Staff Vs Student Soccer for the Golden Event

Dear families and the wider community,

Welcome to Term 4 at Kapunda High School. As we begin the final Term of 2025, it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many highlights and successes of Term 3 and to look forward to the celebrations, milestones, and achievements that will close out our school year.

Celebrating Term 3 Achievements

Term 3 was an outstanding period of learning and growth for our students, with 127 individual Personal Best Awards presented for excellent effort across ‘All Subjects’ and ‘Most Subjects’. This represents a significant increase from last year and demonstrates our students’ ongoing commitment to doing their best in all areas of learning.

End of Term Golden Event

The 2025 Agricultural Show Team

The end of Term 3 provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate student success across a range of areas. This included the Remaking Eringa award, recognition of our Royal Adelaide Show Team and award winners who competed in the Australian Maths Competition. Three students, Dylan Allert, Erica Crook, and Harry Fletcher received a credit and one student, James Simunsen, received a distinction.

15 KHS students competed in the Australian Maths Competition this year

The term concluded with our Term 3 Golden Events, which included Staff Vs Student Soccer and Softcrosse along with Just Dance, an SRC BBQ and the Colour Run finale. The whole day was highly successful and enthusiastically received by students. These activities not only celebrated student achievement but also strengthened school spirit and positive connections across the student body.

Staff Recognition

We were proud to celebrate the dedication and commitment of our long-serving staff members. Tracy Warner was recognised for an impressive 40 years of service to the Department for Education, and Nicola Winkworth for 30 years of service. I would also like to recognise the work of one of our long standing TRT staff, Alana Dunn, who plans to take a position overseas teaching. The contributions of our staff members have had a profound impact on our students, and we thank them for their professionalism, passion, and service to Kapunda High School.

Reminders and Upcoming Communications

Families are reminded that assessment deadlines for the final term will be published soon via Daymap. With Term 4 now upon us, sun protection remains a key priority. Hats are required for all outdoor activities, and we are aiming for 100% hats by the end of Week 1. Social media reminders and SMS notifications will continue to keep families informed about hat requirements and purchasing options. We appreciate the support of parents and caregivers in reinforcing these expectations to keep our students safe and sun-smart.

Year 12 Farewells

This week marks an important milestone as we farewell our Year 12 students, who officially complete their subjects on Friday, 24th October. This cohort has faced a uniquely challenging journey, beginning high school during the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, are the last generation of Year 8s starting high school and later experiencing the impact of the 2022 school fire. Through these challenges, our Year 12s have shown exceptional resilience, adaptability, and perseverance — qualities that will serve them well beyond school. We are incredibly proud of their growth, their leadership, and their contribution to our school community. As they prepare for final exams and graduation, we wish them every success and look forward to celebrating their achievements as they move into the next exciting phase of their lives.

Centenary Foundation Updates

Our Centenary Foundation recently held its Annual General Meeting, welcoming new members to the committee. We extend our appreciation to outgoing members for their contributions and service to the Foundation. We also congratulate Sue Woods and Rosie Wendt, who have taken on the shared secretarial role, and Trevor Leslie, who joins as the new treasurer. The ongoing work of the Foundation continues to play an important role in supporting our graduate students at Kapunda High School.

Governing Council

A reminder that our next Governing Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, 29th October. This will be the second-to-last meeting for the school year and will include an important discussion regarding the 2026 Materials and Services Charges. We encourage members of our school community to attend and take part in the conversation as we plan for the year ahead.

Final Message

As we move into the final stretch of the school year, I encourage all students to make every moment count — to stay focused, engaged, and proud of what they have achieved. To our Year 12s, make the most of these final weeks and carry forward the lessons, friendships, and values you have developed at Kapunda High School. On behalf of our staff, I extend my sincere thanks to our families and community for your ongoing support and partnership throughout the year. Together, we continue to build a strong and positive learning environment where every student can achieve their personal best.

All the best for a successful Term 4.

Tim Jones

Principal

Year 12 Last Day of School Friday, 24th October (T4W2)

Eringa Award Nominations Close Friday, 7th November (T4W4)

Staff Vs Student Softcrosse

On the last day of Term 3, we held our Golden Event. There was heaps of activities, from Staff Vs Student Soccer and Softcrosse, Just Dance, an SRC BBQ and the Colour Run. It was a super fun day for everyone, and the weather was perfect! 

Well done to the amazing students who, at the end of last term performed their last show at Kapunda High School. The senior class, a combined Year 11 and 12 class, showcased their amazing acting and technical skills. The combined class explored the gothic melodrama The Monstrum, a play written by Kellie Smith. The students spent 12 weeks to prepare this amazing 50-minute show. 

It was incredible to see the families and wider community who came to watch these amazing actors perform. We saw nearly 50 audience members in our drama room, which has been growing in attendance over the last two years! 

Thank you to all who supported our students, we look forward to seeing you all again. 

Benjamin Forster 
Senior Drama Teacher 

The Year 9 Space and Astronomy class have been learning about how ancient astronomers used shadows to determine and calculate the radius of the Earth and their latitude.  On Wednesday, 15th October they built their own gnomon's and started measuring the shadows that they cast, so that they can calculate the latitude of Kapunda using these ancient methods.

Kathy Coombs
Space & Astronomy Teacher

Miss Ahrens Year 12 Creative Arts Class have finished their projects for the year. 

Photography by Aalisha Crowl

Artwork by Imogen Freeling

Artwork by Mackenzie O'Neill

Artwork by Sierra Glasson

On Tuesday, 14th October at lunchtime, our Year 12 students took on the Staff in a highly competitive game of Netball. Both teams put up a good fight, but ultimately, the Staff triumphed over the Students with a final score of 13 to 8. The Year 12s have many fun activities planned as they enter their final days of schooling.

In Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 3, Year 10 Science students put their critical thinking and teamwork skills to the test in a lively debate series on climate change. Mr Raschella and Mrs Cameron’s classes joined forces, splitting into teams to tackle some big questions facing our planet’s future.

The topics were as bold as they were challenging:

• Is our current energy supply still the most realistic option?
• Do we need green energy and electric transport now more than ever?
• What will the future of energy look like?

Students had to research, plan, rehearse, and argue their case- whether they believed in it or not! They worked in groups to build strong arguments, back them up with evidence and statistics, and then face off in front of their peers.

The result? A high-energy mix of teamwork, quick thinking, and passionate discussion. From well-researched facts to some clever rebuttals, the debates highlighted just how much our students have grown in confidence, scientific literacy, and communication skills.

It was fantastic to see Year 10s not only diving deep into climate science but also learning to question, challenge, and present ideas- skills that will serve them well far beyond the classroom.

Teala Cameron
Science Teacher

On Wednesday, 15th October the Year 12s were treated to a Wellbeing Breakfast. The Year 9s joined them to bid farewell to Rod and Rob Bernaldez, as they are returning to the Philippines. 

As part of the Year 9 Science curriculum, students had an exciting hands-on experience in Week 1– dissecting pig eyes to deepen their understanding of the science of light and vision. This activity provided a unique opportunity for students to apply their theoretical knowledge about the structure and function of the eye, as well as the fascinating process behind how light allows us to see.

This practical lesson was introduced as part of the larger unit on light, which explores topics such as reflection, refraction, and the anatomy of the human eye. Through the dissection, students were able to examine key structures such as the cornea, lens, iris, retina, and optic nerve. By identifying these components and understanding how they work together to focus light and send visual information to the brain, students gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity of vision.

The eye dissection was carefully conducted under the guidance of the teaching team, ensuring a safe and respectful learning environment. Before the activity, students were briefed on safety procedures and the importance of treating biological samples with care and professionalism. For many, this was their first experience with biological dissection, and their curiosity and enthusiasm were evident throughout the session.

The eye dissection marked a highlight of the year for the students and added a memorable dimension to their exploration of light in science. We are proud of the enthusiasm shown by our students and look forward to seeing their scientific knowledge flourish as they continue their studies.

Kapunda High School extends its heartfelt gratitude to Seven Point Pork for their generous donation of the eye samples, which made this valuable learning experience possible. Their support has enabled our Year 9 students to engage in hands-on scientific exploration and deepen their understanding of how light and vision work. By contributing to our practical science program, Seven Point Pork has demonstrated a wonderful commitment to supporting education and inspiring the next generation of scientists. Thank you for partnering with us to enhance learning opportunities for our students!

Michael Raschella
Science Teacher