KHS students on Operation Flinders

Welcome to our final School Newsletter for Term 2, 2024.

Over recent weeks students have completed Semester 1 subjects and transitioned into Semester 2 learning. Recent learning experiences and initiatives have included:

• Year 7/8 & 9/10 Netball.
• Open SSSA Knockout Netball.
• Operation Flinders immersion program.
• Aboriginal Learners Kapunda Kindy Visit.
• Year 7 to 10 Passion Projects.

Semester 1 has also welcomed initiatives in the Performing Arts, including student community performances:

• Year 8/9 Drama Production evening.
• Music Showcase evening.

Week 10 – from Monday 24th June has seen the transition into Semester 2 subjects. This time is intended for fostering good working relationships and setting up for success: setting up classroom norms, agreements and expectations and working through intended learning, skills and requirements for learning programs. This week has also been Year 11 Australian Business Week, a highly-engaging tradition at Kapunda High School. Year 11 students and mentor teachers have been working through developing their Business Plan and strategies.

Positive School Culture

A high number of Positive Recognition points have been achieved by students across our three School Houses, Kidman, Hawke and Hughes. We finished Term 1 with each House around 1000 points – which have grown to around 1500+ Positive Recognition points near the end of Term 2. These points will grow even further in the final week of term with individual and collective student achievement. Well done to all students on your efforts and visible growth in learning.   

Positive Recognitions are a Positive School Culture strategy we introduced and have grown on from 2023 as a school, to increase student belonging and engagement as part of their schooling experience. Students accrue points personally and for their School House through modelling school values, maintaining sound explained attendance, efforts and achievements across their learning programs. 

Curriculum

Semester 1 has seen significant growth across our engaging and enriching Curriculum offerings. This includes many firsts for Kapunda High School, including:

• Year 10 Tractor Driver Training.
• Student Enterprises, e.g. Kappy Brew Café, KHS Country Fresh Honey and more.
• Introduction of Passion Projects: Middle-School Years 7 to 9.
• Introduction of High ATAR Program: Senior-School Years 10 to 12.

2025 Curriculum Prospectus

Our Curriculum Prospectus 2025 is in the final stages of development and will be released early Term 3, to help families navigate subject selection for the 2025 school year. Further information about 2025 Subject Counselling will be shared in the coming weeks.

DfE AI in Schools: Proof of Concept

We are fortunate to be part of the EdChat – Artificial Intelligence in Schools Round 2 ‘Proof of Concept’ for the Department for Education. We will be rolling out a trial of the tool in Semester 2.  

A lot of planning has gone into the development of this tool from industry experts, with the safety of students being paramount. SA is a world-leader, taking a proactive learning approach to this technology. We have assembled a team of teachers who will be trialling the tool with an identified class in Semester 2. Further information is available here: 

All families have received a letter with information on the trial and how to ‘opt out’ of their children having access to the EdChat software ahead of Term 3.

Grounds and Facilities

We continue to make sound progress with our Grounds and Facilities re-developments, to ensure our school learning environment and atmosphere is safe, inclusive and conducive to learning. Periodical updates include:

• School Traffic: Front of School and Back of School Road traffic flow and signage is under review by LRC.
• Security Cameras: our request is now under consideration as part of the School Security Program.
• School Perimeter Fencing: immediate areas are being where there are neighbouring houses, including removal of dangerous trees and replacement of fences.
  • Other areas, such as the School Oval have been added to a future minor works priority schedule.
• Annual Tree Audit is scheduled for Term 3.
• School Oval: new signage for responsible oval usage is working well, no incidents reported.
• School Re-build: our re-build program planning is progressing well and awaiting final approval sign-off.

Staffing Updates

Congratulations to Mr Blake Launer, who has been appointed to our Positive School Culture Leader role for the remainder of 2024. Mr Launer joins the Wellbeing Team, consisting of: Mrs Avylon Magarey (Wellbeing Coordinator), Ms Isabel Osuna-Gatty (Mental Health Clinician), Mr Dale Price (Youth Worker) and Ms Renee Floyd (Pastoral Care Worker). Student wellbeing is a focus area of our school, through our Wellbeing Hub and Wellbeing for Learning strategy across a range of proactive learning programs and initiatives.

Year 12 Holiday Tuition Sessions

Each school holidays, a selection of Year 12 classes run School Holiday Tuition sessions on-campus at school. This information is being collated and will be communicated with relevant students and families. I encourage all students to make the most of these opportunities and continue to strive for your personal best.

I wish you a safe and productive school holiday period. Let’s keep working together to advance our student learning experiences, opportunities and achievements and enrich schooling at Kapunda High School. 

David Marino

Principal