Term 4 Highlight
We have had an incredible start to Term 4, with numerous activities and events keeping our school community engaged and connected.
Year 12 Breakfast
The annual Year 12 Breakfast, marking the end of formal lessons, took place on Monday, 28 October. To honour the Year 12 students, teachers cooked a delicious breakfast of pancakes and crisp bacon. Mr. Apostolou donned his DJ hat and played their favourite music, encouraging some students to hit the dance floor. Following the breakfast, students participated in the Colour Run, where both students and teachers were joyfully covered in vibrant colours. The day concluded with laughter and merriment echoing across the school grounds—a fitting farewell for our Year 12 cohort.
Valedictory Assembly
The highly anticipated Valedictory Assembly was held the next day, Tuesday, 29 November. The school concert band welcomed guests with a beautiful performance as they arrived. At 9:30 a.m., parents and teachers proudly welcomed the Year 12 students into the assembly. Ms. O’Brien-Dent and Mrs. Woolford, supported by the school captains, expertly emceed the event. Over 50 students were recognized for their outstanding achievements, with many receiving multiple awards. A highlight for parents was seeing their children receive graduation certificates, followed by an emotional video featuring inspirational quotes and words of wisdom from the graduates.
Year 12 Graduation Evening
In addition to the Valedictory Assembly, the Year 12 students, in collaboration with Ms. Woolford and Ms. O’Brien-Dent, organized an informal Graduation Evening. The ceremony began with students proudly entering the gym wearing graduation caps. Ms. O’Brien-Dent introduced each student to their parents and teachers before presenting them with a graduation keyring as a keepsake. At the count of three, the students threw their caps into the air, symbolizing their transition from high school. The evening concluded with a picnic dinner, where parents, students, and teachers celebrated together.
Remembrance Day
Our annual Remembrance Day service was held on Monday, 11 November. Mrs. Shelly Brown expertly emceed the event and shared a historical account of the significance of Remembrance Day. The Catafalque Party from Hampstead Barracks officiated the proceedings, and Warrant Officer Brett Swann delivered an inspiring address to the students. Jess Freebairn, Gargee Vyas, and I laid wreaths in memory of the fallen, paying our respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Year 7 Entrepreneurship Market Day
On Friday, 8 November, the Year 7 students showcased their entrepreneurial skills during Market Day. The Year 7 building was abuzz with activity as students set up their stalls, offering a variety of goods and services. Parents enthusiastically supported the event by purchasing items and engaging with the students. Ms. Stamati and her team of teachers were highly impressed by the students’ creativity and the tremendous support from families. A special thank-you to Ms. Botten for her leadership in planning and organizing this successful event. The students collectively raised $1,600, which will be donated to their chosen charities.
Ms Joanne Costa
Principal
On Monday October 28th, our Year 12 students celebrated the conclusion of their formal lessons with a vibrant and energetic Breakfast and Colour Run event. The morning kicked off with a Pancake BBQ Breakfast cooked by their teachers. A special shout-out to Mr. Apostolou, whose DJ skills brought energy and atmosphere to the breakfast and set the tone for a fantastic day.
In tradition, students went above and beyond in transforming their uniforms into unique and imaginative costumes, showcasing their creativity - turning their school uniforms into works of art.
A huge thank-you goes out to all the staff who helped organise and run the event, ensuring everything ran smoothly and the students had an unforgettable experience. From flipping pancakes at the BBQ to setting up the Colour Run course, your hard work and commitment made the morning a success! Thank you to Terriann for photographing the event and capturing these special moments for our students.
Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader
From October 21st to 25th, Modbury High School celebrated its first-ever Spirit Week, led by our creative and enthusiastic Year 12 cohort. Designed to boost morale and celebrate school pride during their final week of classes, the week featured a series of exciting dress-up themes.
Monday saw a parade of Fictional Characters, followed by Athletes and Artists on Tuesday. Wednesday brought Favourite Decades to life, while Thursday had everyone reminiscing with a Primary School Throwback theme. The week concluded with Friday’s hilarious Anything but a Bag day, where students' ingenuity truly shone. From wheelbarrows and soup pots to artworks, suitcases, and even younger siblings, the creativity on display was outstanding!
Staff joined in the fun, dressing up alongside students and adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Spirit Week was not only a celebration of the Year 12s' journey but also a great way to alleviate exam stress and foster a sense of community.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 for their innovation, enthusiasm, and participation. Your energy made this week an unforgettable part of your final days at Modbury High School!
Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader
On Tuesday October 29th, we farewelled our Year 12 students, celebrating their achievements and contributions over the past five years. The event recognised not only academic, sporting, and leadership successes but also the dedication of students to the school and wider community.
A highlight of the morning was the Valedictory speeches from Kaiwen He and Owen Wythe, who shared reflections on their time at Modbury and expressed gratitude to those who supported them throughout their journey. The assembly also featured the presentation of awards, acknowledging students for their hard work and contributions in areas such as academics, citizenship, and innovation.
The ceremony ended with a performance by the MHS Big Band, followed by morning tea where families, staff, and students came together to celebrate this milestone. Congratulations to all our graduates – we are proud of your efforts and wish you every success in the future!
Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader
As the Year 12 Chemistry students approached their final exams, they took part in a timeless tradition – the silver plating of bottles using the Tollens test reaction. This classic rite of passage, cherished by chemistry students for generations, involves a carefully orchestrated reaction that deposits a reflective silver layer onto glass surfaces, creating a beautiful mirror-like finish on each bottle.
For those who may be unfamiliar, the Tollens test is historically significant in chemistry for identifying aldehyde functional groups, forming a silver mirror when reacted with them. For our students, however, it’s much more than a test – it’s a symbol of accomplishment and camaraderie, one that stays with them long after graduation. I still have my own silver-plated bottle from 1991!
We extend our best wishes for their success to these students. Their commitment to mastering the complexities of chemistry is inspiring, and I am confident they will bring the same curiosity and determination into every future endeavour. Good luck, Year 12 – may your hard work be as enduring as the silver you’ve plated!
Mr. Gavini
Science Teacher
On Wednesday the 30th of October, 11 Year 10 girls had the incredible opportunity to attend the Empowered Female Youth Leadership Conference, a gathering that inspired and uplifted young women aspiring to become leaders in their communities. The conference featured a series of engaging panels and hands-on activities designed to empower us both in sport and life.
The first panel was a highlight, featuring AFLW athletes Ash Saint, Amelie Borg, Sachi Syme, and Kirsty Lamb. They shared their insights about the often-misunderstood life of an athlete, debunking the myth that it’s all glitz and glamour. They reminded us that even the strongest athletes need help from positive and supportive people around them and that we can all lead by example—titles such as ‘captain’ are not necessary to inspire others. It was empowering to hear their stories and recognize that vulnerability is part of strength.
We were honoured to have Eloise Hall as a guest speaker, Co-founder of Taboo Period Products. Her passionate discussion about period poverty opened our eyes to the challenges many face and her initiative, “Pad It Forward,” which helps provide menstrual products to those in need. Her mission to end period poverty by 2030 is both ambitious and necessary, and she encouraged us to seek help wherever we can, from whoever is willing to give it.
In the second panel, Australian Olympian Izzi Batt-Doyle, Janelle Cuthbertson (captain of the Port Adelaide AFLW team), and Maria Moloney emphasized the importance of discerning whose opinions truly matter. They encouraged us not to be swayed by everyone’s thoughts and reminded us that it’s perfectly okay to take a break when we need it. They reminded us to remember our ‘why’, enjoy what you do and stay present in the moment as a way of not getting overwhelmed. We were encouraged to be brave, not perfect because discomfort is temporary and if you don’t reach your goal exactly as you want it doesn’t change your great worth as a person. Their advice felt both relatable and empowering, reinforcing the idea that mental health is just as important as physical performance.
After the panels, we got to roll up our sleeves and hone our AFL skills. Exploring the facilities felt like a dream come true, and our practice sessions for goal-kicking, combined with the excitement of an all-in game, really brought us together as a team.
During the conference, Emily Piacquadio was chosen to be interviewed about the Empowered Program in schools and benefits of it. Her interview, along with snippets of the day featured on 9 News. Emily spoke of the importance of speaking up to violence against women and how the program increases hope that there is a way out of it by seeking support. Together we can get through the hard times we all face. Emily received a signed guernsey as a thank you for her active participation.
Reflecting on the conference, I feel grateful for the knowledge gained and connections made. It was a day filled with inspiration, and I left feeling empowered to take on challenges, support others, and lead in my own unique way. Here’s to embracing our leadership journeys and lifting each other up along the way!
- Jess Freebairn and Ms Lauren Freeth
Student and Year 9/10 Leader
On Thursday, November 14th, over 360 guests gathered to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2024 at Modbury High School’s second Graduation event. This evening was a testament to the incredible spirit and unity of our school community, with students, families, and staff coming together to mark this milestone.
The event included inspiring speeches from Mrs. Woolford, Mr. Krznaric. Students Jack Counihan-Abbott and Abbey Clarke also perfectly acknowledged the graduating cohort’s journey with their well-thought-out words.
The graduates were presented individually, with families and friends applauding their achievements as they took to the stage. A special moment of the night was the cap toss, symbolising the transition from students to graduates. The celebrations continued with music and mingling, as families and friends reflected on the journey of the Class of 2024.
Attendees enjoyed a festive atmosphere, with delicious wood-fired pizzas (huge shout out to Adelaide Woodfired Pizzas) and charcuterie boxes. Mr Apostolou and Aiden Klose provided music for the event, keeping the ambience in check with their DJ skills – thank you! A big thank you to the Year 12 Graduation Committee for their work, the incredible support of the Year 11 helpers on the night, and to all of the amazing MHS staff who made the event happen. Thank you to all of the families and guests for once again supporting our Year 12s with this event!
Congratulations to our graduates, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event such a success. The Class of 2024 has left a lasting legacy, and we look forward to seeing all they will achieve in the years ahead!
Ms O'Brien-Dent
Year 11/12 Leader
Please click the following for the stationery list:
Year 7 Students in 2025
Year 8 Students in 2025
Year 9-12 Students in 2025
Get ready to embrace the magic of the season at Civic Park Carols 2024, where we'll be bringing you a stellar night filled with joy, music, and holiday spirit! This is an unforgettable evening of festive fun that will captivate the whole family.
Where: Civic Park, North East Road, Modbury
Date: Sunday 15 December 2024
For more information follow the link:
https://www.teatreegully.sa.gov.au/community-and-recreation/major-events/civic-park-carols
We believe in a culture of achievement in a respectful and rigorous learning environment
