Student Leaders 

We are thrilled to announce our new student leaders for 2024, selected through a rigorous application and interview process. 

• School Captains: Eliza Heinrich and Max Pedler 

• Vice-Captains: Nicki Zanker and Jonah Amey 

These outstanding leaders each bring unique qualities and a shared commitment to making a positive impact on our school community. We look forward to working closely with them in the coming year. 

End-of-Year Presentation Night 

As the school year comes to a close, we eagerly anticipate our End-of-Year Presentation Night. This cherished event celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of our students throughout the year. It is an opportunity to recognise: 

• Academic excellence 

• Outstanding extracurricular achievements 

• Positive contributions to the school community 

We warmly invite all parents, guardians, and community members to join us for this special occasion. Let us come together to celebrate our students’ remarkable efforts and formally bid farewell to the Class of 2024. 

Details: 

• Date: 9th December 

• Time: 7:00 PM 

• Venue: GHS hall 

We look forward to sharing a memorable evening filled with pride, joy, and community spirit. 

Staff Farewells 

As we celebrate new beginnings, we also bid farewell to valued members of our team who are embarking on new adventures. While it is bitter-sweet to say goodbye, we deeply appreciate the dedication and contributions they have made to our school. 

• Stephen Bosch: A cornerstone of GHS for over 20 years, Stephen has been renowned for teaching senior sciences, including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, as well as senior Maths. His passion for the vineyard has left a lasting legacy, notably GHS’s reputation for wine at the Laura Fair. Stephen will be joining Peterborough High School, and we wish him all the best in his new role. 

• Scott Watson: Scott has made significant strides in advancing the digital technology curriculum during his time with us. His classroom reflects his passion and expertise in this field. He is moving closer to family in the city, and we wish him every success. 

• Chris Mayman: In his year with us, Chris contributed to English, HASS, and HPE while also welcoming a new child to his family. We extend our best wishes for his future endeavours. He is joining John Pirie Secondary School.

• Chris Gowing: Another valued team member for one year, Chris has decided to pursue his passion for teaching overseas. We wish him success and fulfilment in this exciting new chapter. 

Other Staffing Updates 

We are excited to welcome new staff members and acknowledge some role changes: 

• Brooke Carey: Joining as an SSO in 2025. 

• New Leaders: Danya McKay, Lauren Amey, and Emma Jeffries. 

• Paul Fogarty: Joining in a TRT role (0.5 FTE). 

Additionally, we are advertising for a 14-hour-per-week Student Wellbeing Support Officer position, combining the previous PCW role with Youth Worker responsibilities. 

All other staff will remain, with some adjustments to their roles fractions of time. 

Warm Wishes 

As the year draws to a close, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our school community for your ongoing support. We wish you all a restful and joyous holiday season. 

2025 School Captains

Congratulations to Eliza Heinrich and Max Pedler who were elected the 2025 School Captains with Nicki Zanker and Jonah Amey as Vice Captains. These students will be wonderful representatives of the students and our school community.

Year 11s

The Year 11s finished up timetabled lessons at the end of Week 6. In Week 7, the students had an introduction to their Year 12 lessons and lifestyle and finished their year by completing a First Aid course. There will be some changes to the Year 12 spaces in 2025 and the students put some thought into how the Year 12 Common Room could be optimised as a study and relaxation space. We look forward to seeing the Year 11s next year as the graduating class of 2025!

The Year 11 Students completed their Senior First Aid on Wednesday 27th November,

Our students are so lucky to be able to complete this First Aid course at the very low cost of $10 thanks to a wonderful benefactor in the community. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity as having First Aid could mean a life saved down the line.

Year 10 Science

Mr Wren’s Year 10 Science class has recently had a bridge-building competition, attempting to hold the most weight in the class. Students worked in groups using materials of newspaper, cardboard, glue guns, sticky tape, straws, and popsicle sticks. Students were given 1.5 hours to plan, produce, and develop their bridges and then compete for the top spot to win a prize.  

The results were interesting with 3 out of 5 bridges being able to hold 4kg. The judging came down to the wire, with the “immovable bridge” determining the winner. Congratulations to future engineering marvels Aaron Hombsch and Dustin Greatorex for their fantastic efforts."

Fletcher Wren - Science Teacher

This term has been another busy one, full of exciting learning activities, tests, assignments, and extra-curricular events. From camps to excursions, it's been a year filled with memorable experiences for our students. As we reflect on 2024, students have shared some of their highlights, marking the year as one to remember:

• Minecraft Club and VR headsets
• Year 7 Aquatics Camp
• Sports Day and Swimming Carnival
• Making slime in Science
• Outdoor Ed camp
• Ski Trip
• Cowboy vs Country Club Day
• Cooking in Home Ec
• Adelaide Show
• Sports Carnivals – AFL 9’s, Netball, Tag Rugby, 5-a-side Soccer, Cricket
• Wirrabara Forest Fun Run
• Ice Bucket MND Fundraiser

A significant part of this term has been dedicated to helping our incoming Year 7 students transition smoothly into high school life. This Thursday and Friday, we are excited to welcome the 2025 Year 7 cohort for two full days of engaging activities and lessons. We are proud to have students joining us from local areas including Gladstone, Crystal Brook, Laura, Caltowie, and Koolunga, and we look forward to helping them settle into their new school environment.

Although the year is drawing to a close, there are still many exciting events lined up. Students will continue with their learning until the middle of Week 9, when we will celebrate our annual Port Broughton Beach Day on Wednesday. On Thursday, Activities Day will offer Year 7 to 9 students a unique opportunity to participate in a Tennis SA carnival alongside students from our MNSEC schools. The year will wrap up with a fun-filled Friday that includes a visit to the Gladstone Swimming Pool and a BBQ at Tresylva Park, marking a fantastic way to conclude the year.

We are looking forward to the final weeks of 2024 as we continue to celebrate the achievements and experiences of our students.

At Gladstone High School, our students are incredibly fortunate to have access to a wide range of sporting opportunities. Whether through PE lessons, lunchtime competitions, interschool carnivals, or statewide school competitions, there is something for everyone to get involved in. These events and opportunities would not be possible without the support and involvement of many people, including staff, students, and parents who assist with organisation, transport, scoring, timing, umpiring, and much more. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who contribute in various ways to making these events successful for our students.

Earlier this term, our Year 9/10 boys cricket team had the opportunity to compete against Maitland Lutheran School. Below is a report from George Rackham on their performance:

9/10 Cricket 

It was a very nice day in Port Broughton, where we would play against Maitland Lutheran School. The boys started in the field after we won the toss and elected to bowl.  

It wasn’t a great start for the boys, as there was some sloppy fielding early on with lots of dropped catches and misfields. In the 7^th over Hudson stepped up to bowl, and George took a lovely catch at deep mid-wicket. That didn't slow them down as the runs kept flowing; Charlie took a key wicket then Tye took a safe catch at short mid-wicket. Then, for the next 10-15 overs, the runs kept flowing for Maitland with one of their batsmen making 50 runs. With 2 overs left in the innings, we brought on Jed, who bowled another key wicket. In the last over, Aaron bowled well and Patrick took a great catch at point. Maitland set us a total to chase of 4/181. We knew this would be a tough chase.  

Hudson and George made their way out to the middle to open the batting in what would be a hard chase. What looked to be a good partnership fell very short as Hudson was dismissed early in the second over. Then Charlie entered the crease. This is where the big partnership got away, with Rackham and Flavel scoring very well, even a few sixes scattered about. After an 80-run partnership, George was dismissed after a well-made 37. Jed and Charlie batted until the drinks break and the boys had a bit of hope as we were 2/89. Charlie was dismissed not long after drinks after making a very handy 47. Jed was looking good out there but was later bowled on 13. The boys were in trouble at this point. Aaron and Jay looked good as Aaron made 19 and Jay made 10. This is where the boys started swinging as we were running out of time to get back to school for the end of the day. We needed 49 off of five overs. The boys got hope after Patrick Cock sprinted to the middle with walk-out music playing. After he was dismissed, they decided to call the game there and award the win to Maitland.  

We fell short by around 30. Big thanks to Mr Fogarty for coaching the boys and to Matt for driving us to and from the game.  

George Rackham

The final sporting event of the year is the Year 7-9 SA Tennis Carnival, where students will have the opportunity to participate in modified tennis doubles. They will compete with and against students from MNSEC schools, providing a great chance to showcase their skills and experience friendly competition. This event will take place on Activities Day, Thursday of Week 9, and will be one of the exciting options for students to enjoy as the year wraps up.

SASSTA Term 4

Working towards the end of the year has been a busy time for our SAASTA students! One of the exciting things about the program is that students start working towards their SACE from Year 10. This also means there is a little more pressure to get their assessments completed and submitted – but it’s all worth it!

Some of our Term 4 Highlights are:

• Robyn Coulthard from the Workabout Centre came to visit us. She talked with us about the career and pathways support the Workabout program can offer for Aboriginal students, as well as the ACE program (Aboriginal Career Exploration) for Year 10s.
• Antwan completed his Personal Endeavour Project focusing on Dr MK Turner (OAM), his Nanna and fierce advocate for Aboriginal children, language and culture.
• Antwan and Ryan ran a Soccer Coaching Lesson with drills for dribbling, tackling and goal kicking,
• Lucy and Gavin focused on the importance of Language and created memory games and children’s books.

SAASTA Shield

Lucy Farrows was amazing in representing our school at the SAASTA Shield this term. Along with students from John Pirie Secondary School, she competed in a soccer carnival resulting in several wins for the team. The SAASTA Shield also incorporated some team building and cultural activities, including rock painting.

We are very grateful for the ongoing support and care of Judy Crosby-Woods and her passion for ensuring our young people have positive experiences both at school and on camps. The Aboriginal Education/SAASTA Team at JPSS always make us feel included and welcome in their Academy and we are looking forward for what 2025 will bring!

On 27th of November the Gladstone High School Agriculture Faculty held a community BBQ celebrating all the farmers and parents closely involved with the school's agriculture program. This evening celebrated all the efforts of various stakeholders in the program and importantly thanked the significant donations of time and animals to the students at the school. These donations have allowed students to gain perspectives into animal husbandry, nutrition, and management, plus allowed them to compete against other schools at the Royal Adelaide Show. Gladstone High School is extremely fortunate to have a supportive agriculture community that voluntarily provides multiple services and experience to ensure our students are prepared for their futures.  

If you wish to be involved with the community and the school's agriculture program. Please reach out to Mr Fletcher Wren (Lead Agriculture Teacher) at fletcher.wren445@schools.sa.edu.au 

NEW CANTEEN HOURS

The Governing Council committee would like to inform our community that the Gladstone High School Canteen will be closed on TUESDAYS starting in 2025.