Newsletter Term 2 2025 Issue 2
Principal’s Message
It is hard to believe it is the end of term already and we are half way through the year.
We have a lot to be proud of this term. We celebrated Refugee Week, with amazing dancing and appreciation for all that Refugees have brought to our country. Naidoc Week and Reconciliation Week gave us time to reflect on Bridging now to next and again a celebration of our First Nations people, culture and history.
Students have also been involved and successful in The Maths Olympics, STEM Sista and Mista, Battle of the Bands, multiple sports, and Power Cup. We have had Arts Performances, Music, Drama and Dance during the term also where students have been able to display their talents. The students who graduated from Youth Opportunities, demonstrated the growth they have made during their speeches on the night.
Students will be getting grades for the subjects that they have completed this term / semester. The first half of next term will be focussed on subject selections for 2026. It would be great if over the next few weeks you have some conversations with your student about, what they believe their strengths are, what areas of improvement do they have to work on, what career area are they thinking of investigating, do they need support to decide what they might like to study in 2026 and beyond. What goals can they set for moving forward and completing in 2025.
We have two staff who are presenting the amazing work that Parafield Gardens High School has been doing in recent years at National Conferences in Literacy and STEM. Thank you to Beth Pontifex and Sharon Kent for representing our school at these two National Conferences.
The staff of Parafield Gardens High School wish you a restful and enjoyable July holiday break.
Term 3 Key Dates
✔️ 21st of July – First day of Term 3
✔️ 30th of July – SACE Parent Information Night
✔️ 11th to 15th of August – Science Week
✔️ 15th of August – Pupil Free Day (No students expected on site)
✔️ 18th to 22nd of August – Book Week
✔️ 19th of August – Book Week Dress-Up Day (Middle School Only)
✔️ 22nd of August – Cultural Gala Night
✔️ 18th to 26th August – Japan Study Tour
✔️ 29th of August – Wear It Purple Day
✔️ 1st of September – Closure Day (Royal Adelaide Show)
✔️ 3rd of September – Closure Day (Learning Conversations)
✔️ 15th of September – R U Ok Day
✔️ 26th of September – Last day of Term 3 (Early Dismissal)
Primary Schools Transition Visits
10 students who are involved in our school’s responding to racism and cultural inclusion work visited a primary school on Monday 30 June. We were invited there by primary school staff involved in a schools anti-racism network that Ms. Cirocco and Ms. Bronwen are part of.
We were asked to help students from years 3-6 think through how they can begin responding to racism that they are experiencing at their site. Our students led the younger children beautifully, asking open questions, listening carefully, and sharing their knowledge and experiences. We can’t wait to hear about some of the new initiatives that the primary school hopes to trial as a result of our visit.
Year 12, Term 2 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 Agency in Action
Our students are stepping up as leaders—sharing ideas, working together, solving problems, and actively shaping a more positive and inclusive school culture.
At SRC meetings, students are going beyond simply raising ideas. They are researching, working in teams, gathering feedback, and putting their plans into action. A big shout-out to our Home Group representatives, who are leading the way with creative, student-driven initiatives. For example, our Year 7 Home Group representatives have proposed the development of a school playground and are already brainstorming fun and practical ways to fund it. Stay tuned for updates!
Student-Led Clubs
Student leadership doesn’t stop there. Across the school, students are running a wide range of clubs and committees throughout the week—offering plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved, try something new, and build strong, supportive relationships. We encourage all students to join in and be part of something great.
A special mention goes to our dedicated Yearbook Committee, who meet twice a week to plan and design the 2025 Yearbook.
Meanwhile, our Student Agency and Effective Learner Committee is working collaboratively to design our Effective Learner Framework. Meeting twice a week, students are exploring what it means to be an effective learner—taking ownership of their learning, bouncing back from challenges, and using strategies to climb out of the ‘learning pit’. Their work focuses on key learning dispositions such as Resilience, Empathy, and Self-Regulation, using learner action cards aligned with the Public Education Strategy.
Our Cultural Inclusion Committee also plays a vital role in creating a school environment where every student feels seen, heard, and respected. Their work continues to foster a culture where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels they belong.
We are excited to share the work of these committees with our wider school community soon—keep an eye out for opportunities to provide feedback and get involved!
Thanks,
Mandeep Kaur
2025 Semester 1 Reports
Semester 1 reports will be available on the DayMap Parent Portal and Students’ DayMap on Friday, July 4th. Students can access their reports on DayMap by navigating to Assessment > Reports, as highlighted below.
Students and parents will need an internet connection at home to access the Parent Portal or DayMap. The Parent Portal uses your personal email address as your username. Therefore, the school must have the parents’ current and active email address in the system for them to log in to the Parent Portal.
To login to the Parent Portal, please click on the link below.
✔️ Daymap Parent Portal
For instructions on how to set a password for your Daymap Parent Portal and how to navigate through your portal, please click on the link below.
Daymap Parent Portal Guide
Term 3 Learning Conversations and Subject Selection
On Wednesday 3rd September, (Term 3 Week 7), all families are invited to come and meet Home Group teachers to discuss their child’s learning and subject choices for 2026. There will be no classes on this day as all students should come with their parent/carer to the appointment. If you cannot make this day, please book an interview for your child to attend with another support person (grandparent, adult sibling etc.) Information will be sent out early in Term 3 about how to book in on the Daymap Parent Portal.
During the appointment, students in Year 7 – 11 will confirm their final subject selections. All Year 12 students will discuss their progress for the year and their post-school pathways. If students do not attend a Learning Conversation, then we cannot guarantee their subjects for 2026. Appointments will occur in the Gym, please go directly there and sign in. Students need to bring their laptop with them on the day, with their prepared presentation.
We encourage you to look at the curriculum guide with your child and discuss their subject choices for 2026 so they can make informed decisions. Students will not have the opportunity to change subjects next year. The course guide is available on our school website at Course Guide.
- Lisa Stapleton
Assistant Principal: Timetabling and Daily Orgs - Finn Galindo
Assistant Principal: Senior School - Michael Niedzwiecki
Assistant Principal: Middle School
Sports Update Term 2
Congratulations to our junior boys’ Futsal team, who came 4th in the state early this term after qualifying for the state final earlier this term. The boys demonstrated respect, achievement and determination to play exceptionally well with a significantly younger squad compared to their opposition.
Our school has had a strong presence in school sport this term, with boys and girls from Years 7–8 and 9–10 proudly representing us in 11-a-side soccer competitions. We also participated in a Year 7–12 netball tournament, where our junior netball team went undefeated, showcasing teamwork and skill. In addition, our Year 7–8 students competed in a 5-a-side soccer tournament, with the Year 8 boys emerging as champions in a thrilling final. These events highlighted our students’ enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and commitment to representing the school with pride across a variety of sporting opportunities.
The Arts Faculty News
Year 7 First Nations Histories and Cultures at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Earlier this term, two of our Year 7 classes, along with students from the ISEC program, participated in an enriching excursion to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens as part of their First Nations Histories and Cultures unit. The focus of this experience was to deepen students’ understanding of the Kaurna people’s connection to Country and to learn about native plants from Aboriginal perspectives.
Guided by Kumarninthi Cultural Education, students explored the Gardens and were introduced to a range of native Kaurna plants and their traditional uses for food, medicine, shelter, and tools. Students learned how Aboriginal knowledge systems are deeply interconnected with the land and how this knowledge has been passed down through generations for tens of thousands of years.
This excursion also provided a valuable opportunity for our ISEC students — many of whom are new to Australia — to engage with and learn about the rich and enduring cultures of First Nations Australians.
In class, students have been learning about First Nations Histories in South Australia and nationwide. It was fantastic to link this learning to a practical experience.
We thank Kumarninthi Cultural Education for facilitating this experience and look forward to continuing to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across our learning programs.
STEM Mista/Sista Program
2025 Careers Expo
The 2025 Careers Expo was a great success with over 1000 students passing through and having an opportunity to engage with 30 different exhibitors. Students were able to gain insights into employment options in a variety of industries from Hospitality, to defence & a variety of different trades. Multiple visitors from universities also attended to answer questions for those students interested in advancing their academic education after school.
Refugee Week
In Week 8 Friday assembly, we celebrated Refugee Week by emphasizing the importance of belonging and inclusivity at our school. The main focus of the assembly was to understand:
- Who refugees are and why they come to Australia.
- The many challenges refugees face upon arriving in Australia.
The significant contributions refugees make to our community.
This year’s assembly was particularly special because a student shared their personal story of seeking refuge in Australia from their native country. Their story helped us understand the struggles refugees face and highlighted the importance of respecting and supporting each other.
Additionally, students organised fun activities during break times and performed cultural music and dance, showcasing their wonderful talents and sharing their culture with everyone. It was an inspiring way to empower our community through cultural performance.
VET Enrolments for 2026
The VET enrolment process for 2026 has begun. Students need to be ensuring they have collected an enrolment pack from the VET office.
The enrolment packs are due to be submitted by the end of week 2, Term 3 & following that, meetings will run to finalise paperwork and ensure that VET is the right option for all students applying. Over the holidays, students should focus on ensuring they have a strong portfolio of evidence completed on the Google Classroom: lund7qol
If you have any questions regarding VET or the enrolment process, please contact the school & ask to speak with Alex Harrison or Vicki Demertzis. Alternatively, please email Alex at Alex.harrison516@schools.sa.edu.au
German film Festival Excursion
In Week 6 of this term, 34 Year 8 and 9 students of German as well as Mr Figel, Mr Goh and Ms Parry took the train to the city to see the German-language film Die Chaosschwestern und Pinguin Paul (The Chaos Sisters and Penguin Paul) as part of the German Film Festival at Palace Cinemas. Students had the entire Eximax cinema to themselves to enjoy the movie about a group of sisters on an adventure to save a lost penguin from a pair of evil magicians. After the film, we enjoyed lunch in the Myer Centre Food Court and took the train back to school just in time for dismissal.
“The highlight of the day was definitely the movie and the food court. I would definitely go again if it was a different movie.” – Sameer Kumar, 9B
EALD – English as an Additional Language
At Parafield Gardens HS, we have students who come from many different cultural and language backgrounds. To support students who are learning English as an Additional Language, we provide EALD intervention classes 7-10. We also offer EALD at SACE level, where it is a rigorous course similar to General English, which continues to build student English skills in preparation for work or further study, including university.
One important way that we measure progress in English language learning is through the LEAP (Learning English Achievement and Proficiency) levels. LEAP levels are measured through deep analysis of writing samples, which we do each year. Our 2025 data is currently being finalised, and students will be told their level by their teachers. LEAP level data is used to ensure students who need it are placed in the intervention classes so that they can receive additional support with English vocabulary, reading, writing and speaking skills. Teachers also use the LEAP level information to plan for teaching and learning, ensuring that appropriate amounts of support are provided.
In EALD classes, students work on developing skills and vocabulary that will support them to learn in all subject areas. For instance, in year 9 during term 2, students practiced interpreting, describing and analysing data presented in charts and graphs. Next term, year 7 students will learn how to write movie reviews and year 8 students will analyse and design advertisements using persuasive language and modality. In year 10, the curriculum focuses on skills students will need for SACE, such as essay writing, text responses and interactive learning such as interviewing.
ISEC Curriculum and Learning
The Intensive Secondary English Course (ISEC) supports newly arrived students from diverse backgrounds to develop their English skills and build academic confidence. Through tailored teaching and a focus on language development, ISEC students show strong progress across learning areas.
Starting with limited English, students gain essential skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening through scaffolded instruction, visual support, and structured group work. Progress is tracked using LEAP levels to guide targeted teaching.
In class tasks and cross-curricular projects, students apply English meaningfully—writing Science reports or sharing cultural stories. These tasks enhance language development and critical thinking.
ISEC classrooms offer a safe, inclusive space where learners feel confident to participate. Cultural identity is valued, helping students develop a strong sense of belonging.
As students transition into mainstream classes, their language growth and academic readiness prepare them for success. Their achievements reflect the strength of the ISEC model in supporting English language learners to thrive socially and academically.
Attending the ISEC course helped me not only improve my English, but also understand myself and the world around me better. In these months I learned to be braver, to get out of my comfort zone and to communicate with people from different cultures than mine. Every day was a challenge, but also an opportunity to grow.
In these six months I have discovered that learning a new language is much more than studying words and rules. Today I feel more confident, more open and ready to face new experiences. It was not just an English course, but a journey of personal growth. I am grateful for every moment lived and for everything I have learned, because I know that these six months are only the beginning of a bigger journey.I sincerely thank my teachers who have been patient and who have helped me bring out the best in me. —ISEC Graduate 2025
HaSS & EIF/AIF
Technologies
Mathematics
The Math Olympics were held at Grand Central in week 6 of this term. PGHS had a great turnout with 3 junior (year 9/10) and 2 senior (year 11/12) teams competing against a large number of teams from across the NASSSA schools. One of our senior teams placed 4th against some very strong opponents. The teams all represented PGHS positively, upholding our values of Respect, Achievement and Determination.The next Math Olympics will be held in week 6 of term 4 and is open to students from year 7 to 10 (teams divided into year 7-8 and year 9-10).
The Australian Mathematics Competition is Australia’s longest running, largest, and most well-known maths competition for school students. It is open to all year levels and is run in 3 divisions: Junior (Years 7-8), Intermediate (Years 9-10), and Senior (Years 11-12).
The time allowed is 75 minutes and there are 30 questions (25 multiple-choice, 5 integer) that may include: basic arithmetic, fractions and ratios, algebra, geometry, measurement, statistics and probability, and problem-solving (including enumeration).The scores awarded for correct answers increases
The competition will be held sometime between Tuesday 5th and Thursday 7th of August (term 3 week 3). Students who would like to participate need to register their interest using the survey link provided in the AMC Daymap bulletin.
Subject Selection
I recently presented to year 9 to 11 students about careers and study pathways involving mathematics, and the mathematics options available at PGHS. Many students have spoken to me about what they should choose.
Some key messages:
- Opting for a lower-level maths option now because it is ‘easy’ may preclude students from some SACE or university options later.
- If students intend on going to university, they should check the SATAC website for course pre-requisites.
- If students are unsure about what they want to do beyond school, or whether maths is required for their future pathways, choosing a higher-level maths subject will keep more options open for them.
- Students should aim high, but also need to be realistic about how successful they might be choosing a highly-complex maths option if they are not currently achieving strong results.
While there will be course confirmation sessions run later in the year, I am happy to answer any queries you have via phone, email, or Daymap message.
NDIS Access and Information
📣 Book a Meeting with Feros Care Local Area Coordinator (LAC) for August 13th.
We are inviting parents and guardians to meet with our Feros Care Local Area Coordinator to discuss how the NDIS can support your child’s needs both now and into the future. Whether you’re just getting started or needing help navigating your current plan, this is a great opportunity to ask questions and get expert guidance.
📅 Appointments available – bookings essential
Limited spots available. Please contact Hayley on 8258 9855 to secure your spot.
What can the Local Area Coordinator help with?
✔️ Understanding the NDIS and checking eligibility
✔️ Guiding you through the NDIS application and access process
✔️ Preparing for your child’s first planning meeting
✔️ Explaining how to set meaningful NDIS goals for your child
✔️ Connecting you with community supports and mainstream services
✔️ Helping you review and get the most out of an existing plan
✔️ Supporting you to build your child’s independence and capacity
✔️ Troubleshooting any issues with your current plan or services
✔️ Assisting with plan reassessments or change of circumstances
