As we approach the midpoint of Term 2, I am pleased to share some exciting updates and upcoming events that highlight the vibrant and diverse activities happening at our school.

Early Dismissal for Site Learning Plan Focus

On Tuesday we will had an early dismissal that allowed staff to focus on our Site Learning Plan. This dedicated time enabled us to refine our strategies and ensure that we continue to provide the highest quality education for our students. Your support in this initiative is greatly appreciated.

New Staff

We would like to extend a warm welcome to Brooke Skinner, who will be our Year 7A Homegroup teacher and is also a HASS and PE teacher. 

SANTOS SAASTA Power Cup

This week, we have three students accompanied by Judy Crosby-Woods and Brayden Kirk attending the Power Cup as part of their SAASTA program. With one of the tasks required of the students to design a guernsey, it is with tremendous excitement we can share Farley O’Brien’s design, which won and will now be worn by our academy, which includes John Pirie students. This is an amazing achievement and represents the commitment by Farley to her design.

MNSEC Formal - 20th June

We are thrilled to host the MNSEC Formal on the 20th of June. This event promises to be a memorable evening for our senior students, filled with elegance and celebration. We look forward to welcoming students from across MNSEC to Gladstone for this special occasion.

Year 10 Careers Camp

Our Year 10 students recently attended a Careers Camp, organised by Emma Jeffries and accompanied by Alison Johnson, Michael Bennet, and Kate Seidel. This camp provided valuable insights into various career paths and opportunities, helping students to make informed decisions about their futures. It is a big commitment for staff to give up their personal time to make these opportunities available for our students.

Year 7/8 AFL 9's at Jamestown

Our Year 7 and 8 students participated in the AFL 9's competition at Jamestown. It was a fantastic day of sportsmanship and teamwork, and our students represented Gladstone High with pride and enthusiasm. Again, thank you to the group of staff and year 11 PE students who coached and umpired for the day.

Child Studies

The Child Studies class have been actively engaging in excursions that enrich their learning experiences. These outings provide practical insights and hands-on learning opportunities that are invaluable to our students' education.

Year 11 Food and Hospitality

Whilst walking through classrooms recently, it was exciting to see the creations by the Year 11 Food and Hospitality class. Their works of art not only demonstrate their skills but also their creativity and passion for the culinary arts.

It is an exciting time to see the achievements of our students as the end of semester 1 rapidly approaches.

Congratulations to the students below who have been chosen for a School Spirit Awards, they were presented with their certificates at the Assembly on Friday, Week 3. 

On ANZAC Day, dawn services were held in Gladstone, Laura, and Crystal Brook to honour those who have served and died in all wars—valiant individuals who fought to defend our way of life. Each service included a combination of military, symbolic, and religious traditions, respectfully presented to the many participants in attendance.

Gladstone High School was proudly represented at each of these services. At the Gladstone ceremony, Eliza Heinrich, Imogen Cunningham, Mirra Tunbridge, and Fred Heinrich laid a wreath on behalf of the school. In Crystal Brook, Max Pedler and Jonah Amey paid tribute, while Nicki Zanker and Madi Clogg represented the school at the Laura service.

We thank these students for their respectful participation in these important commemorations and for representing the school community with pride.

Year 9 Ski Trip and Fundraising

Attention Year 9 families! The much-anticipated ski trip is approaching, and we kindly ask that you return the letter indicating your child's attendance or non-attendance as soon as possible. To provide more information and answer any questions, we will be hosting an Information Night on 4th June at 6 pm in the school library. It is important for all parents and guardians to attend.

This term, Year 9 students will also be organising a market day to fundraise for the ski trip. Students will set up stalls offering a variety of food options for purchase. We encourage everyone to support this initiative and help make the ski trip a memorable experience for all.

Year 10 Careers Trip Success

Our Year 10 students recently returned from a fantastic careers trip, where they visited several prominent organisations, including CMV Trucks, Uni SA, Adelaide Oval, Port Adelaide Football Club, BAE Systems, Rising Sun Pictures, Media Make-Up, Adelaide Metro, Flinders University, Tonsley TAFE, Adelaide Zoo, AIE Academy, and Michell Wool. This trip provided students with valuable insights into various career pathways and opportunities available to them after school.

The students enjoyed an Amazing Race challenge across the Adelaide CBD, where they demonstrated excellent collaboration and communication skills. Two groups successfully completed the course with all correct answers to the questions posed along the route. In the evenings, students relaxed with sweet treats at our ice cream bar and enjoyed some retail therapy at Marion.

Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing newfound interests and goals.

“A workplace I enjoyed visiting was the Port Adelaide Football Club. I liked learning about what some of the roles are, and what you do when you are looking for a career in the sports industry.” – Jakobe

“I really enjoyed going to the Tonsley TAFE site. I enjoyed this because I got to see all the workshops, students and career paths that could be taken to achieve different jobs.” – Eli

“I liked AIE because we got to use Unity and C# on great computers. We also got to look at the cert courses they had to offer.” – Logan

“On the careers trip, I enjoyed visiting Flinders University. It gave me a better understanding of the different career pathways available and showed me the many opportunities the university offers. We also explored the student living, which I found really helpful in understanding what living on campus would be like.” – Breeanna.

“The two sessions that I enjoyed the most were Media Makeup and Adelaide Oval. At Adelaide Oval, it was interesting to see all of the job opportunities available.” – Daisy

“The best two sessions on the careers camp were Adelaide Metro and AIE.
I liked going on the train simulator at Adelaide Metro and game design at AIE was fun too.” – Henry

“My favourite workshop took place at Uni SA, where I learned about different career paths that align with my interests and skills. It was an eye-opening experience that highlighted the wide range of career options available. Additionally, the workshop provided valuable insights into the subjects I should focus on in year 12 to help me achieve my career goals.” - Iysha

Career Roadshow

Year 10 students will be attending the 2025 Career Roadshow in Port Pirie on the 21st of May. Here, students will have access to multiple workplaces and industries within the Mid North area. The roadshow is an excellent opportunity for the group to further explore the pathways they identified on the career trip.

Upcoming Work Experience for Year 10

Work experience is fast approaching and will take place in Week 10. For students interested in construction or trade businesses, white card training is scheduled for Friday, 30th May. Consent forms have been sent home, and we encourage you to discuss this with your child. Students will also need a USI number for WHS training, which will be conducted at school.

We are supporting students in making contact with potential host employers through phone conversations, followed by formal contact with confirmation letters and workplace agreements being sent out in Week 4. Please engage in conversations with your child about potential workplaces or industries that align with their future goals and aspirations.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child's education and future planning.

We are excited to welcome Mrs Brooke Skinner as the new Homegroup teacher of 7A, as well as their HASS and HPE teacher.
Mrs Skinner brings great enthusiasm and a passion for working with young people, and we are very lucky to have her join the teaching team at Gladstone High School.

We would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr Brayden Kirk for his hard work and dedication throughout Term 1.
His support of the students in 7A helped them make a positive start to their High School journey, and we are grateful for all he has contributed.

On Wednesdays, Mrs Hannah Pech will have 7A for Homegroup, helping support student connection and wellbeing throughout the week.

Our Year 7 students have been working hard to develop daily routines that help them be ready to learn each day.
A key focus has been on improving organisation and independence, and it’s been great to see their confidence grow.

In Homegroups, students have also been engaging in activities in the lead-up to Reconciliation Week, including colouring in native hibiscus flowers —
a symbol of the Stolen Generations that represents hope, healing, and the ongoing journey towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
These will be displayed in the school quadrangle as part of our whole-school acknowledgement.

Both Year 7 and 8 students have also begun the Premier’s Be Active Challenge, aiming to be active for 60 minutes a day, five days a week throughout the term.
This initiative has encouraged students to reflect on and track both planned and incidental physical activity during their week.
promoting healthy habits and a stronger awareness of their overall wellbeing.

Last Thursday, students from Years 7 and 8 proudly represented GHS at the AFL 9’s Carnival hosted by Jamestown Community School.
It was a fantastic day of sport, with students displaying tremendous team spirit, encouraging each other and doing Gladstone High School proud.

We look forward to what the rest of the term will bring!

Sports Report Term 2, Week 3

Welcome to Term 2 and the sporting opportunities that happen along the way! While there aren’t as many whole school events, the events with school sport have been frequent and students have had several opportunities to get out and be active in varied sporting fields. Sports are another platform for students to grow, get out of their comfort zone and integrate with others. The opportunity for growth in one’s dispositions while competing is arguably as important as the competition itself. We have been very pleased with the dispositions of those competing and participating via umpiring or coaching in the events below.

MNSEC Athletics Adelaide

During the final week of Term One, Kate Seidel accompanied a group of 9 to the SAASA Athletics day at Mile End where they represented GHS as part of the MNSEC Team. We are delighted that these students took time to represent GHS and support the MNSEC through their involvement and pride. Congratulations to: Farley O’Brien, Jasmine O’Brien, Imogen Cunningham, Hudson Seidel, Jed Griffin, Jack Brock, Taylah Palmer, Peyton Jeffries, Sienna Gaunt and Layla Harland. The effort and encouragement on the day was positively reported back to us, with two key highlights for the day.

1^st Place - Imogen Cunningham, Open Girls 3000m

1^st Place - Jack Brock for coming first in the U15 Boys Triple Jump.

While there was a 5am start to arrive on time for the day’s events, it sounds like it was all worthwhile. Well done for everyone who participated, encouraged and cheered!

 Cross Country – Wilmington

On April 30^th, Imogen Cunningham, Riley Evans and Amelia Venning participated in the Cross Country Race held at Wilmington. A great day was had by all with some excellent results:

1^st Place – Open Girls, Imogen Cunningham

1^st Place – U16 Girls, Amelia Venning

2^nd Place U16 Boys, Riley Evans

Imogen’s time of 18.07, has her competing at the championships held at Oakbank next Month. Good luck, Imogen!

AFL 9s

Thursday, May 8^th saw the year 7 and 8 Health and PE units surrounding AFL 9s come to play, as all students participated in the carnival hosted by Jamestown Community School. This was a great day. Students and staff alike returned puffed out but positive about the participation, interaction and skill development along the way.

Mrs Amey’s year 11 PE class assisted with coaching and umpiring, which was a helpful and rewarding experience for the students. It also provided them with great examples and experience to reflect on in relation to communication, leadership and managing sporting competitions from a different point of view.

Thanks to the staff and students for their teaching and support, JCS for hosting and the participating schools and students.

Interschool Bowls

On Tuesday, March 25, GHS sent two teams to Adelaide to compete in the Interschool Challenge 2025. With two affiliated bowlers captaining each team, they both had incredible success.

Team One – Daisy Coe (captain), Jed Griffin, Charlie Flavel – First Place

Team Two – Jakobe Evans (captain), Hudson Seidel, Keira Willsmore – Seventh Place.

Play offs were held for up to 19^th position, showing the high entries in the competition, featuring a range of rural and regional skills. Such an impressive result!

This play off has led to an exciting announcement, with Jakobe Evans being selected for the 18 years and under state team, held in Moreton Bay Queensland in July this year! Congratulations, Jakobe! We look forward to hearing how you go!

On Monday 12^th of May, Booleroo hosted the 9/10 Interschool Bowls competition, thanks to them for hosting. With teams from Orroroo, Gladstone, John Pirie and Booleroo, it was a great intersection of sites and students. GHS entered three teams and by all accounts, it was a great day for students and teachers.

Team 1 - Daisy Coe, Charlie Flavel, Jacob Rushworth. Finished third in the event!

Team 2 – Jakobe Evans, Keira Willsmore, Ebonee Nitschke

Team 3 – Duncan Clogg, Lucy Cameron, Tye Marshall.

 Thanks to Brianna Pullan for attending and supporting the students

Coming up on the calendar:

Week 4, Monday May 19^th           9/10 MNSEC Footy @ Port Pirie

Week 4, Tuesday May 20^th           Open Girls and Boys Footy @ GHS

Week 5, Wednesday May 28th   Statewide Netball Competition @ Port Pirie

Week 6, Thursday June 5^th            Cross Country @ Oakbank

Year 10-12 Mixed Hockey competition – Dates TBC

Term 3

7/8 Statewide Footy – Boys

7-9 Statewide Footy – Girls

BBQ available at Statewide Footy Competition – Tuesday 20^th May

Next Tuesday, May 20th, while hosting the Open Footy competition, we are offering a bbq lunch, drinks and chocolates to the students who are involved in the event as well as any GHS students who would like to purchase. This BBQ lunch is a fundraiser for the FIJI Service Trip. See advert below.

Thanks to Amanda Bowman for her organisation and overseeing of the majority of these events, and everyone else who assists with the process. Bus drivers, finance, forms, chasing forms, parents, grounds, teachers etc. There are many jobs involved and all of the little (and big) bits done by each person contribute to making our students feel welcome, supported and for giving them the chance to participate in a wide range of sporting opportunities.

Breakfast Club

We have been very excited to see the increase in popularity of our Thursday morning Breakfast Club over the past weeks. This is open to all students from 8:30am until the start of Home Group. We offer cereal, juice and fruit and aim to have the toast toasting before students arrive!

It is very well known that eating breakfast helps children and young people (and not so young people!) with concentration and regulation. We also know that teenagers aren’t always ready to eat when they first wake up. Breakfast club is also fast becoming an important time of conversation and connection between staff and students.

A big thank you must go to Ali for her organisation and ordering of supplies from Kick Start for Kids, and also to the range of staff who have helped out throughout the term. We also note the positive effort of our students who wash and dry their dishes and help with packing up.

For all of these reasons, we are excited to extend breakfast club to include both Monday and Thursday mornings, starting in Week 4 (19^th May). We hope this helps to kick start the week for as many students as we can!

Kate Seidel and Ali Gulin - Wellbeing

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2025 SANTOS SAASTA Power Cup

As our Stage 1 and Stage 2 Aboriginal learners prepare for the 2025 SANTOS Power Cup, we are proud to congratulate Farley O’Brien on winning the Pirie/ Gladstone Academy guernsey design competition with her incredible artwork.

Farley’s design beautifully represents Nukunu Country, featuring the carpet snake, the waters, community, and family. In recognition of this year’s significant milestone—50 years of celebrating NAIDOC—she has thoughtfully included this theme in her artwork as well.

We are extremely proud of Farley’s achievement and look forward to proudly wearing her design during the SANTOS Power Cup carnival this Thursday and Friday.

Puyu Blasters Visit

On Tuesday, 13th May, Tim and Jordan from Puyu Blasters – Aboriginal Health Council – visited our school to deliver an engaging information session on vaping and e-cigarettes.

The session was highly informative, sparking curiosity among our students and prompting thoughtful questions and discussions.

Over the course of Term 2, the student leader team has presented the students of Gladstone High School with the all-new GHS Olympics, bringing lunch-time sports to all age groups. This fun-filled initiative is thanks to the tireless work of our captains, ensuring that all events run on time and as smoothly as possible. The GHS Olympics consist of sports such as football, volleyball, badminton, soccer, netball, and basketball, with 8 mixed teams made up of students from all year levels to promote fairness and equality. This is something we would like to see continue as an annual event, with the hope that future captains will take this on board. We look forward to seeing all students enjoy themselves and participate in the upcoming games!