Our Senior Leaders Team for 2023 (l to r) Sue Coppin, Tracy Warner, Tim Jones, David Marino, Sam Milne, Emma Oliver, Jen Williams and Jason Keep.

Welcome to 2023

We’ve had a strong, smooth and most importantly successful start to the 2023 school year for students, staff and our school community. Over the start of this year, we have seen students engage, grow and thrive as they transition into their new year level of study for 2023.

Celebrating success – 2022 Achievement

We were very pleased to conclude the 2022 school year with high achievement. All students enrolled in a SACE-completion program of study successfully completed and achieved their SACE.

A summary of Stage 2 (Year 12) results includes:

• 97.1% of results were at A, B or C grade level.
• 19.5% of results were A grades.
• 44.3% results were B grades.
• 51 students in total achieved their SACE.
• A total of 21 students gained one or more A grades in a wide range of subjects, with a total of seventy three grades in the A range in total.

Well done to all involved on your success!

In terms of ATARs:

Mitchell Trotta is the 2022 DUX with an ATAR of 90.00.

Also our top six ATARs for 2022 include:

• Maddison McMahon (85.05)
• Matilda Gardner (84.80)
• Abbey Menzel (82.95)
• Jayden Matz (82.50)
• Jessica Both (79.35)

These are all ‘raw scores’, meaning that they do not include bonus points awarded by Universities individually.

Stage 1 students performed and achieved well. Some highlights in Stage 1 (Year 11) results include:

• 89.7% of results were at A, B or C grade level.
• 18% of results were A grades.
• 32.5% of results were B grades.

These results exceed the targets set in our School Improvement Plan for 2022.

For Years 7 to 10, most areas met or exceeded the target of 85% for A, B and C grades.

Year 7 to 10 achievement data highlights positive trends and growth, with most areas exceeding the target of A & B grade achievement (40%).

 

Well done to all of our students on their efforts and achievements over a big year.

 

Australian Citizen of the Year Award 2023: Community Event

Congratulations to Rosi Wendt and the 100 Years of Schooling at Eringa committee!

The event was recognised with an Australian Citizen of the Year Award for 2023 in the Community Event category. Rosi worked tirelessly with the team to coordinate and ensure that 100 Years of Schooling at Kapunda High School was celebrated.

The event was a fitting acknowledgement and recognition of Kapunda High School, it’s history and positive impact on many generations of young people.

An acknowledgement and thank you to all local and wider community donors and volunteers, who contributed to the event and made it a very fitting and memorable event for our school community.

Positive School Culture 2023

Our focus on positive school culture is expanding this year, with our House Points system set to include Attendance, Achievement, Effort, school values and positive recognitions. There will be an update twice per term at school assemblies from our School Wellbeing Team, to report on how Houses are tracking, celebrate success and acknowledge the efforts of students. This will incorporate school events such as Athletics Days, Open Days and other school community competitions and events. This is an exciting direction for students and our school, with a sense of inclusion and excitement from students.

 

Hats and Mobile Phones

Our SunSmart policy states that students must wear hats during the school day when outdoors, during Terms 1, 3 & 4. It has been pleasing to see students embrace SunSmart behaviours and encourage their peers to do the same.

 

This year we implemented the updated Mobile Phone policy, where student mobile phones are fully restricted on school grounds from entering school, to leaving school.

This state-wide initiative to restrict Mobile Phone usage at school has had a positive impact on student engagement, wellbeing and participation at school over the first part of this term.

I acknowledge the great work of students in following the policy and thank parents/caregivers for your continued support.

A copy of our school Mobile Phone policy is on our school website and outlines further details.

This can be found using the link below:

Kapunda High School Mobile Phone Policy

Grounds and Facilities

There are many positives to report in the re-build of our school. We have started the year with the Hawke Street Campus, Front Office Reception Building and Wellbeing Hub in operation. With time and effort invested over the school holidays, these areas are now being used by students and staff and have made for a smooth start to school operations.

 

Eringa

Work is steadily progressing for the clean-up of Eringa. This is careful and considered work to ensure that as much of the building and contents as possible can be salvaged. To date, some items have been recovered including old trophies, paintings, musical instruments and some books. Around 50% of the clean-up phase has been completed. We are in discussions with the Department for Education around restoration plans and I look forward to sharing further information in the near future, when available.

 

Front of School Crossing

We are working with the Light Regional Council and Department for Education to install a Front of School Crossing on West Tce. Traffic Engineers have assessed the road and designated an Emu crossing and upgraded school zone signage. This work is expected to be completed during March and will increase safety for students when arriving to and leaving from school. This will complement the school crossing recently installed on Hawke Street. Further information about revised traffic conditions will be communicated with our community in due course.

School Building Fund

At the conclusion of 2022, Governing Council established a School Building Fund in response to an outpouring of goodwill from the community towards our school. The ‘Kapunda High School Governing Council School Building Fund’ is endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office and is a ‘Deductible Gift Register’ which can accept donations from the community. An acknowledgement and thank you to Stella from Casual Bliss, Kapunda who was the first donor to the fund. Governing Council’s vision and fund-rules outline that any funds received will go toward upgrading aspects of our school in the interests of improving student learning.  

Short-term leave

A big thank you and acknowledgement to Tim Jones (Acting Principal), Tracy Warner (Acting Deputy Principal) and the staff team at KHS, for covering my recent short-term parental leave during Weeks 2 and 3.   

 

School – Industry Partnerships

Our Student Pathways team are currently pursuing and finalising agreements in a number of areas, to enhance student opportunities for work experience, employment opportunities and apprenticeships to expand on our school Housing Trades focus.

We look forward to sharing further information about this when finalised in the coming weeks.

I look forward to working in partnership with you, for the advancement of our young people and school community.

David Marino 

Principal

On Friday 10th February, there was a whole school assembly to present the Age Group Champions and House Winners for the Swimming Carnival. 

KHS Athletics Carnival- Friday 10th March (Week 6)

Adelaide Cup Public Holiday- Monday 13th March (Week 7)

Pupil Free Day- Tuesday 14th March (Week 7)

On Monday 20th February our Interschool Swimming Team Students travelled to Burra for the Lower North Swimming Carnival. Excellent results were achieved by all on the day, with five KHS Age Group Champions, and two KHS Runners Up. Kapunda also won the overall results of the day, winning the Lower North Swimming Shield. 

2023 LN Swimming Medals - Age Group Champions

The year 9 science classes are learning about the central nervous system. Here are Mikayla, Ruby, Sienna, Ruby and Natalie showing off their brains!

The materials and services charges for 2023 are $470.00, less the $100 government rebate = $370.  This is used for the purchase of loan text books, equipment and materials used in the delivery of the curriculum.  A basic stationery issue is supplied (which is GST Free) which includes an ID card and monthly printing and internet allocation. 

From the 6^th of February 2023, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine will change from the routine two doses to a single dose.

The change is based on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations (ATAGI) who have considered the latest and international scientific and clinical evidence which has concluded that a single dose of HPV vaccine delivers comparable protection to two doses.

If consented for, students in Years 7 and 8 will receive a single dose of the HPV vaccine and a booster dose of diphtheria Tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough).

This will be the last year for year 8 students to receive these vaccinations at school, from 2024 they will be offered to all year 7 students bringing South Australia in line with the other states in Australia.

Students in Year 7 are scheduled for their immunisations on

Wednesday 23rd August 2023

Students in Year 8 had their immunisations on Wednesday of this week. Any Year 8 students, or parents of Year 8 students who were absent on Wednesday can contact Tab at the school to discuss alternative options. 

More information regarding these changes is available by following the link below.

Tab Mackenzie

School Immunisation Coordinator

On Monday 20^th February the current year 12 students were fortunate to have a visit during homegroup from two year 12 students from 2022.

Jake Bean spoke about his pathway to an apprenticeship and reflected on the value of the opportunities he had experienced through working with the year 12 teachers.  

Liana Antonioli, who recently was awarded Young Australian Citizen of the Year Award, described how her preparation for university changed throughout the year,  and the effects that had on her keenness to gain the required Selection Rank. She also remarked to current year 12 students the value from the community contacts she had made to gain information about her future career choice.

We always look forward to hearing from our past year 12s in relation to their career pathways and what influences the decisions they make along the way.

Mrs Tracy Warner

Assistant Principal- Senior School

Preparations have started for Kapunda High School’s 2023 Musical, which will be a school-friendly version of the Broadway hit, Monty Python’s Spamalot, which is based on the film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Exact dates and location for the Musical are still to be organised, but rehearsals have started with an enthusiastic cast and crew of students from all year levels, 7-12. Performances will be scheduled early in Term 3 this year, which will give students opportunity for two solid blocks of rehearsals during the end of Term 1 and Term 2 holidays.

More to come!

Mr Brett Ferris and Mrs Christie Bridge

Meat chickens have arrived at KHS and the Year 9 agriculture students get to weigh and visually assess them each week to see how fast they grow. Students will then be able to compare the growth rates of meat chickens to the growth rates of layer hens. 8KBR and 8STH students were given the opportunity to go and see the chicks and learn more about agriculture. 

Karen Bromley

Agriculture Teacher

With the introduction of the new mobile phone policy, students can no longer use their phones to pay for food at the canteen. Luckily, the Kapunda High School Canteen now offers an online ordering service through the free smartphone or tablet App, Qkr!™. which provides a convenient alternative. Search for Kapunda High School on the Qkr!™. app and register. Orders may also be made using your PC/laptop at Kapunda High School Canteen Qkr!^TM.  Follow the prompts to set up an account, then begin ordering your recess and lunch online!

Click here to view Qkr User Guide837.71 KB 

The advantages of ordering online are:

• Fast, convenient payments from a secure mobile app, anywhere and anytime.
• Lunch orders can be copied from one week to the next to save time.
• Payments direct from credit or debit card. 
• Transaction tracking is easy with online receipts.

Qkr!™ orders may be made in the morning before 8:30am (when orders for the day close) or evening before - even a week in advance, as a two week menu will be listed. Daily and weekly specials will vary each week. Receipts are available online or be sent to you by email.

Students ordering via Qkr!^TM must do so before8:30am, and before they arrive at school so they can adhere to our mobile phone policy.

Order cancellations can be made easily, provided this occurs prior to 8:30am for that particular day's order. Use the search facility to locate and cancel the order. A credit for the transaction will appear and be available for future orders.

For those who don't have a mobile device or online access, cash and EFT sales will still be available. These orders must also be made before the first morning bell.

As there is limited stock available, particularly specials, hot foods, sandwiches and salads, for 'over the counter' sales- avoid disappointment and order beforehand. 

Our canteen will cater for special dietary requirements and Qkr!™ shows various dietary options such as gluten free.

Students are encouraged to bring either cash or a bank card to purchase food from the canteen if they haven’t ordered in advance. In following with the new mobile phone policy, students will not be able to pay with their phones at the canteen. Students are also encouraged to transfer money prior to school as they won’t be able to do so at school.