Welcome to our final newsletter for Term 1 2023. We finish Term 1 ‘on a high’ with a great number of achievements, successes and outcomes to report to our school community.

Eringa: re-building our history

We have received very welcome news from the Minister for Education, The Hon Mr Blair Boyer MP, around an announcement and commitment to re-build and restore the Eringa Homestead. Being the centrepiece and foundation of Kapunda High School, since it’s donation by Sir Sidney Kidman and Lady Kidman 100 years ago, this is evidently a best-case scenario for our school, community and also future generations. We draw great optimism and inspiration from this news, as we continue to look forward, work hard and re-build our school.     

Over the past week we have acknowledged with students and staff the one year anniversary of the tragic fire which saw the loss of the much treasured Eringa homestead and other buildings at our school. We did this through a Whole School Assembly and also staff meeting – reflecting on many things that have been achieved over this time. I’d like to acknowledge and mention the continued outpouring of goodwill and support for our school, from members of the local and wider communities.

On a positive note you may have read recently in South Australian newspapers, or heard on ABC Radio, that our school will be undertaking some ground-breaking work with the introduction of a Heritage Trades Program at Kapunda High School. This is a truly unique opportunity for our students, school and community in many ways, being the only high-school in Australia to offer such a program. Furthermore students will have a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to work on the historic Eringa Homestead.

This news has been greeted with a great deal of optimism and enthusiasm and I would like to mention a number of people are working towards this for our school, including DfE Pathways Advisor Mr Michael Scarman and our Assistant Principal Mr Jason Keep. This program will be in-addition to existing Construction Trade programs that we offer.

We are also in initial discussions with the Light Regional Council around exploring future school-local council partnership Heritage projects for our students.

SRC & Prefect Induction

On Thursday 30^th March we hosted our annual SRC & Prefect Induction ceremony. This was a proud day for our school, to induct elected students into their responsibility of being student leaders. Students took their oath of office, around a commitment to role modelling and upholding our school values. The event was well attended by parents/caregivers and families of elected students and also special guests, including: Mayor Bill O’Brien (Mayor Light Regional Council), Liana Antonioli (as representative of The Hon Penny Pratt MP and also a former KHS Head Prefect from 2023), Eliza Woidt (Guest Speaker and Head Prefect from 2013) and Steve Nelson (Light Regional Council). I look forward to working in partnership with our SRC & Prefects throughout the 2023 school year.      

Student, Parent & Teacher Interviews

I enjoyed meeting and having a chat with many of our Parents and Caregivers during Term 1 Interviews over Tuesday 4/4 and Wednesday 5/4. The event was well attended by our community. I encourage you to keep in contact with your child/ren’s teachers throughout the term, so we can work in partnership for their best possible education and achievements.

Positive School Culture

This term has seen the introduction of our recently upgraded Student House Points system. The system recognises and rewards students for displaying positive learner attributes, achievement and also demonstrating the school values. Assistant Principal Mr Sam Milne and the Wellbeing team introduced this system at the start of the school year and organised the first points reveal at our recent assembly. This was well received by students and staff and providing a sense of school pride, belonging, collaboration and also healthy competition.

Term 1 Reflections

Term 1 has been a highly successful start to the school year for Kapunda High School students.

From a streak of sporting successes across our local region and also at state level, student ceremony events, to a variety of guest speakers and finally the announcements around our school re-build – we continue to head in a great direction.

I wish you and your family a Happy Easter for those celebrating it and an enjoyable upcoming school holiday.

David Marino

Principal

Good Friday Public Holiday Friday, 7th April (Week 10)

Easter Monday Public Holiday Monday, 10th April (Week 11)

Last Day of Term 1- Early Dismissal 2:15pm Friday, 14th April (Week 11)

First Day of Term 2 Monday, 1st May 

Open Day 2pm-4pm Sunday, 7th May

Click the link below for our School Calendar

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. 

PAYMENT OF MATERIALS AND SERVICES

Payment of materials and services is due before the end of Term 1.
Payment may be made by cash, cheque, EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard or by Direct Bank Deposit (see details below). Students are to make payments prior to the start of the school day (8:50am) to avoid carrying around large sums of money through the day.  Parents/caregivers are encouraged to make payments to the Finance Desk in the Front Office Reception Building from 8:30-9:30am.

Prompt payment of school charges ensures that all parents accept their share of the responsibility for the education of their students. 

INSTALMENT PAYMENT PLAN

Download and return the following form to apply for paying school fees by instalment this year.

SCHOOL CARD SCHEME  

If you think you may be eligible for School Card, please complete the online application form at the link below as soon as possible. 

On Thursday 30th March, KHS held our annual SRC & Prefect Induction Ceremony. This is a long held tradition at Kapunda High School and is a very important day for those students who have been elected to represent their peers.

Congratulations to all the students involved on Thursday and a special acknowledgement to the Year 12 Prefects. 

• Chloe McWaters and Connon Shepherd (Head Prefects)
• Halle Butcher and Cooper Bliss (Deputy Head Prefects)
• Mia McKeon and Tyler Crease (Year 12 Prefects)

The Stage 1 Food and Hospitality class provided morning tea for our prefects, guests and staff. The efforts of the students and their teacher, Josh Earle, was much appreciated. 

On Thursday 23rd March, the KHS athletics team travelled to Riverton to compete at the Interschool Athletics. KHS won both the girls and boys divisions, and were the overall champions on the day as well. This is an excellent result, one the whole school community can be very proud of. 

The riders involved in the Ride For Sick Kids event

On Wednesday, March 29, we were fortunate enough to have Ronald McDonald House visit our school as they look to raise money and awareness for children diagnosed with serious illness.  The event, called Ride for Sick Kids, saw 15 riders roll on into Kapunda High School and share their stories and purpose behind the ride and Ronald McDonald House. Students should be very proud of their engagement throughout the visit as we received fantastic feedback from the event organisers.

If you would like more information on how you can support the ride and charity, please get in touch via the following email address. Fundraising.sa@rmhc.org.au

Sam Milne

Assistant Principal

Positive School Culture & Wellbeing

Sam Fethers, Josh Earle and Sue Devine participated in a barista training course here on site  Saturday at the in class cafe, "Kappy Brew" with the new  Food and Hospitality barista equipment.
This is in preparation for the opening where students in Stage 1 and 2 Food and Hospitality will gain cafe training and sell their coffee to staff at recess times. 

Michael Daloisio from Charlie Black based in Greenock, taught the staff all about coffee extraction times, and how to froth milk perfectly.  This oppurtunity for students sets a good foundation for future work experience and employment in the food and hospitalty industry.

Josh Earle

Food and Hospitatlity Teacher

On Monday 3rd April, the KHS athletics team competed at the SANTOS athletics in Adelaide. It was another very successful day for our students. In their division, the boys placed second, the girls placed third, and overall KHS placed second. 

Overall Score

Boys Score

Girls Score

At the whole school assembly on Friday of Week 9, a House Points Leader board update was provided to all staff and students. Due to winning both the Swimming and Sports Carnival, Hughes have found themselves with a healthy lead on 360 points. Hughes also have the lead with the most Positive Student Recognitions, moving from third place in the Week 5 update to first place in Week 9. Kidman are leading the way regarding attendance and are on 230 points, while Hawke are closely behind on 226 points.

The next update will take place in the Term 2, Week 4 assembly, and will include effort points, academic achievement points and as always, reward those students who display positive behaviour in the school community through the Positive Student Recognitions.

Well done everyone and keep up the great work!

Sam Milne

Assistant Principal

Positivie School Culture & Wellbeing

Stage 2 Tourism Excursion – Wednesday 22nd March

The Year 12 Tourism class visited the Blythe Breakout Room as part of their excursion to the Clare Valley last week

The Year 12 tourism class had the opportunity to ‘get out of the classroom’ last Wednesday to the Clare Valley. The idea is for the class to experience what it is like to be a tourist and to get the view from the host community.

We visited:  

 - Blyth Breakout Room, this was a great experience in the old hospital. If you haven’t visited, it should definitely be on your list for the school holidays. Lots of fun!

 - Bungaree Station, looking at the beautiful gardens and walking around a full working station, including their shearing shed.

 - Martindale Hall, 32 room mansion built in 1879 – 1880 that is now like a living museum. We got to walk around the rooms and the cellar to view all the furniture and belongings that date back to the 1880’s. The house was sold during the great depression as a wedding present for William Mortlock’s wife to be.

 - Mintaro Maze, an experience to lose the kids – we didn’t succeed! The Maze has got a café and an activity to do with the kids whilst they go through the maze and look around the other games available.

Whilst a long day being a ‘tourist’, it was a great experience for the students to be able to visit attractions within their own area.

Their assignment is a virtual tour of the Clare Valley Region that they can include aspects of the excursion as well as all the other parts that we didn’t get to experience. Watch out for future newsletters to see their virtual tours.

A huge thankyou to Candice Zivic and Megan McWaters for helping with transporting the students during the day.

Megan Samain

Tourism Teacher

Year 9 Design and Technology class learning how to make pizza dough.