Monday 28 April - Student Free Day
Tuesday 29 April - Term 2 recommences
Monday 5 May - Outstanding Achievers Assembly
Thursday 15 May - Parent Teacher Interviews
Monday 19 - Thursday 22 May - Dental for schools
Monday 9 June - Public Holidays
Friday 4 July - Term 2 concludes
To download the calendar for Term 2, Click here
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of term 1. It has certainly been a very busy and productive term.
Teaching and Learning
Throughout this term, our teachers have actively engaged in exploring new elements of our pedagogical framework to further support the development of effective learners. Recognising the power of collaborative learning, teaching teams used their Professional Learning Team (PLT) time to dive into current educational research, read thought-provoking articles, and engage in meaningful discussions. These conversations led to shared understandings and informed decisions about strategies that best support student growth. This reflective and intentional approach continues to strengthen our collective practice and ensures our learners are at the heart of everything we do.
Year 12 Formal
On Friday, March 21, our Year 12 students celebrated their formal—and what a fantastic evening it was! Students looked absolutely spectacular in their outfits, showcasing style, confidence, and elegance. The night was filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of dancing, as students enjoyed spending time with friends and creating lasting memories. It was a wonderful celebration of their final year, and a night to remember for all who attended.
A very big thank you to Ms O'Brien-Dent and the Student Formal Committee for all their planning and organisation of this very significant event for our Year 12 students.
Pedal Prix
The recent Pedal Prix competition held in Mount Gambier was a great success, with enthusiastic feedback from both students and staff who attended. Many highlighted how much fun they had and the positive experience of being part of the event. A big thank you to Jess Hanlin for all the planning and organisation that ensured the smooth running of the event. We also extend our sincere thanks to Iain Price who generously volunteered their time to attend and supervise students. As always, the support of Fast Cats racing ensured that everything ran like clockwork. A very big thank you to everyone involved!
David Kschammer
On Thursday 11 April we farewelled and celebrated an exceptional educator, and leader, Mr David Kschammer —as he retires after an incredible 45 years of service in public education.
David’s journey began in 1980 in the country, where he took on contract teaching roles in schools such as Penola and Port Lincoln. His passion for teaching and his deep commitment to student learning soon led him to a permanent position at Norwood Morialta High School, where he began shaping the minds and futures of countless students. It was there that his leadership journey also took root, starting as Science Coordinator.
In 2002, David transferred to Modbury High School, where he would spend the next 22 years making an extraordinary impact. Over the years, he took on several key roles—including Assistant Principal and, later, Deputy Principal. His contribution to our school community has been nothing short of outstanding.
On behalf of the entire school community, we wish Mr Kschammer a happy retirement filled with joy, relaxation and quality time spent with his family. He will be deeply missed by all his colleagues and students.
Congratulations and all the very best for your retirement.
Congratulations Gargee Vyas
Congratulations to Gargee for being awarded the prestigious Virtual War Memorial Excellence Award for her outstanding written biography of CARTER, Stanley Russell—a soldier who was injured during the war. Her work is one of only 18 biographies selected from students across the state, a remarkable achievement that reflects both her dedication and skill.
The biography was completed as part of a Year 9 History assignment, which encourages students to develop empathy for fallen World War I soldiers and their families, while gaining a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by others in times of conflict. Our school community is incredibly proud of Gargee and the thoughtful, high-quality work she produced. A big thank you to both her 2024 History teacher, Pippa Sheridan, and the wider team of Year 9 Humanities teachers for their passion and commitment to our students.
Modbury High School looks forward to continuing our partnership with the VWMA to ensure that all servicemen and servicewomen
Term 1 School Holidays
Wishing you all a wonderful and safe break and we will see you next term. School recommences Tuesday 29th May.
Joanne Costa
Principal
Last year, Purruna Kuu Café was lucky enough to be sponsored by Ona Coffee. Rhys Woods, Account Manager at Ona Coffee and also a coffee award winner, flew in from Melbourne this week to speak to some of our Café Volunteers and Stage 2 Business Innovation students. Rhys shared with the students the process used to develop coffee beans and the many people and communities who contribute to the production. The end of the presentation saw Rhys demonstrate his excellent barista skills and gave the students insight into the best way to work with Ona coffee beans.
Rhys spoke to the students about the importance of a team to make a team successful. Everyone in the business brings their strength, or ‘power’ as Rhys referred to it, to make an effective business that benefits many. Rhys didn’t go to Uni or TAFE but found his passion and strength in the coffee industry and it has seen him travel the world and impact many people’s lives for the better. Ona Coffee prides itself on benefiting and connecting communities and that is definitely something he strongly represented by coming out to Modbury High School. We are very proud of our partnership with them and appreciative of the time Rhys took to visit.
Ms Freeth
Tailored Learning and Year 9/10 Leader
This term, our Year 7 Humanities students have been learning about Ancient Greece and the important role artefacts play in understanding history. They explored what an artefact is and how it helps us uncover details about the past.
As part of the learning, students were asked to choose an Ancient Greek artefact, researched its origins and significance, and then recreated it using clay. This hands-on activity not only expanded their knowledge of the ancient world but also gave them a chance to get creative and show off their artistic skills.
It was great to see the enthusiasm and effort students put into their work. Well done to all our Year 7s for their impressive creations!
Ms Brooke Hoppo
English, Humanities and Entrepreneurship Teacher
On Wednesday 2nd April I took a group of SVC leaders to the GRIP leadership conference at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The conference was an opportunity for aspiring leaders to network with like minded students while learning about what it means to be a leader. Students were given strategies and shared ideas about how they can make their school a better place, and build a positive culture through student driven initiatives and events.
Here’s what the kids had to say:
“The Leadership conference gave me so much information about how to be a young leader at school. It taught us how to be a good role model to the students around us.” - Payton Richards.
“I thought the experience was very insightful, as it provided a lot of information as to how I can make a change in Modbury High School, from the smallest changes, to the changes that feel impossible” - Tyler Gaskin-Osbourne
“The conference was a fun learning experience and I learnt a bunch about being a leader” - Lahnee Carter
Mr Rob Yeend
Assistant Principal - Years 7/8 and Learning Environment
Modbury High School has some fantastic supports in place for our students and families. SchoolTV is the latest resource our community can access for FREE.
Because parenting doesn't come with instructions, SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource implemented at our school to help support you in the challenges of modern-day parenting relating to youth mental health and wellbeing. Parenting is a learning journey and SchoolTV supports families by providing credible information from trusted sources with practical strategies to help alleviate some of the challenges being faced by young people today.
Watch video interviews with leading wellbeing specialists and browse a library of resources. Each topic is accompanied by factsheets, podcasts, books, articles, apps and other videos.
This award-winning resource helps families build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It will assist you in starting those conversations on topics that can sometimes be awkward or difficult to tackle.
Parents and caregivers are the greatest influence on a young person's life and SchoolTV focuses on empowering confident parenting.
You can access SchoolTV on your phone or on a computer, here is the link;
https://modburyhs.sa.schooltv.me
To help us better understand the needs of our community there is a short survey parents and caregivers can fill out, details are below.
The Wellbeing Barometer survey is an invaluable tool for schools, providing critical insights into the mental health and wellbeing of young people. This annual survey identifies areas of concern, highlights resilience and adaptability in students, and emphasises the importance of preventative strategies to promote positive outcomes.
The survey is part of an ongoing longitudinal study, and we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey for each of your children. Responses remain anonymous and should be based on your observations over the last 12 months. By working together, we can reduce the long-term impact of mental illness and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our young people for a brighter future.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report:
https://modburyhs.sa.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2025-au
On March 29th, our Pedal Prix teams raced to success at the Mount Gambier round of the AIPP Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Super Series — and what a race it was with a total of 89 trike teams on the track!
All four of our dedicated teams competed fiercely against 35 school teams from South Australia and Victoria, showing incredible teamwork and determination.
After 8 hours of high-speed racing and pit stops, and the occasional roll-over, the results were in:
Our senior school trike, Cheetah secured a solid 6th place after 120 laps (35th overall) and some crashes and mechanical issues – Just 2 laps behind 4th place.
Our middle school trike, Lynx raced into 5th after 101 laps (63rd overall) – Just 2 laps behind 3rd place, and our all-female trike, Pink Panter, stormed the track with an impressive 3rd place finish in sub-category with 88 laps, landing a spot on the podium!
Our developmental trike, Puma, finished 91 laps for 15th in category (74th overall).
All up, our Modbury High School teams rode an impressive 400 laps of the 2.4 km track, totalling a massive 960 km over the 8-hour race.
We had many parents taking to the track racing with community FCR teams and at times racing against their children. Two parents finishing 1st in Masters category, one of which achieving the fastest lap in the category. We’re set to have even more parents riding with their children at upcoming races this year.
The Mount Gambier race is always a true test of endurance and stamina, and our students rose to the occasion. A huge congratulations to all the riders, pit crew members, Team Managers, support staff and support from Fast Cats Racing, who made this event a success. We’re now looking ahead to the next race in the series – the 6-hour race at The Bend Motorsport Park in Tailem Bend. If Mount Gambier is anything to go by, exciting things are on the horizon for all our teams!
Parent Teacher interviews will be held on Thursday 15th May. There will be no classes running, however, students are expected to attend their interviews in school uniform. Bookings for interviews are now open on Daymap. Please ensure you sign in the parent/carers daymap to book as it is not available from Students Daymap.
Wellbeing and Behaviour Workshops are also available, please follow the link to book in https://forms.office.com/r/6srN6nLvCc
Term 1 has been a busy time in the Music Building, the performance year commencing with the Year 12 Music class performing the National Anthem for the Celebration and Achievement Assembly in Week 3.
Working hard in preparation for their trip Generations in Jazz in early May, the Big Band performed at the SVC Induction Assembly, and the Brass Ensemble kicked off the Lunchtime Concert Series with their performance in Week 10. The Concert Band, Vocal Ensemble, Rock Band, and Woodwind Ensemble are looking forward to their lunchtime concert performances in Term 2.
Year10 singer/songwriter/guitarist Grace Grindle wowed audiences with impressive performances in the youth performance collaboration, “Bloom”, at this year’s Adelaide Fringe.
Throughout the term the Year 9, 10 and 11 Music students have refined skills in performance and composition, while Year 8 students have begun their musical journey in Modbury High School’s curricular concert band program. Year 7 students will have their own musical experience throughout 2025, applying their musical knowledge to the bucket drums and keyboards.
Modbury High School boasts an impressive number of students enrolled in Instrumental Music lessons. This year more than 110 students are accessing weekly tuition with our nine instrumental specialists.
We look forward to sharing the hard work of all involved at the Semester 1 Music concert in Term 4.
Kate Mawson
Music Teacher
The 2025 Year 12 Formal Committee worked hard to produce an unforgettable night for the Year 12 cohort and their teachers. Holding the Formal in Term 1 was a new experience this year, but daylight savings and warmer weather made for a beautiful evening.
The night began with canapés by the lake at Glen Ewin Estate, followed by a lovely meal, stunning decorations for the enchanted garden theme, the much-anticipated awards, and a buzzing dance floor. Students also enjoyed capturing memories at the film photo booth.
A huge thank you to Glen Ewin Estate, all of the outstanding vendors, the Formal Committee, and the staff helpers, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Once again, feedback from the Glen Ewin staff was extremely positive, they commented on the positive, respectful behaviour of our Year 12 students. You did MHS proud!
Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader
www.dentalforschools.com.au/registration
Monday 17th March - Harmony Week
Friday 21st March - Formal
Wednesday 26th March - Governing Council 6:30pm
Saturday 29th March - Pedal Prix Mount Gambier Race
Friday 11th April - End of Term 1, Term 1 Reports issued on Daymap
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
As we reach the midpoint of the term, it is wonderful to reflect on the many achievements and successes of our school community.
Our teachers and students have continued to demonstrate their commitment to learning, as evidenced by the outstanding quality of work produced. It is always rewarding to see students engaged, striving for excellence, and taking pride in their achievements.
Open Night
One of the highlights of the term so far has been our Open Night, which was a resounding success. We were delighted to welcome many prospective parents who had the opportunity to see firsthand what makes our school such a vibrant and dynamic learning environment. A special mention goes to the more than 100 students who volunteered as tour guides or helped run stations showcasing each learning area. Their enthusiasm and willingness to represent the school were truly commendable. Of course, an event of this scale would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our staff. A heartfelt thank you to all involved, especially Mr Yeend, who had overall responsibility for the planning and organisation.
Governing Council Annual General Meeting
Governing Council's Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday 12th February. It was pleasing to see so many new parents in attendance. We started the meeting with the presentation of the annual report followed by the report shared by Chairmen, Martin Crabb. Nominations and voting for members to join the Governing Council were held. My congratulations to the following people in joining the Governing Council and look forward working with you all throughout the year.
Martin Crabb - Chairperson
Susannah Dodd - Vice Chair
Pauline Huettenrauch - Policies and Uniform Chair
Jonathan Carroll - Canteen Chair
Matt Green - Finance Chair
Chanel Wong - Secretary
Ben Connolly
Kristy Jolly
Sharon Willis
Hayley Siddons
Nicole Efthymiou
Carolyn Minney
Sports Day
Another major event on our calendar was Sports Day, held on Friday, 8 March. Once again, it was a fantastic day filled with energy, teamwork, and school spirit. Students had a great time competing in both athletic and homegroup events, making it a memorable occasion for all. Congratulations to Gilmore, who, despite strong competition, displayed incredible determination to maintain their top position, proving once again that they remain undefeated!
A huge thank you to all students and staff for their enthusiasm and participation, as well as to the parents who came along to support their children. A special thank you to our Health and Physical Education (HPE) Coordinator, Tom Bartlett, for his leadership in planning and organising the event, and to the HPE teachers for their invaluable support in ensuring everything ran smoothly.
As we continue through the term, we look forward to more exciting opportunities for learning, growth, and celebration. Thank you for your ongoing support in making our school a place where students thrive.
Ms Joanne Costa
Principal
Sports Day 2025: A Celebration of Team Spirit and Athletic Excellence
On Friday, 11 March, Modbury High School held its annual Sports Day, a highlight of the school calendar. Once again, the four houses—Gilmore (Yellow), Wright (Red), Lawson (Blue), and Thiele (Green)—competed for the prestigious Dean Stringer House Shield, an award that honours Dean’s lasting contribution to the Modbury High School community.
The day began with incredible energy, as students and staff arrived early to set up, with many on-site before sunrise. The competition kicked off at 7:30 am with field events, hurdles, and the 1500m race. By 9:00am, the official welcome was delivered by Mr. Bartlett, setting the stage for an action-packed day.
A much-loved tradition, the Modbury High School Torch Relay, was a spectacular start to the opening ceremony. The Year 12 House Captains, proudly wearing their team colours, carried an Olympic-style torch around the track before last year’s champions, Gilmore, symbolically lit the cauldron.
Throughout the event, Mr. Apostolou’s lively announcements captured the strong competition and sportsmanship on display. The crowd was treated to thrilling races, standout performances, and impressive new records. A major highlight was the inaugural ‘Modbury Gift’, which saw the school’s nine fastest athletes compete in front of a packed audience, with Belle Parish claiming the grand prize.
The Staff vs. House Captains relay was another standout moment, with Ms. Nelligan, Mr. Prince, Ms. Hoppo, and Mr. Harrap securing yet another staff victory. Meanwhile, the USA Basketball Trip fundraiser kept everyone well-fed with a delicious BBQ and refreshments, thanks to the efforts of dedicated parents and students.
In a fiercely competitive battle, Gilmore proved dominant once again, securing the Dean Stringer House Shield, making it their sixth victory in a row. Lawson put up a strong fight to claim second place, followed by Wright only 1 point behind in third.
Several new records were set throughout the day, showcasing the outstanding performances of our athletes. A full list of record-breaking achievements can be found below.
This year also marked the introduction of the Values Awards, recognising students who exemplified our school’s core values throughout the day. Congratulations to our well-deserved winners:
· Ali Almadhoun – Most Passionate
· Maddie Carter – Most United
· Kaleb Wilson – Most Accountable
Well done to all recipients for demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship and commitment!
A huge thank you goes to the PE team for their outstanding support and organisation and to all staff, students, and volunteers who made the day such a success. Congratulations to all our champions, and we now look forward to taking our strongest team to the upcoming Vista and SSSA Athletics Carnivals—based on the performances we saw, we can’t wait to see what they achieve!
Gilmore | Lawson | Wright | Thiele | |
TOTAL | 1006 | 965 | 964 | 813 |
Year 7 | 706 |
Year 8 | 805 |
Year 9 | 911 |
Year 10 | 10A5 |
Year 11 | 1116 |
Year 12 | 12F2 |
Year 7 | 701 |
Year 8 | 814 |
Year 9 | 910 |
Year 10 | 10H1 |
Year 11 | 1115 |
Year 12 | 12F2 |
Year | Name | Event | Record |
7 Girls | Brooklyn Turley | Discus | 19.19m |
7 Boys | Beau Thompson | Discus | 19.79m |
9 Boys | Blake Saffin | 400m | 59.92s |
10 Boys | Liam Bairstow | 800m | 2.21min |
Mr Tom Bartlett
HPE Coordinator
Student Sign in and out
If a student needs to sign in late or sign out early, please ensure a note is provided. We encourage student's to provide a note over messaging teachers as this allows all members of staff to be aware what is happening. We thank you for your cooperation.
Carpark Safety
We would like to remind everyone that drop off and collection points are from either Pompoota Rd gates or Australia Ave gates, please do not drive through the school or park in the visitor car park, these measures are in place to ensure the safety of all students.
Reminder Fees are now overdue. Invoices have been sent out via email.
Are you ready to get outdoors and gain some valuable hands-on experience? We have an exciting opportunity for two enthusiastic students to work in garden maintenance!
1. Adelaide University North Terrace Campus: Help with grounds and garden maintenance.
2. Adelaide University North Adelaide Sports Field: Assist with turf and sports field upkeep.
In these roles, you’ll be involved in maintaining gardens, pruning, learning to operate a ride-on mower, turf management, cleaning, and more. Please note that you will need to organise your own transport to and from these locations.
If you’re passionate about the outdoors and eager to develop new skills, don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Email me directly at Nick.Apostolou731@schools.sa.edu.au with your cover letter / Resume. Make sure to include details of your interests, any community service, part-time or casual work, sports, and hobbies.
Seize the opportunity and step into this exciting opportunity!
ATT Yr 10,11,12 Students
REACH OUT TO MR APOSTOLOU or the DETAILS BELOW TO APPLY
Navy placements are hard to create in SA and for this reason DWEP SA Collaborate with DWEP VIC to create an overnight placement at HMAS Cerberus for students interested in Navy.
Last year eight students from SA joined 32 other students for this opportunity and first-hand look at life in the Navy and where Navy recruit training takes place.
Please find link here Introduction to Navy: HMAS Cerberus (Overnight Placement) (July) and PDF is attached.
Please advise students, parents and caregivers that travel to MELB Airport is at own cost, however once there DWEP will be meeting students at MELB Airport on the Monday.
We chaperone students at the Airport, we transfer then to HMAS Cerberus.
All accommodation and meals are provided whilst students are at HMAS Cerberus. We transfer students back to MELB airport for their journey home. We hope that by running it in late July in 2025 it provides opportunity for families to plan and also for schools to assist where possible.
If students are interested in Navy careers, I would encourage them to apply as this really is one of the most interesting placements with the Navy Recruit School, and Survival at Sea program.
The bonds that students from three different states formed last year was great to see and they were all signing their names on DWEP tee shirts at Melbourne Airport on the last day.
Are you a local business ready to make a difference? Our Year 10 students are set to gain real-world insights as part of the SACE subject, Exploring Identities and Futures, from 16th to 20th June 2025. We’re inviting local employers to offer work experience placements that provide:
By welcoming our students, you not only nurture future talent but also strengthen community ties and potentially secure tomorrow’s recruitment opportunities.
Interested in making a lasting impact? Contact our Work Experience Coordinator, Nick Apostolou, at Nick.Apostolou731@schools.sa.edu.au.
Join us and help shape the professionals of tomorrow!
Mr Nick Apostolou
Teacher | Work Experience Coordinator
Nick.Apostolou731@schools.sa.edu.au
On Thursday 27th of March we held our annual open night. A night to showcase all the amazing opportunities that Modbury High School has to offer our community. The evening started with a Principals address with by approximately 200 people in attendance. It was really impressive to have over 100 students volunteering on the night either as SVC tour guides, as well as helpers in the learning area displays.
The students did an amazing job as tour guides and in speaking with families as they toured the school. The basketball academy students worked in hot conditions to finalise a spot in tryouts for the upcoming America trip.
It was a great atmosphere throughout the school as families made their way around, taking in the smells of fresh baked cookies in Home Ec, and watching the pedal prix team race around the quad with the sounds of the big band coming form the Auditorium. In the year 7 building there was a buzz of activity with several learning areas vying for best display, with year 12 solo artists providing the background music.
If you missed out on the open night, please feel free to get in touch and book your place on one of the upcoming school tours which are run throughout the year.
Mr Rob Yeend
Assistant Principal - Learning Environment
Chloe Dosiak's year 12 Design practical showcases a variety of graphic design and merchandise for a music festival, has been selected for the 2025 SACE ART SHOW.
This annual event recognises the creative talents of some of South Australia's finest young artists and designers and SACE Art Show 2025 Award winners. The exhibition includes painting, drawing, sculpture, garment design and multimedia.
To see Chloe's art work in person see below where to go.
2025 SACE Art Show
18 March - 10 April
Monday to Friday 9 am - 4 pm
Saturdays 10 am – 3 pm
Location: Light Square Gallery, Adelaide College of the Arts
39 Light Square, Adelaide
Visit SACE website for a full list of selected artists and booking details.
Student Voice Council is an important part of the Modbury High School community. This year we have 67 students who make up the SVC, within that are 3 executive members for each year level. SVC gives 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.
In week 9 we will be holding a formal assembly to introduce our SVC members and they will address the assembly informing their peers as to the projects and goals they have set for the year. It is a privilege and very exciting to work with a group of passionate and united students with the drive and enthusiasm to make MHS a better place for all students.
Mr Rob Yeend
Assistant Principal - Learning Environment
Staff at MHS do an amazing job, going above and beyond. If you like to let them know, whether it be a teacher, SSO (Support Staff) or a leader, scan the QR Code, or follow the link to fill out the form for our 'Community Shout Out'.
The 2025 Pedal Prix season has begun with great momentum, featuring an impressive six trikes competing at a recent Fast Cats Racing Velodrome event. It was an incredible day, with both seasoned and new riders taking to the track, showcasing their skills across six heats. The event also included a thrilling Mini Pedal Prix race, an intense Snapdragon elimination race, and concluded with three exciting race finals.
Our results from the Velodrome event were as follows:
Mini Pedal Prix Race – Middle School 1st place to team Lynx and Senior Secondary 1st place to team Cheetah.
Snapdragon (elimination race) – All female 1st place to team Pink Panther.
Division 3 Handicap – 1st place to team Lynx and 2nd place to Ocelot.
Division 2 Handicap – 1st place to team Caracal.
We thank Fast Cats Racing for hosting a fantastic event and all of our amazing volunteers that make these events possible!
As we gear up for our upcoming 8-hour endurance race in Mount Gambier at McNamara Park, we are actively looking for more female riders to join our competitive team. If you're interested, please reach out to Jess Hanlin via Daymap or email at Jess.Hanlin802@schools.sa.edu.au.
With 47 students from Years 7-12 representing Modbury High School’s Pedal Prix program, we are set for an exciting and competitive season ahead. Stay tuned for more updates as we race toward victory!
City of Tea Tree Gully council wants to bring a fresh new look to the Golden Fields skate park, and we want local young people’s input! Work with artist Sam Brooks to sketch your vision and help shape the final mural.
Whether you skate, ride, or just love street art, this is your chance to be part of something creative.
Workshop details:
Date: Friday 21 March
Time: 4pm – 6pm
Location: Golden Fields skate park
What to bring;
See you there!
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; Gilmore (Yellow), Wright (Red), Thiele (Green) and Lawson (Blue) are competing for the Dean Stringer Shield, won last year by Gilmore. Students are asked to show wholehearted support for their house by dressing in their house colour and participating in at least three events from the many activities available.
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.
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.
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/athletic singlet/shorts) in their house colour.
BUSES
Arrangements have been made for buses to depart from the school at 2:10pm on Friday, 7 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 attached.
THE SCHOOL WILL BE LOCKED EXCEPT FOR THE ENTRANCE TO THE FOYER.
2024 | Gilmore | 2016 | Wright | |
2023 | Gilmore | 2015 | Thiele | |
2022 | Gilmore | 2014 | Wright | |
2021 | Gilmore | 2013 | Thiele | |
2020 | Gilmore | 2012 | Wright | |
2019 | Lawson | 2011 | Thiele | |
2018 | Gilmore | 2010 | Thiele | |
2017 | Gilmore | 2009 | Thiele |
BBQ FUNDRAISER
Purchase from the BBQ to support our USA Basketball Trip.
FOOD/DRINK TRUCKS
A range of food and drinks will be available onsite.
CANTEEN
The canteen will be CLOSED on Sports Day
Congratulations to the following students who have been elected as Colour Captains and Vice Captains.
They will have a key role in the running of a successful Sports Day.
Captains | Vice Captains |
Chris Kastanos | Nethula Dissanayake |
Katelyn Fraser | Ella Turner |
Captains | Vice Captains |
Jed De Koning | Michael Van Der Hoek |
Imogen Janicki | Alecia Saldavia |
Captains | Vice Captains |
Ricky Ditria | Cooper Mugford |
Regan Carter | Emily Habgood |
Captains | Vice Captains |
Omar Atieh | Jaiden Lehman |
Belle Parish | Cara Tricker |
To download the program of events click here.
To download the whole document including program of events click here.
Tom Bartlett
HPE Coordinator
Term 1 2025
Tuesday 18 February- Photo day
Wednesday 19 February - Governing Council Meeting
Thursday 19 February - Photo day Catch up
Thursday 27 February - Open Evening
Monday 3 March - Sports Day Heats
Tuesday 4 March - Fun Run
Friday 7 March - Sports Day
Monday 10 March - Public Holiday
Friday 21 March - Formal
A Fantastic Start to the Year!
What an incredible start to the school year! From day one, our students have shown a fantastic attitude and amazing behaviour, setting the stage for a positive and successful year ahead. Even though it’s still early in the term, we’re already seeing students embracing our school values—being United, Passionate, and Accountable—in the way they support each other, engage in their learning, and take responsibility for their growth. It’s been great to see such a strong sense of school spirit from the very start!
Year 7 Incursion: Making Connections
Our Year 7 students kicked off their high school journey with some exciting incursion activities designed to help them get to know one another and build positive relationships. These hands-on sessions encouraged teamwork, communication, and confidence, helping everyone feel welcome and settled in their new school environment. It’s been fantastic to see friendships forming and students embracing this new chapter with enthusiasm!
Year 12 Retreat: Setting Up for Success
Meanwhile, our Year 12 students had the opportunity to take part in the annual Year 12 Retreat at Victor Harbor—a valuable experience designed to help them prepare for their final year of high school. Across the retreat, Year 12 teachers and special guest speaker, Olivia Savvas MP, ran workshops focused on essential skills like study techniques, managing stress, and setting goals.
Beyond the workshops, the retreat was also a great chance for students to connect with their peers and teachers in a different setting. Building strong relationships is such an important part of this final school year, and the feedback from students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re looking forward to seeing our Year 12s take on the year with confidence and focus!
Parent Information Evenings
Over the past three weeks we have held our Parent Information Evenings for all year levels, providing families with the opportunity to hear from year-level leaders and meet their child’s homegroup teacher. These sessions were a valuable way to share important information and strengthen the partnership between home and school. We sincerely thank the parents who took time out of their busy schedules to attend and engage with us. A special thank you also goes to our dedicated staff for their time, commitment, and efforts in fostering positive connections with families.
Year 12 Achievement Celebration
We were delighted to welcome back our 2024 Year 12 students to celebrate their outstanding achievements at the 2025 Year 12 Achievement Celebration. The event recognised students who attained three or more A grades, those who achieved an ATAR of 90 or above, and the announcement of the 2024 Dux. The Dux 2024 Award was presented to Oscar Elder who achieved an impressive ATAR of 99.25. Oscar delivered an inspiring reflection on his high school journey. We sincerely thank all parents and invited guests for joining us in celebrating the achievements of our students.
Governors Commendation Award
I had the privilege of attending the Governor’s Commendation Awards alongside Mrs. Woolford where we proudly watched as Kahlan Mashford received this prestigious honour from the Governor of South Australia. It was a proud moment for Kahlan, her mum, and grandad, as well as for Mrs. Woolford and myself. The Governor delivered an inspiring speech, encouraging students to continue giving back to their communities and making a positive impact. It was a wonderful celebration of dedication, service, and achievement.
Why Attendance Matters
Coming to school every day is one of the most important things students can do for their learning and personal growth. Regular attendance helps students stay on top of their studies, build strong friendships, and develop good habits that will benefit them well beyond school. Missing even a few days can make it harder to keep up, so we encourage families to support their child in attending every day unless they’re unwell. Please contact us if you have difficulty getting your child to school. Together, we can make sure all students have the best chance to succeed and attend school.
School Uniform: Building a Strong Community
Our school uniform plays a big role in creating a sense of belonging and pride in our school. When students wear their uniform correctly, it helps foster a positive school culture where everyone feels included and connected. We appreciate the support of parents and caregivers in making sure students wear the correct uniform each day. If you need any assistance with uniform requirements, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the school.
I look forward to working with you to support your students and ensure their success.
Ms Joanne Costa
Principal
The Year 10 Work Experience program is a crucial opportunity for students to gain firsthand insight into the working world, develop essential skills, and explore potential career pathways. Taking place from 16–20 June 2025 (Term 2, Week 8), this five-day placement is not only a valuable learning experience but also a compulsory part of the Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) subject, contributing towards students’ SACE credits.
With thousands of students across the region searching for placements at the same time, competition is fierce. The best placements fill quickly, so students should act quickly to secure a meaningful opportunity in their chosen field.
Students must treat this like a real job. This means:
Failure to meet these expectations may impact a student’s ability to complete the EIF subject successfully.
Students should check their school email regularly for updates and ensure they have access to all required documents. If assistance is needed, they should reach out to IT support, their Home Group Teacher, or the Work Experience Coordinator.
We strongly encourage parents and caregivers to support their child in securing a placement as soon as possible. Every day counts—delays could mean missing out on the best opportunities!
For any questions, please contact Nick Apostolou, Work Experience Coordinator Nick.Apostolou731@schools.sa.edu.au
The 2025 Year 12 retreat marked the perfect opportunity to kick off the school year with fresh connections and new friendships. Held at Cooinda Retreat Victor Harbour, on the first three days of term, the retreat offered a welcoming space for students to get to know each other and bond before the challenges and excitement of their final year. Surrounded by nature and away from the distractions of daily life, everyone had the chance to engage in activities that fostered trust, teamwork, and meaningful conversations. The year 12’s participated in the Amazing Race, collecting clues around the camp in record time and the Beach Olympics, where each home group versed each other in a bunch of games such as a sandcastle building challenge, and the crab walk race. Each day a special guest gave a talk in the homestead, encouraging the new year 12’s to take the year head on; Olivia Savvas, MP, was especially inspiring sharing her own personal story and journey along to where she is now, expressing how year 12 although challenging, is not the end. This retreat helped everyone settle in and make stronger connections for the upcoming year ahead. Big thanks to those who made it so special for the year 12 cohort.
By Elise Harmer
Our year 7 cohort started their first day on Wednesday, January 29th
This year we had students come in during week 0 to get their laptops sorted with Daymap, printers etc – special thanks to our ICT support staff for managing this as it contributed to a smooth transition for our new students. On Wednesday, week 1 our Peer Support students gave up their final day of the holidays to come in and welcome our Year 7s. Along with our amazing year 7 home group teachers, they ran activities designed to encourage new friendships and generally help make our new students feel they belong to our MHS community.
On Thursday and Friday of week 1 our year 7s participated in the incursion program, led by the Active Education instructors, enjoying activities designed to promote positive relationships through team building and problem solving. To continue the tradition, we received excellent feedback from the Active Education team in regards to the behaviour and enthusiasm of our new year 7 cohort.
Week 2 saw our year 7s starting their new subjects, meeting new teachers and finding their way at MHS. Rob Yeend (AP) and I have received so much positive feedback about our new cohort, their enthusiasm to learn, make new friends and contributing to the overall positive vibe we can all feel starting this new school year.
Mr Yeend has been nominating home groups for the cleanliness of classrooms at the end of the day, which has been met by a strong sense of competitiveness from both staff and students. It helps that a ‘pizza party’ at the end of the term is up for offer for the home group with the most consistently tidy room.
This term we still have Open Night, (Feb 27) sports day (March 7) and Harmony Week (week 9) to look forward to, as well as loads of other activities across subjects. Overall, so far, we have seen excellent attendance, behaviour and enthusiasm from our new year 7s, with encouraging results from our student wellbeing survey. I look forward to seeing what they can achieve throughout the year. What a fantastic start to 2025 – let’s keep it up! 😊
Vanessa Tricker
7/8 Year Level Leader
At the beginning of every year, we value the opportunity to celebrate our achievements of our Year 12 students from the previous year.
Monday 10th February saw a modified version of our annual Celebration and Achievement Assembly conducted in the STEM Centre. Unfortunately, due to the forecast hot weather, it was decided not to risk the health of all our students and staff, let alone guests in the Gym, and a scaled back version of this assembly was arranged.
We had 18 of our outstanding Year 12 students join us, along with members of the family and invited guests / award sponsors to celebrate the achievements of the 2024 cohort. In short, we acknowledged and celebrated
· 100% SACE Completion
· 4 merits achieved by three students across four subjects (Jasmin Andrews for Psychology, Anton Kastanos for Research Project, Oscar Elder for Specialist Maths and Physics)
· A Governor’s Commendation Award of Excellence (received by Kahlan Mashford – one of 33 students state wide who received this award)
· 79.5% A and B grades (3% above state average) and best ever results for our school (including 28.1% A grade achievement)
· 20 students achieved 3 or more A grades
· 51% of all Year 12 students attained at least one A grade.
Merit students were presented certificates by their subject teachers, while Kahlan Mashford as recipient of the Governor’s Commendation Award was presented by Ms Joanne Costa. All of these students were officially recognised by the SACE Board at the Merit Ceremonies conducted at Government House. Other students were acknowledged and presented certificates for receiving 3 or more A grades and/or an ATAR of 90 or above.
We were also fortunate to be joined by Steve Howell, one of the first Modbury High School students who started in 1965! He spoke to many of the students, chatting about his experience and sharing stories of his time at the school.
Congratulations to our class of 2024. We are very proud of your amazing achievements!
Ms Madelin O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader
Mrs Louise Woolford
Assistant Principal
We are excited to announce the kick-off of the much-anticipated Pedal Prix 2025 season! This unique program is not just about racing; it’s about teamwork, engineering, and the thrill of competition, all while promoting a spirit of sportsmanship and collaboration.
Pedal Prix promotes not only competition but also camaraderie. Students will forge lasting friendships as they work together towards a common goal.
Engaging in physical activity is vital for everyone’s health. Pedal Prix encourages students to stay active and fit, all while having a fantastic time.
We will be competing in the Fast Cats Racing Velodrome Experience, as well as races at Mount Gambier’s McNamara Park, The Bend, Victoria Park, and our season finale, a 24-hour race in Murray Bridge.
Parents and community members, we would love your support! Whether it’s helping with building the vehicles, helping with catering, or marshalling at races, there are plenty of ways to contribute. Please reach out if you’re interested.
Interested students can see or Daymap message Jess Hanlin for more information.
Let’s gear up for an exciting Pedal Prix season! Together, we can achieve great things, build incredible memories, and, most importantly, have fun!
Dear parents/caregivers,
To support our school’s commitment to student wellbeing and engagement in learning we have funded a School Based Social Worker who is an employee of the Departments Student Support Services, School Buy In Service to be located at our school.
The School Based Social Worker works closely with our school staff, some activities they may be involved in include include groups, programs, classroom visits, assessment, counselling, home visits, participation in school events, consultations with school leadership and staff and/or meeting with parents.
The School Based Social Work service is voluntary and so if you and/or your child do not want to access support which is offered, they will respect their/your decision. In these instances, the School Based Social Worker may still provide advice to school staff about possible strategies and support options for your child.
If you or your child do receive support from the School Based Social Worker they will discuss the limits to confidentiality and how certain information may need to be shared, especially when it involves risk to the your child or others.
In most instances, students are often happy for their parents to be informed that they will, or have, received support from the School Based Social Worker and will be encouraged to discuss it with their parent/guardian. And there may be some instances where support occurs before communication is possible with the parent/guardian, however communication will occur in a timely manner afterwards.
In situations where a student does not want their caregiver/parent to be informed this will be carefully considered and discussed with leadership, as the student’s safety and wellbeing is paramount.
If you have any questions about the School Based Social Worker, please chat with your child’s Year Level Leader in the first instance.
Congratulations to our year 11 student, Dhroovi Shah, who recently featured in a column in The Advertiser for 2025 Teen Parliament.
Start of Term 1 2025
Monday 27 January- Public Holiday
Tuesday 28 January -Student Free Day – Professional Development for Teachers and SSOs
Wednesday 29 January – Year 7 . Year 12 and all new students attend school.
Year 12 Retreat
Thursday 30 January – All Students attend school.
Year 7 Incursion
Year 7/8 Parent information Night
Friday 31 January - Year 7 Incursion
Term 1 Calendar will be sent at the start of 2025
Dear Parent / Caregivers
As the year draws to a close, it is the perfect time to reflect on all that we have achieved as a school community. At Modbury High, we are proud of the successes of our students and staff, both in and outside the classroom.
This year, we celebrated academic excellence, with students demonstrating a strong commitment to their learning and achieving outstanding results. Beyond the classroom, our students have thrived in a range of extra-curricular activities, showcasing their talents, dedication, and teamwork.
Term 4 Highlights
F1 in Schools
A standout highlight for this term was our F1 in Schools team, which recently competed at the Formula 1 World Championships, representing our school and South Australia on the global stage. This remarkable achievement is a testament to their hard work, innovation, and perseverance.
Congratulations to Kahlan Mashford, Mason Green, and Luke Zawada for their exceptional work. It was with great pride that I watched teams from around the world speaking to these three students and congratulating them on their performance.
A very big thank you to Mr. Karl Read, Steve, and Kate Read for the countless hours they have spent supporting the students. Thank you also to all the sponsors, mentors, and parents for the invaluable support they have provided to the team.
Visual Arts
Our Visual Arts students also achieved great success, demonstrating their creativity and skill. Earlier this year, they decorated tiles inspired by drawings from students in Asakuchi, Japan. These tiles have been installed in Tea Tree Gully Council’s Civic Park. In recognition of their work, our students and their teacher, Ms. Moeller, attended and spoke at the launch of the Sister City Tea Tree Gully Council and Asakuchi Arts Project. This was a wonderful opportunity to showcase their talents and strengthen cultural connections.
Prize Giving Assembly
On Friday, November 29, we held our annual Prize Giving Assembly. Over 100 students were awarded for their academic achievements, school service, and for upholding the school’s values. Congratulations to all the award recipients for their commitment to their learning and to our school community.
Farewells
As we approach the end of the year, we bid farewell to several valued members of our teaching staff who will not be returning in 2025.
Mr. Martin Smith, who is retiring, has dedicated 50 years to the education of young people. He is a respected, committed, and much-loved teacher.
Mr. Glen Mackie, an excellent Mathematics teacher, has won a position at another school. He will be greatly missed for his ability to inspire and earn the respect of both students and colleagues.
Mr. Gareth Budd, an exceptional Music teacher, is moving to Queensland, having lifted our Music Program to new heights with his talent and passion.
Mr. Brendan Schiller, who has secured a coordinator’s role at another school, is a well-respected and loved teacher whose passion and commitment to sport have provided countless opportunities for students to engage in extra-curricular activities.
Miss. Casey Rendell, though with us for a short time, has worked tirelessly to support students, families, and her colleagues, leaving a meaningful impact.
Mrs. Maida Zelma, who is taking leave with the intention of retiring in 2025, has worked diligently over her 27 years at Modbury High School to support our EALD students.
Ms. Seema Rani, who joined us on a one-year contract teaching Science, has shown great dedication and hard work during her time with us.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of these teachers for their invaluable contributions to our school community and wish them all the very best in their future endeavors.
Start of 2025 School Year
Please note the following starting dates for 2025.
As per every other year we will have a staggered start. See important dates.
More detail information will be sent to parents in the middle of January.
Wishing everyone a safe and restful holiday season!
Ms Joanne Costa
Principal
The Muriel Matters Award profiles and recognises the work and life of South Australian born suffragist, educator and social reformer Muriel Matters.
She is renown as a person made a difference in the early 20th century through her work and activism to further the rights and freedoms of women, promote universal access to education and have careers open to talent.
This award was established in 2021 as an award program under the guidance of the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the Minister for Education. Each school can nominate one student each year as a recipient. The award is aimed at identifying and recognising young people in our schools who display the qualities of self-initiative, determination to make a difference despite personal challenges, and a commitment to make the world a better place for all.
This year, we as a school nominated Caitlin Fraser (Year 12) for this award.
Initially, Caitlin was acknowledged for her contributions at the Year 12 Valedictory Assembly and was presented her award by Mrs Frances Bedford (Secretary of the Muriel Matters Society, former parliamentarian and long time supporter of Modbury High School).
Caitlin was then invited to a special presentation for this award at Parliament House. At this ceremony, 16 of the 76 recipients for 2024 were specially recognised for their contributions. Caitlin received further recognition from Speaker of the House of Assembly, Leon Bignell MP, and our Minister for Education, Mr Blair Boyer MP. Also present t the ceremony was Mrs Frances Bedford, and Ms Olivia Savvas MP (Member for Newland).
Congratulations Caitlin for your significant contributions to the school and community.
Modbury High School has started using a platform called Edsmart, which allows us to send digital consent forms and important broadcasts directly to your email. Please ensure your email is up to date with the school and that our messages are not sent to your junk folder.
Daymap is another important tool Modbury High School uses everyday with students, staff and parents. We ask that our parents/caregivers all have access to their parent daymap, not the student's daymap. This is where parents/caregivers can communicate with teachers, message the school about absences, check student reports and notes. It is important that you are signed into the parent/caregiver account and NOT the students as there are functions such as booking parent/teacher interviews that is not available on the student's daymap.
This term, our Year 7 Humanities students have been exploring how the Australian government operates and the significance of voting in our democracy. As part of their studies, students were tasked with creating a political campaign speech and running for "presidency" alongside their self-formed political parties.
In an exciting competition, classes 704 and 707 went head-to-head, presenting their speeches to both groups. The event culminated in a student vote to determine their next "Prime Minister."
Throughout the activity, students showcased impressive presentation skills and a deep understanding of Australia's political system. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to put theory into practice and engage with the principles of democratic participation.
Ms Sheahan
Humanities | Cross Discipline | English | 1012 HG Teacher
Ms Hoppo
English | Humanities Teacher
On the evening of Wednesday, December 20th, the annual exhibition saw a great turnout of students, parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends gather to celebrate the creative work of 14 Art and Design students. The gallery was a hive of people engaged in viewing the variety of 2D and 3D works on display. Seeing the students relaxed and proud to show off their year’s work to their friends and family was great to see.
The caliber of work this year was very varied, and high quality, including a mixture of painting, drawing, sculpture, digital art, architecture, 3D printing, and photography.
It was a proud moment to see it all come together in such a professional and positive manner.
Mrs Amanda Lewis
Visual Art Teacher
In weeks 6 and 8, the year 9 and 10 Japanese classes each went on an excursion to the city. The year 10 class went on Friday November 22 and although it was a very hot day, enjoyed their Japanese lunch at Itsumo at the Stamford Grand. After eating, the students got to have some retail therapy at Daiso – the Japanese goods shop in Gawler Place. While in Japan all the goods at this shop are 100 yen ($1), most of the goods at the Australian version are $3.30.
The year 9 class went on Tuesday December 3. They started by walking to South Terrace to visit Himeji Garden. This is a traditional Japanese garden that was build in 1985 to commemorate the sister city relationship between Adelaide and Himeji. Students were able to sit by the pond, watch the turtles swim around while eating their recess. Next stop was the Central Market where students could have a brief look at what was for offer or as some did, have a quick ice-cream! We then walked to our lunch venue, Hotaru Japanese restaurant, where students found they had to remove their shoes to sit at traditional Japanese tables to eat their meals. Students had a variety of meals – including eel, udon, curry and tempura. The year 9s then also visited Daiso to round off their day.
Amanda Kampes
Year 9 and 10 Japanese teacher / Coordinator of Languages
On Friday 22 November the Years 9 and 10 Spanish class went on excursion into the city. We went to the Botanic Gardens to learn about plants from the Americas. We learnt that plants such as potatoes, corn, pumpkin and chocolate all originate from the Americas. Can you imagine a world without chocolate? I don’t want to! Thanks to the Aztecs we can enjoy chocolate. It was originally prepared as a spicy water-based drink used for ceremonies. The Europeans took it and added sugar and milk to make the bars we know today.
After the Botanic Gardens we caught the tram to the Argentine restaurant “La Boca” on North Terrace. Students had a yummy chargrilled lunch straight from the parilla (charcoal barbecue). A fun time was had exploring the city and making memories.
On a personal note, thanks to all the year 9 and 10 students for their commitment to learning Spanish. For some of these lovely students I have been their only teacher. We have cooked in class, been on excursions, discussed cultural celebrations and what intercultural understanding really means as well as watching telenovelas and learning grammar and vocabulary. I will be leaving Modbury High School at the end of this year and moving to Melbourne to be closer to family. I wish them all the best in their cultural and language learning journey and I hope they never lose the spark of interest in Hispanic culture and language.
Mrs Muggleton
Spanish and EnglishTeacher
Act I: The Curtain Rises
(The stage is set with students bustling about in preparation for a grand performance. A narrator steps forward, addressing the audience with enthusiasm.)
Narrator: In the heart of Modbury High School, on a crisp Wednesday, November 27th, the Year 9 drama cohort stepped into the spotlight. Their mission? To bring to life two extraordinary tales: Hansel and Gretel and Snow White and the Seven Entrepreneurs.
(Lights shift to a montage of scenes: students in casting meetings, measuring costumes, painting sets, and rehearsing lines. The hustle and bustle fill the stage with energy.)
Narrator: For weeks, these dedicated thespians poured their hearts into production. Casting was carefully deliberated, sets meticulously crafted, and costumes prepared with flair. Every sound cue was planned, every line rehearsed, until the big day arrived.
Act II: The Performances
(The stage transforms into a lively primary school audience. Bright-eyed children sit in rapt attention as the performances unfold.)
Narrator: And what a day it was! The young audience from local primary schools, including Ardtornish Primary and Modbury South, watched with wide eyes as the stories unfolded. From the dark woods of Hansel and Gretel to the modern twists of Snow White and the Seven Entrepreneurs, every moment was met with applause and laughter.
(Spotlight on Hasifa as Snow White, performing with grace. The backstage crew is shown in silhouette, coordinating with precision.)
Narrator: Every student, from the brilliant Hasifa as Snow White to the unsung heroes backstage, brought their roles to life with excellence. Even the parents, who attended the show, were astounded by the hidden talents of their children.
Act III: The Aftermath
(A stack of thank-you letters is shown on a desk, with students reading them joyfully.)
Narrator: The magic lingered beyond the performance. Letters of gratitude arrived from Ardtornish Primary students, brimming with joy and appreciation for the fun they had.
(The stage dims, and the narrator steps forward, spotlighted.)
Narrator: Drama is alive and thriving at Modbury High School. As we close this chapter, we look ahead to the excitement of 2025, where more performances await. Until then, the stage remains a place where imagination and teamwork shine.
(Curtain falls. Applause echoes.)
Mr Swain
Drama Teacher
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 $720 for year levels 7-12, plus any subject charge for those subjects chosen by the student for 2025.
The poll was successful with votes 30-12 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.
On Thursday December 5th, our Year 11 students dressed up and enjoyed an evening at the Paradise Hotel, celebrating the conclusion of Year 11. Some highlights for the night were access to the salad bar, humorous award certificates, some friendly competition with a Kahoot, fun playing Uno and enjoying a lovely meal and dessert. This event was a great occasion for students and staff to reflect on the year that was, and what is to come for this great bunch of students in 2025. Thank you to the Paradise Hotel for their kind hospitality and service and great meals!
We are thrilled to share some incredible news about the accomplishments of our Year 12 students who participated in university programs this year. Over the past two years, we’ve supported several students to undertake university subjects as part of their Year 12 studies, contributing to their SACE and/or ATAR, through both the UniSA Accelerate Program and Flinders University Extension Studies Program.
This year, for the first time, two of our students participated in the Flinders University program – Kaiwen He and Asha Duldig – achieving outstanding results. Kaiwen studied Finance and Accounting for Leaders and Marketing Principles in the Digital Era, achieving outstanding results, equivalent to a SACE Stage 2 subject 18.9/20 🎉. Asha Duldig took on Sex, Death, and Ritual in the Ancient World and History’s Killing Fields: From Medieval to Modern – a first for any SACE student in SA. Thanks to Asha, these subjects are now approved to count towards the SACE and she has paved the way for future students. She also achieved outstanding results, with the equivalent to a SACE Stage 2 subject score of 18/20 🎉.
Additionally, Hana Wong and Kahlan Mashford found success through the UniSA Accelerate program, also achieving commendable subject scores. Their hard work and achievements were celebrated at a special event, and some wonderful photos to commemorate this milestone can be seen below.
These programs continue to open new doors for our students, providing opportunities to challenge themselves and excel. Congratulations to all involved for their dedication and success!
Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader
In week 8, the MHS Big Band toured the Encounter Bay Region over three days. Over three days the group performed at local schools and sat in with the Victor Harbor Community Band. It was a great first-hand experience of being ‘on the road’ as a musician with all the highs, lows, and challenges that come with touring.
Thank you to Mark Heinjus for supporting the Trumpets, and to Shania Newstead and Theo Kelesis for volunteering their time (and experience) to help make the journey a success.
Next trip is GIJ 2025!
MHS Music proudly reports that two of our Year 12s have been accepted into tertiary music courses for 2025! Congratulations to Jack C-A for being offered Jazz performance at the Elder Conservatorium, and to Crystal H. for pursuing Music studies at TAFE.
The 2025 Senior Music Captains were announced earlier this Term, and we would like to recognise Rei Cook and Isabelle Cox for being awarded the Year 12 and Year 11 Music Captain badges. The Captains are chosen by the Music Staff and previous Captain(s). Our Music Captains are recognised for being responsible, reliable, mature, and support others’ musical development. Very well-deserved.
The 9/10 combined band performed to visiting instrumental students from Ardtornish Primary School in the Auditorium during Week 7. MHS Music students were tasked with planning and presenting their performance using the knowledge and skills learned at MHS. Students were responsible for stage planning, music selection, and compere script writing. The MHS students entertained around 50 primary school musicians with an hour-long show that inspired students to consider choosing Music in High School.
Mr Budd
Music Teacher
Families are invited to our Market Day where Year 7 students will be running businesses to raise money for their chosen charity. There will be a range of items and experiences on offer on the day - food, drinks, jewellery, arcade games just to name a few. Please enter from Australia Avenue gate and follow signs for parking.
When: Friday 8th November
Time: 9.30am - 11.00am
Where: In the Year 7 building at Modbury High School
Monday 14 October | Term 4 Recommences
Friday 25 October | Last day of Year 12 lessons
Tuesday 29 October | Valedictory Assembly
Thursday 31 October | Student Free Day
Monday 4th November | Start of Year 12 Exams
Wednesday 20th November | Start of Year 11 Exams
Monday 25 November | Start of Year 7-11 Exams
Friday 29 November | Year 7-11 Prize Givinig Assembly
Friday 13th December | Term 4 concludes. Students dismissed at 2:30pm
For more Term 4 Calendar dates: download the pdf version here
Dear Parents/ Caregivers
This term has been filled with many of extra-curricular activities that have provided students with diverse opportunities for personal growth, community engagement, and hands-on learning. From cultural celebrations to sporting events, our school has offered numerous platforms for students to extend their learning beyond the classroom and nurture their talents.
Valedictory Assembly
Our Valedictory assembly will be held on Tuesday 29th of October. It is a highly anticipated event that holds great significance for both students and staff as we come together to celebrate the achievements of our Year 12 graduating students. Invitations have been sent out earlier in the term, we hope to say many parents join us.
Cultural Event
On Tuesday, 10th September, Modbury High School, in collaboration with Modbury South Primary School and Modbury Special School, hosted a cultural event titled Pudnanthi Taikkurrinthi Mukamukarrinthi, which translates to "Come, Unite, and Celebrate." The event offered a meaningful opportunity for students and parents from all three schools to come together and celebrate First Nations culture. It served as a platform to foster a sense of community, strengthen cultural understanding, and honor the rich traditions and heritage of Australia’s First Nations peoples.
Pedal Prix
On Saturday, 21st and Sunday, 22nd of Septmeber, Pedal Prix students took part in the challenging 24-hour race held at Murray Bridge. The event was a true reflection of teamwork and collaboration, with students, parents, and Fast Cats Racing working together to support the riders through every lap. It was inspiring to witness how each group played a vital role, whether it was maintaining the vehicles, providing encouragement, or ensuring the wellbeing of the team. I had the pleasure of attending on Saturday and was thrilled to see the strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose that united everyone involved.
Term 3 Reports
Term 3 reports have been uploaded to Daymap. As with every term, I encourage all parents to take a few moments from their busy schedules to discuss their child’s achievements and areas for improvement. Engaging in these conversations not only reinforces the importance of academic progress but also provides an opportunity for students to set goals and identify strategies to enhance their learning outcomes. Your support and guidance are invaluable in helping them reflect and strive for continued growth and success.
Holiday Sessions
During the upcoming holidays, several teachers will be conducting holiday classes to assist students in either preparing for their final exams or completing their final summative tasks. Ms. Woolford has shared the schedule for these classes through a recent communication sent to parents. While attendance is not mandatory, I strongly encourage parents to support and motivate their children to participate in these sessions. Attending these classes will not only help consolidate their learning but also provide an opportunity to seek additional guidance and clarification from their teachers, ensuring they are well-prepared for the final assessments.
Ms Joanne Costa
Principal
On the 12th of September, Modbury High School acknowledged R U OK Day by Year 9 and 10 SVC members working with Miss Shire to prepare a Bakesale and casual day. Students across the school spoke in home groups about how to be a good friend and reach out to support others.
The task given to the Year 9 and 10 home groups was to design shoes and t-shirts as a way of reflecting on the important themes that surround R U OK Day. The students were asked to create shoe designs represented things that impact youth mental health to help increase empathy and considering what it is like to walk in other people’s shoes how may be struggling. The purpose of the t-shirt design was to help students consider the different ways of connecting with others and asking if they are ok. Focusing on this way of reaching out to others increased students awareness of how to create those positive interactions that may help to go a long way in improving someone’s mental health. Ms Freeth has been wearing the designs to help increase awareness and visibility of mental health even further. In the picture 1010s t-shirt design is being worn by Ms Freeth and shoe designs from 911 and 1015.
The staff voted for the winning designs. 911 and 1010 won the shirt design as a great representation of the importance of supporting positive mental health and reaching out to others. The shoe design that best represented the pressures teens face that stop wellbeing being even better was 9A5 and 1010. See photos below of the winning designs.
Ms Lauren Freeth
Year 9 & 10 and Flexible Learning Leader
On Tuesday 10th of September, we celebrated our inaugural Pudnanthi Taikurrinthi Mukamukarrinthi Cultural Event. The event hosted by Modbury High School, Modbury South Primary School and Modbury Special School was a huge success. It was great to see it so well attended by our students, parents, school community and our local support providers. Everyone enjoyed Uncle Moogy’s moving Welcome to Country and dancing with the Tal-Kin-Jeri dance group. Animals Anonymous were informative and captured the audience’s attention with the vast array of native animals, including a crocodile. We can’t wait to see what happens in this space next year!
In week 9 a group of Modbury High School students completed a Business Cluster course in Commerce which gained the students 20 Stage 2 SACE credits and an excellent experience. The course centered around the students creating a business that would sell many coffee related items. Students not only made coffee for staff but also used the coffee grinds to create lovely face scrubs, candles, soaps and diffusers. Through the course students learned about the importance of developing an effective business name and logo and various marketing strategies. The students business name was “Brewed Awakenings” which is incredibly clever and a sign of how well they understood the importance of business design. At the end of the week the students reported how much they enjoyed the course which made the work easier to engage with. The students worked brilliantly together and put in a lot of effort over the week. We are extremely proud of their efforts and they should be proud of themselves too.
Shari Chipman (SSO) commented, “Such a great week, very proud of the students we support”.
Ms Lauren Freeth
Year 9 & 10 and Flexible Learning Leader
Click here if you would like to download the information in PDF version.
Dear Parent/Caregivers,
Below are watermarked notices of the proposed Materials & Services plus subject charges for 2025. These were also emailed to all families last week.
The notices also include an invitation to attend the Governing Council meeting scheduled for 6th November 2024, at 6:00pm in the Modbury High School Staff Room.
The proposed M&S Fees for 2025 is set at $720 for Years 7-12, excluding Subject charges
For 2025, Subject charges be set at;-
$35 -Japanese Workbook Yr 7* | $50-Chef’s Basic/Food Technology*# | $35-Yr 11 Metalwork*# |
$35-Spanish Workbook Yr 8* | $50-Yr 10 Chef’s Applications*# | $40-Yr 11 WoodworkA*# |
$75 – Basketball Academy* Yr 7, 9 & 10 | $35-Yr 9 Design Technology*# | $40-Yr 11 WoodworkB *# |
$95 – Basketball Academy Year 8 * | $30-Yr 10 Metalwork*# | $50-Yr 12 Metalwork* |
$40 -Yr 11& 12 English Literacy Studies Workbook* | $50-Yr 10 Woodwork*# | $80-Yr 12 Woodwork* |
$100-Yr7-12 Musical Instrument Hire*# |
*Only applicable for students that select this subject
# Cost per semester
The SA Government will also be providing a $200 M&S Rebate in 2025, these will be applied at the same time as invoicing occurs. Any families that still have remaining 2022, 2023 & 2024 M&S Rebate will also have this applied to their 2025 M&S charges.
Click here to download a pdf of school fees for Year 7- 12
Click here to download a pdf of Subject Levies for Year 7 - 12
What better way to reminisce about the good old days of high school than with a yearbook filled with articles and photos capturing memories for the year that was? Buy the yearbook for your future self! Don’t miss your chance to grab your 2024 yearbook! Pay on QKR! now!
In Week 6 of Term 3, the Stage 2 Modern History class had the privilege of a visit from Mr Fred Pritchard, a Vietnam War veteran, who shared his experiences of the war. Students were encouraged to ask Fred insightful questions about his time in the army, helping them develop empathy skills and gain a deeper understanding of those who served. Students also heard Fred speak about his involvement in the Montague Farm Estate, where he worked with the families of Vietnam veterans to honour their service by naming streets after soldiers who were killed in action between 1962 and 1973. Modbury High are very grateful to Fred for his ongoing support of our Modern History students by sharing his story.
Over the weekend of the 21st & 22nd of September the Modbury High Pedal Prix teams, along with Fast Cats Racing, raced in the 24-hour event at Sturt Reserve in Murray Bridge. With fantastic efforts from all participants.
The preparations for the race had been ongoing for some time, with the team managers and support crew working hard to ensure the trikes were well prepared and facilities were organised. This made scrutineering a breeze.
Throughout Friday we made our way to Murray Bridge, set up our pit area and camping sites. Practice that afternoon was the first ride on the Murray Bridge racetrack for a couple of our riders. We enjoyed Kym’s famous bolognaise and watched the footy on the projector, lamenting the loss by the Power. Then off to bed to ensure we were well rested for the big race.
With an early start on Saturday, we completed the last adjustments of the trikes, watched the top 15 shootout, over 80 of our group posed for our photos and walked the track. We gridded up with all 151 trikes for the 12pm start of the race, and we were off. The event was full of spectacle and close racing, with teams constantly competing for their place.
Our students remained competitive with quick rider changes and consistent riding efforts, cheering each other on and supporting each other throughout the race. Night came, so did the cold, but we were well prepared and with staggered sleeping, so some slept while others rode.
There were some flat tyres, and racing incidents but the trikes kept on performing. Sunday dawned cold, but clear with our trikes still racing. At the end of the race, 12pm Sunday, we had Lynx in fifth, the girls in Pink Panther fifth and Cheetah in 38th completing in the race beautifully.
We are grateful for the brilliant support from parents and volunteers, who worked together to make the event such a success. Thank you to Fast Cats Racing for their assistance and support all year. We also thank Adelaide Coachlines, Police Credit Union, Kennards Hire and Coles for their support this year. Look out for a full report in the 2024 school magazine.
-Wayne Ferguson & Jess Hanlin
For more information, click here to download the PDF
Friday 6 September | School Closure
Monday 16 September | Year 9 Debating Competition
SA Olympics Unleashed Yr7s
Yr 11 Drug Education Seminar
Saturday 21 September | Pedal Prix 24 Hour Murray Bridge Race
Friday 27 September | Students finish at 2:30pm - Term 3 concludes
Monday 14 October | Term 4 Recommences
Tuesday 29 October | Valedictory Assembly
Thursday 31 October | Student Free Day
For more Term 3 Calendar dates: download the pdf version here
Term 4 dates will be confirm and sent before the end of term 3
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
As Term 3 draws to a close, we reflect on what has been a highly productive period filled with several noteworthy events.
Final Weeks for Year 12 Students
Our Year 12 students have just five teaching weeks remaining: the final three weeks of this term and the first two weeks of Term 4. The next three weeks are critical, as students will be working diligently to complete all their school-assessed tasks. Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 4 will primarily be dedicated to revision. It is imperative that students use their time effectively from now until the end of Week 2, ensuring they meet the deadlines set by their teachers in order to achieve success.
Equally as important is the need for students to take care of their wellbeing by maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding late nights in an effort to complete their work. This is an area where parents can play a vital role by encouraging their children to take breaks for meals and to get sufficient rest each night.
Pedal Prix
This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Pedal Prix Races held at the Hanson Road Velodrome. It was heartening to see so many of our students participating, supported by their cheering parents. As always, our students received tremendous support from Fast Cats Racing and our dedicated staff members, Wayne Ferguson, Jess Hanlin, Ron and Lyn Gibbins. An event of this scale requires countless hours of planning, organisation, and training. A very big thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a success.
ABODA Music Competition
Recently, our music students competed in the ABODA Music competition and proudly earned a silver medal. This is a significant achievement, especially considering the strong competition from students at private schools and special interest music schools. Congratulations to all the students and their teachers, Mr. Budd and Ms. Warrick, for this remarkable accomplishment.
Student-Led Conferences and Subject Selections
On Tuesday the 20th of August, we held our annual student-led conferences and subject selection day. The day was filled with energy and enthusiasm. Parents had the opportunity to listen to their children reflect on their learning and discuss strategies for improvement. As I visited different home groups, I was immensely proud of our students and how thoughtfully they reflected on their learning. It was equally gratifying to hear our Year 10 and 11 students discuss their subject choices for 2025 and their potential future careers.
Thank you to the 622 parents who took time out of their busy schedules to come in and support their children with subject selection and learning reflection.
School Uniform
I am asking for your support in ensuring that your child wears the correct school uniform each day. The school uniform is more than just attire; it symbolises our shared values of ‘we are united, passionate and accountable’. By consistently wearing the uniform, students learn the importance of adhering to rules and take pride in representing their school community. Your involvement in reinforcing this expectation at home will help create a positive and focused learning environment, where all students feel a sense of belonging and equality. Together, we can set a strong foundation for your child's success both in school and beyond.
School attendance
For some students, getting up every day and coming to school is challenging for many different reasons. They need our collective support to overcome these challenges and gradually learn to enjoy school. Attendance is critical, as it directly impacts students' academic performance. Additionally, regular attendance helps students develop important social skills, such as teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution, which are vital for their personal growth and future success.
If your child is struggling to attend school, please get in touch with us. We will work with you and your child to develop an attendance plan that will hopefully support their return to school.
Reminder there is a school closure tomorrow. Enjoy the long weekend and we will see you next week.
Ms Joanne Costa
Principal
Friday 16th was year 8 Languages dessert day. Students had the opportunity to pre-order Spanish or Japanese themed desserts and eat them for recess. Some students enjoyed alfajores (al-fa-hor-es) shortbread biscuits with a caramel centre or black sesame cookies. Another common dessert in Central America is tres leches (trays le-ch-s) which is a vanilla cake soaked in whole milk, evaporated milk and condensed milk with fresh cream. Tres leches means three milks in English. Next year we will change the desserts for the upcoming year 8 students and have more traditional Japanese desserts such as mochi.
“The Basque cheesecake was, so yummy, 10 out of 10,” Mackenzie.
Make sure you order your dessert next year if you are currently in year 7.
Ms Muggleton
Year 7, 8, 9, 10 Spanish Teacher
The MASA Quiz night was held on Wednesday 14th August, Modbury High School entered five teams of four students to compete at King's Baptist Grammar School, Wynn Vale. Here our students engaged in puzzles, maths challenges, and general knowledge questions, to compete against students from Pedare Christian College, The Heights, and King’s.
In the Junior division (Year 7/8) was Aarav Patel, Abbie Carroll, Sarah Kennedy, Payton Richardson and Angaddeep Singh. Then we had two Intermediate division (Year 9/10) teams, Paige Sharpe, Ella Taylor, Tyler Gaskin and Gargee Vyas along with Emily Totani, Isha Bane, Avnoor Kaur, and Tanish Yadav.
In the Senior division (Year 11/12) we also had two teams Anton Kastanos, Finley Bradtke, and Siddhartha Attaluri along with Oscar Elder, Lawrence French, Kaiwen He and Cooper Garland-McNamara who took out the title of Best Overall Senior Team.
It was great to see Modbury students having fun and collaborating, in an attempt to get the highest score for each of the four sections throughout the night.
Ms Sandra Gill
Mathematics Teacher
The ABODA Band festival was held during Week 4 of this term and our MHS band students hit the stage to compete against school bands from around Adelaide.
Concert Band students aimed high this year by entering the ‘Advanced’ Concert Band section; the first MHS Concert Band to do so in almost 15 years! Students were one division higher than last year and were extremely happy to receive a well-deserved ‘Silver’ award for their performance.
Big Band musicians returned the following day for their chance to take to the stage in competition. Special mentions go to our Year 12 soloists, Jack C.-A. and Crystal Hurcombe, for their amazing contributions to the performance. The band received a ‘bronze’ award and valuable feedback to reflect and continue to improve on as an ensemble.
MHS is extremely proud of all of our young musicians and everything they continue to achieve.
If you would like to hear the bands performing pieces from the competition, please save the evening of the 29th of October (T4, Wk3) in your diaries. We will be presenting our end-of-year concert in the school gym on the night.
Mr Budd
Music Teacher
A huge congratulations to our 7-9 Netball team who managed to play off for first place in the state going to down to Blackwood by just 4 goals. It was a massive effort, as the team was struck down by illness and injury prior to and on the day, sometimes playing with only 6 players. Great job placing 2nd in the state in all secondary schools.
Well done to our Year 10-12 Boys Netball Team for their incredible achievement in reaching the State Finals! The team demonstrated exceptional skill and sportsmanship, securing an impressive 4th place statewide.
We’re also thrilled to announce that four of our players, Noah Zaltron, Joshua Taylor, Seb Borgas and Noah Cook have caught the attention of the Men's South Australian Netball scouts. Both have been invited to attend the statewide trials. Well done boys!
Students and staff celebrated Wear It Purple Day with a splash of purple, purple cookies and some activities on the Purruna Kuu deck at lunch time. It was an opportunity to celebrate and support LGBTQIA+ young people in our school community and acknowledge that everyone belongs in our Modbury High School community.
More information about Wear It Purple can be found at https://www.wearitpurple.org/
Friday 30 August | Wear it Purple Day
Friday 6 September | School Closure
Friday 27 September | Term 3 concludes
For more Term 3 Calendar dates: download the pdf version here
Dear Parents /Caregivers
The commencement of Term 3 has been positive, with students and educators swiftly resuming their established learning routines.
Student Free Day
The third Student Free Day occurred on the first day of the term and was divided into two distinct sessions. The initial session was facilitated by our Behavior Coach, Ben Kha, along with two of his colleagues, who led a workshop on behaviour management and strategies for engaging with students who present challenging behaviours. In the subsequent session, teachers conducted audits within their respective learning areas, with a focus on task design. This audit aimed to ensure that the tasks offered provide ample opportunities for all students to excel and showcase their learning.
Balaklava Eisteddfod
On Friday, the 2nd of August, our music students travelled to Balaklava to compete at the Balaklava Eisteddfod. Not only did they enjoy themselves, but they also returned with outstanding results. The Concert Band secured first place, and the Stage Band, Choir, and Brass Ensemble received honourable mentions. Congratulations to all the students and Mr. Budd for their exceptional work.
Japanese Study Tour
On Sunday, the 3rd of August, a group of enthusiastic Japanese students from Osaka arrived at our school. The students were warmly welcomed by Ms. Amanda Kampes, the International Students Coordinator, along with their host families. The students spent a week at our school, participating in lessons alongside their designated buddies. On Wednesday, they had the opportunity to visit Adelaide University and the Adelaide Zoo. Although their stay was brief, the students thoroughly enjoyed their experience at our school. We extend our sincere gratitude to the host families for their hospitality and care.
Subject Selection and Student-Led Conferences
This is a friendly reminder that our subject selection and student-led conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, the 20th of August. All students are expected to meet with their homegroup teachers and parents to select their subjects for 2025 and discuss their academic progress and achievements thus far. If you have not yet scheduled a booking, we urge you to do so promptly. This presents a valuable opportunity for parents to engage in their children's educational journey.
Snow Trip
A contingent of 16 students is presently enjoying the snowfields of Mount Hoffman. Reports from Mr. Karl Read, who is accompanying the group, describe the experience as amazing and one that will be remembered for a long time.
Modbury High School’s Careers Day
Ms. Angela Stamati, supported by Dr. Swati Phatak and Mr. David Atterton, has invested considerable effort in planning and organizing the annual Careers Day event, which took place today, Friday the 16th of August. Students had the opportunity to engage with presenters from universities, various industries, and career pathway providers for students with disabilities. It was a highly successful day, with significant student participation.
Ms Costa
Principal
WEAR IT PURPLE DAY is just around the corner so dig out your purple accessories and dress to impress on Friday 30th August!
What is WEAR IT PURPLE DAY?
An opportunity to show support for and celebrate LGBTQIA+ young people and diversity in our community.
Students are invited to wear a splash of purple with their uniform – not a casual day. Socks and other purple accessories are welcome. No need to bring a donation, just show your support with a splash if purple.
More info at - www.wearitpurple.org
On Wednesday 19 June, students from Golden Grove, Highbury and Ardtornish Primary Schools joined Modbury High School participants and mentors in the Modbury Auditorium for the first IM Beginner Band Workshop of 2024.
This workshop was a great success and featured the pieces "Cango Caves” and "Tyrannosaurus Rocks”. Feedback included:
“It was definitely an eye-opener for my students and hopefully will encourage them to challenge themselves a bit harder from now on.”
“... great turn out from parents for the concert - the kids performed well”
Thanks to the following students that mentored on the day:
Rebekah Woolford, Liam, Crystal Hurcombe, Ariah Merrett, Shiraz Berhan, Emily Zhang, Jacob Richter, Scarlett Sachse, Rei Cook, Jack Rose, Luke Haskard, Louie San Gabriel, Ryan Williams, Elsie Zhang, Alex Brandon, Eli Carter, Hamish Hanlin, Liam Horn, Evan Lewis, Hudson Mentha, Joshua Merrett, Connor Montana, Kayla Murphy, Skye Parrish, Riley Parsons, Nicole Shinkfield, Angaddeep Singh, Jayden Taylor
Mrs Moeller
Arts Coordinator
The first training session for the Special Operations Car Wash Program was a great success! The students in Room 8 Special Options class were so enthusiastic and did such a stellar job with washing both a hatchback and sedan. It’s clear that this hands-on experience is not only helping them develop practical skills but also fostering teamwork and individual strengths, and some business acumen.
Their Teacher, Mr Peter, along with SSOs Jeff and Chez, are seeing positive results and are grateful for the support from Modbury High School staff. This collaborative effort is a great example of how community involvement can enhance educational experiences and teach valuable life skills.
Here’s to many more successful car washes and the continued growth of these students’ skills and confidence!
Arved (German Exchange)
The MHS school community is great and one of the reasons why I enjoyed my time in Adelaide so much. Music was the subject I liked the most because we had time to practice our instruments and have fun, which, in Germany, rarely happens in the scheduled lessons. For the last half-year, I have been part of the Concert Band and the Woodwind Ensemble, which I really enjoyed, not only because of the fun when playing my instrument, but also because of the amazing people that I met when being in band and music lessons. While here, I also learned to use a whole new clarinet system, which was hard, but I had lots of help from my peers, my instrumental teachers, and from Mr. Budd. In my opinion, the music program at MHS is great, and I am not really looking forward to going back to my music lessons in Germany because they are mostly theory-based and boring. I hope that they will change it to be like Modbury's soon.
- Arved Grotmaack
It was a pleasure and honour to have Arved join us not only at school, but for music. He showed extensive dedication and passion for band and for his solo practice, which is extremely admirable. He was an amazing addition to our band family, and we wish him well on his way home to Germany. Hopefully our time together will hold wondrous memories forever. We miss him already and hope to see him again soon!
Mia Ly – Year 11 Music Captain
Week 8
Instrumental Music Beginner Band Workshops provide an opportunity for students from adjacent schools to join musical peers in a large ensemble and perform fun and attainable repertoire within a short rehearsal time. Our Music Focus School Brass teacher, Mark Heinjus, lead the organisation of this years’ IM Beginner Band Workshop, held in the MHS during week 8. Approximately 115 students from Golden Grove, Highbury, and Ardtornish Primary Schools, including Modbury HS participants and mentors, were in attendance at the first workshop for 2024 to form a huge beginner band. Parents were entertained by a short performance displaying the Music they managed to learn in such a short time.
Thank you to all staff involved in making the day a success.
IM Staff: Lynn Sheridan, Sharon Burgess, Tom Hart, Robyn Paul, Mark Heinjus.
School Staff: Anne O'Dea (Ardtornish PS), Kirrabelle Lovell (Highbury PS), Michael McConnochie (G. Grove PS), Gareth Budd (MHS).
We are taking almost 50 MHS musicians to the Balaklava Eisteddfod at the end of week 2 as our students debut as first-time competitors in the event. The ABODA contest is coming up in week 4 and our Concert Band and Big Band will be representing the school, with the Concert Band entering the ‘advanced’ section for the first time. Happy practicing!
Mr Budd
Music Teacher
Over two sessions our Year 10 students engaged with presenters from Port Power; Brett Ebert, Ash Saint, Dylan Errington, Amelie Borg, Tim Tuikaba and Goy Lok, to hear Empowered presentations on domestic violence and respectful relationships. Students hear strategies on how to keep themselves safe in a relationship, how to determine if a relationship is respectful or not and, the biggest challenge of all, how to stand up to our friends if we see them being disrespectful to others. As young people it is important to challenge stereotypes that lead to a power imbalance and stop true equality in our world. If we are going to live in a world that is equal and safe for all, we need to pave the way now to develop the people who can make that change so we are truly grateful for Port Power and their presentation on such an important conversation. We invite all parents and caregivers to continue to conversation at home on this topic.
On Thursday, 8th of August, our Year 10 English class had the privilege of hosting four wonderful Japanese exchange students for a lesson. To make their visit both special and memorable, we organised an iconic Australian food ranking activity. Among the foods ranked were Tim Tams, Lamingtons, Twisties, Caramel Koalas, and Milo. Tim Tams came out on top as a favourite amongst our exchange students! With the assistance of our Modbury High students, we then created a small persuasive piece on why their chosen food was the best!
Ms Hoppo
English
Earlier this year when the year 12’s were on retreat, we had the honour of having Ms Freeth and Mrs Botten come talk to us about ideas that centre around wellbeing, with the main focus being “What is your WHY”. This saying allowed the students to look into why they are doing certain things in our life, this can be from the students personal life to school life. After this talk the students had the opportunity to draw on some hexagons, using images, symbols and words to represent who they are. Our hexagons, like the hexagons in honeycomb produced by bees, is a network that creates strength through unity.
Caitlin Fraser, Year 12 student
Monday 22 July | Student Free Day
Tuesday 23 July | School Recommences
Friday 6 September | School Closure
Friday 27 September | Term 3 concludes
For more Term 3 Calendar dates: download the pdf version here
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome to our last newsletter for Term 2. Reflecting back to the start of this term, I am very pleased with all the achievements by our students and staff over this very busy and packed term.
Year 11 and 12 Exams
The mid-year exams for Year 11 and 12 students took place during Weeks 8 and 9. The exam results for Year 11 students will determine their eligibility to continue with the subject in Year 12. For most subjects, students will need to achieve a grade of C+ or higher. Year 12 exam results provide students with an indication of their understanding of the concepts taught and highlight any areas needing attention in preparation for their final exams.
Gardening
On Friday, 28th of June, students from the Special Options and Pathway classes, with the support of the Governing Council Chair, Mr Martin Crabb, their teachers, and SSOs worked tirelessly to transform an unattractive strip of land into a beautiful garden bed. It was delightful to see the students’ excitement and genuine pleasure in planting and working together. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Martin Crabb, all the teachers, and SSOs for not only supervising the students but also for being excellent role models by actively participating.
End of Term Reports
A reminder that the Term 2 end-of-term reports will be published on Daymap today. I encourage you to discuss your child's results with them and to reflect on their achievements together. Support them in considering strategies to improve their grades for Term 3, which is particularly important for Year 12 students.
Subject Selection and Parent-Teacher Interviews
Subject selection and student led conferences will take place on Tuesday 20th August. Starting in Week 2, during home group sessions, all students will work with their home group teachers to start exploring subject selections for the following year. As part of this process, students will spend time considering various careers and subjects that may be relevant to their interests. For students in Year 7, 8, 9 and 12 as well as considering subjects for the following years, they will spend time reflecting on their learning and complete a presentation which they will share with their parents on the day. More information about the process and how to book a time for selection and the presentations will be sent home early in Term 3.
Farewell
Modbury High School says farewell to Mr Tim Hankin, Mrs Mary Fisher and Mrs Helen Thomas who after many years of teaching have decided to retire. Over the years they have supported many students and staff and I am sure will be missed by the Modbury High School community.
We also farewell Mr James Dundon has been successful in winning a leadership position at another school and has commenced in his new role at the start of the semester. Mr Dundon has led the Science faculty for many years and supported the implementation of the STEM program at the school. He too will be missed by his students and colleagues.
Ms Nianix Li, who has been with us replacing Mrs Kanter while on leave, is also leaving at the end of this term. We wish her all the best for the future and thank her for supporting our students.
Wishing everyone a relaxing, restful and happy holiday.
We will see you all back here all refreshed for another term on Tuesday 23rd July.
Ms Joanne Costa
Principal
Modbury High School Year 11 student Charlotte Bland has had a busy start to 2024 representing both South Australia and Australia at Rifle Shooting.
In January Charlotte was selected to attend a Junior Air Rifle Tour of Austria and Germany where she competed in 4 competitions. Charlotte went on to win The Meyton Cup in Austria where there was a field of 50 competitors.
February saw Charlotte compete at the first Australian Olympic selection trial in Sydney where she shot a new Personal best Score and finished in first place.
In March she shot at the National Championships in Brisbane and came away with 1st place in Women’s 10m Air Rifle, 50m Junior prone and State teams Air Rifle.
Charlotte was then selected to represent Australia at the ISSF Final Olympic Qualification Championship in Rio, Brazil. She finished 79th Individually and 18th in Mixed pairs. This was the final domestic selection shoot for the Olympic Games in Paris and Charlotte finished in first place for the Australian leaderboard.
9 days after returning from Brazil she again represented Australia at the ISSF World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, finishing 69th Individually and 26th in mixed pairs.
Then in May Charlotte attended a World Cup in Munich, Germany, which was the final opportunity to qualify for the Olympic games and an extremely large competition with 148 women competing in the Air Rifle, Charlotte managed 90th Individually and came 35th in the mixed pairs.
Charlotte’s goal for the remainder of 2024 is to compete at the Junior World Championship in Lima, Peru later in the year. Good Luck Charlotte! We are so proud of you and will be cheering you when you are in Peru!
Friday morning, 28th June, members of our Special Options and Pathways classes met with an expert landscaper to learn how to set up a garden. After a safety briefing and planning session, we set to work moving 6 tons of organic dirt and 8 cubic metres of mulch.
We learned about designing gardens, laying drip feed water pipe, spacing colourful plants, and layering dirt and mulch. Mr Martin Crabb shared his passion as he taught us about design and the processes to follow to complete a garden from scratch. We used shovels, forks, buckets, wheelbarrows, blowers, and our gloved hands to create a beautiful space from a barren garden bed.
It was great to work as a team to complete the whole job in one day, with the weather threatening to turn on us into the afternoon. To celebrate, we enjoyed some hot chips from a local store and viewed part of a movie related to the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which we finished reading earlier this term.
A huge thank you to Martin for his passionate expertise, Ms Costa for allowing us to show what we can do, and for helping on the shovel when she could, the staff and students of the Special Options and Pathways classes. Watch this space as we continue to work towards a few more projects in our various programs.
Congratulations to Year 8 student, Benika Kaundal, who has won third place in the secondary school category for the SA Refugee Week Youth Poster Awards! Benika’s work was one of 85 selected to exhibit from 340 entries and 55 schools.
Benika was invited to attend the exhibition launch today and to receive her award & prize.
“The artwork represents an Australia welcoming people and refugees from other countries with open hands. It shows the diversity of multi-cultures coming to Australia, adapting to new change, contributing towards the Australian community, and feeling as if they belong” – Benika Kaundal
SA Refugee Week is led by the Australian Migrant Resource Centre over 16th-22nd June and offers a range of programs, events and activities celebrating and connecting the refugee community with established communities.
While attending the Careers and Employment Expo this year organised by Ms Stamati for the Year 10 students. one of our students, Sienna, entered the competition that was running at the Expo. The competition encouraged students to engage and have conversations with several Automotive exhibitors about potential career pathways in the industry. The competition card said “The more stickers you collect the greater your chance of winning multiple prizes”. Dr Katerin Berniz, Pathways Advisor Schools Support notified Ms Costa and Ms Stamati one off our students had won multiple prizes including the first prize. As below.
“I’m very happy to announce that Sienna Peck was the diligent student who did this and as a result, has become the ‘first prize winner’.
The first prize is a voucher for V8 Front Seat Hot Laps at Mallala Motorsport Park + Sienna also won a $100 Repco Voucher!
Congratulation Sienna!
Congratulations to former Modbury High School student Lara Somfai for winning a gold medal at the u18 basketball Asia Cup this week. Lara was placed in the all-star 5 for the competition for her excellent play throughout the week.
It is amazing to see the hard work and dedication that Lara has put into basketball paying off on the big stage! She is currently playing basketball in the United States, with her next stop being to College basketball.
We wish Lara all the best with her future in basketball, and look forward to watching her grow even more as a person and a player.
The mural was a collaboration between Modbury High School, Modbury South Primary School and Modbury Special School. Young people came together to brainstorm ideas for the mural project. They wanted to tell the story of our journey, how each school is interconnected, walking together proudly side by side, to form a community spirit that is built on respect, safety for each other, responsibility, one that is strong in culture, strives for a positive learning attitude and acknowledges our history.
The artwork incorporates elements that were important to the three school communities.
There are many people sitting around the gathering places. Each school community is identified by the size of the people sitting. The circle to the right shows students from MSS, the next circle shows students from MSPS and the circle at the left shows students from MHS. Each school is on a journey to the middle circle that represents a meeting place where all three school communities come, sit together to share stories, knowledge and ideas, building on our strong collective spirit that will guide us into the future.
The star symbolises our ancestors watching over us, guiding us and protecting us. The shield symbolises that we are working and learning on Kaurna Country and that we recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. The hills above symbolises strength and pride and the waters below symbolises deep feelings of community and connectiveness.
We believe in a culture of achievement in a respectful and rigorous learning environment