Senior School News

As we move into the later part of the year, our year 12 students are, for the most part, engaging well with their studies. Mid-term Traffic Light Reports have now been released. I will be following up with students who are currently underperforming to help them clarify their goals and stay on track for a successful finish to the year.

To support all students, the school continues to offer academic coaching, catch-up study sessions, and guidance around SATAC university applications. Families should note that SATAC applications are due by 26 September. While changes can be made after this date, the application fee will increase. Once students have submitted and paid for their application, they can update their preferences as needed.

Students should now also be exploring university accommodation options, scholarship opportunities, and any Centrelink support they may be eligible for. If a student has participated in the Flinders University Inspire Program, their SATAC application fee will be covered by Flinders.

We are also promoting local career opportunities within the school and will continue to support students with resume writing, job applications, and employment search strategies in the coming weeks.

Year 11 Update

Year 11 students have been granted Home Study privileges this semester. All families should have received a permission form to sign and return; this must be completed for Home Study to be recorded in Daymap. We will continue to monitor students and will be in contact with families if we believe this arrangement is not supporting their child’s learning.

Please note: Home Study is only permitted in the morning or at the end of the day. Students are not allowed to leave and return during the school day and must attend Care Group at 11.00am daily.

Last term’s results for most year 11 students were very positive. However, there are still some students who have not completed their Stage 1 compulsory subjects. This places them at risk of not meeting the SACE requirements and being ineligible for year 12 next year. These students must take urgent steps to complete the necessary work.

Subject Selections

Following a successful RSSA Future Pathways Expo, and our Renmark High School Subject Planning and Information Night, year 10 and Year 11 students have now completed their subject selections for 2026. Parents and guardians are required to sign and return these forms to Care Group teachers.

Once received, the school will begin reviewing subject numbers, staffing, and student preferences in order to build the most flexible and responsive timetable possible.

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

Marina Pater
Assistant Principal
Director of Operations

This week, students and staff at Renmark High School proudly came together to raise awareness for Dolly’s Dream, a movement committed to preventing bullying and supporting young people’s mental health and well-being and encouraging kindness.

Over three days, students participated in dedicated kindness and anti-bullying workshops. These sessions provided valuable insight into the nature of bullying—both in-person and online—and gave students the tools to respond to and prevent it. The workshops sparked meaningful conversations about empathy, respect, and the importance of creating a supportive school environment.

Dolly’s Dream school programs are designed to empower young people with strategies for managing challenges, staying safe online, and accessing support when needed. By promoting kindness, empathy, and a sense of self-worth, these workshops aim to build stronger, safer communities for everyone.

To show our support, the school took part in ‘Dolly’s Day’ on Wednesday, where students and staff were encouraged to wear blue or a hat in solidarity with the cause. Our library transformed into a sea of blue and purple butterflies, each one inscribed with personal pledges from students about how they will show kindness to others—be it friends, family, or peers.

This initiative was not only visually powerful but also deeply meaningful, reinforcing the values we aim to encourage within our school community.

For more information or to support the movement, visit: www.dollysdream.org.au

Recently, we held a fantastic picnic lunch in the yard to stand against bullying and unkind behaviour as part of Bullying No Way Week. Students enjoyed a wonderful lunch break filled with music, games, and snacks, all while promoting a culture of kindness and respect to others. Thank you to everyone who came along and enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon.

We are partnering with Lighthouse Youth Projects to deliver their 'Balance' program which a is a bike-based mentoring program designed for students. The program consists of eight workshops that blends practical theory with exciting, deliberately challenging BMX activities that spark motivation, focus, and growth. The mentors, Ryan and Jamie, work closely with each young person to explore the “why” behind their behaviours and choices — helping them understand the experiences and influences that shape how they respond to the world. This increased self-awareness lays the foundation for positive choices, supporting their social and emotional development and building the skills they need to thrive. 

Our youths have made impressive progress in the program! They have mastered essential safety procedures and learned a variety of skills. They’ve confidently navigated diverse terrains on their mountain bikes and even built jumps that allow them to catch maximum air while maintaining safe riding techniques.

Beyond physical skills, the youths have shown remarkable leadership and resilience, conquering numerous challenges such as riding significant distances. Some of our boys have learned new tricks in just a few sessions—skills that often take even experienced riders months to master such as bunny hops. box turns and foot jams. With every new challenge, they’ve grown, showing respect, reflecting on their behaviour, and continually striving to improve.

Jacinta Coombe
Wellbeing and Engagement Leader

Our senior girls volleyball team has successfully advanced to the finals in the School Sport SA Open Volleyball competition. The senior boys team also performed admirably, securing 2 wins and narrowly missing out in a few close matches. This experience serves as excellent preparation for the upcoming Australian Volleyball Schools Cup held in the Gold Coast at the end of the year. We wish the girls the best of luck in their finals on Thursday 11 September (week 8)!

Aaron Camplin
Leader of HPE & Sports

Understanding Domestic Violence

As part of our Beyond Tomorrow program, our year 11 and 12 students participated in an important information session on Domestic Violence, presented by the South Australia Police (SAPOL) on Friday 8 August.

The presentation provided students with valuable knowledge and practical skills to support them in their future. Key areas covered included:

• Understanding what domestic violence is
• The laws surrounding domestic violence
• Recognising the cycle of violence
• Where to seek help and support

Students found the session informative, and engaging. In addition to the main focus, the officers also provided a brief insight into the career as a Police Officer, which many students found interesting and inspiring.

On Wednesday 13 August, Renmark High School proudly hosted the Riverland leg of the annual MASA Quiz Night, welcoming spirited teams from Berri Regional Secondary College and Loxton High School. The event, organised by the Mathematical Association of South Australia, brought together 33 teams of four students each, competing across Junior (Years 7–8), Intermediate (Years 9–10), and Senior (Years 11–12) divisions.

Throughout the evening, students tackled a diverse array of mathematical challenges, general knowledge questions, and problem-solving tasks. The atmosphere was electric, filled with enthusiasm, collaboration, and friendly rivalry.

Renmark High School teams delivered outstanding performances, securing several accolades:

• Best Overall Junior Team
• Best Junior Mathematics
• Best Intermediate General Knowledge

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all participants for their hard work and commendable sportsmanship. Special thanks to the staff who made the evening a resounding success, and to Berri Regional Secondary College and Loxton High School for their enthusiastic participation.

Events like the MASA Quiz Night not only celebrate academic excellence but also foster camaraderie and a love for learning among students. We look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence and collaboration in the years to come.

Mike Young
Senior Leader of Science and Numeracy Innovation

The 5.6 magnitude earthquake that shook Queensland on Saturday morning on 16 August was captured by our seismometer located at Renmark High School. This is the largest land based earthquake to hit Australia in the last 5 years. It was felt by 18,000 people and many CCTV cameras captured the earth moving as was seen on the news. Luckily there were no reports of injury. The energy released is the equivalent of 3800 tonnes of TNT being detonated.

An amazing moment and we are proud to say that this was captured many kilometres away! 

Renmark High School Seismograph recording of the earthquake.

Mike Young
Senior Leader of Science and Numeracy Innovation 

Last week, Mrs Dunn’s year 8 students started to explore data and statistics in Mathematics. The students were given a packet of lolly snakes and determined the mean, mode, and median of the snakes. They counted the colours in the packets and measured the lengths of each snake. This activity allowed them to practice solving for centres of data sets as well as providing a mid lesson sweet treat.

Renmark High School students attended the Active Citizenship Convention at the Adelaide Oval last Monday, whereby they were inspired by a variety of active leaders in South Australia. Our students heard Premier Peter Malinauskas speak coupled with Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia. Students engaged in civics workshops and had lunch with young leaders. Students had a say and their opinions were definitely heard.

Renmark High School is very grateful this inspiring opportunity.

Biljana Elliott
Senior Leader of Literacy and Global Perspectives

Senior French students enjoyed an introductory Farsi lesson this week with The University of Adelaide pre-service teacher, Samara. In a short time, they learned to ask and answer simple questions in Farsi, write their names using the Perso Arabic script, الفبای فارسی (alefbâ-ye fârsi) and explore some of the language’s different dialects across other countries and cultural traditions. Students also discovered the French vocabulary that is a part of the language, like the word ‘thank you'. مرسی (mersi) Samira!

Renmark High School French students, together with our senior Visual Arts students, recently explored a hidden gem in our community — the Frank Harding Art Gallery.

Students were captivated by the extraordinary Bushranger Collection and the powerful World War II Collection, which brings to life the stories of pilots from the war. Frank Harding’s daughter, Megan, also shared the inspiring story of her father’s journey as an artist and the influences behind his work. Our French students participating in the France Study Tour 2026, also uncovered a unique international link, discovering a replica of the Mona Lisa that connects the gallery in Renmark to the Louvre in Paris.

A memorable and enriching experience for all! 

Jasmine Sotiroulis
French and Spanish Teacher

On Wednesday 6 August, our Year 10 and 12 Food & Hospitality students went on an exciting excursion to Adelaide.

Our first stop was the Adelaide Central Market, where students undertook a self-guided tour to explore a wide variety of cultural foods. The lively atmosphere at the markets provided valuable insight into sourcing fresh produce and understanding current food industry practices. Students had the opportunity to interact with stallholders, view seasonal produce, and consider how global influences shape our local food & hospitality industry. Several students stepped out of their comfort zones, trying different street foods for the very first time.

Next, we visited the Haigh’s Chocolate Factory, where the students watched skilled chocolatiers at work, demonstrating the artistry and precision behind handcrafted chocolate. They observed the intricate processes of tempering and moulding, gaining a new appreciation for the craftsmanship and attention to detail required in chocolate making. Students also visited the retail store, where most of the students purchased a sweet treat to remember the experience as well as enjoyed the free samples.

The day concluded at the Stamford Grand Adelaide in Glenelg. Students toured the hotel, gaining firsthand knowledge of the processes involved in running a premium hospitality venue. They also gained information on guest services, industry standards and career opportunities within the hospitality sector. To finish, students enjoyed a High Tea experience in the hotel’s atrium with delicate savouries and sweets such as range of sandwiches, scones, macarons, curry puffs, panacotta cups, mini blueberry cheesecakes and more.

This excursion provided our students with a rich and engaging look into the diverse and dynamic world of food and hospitality deepening their understanding of the industry. 

Narinder Riar
Food and Hospitality Teacher

Last Friday, Year 12 Food and Hospitality students hosted a delightful 'High Tea' event for their teachers. Each student prepared, decorated, and presented a high tea dish, creating a formal and elegant experience. In preparation for this final assessment, the students travelled to Adelaide to visit various venues related to high tea, drawing inspiration for their creations. Well done!

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 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