We are approaching a busy and exciting time at school, with a few important updates to share regarding our commitment to student well-being, and an upcoming student-free day. 

ThinkUKnow Presentations for Students and Parents – 20th November 

We are pleased to announce that on Tuesday, 19th November, we will be hosting ThinkUKnow presentations for both students and parents. ThinkUKnow is an important online safety program delivered by the Australian Federal Police, aimed at empowering young people with the skills to navigate the online world safely and responsibly. 

The student sessions will focus on teaching safe online behaviours, understanding privacy, managing social media use, and recognising potential online threats. In the evening, we invite parents to join us for a special session, which will provide insight into the digital environments young people engage in, as well as practical tips for helping children stay safe online. The parent session will take place at 6:00 pm in the school hall, Wednesday 20th November. 

We strongly encourage all parents to attend, as this information is critical in today’s digital age. Together, we can build a safer online environment for our children. 

Student-Free Day: Monday, 11th November 

Monday, 11th November, will be a student-free day. Our staff will be using this time for essential planning and data analysis, focusing on refining teaching strategies to meet individual student needs and reviewing the progress of key school initiatives. These days are critical for maintaining the high standard of education we provide, as they allow us to reflect on current practices and make data-driven decisions. 

Year 12 Completion 

The end of formal lessons for the Year 12’s was celebrated with breakfast last Friday, and it was certainly the earliest most of them have ever been to school. For many of them, most assignments have now been completed, and there are only a few exams to complete.  

The last day for Year 12 students is not just an ordinary day; it’s a momentous occasion that marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Finishing Year 12 is a time to bid farewell to the familiar and step into the unknown. One of them mentioned to me only the other day it is both exciting and scary at the same time. We wish them all the best in these final few assessments and into the future. 

World Teachers Day

Our staff were celebrated on World Teachers Day with a beautiful homemade morning tea and a gift from each from the SSO's. We are grateful at Gladstone High School for the dedication that our teachers provide our students. 

Year 10 Students Visit Neoen Hornsdale Power Reserve 

In Week 10 of Term 3, our Year 10 students had the opportunity to visit the Neoen Hornsdale Power Reserve. Neoen staff and contractors shared valuable insights about the site, as well as their career pathways, sparking curiosity among students and community members alike. The students represented the school with exemplary behavior, engaging respectfully with the staff while the adults present asked plenty of questions, which were answered in detail by the Neoen team. The students enjoyed a delicious sausage sizzle, accompanied by a range of refreshing drinks. I’d also like to extend our gratitude to Scott Watson for assisting with supervision and Digger for driving the bus.

Year 12s Last Day 

In Week 2, our Year 12 students attended their final scheduled lessons, marking the end of a significant chapter in their school journey. Friday was a bittersweet day as we gathered to bid the Class of 2025 farewell. To start the day, the Year 12s hosted a special breakfast which they shared with their teachers. Following breakfast, the students spent the morning tidying up the Year 12 spaces and emptying lockers. The entire school then gathered at the Community Oval to wave off the graduating class, who circled the oval in their cars, cheered on by students and staff alike. We extend our thanks to Ben, our local SAPOL officer, for ensuring everyone’s safety during this memorable event.

In the coming weeks, our Year 12 students will focus on refining their assignments and preparing for their final exams. We wish them the best as they take these important steps toward their futures.

In History students are currently studying World War 2, and have looked at some of the key moments of the war for Australians including the ‘Rats of Tobruk’ and the Battle of Kokoda. While the use of multimedia resources to supplement written sources is useful, this year we decided to trial an excursion to create a stronger link between classroom learning and real-world experiences. By connecting more closely to community experiences of conflict and allowing students the opportunity to forge real world connections with their learning, our faculty hoped to increase student engagement and enrich their perspectives and empathy.

We arrived in Port Pirie at about 10am for our first stop at the RSL. The Port Pirie RSL has an excellent museum attached, and our students were split by class to have a tour and talk from the local volunteers. The volunteers spoke about their own experiences of service in Vietnam and East Timor, and showed students various medals and memorabilia. Everyone got to have a go at wearing some webbing, a back pack and helmet, to give them an idea of what it might have been like for soldiers to wear these.

Students got to see various uniforms and dioramas showing life a the trenches, uniforms through the different conflicts, weaponry and some of the stories of soldiers from the region who had served from World War 1 to Afghanistan, including Victoria Cross winner Arthur Sullivan, namesake of our Sullivan House. They also had fun inspecting and sitting in the Huey helicopter, and finding the names of relatives in the database of service people form the region.

We then went to the Port Pirie Cemetery, where Louisa from the Port Pire Family History Group gave a guided tour of the cemetery, including stories about some of the local soldiers who had been buried there, and the airmen who had lost their lives during their training at Port Pirie in World War 2.

After a short and much enjoyed stop at KFC for lunch, we concluded with a trip the Laura Cenotaph and park before returning to school.

The feedback from students was positive, with the RSL and Huey helicopter being identified as highlights of the trip. 

Ben Hussell - History Teacher

How is it Term 4 already!?! As we dive into the final term for 2024, there continues to be lots of things happening in the Middle School. Our Year 7 students are now in their final trimester of electives, Year 9 Outdoor Education students have been on camp and the all-important transition visits for our 2025 Year 7’s have begun.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMP

Tuesday 22nd , our Year 9 Outdoor Education students had a two-day camp packed with outdoor activities. On the first day, they went mountain biking in Melrose, getting comfortable with different trails and building their riding skills. On day two, we took on the challenging hike up Mt. Remarkable, where students demonstrated incredible resilience and teamwork. The camp was an excellent opportunity for everyone to connect with nature, develop outdoor skills, and create lasting memories in the great outdoors!

TRANSITION

On Wednesday, 30^th October, we welcomed 10 Year 6 students from St Joseph’s and Laura Primary Schools to attend their first transition event at Gladstone High. They participated in a program that included a Homegroup session with Mrs Gaunt, Mrs Hogan and Mrs Cameron. After recess they were fortunate enough to spend a lesson in the Home Economics centre, making chocolate weetbix balls with Mrs Seidel, followed by an Art lesson with Mr Kennewell, learning about the Colour Wheel. After lunch we spent some time reflecting on the day before visiting the Digital Media room and eventually farewelled the Year 6’s as they returned to their primary schools. We look forward to welcoming Gladstone Primary, Crystal Brook Primary and Koolunga students on Wednesday of Week 4 for a similar experience. All 2025 Year 7’s will return for 2 full days later in the term.

PARENT INFO NIGHT

Please call the front office on 86622171 to register your interest.

7/8 Cricket 23/10/24

It was a very pleasant day in Gladstone, and Ewart Oval was looking as fine as ever. The boys rocked up a bit late compared to the visitors and arrived just in time for the toss. The coin was in the air, and Clare’s captain called it tails. So Clare won the toss and had a bat. So that left us in the field. 

We got off to a hot start after Jay Coffey dismissed their key opener for six after a big edge taken into the safe gloves in Duncan Clogg. They were up and about. 

After that, it started to go downhill as the runs started coming, but the wickets didn’t. It wasn’t until 55 runs later that Tye Marshall came in and picked up the next two, with Jack Brock catching one at fine leg and the famous moment Tye Marshall ripped through Clare’s Flynn Vasek, breaking a bail in the process.

Not long after, Jay Coffey made a safe catch behind the wickets after an edge was found by Logan Cowin. Clare were 4/90.

25 runs later, two balls after he came on, Thomas Zwar hit a flashy runout from square leg, taking it to 5/115.

In the final overs, Archer Seidel was brought into the attack and struck immediately with an LBW after his brother raised the finger.

We got to the end of the innings, and we were set with 136 to chase. 

Highlights from Innings:

1. Marshall 2/19
2. Seidel 1/23 

We sent out Jay Coffey and Logan Cowin to open the batting and they were looking the goods early. But soon ended with Logan Cowin being bowled on 6. Not long after, the finger was raised after Jay was hit on the pads in front, and we were 2/14 when Darcy Cowin came to the crease.          Tye Marshall fell on two runs, and after showing a bit of resistance, Darcy Cowin fell on ten on the last ball before drinks. Cooper Willis came and went for 1, but after that, Archer and Duncan made our best partnership as they went big. After putting together 22 in quick succession. Then Archer Seidel popped it up and departed after a cameo of 13. The. The next partnership didn’t go far after Dustin Hollit couldn’t get going. Duncan fell shortly after for a nice five runs. The next two fell in Jack Brock and Thomas Zwar without troubling the scorers. We were bowled out for 55. 

Highlights from Innings:

1. Seidel 13
2. Cowin 10 

Best Players:

1^st T. Marshall

2^nd A. Seidel

3^rd D. Cowin 

Thank you to the coaching and umpiring staff in George Rackham and Hudson Seidel who were awesome. Big thanks to Jed Griffin and Mr Kirk for running the scorebooks, and big thanks to George for donating Cokes for the players and coaches.

TAG RUGBY

On the 30^th October, the Year 9s and 10s travelled to Jamestown to compete against MNSEC schools in a Tag Rugby carnival. Throughout the last couple of weeks all students have been working hard to learn the rules and master the skills of tag rugby ready to compete. We had two boys’ teams and three girls teams and we were quite successful overall. Two girls’ teams and both of the boys teams made the finals with one of the girls and one of the boys teams making the grand final. The boys were up against Orroroo whilst the girls were playing Booleroo. They were both extremely close, competitive, and tough games which showed in the score as both games had to go into overtime due to the scores being level. Unfortunately, neither of the teams come away with a win but received a trophy for runners up. It was a very fun day thoroughly enjoyed by all students and there was some great talent and sportsmanship showed by our teams. All competitors enjoyed a delicious sausage sizzle provided to us by JCS at lunch time.  A massive thank you to the Year 11 students who volunteered their time to coach and umpire our teams, to the teachers who supervised and umpired us and to the bus drivers who drove us!

Immy Cunningham

You may have read or heard recently that Instagram has introduced Teen accounts. This means that any teen, under 16, has automatic restrictions and safe measures implemented on their Instagram accounts. This is a step in a positive direction as teaching our young people to use social media safely and appropriately is a constant challenge. Please have a look at the link below and check out the advice for parents about Instagram. There are ideas for conversation starters about online safety with young people.

https://about.instagram.com/community/parents

Our Year 11 Food and Hospitality class are broadening their experience in the kitchen by learning some barista basics. The students have all completed some theory work about types of coffee and using the machine. They have had their first practical experience, making espressos, cappuccinos and flat whites. They gave themselves pretty good reviews and staff are waiting patiently for them to build their confidence enough to take some orders.

Dear parents

In term 3 2024, the Department for Education welcomed over 400 international students to South Australian government schools.

These students bring a range of benefits to our communities, sharing their perspectives, cultures and cuisines.

Are you interested in hosting an international school student and welcoming the world home?

Gladstone High School have an exciting opportunity to welcome a group of French students for 12 weeks in mid-term 2 2025.

Hosting an international school student is an amazing opportunity to make a new connection, see a new perspective and discover a new culture.

You will be supported with:

• a personalised home visit and information session
• a homestay handbook to guide your hosting journey
• homestay newsletters and updates
• ongoing support via our Homestay Accommodation Team and school
• 24-hour emergency telephone support service.

As of 31 December 2024, the weekly homestay allowance will be increasing to $360 per student. This amount contributes to covering costs associated with accommodating a student in your home.

To express your interest in hosting, email Tyler Hogan on tyler.hogan.451@schools.sa.edu.au

MATERIALS and SERVICES CHARGES 2025

You are invited to attend the Gladstone High School Governing Council meeting on Tuesday 5th November 2024 at 6.30 pm, to discuss the proposed Materials and Services Charges for 2025 of $400.00.

The School Card for 2025 is $396.00.

Any objections to the proposed charge can be addressed in writing to “The Governing Council Chairperson” and forwarded to Gladstone High School by no later than Monday 4th November 2024.