Welcome to Term 2

Welcoming Future Students and Families

Parent-Student - Teacher Interviews

Public Education Day - Thursday 22 May

Reconciliation Week - 27 May to 3 June 

Term 2 is in full swing, and with it comes a range of exciting opportunities for our senior students. It’s a pivotal time for students to stay focused—meeting assessment deadlines, setting personal goals, and taking steps toward their post-school futures.

While many students are using their time effectively and showing great dedication, others may benefit from improved time management and better use of study periods. We're here to support every student on their journey.

Support Programs for Senior Students

Academic Coaching

Our dedicated staff members volunteer as Academic Coaches for year 12 students. These coaches meet with students regularly to support them in areas such as time management, subject concerns, wellbeing, SACE completion, and career planning. Coaches also share relevant information with teachers to ensure a consistent support network.

Senior Study Space

Senior students have access to a spacious study area and common room.

• Year 11 students are expected to remain at school during all school hours.
• Year 12 students with Home Study at the beginning or end of the day may sign out and leave school during those times. Year 12s may also use other school spaces to access help from specialist teachers.

Pathways and Programs

Flinders University Inspire Program

We recently welcomed Flinders University for the first visit of their Inspire Program—a mentoring initiative for Year 12s considering university.

Key aspects of the program-

• Includes four group sessions per term
• Offers optional one-on-one or small group mentoring (online or in person)
• Flinders will also cover the SATAC application fee for all program participants
  Note: Participation does not commit students to applying to Flinders University

Flinders Assessment Centre

Recently 14 of our year 11 students along with students from nearby schools, took part in an assessment day run by Flinders University. They engaged in a range of activities, impressing university staff with their skills and enthusiasm. We’re hopeful this will lead to early university offers for 2026.

Career Pathways and Job Readiness

Mas National Presentation – Friday 16 May

Danielle Albanese from Mas National will be speaking to year 12 students during their Beyond Tomorrow session. This session is especially valuable for students not planning to attend university, covering:

• Traineeships and apprenticeships
• Local job opportunities
• One-on-one support options available at the Mas National office in Renmark

White Card Training – Friday 14 June

A White Card training session will be offered to students in years 10, 11, and 12.

• This certification is required for most trade and construction roles
• It is a lifetime qualification
• Students can sign up at the SSO
• Cost: $60 (with the school subsidising the remaining amount)

Job Board and Application Support

Chloe Rudd maintains an up-to-date job board in the Senior Study Space, sharing opportunities from local employers. Chloe also provides support with:

• Resume writing
• Work experience placement
• Job application guidance

If you have any questions about these programs or would like to know more, please don't hesitate to contact me at the school.

I look forward to sharing more senior news and student success stories throughout 2025.

Marina Pater
Assistant Principal
Director of Operations

Interschool Athletics

In week 10 of last term, our Renmark High School athletics team competed in the Riverland Secondary Schools Alliance Interschool Athletics Carnival at Waikerie High School recorded some amazing results throughout the day including:

Congratulations to Zac T, who broke his own school record in the U13 High Jump with a 1.68m jump, setting a new Interschool record.

Noah M smashed the RHS 400m record (set in 2003) with a time of 54.30. He also won his 1500m, 800m, and came 2nd in High Jump.

Ollie L dominated with 1st place finishes in the 1500m, 800m, and 400m.

The Open Boys team took home the pennant, continuing their winning form.

Sincere thanks to all students who participated and supported the school.

Adelaide Athletics

In week 11 of last term, our athletics team travelled to Adelaide to take part in the School Sport SA Athletics Championships. Our students did an incredible job representing our school, achieving outstanding individual and team results, along with many personal bests. A number of students even stepped up to compete in higher age groups to help cover more events — a true team effort that saw us finish 2nd overall.

2nd Place – Division B1 Grade (Boys)

5th Place – Division B1 Grade (Girls)

We’re so proud of everyone’s efforts.

Riverland Dinghy Racing

Cross Country

Well done to all students who participated in Cross Country in week 2. It was great to see everyone get involved, with SRC putting on a BBQ at the finish line.

The overall results:

- Chaffey 240

- Murray 216

- Tintra 195

- Sturt 175

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued support: Renmark Club, Sportspower Zorich Group Renmark, McDonald's Renmark, Almondco Australia Ltd, Priceline Pharmacy Renmark,  BusBiz Renmark, Nutrien Water - Renmark, Hotel Renmark, Tri State Graphics and Koch's Foodland.

Congratulations to the following students who placed in the top 3 in their age group: 

Upcoming Sport Events

• Knockout Cup Volleyball (Year 9 & 10) - Friday 16 May (Week 3)
• Interschool Cross Country (Waikerie) - Friday 23 May (Week 4)
• Adelaide Cross Country - Thursday 5 June (Week 6)
• 9 a-side Football (Waikerie) - Friday 20 June (Week 9)
• Year 9 Advanced PE Camp - Monday 30 June - Wednesday 2 July (Week 10)
• Year 10 Advanced PE Camp - Wednesday 2 July - Thursday 3 July (Week 10)

Aaron Camplin 
Leader of HPE and Sports

• Meeting new people and making connections 
• Experiencing a very valuable opportunity, challenging himself against other teams/participants
• Access to amazing soccer facilities and the opportunity to join one of the top league teams on a bus trip to the game.
• Developing a deeper understanding on what is involved in playing soccer at a higher level.

Last school holidays, a group of enthusiastic Renmark High School students embarked on an unforgettable Spanish Study Tour, immersing themselves in the language, culture, and rich history of Spain.

The adventure began with our arrival in Madrid, before settling into the beautiful city of Granada, where students stayed with local host families. Each day, they attended intensive Spanish language classes and participated in a variety of cultural and historical activities. Highlights included a historical tour of Granada, exploring the ancient Albaicín neighbourhood followed by afternoon tea in traditional Arabic tearooms, a visit to the Grand Cathedral of Granada, and an energetic flamenco dance class.

As our time in Granada came to a close, we said farewell to our wonderful host families, but not before visiting the breathtaking Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our journey continued with a day trip to the stunning city of Ronda and the start of Semana Santa (Easter Week) celebrations, a deeply significant time in Spain. Students were also proud to receive their course completion certificates at Proyecto Español, a local Spanish language school.

Our final week took us north to Salamanca, a city renowned for its academic heritage and home to the oldest active university in the world. Here, students truly embraced their last days in Spain. Their activities included:

• Experiencing the vibrant Easter parades of Salamanca
• A hands-on paella cooking class
• Visits to the historic cities of Segovia and Ávila
• A fun-filled salsa dance lesson
• A guided tour of the Cathedral of Salamanca
• An exploration of the iconic Plaza Mayor
• Attending classes at Tía Tula Spanish Language School, where students were presented with their graduation certificates

We were also proud to see students Taso P and Anja T participate in Greek Easter services at the Romanian Orthodox Church of Salamanca, adding another layer of cultural appreciation to their journey.

Students returned home via Madrid, arriving safely in Adelaide on Saturday night, where they were greeted warmly by their families. 

Anja T and Madison M were invited to speak on ABC Riverland radio last week, where they shared their experiences living and studying in Granada and Salamanca as part of the Renmark High School Spain Study Tour. Accompanied by Spanish teacher, Jasmine Sotiroulis, both students showcased outstanding communication skills, expressing their insights and reflections with clarity and confidence.
¡Muchas gracias, chicas!

You can access the interview via the following link – ABC Riverland – starting at 2:37:10. 

Students in years 7 to 11 came together this week for the launch night of the annual global languages competition. Fierce yet friendly competition in the classroom, Renmark students have hit first place on the South Australian scoreboard demonstrating linguistic prowess in French, Greek, Italian, Afrikaans and even Zulu! 

Jasmine Sotiroulis
French and Spanish Teacher

Congratulations to year 11 student Tailah L (red sash), who attended the SA Sheep Expo during the recent school holidays at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds and achieved 2nd place in the Intermediate Handlers Class 3 competition.

Tailah is a passionate agriculture student, and we’re proud to celebrate her fantastic effort and dedication. Well done Tailah!

The year 6 Leadership and Connect Day is a primary school initiative, designed to provide the opportunity for students from Renmark North, Renmark West, Renmark Primary and St Joseph’s schools to get together, mingle and forge positive relationships. We were very excited to be able to offer our facilities for their gathering this year. Students engaged in a range of activities including ball games, a team quiz, Drum Beat, volleyball, art and team building. They also enjoyed a sausage sizzle lunch, cooked by RHS SRC students. The level of interaction and cooperation between students from all schools was fantastic to see.

We look forward to welcoming year 6 students back to Renmark High School on Monday 19 May for their first transition visit.

Danielle Weeks
Director of Inclusion

Ms Matulic’s Year 8 HASS students recently stepped out of the classroom and into the heart of local history during an exciting excursion along Renmark’s riverfront. Students learnt about key local areas, such as the Rotunda, Cross of Sacrifice and Ozone Building, and discovered the stories that helped shape the Renmark region.

A favourite stop was the historic PS Industry paddle steamer, where students listened to Alan’s speech about the PS Industry and experienced what life was like aboard the vessel that once dominated the river. They explored the engine room, stood at the helm, and learnt how river transport helped build connections between communities.

It was a fantastic hands-on learning experience that brought history to life and deepened their understanding of their local community.

Wendy Matulic
HASS Teacher

Year 9 students have recently began investigating Australians at War, including discussion around ration pack food and recruitment. As a result of their learning students baked ANZAC biscuits with their teachers, sharing them with friends and family.

Mr Clark and Mr Lindner’s year 10 PE classes volunteered their class time to help with some maintenance of Renmark Tintra Tennis Courts last term. This was to show their appreciation to local tennis coach John Pick for his contributions to our school’s tennis program. 

Last term in week 9 during Beyond Tomorrow, our Year 11 students had the privilege of attending an enlightening session on "Healthy Nutrition and Exercise during Adolescence," presented by Dr. Alwash, a medical practitioner and educator at Riverland General Hospital. This session aimed to equip our students with essential knowledge and practical tips to foster lifelong health and wellbeing.

Dr. Alwash emphasised the numerous benefits of consuming whole foods and maintaining a regular exercise routine during the adolescent years. He explained how these habits not only support physical growth and development but also contribute to mental wellbeing and physical health.

A key focus of the session was the importance of incorporating strength training into weekly exercise routines. Dr. Alwash highlighted how building physical strength during adolescence and young adulthood can have lasting benefits, helping to maintain good health later in life.

The session also included the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle during youth. Dr. Alwash provided insights into how a lack of exercise can lead to various health issues, including obesity, insulin resistance, and weakened bone health. To help students to action, he suggested a variety of exercises aimed at building healthy bone mass and lean muscle tissue and preventing health risks.

We are grateful to Dr. Alwash for sharing his expertise and encouraging our students to adopt healthy habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Narinder Riar
Year Level Coordinator

Mr Lindner’s year 12 Physical Education students recently visited Corny Point, South Australia, for a 3-day surf trip. As part of their course, students participated in daily surf lessons, focusing on skill development, physical fitness, and water safety.

The trip provided a practical opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned in class, while experiencing the coastal environment. Well done to all students for their effort and participation throughout the week.

Renmark High School will be hosting students from France, who are arriving mid-term 2 and departing mid-term 3.

Experience a unique cultural exchange by hosting an international student! Share your home, make lifelong connections, and provide a supportive environment while learning about another culture. Enrich your family's life today!

For more information, contact us at dl.0794.info@schools.sa.edu.au

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