Term 4 is always an exciting term, a time of celebration filled with events, exhibitions and performances. It is a celebration of excellence in our community, and of the strong formation we offer to the students through their years at Woodville High School. This term, as a community, we welcome our 2025 Year 7 Students during their transition days and celebrate the completion of 13 years of schooling for our Year 12 Students.
Our Year 12 students will always be a part of our community, always uniquely connected with stories, celebrations, memories and experiences. For some families, having travelled halfway around the world to provide an opportunity for these students to have a better life, it is a remarkable story of sacrifice and success. We could not imagine what this journey could have been like, but we are certainly very proud and privileged to have been a part of their story. So as we say goodbye to the Class of 2024, we also welcome them into the Old Scholars of 2024, joining a unique group of alumni who have been educated at Woodville High School.
Our Woodville acknowledges the sacrifices and unconditional love and support that these young people receive at home, and likewise the support and guidance that our staff provide. This support is not just about their final year, but right across their 13-year academic journey. As a community we wish our Year 12s all the best as they prepare for exams and finish final assessment pieces. Thank you to the parents who are leaving our community at the end of this year, we wish you and your child every success in the future and look forward to the final celebrations at the Graduation Ceremony at the Adelaide Town Hall on Friday 22 November 2024.
2025 Timetable Structure
The South Australian School and Preschool Education Staff Enterprise Agreement (EBA) 2024 came into effect in March this year. It covers work environment, conditions, leave and policies and procedures.
This new enterprise bargaining agreement includes provision for a reduction in maximum face-to-face teaching time of 1 hour per week for school-based teachers. The school reviewed its current Timetable Structure to ensure it aligns with the requirements of the 2024 EBA.
A Timetable Committee of student leaders and staff explored different timetable models. The models developed were then tabled for feedback and consultation and the preferred model was ratified by Governing Council and PAC. Through this consultative process, the 2025 timetable below was approved.
A letter was sent to all families regarding the new 2025. If you have not received this letter, please contact Molly Place, my Executive Assistant. Her email is molly.place978@schools.sa.edu.au
2025 Student Leadership Team
As we say farewell to the Class of 2024 and thank them for their many great contributions to school life, we also congratulate those who have been chosen to continue the incredible work of our Head Prefect and Deputy Prefect, Liam Norman and Sinead Wunderer and all the Prefects and Captains. Their compassion and authenticity have shone through in their leadership and has left a lasting impact on our community.
At the Term 4 Assembly, we announced to a whole community the 2025 Student Leadership Team. Congratulations to the following students. In particular the:
- Senior Years Head Prefect: Michael McLennan
- Senior Years Deputy Head Prefect: Chloe Pearce
- Middle Years Head Prefect: Ava Orlowski
- Middle Years Deputy Prefect: Eva Sweeney
I remind every student that leadership is not defined by a badge or a title – it’s about who you are and the influence you bring to those around you. Whether or not you hold an official position, you have the power to lead and make a difference within our community. Leadership begins with self-discipline and an understanding of your place within the community. As you continue to grow, opportunities to serve will arise, and it is in those moments – when you are needed most – that you will discover the truth about who you are and how you can contribute meaningfully to others.
World Teachers’ Day
World Teachers’ Day on Friday 25 October, was an opportunity to give thanks and show appreciation to our teachers for their patience, expertise, care and attention. Teachers play such an important role in our school and have been an incredible support and inspiration to our students and families. The work we do together – the education of young people – is a deeply human endeavour. Every conversation, every interaction, every relationship, and every bit of encouragement we place in our students allows them to grow, flourish, and shape their personal identity. A big thank you to our amazing teachers for all the work they do to educate and empower our students.
Year 12 Farewell and Breakfast
While we applauded the accomplishments of our Year 12 students, at the year 12 Breakfast and Assembly, it was a moment of mixed emotions as we farewell the students we had the privilege to nurture and guide over the years. This year’s cohort has left a deep and lasting impression on all of us. Their bold leadership thought provoking ideas and generosity of spirit have shaped this incredible school and their influence will be felt for years to come. We wish the graduating class of 2024 every success and happiness as they shape a future for themselves beyond the school gates. I extend my deepest gratitude to all staff who contributed to the many successes of 2024. Our strength as a community is testament to the collaborative spirit that defines our school community and propels us forward.
I want to also acknowledge all the staff who offered Year 12 student’s workshops to support them in finalising assessments and preparing for their examinations which commenced in November.
International Student Dinner
Woodville High School’s international connections are at the heart of our school’s commitment to develop global citizens. We celebrate cultural diversity and intercultural understanding, and this is a part of the school’s history and rich tradition. The diversity of our students’ backgrounds contributes to creating individuals with a global outlook, comprehension of our rapidly changing world and their important place in it, concern for our global environment and an ability to understand each other with respect and compassion. At the International student Dinner, on Thursday 24 October, we celebrated the many achievements of our international students and farewelled our Year 12 Student Harry Lu (Tuan Lu) who has been part of our community from Year 8. Our International Captain, Leo Nguyen, provided an inspiring speech and led the evening with games and engaging conversations.
Australians Student Summit
In Term 3 several of our student leaders attended the Inspiring Australians Student Summit. The Australia Day Council of SA worked with the Minister for Education Blair Boyer MP and the Department for Education in this funded program that is targeted to state schools. The speakers were:
- Taryn Brumfitt 2023 Australian of the Year
- Tim Jarvis AM 2024 Australian of the Year SA
- Bernie Shakeshaft – 2020 Australian of the Year – Local Hero
- Tiahni Adamson 2024 Young Australian of the Year SA
Our students were inspired by the key messages shared by the speakers through their stories of triumph and overcoming adversity. Our students shared with us the importance of understanding that success is not defined by avoiding mistakes, but by our willingness to rise after we fall. Their message to their cohort is to continue to reach for the stars and be brave, confident and resilient as you uncover the richness of your own potential..
ACEL Conference
Australian Council of Educational Leaders National Conference On Monday September 30, three of our Woodville students participated in one of the keynote addresses of the ACEL National Conference held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Natasha Brice, Adam Elwan and Michael McLennan were invited to be part of a student leader forum on the future of schooling in Australia. They joined students from Walford Anglican School and Norwood International High School under the guidance of educational futurists Pasi Sahlberg and Glenn Savage. The panel discussion, in front of around 800 educational leaders from around Australia, gave the students a chance to outline their thoughts and ideas around the direction of schooling and education. The students then workshopped these ideas, in a Futures Studio, to come up with an innovative and creative presentation, which was delivered to the conference at the end of the day. The presentation incorporated music and drama and conveyed three key ideas from the students -student agency, flexibility in curriculum and school structures, and improved relationships. The response to the panel discussion and presentation was amazing, with positive feedback from many different attendees from the conference.
Glenn Savage posted “The students we worked with today at the ACEL National Conference were amazing. Reimagining the future of schooling in a creative and critical way and giving them voice to perform their “preferred future” was one of the best conference experiences I’ve been involved in.” Another conference attendee posted “The highlight for me was hearing directly from the students who were with us on Day One. Their message was powerful. They want a voice! So friends, are we listening and are we prepared to respond? Pasi Sahlberg and Glenn Savage thank you for bringing their voices to the conversation.“
Our Woodville is very proud of the dedication and commitment of these students and their resilience in presenting in front of such a large audience.
In conclusion,
We wish our graduates every success and every happiness in the years that lie ahead, and we look forward to following their journey through life. As a community we are confident that the knowledge they have acquired and the skills and capabilities they have developed will empower them to contribute in a meaningful way to the world around them and shape a more equitable society.
