From the Wellbeing and Inclusion Team

Many thanks to Martine Turnbull who took on the role of Assistant Principal – Inclusion in my absence last term. We offer a range of interventions at Renmark High School to support students’ wellbeing and engagement. Here is a sample of some of last term’s highlights in this space.

MacqLit

12 students moved through the MaquLit reading intervention program which includes phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, fluency, and comprehension activities. Research shows this program helps secondary students, who have gaps in their reading, to make significant gains in decoding, spelling, and reading fluency. Identified students committed to four 30-minute sessions each week, improving their skills to such a level that they were able to graduate out of the program. This is a significant achievement, resulting in the students improving their access to learning materials across all subject areas. The program was facilitated by classroom SSO, Sharen Vasey throughout terms 2 and 3.

Literacy Acceleration

Martine collaborated with Biljana Elliot - Senior Leader Literacy and Global Perspectives and Jo Cole – Pedagogy Coach last term to trial a reading acceleration program. Ten students from the year 7 English classes who were showing reading competency at or just below the SEA (Standard of Educational Achievement) were involved in a targeted group intervention. Students committed to specific reading practise with a staff member 3 times per week. Evidence from department approved screening tool DIBELS reflects strong improvements. We aim to extend this to year 8 students this term.

Aboriginal Ambassador Program

This program, developed through the Riverland Secondary Schools Alliance, provides a meaningful platform for Aboriginal students to explore leadership, identity, and voice. We are continually looking at ways to involve our ambassadors in sharing this important role with staff and students at our site. Our ambassadors are Declan Blacksell, Amalia Roberts, Geoffrey Morgan, Nadine Murray and Mia Shorrock.

Transition

Last week we welcomed year 6 students to our site for their final 'Come and Try' visit. Students participated in lessons including agriculture, French, home ec, wood tech, food tech and music. They enjoyed mingling with high school students on the adventure equipment on the mound at recess and had the opportunity to peruse the Open Day displays in the library during Care Group.

The next time the students will be at the high school is in week 7, on Tuesday and Wednesday, 25 and 26 November. Students will need to be dropped off and then collected from the high school on these days and will not attend their primary school sites. Parents are invited to attend an information evening on Tuesday 25 November in the Elaine Balfour-Ogilvy Library. This session will provide you with all the information you need to know about your student transitioning to Renmark High.

Further information will be provided via your student in the coming weeks.

Danielle Weeks
Director of Inclusion

Dean Semler, a distinguished former student of Renmark High School, was recently honoured with the grand opening of the Dean Semler Design Centre, a space dedicated to fostering creativity and innovation. This special dedication recognises Dean Semler’s remarkable achievements in the film industry.

Born in Renmark, Dean Semler began his career as a camera operator, later making his mark with acclaimed documentary, educational, and blockbuster films. His journey from the Riverland to international film success serves as an inspiration to current and future students.

Following the ceremony held in the Chaffey Theatre, SRC students, staff, and friends of Dean Semler gathered in the Dean Semler Design Centre for the official opening, which was followed by afternoon tea with tea and coffee provided for all guests. The Dean Semler Design Centre will provide students with inspiring opportunities to pursue creative pathways and develop skills that can lead to their own remarkable achievements.

During the final week of school last term, our students enjoyed a special whole-school treat as part of our PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning) rewards program. In the last lesson of the day, students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor and indoor activities. This initiative celebrated positive behaviour and provided a fun, engaging way to finish the school term together.

On Friday 24 October 2025, 14 Renmark High School students from across years 7-10 participated in an energising inclusion-focused sports day, the Riverland Variety Games, held at Glassey Park (Berri). The event focused on providing a non-competitive, fun and safe learning environment and learners rotated through four fun and accessible activities — lawn bowls, hockey, gymnastics and pickleball. The activities celebrated movement, teamwork and belonging, providing each student with new sporting options and connection to community clubs and was a great example of our school’s commitment to inclusive opportunities.  We were thrilled by the community spirit shown by our students, the amazing volunteer support from Berri Bowls Club and Berri Gymnastics Club. We would like to express our gratitude to Variety/Disability Sports Australia, Daniel Hornhardt from School Sport SA and Peter Safralidis, Riverland School Sport Convenor, for organising the event.

Martine Turnbull
Student Learning Support

Last Thursday, nominated students traveled to Lights Community Centre and Sports Centre to participate in the Year 7/8 Knockout Cup Volleyball Lighting Carnival.

It was a tight competition, with the girls team taking out 3rd place out of 8 teams- well done girls! Great effort. 

While the boys didn't place, they demonstrated great skill and determination making this fantastic preparation for upcoming volleyball matches in week 6 and week 9. 

Miss Kaur (pre-service teacher) and Mrs Dunn challenged their Year 8 students with a series of accessibility tasks to help them better understand some of the everyday challenges faced by people with disabilities. Students experienced simulated conditions such as partial blindness, hearing loss, non-verbal communication, and limited mobility. Afterwards, they reflected on these experiences and explored how science and technology can be used to help reduce barriers and support people with diverse needs.

Rachel Dunn
Teacher

‘Great Balloon Race’ STEM activity

The ‘Great Balloon Race’ is a cross curricular unit where year 8 students take what they learn in HASS about Biomes and use it in a series of activities in English. It has the students take part in a fictitious competition whereby they fly their hot air balloon to Biomes throughout Australia, documenting information about the Biome, the challenges they faced and how they overcame them. In week two students participated in a STEM activity where they were divided into groups and provided materials to build their own hot air balloon. They had no access to the internet, or instructions on how to make their balloon and had to work together to design a balloon that could fly. The activity was a huge success with students demonstrating great communication, critical thinking and teamworking skills while working towards success.

Wayne Elliott
Teacher

Miss Coombe's Year 9 class have neen learning about the ways food is presented to us in the media has an impact on the way society and individuals embrace new food trends. Students researched and designed a range of of on-trend desserts and cupcakes, whilst developing their understanding of modern ingredients, flavours, presentation styles and cultural influences. They practised a range of piping skills before presenting their final design for their fictional Dessert Bar 'Trendy Treats'.

Jacinta Coombe
Food Technology Teacher

Year 11 Legal Studies students have been studying the Australian court system and as a result have been able to put their legal knowledge to the test. They applied their skills to  a fictional case in a mock trial, with Justice Elliott presiding over the case. The jury of 12 members of our school delivered a not guilty verdict based on the facts presented on the day. Congratulations to all students involved for their remarkable efforts.

Biljana Elliott
Legal Studies Teacher 

Surf Trip

Following the cancellation of the Stage 1 Outdoor Education camp late last term due to the algal bloom, the school had the opportunity to reschedule the experience. The students approached the camp with great enthusiasm, with only one student having prior surfing experience, making it an exciting learning opportunity for the group. Aquatic activities were planned along the coast, and staff took a proactive approach in monitoring conditions to ensure safety each day.

The group departed on a characteristically breezy day in the Riverland, and while travelling, received an update that Victor Harbor and Port Elliot were experiencing gale-force winds, temporarily postponing aquatic activities. Upon arrival after lunch, the impressive swell and powerful waves presented both a challenge and a sense of adventure for the students.

That afternoon, students explored The Bluff, Hindmarsh Island, and a range of local landmarks before returning to the Port Elliot Caravan Park to set up camp. With the weather beginning to improve, the group enjoyed preparing dinner together and unwinding with card games in a relaxed evening atmosphere.

The next morning, spirits remained high. A few students were eager to fish before breakfast, and the group then prepared for the day's adventures. Shortly after, an update from the Victor Harbor Aquatics Centre advised that aquatic activities at Middleton and nearby beaches would be cancelled due to shifting weather conditions and the return of the algae. The students responded with resilience and enthusiasm, embracing paddleboarding and kayaking at C.M. Thorpe Reserve instead.

After a rewarding day on the water, the group visited Horseshoe Bay at Port Elliot for skimboarding and wave surfing, and finished the afternoon fishing at the Granite Island Jetty.

Friday morning brought the hope of improved conditions, but another update confirmed the beaches remained closed. Locals and tourists alike were staying away from the surf, and the School Sport SA surf qualifying competition was postponed. Nonetheless, the students maintained their positive spirit.

Before heading home, the group enjoyed a final fishing session and a visit to the popular Port Elliot Bakery. Mr Camplin managed the only catch of the day, a reminder of the impact the algal bloom continues to have on marine life and local ecosystems. That morning, new fishing restrictions were introduced in affected areas.

The school community extends its best wishes to the coastal towns facing these challenges, recognising the impact on tourism and local livelihoods. We look forward with optimism for improved conditions to support these vibrant communities and their unique environments.

Aaron Camplin
Health and Physical Education Sports Coordinator

If you have any further general enquiries or questions, please contact our front office administration. 

As of 1 March 2024, new regulations have been extended for smoke-free and vape-free areas to be within 10 metres of site boundaries.

This includes:

• school drop-off and pick-up zones that are within 10 metres of the school fence, gate or boundary
• school ovals and sporting fields and within 10 metres of the boundary of the oval or sporting field
• footpaths, roads, public nature strips and public recreation areas that are within 10 metres of a school boundary.

E-cigarettes

E-cigarettes, or ‘vapes’, are not safe for young people. They come in many shapes and sizes and can be hard to spot as they can look like everyday items including highlighters, pens, USB memory sticks or watches.

Key vaping facts

• Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine despite being labelled as not. Nicotine can cause long-lasting negative effects on young people’s brain development, including impaired learning ability and altered mood, and can increase the risk of depression and anxiety.
• E-cigarettes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray, which can lead to serious lung diseases.
• Young people who vape are three times as likely to take up smoking cigarettes.
• E-cigarettes are harmful to the environment as they contain single-use plastics and lithium batteries, cause pollution and can start fires.

The laws around selling e-cigarettes

It’s illegal to sell or supply e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18 years. Young people often purchase vapes online, from retail stores, or from friends and contacts on social media. There are a number of retailers who sell e-cigarettes to young people. This is a crime.

Talk to your child about vaping

It’s important to take the time to talk to your child about the risks of vaping. Try to start the conversation in a relaxed easy-going way, and remember your goal is to have a conversation, not deliver a lecture. Parenting SA provides a Parent Easy Guide on talking with children and young people about drugs and alcohol – visit parenting.sa.gov.au.

Get the evidence and facts about vaping at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/vaping.

Find out more about how we manage alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in schools at www.education.sa.gov.au/vaping