On Monday, staff at Gladstone High School and Laura Primary School participated in a joint Student Free Day focused on strengthening our understanding and application of restorative practices and fair consequences. This valuable professional learning gave us the opportunity to reflect on how we approach behaviour, build strong relationships, and foster a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

The day emphasised the importance of restorative conversations – giving students the opportunity to reflect, take responsibility, and restore relationships – and how this can be balanced with fair, appropriate consequences. These approaches support student wellbeing and long-term behaviour change rather than relying solely on punitive measures.

To continue this work, we used our early dismissal on Tuesday to deepen the conversation and explore how we can embed consistent practices across our classrooms, yard, and broader school culture. It’s exciting to work closely with our feeder primary school to align our expectations and approaches, ensuring students experience continuity in how they are supported to learn and grow, both behaviourally and academically.

Last week, we were also fortunate to welcome Chris Dodd, the current recipient of the Elder NAIDOC Award, who visited our school and shared his insights and experiences with students and staff. His visit was both inspiring and grounding, offering a strong cultural perspective.

We would also like to offer our congratulations to past student Takeira Crosby-Woods, who was recently awarded the Port Pirie NAIDOC Youth Award – a wonderful recognition of her contributions and leadership.

A huge thank you goes to our student leaders, who proudly represented the school by conducting tours during our recent Open Day. Their confidence, leadership and school spirit were clearly on display. We also thank the many students and staff who made themselves available after hours to provide extra displays and information for visiting families – your efforts were instrumental in making the event a success.

And finally, we send our best wishes to the Year 9 students and staff heading off on the ski trip next weekend. With excellent snow conditions currently being reported, we hope you have an enjoyable, safe and memorable experience on the slopes!

Year 11 Work Experience: Exploring Pathways, Building Skills

At the end of Term 2, our Year 11 students stepped out of the classroom and into the world of work, gaining invaluable first-hand experience across a wide range of industries. Work experience provides students with an opportunity to explore possible career pathways, develop practical skills, and build confidence for life beyond school.

This year, students impressed employers and mentors at an inspiring variety of placements, from local businesses to larger regional organisations. Some students spent time in classrooms at Kapunda Primary School, Laura Primary School, and Gladstone High School, exploring careers in education. Others got their hands dirty at Hanley Auto Repairs, DML Automotive, Goodyear Autocare, or with Joe Curtis, Plumber — experiencing life in the trades and mechanical industries.

Some gained insight into the world of health and care through placements at Port Pirie Regional Health Service, SA Medical Imaging, SAMI Clare Hospital, and Fernwood Darwin, while others explored opportunities in local government at Port Pirie Regional Council and SA Water. Creative industries were also represented with placements at Paolo Sebastian, while other students worked in retail, hospitality and services with employers like Stone Hut Bakery, Pirie Nails, Soul Lifestyle, and Gladstone Post Office.

The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. Many spoke of increased confidence, new skills learned, and a clearer sense of where their future might take them. We are proud of the mature and enthusiastic way our Year 11s embraced this opportunity, and grateful to all the local employers who generously hosted and supported our students.

Work experience continues to be a highlight of the school year and an important step in helping our students connect learning with life after school.

Year 12 Retreat

During Week 9 of last term, the Year 12s made their way down to Adelaide and enjoyed their annual retreat. Day one started with Bounce, where the students carelessly jumped around and participated in a fiery match of dodgeball. After maturing back to their age, the Year 12s then made their way to IKEA, where we indulged ourselves in some Swedish meatballs, along with a skittish game of hide and seek. The game quickly fell apart due to the sheer size of IKEA and miscommunication of the rules. After we finally found each other, we caught the bus to West Beach, where we based ourselves for the next two nights. We scrubbed up and made our way to Brighton Fasta Pasta, eating our way through a variety of pasta and pizza.

Day two began with a game of mini golf, followed by ice skating in the city. This tested our ability to the max, with some students significantly better and some needing extra support (the penguins came in clutch). After this, we wandered into the city and spent some time (and money) in Rundle Mall. After we killed some time, we made our way to the train station, where we briskly ran to the train (that we almost missed) for our Marion shopping night. We spent a few hours here, wandering around the shops, watching movies, and just spending time with friends on the last night of camp.

Day three kicked off with the packing up of our cabins and tidying the surrounding areas. This was done quite quickly, and students were ready and prepared to leave early, so kudos to us! With a buffet lunch ahead of us, we were all preparing ourselves for the big feed. Our first stop was on Jetty Road in Glenelg, where we all hit the op shops to buy our assigned person some ‘going out for lunch’ clothes. This consisted of Jonah wearing a turtleneck, Liam in velvet pants, Sataya in a velour skirt, Sam in pink fluffy slippers, and many more stylish fits. Once we hit Charlie’s Diner for lunch, the race was on between Sam and Max, both tied and finishing up with 6 platefuls of food. The sickening ride on the bus home was both quiet and sombre, with the year 12s realising that this bittersweet moment meant their last school camp altogether.

We thank Mr Rutjens and Miss Johnson for making this camp possible.

By Max Pedler

SACE & SATAC Information Night

Choosing pathways for life after school can feel overwhelming, so we’re here to help. On Monday 11 August (Week 4, Term 3), we will be hosting an important SACE and SATAC Information Night for students and their families.

This session will provide clear, practical guidance on completing the SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education) and understanding how to apply for university or TAFE through SATAC. It’s a valuable opportunity for families to ask questions, gather information, and feel confident about the next steps toward further study, training or employment.

We strongly encourage all Year 11 and 12 students and their parents/caregivers to come along and make the most of this chance to plan ahead together.

Subject Counselling

Please use the Sentral Portal to book your subject counselling session for Week 5 or 6. These sessions are for students who will be completing SACE in 2026. During the session, your child’s intended pathways will be discussed and their beginning or continuing SACE journey planned.

If you are unable to attend during these weeks, please contact Alison Johnson to arrange an alternative time. If no booking is made, your child will be consulted during school hours and you will be informed of the decisions made.

Introductory lab- Year 11 Bio students

Students are beginning their study on the first topic, Cells & Microorganisms. Students looked at a lot of different types of cells under the microscope and were able to clearly see cell features.

Road Awareness Program

The MFS Road Awareness Program (RAP) recently came to Gladstone High School, presenting some hard-hitting facts about the impact of road users and their actions on safety, statistics, individuals and service workers. Year 11 students from Gladstone High School and Jamestown Community School were captivated by the content and provoked to reconsider how the seemingly minor infractions can cause considerable consequences. Josh Byerlee (MFS) ran the informative session, with the added knowledge of the area and the habits of rural kids having grown up in Orroroo. The personal and confronting nature of photos, videos and interviews prompted reflection and discussion amongst the students, heightened by the crash victim survivor, Yudi Mohan-Ram, who shared his extraordinary story of survival, the harsh impacts on his life, family and day-to-day events that still occur 23 years after his life-altering accident where a hurried driver t-boned him on his motorbike. This harrowing story of injuries, missed opportunities etc, prompted much reflection as students were continually reminded that you can choose your actions, but not the consequences of them.

Harry Mead, a Plains Producer reporter, had some questions about the value of the presentation for some audience members. See their responses below.

George Rackam, GHS – I thought it was very appropriate for the age group. Massive respect for Yudi. The session definitely changed my perspective on what being a safe driver meant.

Riley Hoskin, GHS – Great presentation. Both presenters spoke very well. I didn’t expect the statistics – amounts of injuries and fatalities per day [4800 accidents daily in Australia, 540 serious accidents, 4 deaths per day]. It is staggering to consider.

Hudson Seidel, GHS – Great presentation. It teaches us to be safe on the roads while young. Eudi, the videos and stuff shared shows us what can happen. We need to be safe, pay more attention and reduce distractions.

Billi Nicolson, GHS – A confronting presentation and [it was] so brave for Eudi to speak of his experience to help others. It had a lasting impact on us as students, with a lot to take away from it.

Danya McKay – Assistant Principal, GHS, I couldn’t speak highly enough of this MFS presentation and the guest speaker, Yudi Mohan-Ram. It was informative and challenging, pushing onerous choices on students as young road users to reconsider their driving behaviours and the impact of their choices upon themselves and others. Any student would be hard pressed not to consider how even what is deemed as a small risk or infraction could result in a dire consequence. The take-home message was simple. There are no good reasons to take risks when driving. None. 

Year 9 Ski Trip Excitement

The much-anticipated Year 9 Ski Trip is nearly upon us! Our students are eagerly preparing for departure on the 9th of August. They have been busy researching Falls Creek, familiarising themselves with the area, and learning some basic ski tips to ensure a fantastic experience on the slopes.

We are still gladly accepting donations of cakes, biscuits, and slices from families to help feed our hungry skiers after a long day. If you are able to bake or supply something, please contact the front office. Additionally, please ensure your child has all the required clothing and equipment ready for departure.

For those students not attending the ski trip, we are organising an alternative plan filled with fun activities and short excursions to ensure an enriching and exciting week. A letter regarding this has been sent home to parents.

Year 10 Work Experience Success

A big thank you to all families for supporting your children during their work experience in week 10 of last term. The feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, and it is hoped that this experience will provide valuable insights to assist in planning their future careers. We encourage families to discuss this experience with their children and consider future pathways as we move into subject counselling for their SACE years.

SACE Subject Counselling

A letter has been sent home with your child regarding the upcoming SACE subject course counselling. Please take the time to read this and discuss potential subject areas and choices with your child. Your involvement is crucial in helping them make informed decisions about their educational journey.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement with our school community.

It has been a busy and exciting start to Term 3 for our Year 7 and 8 students.

We kicked off the term with a fantastic turnout at Open Night in Week 1. It was wonderful to see so many families engaging with our school community, and I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Year 7 and 8 students who assisted with demonstrations in Science and Food Technology. Their enthusiasm and pride in showcasing our learning areas and programs were truly commendable.

Our Year 7 and 8 students have also been actively involved in co-curricular opportunities, including the recent 5-a-side Soccer Carnival in Booleroo. Competing against other MNSEC schools, our students represented Gladstone High School with positivity, teamwork, and pride. It has been extremely pleasing to witness the respectful and enthusiastic way they have approached all carnivals and events throughout the year.

Looking ahead, I am excited to begin working on our Transition Program later this term as we prepare to welcome our 2026 Year 7 cohort. A range of engaging activities are being planned, and we look forward to supporting our incoming students as they begin their high school journey.

Over the next three weeks, I will be accompanying the Year 9 Ski Trip and will then be taking two weeks of leave. During this time, Mr Fletcher Wren will step into the role of Year 7/8 Coordinator for Weeks 4, 5, and 6. I am confident that our students will continue to be well supported in my absence.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s learning during this period, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Wren.

18 and under Bowls

Jakobe Evans returned last Friday after competing in the school sport Australia Games – in the state 18 and under team. Congratulations, Jakobe!

I sat with Jakobe to get a few extra details about the opportunity and developing this article together.

How did he get in?

There was a school event in Adelaide in Term 2, that GHS sent a team in for. From there, there were scouts checking out the bowling. Jakobe was noticed and, later, went to a try-out and was selected from a try-out event. At the initial event, he felt his form was fair, then practice took a priority and his form continued to be fairly reliable.

What did the event involve?

The Australia Games were held in Moreton Bay, Queensland and the competition went really well. The team got along and Jakobe was fortunate to find his form. The team played in 9 matches in total, comprising of a mix of triples and fours for the SA One Team. The competition was impressive and yet nerve-wracking, all at the same time, especially knowing that SA isn’t the biggest bowls state compared to the others. However, Jakobe felt that SA showed off their talent well and he felt very important to be a part of it all.

In the Fours, on the final day, the team had a shot to go for the bronze medal but fell short by one. The last end was the final decider and NSW pulled away by a couple of millimetres. Jakobe and team mates were definitely disappointed about the outcome, but later he was outwardly proud of the team and his own efforts. As he should be.

What were your take-aways from being involved in the event?

‘Participating in an event like this really boosts your confidence, working with others adds to your skills and makes you feel really keen to participate in the following year. The coaching insight was a great benefit to everyone. The training sessions in the lead up aided the bond with the coaches and peers, making you feel confident and welcome before leaving. It was also a real bonus to have some other students from our area to play alongside with. Congratulations to Darcy Jones from Booleroo who made the Australian side.’ Jakobe Evans.

Well done, Jakobe! GHS are super proud of your accomplishments and are delighted that you embraced the event with such gusto, soaking in all that the event had to offer – from the opening ceremony to measuring those last few agonising millimetres.

7-9 Girls Football

Last week, we had 6 girls in years 7-9 participate in the MNSEC Girls AFL team which was held in Burra. By all accounts they had a fantastic day and had a convincing win. Congratulations to the whole team, with special mention to the GHS participants:

• Lucy Cameron
• Peyton Jeffries
• Sky Sargent
• Ava Coe
• Shakaya O’Brien
• Jasmine O’Brien.

This win will see them go into the second round. Thank you to the parents for their help with transport, Scott Cullen for coaching, Amanda Bowman and the myriad of people who helped along the way.

Upcoming sports events

MNSEC Year 7/8 Soccer – August 7th at Booleroo

MNSEC Year 9/10 Fast Five Netball – August 28th at Gladstone

Danya McKay