Dear parents/caregivers,

Welcome to the second edition of the 2024 newsletter. After a very hectic start to the year, the students have settled down into the school routines, continuing to engage with their learning.

Farewell to Mr Michael Hillier
It is with sadness that we bid farewell to our colleague and teacher who recently passed away. Despite his brief tenure of just six months at our school, he quickly forged meaningful and positive relationships with both colleagues and students alike. His caring demeanour and passion for teaching were evident to all who knew him, and he exuded a genuine love for being in the classroom. His absence will be deeply felt within our school community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Open Evening
A highlight for our school community was our school's "Open Evening." Students and teachers showcased their work, demonstrating the exceptional standards upheld at our school. Many prospective parents expressed their admiration for what they witnessed and inquired about the process to enrol their child at our school. A very big thank you to all the staff and student helpers for their outstanding contributions

Learning improvement
This year teachers are working towards two overarching goals: —increasing achievement in reading and writing, and fostering effective learners through a culture of agency and wellbeing—teachers are leveraging the newly constructed Pedagogical framework with strategic precision. Utilizing the action research cycle as their guiding compass, they are delving into the diverse elements of the framework, exploring methodologies, and instructional strategies to tailor their approach to the specific needs of their students.

Attendance to school
A friendly reminder to all parents: please informs the school when your child is absent and provide a reason for the absence. Regular attendance at school is essential for learning as it ensures students have consistent access to instruction, peer interaction, and vital resources. Each day in the classroom presents opportunities for discovery, collaboration, and growth. Regular absences from school hinder students' learning and can impact their academic achievement. Additionally, consistent attendance instils vital habits of responsibility, punctuality, and commitment—qualities critical for success in both school and life. I encourage parents who are concerned about their child's absence from school to contact the relevant year-level leader or student counsellor to discuss their concerns and work together to improve attendance.

Drop off at school
A heartfelt thank you to all parents who are diligently adhering to our request to drop off students at the gate instead of driving through the school grounds. Your cooperation greatly minimizes the risk of accidents and ensures the safety of our students. We implore all parents to follow suit and continue prioritizing safety by utilizing the designated drop-off areas. Together, we can create a secure environment for our children to thrive.

Ms Joanne Costa
Principal


Sports Day

Sports day this Monday 18th March! Day starts at 7:30am to 2pm.

For more information please follow the link. https://www.modburyhs.sa.edu.au/sports-day-information-2024/


Road Safety Program

Get Home Safe Driver Safety Student Session 

In Week 3, Year 10 students attended the Get Home Safe Driver Safety session. This involved a VR driving experience where we were told how to be aware of danger while driving, what hazards we should be aware of while driving and how to drive while preparing to stop. He also told us stories of what could happen if you don’t make the right decisions while driving. These are things like drinking and driving or using your phone. He told us of the ‘four second rule’, where we had to imagine that what would happen if you got yourself in a car accident and what would it look like when the police take the death note to your family. The first second you imagine the police going to your door, the next second is your parents reactions, the third second is your parents tells siblings and the forth is them having to tell everyone else they know about your death and what this would be like for all involved. 

Half way through the presentation, one student was asked to drive the car in VR but with the real car pedals and steering wheel. I was the student who got to drive the car. After I sat in the car, I was given three scenarios where the first one was to drive the car normally and follow the hazards on the road. I completed the first one with no hesitation. In the second one, I had to remember to stop while driving. In that scenario, I drove the car and there was a kid that randomly ran out on the road, I managed to brake and stop the car without hitting them. I completed the second successfully too. In the last one, I had to use my phone while driving. I had to write my name and the suburb I live in. I was driving perfectly until the instructor gave me the phone and I had to write my information. My car drifted out to the other lanes, and I crashed into the pedestrians. This experience so clearly showed why not to use your phone or anything else that can get us distracted easily while driving.  

Yuvraj Yuvraj
Year 10 Student 

Year 10 Road Safety Evening Session 

On the Wednesday the 14th of February I attended a Get Home Safe driver program with my Mum. It was a way for our parents to get educated on how to safely teach their year 10 children how to drive when they get their Ls. He started off by making sure the parents who attended the night were educated themself by going through some give way questions, luckily all the parents got most of the questions right. 
 
The presenter, Darren, spoke about how it’s important to make sure that the car our parents are teaching us in is safe enough to keep us safe if we crash while learning. Every car has a safety rating between 1-5 stars. It is recommended not letting young drivers drive in anything below a 3 star rating because cars below that won’t protect our heads, legs and chest in the event of a crash. 
 
Darren highlighted the importance of not going with the cheap option for a driving instructor. He encouraged everyone to use an instructor who was willing to be transparent and have parents involved in the lesson, one who is willing to give feedback on what to work on between lessons and someone who isn’t going to cut corners. Young drivers only get the chance to learn to drive once so you want this to be set up as safely as possible. Darren let us know that 70% of crashes are caused by mistakes so it is important we do whatever we can to prepare ourselves properly for driving and reduce these mistakes to make the roads safer for all. 
 
Both mum and I found this session a very informative and educational one to help make sure we are safe on the roads, particularly while on L and P plates. 

Harry Sheldrick 
Year 10 Student 

Thank you to Fast Cats Racing, the group that supports Pedal Prix at Modbury as they were able to support the driver education program by providing a shade to ensure the students were out of the sun.


Student Voice Council

On Monday of Week 5 we had our SVC Assembly where 73 students were inaugurated into our Student Voice Council for 2024. SVC offers students the opportunity to be involved in the decisions relating to the future growth and development of the school. Student input into our school is very important and we are excited to have so many students who are keen to create positive change. In the past, SVC have organised events, fundraisers, and improvements in student facilities, for example, the chilled water fountains throughout the school. SVC works to make improvements for the students here at MHS, as well as giving back to our local community through charity events. At our assembly, we were lucky enough to have Mr Ryan McMahon, the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Tea Tree Gully, give a speech about leadership, the importance of being an elected representative and working as a team to create positive change.

During week 6 we held our annual SVC Congress where elected members spent the day getting to know each other and setting some goals for what they want to achieve for 2024. Between further facilities upgrades, developing school and community relationships and some exciting events, this year’s SVC has some big and exciting plans in the works. Watch this space!

Ms Casey Rendell
Assistant Principal


farewell Steven Collings

It is with sadness that we share the recent passing of retired Visual Arts teacher and Coordinator Steven Collings. Mr Collings was on staff at Modbury High School for many years and he will be remembered for sharing his passion for The Arts with his students.


Open Evening

Open Evening was a big success! There was lots of new faces who came out to see Modbury High School in action! Big thank you to all our staff and students who helped make it a wonderful night and helped showcased our amazing school.


Qkr! app

The Android Phone issue has now been resolved, parents/users can now download the App from the Google Play Store.

Follow the link for a 'How to Guide' and links to the app store. https://www.modburyhs.sa.edu.au/school-payments/


uniform shop campbelltown

The Campbelltown School Uniform Shop will be closed for Easter long weekend, 29th March to the1st April and Re-opening Tuesday 2nd April at 1pm.

Please make sure you book an appointment to buy and try on uniforms.
https://www.modburyhs.sa.edu.au/school-uniforms/


PK Café Donations 

Purruna Kuu, Modbury High School’s wellbeing space, is the home of the PK Café where staff can get barista style coffee. The space so often assists in supporting the wellbeing of our students so we love that the space can also help boost the wellbeing of our staff through a delicious caffeine hit. Students can also be trained on the coffee machine and serve our staff which increases the connections in our school community. 

Currently Integrated Learning students are writing letters to local businesses to gain donations for our café. This task is not only increasing their literacy skill and business exposure and awareness but also assisting them in contributing to the school community. The donations will mean that more of the money raised by staff buying coffee cards can go toward wellbeing programs and initiatives. 

Dieter Ratzmer has been successful in his letter to ‘For Love of Coffee’ Café on Gilbert Street with 2 bags of beans being donated. Alanna Wittmann has also been successful in her letter to Kmart and her hope for PK Café to be more sustainable and rely less on disposable coffee cups. Firle Kmart have so generously designed and donated a set of mugs for the café. We are very grateful for our donations and the students have been getting so much out of the experience. 

If you know of any businesses who might be willing to donate, or suggestions of places our students could write to, please contact Lauren Freeth at lauren.freeth583@schools.sa.edu.au and we will gladly make the most of your suggestion. We will advertise all companies who donate and make sure people know of their generosity in supporting the wellbeing initiatives and programs at Modbury High School. 

Ms Freeth
Year 9/10 Leader


Basketball holiday sessions

🏀 FREE TERM 1 SCHOOL HOLIDAY BASKETBALL CLINICS 🏀

Modbury High School’s basketball specialist teacher, Riley Harrap, is offering 2 free basketball sessions over the term 1 school holidays. The clinics are available for all students currently studying in year 5 or 6. The sessions will provide an opportunity to see how basketball specialist is taught at Modbury High School and what the program offers.

To register your interest, please use the link below: https://forms.office.com/r/iZVJt4WAh0
For more information, contact Riley Harrap at riley.harrap439@schools.sa.edu.au


Pedal Prix - velodrome

What an amazing day it was at the recent Velodrome experience hosted by Fast Cats Racing! Modbury High School saw twenty of our wonderful students to the track, many of whom were experiencing the thrill of riding a trike for the first time. And boy, did they love it! It was so heartwarming to see the joy and excitement on their faces as they zoomed around the track. Some were having such a great time that they didn't want to get out! 

The Velodrome experience was not only a fun day out for the students but also a valuable opportunity for them to try something new, challenge themselves, and work on their cycling skills. It was a great way for them to build confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship while enjoying the exhilarating world of Pedal Prix. 

A big thank you to Fast Cats Racing for hosting such a fantastic event and providing a safe and exciting environment for the students to explore the world of trike racing. The experience undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the students, sparking a newfound love for Pedal Prix and leaving them eager for more racing adventures.  

Our Pedal Prix riders are gearing up for an adrenaline-pumping experience at the upcoming UniSA Australian HPV Super Series season opener race at McNamara Park in Mount Gambier! On Saturday, March 16th, 26 riders over four teams will be hitting the 2.4km track at McNamara Park for an exhilarating 8-hour race. The teams are excited to showcase their skills, speed, and teamwork as they take on the challenges of the closed-circuit motorcycle racetrack, filled with fast straights, sweeping bends and technical uphill and downhill sections. 

This event marks the beginning of an exciting season for Modbury High School's Pedal Prix teams. With so many new riders joining the squad and others continuing with Pedal Prix again this year, we’re looking forward to forging bonds, pushing our limits, and creating unforgettable memories together. We can expect to see some exciting racing action as teams vie for the top spot on the podium... and more than likely an exciting crash or two! 

Pedal Prix isn’t just for elite athletes – teams of all skill levels are welcome to participate. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or someone looking to try something new, Pedal Prix offers a fun and challenging experience for everyone. 

If you’re interested in Pedal Prix at Modbury High School, get in touch with Jess at jess.hanlin802@schools.sa.edu.au

Jess Hanlin
Pedal Prix Liaison


POSTPONED AGAIN TO Monday 18th March  | Day begins at 7:30am – Dismissal at 2:00pm

Sports Day is now postponed to Monday 18th March due to the extreme weather conditions currently predicted to be 38C/37 in Modbury from the Bureau of Meteorology website for Friday 8th and Tuesday 12th March. We apologise for any inconvenience to families.

Unfortunately due to NAPLAN constraints our only option before the VISTA Athletics Carnival is MONDAY the 18th of MARCH, lets hope for some nicer weather.

At this stage we are planning to run a full program as below, we will continue to monitor conditions and may modify program if deemed necessary. In light of the rescheduling, Friday 8th and Tuesday 12th will be a school day as normal with dismissal time being 3:20pm.


Parents and carers are invited to attend our annual Sports Day, a very important day on the school calendar, to show their support and celebrate with us this whole school event. The major purpose of Sports Day is to have all students come together as a community, whilst participating in some form of physical activity, the benefits of which are well-known. Our four houses are; Gilmore (yellow), Lawson (Blue), Wright (Red) and Thiele (Green).

Sports Day commences at 7:30am and the Opening Ceremony will occur at approximately 8:45am when the year 12 house captains carry the ‘Olympic Flame’ and light the cauldron to officially begin events. For safety reasons, parents are asked not to bring vehicles into the school grounds and should park in the area available near the roundabout, west of the school gymnasium.  Sports Day is not an appropriate occasion for acquaintances or friends of students to visit the school and they will be asked to leave.
Parents are reminded that all Education Department schools are smoke free zones.

ATTENDANCE IS COMPULSORY

All students are required to attend Sports Day, even if they are not participating in any events. Students should be at school joining in the activities or acting as an official. Parental support is requested in this matter. As a safety measure, roll calls will be made throughout the day. Signing in and out just for events will not be permitted. If a student needs to leave early for a good reason a note should be provided prior to Sports Day.

ABSENCES
As per the usual process, parents are requested to notify the school on the day if their child is absent on Sports Day. A signed note in the diary is required upon return to the school.

CLOTHING EXPECTATIONS
For reasons of modesty and protection from the sun, students should wear clothing that adequately covers the body. Students should wear a hat and have sunscreen protection. Clothing should be appropriate for a school environment and therefore offensive slogans or logos or large areas of bare skin are not permitted. Students should also ensure they have clothing which does not restrict their performance in events. Students are encouraged to wear clothing (shirt/blouse/athletic singlet/shorts) in their house colour.

SUPERVISION INFORMATION
The early start and early finish to the day may present issues for some families. Please assist us to manage this by informing the Home Group teacher, via a note in the diary prior to the day, if you child;

BUSES
Arrangements have been made for buses to depart from the school at 2:10pm on Friday, 8 March.

TRAFFIC IN SCHOOL GROUNDS
To ensure the safety of students and staff, the only traffic into the school between 7:30am and 2:00pm will be on foot. We will be unlocking the front and back gates into the school at 7:00am.

EVENTS
You will find the Program of Events for the day below. In addition, the heats for the hurdles and 100 metres will take place on Monday, 4th March during lessons 5 & 6.

The Fun Run will be held in lessons 1 and 2 on Tuesday, 5th March. Students will be required to compete in their PE uniform or appropriate attire for these two events.

Food & Drink Fundraising
Please support the F1 in Schools National Final and the Year 12 Formal Committee!

Below is the prices for the BBQ:
Sausages $3.00
Cheeseburger $4.50 (after 11am)
Egg and Bacon Sandwich $4.00 until sold out
Soft Drink Cans (Coke, Diet Coke, Lemonade, Creaming Soda, Pasito) $2.50
Zooper Doopers 0.50 cents
Gatorade $4.50
Zappos $1.00
Lolly Bags $2.50

THE SCHOOL WILL BE LOCKED EXCEPT FOR THE ENTRANCE TO THE FOYER.

2024 HOUSE CAPTAINS AND YEAR LEVEL LEADERS

PAST HOUSE WINNERS

2023GILMORE2015THIELE
2022GILMORE2014WRIGHT
2021GILMORE2013THIELE
2020GILMORE2012WRIGHT
2019 LAWSON2011THIELE
2018GILMORE2010THIELE
2017 GILMORE2009THIELE
2016WRIGHT2008LAWSON

pROGRAM OF EVENTS BOOKLET

Please click the following button to download the program of events for sports day.

Dear Parents / Caregivers, staff, and students

Welcome back to 2024 school year. We hope you had a restful and rejuvenating break and are ready to work with us in partnership to support your students into the new academic year with enthusiasm and determination. A very warm welcome to both returning families and new faces to our school community.

I am delighted to report that the start of the year has been exceptionally smooth, thanks to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated staff, and eager students. The seamless transition back into the school routine has laid a strong foundation for a successful and fulfilling year ahead.

The week prior to school commencing, all staff participated in a workshop which was facilitated by Andrew Fuller, a leading Psychologists on brain development, young adolescents, and wellbeing. The workshop provided staff with strategies to support student’s wellbeing and the development of metacognition. Through the exploration of knowing yourself he provided insight of how we learn and the implications for student learning.

A highlight of the beginning of the school year was the overwhelming turnout at our information evenings. It was heartening to see a great number of parents attending these sessions, eager to learn more about the curriculum, extracurricular activities, and ways to support their children's learning journey. Thank you to all the parents who took the time to participate, ask questions, and engage with our staff. Your involvement and partnership are invaluable, and together, we can create a nurturing and enriching environment for our students to thrive. Thank you also to all the staff who attended the information evenings without their participation the evenings would not be possible.

Our Year 7 students kicked off the year with a series of engaging incursion activities designed to help them build positive relationships with their classmates and teachers. Through team-building exercises, collaborative projects, and interactive workshops, students had the opportunity to connect with one another and form strong bonds that will support them throughout their time at Modbury. These activities not only fostered a sense of belonging but also encouraged communication, empathy, and mutual respect among our youngest learners.

Meanwhile, our Year 8 students embarked on an unforgettable overnight camp adventure to Lake Bonney. Under the expert guidance of staff from Active 8, Year Level Leader Mrs Tricker, Assistant Principal Ms Rendell and homegroup teachers, students participated in a range of fun and challenging activities. The feedback from both staff and students has been overwhelmingly positive. It is such a pleasure hear each student speak of the wonderful time they had and the friendships they formed during their time at Lake Bonney.

The Year 12 Retreat, which initiated, planned, and organised by a proactive and dedicated group of students and supported of the Year Level Leader Ms O’Brien- Dent and Assistant Principal, Mrs Woolford took place at the start of week 3. This retreat offered the students a unique opportunity for personal growth, reflection, and preparation for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Throughout the retreat, homegroup teachers facilitated workshops designed to equip students with valuable insights on maximizing their time and succeeding as Year 12 students. Additionally, we were honoured to have Ms Olivia Sava’s member of Newland, joined the students to deliver an inspirational talk, urging our students to be exemplary role models an reflect on their own journey as a student and ensure that they make the most of their time at school. Her personal anecdotes and determination to overcome obstacles resonated deeply with our students, inspiring them to strive for excellence and make a positive impact in their community.

On Friday 16 February we held our 2024 Achievement Assembly. The Assembly acknowledged the 2023 Year 12 graduates, who had achieved an ATAR over 90 and received 3 or more grades. Angelina Hansen was crowned DUX of 2023 and gave a motivational talk to the students. Following the assembly, parents and students joined the staff for light refreshments, prepared and served by our Home Economics students.

Wishing you all a fantastic and happy 2024 school year.

Ms Costa
Principal


Pedal Prix  

Modbury High School Pedal Prix teams are preparing to compete in five UniSA Australian HPV Super Series races in 2024. In addition to the season’s five races, we also look forward to participating in fun, social Velodrome activities and races throughout the year with Fast Cats Racing.

The Modbury High School Pedal Prix is a co-curricular program for Years 7-12 and is taken as a Stage 1 SACE subject, potentially earning students 20 SACE credits each year of participation.

We welcome all new riders and are currently seeking interested riders to join our Pedal Prix teams. Any interested students should contact Jess Hanlin via Daymap or email, jess.hanlin802@schools.sa.edu.au, to register.

Tuesday night trainings are held each week, 7:15pm to 8:30pm, meeting in the Pedal Prix shed. Trainings are recommended for improving fitness, but are not compulsory.

Pedal Prix not only offers the benefits of developing greater fitness, confidence, independence, resilience, consideration and positive relationships with others, but students further develop their team management, delegation, time management, prioritisation and communication skills during races. Our after school and occasional lunchtime training sessions, give students an opportunity to make friends across all year levels and with members of the school community.

By Jess Hanlin
Pedal Prix Liaison


Fees due now

Fees are now due. If you require more time or would like a payment plan please contact the Finance Office.


2023 yearbook now avaliable

Contact our finance office to order one today!


New International Arrivals at Modbury

A New Year means new international students. This term we have 6 short term international students joining us. Five students are from Japan and one is from Germany. The students from Japan are in years 9 and 10 and our German student is joining year 11 for semester 1.

The students have attended an orientation session with Ms Kampes and have since settled into life at Modbury. All students are enjoying their experience so far.

Ms Kampes welcomed the students by hosting a lunch featuring Aussie food such as meat pies and lamingtons. For most of the students it was their first time trying these foods and as no food was left over I think they all enjoyed it!

Ms Kampes
Coordinator of Languages and International Education


Maths..? Help!

Unlock your full potential in maths by attending Maths..? Help! sessions during lunchtime in the STEM building - with Mrs McKie on Mondays and Mr Krznaric on Thursdays. We believe in you and your ability to be successful in maths, so don’t hold back!

Get expert support with maths homework, investigations, or test preparation. All students from Years 7 to 12 are welcome.

Stay for 5, 20 or 40 minutes – YOU choose. (Yes - you can bring your lunch!)


Year 12 Retreat 

This past Monday, February 12th, marked an exciting milestone for Modbury High School as our Year 12 students embarked on the inaugural Year 12 Retreat at Cooinda Retreat in Victor Harbor. Over a few action-packed days, students participated in a variety of activities designed to enhance their wellbeing and personal growth. 

The retreat featured engaging workshops on themes such as wellbeing, being allergic to average and excelling in studies, overcoming adversity, and the importance of role models. We were honoured to have Ms. Olivia Savvas MP lead some of these insightful discussions. Additionally, students took part in diverse team-building exercises both indoors and outdoors, including sandcastle building, beach games, a sunrise beach walk, a scavenger hunt, an amazing race, and a fun-filled games night. 

We extend our gratitude to the dedicated teachers at Modbury High who made this retreat possible. Their efforts in organising and facilitating the activities, coupled with their exemplary role modelling, set a high standard for our students. Special appreciation goes to Mr. Krznaric, Ms. Moeller, Mr. Dundon, Ms. Palmer, Mr. Goult, Mr. Bartlett, Mrs. Woolford, Ms. Brown, and Ms. Costa for their support. 

The retreat also provided a valuable opportunity for students to take a break from their digital devices, demonstrate leadership skills, and forge stronger bonds with both their peers and teachers. We believe these experiences will significantly contribute to the success of our Year 12 cohort this year. 

Finally, we would like to recognise the exceptional leadership and dedication of the student retreat committee. Their unwavering commitment, creativity, and hard work transformed their vision into reality, leaving a lasting legacy for Modbury High. Special mention goes to Caitlin Fraser and Owen Wythe for their tireless efforts and outstanding leadership, both during and outside of school hours. Their dedication, along with the invaluable support of Hana Wong, Kaiwen He, Will Bui, Anton Kastanos, Reatile Hlatshwayo, and Riley Barton, played a crucial role in the successful organisation of the retreat. 


USA BASKETBALL

After a five-year COVID enforced hiatus, 29 excited Modbury High School students were once again allowed to return to the West Coast of the US for a basketball and cultural experience of a lifetime.

Students got to experience many different things including visiting Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach in Los Angeles, 2 days in Disneyland, a tour of the Nike World Headquarters, an NBA game, playing in the snow at Mt Hood (Oregon), a tour of Seattle visiting iconic attractions including the Space Needle, Pike Place Markets (where Seth Clavell got to catch a fish thrown to him!), and a tour of the Seattle Seahawks NFL stadium.

The trip though, is based around American high school basketball experiences. Our teams played in games that often involved announcers, mascots, bands, cheerleaders and large crowds. Games typically started with national anthems and the exchanging of gifts between players and coaches.

The Senior Varsity boys team, for the first time ever, played the strongest team in every school they played and ended up winning six games of their 10. Senior Varsity girls won eight and lost two. The Junior Varsity boys which were the second team, won seven games and lost three and the Junior Varsity 2 boys (third team), made up of Year 9’s and 10’s, won six games and lost two. A very impressive 27 – 11 record overall.

These games were a terrific experience for our students, playing to different rules, against different people in some very impressive school gymnasiums and with an atmosphere like we see on TV and in movies.

The Senior boys provided many highlights, with some very close, exciting and loud games. They had one double overtime win, a single overtime win, a one-point loss, an overtime loss and a three-point loss amongst their 10 games. The girls beat the best Senior team of a school of 1500 students (more than twice the size of Modbury) by 50 points and our girls were mainly year 9’s and 10’s.

Team MVPs:
Varsity Boys – Bryce Sanders
Varsity Girls – Jade Pelton and Lauren Edwards
Junior Varsity Boys – Jaiden Lehman
Junior Varsity 2 Boys – Daniel Wagener

Our students did a wonderful job of representing themselves, Modbury, and in fact, Australia. The American schools loved hosting and playing us, with many providing meals for us all after games to share with their teams and are very keen for us to return.

The next trip is planned for late November/December 2025. In Term 3 this year, students will have the opportunity to register their interest to be involved in the next trip.

Student reflection:
Even reflecting on it now, I can't believe it happened. The things we saw and experienced were possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and will stick with me for the rest of my life. It was so good to connect with the American students and learn about the similarities and differences. Lastly, so many friendships and memories were made.
By Jade Pelton

Ms Jess Moeller
Arts Coordinator


Youth in Emergencies Development Program

At Australian Red Cross we’re very excited to be launching the Youth in Emergencies Development Program.

As you may recall from our communication last year, Australian Red Cross leading this project, funded under the Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program funded by the Australian Government and the South Australian Government, and in partnership with the Country Fire Service SA, the Commissioner for Children and Young People and The Duke of Edinburgh International Award, embarked on a co-design journey to create the Youth in Emergencies Development Program (YEDP).

We had a great time facilitating co-design workshops with young people across South Australia, and with their valuable input we’ve built a program tailored to the wants and needs of young people.

Designed by young people for young people, this program offers a unique opportunity to learn about the natural hazards we face due to our changing climate, and how to take steps to limit their exposure to them.  More information about the content can be found here.

The program will teach young people how to prepare for emergencies, become leaders across the communities they’re part of, and about the varied ways diverse communities are impacted by emergencies and disasters.  We’ll also make opportunities for them to have a say in decisions that impact them.

While learning all this, the participants will be working towards The Duke of Edinburgh International Bronze Award, worth 10 SACE points.

This is a program designed for young people to:

The YEDP is open to all students enrolled in years 9-12 living in South Australia, and we’re offering generous financial support so that everyone can apply.

Year 12 Orientation day

January 30th marked another memorable Orientation Day for the newest cohort of Year 12 students, filled with a range of activities setting students up for a strong start to the year. 

The day kicked off in the Flexis with a warm welcome and an overview of Year 12 expectations by Ms. O’Brien-Dent and Mrs. Woolford. This session set the tone for the year, emphasising both the challenges and the exciting opportunities ahead. 

One of the highlights of the morning was the 'Mix and Mesh' M&M game, a fun activity that encouraged students to interact and get to know each other better. This was coupled with a classroom decorating session, where students took photos and created posters to make a welcoming and personalised learning environment. 

Morning tea provided a fantastic opportunity for the Year 12 students to engage with class of 2022 and 23 old scholars. Our past students then formed a panel and shared their experiences and insights, offering valuable advice and perspectives on life during and after Year 12. Following this, the Study Skills presentation included vital information on study planning, a crucial aspect of achieving success in Year 12.  

The afternoon saw a Home Group VS Home Group newspaper fashion design competition, not only sparking creativity but also strengthening the bonds between students. We then headed to the gym for the annual tunnel ball competition, fostering team spirit and friendly competition.  

Students left the day with a sense of excitement and the knowledge and skills to make the most of their final year.  



Please click the link below to download a pdf version of our Parent Guide for 2024.

STATEWIDE KNOCK OUT SPORTS

Open Boys Football
Despite facing strong opponents in St. Patricks Technical College and Banksia Park High School, our team fought valiantly but unfortunately fell short in both games. With a team still finding its strengths, there were standout performances that shone through. Although victory eluded us, the periodic dedication and surprising displays of talent from a few individuals were the highlights of our games.

7-9 Girls Football
After a solid performance at the Vista Carnival, the Year 7-9 Girls' Football team faced Kildare College and Banksia Park International High School. Despite losing both matches, their determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship left a lasting impression. The defense and midfield worked tirelessly, and though luck wasn't on their side, the team's resilience promises future victories.

7-8 Boys & Girls Touch
On November 1st, our Year 7 and 8 students took their game to the City Touch Football Grounds for the State Touch Finals Tournament. The boys hit the ground running with a solid 2-1 win over Morialta — a great start that really set the tone for the day. Even though we couldn't quite keep that winning streak going, taking a narrow 4-3 loss against the tournament champions, Adelaide High — our students kept their heads high and their motivation strong. Moving on to the halfway point of the day, we settled for a 2-2 draw against Temple, testing their skills with only 5 students on the field. Later on, we faced Adelaide Botanic and unfortunately ended up with a 3-1 loss. To wrap up the day's events, we cruised to a great victory against country school Penola, securing a commanding 5-1 victory. At the end of it all, our Year 7s and 8s stood proud, finishing 3rd out of 6 teams.

The girls had a sensational day considering the team consisted of only year 7s who had never played Touch until two weeks prior to the finals day.  They started slowly but quickly found their way, winning their 2nd game with an amazing penalty run by Paige Willoughby after the siren to snatch victory away from Adelaide High. There were some thrilling and exciting plays made through out the day winning 3 and drawing 1 of 6 games only losing 2-1 to the 2nd place team. Meaning the girls also finished in 3rd place out of 7 in the Division 2 state finals

All in all, the day was a huge success, showing off our students' grit, skill, and sportsmanship. Credit to the teams for bringing their A-game and finishing strong — third place is something to celebrate!

Back Row: Jay Younger, Hadi Shami, Harry Cox, Liam Bairstow, Jake Skurrie, Mr Cetta (Coach), 
Front Row: Ryder Higgins, Rhys Lozoraitis, Max Janicki, Brock Johnson.
Back Row: Alice Richards, Eileen Zhang, Stella Green, Keira Simpson, Paige Willoughby
Mr Schiller (Coach) Front Row: Keilana Glaetzer Auburn McGraw, Skye Parrish, Rubie Lehman

9-10 Boys & Girls Touch

Both teams went to the minor rounds competing against the best schools around the state. With a little less experience and time to prepare as they would have liked they unfortunately didn’t perform overly well not progressing through to the state finals this year.

7-9 Boys Netball

‘2nd in the state’

Modbury High School's Year 7-9 Boys Knockout Netball team competed in the Division 1 State finals at Priceline Arena. After winning last year, they aimed for a repeat but finished in 2nd place. The journey included clear wins in early matchups, an intense game against Sacred Heart Middle School, and facing Blackwood High School twice in the finals. Despite a strong comeback in the second half of the Final, Modbury couldn't secure the State Championship, with Blackwood emerging as the champions. Nevertheless, Modbury's 3rd straight appearance in the State Grand Finals is a positive reflection of the team's skill and dedication to boys' netball!

Left to Right: Amerson Green, Harry Cox, Kruz Wilson, Josh Louend-Robertson, Seb Borges
Cooper Tomaselli, Chase Grant-Allan, Alex Dinedios, Nick Davie, Brock White and Kade Monteleone

9-10 Girls Netball

A huge congratulations to our 9-10 Girls State Finals Netball Team

It was the first time entering the team in the 9-10 competition. A great effort to make the state finals. Coming up against some stiff competition. They had some really good results in the first two minor round robins. Firstly defeating Paralowie Secondary and Pedare College then travelling to Balaklava in wet outdoor conditions to beat Gladstone High School and Thomas Moore College. The girls demonstrated their strength and sportsmanship in coming together and showing resilience to finish a respectable 8th out of an original 63 teams. Well done girls, a great achievement!

From Back Left to Right: Brooke Hoppo (Coach), Isla McGraw, Jordyn Cook, Rachel Burgess, Ayla Wright, Breanne Button, Ella Turner. Front Left to Right Belle Parrish, Jayde Visser, Imogen Janicki, Keilah Haldane

Open Girls Netball

After having a strong performance the last two years we were moved into the Division 1 competition with large public and private schools some with a Netball focus. We were drawn against Adelaide High, Trinity College & St Marys College, after Adelaide forfeited, we travelled to play the two colleges in a round robin and were defeated convincingly. The girls kept trying all day and fort right to the end but were just unable to match it with those teams. We say goodbye to Rachel Davies, Vicki Rowe, Tahlia Mickel and Lauren Edwards. Who have performed very strongly over the last few years competitions making the State finals twice.

Open Boys Netball

Unfortunately this year we were placed in a minor round robin with the eventual 2nd placed school and last year’s Champion Scotch College. We defeated Golden Grove High School convincingly then narrowly lost after losing a key defender. Missing out on the State Finals for the first time that I have seen, which is at least 11 years. Appearing like we would have beaten eventual 3rd place team hopefully we get a more favourable draw next year. As we say goodbye to year 12s Ben Millar, Danial Wood, Jayden Wallace, James Watkins, Ethan Haren who have been strong netball contributors over their high school journeys.

9-10 Girls Basketball

The Year 9/10 Girls Basketball team won against St Peter’s Girls College (64-24) but lost to Scotch College (45-33). Advancing to the second round, they faced Tenison Woods College, losing 57-44 despite a comeback attempt. In a close match against St Francis de Sales, Modbury secured a 58-53 victory, with Molly Cox scoring 22 points. The Modbury Girls competed and played hard, with some good performances against strong opposition, but were unable to progress further in the competition.

9-10 Boys Basketball

Modbury High School faced Trinity College, Glenunga High School, and Woodville High School in the first round. Despite a challenging game against Trinity, the team showed resilience with standout performances from Bryce Sanders and Brock White. They lost 56-30 but rebounded strongly against Glenunga, securing a 50-41 victory led by Bryce Sanders and Kade Monteleone. In a crucial match against Woodville, Bryce Sanders again led with 18 points, securing a narrow 53-51 win.

Advancing to the second round, Modbury faced Henley High School first. Despite a strong effort, they fell short against Henley, losing 73-62, with Kade Monteleone leading the team with 23 points. The final match against Sacred Heart College saw a closely contested first half, but Modbury emerged victorious with a 78-65 score line, the team's collective effort led to a strong win.

Open Girls Basketball

We hosted a four team round robin at Modbury playing against other powerhouse schools in Trinity, Pembroke and last years winners St Michaels. While we were certainly competitive on the day and could have progressed to the next round by beating two of the other teams we unfortunately couldn’t quite hold off Pembroke after defeating Trinity in our first game. St Michaels was once again very strong in defeating all other schools to progress as the top seed.

Open Boys Basketball

The team consisted of a variety of boys selected from year 10 to 12. The stronger contributors including Ethan Haren, Carlos Toro and Bryce Sanders. In the first round we played against Reynella, Glenunga and Tenison Woods. Making it through to advance and play against Encounter bay at their home traveling there to an Electric crowd. winning on a buzzer beater, further advancing to play Trinity Collage, unfortunately losing the 3rd round matchup in a close game.

School Sport SA individual Golf Championships

Dylan Jamison competed in the A grade with a handicap of 2. He didn’t have the best day as can happen in golf finishing a respectable 11th

SSSA SWIMMING

On Friday 3rd March, Liam Nash (year 8), Hudson Mentha (year 7) represented Modbury High School as Individual Swimmers at the Secondary Schools Swimming Championships held at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre. Unfortunately, a couple of girls were unable to attend. Liam performed extremely well, coming 4th in backstroke, 6th in breaststroke and 8th in freestyle.  He was competing against some tough competition in the 14 year old age group however he achieved personal best times in all his swims. Hudson had a great day with 3 PBs from his 5 swims. From this he was awarded 2 firsts in butterfly & 50m freestyle and 3 second places in backstroke, breaststroke & 100m freestyle in the 11-12 year old age group.

Zone Sports Carnivals

Year 7-8 3 on 3 Basketball

Modbury High School once again had over 50 students participating in the Year 7/8 3 on 3 Basketball Carnival held at The Lights Recreation Centre. Eleven boys teams and one girls team participated in the carnival against schools in the North Eastern Vista Zone. Modbury had some strong performances on the day, but were unfortunate to lose the Div 1 and Div 2 Grand Final matchups.

Senior 3 on 3 Basketball  

With over 50 students involved in Senior Competition that day, Modbury High School had the highest number of teams nominated. While we had many teams very competitive, both our Senior Girls and Boys teams lost tough Pool A Grand Final matchups against SEDA college. Our Pool C Boys team beat all opposition in games that day to be the Pool C Champions in the 3 v 3 competition.

Pictured from L-R: Luke Holmes, Romeo Mangava, Daniel Malick, Cooper Hann

Year 7-8 Basketball

Modbury High School entered 4 boys teams and 2 girls teams with Year 7/8 students into a 5 on 5 Basketball Carnival in our North-East Vista Zone. Across the day, 28 boys and 13 girls participated in short games against opposing schools. 

Our first team played very well across most games, winning all pool games except one, losing to Banksia Park 18-5. Making the semi final on a head to head points spread to split a tie, Modbury High School’s other 3 teams all had mixed success throughout the day with some wins, losses and some incredible efforts by players. Teams were coached by Year 9 students as part of their Sports Specialist subject.  During games we had some excellent cheer squads for our teams with the energy from supporting players helping teams lift their energy in games. Boys Finished 2ndGirls Finished 1st

Grand Final team Year 7/8 Boys team. 
From Left to Right: Izaak Conry, Hunter Powell-King, Seth Spasojevic, Seb Borges, Harry Cox, Kruz Wilson, Logan Ashman. Coach: Nethula Dissanayake
Pictured above: Keilana Glaetzer Shooting a free throw

Year 9-10 & 11-12 Basketball

Modbury High School excelled in the Vista zone 5 on 5 day carnivals at The Lights Recreation Centre. With two 9-10 boys teams in division 1, two in division 2, and a girls team in division 1, over 35 students participated. Modbury High Boys' Team 1 and the girls team both went undefeated in year 9-10 and 11-12, securing 1st place in their divisions. Team 2 finished 3rd in Division 1, while Teams 3 and 4 in Division 2 secured 5th and 6th places in 9-10 but won the 11-12.

Year 7-8 & 9-10 Boys 9-a-side Football

On Tuesday 16th May over 30 boys playing in 3 teams participated in a 9-a-side football carnival. Each of the three teams had mixed success but all having some fun and key highlights across the day. 

With 2 teams entered into the Year 9/10 competition and a team entered into the Year 7/8 competition, all players had opportunity to participate and contribute. The teams entered into the Year 9/10 competition included just 1 year 10, but were filled with year 9’s and year 8’s who were willing to challenge the bigger and stronger year 10 players in our opposition teams. 

Pictured above: Year 8 Players celebrate Year 9 student Rahand Hashim kicking a Goal

Years 7-12 Girls 9-a-side Football

We sent 3 teams 2 junior one senior team. There was some good competition and our senior girls played quite well to finish 4th overall. Our two junior teams also did a great job considering some of the players were quite inexperienced finishing 4th also. The future for girls football at Modbury is looking promising.

Years 7-12 Girls Netball

We sent five girls teams to Argana park to compete against mainly Northern and North Eastern Schools. Our 7-8 teams competed hard but were not quite strong enough on the day, the top team falling in the semi finals, Finishing 4th

The 9-10 top team showed great teamwork and resilience to complete the day undefeated champions after a hard fought final winning the competition by a solitary goal.

Our senior Girls had another strong showing but just lacked a bit of height unable to get over the top in the grand final finishing a respectable 2nd, in a culmination for our core year 12 players who have committed to the sport over the last 5 years.

Year 7-9 Boys Netball

Modbury High entered 2 teams into this years carnival held at Argana Park. With both teams playing in opposing pools, the Overall winners beating Banksia Park in a closely contested Grand Final.

Modbury High School Year 7-9 Boys Grand Final winning team. 
Pictured from left: Mr Jarrad (Coach) Back Left to Right: Seb Borges, Nick Davie, Chase Grant-Allan, Kade Monteleone, Amerson Green 
Front Left to Right: Alex Dinedios, Harry Cox, Josh Louend-Robertson, Brock White, Nash O’Neill-Bergen 

10-12 Boys Netball

A very good day for our senior boys, we split our teams into the year 11/12s and year 10s. The 10s team did very well in their pool with both teams finishing in the top 2 to meet each other in the cross over finals. In the semis the 10s seemed to have the better of the contest working well as a team for most of the match with the 11/12s coming home strong just in time to tie the game at the final siren requiring extra time to split them with the 11/12s winning by a solitary goal to send them into the final which they won convincingly. A great day had by all

7-8 & 9-10 Five-a-side Soccer

We sent six boys and four girls teams. Not a lot of success but a lot of experience gained and fun days had by all.

7-9 Badminton

Thirty five Students travelled to Cedar college, not a lot of success was had on the day but there was a lot of fun and a great experience for the students who participated

Ultimate Frisbee

Modbury High School entered an all-girls team into the Ultimate Frisbee carnival. Despite many of our players being newcomers to the sport, they came together as a team and held up 3 tightly contested matches against Parafield Gardens, The Heights and Wirreanda. The girls team’s determination and collective efforts secured them a place in the finals, where they fort strongly, only losing by a few points. Overall, the girls enjoyed trailing this new sport and maintained a positive attitude throughout the day to finish in 3rd place. Well done girls!  

Three boys teams consisting of students in Year 7-9 competed against schools across two different groups. They competed well, with Modbury 2 winning the Ultimate Frisbee Plaque, defeating Wirreanda Secondary School in overtime in a thrilling Grand Final. Modbury 1 also finishing on the podium in third place, while Modbury 3 finished in 8th place.

Winning Team: Back Left Callum Cook, Lachlan Thompson, Rylan Hay, Cameron Jamison, Trystan Lock, Ethan King. Front: Ryan Bailey, Lucas Hart, Dylan Amadeo, Tom Whistler

7-9 Boys Super 8s Cricket

Modbury High School sent two boys cricket teams travelled to Thomas Turner Reserve to compete in a Super 8’s Cricket Carnival. Although neither team registered a win on the day, both teams competed with incredible team spirit. An honorable mention to Yuvraj Yadav scoring 63 not out in the first game.

7-8 Beach Volleyball

A great day had by all down at the Mawson Lakes beach volleyball centre. We entered three boys and two girls teams with all playing great games in a competitive and fun filled spirit. While the results didn’t quite go our way a lot of experience was gained and good volleyball played, with one of the girls teams finishing runners up to Parafield Gardens top team.

Back left: Anabella Toro, Aimee Bennier, Scarlet Edwards,
Front: Isla Lawrence, Keira Simpson, Rubie Lehman, Gemma Rainey                                                                                                                                                                                     

9-10 Beach Volleyball

A long trip down to Glenelg beach for this day, which was sensational by all reports, although some games were missed ours three boys and three girls teams were all super competitive and had a great day of fun in the sun and sand. Of the six teams the best performed team was that of the Year 10 Boys who finished in 2nd place.

HOWARD MUTTON AWARD, MARG SMITH SHIELD, KEVIN GRUHL SHIELD:

The prestigious Howard Mutton Award is based on school participation and excellence across all school sport events. The high ranking is no surprise with 57 different teams and 100’s of students representing Modbury High School throughout the year along with excellent achievements in track and field, basketball and netball. With regular finishes in the top 10, Modbury High School in 2022 again ranked very high finishing 5th across the entire State of over 200 high schools behind only large sporting schools like Henley & Brighton

We were also successful in winning both the Kevin Gruhl and Marg Smith Shields within the Northern / North Eastern Vista Schools. The Kevin Gruhl Shield is based on points for participation of which we have been a regular winner in recent times with the greatest participation of students / teams in the local area sporting competitions. The Marg Smith Shield encompasses success in those competitions of which we did a fantastic job last year taking it out over some of the larger schools in the area.

Dear Parents / Caregivers

As we approach the end of another remarkable year, it's time to reflect on the incredible journey we've had together. The 2023 academic year has been filled with academic achievements, cross-curricular successes, and many enriching experiences for our students.

Academic Excellence

I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated staff, hardworking students, and supportive parents for their unwavering commitment to education. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones in academic pursuits, setting a high standard for excellence that will resonate for years to come.

Cross-Curricular

Term 4 has been particularly productive, showcasing the spirit of collaboration and the diversity of talents within our school community. Currently 30 of our students are representing us in an international basketball tournament in America, fostering cultural exchange and sportsmanship on a global scale.

Week 9 Program

The last week of term was nothing short of extraordinary, with students actively participating in a range of enriching short courses designed by our dedicated teachers. These courses, including excursions to the museum, city scavenger hunts, visits to Cleland Wildlife Park, game-making, Christmas card creation, arts and crafts, Christmas cookie baking, a whole day of trivia, mini-Olympics, swimming, and a whole day of stem provided our students with new and exciting learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom setting. To end the week and celebrate the last day of the year we had a disco in the gym.

Our students embraced these experiences with enthusiasm, gaining valuable skills and forming lasting memories. It is heartening to witness the passion for learning that our students demonstrate, and I am immensely proud of their accomplishments.

Thank You

As we finish the year, I extend my deepest gratitude to our exceptional staff for their dedication, our students for their hard work and enthusiasm, and our parents for their continued support. Your collective efforts have made this year a success, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the coming years.

As we enter the holidays, I wish each and every one of you a joyous and relaxing holiday season. May this time be filled with laughter, love, and the warmth of shared moments with family and friends. I look forward to seeing all of you in the new year, ready to embark on another year of learning, growth, and success.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Modbury High School community.

Regards

Joanne Costa

Ms Costa
Principal


Japan Study Tour 

In the Term 3 holidays, our dedicated teachers Ms Amanda Kampes and Mr Ryan Ricci, along with 16 students from years 8 to 12, embarked on a captivating journey north to Japan – the land of the rising sun! They explored the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo, the historic allure of Osaka, the country hospitality of Asakuchi, the poignant history of Hiroshima, the cultural richness of Nara and the timeless beauty of Kyoto. 

From navigating the bustling streets of Tokyo to exploring serene temples in Kyoto, we learned about the profound history and rich traditions of Japan, deepening our appreciation for this remarkable nation. 

We’re grateful for the meticulous planning and dedication put into this trip by Amanda Kampes, who ensured that every moment was educational and an unforgettable experience. Through these extraordinary journeys we can broaden our students’ horizons, and we eagerly anticipate more overseas adventures in the future. 

Japan has left an incredible mark on these students and we look forward to offering this to experience to others in future years. 

Ms Amanda Kampes
Coordinator of Languages and International Education


Miniature Float Design

Earlier this year, some of the Year 7-10 Art classes participated in creating a float design for National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant miniature float competition. 

Congratulations to the following students who have received honorary mentions from National Pharmacies for their designs placing in the top 10 and top 40 selections from over 700 entries!  

Top 10: 

Top 40: 


onigiri

Year 8 and 9 Japanese classes finished off their year of studies by making and eating onigiri (rice balls). Students experienced this simple yet filling dish in week 8. Consisting of rice, sushi vinegar and seaweed, students realised that you don’t need many ingredients to make a fulfilling meal. Many students said that they were going to try making these at home over the summer break! 

Kampes Sensei 

Ms Amanda Kampes
Coordinator of Languages and International Education


Year 7 – 11 Prize Giving Assembly 

We recognised and celebrated approximately 160 students from Years 7 – 11 on Thursday 30th November for their contributions and achievements throughout 2023. We were very fortunate to be joined on the day by guest presenters and Award sponsors, parents and family members of the prize winners along with the staff and students from our school. 

The newly elected student leaders for 2024 – Lawrence French, Kaiwen He, Kahlan Mashford and Anton Kastanos, confidently and certainly very capably led the proceedings. 

Our school band, conducted by Mr Gareth Budd, led the music entertainment for the assembly sharing pieces they had played at this year's ABODA Bands Festival, while accompanying the choir for the National Anthem.

Payton Richardson provided us all with his very insightful perspective on his first year at Modbury High School as a year seven student. Owen Wythe and Caitlin Fraser then both spoke on behalf of the year eleven students, providing highlights of the year and some words of wisdom to the year ten students as they move into the senior school next year.  

Students were recognised this year for their contributions to their home group and student life program, the school and community programs, those who have shown academic improvement over the year, and of course outstanding academic achievement both in specific learning areas and consistently across the board in all subjects, achievement in the AMT Mathematics Competition and participation in the F1 in Schools program State Finals, Nationals and World Finals recently in Singapore. 

 We would like to thank the following sponsors of some of the awards presented: 

Our guests and award winners were provided a beautiful and very tasty morning tea, prepared and served by our Home Economics staff and students. 

Congratulations to all our students for 2023! 

Home Group Teacher Award Recipients 

Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10Year 11Special Options Class
701: Samuel Harris801: Lily Davey 912: Alexander Jones 1010: Kiera Evans1117: Will BuiJohn Fraser
702: Grace Dykstra 802: Alyssa Dyett 913: Josh Lay1011: Rachel Burgess 1118: Ravneet Kaur Linkin Tuohy
703: Jack Luijckx 803: Riley Hutchinson 9A1: Brooklyn Harris1015: Jaxon Harris 1119: Abbey Clarke 
704: Hudson Mentha 804: Sanvi Sanvi 9A5: Hannah Merrett 
1016: Raven Walters 1120: Jade Pelton 
705: Skye Parrish 
805: Riley Heffernan 9A6: Izzy Dube10H1: Het Shah 1121: Ryley Copeland 
707: Jasmeet Sammi 814: Lachlan Connolly 10H2: Reagile Hlatshwayo 

School Community Service Award Recipients

Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10Year 11
Fergus Bell 
Felix Brotherton-Collins 
Liam Horn 
Jacob Kakko 
Joshua Merrett 
Elliot Crabb 
Ava Huettenrauch 
Vivaan Rajpal  
Paige Sharpe 
Ella Taylor 
Melissa Benton 
Jess Freebairn 
Rylen Hay 
Ethan King 
Lucia Lewis 
Zanele Mangava 
Thomas Mills 
Emily Piacquadio 
Kash Saxena 
Lohit Singh 
Leila Suche 
Elliot Webster-Brown 
Tom Whistler
Regan Carter 
Rei Cook 
Keira Copeland 
Molly Cox 
Jed De Koning 
Marco Ebrahimi 
Emily Habgood 
Angus Haren 
Lauren Jolly 
Isla McGraw 
Xavier Paulson 
Noah Piutti 
Harvey Spencer 
Sanjam Bhujbal 
Caitlin Fraser 
Lawrence French 
Carlos Gray Claveria 
Kaiwen He 
Kahlan Mashford 
Hana Wong 
Owen Wythe 
Luke Zawada 

Finem Respice Award Recipients 

Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10Year 11
Maddison Hall Grace GrindleJason JohnsonLia Kais  Andrea Sualog 

Meritorious Award Recipients 

Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10Year 11
Armaan Babwani 
Fergus Bell 
Jack Clyma 
Chelsea Green 
Samantha Heward 
Sienna Hutchinson 
Brea Jijo 
Sibella Kastanos 
Benika Kaundal 
Payton Richardson 
Rachel Wagener 
Eileen Zhang 
Liam Bairstow 
Hayley Byrne 
Tyler Gaskin-Osborne 
Liam Hanlin 
Ava Huettenrauch 
Brendan Keast 
Roshani Rajkumar 
Vivaan Rajpal 
Paige Sharpe 
Demi Snider 
Kaitlyn Sollis 
Jules Sualog 
Gargee Vyas 
Evan Zawada 
Isha Bane 
Isabelle Cox 
Alex Dinedios 
Jess Freebairn 
Lily Grant-Allan 
Amerson Green 
Erika Griffiths 
Charli Hodson 
Ariel Lim 
Angelica Lizaso 
Hannah Lock 
Peter McMillan 
Saarakshya Sharma 
Aki Sicoy 
Leila Suche 
Scarlett Taylor 
Emily Totani 
Elliot Webster-Brown 
Tom Whistler 
Charlotte Bland 
Breanne Button 
Rei Cook 
Siba Ghamrawi 
Cameron Green 
Soheil Haidari 
Keilah Haldane 
Elise Harmer 
Luke Haskard 
Amber Hayward 
Imogen Janicki 
Christopher Kastanos 
Jade Kolman 
Danika Low 
Mia Ly 
Holly Manoel 
Isla McGraw 
Imogen McNamara 
Mika Osborne 
Belle Parrish 
Rania Saitov 
Bryce Sanders 
Caitlyn Scott  
Madhav Sharma 
Liezel Wong 
Emily Zhang 
Jasmin Andrews 
Madison Benton 
Jack Counihan-Abbott 
Sarah Crozier 
Asha Duldig 
Oscar Elder 
Kaiwen He 
Anton Kastanos 
Kahlan Mashford 
Lesedi Morupisi 
Jazsmin Smith 
Hana Wong 
Owen Wythe 

All-Rounder Award Recipients 

Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10Year 11
Fergus Bell Vivaan Rajpal Jess Freebairn Molly Cox   Kahlan Mashford

Dux for 2023 

Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10Year 11
Armaan Babwani Demi Snider Aki Sicoy Christopher Kastanos
Liezel Wong 
Jasmin Andrews 
Hana Wong 

Junior Sports Award Recipients

Kade Monteleone Maddison Carter Sydney Pocock 

ADF Award Recipients 

Year 10 Future Innovators Award Angus Haren 
Year 10 Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Xavier Paulson 

Year 11 Award Recipients 

Award NameStudent NameAward NameStudent Name
ZONTA Award Caitlin Fraser Languages Owen Wythe 
IDEA (Iannucci Design and Excellence Award)Quinn Duncan 
Mathematics 
Anton Kastanos 
Music Award Jack Counihan-Abbott
Sciences 

Lesedi Morupisi 
Cross Disciplinary Hana Wong Technologies Mason Green 
EnglishHana Wong Future Physicists Award 
Oscar Elder 
HASS Lawrence French 

Mrs Woolford
Assistant Principal of Year 11 & 12


ACRUX Racing is Modbury High School's F1 in Schools National Final team

ACRUX Racing is Modbury High School's F1 in Schools National Final team. Apart of the competition is raising money through fundraisers and sponsorship and designing and manufacturing a car. 

Do you keep losing your jewellery? ACRUX Racing are selling Jewellery Holders that are the perfect gift for Christmas or for yourself! 

Order them now using this link: https://forms.gle/dpr23qA2edK3hvJ96


School Student Broadband Initiative

The Australian Government has established the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) to provide free home internet for one year for up to 30,000 unconnected families with school age students, creating an opportunity for students to access fast and reliable broadband internet at home. Research shows that children who can access online learning as part of their education are more likely to be engaged in classroom activities and have better educational experiences and opportunities.

nbn is leading implementation of this initiative and to date has been working closely with nominating organisations such as education authorities, national charities and community organisations who identify and nominate students and families who could benefit from the SSBI.

Access to the Australian Government SSBI is now easier for families, with the launch of the new National Referral Centre (NRC).

To be eligible, a family must have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school, have no active broadband service over the nbn network, and live in a premises where they can access a standard nbn service. Families must not have had an active nbn connection during the previous 14 days.

Families can contact the NRC directly to check their eligibility and be supported to access the one year of free home broadband, rather than relying on being identified by a nominating organisation.

Help spread the word

The SSBI program is primarily intended as an affordability measure to help those with school-aged children who may be experiencing financial hardship. If you know someone who may be eligible for the SSBI, please help us to spread the word and share these three simple steps:

  1. Contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT), or by visiting the website: www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet. Call back and webchat functions are also available via the website.
  2. Eligibility check – the National Referral Centre team will assess the family’s eligibility by checking their residential address and asking some questions to determine if the family meets the Government’s eligibility criteria.
  3. If eligible, a voucher will be issued to be redeemed at any of the participating SSBI retail service providers. The National Referral Centre will also be available to assist with contacting an SSBI service provider of choice or providing follow-up support.

You can find more information about the NRC on Anglicare Victoria’s website available here: Student Internet Program - Anglicare Victoria


Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Term 4 has been exceptionally busy, with several major events unfolding over the past five weeks. These include the Year 12 Breakfast, Year 12 Valedictory Assembly, Year 12 Exams, Remembrance Day, and the Year 7 Entrepreneurship Market Day.

Year 12 Breakfast

 The annual Year 12 breakfast occurred on Monday, October 30. Students arrived adorned in their modified uniforms, symbolizing the culmination of their high school journey. Ms. Woolford, Year 12 Assistant Principal, and teachers served a delightful pancake and bacon breakfast. Following this, students engaged in the Colour Run, creating a memorable experience for both teachers and students on the last day of school.

Year 12 Valedictory

The Valedictory Assembly, an outstanding annual event, was emceed by Ms. O'Brien-Dent and Ms. Woolford, along with the school captains. Many students were recognized for their exceptional achievements, receiving awards sponsored by the Modbury High School community. A proud moment for parents and students was the presentation of their High School graduation certificates. Attendees were treated to a delicious morning tea prepared by the Year 11 Home Economics class.

Thank you to Ms Woolford and Ms O'Brien- Dent for leading the planning and organising of this event.

Year 12 Graduation Evening

In addition to the Valedictory Assembly, Year 12 students, in collaboration with Ms. O'Brien-Dent, organized an informal Graduation Evening, a new initiative proposed by the students. The ceremony included students proudly walking into the gym wearing their graduation hats. Homegroup teachers presented the students to their parents and teachers. At the count of three by Ms. O'Brien-Dent, the students threw their hats into the air, symbolizing their graduation from High School. Following the formalities, parents, students, and teachers enjoyed a picnic dinner, with students relishing the evening with their classmates.

Congratulations to the organising committee and Ms O’Brien- Dent for this wonderful new initiative.

Fare well to the Year 12 Students

After 5 years of High school, it is time to say goodbye to our year 12 students. It has been a pleasure watching them grow into such wonderful young people.  On behalf of Modbury High School community, we wish them a bright future filled with everything they aspire and wish for, we wish them a happy life filled with good health and wonderful new experiences.

Remembrance Day

Modbury High School held the Remembrance Day Assembly on Friday, November 10, supported by the Catafalque party. Mr. McKie expertly emceed the event, with guest speaker Squadron Leader Dr Dennis Medlow addressing students. Mrs. McKie played the harp, singing The Greenfields of France”.  Modbury High School Concert Band, conducted by Mr. Budd and accompanied by Mr. McKie and his bagpipes presented Sailing” by Gavin Sutherland and arranged by M. Armstrong.

 Ms. Olivia Savas, along with School captains and I laid wreaths.

Year 7 Entrepreneurship Market Day:

On Friday, November 17, Year 7 students demonstrated their understanding of entrepreneurship by showcasing their small businesses during Market Day. The year 7 building buzzed with activity as students set up their stalls. Parents visited the stalls, supporting students by purchasing the items for sale. Ms. Stamati and her team of teachers were highly impressed by the students and the support they received from their parents.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in these events.

Ms Costa
Principal


Year 12 Breakfast and COlour Run

Year 12 Breakfast and Colour Run Celebration

On Monday, October 30th, our Year 12 students marked the end of their formal lessons with the much-anticipated 'Year 12 Breakfast' tradition. The day began with a breakfast where students enjoyed pancakes prepared by their teachers. Following this, the celebration continued with a slip and slide and colour run. Students showcased their creative flair by re-styling their uniforms, adding to the festivities! Both students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. As always, we extend our thanks to Terriann for capturing the spirit and excitement of the day through her incredible photography!

Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader


Valedictory

On Tuesday, October 31st, we farewelled our Year 12 students, celebrating their individual achievements over the past five years. This significant occasion recognised not only academic and sporting excellence but also the dedication of students to citizenship and community service. We expressed our gratitude to the students for their valuable contributions to our school community. A highlight of the event was the speech from our 2023 Valedictorian, Muradil Mardan, who reflected on the year's journey and expressed thanks to those who supported the Class of 2023's path to graduation. The ceremony was followed by a morning tea where students, along with their parents, carers, families, and staff celebrated this milestone together. Congratulations to all our graduates – we are proud of your accomplishments and wish you every success in your future endeavours!

Major Awards

Most Outstanding Student - John Tilley Memorial Award

Jak Kastanos

Sponsored by Rotary Club of Modbury Golden Grove

ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award

Murdil Mardan

Sponsored by the Australian Defence Force

ADF Future Innovators Award

Ewan Enthoven

Sponsored by the Australian Defence Force

Best All-Rounder Award

Lauren Edwards

Sponsored by EduNet and Hon Michelle Lensink MLC

Vox Populi (Student Voice) Award

Jak Kastanos

Sponsored by Metropolitan Canteens SA

Principal’s Award

Lydia Wighton

Sponsored by Ms Joanne Costa

Year 12 Manager’s Award

Alex Walsh

Sponsored by EduNet

Jay Strudwick Ethos Award

Lydia Wighton

Sponsored by Kozco Energy Group

Newland Electorate Awards

Yalarasey Sooriyakumar

Sponsored by Olivia Savvas, Newland Electorate

Extra-curricular awards

Darryl Baylis Senior Sports Awards

Male – Ben Millar

Female – Lauren Edwards

Sponsored by Belgravia Sports Apparel

Bent Spoke Pedal Prix Award

Ewan Enthoven

Sponsored by Fast Cats Racing

Morialta Citizenship Award

Ewan Enthoven

Sponsored by Hon John Gardner MP, Minister for Education

Makin Humanitarian Award

Dakota Stephenson

Sponsored by Mr Tony Zappia MP

Modbury High School Music Award

Shania Newstead

Sponsored by Frances Bedford

MERITORIOUS AWARDS

Nyx Little

Brianna Mesecke

Jeran Tiong

Rachel Davies

Sponsored by Kozco Energy Group

subject awards

Tamyrn Walker                   Workplace Practices

Vocational Education & Training

Nyx Little                             Visual Arts—Art

Psychology

Jeriel Lim                             English as an Additional Language or Dialect

Lydia Wighton                    Japanese (Continuers)

English Literary Studies

Research Project

Daniel Wood                       General Mathematics

Rachel Davies                     Physical Education

Travis Brewer                     Modified SACE

Karah Gilbey                       English

Isabella Hoppo                  Essential English

Jak Kastanos                 Specialist Mathematics

Physics

Oscar Elder                         Mathematical Methods

Angelina Hansen                Research Project

Essential Maths

Society and Culture

Jeran Tiong                        Chemistry

Brianna Mesecke              Biology

David Shinkfield                Material Solutions - Wood

Matthew Maletto               Modern History

Sienna Garstka                  Food and Hospitality

Kahlan Mashford              Integrated Learning (Sport)

Commitment to learning Awards

Theo Kelesis                      Music Performance

Tahlia Wilkinson                Visual Arts - Art

Jak Kastanos                     Research Project

Chemistry

Owen Defty                         English

Michael Hollobone            Essential English

Digital Photography

Jeriel Lim                     English as an Additional Language

Maddie Chronopoulos      English Literary Studies  

Lydia Wighton                    Japanese Continuers

Biology

Vicki Rowe                          Society and Culture

Essential Maths

Muradil Mardan                 History

Kahlan Mashford               Integrated Learning (Sport)

Dimitri Leonardis               Physical Education

Dakota Stephenson           Food and Hospitality

Tara Barrett                         General Mathematics

Nyx Little                              Mathematical Methods

Jeran Tiong                         Specialist Mathematics

Yalarasey Sooriyakumar  Physics

Angelina Hansen                Psychology

Jack Fabbian                      Material Products -Metal

Joshua Sparks                   Material Products- Wood

Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader


Year 12 Graduation Celebration

On Thursday 16th November, our Year 12 students experienced the first-ever Modbury High School Graduation celebration, thanks to the incredible efforts of our graduation committee. This group of dedicated students excelled in organising this memorable event, showcasing their skills and determination. They handled everything from fundraising for graduation caps to coordinating event logistics, including liaising with caterers, preparing refreshments, and arranging decorations. A fantastic effort from all!

We also extend our gratitude to Ms. Costa, whose support and faith in the students and staff involved in organising the event were invaluable. Her encouragement of new initiatives and events is a testament to her leadership and commitment to our school community.

The event was also a success thanks to the attendance and help from so many staff members, parents, caregivers and families, whom without your support, the night wouldn’t have gone ahead – a very big thank you to you all!

Our team of eight Year 11 student helpers also received glowing feedback for their leadership, teamwork, and positive attitudes. Their contributions were highly appreciated by parents, caterers, and staff alike. These students have shown they are ready to be future leaders at our school and we are excited to see what they do in Year 12!

A special shout-out goes to Lew and the team at Adelaide Woodfired Pizzas, who served 250 delicious pizzas, ensuring that everyone was well-fed throughout the night.

This event was not just a celebration of our graduating students but also a reflection of the incredible community spirit and teamwork at Modbury High School. Congratulations to all involved for making it a night to remember!

Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader


2024 Captains and Vice Captains

Congratulations to the newly elected Captains and Vice Captains.

Captain – Lawrence French and Kaiwen He
Vice – Anton Kastanos and Kahlan Mashford

We look forward in working with you next year.

Ms Costa
Principal


Music Night

During week four of this term our MHS Music students gathered to be part of the MHS end of year Music Night. The evening was a showcase of class bands, school bands, and small ensembles. The night was a great success thanks to the help of our instrumental teachers and some MHS staff. There were several debut performances at the event including the MHS rock band, Sax quartet, Woodwind ensemble, and Flute ensemble. We look forward to hearing more from them in the new year. The evening culminated in an impressive massed-band performance that included all the Music students from Years 9-12. Thank you to everyone involved for their support of the MHS Music department. 

Playford Bands 25th anniversary 

The MHS gym was filled with the sounds of music while the Playford City Bands Group celebrated their 25th anniversary as an organisation. The not-for-profit organisation has provided an outlet for local musicians and regularly entertains at council events, concerts, and pageant marches. We would like to acknowledge the MHS students that took the time to attend and join in with the Playford City Concert Band, directed by Mr. Budd. It is great to have such close connections with Music-based organisations and provide an opportunity for MHS graduates to continue a lifelong passion for playing music in bands. 

Rei Cook 

MHS Music is very proud of Rei Cook (year 10) winner of a 2023 ASME (Australian Society for Music Education) Young Composers award. Rei had impressively arranged existing music for an expanded orchestra, among his other entries, and was recognised as the winner of the large ensemble arrangement section. Rei is currently working on a piece for the MHS Concert Band and has likely already started on the entries for next year’ competition. Excellent work, Rei! 


Materials and services poll notification for 2024

The Modbury High School Governing Council recently recommended that parents/caregivers vote in favour of the legally recoverable Materials & Services fee to a ‘prescribed sum’, which is the core Materials and Services charge of $695 for year levels 7-12, plus any subject charge for those subjects chosen by the student for 2024.

The poll was successful with votes 25-12 in favour.

Modbury High School takes pride in our ability to offer a rich variety of curriculum options and we aim to continue to do so. We consider the income from these charges to be critical in the ongoing delivery of quality curriculum for students.


Safety on the internet

Please follow the link below to learn about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report harmful content.

The eSafety Guide | eSafety Commissioner


Stationery

For next year's stationery list please click here.


cHRISTMAS aPPEAL

This year, a group of students and our wonderful Counsellor, Geri, will be going to the Salvation Army to help sort toys donated from various places in the community as part of the Christmas Appeal.

If you would like to donate, you can bring items to either the Front Office or to Student Services. Please donate by 8th December.


Dear Parent/ Caregivers

The last few weeks of term 3 have been extremely busy, with numerous events taking place. Each of these events provides opportunities for our students to enhance their learning and improve their life skills.

Formula 1 (F1) in Schools

A highlight for this term is the trip to Singapore for the Dawn F1 team, which consisting of three of our formula 1 in schools’ students: Kahlan Mashford, Mason Green and Olivia May along with their teacher, Mr Karl Read. They travelled to Singapore to represent our school in the world Championships. It was a privilege to accompany the students and witness their amazing work.  Overall, the students ranked 25th out of 68 teams which qualified for the championships. They had the 11th fastest car and were in the top three for the sustainability of their enterprise.  This a great achievement of which can all be very proud of.

Congratulations are also in order to the Blaze Racing Team, consisting of Ewan Enthoven, Ryan King, Hayden Mesecke and Bowie Morgan, who competed in the State championships and came second overall.  This a fantastic achievement for the students.  

A big thank you to Mr. Karl Read, our F1 teacher, who has supported the students not only during their lessons but put countless hours after school and on weekends to prepare them for the competitions. Also, a very big thank you to Steve and Kate Read, who have volunteered their time and also put a huge amount of time in supporting the students.

Pedal Prix

Once again, our Pedal Prix students competed in the 24-hour race at Murray Bridge.  Congratulations to the all-girls senior group who came second overall and the boys’ junior team who finished third overall.

Thank you to all the parents who supported the students by visiting them at Murray Bridge and cheering them on. Thank you to Fast Cats Racing for their continuous support of our students and Pedal Prix.  Thank you also to Mr Wayne Ferguson, Ms Lyn Gibbins and Mr Ron Gibbins for their planning and organising of the event.

Year 9 Debating

On Monday 25 September, over 30 Year 9 students participated in whole day Debating Tournament.  The event was part of the Debating Unit of work which all English students participated in term 3. Each teacher nominated their top debaters for the event and students were allocated to teams and competed against each other.

Member of Newland, Olivia Savvas opened the event. She spoke of her love for debating and her experience as debater while at school.

Congratulations to Ms Kristina Palmer for this great new initiative and a very big thank you to her for the planning and  organising the event.

Street Smart High

Year 11s and 12s attended “Street Smart High” in Week 10 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. This program is aimed at senior secondary students and educates them about the choices they make when getting into a vehicle, either as a driver or passenger. Students saw simulated crash scenes showing the range of emergency services personnel and processes involved when an accident occurred.

Leaders’ Reflection

On Thursday 28 September Curriculum and Learning Environment Leaders met to reflect on their work, celebrate their achievements thus far, and openly acknowledge the challenges they had faced.  They also discussed what changes they will make to enhance their work and what their next steps.

Valedictory Assembly

I reminder to all Year 12 parents that our year 12 Valedictory assembly will be held on Thursday 31 October. I am looking forward to seeing many of you there to help celebrate the achievements of our Year 12 students.

Enjoy the rest of your break and we can't wait to see everyone all refreshed for a jam packed Term 4!

Ms Costa
Principal


Calendar

You can view our calendar on the website by following the link https://www.modburyhs.sa.edu.au/calendar/ or you can alternatively you can download a PDF version here.
Please note that the PDF version may change and new events may occur within the term.


Australian Space Discovery Centre excursion 

On the 7th of September, the class of 702 went to the Australian Space Discovery Centre. We travelled via the O-Bahn to the city where we walked past the University of Adelaide to the Space Discovery Centre. While there, a presentation was given about the importance of satellites and how they work. As a class, we had to brainstorm about why we would need to measure surface temperatures across Australia and how it could be used to benefit society. In small groups, we then had to design a satellite, find the right rocket, include the right parts and components, and present our designs to the rest of the class. There were also many fun interactives to play around with at the Space Gallery including a game to use lasers to shoot down space junk, holograms and a device to track satellites in real time. We could even control a robotic arm to discover what could be found on the surface of Mars!

Written by Evan Lewis
Student of 702


MHS Royal Show Art Entries

This year we selected fewer works for entry in the Royal Adelaide Show Junior Art, Craft and Design competition and we still came away with an amazing 12 merits! We will be presenting the winning students with their medals in an assembly very soon. 


Year 11 Drug Education Seminar 

On Monday September 18th, as part of the Student Life Program, our Year 11 cohort participated in a drug education seminar, run by Tom’s Reynolds from Independent Drug Education Australia. Tom’s presentation was highly engaging, here are some comments from the Year 11 students about what they learnt from this session: 

“I was amazed to see just how many people are impacted by drugs and alcohol. Seeing numbers and statistics is one thing, but when you get to see pictures of people who were impacted is really eye opening.” 

“Always call for support no matter the situation, human lives matter more.” 

“The effects of drugs and alcohol on people and the lack of awareness surrounding alcohol deaths.” 

“It made me think about how doing things like drugs doesn't just affect your life. It affects people around you too.” 

A big thank you to Ms. Lauren Freeth, who organised this excellent opportunity for our young people. 

Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11 & 12 Leader


Brass Blast

For the first time at MHS, and in the state, our IM teachers ran the inaugural ‘Brass Blast’ workshop for middle school brass players.  

In week six, we were happy to welcome young musicians to our school from around the Adelaide metro area and from as far away as Mount Barker High School. With the support of senior MHS Music students and IM staff from other schools, the group prepared several pieces for a performance to parents before the lunch break. 

Events like this are only possible thanks to the hard work of our Brass teacher, Mr. Heinjus, who organised the workshop and Mrs. Paul helping make sure the day was a success.  

Thank you to all involved for taking part in a new experience for MHS and South Australia. 

Mr Budd
Music Teacher


Celebrating Success: The Triumph of Year 9's Debating Royale

I am thrilled to share the resounding success of this year's Year 9 Debating Royale, a dazzling showcase of young talent, teamwork, and persuasive prowess. The event brought together six classes, each comprising five dedicated students, who fervently engaged in three exhilarating debates. The result? A genuinely smashing success that demonstrated the power of collaboration, critical thinking, and public speaking skills.

The Debating Royale occurred in the school's Amphitheatre on Monday, September 25th. The students had a week to prepare and articulate their stances on various thought-provoking topics ardently. Thanks to the hard work, determination, and guidance of our teachers, parents, and, most importantly, our exceptional students, it was an impressive spectacle.

One of the hallmarks of the Debating Royale was the emphasis on teamwork. With only one week to prepare three distinct debates, our young debaters relied on each other and worked tirelessly to formulate compelling arguments. But the spirit of cooperation didn't stop there; the entire year level came together to work within their respective classes to help their teams develop the debates, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among our students.

Amidst the spirited competition, Ms Palmer's Year 9 English Class emerged victorious, showcasing their exceptional debating skills and unwavering determination. Their eloquent arguments and persuasive rhetoric left an indelible mark on judges and spectators. Congratulations to this outstanding team for their well-deserved victory.

A heartfelt round of applause also goes to Ms Benias' Year 9 Class for their impressive performance, earning them the well-deserved title of runners-up. Their dedication and tenacity were on full display throughout the competition.

In addition to recognising the outstanding teams, we also celebrated individual excellence. Kash Saxena was awarded the title of Best Speaker of the Day for her exceptional communication skills and ability to captivate the audience. Rylen Hay received the honour of Most Commendable for his dedication and contributions to the event.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the Year 9 Debating Royale. Special appreciation goes to Olivia Savva’s, Member of Parliament, for her inspiring speech on the benefits of public speaking and to Latisha Wilson for her Acknowledgment of Country. A big thank you is also owed to Sybil Lee, my student teacher, for her exemplary organisational skills, greatly assisting me in orchestrating this remarkable event. Ms. Paraskevas also deserves recognition for her invaluable assistance with adjudicating.

Reflecting on this year's Debating Royale, I am proud of the incredible talent and determination displayed by the Year 9 students. Their commitment to honing their public speaking skills and engaging in thoughtful discourse is commendable.

Once again, thank you to the entire Modbury School community for your unwavering support, and congratulations to all the participants for making the Year 9 Debating Royale an unqualified success. I look forward to witnessing our budding debaters' continued growth and success

Year 9 Debating Royale Winning Team
1.       Jacob Mills
2.       Jess Freebairn
3.       Jason Johnson
4.       Kayla Skurrie
5.       Brooklyn Harris
Year 9 Debating Royale Runners Up1.       Rylen Hay
2.       Ethan King
3.       Peter McMillan
4.       Olivia Wighton
5. Tom Whistler
Year 9 Debating Royale Best Speaker of the Day
Kash Saxena
Year 9 Debating Royale Most CommendableRylen Hay

Ms Kristina Palmer
English Coordinator


Congratulations Caitlin!

Congratulations to Caitlin Fraser (Year 11) on her recent recognition as winner of the City of Tea Tree Gully Youth Achievement Awards - Peer Choice Award. She was also runner up for the Everyday Hero Award.

Wonderful recognition of your work Caitlin!!

image0.jpeg

Mrs Woolford
Year 11 & 12 Assistant Principal


Street Smart High Excursion 

On Tuesday and Wednesday 19th / 20th of September, all of the Year 11 and 12 students attended the RAA Street Smart High event at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Students heard from a range of presenters, including crash survivors, and family members of crash victims. Students witnessed a live re-enactment of a crash scene, with emergency services volunteers demonstrating the harsh realities of road crashes to our young people. Year 12 student, Alex Walsh, participated in a game of wheelchair basketball with students from other schools, where he did MHS and the ‘North of the River’ team proud, scoring numerous goals and showing excellent sportsmanship. Feedback from the students was extremely positive and the event has certainly made them consider their attitudes toward being safe road users! The students should be very proud of how they conducted themselves during the event, supervising staff commented on the exemplary behaviour displayed by our year 11 students. 


Flinders University Open Day Excursion

On Friday, August 11th, Year 12 students ventured to the Flinders University Bedford Park campus Open Day. Students attended various sessions based on their fields of consideration for future study. They also participated in several interactive activities in different areas of study, from changing nappies at the midwifery stall to printmaking at the creative arts station! Students commented on the usefulness of this experience in helping them decide on pathways beyond school. Many also remarked on the scale of the university campus and how great it was to be immersed in 'Uni life' for a day, which opened their eyes to future possibilities.


Year 11 P.A.R.T.Y. Program 

On Thursday, September 7th, a group of Year 11 students attended the P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol & Risk-related Trauma in Youth) Program at Flinders Medical Centre. This eye-opening experience began with a presentation about risk-related trauma statistics, followed by the re-enactment of a scenario in which the students took on the roles of a trauma and intensive care team to follow a fictional patient through the hospital process in the aftermath of a road crash. Students were highly engaged, with many commenting on how learning about the range of hospital staff roles made them want to work in the medical field in the future. Following this, students heard from hospital occupational and physiotherapists, as well as other key rehabilitation staff, about the realities of recovering from risk-related trauma. They participated in a range of activities to reinforce the challenges that many crash victims face in their everyday lives. Additionally, students heard from a crash survivor, learning about the physical and mental challenges of life following such an event. 


Year 12 Graduation 

In addition to the Valedictory Assembly, the class of 2023 has initiated and is planning the first Modbury High School graduation event, which will be held upon the conclusion of Year 12 exams. Save the date of Thursday, November 16th. The event will run from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, beginning with a ceremony, followed by a casual celebration on the oval with wood oven pizzas, drinks, and music. Ticketing information and more details will be sent out to families in the coming days. Our graduation committee has been fundraising to assist with the costs of the event, with a successful bake sale in Week 9, and a water balloon throw event taking place on the last day of term. If there are any parents who wish to assist with the planning and running of this event, please email madelin.obriendent779@schools.sa.edu.au


2024 Year 12 Retreat

A highly motivated group of Year 11 students initiated and presented a proposal for the first-ever Modbury High School Year 12 Retreat, to be held over three days in early Term 1 of 2024. The committee is in the early stages of planning this event and has engaged some excellent community partners to ensure a program that will support our Year 12 students with a strong start to their final year of schooling. We are proud of the initiative shown by this group of students and look forward to sharing more information with our 2024 Year 12 students and their families very soon!  


Year 12 SVC 

The Year 12 Student Voice Council has been busy this term, organising two 'belly baseball tournaments' and, more recently, a Year 10-12 social lunchtime basketball tournament. Their initiative and drive to engage their peers positively in activities to make their schooling journey more enjoyable are commendable. We are fortunate to have a proactive Year 12 SVC team, and it has been great to see them develop a range of skills in planning events, conducting meetings, and collaborating with various people within our school community. 

Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11 & 12 Leader


Dear Parents/Caregiver

Welcome to the second edition of the term 3 newsletter.

Parent Teacher Interview/ Subject Selection

We are thrilled to report that our recent Parent-Teacher Interviews and Subject Selections Day, held on Tuesday, August 22nd, was a resounding success. Over 600 parents attended the interviews, marking a substantial improvement compared to previous sessions. During the new interview format, most parents expressed their appreciation. They enjoyed the opportunity to hear their children reflect on their learning journey and engage in discussions with teachers on effective strategies to further enhance their academic results.

F1 in Schools competition

Our F1 students, comprising both the DAWN and AERO teams are putting the finishing touches on their presentations and car designs as they prepare for upcoming competitions. The DAWN team is gearing up for the international competition in Singapore, while our AERO team is set to compete in the state competition, to be held at the Wayville Showgrounds during the Adelaide Show week.

On Thursday, August 17, these remarkable students hosted a Stakeholders Presentation Evening, showcasing their work and sharing insights about their journey with sponsors and parents. Channel 9 was in attendance, conducting interviews with the students and their teacher, Mr. Karl Read. The interviewer, Lauren expressed her admiration for the students' achievements.

If you missed the interview, you can watch it on the Nine Now website, in the Hello SA, Season 4 episode 30 or follow the link to watch it; https://www.9now.com.au/hello-sa/2023/episode-30

Career’s Day

On Friday August, 18th we held our “Career’s Day” expo. Ms Angela Stamati organised multiple representatives, from Universities, different Professions, and Trades to spend the day in our school. Students from Year 9 to 12 were given time to visit the different stalls, and to learn more about the different jobs and careers that they were interested in. Feedback from the students reflected a high level of engagement.

Year 12 students

The final few weeks of learning for year 12 students are approaching fast. This is a critical period in their academic journey. To maximize their study time and achieve positive results, students should prioritize effective time management, focus on their work, especially outstanding assignments, and maintain a healthy balance between study and relaxation. For students who have exams, consistent revision, practising past exam papers and seeking help and support from their teachers are strategies which will support them to maximize their results.  It is important for parents to provide emotional support and create a conductive environment for their children. Encouragement, healthy, meals, and breaks will support students to navigate during this stressful time.

Ms Costa
Principal


SALA

On Thursday evening 17th August the Visual Arts held a SALA ‘Little Looks’ exhibition in the Visual Arts centre gallery space. The theme centred around still life and classes of various year levels participated in observational activities to create works for it. A staff after school workshop was held and participants contributed works. SSOs, wellbeing staff, leaders and teachers from various learning areas were involved in the exhibition. The extended school community booked out a free evening workshop and we had fun playing with a variety of media. Parents, caregivers, grandparents, Primary and High school students completed works for display. The exhibition was a successful evening with many coming to view the exhibition. Thanks to all involved and we plan to do it again due to the positive feedback. 

Mrs Moeller
Arts Coordinator


ABODA

In term 3 of the year many school bands go to Westminster School to compete against one another. This year we took our Concert Band and the Year 10 Music class to compete against 17 other schools in our division. Many of these bands were from elite private schools and specialist Music centers around Adelaide. 

Shania Newstead, Year 12: 

“The amount of dedication and effort I saw everyone put into this competition was phenomenal and that is what placed us in the silver category of our division; we placed in the top 8. In my five years of being part of the music program here at Modbury, I have never seen a band that was so determined. We all pushed ourselves out of our comfort zones with the three pieces we played; Psycho Prelude, How to Train Your Dragon, and Palladio. I am grateful that I was able to be part of our combined Concert Band this year. 

Mr Budd
Music Teacher


No Staff or Students onsite 8th September


For the month of September at Grill’d Tea Tree Plaza – support the Modbury High School USA Trip Fundraiser!   

When your order online or in-restaurant, 1 burger = 1 vote, so please place your vote tokens in the Modbury High School USA Trip jar.   At the end of the month, the jar with the most tokens gets $300, and the other two each get $100.  

  Please show your support for our MHS basketball teams and help them get to the USA!


9-10 Girls State Wide Knock out Netball

A huge congratulations to our 9-10 Girls Netball Team

It was the first time entering the team in the 9-10 competition. A great effort to make the state finals. Coming up against some stiff competition. They had some really good results in the first two minor round robins. Firstly defeating Paralowie Secondary and Pedare College then travelling to Balaklava in wet outdoor conditions to beat Gladstone High School and Thomas Moore College. The girls demonstrated their strength and sportsmanship in coming together and showing resilience to finish a respectable 8th out of an original 63 teams. Well done girls, a great achievement!

From Back Left: Brooke Hoppo (Coach), Isla Mcgraw, Jordyn Cook, Rachel Burgess, Ayla Wright, Breanne Button, Ella Turner.
Front Left Belle Parish, Jayde Visser, Imogen Janicki, Keilah Haldane.

Ms Hoppo
English & Humanities Teacher 


MODBURY HIGH SCHOOL 2023 CAREERS INFORMATION DAY

The Modbury High School Careers Information Day took place for the first time on Friday, August 18th. With a diverse array of invited presenters and the attendance of all our Year 9 to 12 students, along with many of their parents, the Flexi was abuzz with excitement, leading to the day being a resounding success. Parents, students and staff were engaged with representatives from various institutions who offered advice across a wide range of careers. Numerous students expressed gratitude for the event, as it provided clarity regarding their chosen career pathways. We would like to extend a particular note of appreciation to the representatives from the following institutions, who volunteered their time and contributed to the success of the day:

A multitude of representatives commended our students for their exemplary behaviour and inquisitive minds. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to all who attended the event and contributed to the success of the day.

Mrs Stamati
VET\Cross Disciplinary Coordinator


Wear It Purple Day

Recently we celebrated Wear It Purple Day - an opportunity to promote diversity and inclusion. Staff and students were invited to wear a splash of purple to show support for LGBTQIA+ young people. Everyone is welcome and everyone has the right to feel safe, supported and respected in our school community. 


Year 9/10 5 on 5 Day Carnival 

On Wednesday the 23rd August, 2023, Modbury High School entered 4 boys and 1 girls team into the Vista zone 5 on 5 day carnival held at The Lights Recreation Centre. Modbury had two boys teams in division 1, two boys teams in division 2 and the girls team was in a girls division 1 also. 

The day went very well with over 35 students participating in the carnival against various schools across each division from the Northeastern school zone. The Modbury High Boys' Team 1 went through the day undefeated as did the girls team. Team 1 for the boys had a close come from behind victory over Thomas More College in the best matchup of the day, coming from behind 3 with 2 minutes remaining to win by 3, highlighted by some clutch play by Bryce Sanders to take the win which decided 1st place for the day. Team 2 finished in 3rd for Division 1 behind Thomas More College. Teams 3 and 4 which played in Division 2, finished 5th and 6th after a matchup against each other at the end of the day. The girls' team were set early on to finish top after beating Golden Grove’s top team by 3 in the first game of the day and finishing with clear wins over the remainder of the competition. 

Thank you to our scorers from Year 7 and 8 who assisted, and to Mr Matthew Jarrad and Mr Matthew Greenfield who helped coach and manage teams across the day. 


AMC (Pre-Awards) 2023

The morning of August 2nd was filled with anticipation and engagement as 48 of our students took part in the Australian Maths Competition, organized by the renowned Australian Mathematics Trust. This unique competition, known for its intriguing challenges, provided an opportunity for individual exploration in three distinct age divisions: Junior (Yr 7/8), Intermediate (Yr 9/10), and Senior (Yr 11/12). The competition encourages participants to tackle intricate problems and discover the joys (and challenges) of mathematical investigation. 

We eagerly anticipate the upcoming announcement of the recipients of Credit, Distinction, and High Distinction certificates for those who have displayed exceptional mathematical abilities, while we also celebrate the commitment shown by every individual who participated in the Australian Maths Competition. Your involvement speaks to your determination and passion for embracing challenges. 
 
We extend our gratitude to Mrs. Woolford and Ms. Ramsey for their attentive supervision during the event, ensuring a smooth and focused atmosphere that allowed our students to showcase their mathematical skills. 

AMC 2023 - Seniors

MASA Quiz Night Article

In the evening of Wednesday 9 August, six teams of four students competed in the MASA Student Quiz Night at King's Baptist Grammar School, Wynn Vale. With enthusiasm and camaraderie, our students engaged in mind-bending puzzles, math challenges, and general knowledge questions, while challenging themselves alongside fellow students from Pedare Christian College, Thomas More College, and King’s. 

In the Junior division (Yr 7/8) Vivaan Rajpal, Paige Sharpe, Ella Taylor and Gargee Vyas soared, clinching the coveted Best General Knowledge title, showcasing their well-rounded brilliance. Not to be outdone, the Intermediate division (Yr 9/10) team of Rei Cook, Henry Geue, and Mady Sharma secured the ultimate victory as they were crowned Best Overall, seamlessly blending mathematical prowess with impressive general knowledge. 

Among the Senior division (Yr 11/12), victory was almost within grasp as the team of Oscar Elder Lawrence French, Kaiwen Hei and Jak Kastanos seized the Best General Knowledge award. Falling short of the Best Overall title by a mere 1 mark out of 120, their dedication and knowledge shone brightly. 

We extend heartfelt congratulations to all participants whose embraced the challenges of the evening. Your participation enhances our school's name within the community and is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence. Keep up the great work! 
 
As the cheers of victory still echo, remember to relish your well-deserved prize money. 

Mr McKie
Maths/STEM Coordinator


Year 7/8/9 Statewide Knockout Netball 

On Monday 28th August, the Year 7/8/9 Boys Knockout Netball team competed in the Division 1 State finals at Priceline Arena, the State Netball Centre. 

After winning the title last year, the boys were very keen to repeat their success. Our first matchups of the competition were hosted at Modbury High School against Playford International College and Maitland Lutheran School. The Modbury High School boys team gained leads in both matchups early and cruised to clear wins to advance to the State Finals for 2023. 

At Priceline Arena, Modbury were matched up against Aldinga Payinthi College in the first game of the day with a 14-25 result in favour of Modbury High School. Our second matchup on Finals day was an intense matchup with Sacred Heart Middle School that saw Modbury trail at half time. A second half push saw Modbury High School slowly gain a lead halfway through the second half which gave the team the momentum to finish the game in front 25-21. The next matchup was against Blackwood High School. With Blackwood High School also already qualified for the Finals, Modbury was set to play Blackwood twice in a row. The minor round matchup, and then the Final. Modbury rested key players in the minor round matchup, and trailed at half 12-14. The second half saw Blackwood really turn up the heat and they ran out the game 30-14. 

Heading in to the Final, the boys were excited with the goal of repeating last years’ success within reach. Blackwood came out dominant, and very fast in their defensive positions which forced early Modbury turnovers. Quarter time saw Blackwood leading 11-7. Subs made for Modbury at the quarter time break didn’t pan out as expected on the scoreboard with Blackwood extending their lead to 11 at half time of some key steals and excellent shooting. 

Modbury reset their lineup at half time and began to claw back the lead, winning both the 3rd and 4th quarters with some improved defense, better ball protection to reduce turnovers and had momentum the rest of the game. As the fourth quarter began to tick away, the lead became close, with Modbury bringing the lead back down to 3 with a few minutes left. Modbury looked stronger in the second half, and better rested as the game progressed. However, Modbury were unable to capitalise on several shot opportunities near the end of the game, with Blackwood High School finishing the competition as State Champions and Modbury High School finishing in 2nd place. Modbury High School’s 3rd straight State Grand Finals appearance in the 7-9 Knockout Netball is highly positive, and a great representation of our boy’s netball interest and abilities. 

Well done! 

From Left to Right: Amerson Green, Harry Cox, Kruz Wilson, Josh Louend-Robertson, Seb Borges, Cooper Tomaselli, Chase Grant-Allan, Alex Dinedios, Nick Davie, Brock White and Kade Monteleone 

Mr Jarrad
Teacher | Digital Technologies
Basketball Coach


Dear Parents / Caregivers

I hope the start of term 3 finds you well. As we embark on a brand-new term, I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you and especially to our new parents and host families for our international students.

Term 3 brings with it a sense of renewal and enthusiasm. It's a time when our students, teachers, and staff come together to continue shaping our students’ learning experiences. I am excited to share some of the events which have already taken place and a number of upcoming events.

Student Free Day

Our Student Free Day, which took place on the first day of term 3, was organised into two sessions. In our first session teachers, supported by Dr Swati Phatak, dedicated their efforts to the completion of the National Consistency Data collection and the formulation of One Plan for several students. During our second session, under the leadership of Matt Krieg and Lauren Freeth, teachers worked collaboratively to identify challenges and propose possible solutions. This work is intended to further reinforce the establishment of a school culture that fosters the wellbeing of both students and teachers. Consequently, this approach aims to cultivate higher levels of student engagement and academic achievement.

SKI TRIP

On Saturday 30 July, a highly excited group of students boarded a bus bound for the snow fields in Victoria. They spent an unforgettable week learning how to ski, for many of them this marked their very first time on the ski slopes. According to the teachers who accompanied them, despite the challenge of maintaining an upright stance, the students loved every minute of it and had an amazing time.

A heartfelt thank you to Mr Read for organising the trip, and to Mr Bartlett and Ms Thomas for their support in assisting Mr Read with coaching and supervision.

Pedal Prix

On Saturday 6 August, our Pedal Prix students alongside Fast Cats Racing travelled to Tailem Bend where they competed in the 6-hour race. Congratulations to all the students and parents for their involvement and efforts. Well done.

A sincere thank you to Mr Ferguson, Mrs Gibbins, and Mr Gibbins for their unwavering support of the students, without their assistance Pedal Prix would not be possible.

Upcoming Events

Career Expo

We are pleased to announce the return of Career’s Day! After 4 challenging years due to the impact of Covid-19, we are excited to inform you that on Friday 18 August, we will be hosting our Career Expo. The event will commence at 9:30 AM and conclude at 3:00 PM. We extend this invitation to students and parents from Years 9 to 12, who have been thoughtfully allocated specific time slots to attend the expo. Our goal is to provide invaluable insights to students as they contemplate potential career paths.

Please see the flyer attached at the end of the newsletter for more details.

Parent Teacher Interviews/ Subject Selections

We wish to inform you of our upcoming Parent-Teacher Interviews and Subject Selections scheduled for Tuesday 22 August. For students in Years 7-9, the interviews will take the form of student-led conferences. During these conferences, students will have the opportunity to discuss their academic progress, the strategies they have employed for success, areas they identify for improvement, and their envisioned future goals. Our teachers will support students in their reflective discussions. Furthermore, students in this age group will have the pivotal task of selecting their subjects for the 2024 year.

For Year 10 and 11 students, while reflecting on their academic journey will remain significant, the primary focus will be on selecting subjects for the year 2024. Lastly, Year 12 students will engage in comprehensive reflections regarding their progress thus far. With the guidance of their teachers, they will chart the optimal path forward to ensure a successful culmination of their year and the attainment of their highest potential.

We kindly request the presence of all students, accompanied by their parents, during these interviews. We have provided instructions for booking interview slots in an email sent earlier in the term.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in shaping the educational journey of our students.

Ms Costa
Principal


Outstanding & high achievers awards

Each term, the school acknowledges the students who achieve exceptional end-of-term results.

Outstanding Achievement awards are presented to students who obtained the maximum number of A grades for their year level (GPA of 7). The academic achievement of these students was recognised at our Outstanding Achievers Recess in Week 2 this term.

High Achievement awards were presented in the Week 1 Assembly to students who fall into the high achievement band for their year level.

Congratulations once again to these students!

Outstanding Achievers Morning Tea

outstanding achievement

Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10Year 11Year 12
Sibella KastanosLiam HanlinAki SicoyEmily ZhangKahlan MashfordTara Barrett
Payton RichardsonJules SualogJess FreebairnChristopher KastanosJasmin AndrewsNyx Little
Armaan BabwaniDemi SniderBryce SandersAsha DuldigVaughan Stonestreet
Evan ZawadaHolly ManoelOscar ElderSienna Garstka
Gargee VyasCameron GreenHana WongAngelina Hansen
Liezel WongBrianna Mesecke
Danika LowJak Kastanos
Keilah Haldane
Names of students who received Outstanding Achievement certificates.

High Achievement

Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10Year 11Year 12
Benika KaundalVivaan RajpalScarlett TaylorRei CookSarah CrozierYalarasey Sooriyakumar
Eileen ZhangTyler Gaskin-OsborneErika GriffithsMady SharmaAnton KastanosRachel Davies
Jack ClymaAva HuettenrauchSaarakshya SharmaBreanne ButtonLianna LineageMatthew Maletto
Joshua MerrettBrendan KeastPeter McMillanAmber HaywardQuinn DuncanTiffany Taylor
Chelsea GreenRoshani RajkumarIsabelle CoxBelle ParrishJack Counihan-AbbottLauren Edwards
Tiana ClaxtonNigel RabeEmily TotaniJordyn CookMadison BentonJeran Tiong
Kayla MurphyIsabella WrightAriel LimSiba GhamrawiOwen WytheVicki Rowe
Fleur RoweKaitlyn SollisAngelica LizasoSoheil HaidariKaiwen HeLydia Wighton
Rachel WagenerMatthew DoyleTom WhistlerImogen Janicki
Jacob HydePaige SharpeHannah LockJade Kolman
Sandeep KaurSebastian Aponte BustilloLily Grant-AllanImogen McNamara
Brea JijoLiam BairstowLeila SucheMia Ly
Fergus BellHasifa MbatuddeCharli HodsonJasmine Rega
Felix Brotherton-CollinsAmerson GreenAlecia Saldavia
Samantha HewardHannah MerrettCaitlyn Scott
Charli JuhlMika Osborne
Matthew GarstkaIsla McGraw
Alex DinediosKiera Evans
Abi CavenettTori Ashman
Kayla SkurrieCharlotte Bland
Krishea CunananRachel Burgess
Elliot Webster-BrownRania Saitov
Luke Haskard
Cooper Seaton
Louie San Gabriel
Ella Turner
Kai Goulding
Josh Stewart
Elise Harmer

Celebrating Ella Martin's Achievement in the South Australian English Teachers Association Young Writer's Competition

We are thrilled to announce that one of our talented students, Ella Martin, has been selected as a finalist in the esteemed South Australian English Teachers Association Young Writer's competition. This is truly a remarkable accomplishment for both Ella and our school community.

Ella's outstanding entry has impressed the judges, and all finalists' works have been forwarded to the distinguished guest judge, Science Fiction author Sean Williams. We eagerly await the announcement of the winners, which will take place early next month. The Awards Ceremony, where the winners will be celebrated, is scheduled for the 18th of August, 2023.

We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Ella for her exceptional achievement. Being selected as a finalist in this highly regarded competition is a testament to Ella's remarkable talent, creativity, and dedication to the art of writing.

To provide further insight into her impressive piece, I asked Ella to describe the theme and inspiration behind her poem briefly.

We are incredibly proud of Ella's accomplishments and look forward to celebrating her success alongside our school community. Let us continue to foster and encourage the creative endeavours of our students, inspiring them to explore and express their unique voices.

Once again, congratulations to Ella on this remarkable achievement. We eagerly anticipate the final results and celebrate the recognition of her exceptional writing skills.

Poets embark upon a profound artistic journey in creating a poem, weaving together the intricate threads of language, imagery, and emotion to craft a tapestry of beauty and meaning. They carefully select each word and phrase to evoke a specific sensory experience and profound emotions within the reader.

A delicate balance between form and expression lies at the heart of this process. Poets skilfully wield poetic devices such as metaphor, simile, and personification, infusing their verses with layers of symbolism and depth. The careful arrangement of stanzas, lines, and rhythm establishes a unique cadence that resonates with the reader's innermost being.

Furthermore, poets draw inspiration from their own experiences, observations, and reflections on the world around them. They harness the power of observation to capture fleeting moments, painting vivid pictures with their words and allowing readers to glimpse the world through their eyes.

In this creative endeavour, poets also dance with ambiguity and openness. They leave room for interpretation, inviting readers to bring their perspectives and emotions to the poem, forming a unique and personal connection with the verses.

Ultimately, the creation of a poem is a testament to the poet's mastery of language and their ability to distil complex emotions and ideas into a concise and evocative form. It is a testament to their keen perception, sensitivity to the nuances of existence, and unwavering commitment to expressing the ineffable.

Through the alchemy of words, poets create a realm where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, emotions are intensified, and the reader is transported to a realm of heightened beauty and profound insight. The creation of a poem is an act of artistic brilliance that enriches the human experience and reminds us of the power of language to touch our souls.

A chill enters the air,

replacing the once warm skies.

Creatures settle down in their burrows,

making their beds and shutting their eyes.

Scarce are the sounds of the forest,

the snowflakes softly settling on the ground.

They fall from the sky, from way up high

and do nothing but dance in their minute-long lives.

Gone are the soft flowing streams and the fiery auburn leaves,

making way for a deep frost.

Take care when venturing these white wicked woods,

for many a poor souls have been lost.

Lost to the labyrinth of ice and snow

and the wayward tricks they play on the mind.

Winter is a cold-blooded queen,

she is beautiful as she is bitter.

And should the day come for her to give up her crown,

giving it away to the beginnings of new life,

she will go with a smile and bid her farewells,

lying in wait and sharpening her knife.

by Ella Martin

Mrs Palmer
English/EALD Coordinator



SATAC

On Monday, August 7th, our Year 12 students attended a highly informative online SATAC (South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre) information session, setting the scene for those who will be beginning their university or TAFE journey in 2024 and beyond. This session covered the SATAC application process, how the university aggregate and ATAR work, the adjustment factor schemes (‘bonus points’), scaling, and more. Excitingly, SATAC applications opened this same day and will close on September 30th. Following this date, the application fee will increase from $60.00 to $210.00, therefore, we highly encourage timely applications and payment. If students have any questions or require further support with the application process, all information can be found on the SATAC website, or students can see Ms. O’Brien-Dent or Mrs. Woolford. Parents and students are encouraged to mark their calendars for key dates and stay informed through the SATAC website. The presentation provided crucial insights, empowering our senior students to navigate the tertiary admissions process confidently. 

Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader


Yearbooks

If you still want to buy 2022 yearbook there is still some left! But be quick only few stock left!
You can now order 2023 yearbook! It will have all Modbury High School Events from this year, including year 12 formal and the basketball trip to USA! Call our finance office and order one today!


Choir Workshop

On Friday the 4th of August, the Modbury High School choir and rock band travelled to Balaklava, to participate in the Balaklava Eisteddfod. Our rock band enjoyed the experience of watching rock bands from other schools, and our school choir did a fantastic job in the "Choir Workshop" section of the Eisteddfod. They gained valuable performance experience, as well as some feedback from one of the state's most talented choral directors and singers, Jonathan Bligh. The Music department is very proud of our students, and we hope to be back again next year with even more students participating. 

Ms Geszner
Music, English and Humanities Teacher


Subject Selection and Student Led Conferences – August 22nd

All students in years 7 – 12 will be engaging in Student-led conferences or subject selection interviews, letters for both of these have been sent home with more detailed information.

The booking portal on Daymap is now open and it is important that all parents book a 15 minute interview time in order for these meetings to occur, this is a valuable opportunity for students to engage in course selection and personal reflection.

Please note, there is only one booking per student.

All classes will be cancelled on this day however all students are required to attend their interviews, a staff member will be on duty in the Learning Centre from 9am for any students who are not able to stay home however students will be expected to continue with any previously set work as there will be no formalised learning programmes on this day.

The following outlines the process for parent bookings;

Mrs Brown
Deputy Principal


Wear it purple day

Wear a splash of PURPLE on Friday 25th August to show support for and celebrate LGBTQIA+ young people and diversity in our community! 

*This is not a casual day – students may add purple socks, and other purple accessories to their uniform. 

Ms Botten
Student Counsellor


Year 9 Student Conference Excursion

On Friday June 16th year 9 Modbury High school Spanish students went on an excursion to the Flinders University campus in Victoria Square (Tarntanyangga). The Spanish Teachers Association of SA (STASA) had organised a senior Spanish conference for student in years 9-12. Students from MHS were excited to attend the all-day language immersive event. Students met at school early, and we caught the bus into the city. We then walked to the Flinders University campus and were divided into our teams for the day. The theme for this year’s conference was “por un mundo major” (a better world) and the focus was on the environment and sustainability. Students participated in their mixed groups to identify the location of different geological features in South and Central America. Students spent all day working in Spanish on puzzles, sentences and developing problem-solving skills in their groups. On the way back students said the event was tiring, but they loved going on excursion. They have asked me repeatedly when the next excursion will be! Thank you to Mr Vu for also attending.

"The Spanish conference was a great learning opportunity. We were able to mingle with other students and native Spanish speakers. The students were split up into different groups, all named after Spanish speaking regions. We worked with our group to solve puzzles, we tried native Spanish desserts, and danced along with traditional songs. It was a great learning opportunity to get out out of class and into the real world.'"
- Jess Freebairn
Year 9 Spanish student

Ms Muggletion
Spanish and English Teacher


Modbury HS/Hallet Cove Ski Trip 2023

The 2023 Ski Trip was an epic week filled with snowboarding, skiing and lots of excitement! Modbury High took twenty-one Year 9 to Year 12s to Mount Hotham, Victoria during Week 2, along with our partner school Hallet Cove. Students had the opportunity to participate in a 1.5 hour ski/board lesson each day, before hitting the slopes after lunch to practice their skills. It was incredible to see the effort and resilience of our students, who despite some big stacks, got right back up and made the most of the trip. Wednesday night, the students were lucky enough to go night skiing, accompanied by a bright array of fireworks to kick off the night. The weather for the trip was impeccable, with Hotham showcasing some of the clearest blue skies over the snow-capped mountains.

Overall the trip was a resounding success. Many thanks to Mr. Read and Mr. Bartlett for making this trip possible. Stay tuned for some impressive GoPro footage of our students on the slopes!

Ms Thomas
HASS Coordinator/English Teacher


Pedal Prix – Tailem Bend-2.

On Saturday 5th August five teams from Modbury High - Cheetah, Pink Panther, Lynx, Puma and Serval competed in the Tailem Bend 8 hour Pedal Prix race. Many students met at school at 5:50 am and travelled on the bus, supplied by Adelaide Coachlines, leaving at 6:00am and arrived at our pits at 7:45 am. This was possible due to Fast Cats Racing people who took the trikes down on Friday afternoon to complete scrutineering and prepare for the race. This support was invaluable.

At the race track we finished preparing for the race. At 9.00am it started. All of our trikes performed quite well only having a couple issues with chains coming off. of rollovers. The rain came in 3 small showers which made the track slippery and a few rollovers and accidents happened as a result. The students all performed well even though some of the teams were small in size.

At 5.00 pm the race finished with some good results. All the trikes finished well with Pink Panther finishing in its category in second place and Lynx coming fifth, There were some new riders who were unsure about what racing required but they all rode well. The new riders improved as their ride progressed and those that had a second ride, showed they were learning and progressing. This holds us in good stead for the 24 hour race at Murray Bridge on the 16th & 17th September.

We need to thank our supporters and sponsors – Fast Cats Racing for all their work and tireless support. Adelaide Coachlines through their sponsorship which really helps with our travel and costs. Also all the parents and volunteers who travelled to Tailem Bend to help the event be a success.

Mr Ferguson
Tech Studies & Home Ec. Coordinator


Stage 1 Literary Studies: Immersing Ourselves in the Theatrics of Shakespeare's Hamlet

Greetings, fellow thespians!

Throughout this term, my Stage 1 Literary Studies class has been on a dedicated journey into the realm of Danish royalty, intricate plots, and intense emotions. Our exploration of the power of acting has allowed us to truly grasp the depths of Shakespeare's remarkable play, Hamlet. With its rich language, complex characters, and intricate themes, Hamlet has offered our students an enthralling literary experience.

As our students delved into the text, they unearthed themes of revenge, madness, mortality, and the complexities of human nature. Through close readings, discussions, and collaborative activities, they peeled back the layers of Shakespeare's prose and profoundly understood the multifaceted characters and their motivations.

A standout feature of this term's studies was the integration of acting to authentically capture the essence of Hamlet. My students gained unique insights into the play's themes and intricacies by stepping into the characters' shoes and embodying their emotions.

Through in-class performances and interactive workshops, our students directly experienced Hamlet's emotional turmoil, Claudius's cunning, Horatio's loyalty, and Ophelia's tragedy. This hands-on approach allowed them to engage with the text on a personal level, bringing to life the emotions and dilemmas faced by the characters.

By immersing themselves in the characters' emotions, students developed a strong sense of empathy, enabling them to appreciate their actions and decisions from a compassionate perspective. Acting out scenes encouraged students to analyse the text and distinctions of body language, tone, and gestures, leading to a profound understanding of character motivations and relationships. Collaborative learning enriched their experience as they shared interpretations, perspectives, and creative choices, deepening their grasp of the play. Finally, engaging in dramatic activities boosted students' confidence in public speaking and expressing their ideas, which is invaluable for academic and personal growth skills.

As we conclude our exploration of Hamlet, my students will carry their newfound insights and skills forward on their literary studies journey. The experiences gained through this immersive approach will undoubtedly contribute to their holistic development as critical thinkers, empathetic individuals, and confident communicators.

Until our next endeavour, keep reading, exploring, and embracing the enchantment of literature!

Mrs Palmer
English/EALD Coordinator



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