Welcome to Parafield Gardens High School’s Newsletter
Issue 2
Principal’s Message
Dear Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
Term 1 has been an eventful start to the year, with a wide range of activities and experiences across our school community. One of the highlights was Sports Day at Bridgestone Park, where it was fantastic to see so many students proudly wearing their team colours and participating enthusiastically in events throughout the day.
Many students also engaged in off-campus activities, including the State Athletics Carnival at SANTOS Stadium, the SACE Art Display, various sports carnivals, and Outdoor Education camps and excursions. These opportunities provided valuable experiences and memories beyond the classroom.
Throughout the term, there has been a strong focus on supporting students as they transition to their next year level. We have worked on helping students understand learning expectations, develop readiness to learn, and know how to seek support when needed. Goal setting has been a key part of this process, and it has been encouraging to see students taking ownership of their goals and confidently discussing them. Our Learning Conversations provided a valuable opportunity for students to share their progress and aspirations with parents and caregivers.
We were proud to host an Iftar evening at Parafield Gardens High School, with over 200 attendees from both our school and Parafield Gardens Primary School communities. It was a wonderful celebration of culture and an important step in continuing our commitment to inclusion and belonging.
Another standout moment was our Harmony Week assembly, where many students wore traditional dress to proudly represent their cultural heritage—a powerful reminder of the diversity and strength of our school community.
As we approach the holiday break, I’d like to thank all students, staff, and families for their contributions to a successful Term 1. I hope everyone enjoys a restful break and we look forward to welcoming students back in Term 2, refreshed and ready for the learning ahead.
Warm regards,
Jane Barnett
Supporting Positive Social Media Interactions
Social media can have both positive and negative impacts on students. At times, interactions that occur outside of school hours can affect students’ well-being and, in turn, their ability to focus and engage in learning during the school day. Negative online experiences may leave students feeling worried, heightened, or upset when they come to school.
If your child is feeling distressed about a social media incident outside of school, we encourage you to reach out to their Home Group Teacher or Learning Community Manager. This will allow us to provide appropriate support and guide a respectful and restorative approach to addressing concerns.
Additionally, inappropriate online interactions can be reported to the eSafety Commissioner, which offers valuable advice, information, and resources for young people and families. Topics covered on the website include:
- Online bullying
- Respectful relationships
- Consent for sharing photos and videos
- Many other important digital safety topics
For guidance on managing online interactions and ensuring a safer digital experience, we encourage you to visit the eSafety Commissioner https://www.esafety.gov.au
By working together, we can support students in developing positive and respectful online behaviours that contribute to their well-being and success.
Penny Chancellor
Deputy Principal
Term 2 Key Dates
- 11th April – Last Day Term 1 Early Dismissal 2.10pm
- 28th April – First Day Term 2
- 16th May – Power Cup SAASTA Academy Students
- 23rd May – Student Free Day
- 23rd May – Yr 12 Formal
- 26th-30th May – Reconciliation Week
- 16th – 20th June – Refugee Week
- 23rd June – Semester 2 Begins
- 4th July – Last Day Term 2 Early Dismissal
Year 12 Term 1 Holiday Program
During the school holidays, Year 12 teachers are offering holiday sessions to their students. Please see the program in the link below:
These sessions are extremely valuable for students to attend, so they can receive extra learning support and time to work on assignments, however are not compulsory to attend. Students are encouraged to discuss these sessions further with their subject teachers.
Please direct any questions to Sam Beales and Steph Bartlett, Senior School LCMs
sam.beales848@schools.sa.edu.au and stephanie.bartlett496@schools.sa.edu.au
Student Leadership – SRC Report
Our Student Leadership Team
The Student Leadership structure for 2025 includes Home Group (HG) representatives from each HG. These representatives play a vital role in fostering a culture of student agency in learning, providing a platform to represent both their home group and the broader school community. This year, we are committed to building a more inclusive and supportive SRC team and school environment for everyone.
Congratulations to the 2025 Student Leadership Team! You will play a key role in shaping meaningful changes that benefit students, both in your classes and across the school.
Learning Communities in Action
Our Learning Community Captains brought incredible energy to Sports Day! From passionate chants to enthusiastic team spirit, students cheered their teams to victory. Our leaders played a key role in building excitement, guiding their communities in creating banners and leading chant practices. Learning Community Captains proudly opened the Sports Day ceremony, setting the stage for an exciting and memorable event.
SRC Committees
Our SRC team has formed committees aligned with student interests and the school’s strategic directions.
| Committees | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Student Agency & Effective Learners | Promote a culture where students are active partners in their learning. SRC leaders will work to define "effective learners" in alignment with school values. |
| Environmental Sustainability Committee | Improve cleanliness, promote recycling, and foster a healthy school environment. |
| Yearbook and School Promotions | Take ownership of media content creation, designing the yearbook, and coordinating promotional materials. |
| Student-Led Clubs | Focuses on cultivating student interests and building a sense of community by supporting the creation and development of various clubs. Club 1: Chess Club Club 2: Music Club Club 3: Board Games Club 4: Peer Tutoring Club 5: Garden Club Club 6: Dance Club Club 7: Arts Club |
| Cultural Inclusion | Advocate for inclusivity, celebrate diversity, and lead initiatives that promote equality and belonging. |
Our Young Leaders Beyond School
Our school captains, Quennie and Sajida, had the opportunity to share a powerful message about teamwork, goal setting, and collaboration as they introduced the Parafield Gardens Primary School student leadership team. Congratulations to all nominated students as they begin their leadership journey, working to create a more inclusive, safe, and engaging school environment.
Student Agency in Learning Committee
Student leaders from the Student Agency in Learning Committee participated in the Term 1 CE Student Forum, where they helped launch student-designed resources and contributed to discussions on the 2025 forum topic: Learning Mode and Performance Mode.
SA SRC Representation
Congratulations to Izabella and Quennie, who have been accepted into the SA SRC 2025 under the Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights Campaign! This initiative focuses on well-being, awareness, and accessibility to health products. They attended the SA SRC Summit on March 21, where they engaged in discussions emphasising open-mindedness, active listening, and advocacy skills—essential for presenting to policymakers.
We look forward to an exciting year of student leadership and meaningful initiatives!
2025 OZCLO
On the 5th of March, four students, Sara from Year 10 and Nhu, Adaline and Tiana from Year 9, competed as a team in OZCLO, the Australian Computational and Linguistics Olympiad.
OZCLO requires students to decipher five complex language problems in two hours. This year, students solved problems relating to cricket team names in Hindi, by examining the Devangari script, counting in Proto-Basque, the reconstructed ancestor of Basque which is spoken in a small region between Spain and France, the morphologically complex verbs of the Oklahoma dialect of Cherokee, the Nancowry language, a distant relative of Vietnamese and Khmer, and the complex pronouns of the Waanyi language, spoken in northwest Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The girls worked on problems both independently, and as a team, and by the end managed to provide responses for every question, even if they were mentally exhausted by the end. Unfortunately, the team did not progress to the national round, but achieved a bronze ranking. They are looking forward to competing in SACLO, the South Australian Computational and Linguistics Olympiad, later this year.
Sports Day
The 2025 School Sports Day was a fantastic success, filled with exciting competition, outstanding participation, and plenty of school spirit! Students from all year levels gave their best effort, earning points for their houses through a variety of track and field events, novelty activities, and volunteer contributions.
After a day of thrilling races, determined efforts, and enthusiastic cheering, Kauwi claimed the overall victory with an impressive 1,290 points. Yitpi was close behind with 1,198 points, followed by Yarta (868 points) and Tirntu (853 points). Every house had standout performances, with Yitpi dominating the Year 7 and Year 8 events, while Kauwi’s senior students led the way in their division.
One of the highlights of the day was the incredible participation across all events. Whether competing in the 100m heats, joining in novelty events, or lending a hand as helpers, students displayed teamwork and enthusiasm. A special mention goes to Tirntu, which had an outstanding 40 helpers, showing the true spirit of cooperation.
A huge thank you to all students, staff, and supporters who made the day such a success. We can’t wait for next year’s Sports Day – will Kauwi defend their title, or will another house rise to the challenge? Stay tuned!
2025 SACE Art Show
On Wednesday 19th March students from Year 12 Visual Art, Visual Design and Creative Arts Visual visited the Art Gallery of South Australia, the Jam Factory and the Light Square Gallery.
We spent the morning at AGSA viewing artwork in the main galleries and we were also able to visit the Radical Textile exhibition. After lunch at the Myer Center, we caught the tram to the east end and had a quick stop at the Jam Factory before heading to the SACE art show at the TAFE Light Square Gallery.
Students were able to view and take photos of their favourite artworks for inspiration and research – they will use these in their Visual Study and Folio tasks over the year.
Harmony Week
Each year, Harmony Day provides a meaningful opportunity to celebrate and embrace Australia’s rich cultural diversity. It is a time to promote inclusion, respect, and appreciation for the unique stories, traditions, and backgrounds of all who call Australia home.
During Week 7, we held a vibrant and uplifting assembly that showcased unity and cultural pride. The event truly embodied our school’s core values: Respect, Achievement, and Determination. Our Cultural Inclusion Captain and Committee collaborated with students to organise a spectacular Cultural Parade, where over 120 students proudly represented their heritage by wearing traditional attire. The assembly also featured captivating cultural dance performances, highlighting the diverse talents within our school community.
Additionally, this special occasion provided the perfect moment to celebrate academic excellence, as we proudly congratulated Joseph Gardner, the Parafield Gardens High School DUX award winner for 2024.
Take a look at some of the highlights from our Harmony Week assembly.
Iftar Celebration
This term, Parafield Gardens High School relished the opportunity to celebrate Harmony Week a time to recognise and honour the rich cultural diversity that makes our community so special. As part of our celebrations, we hosted two incredibly meaningful events.
The week began with our annual Harmony Week Assembly, which was a vibrant and joyful celebration of culture and connection. One of the highlights was the Cultural Dress Parade, where students proudly wore traditional clothing representing their cultural backgrounds. The assembly also featured special performances by students from across year levels, showcasing traditional dances and music that celebrated cultures from around the world.
AFter great success last year, we also held a community Iftar Meal on campus, which was an incredibly special and successful evening. Over 200 guests from both our primary and high school communities gathered together to break fast at sunset, share food, and connect as part of Ramadan. For many, it was a chance to learn more about the significance of Ramadan, while for others, it was an opportunity to share an important part of their culture and faith with friends, teachers, and families.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported and attended the Iftar Meal and Harmony Week celebrations. These events would not have been possible without the commitment and generosity of our staff, families, and community partners.
Thank you for helping us create a school where diversity is celebrated and everyone is welcome, we look forward to our upcoming Cultural Gala!
Year 10 Outdoor Education Excursion
This term in Year 10 Outdoor Education, students have been focusing on Group Dynamics and Leadership where they have undertaken a range of activities to apply their theory to real life situations. They then worked in groups to create their own group dynamics games that we played at Semaphore. Later in the term, we have turned our focus to Minimal impact and Risk Management where we have applied our learning during a day of Sailing and Kayaking at West Lakes Aquatic Centre.
Poetry in Action
On Wednesday, 26th March, our Year 9 cohort watched Words of War, a powerful performance by Poetry in Action. The performance connected their English poetry unit with their upcoming WWI studies in HaSS, bringing history to life through spoken word and theatre.
Students were engaged and respectful, gaining a deeper appreciation for how poetry captures the experiences of war. A big thank you to Poetry in Action for an inspiring performance!
Debating Club
This year, we have 2 teams for debating – Year 10 and Seniors. Students from years 9, 10, 11 and 12 are welcome to join. Debates will start next term, but preparation and practice are underway! Come and join us at 3.15pm on Thursdays in the Library, or speak to Mrs Kat Ward (Yitpi LCM) for more information.
English
Technologies
VET and Cross-Disciplinary
Existing VET Students in 2025
We are well into the year now and it has been great to see students engaging in industry standard courses, and preparing for their pathways beyond school.
Aspiring VET Students for 2026
As we move into term 2, the VET application process begins to ramp up. All year 10 and 11 students will have received a link to a survey on Daymap which indicates what pathway they are interested in upon leaving school. This data is used to allocate students into appropriate opportunities and career/VET related sessions. Hear from the Trainer sessions kick off early May – this is an opportunity for students to hear directly from the trainer what happens in an average day of VET & helps students to get an idea of whether or not they want to enrol into a course. Students are free to attend multiple sessions, but will be allocated into the sessions that link to their indicated pathway from their survey responses. Mid term 3, students will attend immersion sessions, or ‘Try a Trade’ days, again using the data from their survey. Please see Mr. Harrison in the first week of term 2 if you have any questions about the VET enrolment process, or if you have not completed the pathway survey. Parents and carers, please speak with your students if they are in year 10 or 11 if they are interested in a trade pathway to ensure that they don’t miss the term 2 opportunities. Please email any questions or queries regarding VET to Mr. Harrison via Alex.Harrison516@schools.sa.edu.au
Mathematics
SACE Pathways in Mathematics
Parafield Gardens continues to offer some strong senior school pathways in mathematics, with both Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics being delivered on site. This is something that many other schools are unable to do, due to a low number of students who are interested or adequately prepared for these very challenging subjects.
Studying Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics in SACE equips students with essential skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, and critical reasoning. These subjects prepare students for a wide range of pathways, including higher education in fields like engineering, physics, and computer science, as well as careers in STEM, finance, and data analysis. By developing strong numerical and abstract reasoning abilities, students are well-prepared for future challenges and opportunities, making these subjects a valuable choice for those interested in pursuing diverse and rewarding career paths.
Maths Olympics
The Maths Olympics will be running again this year in term 2 (for year 9/10 and 11/12 students) and term 4 (for year 7/8 and 9/10 students). This event involves teams of 4 from northern-area schools competing in several rounds of problem solving and challenges for mathematical glory!
The term 2 Maths Olympics will be held on June 4th (Wednesday of week 6) from 5:30pm-8:30pm at Grand Central (Central District Football Club, Elizabeth). The term 4 event is likely to be held on November 19th (also Wednesday of week 6 – TBC closer to the date). Parents are welcome to book in for a meal while they wait for their children to finish the competition.
Interested students should speak with their maths teacher about getting involved.
HPE
What a term it has been for school sports! Our students have given it their all across a range of competitions, showing incredible skill, determination, and teamwork.
We kicked things off with our Year 7/8 boys’ and girls’ Basketball teams, who played with great energy and teamwork, giving tough competition to every school they faced. Also, our Year 7 mixed volleyball team showed fantastic enthusiasm, improving with every game and making us all proud.
A big highlight this term was the Northern District Athletics Carnival, where our athletes put in some outstanding performances. Whether it was on the track, in the field, or cheering on their teammates, our students represented the school with pride and sportsmanship.
One of our biggest achievements came in senior boys’ Futsal. After a series of incredible performances, the team qualified for the state finals! Their hard work, dedication, and teamwork saw them dominate the regional competition, and we couldn’t be prouder of their success.
To round out the term, our senior boys’ basketball teams showed resilience and competitive spirit in every game, proving they’re a force to be reckoned with.
A huge congratulations to all our student-athletes for an amazing term of sport. We can’t wait to see what’s in store next term!
SAASTA
The SAASTA program has provided students with an exciting and enriching lead-up to the upcoming South Australian Power Cup—a three-day football tournament that concludes with a special on-field performance before a Port Adelaide match at Adelaide Oval. In preparation, students have had the unique opportunity to work with Aboriginal artist Scott Rathman to create a meaningful piece of art for a guernsey design competition, combining culture with creativity. Adding to the experience, AFLW and SANFL players have visited to share insights into their own journeys, their involvement with SAASTA, and to run football skill sessions with the students, further building their confidence and passion both on and off the field.
Career Discovery Week ACE
In Week 8 of Term 1, a group of Year 10 Aboriginal students—Amaliah, Ciara, Heidi, and Ethan—took part in the Aboriginal Career Exploration Week, immersing themselves in the fields of Arts, Health, and Trades. The Arts program gave students the chance to work hands-on with clay and collaborate on a short film, learning to use professional cameras, sound equipment, and editing software. Meanwhile, those in the Health stream explored a range of medical settings, including visits to hospitals and the Royal Adelaide Flying Doctor Service, where they had the opportunity to examine real-life medical equipment. The Trades program provided valuable practical experiences across a variety of fields such as plumbing, bricklaying, and carpentry, giving students a deeper understanding of the skills and pathways available in these industries.
HASS
Year 8s – ANZAC Day
During HASS lessons, Year 8 students conducted a range of engaging activities to help them understand the significance of ANZAC Day. The lesson began with a short presentation about the history and meaning of ANZAC Day. Students then participated in group activities that involved creative art projects like painting poppies and making poppies out of heart cutouts. These hands-on tasks encouraged reflection and respectful discussion about Australia’s past and the importance of remembrance. Student participation was active and enthusiastic throughout the activities.
HASS Dioramas
In 7F HASS, students were tasked to create a model or diorama relating to the topic Deep Time History of Australia at the completion of the unit. Students could work in groups or independently to choose any topic we had learnt about across the unit and apply their learning to create their model or diorama. These student examples include a model of Uluru, an early hominid skull and homosapien skull, dioramas depicting the Dreaming ‘Tiddalik’, a model of Twin Falls in Kakadu National Park, and native Australian flora Telopea speciosissima.
Science
Science for Term 1
This term there has been a wide range of learning opportunities in the science faculty! In term 1, our yr 7’s have been learning about particle theory in Chemistry. They have developed lab safety skills through carrying out various experiments and have investigated different methods for separating mixtures including using magnetism, evaporation, filtration and chromatography. They applied this learning through a series of practical investigations.
For our year 8’s they have been learning about different types of matter and the foundations of chemical reactions. They have applied their learning through a practical investigation where they tested and identified different physical and chemical changes.
For the year 9’s, term 1 had a focus on Biology. They looked at the role of body systems in regulating and coordinating the body’s response to a stimulus, and how the body maintains constant internal conditions. They also looked at reproductive cells and organs for animals and plants and how sexual and asexual reproduction enables the survival of different species. They applied their learning through a written report on a disorder associated with imbalance of hormones in the body, discussing the impacts of the condition and how it can be treated.
The year 10’s have also looked at Biology this term. They have reviewed the basics of genetics and how DNA makes us who we are as well as the different theories for how different species can form. They applied their learning through a research task. The general science classes looked at genetic modification and how it can be applied as well as the social and ethical issues with this. The pre-SACE class engaged with a SACE level Science as a Human Endeavour task in which they looked at how CRISPR can be used to treat genetic conditions and how this can impact society.
Special Events:
In week 7 of this term we attended the first NASSSA science olympiad at the central districts football club. We had several junior and middle school teams who represented the school really well and had a fantastic night. One of our middle school teams was able to get third place out of all the teams from all the schools in the Northern areas which was fantastic!
Yr 12 Integrated Learning: Healthcare Focus
After the success of our nursing and midwifery pilot program last year, we are offering it again and expanding it out to include all healthcare careers and it has been adopted by Craigmore and Salisbury East High School as well. The subject is focused on building skills and experiences for students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Throughout the term the students have been investigating different healthcare careers and building their communication skills for a healthcare setting. We have been able to engage in person with professionals from a wide range of healthcare careers including medicine, nursing, midwifery, speech pathology, social work and physiotherapy. The class has also been given a group of 5 mentors who will come to the school multiple times this year to give the students expert advice and feedback to help them to build their skills so that they can be successful in a future healthcare career.
Special Options
Our students have been hard at work with Ms. Carr, creating a beautiful sensory garden that will provide a calming, engaging space for all to enjoy. So far, they have been busy cleaning up the area, moving garden beds into their new positions, and starting the process of paving the garden path.
This sensory garden will feature a variety of plants and textures, offering a rich experience for our students to explore through sight, touch, and smell. The project is an excellent opportunity for the students to develop practical skills while working together as a team to create something meaningful.
We’re looking forward to watching the garden grow and seeing how it will serve as a peaceful retreat for students, as well as a valuable learning space.
In Art this term, students have worked on a range of art projects and tried different art styles. They worked on Pete Cromer collage art to learn about layers, shapes and colour. The class looked at Karin Olah landscape art, creating lovely landscapes with acrylic paint and fabric pieces. Students also had a go at creating their own Mila Useche inspired paintings with posca paint pens and acrylic paint. They learnt about positive and negative space with their Useche work. What a terrific start to the year with Art!
During Science lessons, students explored the safe and responsible use of everyday cleaning products. They learned about product labels, correct storage, appropriate usage, and the importance of personal protective equipment. Students applied this knowledge through hands-on activities to reinforce safe practices in real-life situations. In addition to this, students worked collaboratively to develop a proposal for a new pathway near the Special Class building. Their plan aimed to make travel through the area safer, more accessible, and convenient.
Students have taken part in individualised learning programs tailored to their interests and needs. These programs have included enrolment in VET courses to build vocational skills, following step-by-step instructions to create detailed LEGO models that support fine motor development and problem-solving, and growing and caring for lavender plants. The harvested lavender has been used to make soap products.
Student Representation
One of our own year 10 student Paxton Ong, represented South Australia at the Australian Athletics National Competition in Perth this month. Paxton competed in the Heptathlon, which is 7 events over 2 days. He also competed in 3 individual events in Long Jump, 100m and 200m.
