfoyle Park High School's school captains, house captains and our student representative council gathered at the Aberfoyle Park Community Centre for the Aberfoyle Park High School student leadership workshop.

This event was crafted to enhance leadership skills, foster teamwork and establish a unified vision for student leadership within our school.

Throughout the day, students participated in a variety of activities designed to build their leadership capabilities. Team-building challenges encouraged collaboration, while goal-setting exercises helped students articulate their personal and collective aspirations. Engaging discussions focused on strategies to enhance school culture, empowering students to think critically about their roles as leaders.

A key outcome of the workshop was the development of a shared leadership vision. Students worked together to define this vision, setting personal leadership goals to guide their efforts throughout the year. The collaborative approach ensured that all voices were heard and valued, fostering a sense of unity and purpose among our student leaders.

The Aberfoyle Park Community Centre provided an excellent venue for the workshop and we extend our gratitude for their support in hosting this valuable experience. Our student leaders left the day feeling motivated, connected, and ready to make a meaningful impact within our school community.

Bullying awareness at Aberfoyle Park High School

Aberfoyle Park High School is committed to addressing bullying through the SchoolTV Bullying edition, which provides valuable resources for parents and students. This initiative aims to tackle bullying in all its forms, both online and within the community.

Bullying can significantly impact a child's self-esteem, resilience and academic success, with effects that may persist into adulthood. It is crucial to understand that bullying involves repeated and targeted behaviour, affecting how a young person feels. Online bullying is particularly concerning, as it can occur 24/7, even invading the safe space of a young person's home.

To support students in recognising and addressing bullying, we encourage you to watch this informative video here: Understanding Bullying.

The video helps students understand what bullying is, how to report it and where to seek help.

For further information, please visit the SchoolTV website here - Bullying is Never Ok - Bullying. No Way! | Aberfoyle Park High School

If you are experiencing bullying or have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact the school's wellbeing team or seek professional assistance.

Addressing inappropriate social media posts: How our school supports students and families

At Aberfoyle High School, we are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all students, both in and out of the classroom. With social media playing such a big role in students’ lives, knowing what steps to take when inappropriate content is shared online is important.

How We Respond as a School

When an inappropriate social media post is brought to our attention, we take it seriously. Our process includes:

Investigating the post and gathering information from students involved.
Reporting the content to the social media platform and requesting its removal.
Notifying relevant authorities, including the police if necessary and the eSafety Commission.
Providing support to students affected by the incident.

What Families Can Do

If your child comes across an inappropriate social media post, here’s how you can help:

Capture evidence – Take a screenshot of the post or use another phone to record a video.
Report the post – Your child or your family can report it to their Year Level Leader at school.
Seek further action – In serious cases, families can also report the post directly to the police or the eSafety Commission for further investigation.

We can create a safer online environment for all students by working together. If you have concerns about social media use or online safety, please contact the school for guidance and support. Let’s keep our school community safe both online and offline.

Student Representative Council attends GRIP Student Leadership Conference

On Wednesday, 2 April, the Aberfoyle Park High School Student Representative Council (SRC) had the exciting opportunity to attend the GRIP Student Leadership Conference at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

This annual event brought together student leaders from schools across South Australia to develop their leadership skills, share ideas, and gain inspiration for creating positive change within their school communities.

Throughout the day, our SRC members engaged in interactive workshops and discussions focused on teamwork, responsibility, and initiative. They connected with student leaders from other schools, exchanging ideas on how to strengthen student voice and make a meaningful impact. The conference provided valuable insights on leadership strategies, problem-solving, and ways to foster a positive school culture.

Our students left feeling motivated and equipped with new ideas to bring back to APHS. We look forward to seeing how they implement their learnings to enhance student leadership and wellbeing initiatives within our school.

A big thank you to the organisers of the GRIP Leadership Conference for an inspiring and empowering experience.

Student Representative Council's casual day supports the Hutt Street Centre

Congratulations to our Student Representative Council (SRC) for their outstanding effort in raising $446.95 for the Hutt Street Centre, an organisation dedicated to supporting people experiencing homelessness. The funds were raised through a casual clothes day held on the final day of term 1.

To celebrate the end of term, students enjoyed a free BBQ breakfast kindly provided by the Breakfast Club and the SRC, with special thanks to our incredible Pastoral Care Worker, Matt Peters, for leading the initiative.

The morning was filled with sunshine, good vibes, and 80s tunes, creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere for everyone.

A big thank you to all students and staff who got involved and helped make a real difference in our community.

National Excellence in Teaching Awards nominations now open

Are you a parent, student or community leader who knows a teacher who consistently goes above and beyond?

The National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) nominations are now open, offering a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate outstanding educators.

Nomination Period:

Friday, 4 April - Friday, 27 June 2025

Awards:

This year, NEiTA, Australia’s longest-running teacher recognition program, will award winners grants of up to $10,000 for professional development.

Award Categories:

Apple Award: Recognises primary and secondary teachers in Australia and New Zealand who exceed expectations, with winners receiving a $5,000 professional development grant.
Seed Teams Award: Awards early childhood teams for foundational teaching, providing a $10,000 professional development grant.
Leadership Award: Honours outstanding leadership by a principal or school leader, awarding a $10,000 grant for advancing educational excellence.
Powering Potential Award: In partnership with The Smith Family, this award recognises teachers from partner schools who aid students experiencing disadvantage, with a $10,000 prize.
The Terry O’Connell Regional and Remote Teachers’ Award: Given to those who go the extra mile for their students in remote and regional areas of Australia.
NEiTA Trustees' Alumni Award: An opportunity for a past NEiTA winner to receive a further $10,000 professional development grant.

Be inspired by watching the video of 2024 Winner Sylvia Arotin and see the impact of recognising exceptional educators – watch here - https://youtu.be/BlZprTAX51M

NOMINATE NOW - WELCOME | NEiTA

Celebrating Autism Awareness month with the Girl Power Club

During Autism Awareness month, the Girl Power Club, in collaboration with Ms Richardson in the Library, invited everyone to move beyond awareness by recognising, celebrating and appreciating the experiences and perspectives of autistic people.

We built a ‘Wall of Strengths and Stories’ in the library and invited the school community to contribute. Many shared their strengths and stories, pinning them on the display board to celebrate the unique qualities and experiences of autistic individuals.

A table with green cards, pins, markers, and coloured pencils was provided for everyone to use. This initiative brought us together to create a vibrant and inclusive display that honoured the diversity within our community.

Thank you to all who participated in this meaningful initiative, helping us foster understanding and appreciation for all.

Star Bear support program: Upcoming family camp for children and teens

Star Bear is a free support program dedicated to helping children and their families who have lost a significant loved one. We are pleased to announce that we have some spaces still available for our upcoming family camp in mid-June, specifically for those aged 12-17.

While we do accommodate younger children, teens are given priority for this camp, as it is the only one of the year where we can offer spaces to older children. Our next camp for younger children will be held in early November, and it will be attended without parents or carers.

Anyone can refer children or teens to the program, with the family's permission. To make a referral, you can either email us the details so we can contact the parent or carer or visit our website to submit a referral online.

We encourage families in need of support to take advantage of this opportunity.

Friendship and belonging: Essential skills for positive relationships

Discover essential skills for building and maintaining positive friendships while effectively managing toxic ones with our latest resources from the Student Support Services, Support and Inclusion Division.

We invite you to explore the Friendship and belonging fact sheet and the full edition of

Friendship and belonging | Aberfoyle Park High School on our SchoolTV website.

These resources provide valuable insights and strategies to help students foster healthy relationships and a sense of belonging within our school community.

Visit our website or contact the Student Support Services for more information and access to these helpful materials.

Aberfoyle Park High School Newsletter

Issue 3 · 20 May 2025

In this issue