We are now close to the end of the year and looking at planning a positive start to 2022. When reflecting on 2021, we have experienced a number of changes in our leadership team and our staffing profile. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff who have stepped into leadership roles to support the operations of the school and achievement in the classroom.

Our major capital works are all but completed; we have a new middle school facility and it was amazing to be able to use this space for our year 6 transition visits recently. We have been able to use the Health and Physical Education (HPE) changeroom and storage area within the gym for the second half of the year. The air-conditioning in the gym is already making a difference and the multi-story building on the oval is just days away from completion. I would like to thank our builders, Marshall and Brougham for the way they have worked with the school to create our new learning areas.

Building A - Seniors, STEM & Music

We have welcomed two cohorts of students through our transition program recently. This involves approximately 240 students, which will see the total enrolment at Kapunda High School of around 630 students in 2022. Next year will be 100 years since the first group of secondary students began at Kapunda High School in its current location. Which is quite symbolic as it coincides with our double transition.

Across the year, I have felt a great sense of privilege to have had the opportunity to act in the Principal role. There is great responsibility in keeping a community school on track and I hope I have served the community well. We are looking forward to welcoming our new Principal, Mr David Marino, at the beginning of next year.

Mr David Marino

Senior Presentation Evening

It was great to be a part of our Senior Presentation Evening Monday evening, the focus was on our Year 11 and 12, students, which allowed families to attend and be part of the evening. Considerable work was done behind the scenes to ensure that our event was COVID-19 safe with distances between groups of chairs carefully measured out in the days leading up to the event.

The award winners were just a fraction of the many Kapunda High School students who have been dedicated and committed to their studies this year and I congratulate all students on their perseverance and endeavour in a particular difficult year.

For our departing Year 12 students we wish them well as they await their SACE results.  As a cohort they have been a friendly and positive group of young people who are now ready for the next stage of their lives.

There were many important messages from our special guest, Laura Collins, who provided a reflection of her journey over the past ten years, beginning at Kapunda High School, and as she entered the world of journalism with The ABC.

Thank you, to members of the award presentations event organising team – Tab Mackenzie, Ann Richardson, Carolyn Thorne, Lee-Anne Cummins, Megan Samain and Jason Keep. It was again a pleasure working with such a ‘can-do’ group of people.

I was once again impressed with the students who compered the evening (Darcy Barron, Kaylee Vardon, Chloe Vanicky, Connon Shepherd, Amity Hansen and Brayden Warner), and members of the SRC who acted as ushers.

Thank you also to:

•     Patrick O'Reilley and Daniel Weichert for managing the sound
•     Steve O’Donnell and Mel Coulter for logistics
•     Jack Mickan for managing the live stream to extended family.

Year 12 Prize recipients: Back: Tamsin Jones, Meg Shanahan, Kayla Malkin, Tara Hayward, Jasmin Bevan, Ailee Craig, Mieka Cowling & Tess Gerhardy Front: Aidan Tagg, William Gambling, Angus Godfrey, Blake Marsden, Owen Matz, Callum Blaikie, Cameron Gerhardy, Tess Gerhardy Absent: Zoe Jenke, Ethan Parish, Skye Weaver.

Year 11 Prize recipients: Back: Mitchell Trotta, Brielle Bliss & Toby Woods. Front:  Ebony Lockwood, Jessica Both, Mikayla Pratt & Jed Carpenter. Absent: Fergus Delaney, Zac Secomb, Abbey Menzel & Noah Seward

VET Prize recipients: Taya Dabrowski, Abbey Menzel, Flexible Pathways Learning Pathways, Mr Jason Keep, Ethan Parish and Noah Seward

Cameron Gerhardy (recipient of AMPOL All Rounder, Subject prize: Physics, Research Project B, Design & Technology –  Robotics & Electronic Systems), Barossa Coop Chairperson, Mr Neil Retallick and Mieka Cowling (recipient of Hughes Memorial Prize)

Mrs Meg Hosking, donor & Tess Gerhardy (recipient of Paul Giles Memorial Prize, Subject prize: Food & Hospitality, General Mathematics)

Endeavour award recipients, Melissa Jeffs-Pate & Jaydn Faithfull-Milera with donor, Mrs Elizabeth Gary-Smith

Brielle Bliss & Mitchell Trotta, recipients of Academic Excellence – South Australian Parliamentary Medals

Blake Marsden (recipient of KHS Sports Award, Subject prize: Design & Technology – Metalwork) with Miss Laura Collins & Kayla Malkin (recipient of Youth Opportunities Scholarship, Rotary Club of Kapunda Service to School)

Noah Seward (Kiwanis award recipient) & Rob van der Wijngaart (member of Kiwanis, Barossa)

Year 8-10 Celebration Ceremony

Once again we enjoyed a very successful celebration assembly on Tuesday morning, Year 8 and 9 students watched the event from their classrooms via livestream to enable family members to be in the gym to celebrate with prize and certificate recipients. Thank you to Year Level Manager, Jessica Read, comperes, SRC, music students along with Daniel Weichert and Patrick O'Reilley(sound) for their work in making this a success.

Mrs Meagan Menzel with Youth Opportunities Scholarship recipient, Raphaella Karlsson

Year 8 prize recipients: Back: Kaylee Vardon, Callan Shepherd, Patrick O’Reilley, Flynn Moten, Max McCarthy & Alastair Vogt Front: Holly Tralaggan, Isabella Schultz, Imogen Freeling, Charlotte Crowhurst, Harrison McRiebe & Thomas Johnson.

Year 9 prize recipients: Back: Lachlan Woods, Piper Aplin, Cooper Carpenter & Caitlin Both. Front: David Johnson, Emily Warner, Lola Gardner, Amy Wilson-Hall & Ryan Isgar Absent: Chloe Vanicky, Freya Pollard & Macey Williams

Year 10 prize recipients: Back: Tyler Crease, Connon Shepherd, Riley Smith & Cooper Bliss Front: Sofie Eguchi, Chloe Isgar, Ella Johnson, Chloe McWaters & Lachlan Gambling Absent: Phoenix Frahm

Chloe Vanicky (The Barker Shield Award – Academic Achievement, Yr level prize: Academic Excellence)

Chloe McWaters (ADF Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Award, Academic Excellence) & Tegan Fenton (ADF Future Innovators Award)

Connon Shepherd (VET award: Doorways 2 Construction)

Piper Aplin (Barker Shield Award - Community Service and Spirit)

Materials & Services Charge 2022

Following the poll of parents, the Materials Services and Charges for 2022 has been approved by Governing Council and will be set at $470.00.

Tim Jones

Principal