Welcome to our second newsletter for Term 4. A number of positive initiatives have happened for students at Kapunda High School over the past three weeks. This has involved students engaging in a wide variety of co-curricular activities including a number of camps, knockout sports and curriculum enrichment workshops.  

Congratulations to all of our Year 12 students, who have now completed their final assessments, exams and studies! We wish them all the best for their next chapter, endeavours and as future ambassadors for Kapunda HS.   

School Camps

Year 8 students recently participated in a camp based at Illawonga in the Riverland. This included a wide range of co-curricular watersports activities. I enjoyed visiting the camp on Wednesday, 17 November and talking with a range of students who reflected positively on their learning and experience at the camp. Year 10 students also recently undertook an aquatics-based camp at Pt Vincent. Students and staff reported that this was a good experience and enjoyable camp.  

School Initiatives and Events

All students recently participated in an educational course about the dangers of Vaping, delivered by Life Education. Organised by Assistant Principal Sam Milne, the workshops were delivered for each year level and highlighted the dangers of vaping and the short-term and long-term dangers. Students and staff commented on the high quality and informative nature of the workshops and learnt a lot of valuable information.

Kapunda High School was represented at Remembrance Day on 11/11 by our Year 11 Prefects. This included student representatives presenting a wreath on behalf of our school.  Later in the afternoon, we were honoured to receive a visit from Veterans, Mr Roger Harrison, LSATA (retired) Secretary Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia SA Division, and Mr John Siebert, Navy Commander.

Both Veterans gave a talk to a group of students about their personal experience and working life in the Forces. We were very fortunate to hear their experience and also the valuable advice they offered to students for their futures. Thank you Mr Harrison and Mr Siebert. An acknowledgement also to Miss Koritsa for organising the day.

On Thursday, 10 November, we received a visit from The Hon Penny Pratt MP and The Hon John Gardner MP, Shadow Minister for Education. The visit included a tour of our grounds and facilities, and discussion about how we are travelling as a school. Student Prefects and school leadership engaged in a range of fruitful discussions including around student’s aspirations, studies and future endeavours.

 School PIVOT Survey Feedback

Our work for quality teaching and learning continues to grow from strength to strength. I’m pleased to report that recent PIVOT survey data collected from students across our school indicates continued growth in the quality of teaching at our school.

Survey items are rated out of a maximum of five. Below is a summary of results:

Well done all on your efforts – we continue in our pursuit of educational excellence across all aspects of our school. 

Preparing for 2023

A number of initiatives are in progress as we prepare for the 2023 school year.

This includes some organisational resources for students, such as a locker for every student in our school from 2023. We are also currently reviewing our school mobile policy, in alignment with the Department for Education Mobile Phone Policy Consultation. We will be seeking further input from our school community.  

Buildings and Facilities

Our new school phone system is now in place. Our phone system business hours are from 8.15am to 4pm. After this time, please kindly leave a voicemail.

Our school phone number continues to be: 08 8566 2203.

Please choose from the new auto attendant options to help quickly direct your call:

Hawke Street Campus and School Crossing

Below are some photo updates of the Hawke Street Campus and Crossing that students and staff are now benefiting from, as part of our school recovery accommodation. These are state-of-the-art and we thank the Department for Education, Fleetwood SA and Government of SA for the support provided to us.

Hawke Street, April 2022	Hawke Street, November 2022

Administration Buildings   

We are pleased to welcome all parents, caregivers and visitors to our transportable Front Office which is now in operation.

This includes all Front Office services, such as school meetings and finance.

Our Resource Centre will continue to offer a wide range of services for students, including: Library resources, Student Services and ICT Support.

This is a great step forward for our students and school.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility around the changes. We'll continue to keep you updated around further advancements, including our school phone system.

Eringa Restoration

Phase 0 and 1 have been completed of the clean-up works project.

This has focused on external cleaning and salvage for the building and materials.

Phase 2 will commence in the coming weeks and will focus on salvage and cleaning for the internal part of the building.

This is a significant undertaking, with lots of safety planning required for the workers and also the building. It is pleasing to see work and progress happening in this space.  

While 2022 has presented a number of challenges for our school, it has also been a year of great achievement, progress and improvement. As we move toward the end of year, I look forward to a number of opportunities to meet with you in the coming weeks including for awards and presentation evenings.

David Marino

Principal

On Wednesday, 16 November, Year 10 students set off to Port Vincent for their two day aquatics camp. Students arrived to beautiful weather, and began their first aquatics activity as soon as they arrived. Students excelled at kayaking, windsurfing, kneeboarding and sailing.

On the second day, students travelled to Berry Bay for a day of surfing. Perfect weather and some dolphin sightings made the day even better. There were a number of falls, but also many students who would ride the wave all the way into shore.

On the last day students were able to learn a different aquatics activity, which added to their skill set. Although the weather became a bit cold and windy on Friday, students warmed up with a hot lunch from the Port Vincent Kiosk before heading home.

Jessica Read - Year 10 Manager

Tuesday, 8 November and Wednesday, 9 November saw Year 10 students undertake a series of Mock Interviews with community members as part of their Personal Learning Plan (PLP) SACE studies. In preparation for the day students were required to respond to a job advertisement with a resume and cover letter, and then attend an interview on the day. Despite many nerves it was a fantastic experience for KHS Year 10 students.

This was aimed at giving students an opportunity to apply for a job, experience an interview, and receive feedback on their overall application. Students demonstrated outstanding communication, presentation and attention to detail both prior to and on the day.

A huge thank you to the industry professionals and community members that generously gave up their time to help out. Another thank you to the PLP teachers that worked tirelessly to prepare students.

Jason Keep
Assistant Principal Flexible Pathways

During Week 5 of Term 4, the Year 8 students finally got to go on the camp originally booked for Week 3, Term 1! Thanks for that one COVID!

We had 83 students attending two camps, participating in kayaking, pedal boats, knee boarding, caving, river cruises, pedal-karting, archery, a scary maze, boggle, gymnastics and finally, the Sheep Show with a difference!!

I was so pleased to see all students having a go at the activities, even when it was way out of their comfort zone or perceived abilities. I personally haven’t had this much fun on a school camp in many years and was excited to be doing all the activities with the kids! The Illawonga Camp staff are professional and run a very tight ship, so the students were able to try different activities safely and with appropriate protections.

Please enjoy the photos taken by staff – there’s quite a lot of them for 5 days of camp!!

Kerensa Greenfield

Year Level Manager

Student Report 

During Week 5 the Year 8 cohort from Kapunda High School went up the river to Illawonga for camp. There were two different groups spread out across the 5 days and during the stay all students got to participate in several activities. These activities included, knee boarding, swimming, paddle boating, kayaking, gymnastics, archery, a maze, peddle karting, caving, karaoke and learning how to whip at a sheep show. We also learnt a lot about fossils and how to identify them on our numerous boat trips.

Some of our personal favourites were, caving, water activities and the gymnasium. We also enjoyed sleeping in cabins with others and getting to know and make new friends. On behalf of the Year 8 students we would like to thank all staff for taking time out of their weeks to take care of us and ensure that we enjoyed our camp.

Charlotte Leslie, Tayla McCarthy and Jessica Jones

On Wednesday, 23 November, a group of Year 7 and 8 students went on a basketball carnival to Balaklava. The girls team was undefeated and played against Balaklava High, Horizon Christian School, St Joeseph's and Clare High School. There were two boys' teams, Team A and Team B. The teams played against St Joeseph's, Clare High School, Balaklava High school, Horizon High School and Riverton High School. Both of the boys' teams were competitive throughout the day. A special shout out to Jess Both (Year 12) for coaching and Halle Zivic (Year 11) and Dakota Hinderwall (Year 10) for umpiring. 

Girls' Team (L to R)
Top row: Mikayla Wagner, Halle Zivic (umpire), Charlotte Leslie, Olivia Leslie, Tayla McCarthy, Charli Zivic Bottom row: Grace Menzel, Stella Ryan and Peyton Burgess

Boys Team A (L to R)
Top row: Luke Barnes, Josh McWaters, Brayden Whimpress, Ryder Chinner, Riley Both
Bottom row: James Starr, Tom Shanahan and Jess Both (coach)

Boys Team B (L to R)
Top row: Ben Dibb (coach), Brodie Gray, Tali Pipe, Charlie Moss, Dylan Ryan
Bottom row: Lachlan Turner, Hunter Turrell and Fabricio Towers

Georgia Madigan
English, Cross-Disciplinary and PE Teacher

A big thank you to the Life Ed SA team for facilitating the sessions.

On Tuesday, 22 November, Ms Fethers Year 9 Living and Lifestyles class provided a lunch for staff as a Catering for other People assessment. Staff greatly appreciated their culinary skills!

Canteen at Risk of Closures

If we are unable to gain support for our canteen staff, sadly our canteen may have to close on some days.

Volunteers play an important role in our school canteen, the Kidman Kafe, being able to offer a wide variety of healthy food to our students and staff at recess and lunch times. Volunteers are encouraged to come and help in our canteen - even for an hour. Assistance during the peak preparation times, between 10:00am and 2:00pm would be most valued and appreciated. And of course, a regular commitment would enable Canteen Manager, Sam, to better plan the menu in advance.

What hoops do I need to jump through?

Yes, there is some paperwork and some legal requirements such as completing the online Responding to Abuse and Neglect (RAN-EC) course and having a Working With Children Check (WWCC). Mrs Sue Coppin, our Finance Officer, can assist with beginning the process of applying for the WWCC, which is free to our volunteers. There will also be a general induction with the Department for Education and we will share other important information before you begin.

Call the school and ask to speak to Sam at the canteen if you'd like to learn more about the kind of help our canteen requires, or if you're keen to begin, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Kaye Clancy, by phoning the school.