As we begin the 2026 school year, I am pleased to share a number of highlights and reflections from the first few weeks of term.
The year commenced smoothly overall. There were some timetable issues during Week 0, when Daymap was not communicating effectively with the timetable system, resulting in staff and student timetables not being visible. Louise Woolford worked tirelessly to resolve these issues and is to be congratulated on the outstanding way she managed the construction of the timetable, particularly given that she assumed responsibility for this work in Term 4.
On Monday of Week 1, we held our first Student Free Day for the year. In 2026, we are continuing our work with James Anderson to deepen our understanding of learner agency and learnership. James challenged us to reflect on the importance of the language we use with students and the need to ensure that all learners are appropriately stretched in their learning. His messages were both powerful and thought-provoking, and he will continue to work alongside our staff throughout the year to support our school improvement priorities.
Our Year 12 Retreat was another significant highlight. I had the pleasure of attending and staying overnight. The retreat was extremely well organised, and I congratulate our Year 12 students, Maddie O’Brien Dent, and the staff who attended for the positive and purposeful manner in which the camp was conducted. The way our students worked together and conducted themselves clearly reflected our school values of being “United, Passionate and Accountable.”
We were also delighted to host our Parent Information Evenings in Weeks 2 and 3. These sessions were very well attended, with 178 parents joining us for the Year 7 and 8 evening alone. The Executive Team has reflected on the success of these evenings and is considering ways to further enhance the experience for families, including practical improvements such as ensuring access points are clearly open and providing additional time for parents to connect with Homegroup teachers.
On Wednesday 18 February, we held our Annual General Meeting. Martin Grabb presented the Chair’s Report, Matthew Green delivered the Annual Financial Report, and I presented the Principal’s Report. Following the formal proceedings, parents nominated for positions on the Governing Council. I am very pleased to report that all positions were successfully filled. I thank those parents who have committed their time to supporting the ongoing governance and strategic direction of our school.
On Thursday 26 February, we held our annual Open Evening. It was wonderful to welcome prospective families into our school. Parents and students were able to visit each learning area to gain an understanding of the subjects offered, the engaging learning activities used in classrooms, and examples of student work. Many visitors commented positively on the welcoming atmosphere of the evening. In particular, parents spoke highly of our student tour guides and expressed how impressed they were with their confidence, knowledge, and pride in their school.
Another special occasion was our 2025 Achievement Assembly, where we welcomed back our 2025 graduates to celebrate their outstanding results. We recognised students who achieved three or more A grades and those who attained an ATAR above 90. We also celebrated Jordyn Cook’s remarkable achievement in receiving a Governor’s Award, an honour awarded to only 40 students across the state. We were proud to announce Ariel Lim as the Dux of the 2025 school
year with an ATAR of 98.5. Ariel’s address to her peers was both gracious and inspirational. Following the formal proceedings, students and their families joined staff for morning tea.
In Week 3, Louise Woolford, Shelly Brown and I attended a two-day Portfolio Day focused on strategic planning. Professor Glen Savage from the University of Melbourne facilitated the sessions and supported us in refining our school’s strategic direction. Through a series of structured activities, we identified three key priority areas: Teaching and Learning, Empowered Learners, and Wellbeing. To ensure that our strategic priorities reflect the views of our broader community, we will be conducting a series of listening labs in the coming weeks, including a session with Governing Council members in Week 8.
Finally, we are currently experiencing some challenges with school uniform supply, as Noone has been unable to stock the correct girls’ skirts and pants. As a result, a number of students are temporarily out of correct uniform. We appreciate families’ patience as this matter is being addressed.
The strong start to the year reflects the commitment of our staff, the positive engagement of our students, and the ongoing support of our families. I look forward to sharing further updates as the term progresses.
Ms Joanne Costa
Principal
We have received concerns from residents on nearby streets, including Australia Avenue and Pompoota Road, regarding unsafe behaviour during drop-off and pick-up times.
Some residents have reported parents and carers parking in or using private driveways, as well as leaving rubbish in their yards. We kindly ask all families to please respect our neighbours and their properties.
Please remember to:
Your cooperation helps us maintain positive relationships with our local community, and we greatly appreciate your support.
Thank you for helping keep our school environment safe and respectful for everyone.
We are excited to let you know that we are now using Turnitin to support students with their writing and to help maintain strong academic standards across the school.
Turnitin is a tool used by many schools and universities including institutions like University of Adelaide, Monash University and others to check written work against a large database of sources and highlight similarities. Its purpose isn’t to “catch students out,” but to help them understand how to reference correctly, use sources appropriately, and develop their own ideas with confidence. By using Turnitin, we aim to:
Our teachers have taken part in training to ensure Turnitin is used carefully and fairly. This has included guidance on how to interpret similarity reports accurately and how to support students in responding to feedback.
We believe this will be a positive step in supporting students to become confident, responsible writers. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.
Mrs Shelly Brown
Deputy Principal
Mrs Tricker’s Year 9 Science classes performed a heart dissection this week. Students got to learn how to make accurate incisions and discover each of the chambers, valves and major blood vessels of the heart. They also learnt and demonstrated important safety procedures. Some students chose not to participate, but the ones who did were grateful of the opportunity to learn about real-life organs, how they work and what happens when things go wrong.
Mrs Vanessa Tricker
Science Teacher | 11F1 HG Teacher
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.
We welcomed back some of our Class of 2025 Outstanding Achievers on Monday 9th February to the Celebration and Achievement Assembly.
We celebrated the students who received merits, three or more A grades, 90+ raw ATARs, our governor’s Commendation Award recipient and of course our 2025 Dux.
Ariel Lim provided an inspirational speech to our current student body and staff, outlining her own journey and how she worked through all the highs and lows of the year with her supports in place.
Congratulations class of 2025 - you all made us so proud.
All the best for the next steps you are all about to embark upon and we look forward to continuing to hear of your future pursuits and successes.
Mrs Louise Woolford
Year 11/12 Assistant Principal
It was such a pleasure to welcome so many wonderful families to our Open Evening, we hope to see many of you again in the future! A huge thank you to our incredible staff and students who helped make the evening so special. Your enthusiasm and dedication truly showcased our fantastic school and all the amazing opportunities we offer.
We have had 3 works selected for the SACE Art Show this year! Congratulations to our 2025 Stage 2 Visual Art students Kiera Evans, Abby Scott and Emily Zhang. We are very proud of their achievement in the Arts as a limited amount of works were selected from all of the nominated students studying Art and Design in the state in year 12. Please visit the exhibition to see the works and find out more about the meaning behind their works before the end of term 1.
School groups and the general public are invited to attend this year’s exhibition.
2026 SACE Art Show
17 March - 10 April
Monday to Friday 9 am - 4 pm
Saturdays 10 am – 3 pm
Light Square Gallery, Adelaide College of the Arts
39 Light Square, Adelaide
This special full day event gives students a chance to learn all about the variety of careers that are needed to keep a zoo and park running. The Education team will introduce students to a range of guest speakers from animal care to horticulture, marketing and administration, as well as investigate training pathways to animal-related careers.
Adelaide Zoo:
10am – 3pm
Monarto Safari Park:
10:30am – 3:45pm
Contact the Education team on (08) 8230 1258 or azes@zoossa.com.au for any enquiries.
https://www.zoossa.com.au/careersday/
We believe in a culture of achievement in a respectful and rigorous learning environment
