It has been a busy term with a range of daily teaching and learning opportunities and extra curricular activities including:

• STEM Congress,
• Media Studies and Photography excursion to Adelaide,
• A whole range of sporting competitions, camps and excursions,
• Students taking sheep to the Royal Adelaide Show,
• Education Perfect Language competitions,
• Book Week activities - including magic tricks and Dreaming stories in the library,
• Family Fire Pit Night,
• Our Head Prefects Rachel and Zac meeting the Governor at Governor House,
• The Great Debate,
• Year 9 Banrock Station excursion,
• Year 9 Riverland Field Days Career Excursion, and many more opportunities for students.

Parent Teacher Interviews

A friendly reminder that our year 7-11 Parent Teacher Interviews are this Thursday. We hope to see you there!

SA Curriculum and SACE Thrive agenda

Last week on the Student Free Day, Renmark High School staff travelled down to Waikerie High School for the combined Riverland Secondary Schools Alliance Student Free Day. It was a great opportunity for professional development with presenters and workshops on a range of topics including the new South Australian curriculum, the new direction in SACE, processes, wellbeing, Aboriginal Education, and leadership. 

A significant part of the day for teachers was diving into the new South Australian curriculum and the SACE Thrive agenda. What stood out to us is how these significant updates align with the teaching and learning dispositions we already value for our students, particularly in fostering key capabilities that will set them up for success both in school and in life.

The updated curriculum places a strong emphasis on developing critical capabilities such as problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. These dispositions are vital for helping students adapt to a rapidly changing world, equipping them with the skills to think critically, connect with others, and approach challenges with resilience and empathy. At Renmark High School, we’ve long been committed to nurturing these qualities in our students, and these curriculum changes will support and enhance that mission.

By reinforcing dispositions like independence, adaptability, and empathy, these updates help ensure that our students are ready to respect diverse perspectives, connect meaningfully with others, and achieve their personal and academic goals. As we move forward, we’re excited to see how this new focus will enrich the learning experiences of all of our students.

'R U OK?' Day

Recently it was national 'R U OK?' day, a good chance to remind us the importance of checking-in.  Please don’t forget that we don’t just need a 'day' to check in on our families, friends, students, colleagues and ourselves- we can do this anytime! You don't need to be an expert to reach out; just a good friend and a great listener. Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:

1. Ask R U OK?
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in

Don’t forget that we have many staff who can support student wellbeing at school, including Wellbeing Leader Ben Files, our youth workers Kyla Wade and Emma Britton, Aboriginal Secondary Transition and Education Officers Daniel Giles and Uncle Barney, and Student Wellbeing Support Officer Maria Dowzard, so please refer to them for student support as required.

Student Self Care

It is the end of term 3 and, with only about 9 weeks to go until the last exam, the next few weeks are an essential time for year 12 students.  It is important to set a good study plan, making the most of the time remaining, and taking the opportunity to work with teachers to assist in your preparations for final assessments.  However, having a balance between work and fun is extremely important so ensure that you also take time over these holidays to relax and enjoy yourself.

For all of our students, as you will not be at school for two weeks, your support structures may not be as readily available to you.  With this in mind, here are some excellent resources you can utilise anytime, whether it be during school holidays or not:

Phone Counselling

• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• Headspace 1800 650 890
• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Online Counselling

• www.kidshelp.com.au
• www.headspace.org.au

Enjoy the break!

Mat Evans
Principal

Year 12 Trial Exams

While many year 12 subjects are well into exam practices, week 1 of term 4 will be a trial exam week. Students will still attend all classes during this week. Most exams will occur during the double of that subject. Staff are currently reviewing a trial exam draft timetable and this will be ready to publish in week 10 and will also go home with reports. The trial exam week is an excellent opportunity to practise how to undertake the exam and get feedback of the performance, but also to trial preparations and habits. Good luck to all involved and stay tuned for the published trial exam timetable in the next week.

SATAC Applications

The window to register these applications is fast closing. Also, the later the application is lodged, the more expensive the fee is. So please, if you have not yet lodged your SATAC application, do so and if you need help, please come and ask myself or any senior teachers at the school.

VET WorldSkills Competition

Last Thursday four VET courses participated in a regional WorldSkills event across the Riverland. Renmark High School hosted the Construction and Aged Care/Allied Health categories. In each course students were asked to complete a task based upon their area of expertise. The Construction group had to make a Saw Horse and the Aged Care/Allied health team had to show the judges how they would provide support with moving clients around safely, feeding them and providing direct care. Information Technology and Commercial Cookery were held at the Berri TAFE SA, where Renmark High School student, Nitara S placed second. The winners from each of these competitions will now travel to Murray Bridge for the state finals. 

Apprenticeships and Employment

There has been a large amount of communication that the school has received in the past few weeks around offered apprenticeships and local employment. These have been advertised in the daily school notices communicated during Care Group. If your child is interested in any of the advertised positions, please contact me for further information.

Job Skills

In collaboration with Riverland Secondary Schools Alliance (RSSA) there will be a program delivered next term for any year 12 student interested in a career in horticulture. During the two week course, students will be exposed to a number of local industries and job opportunities within the industry as well as support with resumes, interview preparation, job applications and other job seeking skills. If there are any year 12 students who would like to take up this opportunity please see me as soon as possbile.

Riverland and Mallee Vocational Awards for 2024

We have a number of students who will be applying for the Riverland and Mallee Vocational Awards this year. Please encourage an outstanding student that is currently completing a VET course, or is undertaking a school-based apprenticeship. Entry forms can be found in the Senior Study Space or online. https://riverlandvocationalawards.com.au/application-forms-2024 

Elevate Program

Elevate Education will be hosting a free webinar series on Wednesday 18 September from 6.30pm for parents on supporting your child during exams. Elevate Education works with students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn you’ll learn how you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they’re learning at school.

They will cover:

• Helping your child prepare in the week before an exam  
• Establishing a good routine for your child the night before 
• Helping your child to optimise their exam performance 

Register your place in our parent support series (elevateeducation.com)

For more information about Elevate Education, visit: https://au.elevateeducation.com/home

I look forward to sharing more information about our senior school in the upcoming newsletters. 

Marina Pater
Assistant Principal
Director of Operations

In an exhilarating showdown, students and teachers clashed over a crucial question: Is AI detrimental to education? The students, arguing for the affirmative, ultimately emerged victorious, highlighting their concerns with compelling arguments. Despite the teachers’ arguments, the students' concerns resonated strongly, leading them to win the debate. This outcome underscores the importance of carefully considering both the benefits and drawbacks of AI in education. As AI continues to advance, it’s clear that ongoing dialogue and thoughtful integration will be essential to maximizing its positive impact while addressing its challenges.

You may have seen some of our value posts at the entrances of our school. We have now installed some behind our Mickan Gym facing the Chaffey Theatre carpark. We are proud of our values and think the posts look great scattered around our school grounds. 

In week 6, our year 11 and 12 media studies students as well as year 10 and 11 photography students travelled to Adelaide for a jam-packed day of exploring. Students visited the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE), CDW Studios and Rising Sun Pictures to gain an insight into creative media industries of game art design, animation, visual effects and filmmaking. Photography students visited two photographic SALA exhibitions - Tatfu by Bianca Hoffrichter and Spotlights by Dave Nettle, gaining inspiration for their own photographic work from two very different styles of  photography. A fantastic day, full of inspiration, insightfulness and fun. 

Darija Atsaves
Digital Media, Enterprise and Media Studies Teacher

Renmark High School welcomes Emma A, whose five month exchange in Australia is well underway. A motivated language students, in addition to her native Italian, Emma is a fluent speaker of French and Spanish and is enjoying practicing her skills in our languages classes. Benvenuta, Emma!

Jasmine Sotiroulis
French and Spanish Teacher

Renmark High School has once again performed brilliantly in the South Australian Education Perfect Language Championship. Overall, placing 6^th out of 70 schools at the end of the week-long competition. Notable success for our students in Greek, Maori, Vietnamese and Arabic. We also placed 4^th in French, 3^rd in Spanish and 1^st in Greek.

Top students at Renmark High School:

Gold: Lexie T, Ruby P

Silver: Sarsho E

Credit: David V and Mia R

Congratulations to Lexie T who finished in 9^th place in South Australia, an incredible achievement.

Jasmine Sotiroulis
French and Spanish Teacher

Renmark High School French students were very fortunate to attend the first ever 'French Rock Concert' hosted by global Canadian rock star, 'Etienne'. He visited South Australia for the first time and performed at schools in Adelaide over four days to more than 2000 students from around South Australia. Renmark High School students were the only regional students who attended and had been preparing several of his global hits to sing with him! An ‘Etienne’ fan for over 20 years, Madame Sotiroulis’ dream came true when she shared the stage with him to perform, ‘Dans La Salle de Classe’! 

Jasmine Sotiroulis
French and Spanish Teacher

Our senior French students appreciated a three-course dining experience last week, exposed to a range of new flavours and discovering some special rules around the dining table in France. They were all brave enough to try the goats cheese salad for 'entrée' which was definitely a new flavour for them all. For 'Le Plat Principal', students enjoyed a garlic chicken dish, which required a 'baguette' to wipe down the plates ( this is encouraged in France!) Finally, we enjoyed a berry 'Clafouti' which was a sensation to end on.

Jasmine Sotiroulis
French and Spanish Teacher

Over the last few weeks Mr Owens' year 7 science classes have been learning about simple machines. These have included levers, wheel and axles, and pulleys. They have begun building 'Rube Goldberg' machines incorporating these machines into their designs.

Sam Owens
Science Teacher

On Friday of week 7, year 9 students visited Banrock Station for a day excursion as part of their 'Learning in the Landscape' unit in HASS. Students are currently exploring wetlands, focusing on their significance, challenges, and thinking of what to propose for improvements for Banrock Station as part of their assessment.

On Friday 13 September, our year 9 students visited the Riverland Field Days to participate in the RSSA - Career Exploration Trail. This event was exclusively designed for our year 9 students and offered a unique opportunity for them to engage with a variety of industries and pathways. 

During the Career Exploration Trail, students had the chance to interact with individually chosen exhibitors, participate in hands-on activities, and gain insights into different career paths. This experience is aimed at helping students develop a deeper understanding the capabilities and skills associated to potential career options and make informed decisions about their future pathways.

Rachel Dunn
Science and Mathematics Teacher

Ms Riar's year 10 Food Technology classes have been exploring Café Culture in Australia, delving into the origins of coffee culture and its evolution within the country. They investigated the role of modern appliances in preparing café-style dishes and then applied this knowledge by planning, preparing, and presenting their own café-style creations using food processors. The students engaged enthusiastically with the unit and excelled in crafting their chosen dishes. Congratulations to the year 10 students for their outstanding work!

Narinder Riar
Food Technology Teacher

As part of their final assessment, the year 12 Outdoor Education class embarked on a self-reliant expedition, canoeing approximately 60 km from Customs House to Renmark. The students were responsible for dividing and managing various tasks, all of which needed to be approved by the school beforehand. This process provided valuable insights into the extensive preparation required for such an experience.

In preparation, students reflected on past experiences to aid their planning and engaged in practical on-water sessions to build their skills and confidence. Given the nature of the self-reliant expedition, my role was more supportive and less hands-on. I provided guidance only when necessary and conducted periodic check-ins throughout the journey. This approach was a shift from previous trips where I was more directly involved. The students adapted well to this level of independence, demonstrating their readiness and ability to handle the responsibility.

Upon reaching our final destination, there was a mix of satisfaction and melancholy. This trip marked the end of our school camping experiences, and the students expressed appreciation for the diverse opportunities they had in Outdoor Education. Through these experiences, they have deepened their appreciation for the environment and achieved significant personal growth.

Aaron Camplin
Outdoor Education Teacher

On Thursday of week 7 saw Renmark High School staff take on the students in a junior and senior volleyball competition at lunchtime ran by the SRC. The tension was building as the staff had taken out the previous three events. Both games saw the staff take the victory in convincing fashion, but it was great to see many students and staff get involved and have some fun. On Friday of week 9, staff take on the students in netball, followed by a dodgeball match in week 10 which will be entertaining to say the least.

Toby Johnson
HPE Trainee

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

From 1 March 2024 new regulations will extend the smoke-free and vape-free areas to 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 3 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

Students and families who have inadequate or no access to internet at home are eligible to apply for a free internet connection to support learning.

There are 2 options available to eligible families:

• wireless internet access from the Department for Education through the student home internet program
• NBN broadband internet access until December 2025 from the Australian Government through the School Student Broadband Initiative.

You might be eligible if you:

• have a school aged child
• don’t have reliable home internet access or have no active NBN broadband connection.

Find out more about what options are available and how parents and carers can apply by visiting the department’s website.