It is hard to believe that there are only two weeks remaining in Term 3. It has been wonderful to be able to come together for our whole school events this term, such as house and learning area activities, performances, concerts, competitions, camps, excursions, Japanese study tour, sporting events, braiding project, book week and our multicultural assembly. All students and staff should be proud of their achievements and commended for their commitment and hard work. The success of these events and celebrations is also the result of the support students have received from their families and the staff who have enabled them to develop their skills, utilise their innate ability to serve and showcase their gifts and talents. It has been a term of creativity, learning, growth and this newsletter will provide you with a glimpse of the spirit that makes our School such a vibrant place to be. As a community we can achieve incredible things and make our school a place where everyone belongs, feels valued and empowered to build on the great traditions of our school and continue to shape the history of this wonderful school.
We are proud and continue to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students, whose dedication and hard work have led them to reach new heights. These accomplishments, whether in academics, music, arts, sports, or community service, reflect the incredible potential within each student. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff who tirelessly support our students in achieving their personal best. Their guidance, encouragement, and unwavering commitment provide the foundation for our students’ success. Together, we are creating an environment where every student can thrive, learn and achieve.
Walking around the school this term, I am struck by the vibrancy of community that comes to life in schools through learning and the dedication of our staff and the enthusiasm of our students. Here at Woodville High School, students through the learning activities are gaining new knowledge, consolidating ideas, and honing skills in a safe and inclusive environment.
I observe groups of students gathered in collaborative spaces, their faces lit with concentration and curiosity as they engage in dynamic group discussions. The diversity of thought as each student brings their own unique perspective to the conversation, enriching the collective experience.
In the classrooms, I see our dedicated teachers in action, guiding students with patience and expertise. The air is filled with a blend of focused silence and lively dialogue as lessons unfold. I am particularly impressed by the way our staff tailor their approach to meet the needs of every student, whether it’s through hands-on activities in science labs, interactive debates in HASS, or creative projects in art class. The commitment of our educators to fostering an inclusive and engaging environment is evident in every interaction.
As I pass by the Learning Hub, I see students deeply engrossed in their reading, some working individually while others huddle together in study groups. The library serves as a hub of knowledge and inspiration, a place where students can explore new ideas, leverage technology and dive into their passions. It’s heartening to see so many students taking advantage of this space, reflecting a strong culture of intellectual curiosity.
At St Clair Recreation Centre, the echoes of bouncing basketballs and the rhythmic thud of sneakers on the hardwood floor highlight the school’s commitment to physical education and athletics. The students are not just honing their physical skills; they’re learning teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. Whether it’s the intense focus of a basketball match, the strategic game of soccer, it is clear that sports are not only about competition but also about building character and fostering school spirit.
In the Anastassiadis Art Studio, the atmosphere is one of creativity. Students are immersed in various artistic endeavours, from painting and sculpture to digital design and photography. The walls are adorned with their vibrant works, each piece reflecting the individuality and imagination of its creator. It’s evident that art is more than just a subject here; it’s a means of self-expression and exploration.
In the Performing Arts and Music Centre the space is alive with movement and rhythm. Students are practicing intricate routines, their dedication evident in the precision of their steps and the fluidity of their motions and music. Dance classes here are not only about mastering technique but also about expressing emotion and storytelling through movement. The music, drama and dance teachers are deeply invested in nurturing the students’ talents, helping them build confidence and grace both on and off the stage.
In the Mathematics and Technology Labs, students are engaged in a different kind of exploration. They are working on complex problems, coding projects, and technological innovations. The excitement in these spaces comes from the challenge of solving real-world problems and discovering new solutions. Mathematics and technology are integral to preparing students for the future, and the enthusiasm in these rooms is a testament to the dynamic ways these subjects are taught.
Overall, my walk around the school reaffirms my belief in the strength of our educational community. The dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the thoughtfully designed learning spaces all contribute to a thriving school culture. It’s clear that at Woodville High School, education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about nurturing a sense of belonging and preparing students for a successful future.
Year 12 Students
As we draw closer to the end of Term 3, the completion of the academic year is rapidly approaching for our Year 12 students. Completing secondary education is a significant event in the lives of young people, and I am sure that here will be mixed feelings across the cohort as some are looking forward to life after school with excitement, while for others there is a sense of apprehension, as they will soon leave the certainty of school life and embark on their future within society.
With the end of their schooling at Woodville High School in sight, I implore all Year 12 students to just keep on going! The school journey seems such a long period in the eyes of a student, yet only a fleeting moment in the eyes of a parent.
Whilst the school holidays are an important time for relaxation and renewal of spirit, mind and body it is also important that senior students take advantage of some of this break to focus on their study schedule, exam revision and finalising assessment tasks. Year 12 Examinations commence Monday 4 November to the 22 November 2024.
The last day of formal lessons for Year 12 Students is Friday 25 October and to recognise their academic achievements; we will come together on that day for a farewell breakfast and final assembly. As a Woodville High School community we will celebrate their 13 years of schooling at the Graduation Ceremony at the Adelaide Town Hall on Friday 22 November (Week 6, Term 4).
2025 Student Leadership Application Process
The application process for next year’s student leadership positions has commenced. The application process closed at the end of Week 6 and currently students are being shortlisted and interviewed for the positions they have applied for. Any positions not allocated will be re-advertised in Week 9 and then the final student leadership structure will be announced by the Principal in Week 10. These students will also be presented to the school community at the whole school Year 12 Assembly in Week 2, Term 4.
Preparation for 2025
As term 3 is quickly coming to a close, staff are working assiduously on preparing for 2025! Our numbers of Year 7 students has increased from last year. Transition days have been scheduled for the 5 and 6 of December, with a parent information evening also planned for the 5th of December.
Interviews with our new families will commence in Term 4 Week 6 – 7 and we are excited to meet our newest members of our community.
Professional Development
At our Woodville staff professional development day we spent time with education futurist and strategist Louka Parry delving into the latest implications for education and diving deeply into our school strategy. Taking our strategic direction, we iterated key concepts into our learning design across the entire school including a group of students who joined our professional learning day to provide their perspectives. We focused on high expectations, metacognition, authentic rigorous learning, multidisciplinary learning, co-design, and activating our learning ecosystem. Highlighting the staff pedagogical mindsets also helped us to build on the strong and diverse perspectives as we lead our transformational work. The collective insights of staff and students continue to inform our pedagogical approaches and curriculum design in alignment with our strategic plan. I shared our school’s transformational journey bringing clarity of purpose, strategy, and culture and how tightly they are connected and aligned, reinforcing each other. Culture plays such a powerful role in making purpose and strategy come to life!
Multicultural Assembly
Friday 6 September we held our Multicultural assembly at the St Clair Recreation Centre. I want to thank all the staff and students for embracing and creating such a wonderful celebration of our diversity. The assembly captured the rich mosaic of our cultures, traditions and beliefs that build on our 109 years of history.
The Multicultural Assembly is an important event for our community, one where we acknowledge and celebrate our multicultural identity as an enduring and uniting strength. The assembly holds a special place in our hearts as it reflects the very essence of who we are as a school community—a place where diversity is embraced and celebrated, resilience is nurtured, and integrity is our guiding principle. Our values unite us and create social connections between us and strengthens our intercultural capability promoting community harmony and inclusion.
At the opening of the Assembly Chloe Pearce, Student Learning Portfolio Prefect, read our school’s poem ‘We Are’ as an expression of our diversity, unity and freedom.
During Refugee Week Woodville students worked with renowned slam poet Manal Younis to share their own life stories and create a poem entitled “We Are”.
Our guest speakers were Dylan Holmes and Matilda McNamara from Adelaide United Football Club. Dylan Holmes was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and lived in the United States, Chile and southern Peru, before moving to Adelaide in 2007. She was signed to Adelaide United as a 17 year old, and has also played college football in New York as well as professional football for Adelaide City and BK Hacken-where she also played in the UEFA Women’s Champion League before returning to Adelaide United in 2021, where she captained the team for the 2020/21 season. Matilda McNamara was born in Adelaide and has represented the national team at every age level. She has played for Adelaide United from 2015-2022, before spending time playing in the Danish Football League 2022-2024 and returning to Adelaide United in 2024. Matilda made her National team debut in 2022.
We had performing:
- Our Vietnamese students performed the Lion dance, a traditional Vietnamese art form that fuses dance and martial arts to bring good luck and fortune.
- Artists from Sun of Africa Drum and Dance Ensemble, a South Australian ensemble who are passionately dedicated to the art of African dance, rhythm, music, drumming and performances from West Africa. They performed the Zaouli mask dance
- Our students delivered a performance that intertwined cultures from Cambodia, Vietnam, Bhutan and Indonesia
- Our HASS teacher, Mark Zigaronikas performed with a group of students a traditional Greek dance called the Zorba
- Our Indian students, led by teacher Ms. Neha Kaushel performed a Bollywood dance which is a lively and colourful dance style that comes from the Indian film industry and combines classical dance, folk traditions with modern moves. Bollywood dance is all about expressing emotions and celebrating culture
- Our final multicultural dance performance was titled Vietnam, my Faraway Home. This dance performance was led by Year 9 students, with guidance from our Vietnamese teacher Ms. Kim Dao.
We also had performances by our Wind Ensemble who performed Sogno Di Volare by Christopher Tin, Concert Band performed Siberian Express by Todd Phillips, Prelude Strings performed Fantasy on a Japanese Song by Brian Balmages, Senior Choir performed the Maori song Te Iwi E, Big Band performed Stomping Ground, by Thomas Voss, Prelude String performed The Evil Eye and the Hideous Heart by Alan Lee Silv, and Stage Band, the school’s senior jazz ensemble, performed Harlem River.
At the assembly students and staff committed to ensuring that our school is a place where equity, cohesion and justice are not just ideals but a lived experience. We have made significant improvements, but there is always more work to be done. Together, we can build a future where everyone’s voice is heard, diverse perspectives are valued and every student is empowered to achieve their full potential.
Friday’s assembly is our affirmation of our commitment to a multicultural school where racism and discrimination have no place. In my speech I invited students to think about the type of school and world they want to live and learn in and be active in shaping a unified school and country for future generations. I reminded them that they have the power to change the world and encouraged them to be the change they want to see in the world. They have the ability through study to create positive change in their own lives and the communities to which they belong to.
Uniform
We are all ambassadors of Woodville High School and should take pride in representing the school in academic, sporting, musical, artistic and cultural pursuits within our school and local community. Our uniform policy reflects our values and reinforces our school’s culture of high expectations and academic achievement. All students must dress according to the uniform policy.
Our School Uniform is important to us. It is one way in which we identify ourselves as a school community and it promotes a strong, cohesive school identity which supports high standards and expectations in all areas of school life. It promotes harmony between the 80 different cultures represented in the school.
In Term 4, we expect students to present themselves appropriately, attired and wearing the Woodville High School uniform with pride.
I ask all parents to support the School with the implementation of our Uniform Policy, punctuality and behaviour is respectful to the School’s rich history and tradition.
Staff
Congratulations to the Staff who have been appointed to the following positions:
- Beth Brown – Inclusive Education / Special Options Coordinator
- Casey Brain – English/HASS Teacher
- Michael Lombardi – Middle Years Manager for Term 4
- Jordan Della Pietra – SEQTA Manager for Term 4
- Tuyet Van Ha – International Education Manager for Term 4
- Damon Flint – HASS Manager for Term 4
Finally
I wish all the staff and families of this vibrant community a wonderful holiday and hope it brings renewal of spirit and many special memories with family and friends. I extend my deep appreciation to each teacher and ancillary staff member who guide, nurture and support students to be agents of their own learning and wellbeing. I look forward to seeing everyone again in Term 4, energised and ready to successfully finish the year.
