A Historic Achievement for Raheim “RJ” Brown Junior

Woodville High School is incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Year 10 student Raheim “RJ” Brown Junior, who has signed with the Adelaide 36ers as a Development Player.

At just 15 years old, RJ has made history as the youngest player signed by an NBL club since 1982, marking an incredible milestone in what is already a promising basketball journey. His signing follows an impressive rise through the South Australian basketball pathway and highlights the talent, dedication and commitment he has demonstrated both on and off the court.

RJ is a junior with the West Adelaide Bearcats, where he has progressed through the club’s junior program before making his senior NBL1 Central debut in 2026. He appeared in nine games for the Bearcats this season. His performances against senior competition provided valuable experience as he continued to develop his game alongside more experienced players.

His pathway has not been without its challenges. RJ spent much of 2025 sidelined with a knee injury before working his way back onto the court and into the Bearcats’ senior program. His return and subsequent progression into NBL1 basketball has been a significant achievement and reflects the commitment he has shown to his development.

RJ’s development has also been supported through the Adelaide 36ers High Performance Schools Program at Woodville High School. The program provides students with access to high-level coaching and development opportunities, while allowing them to continue their education in a supportive school environment. The 36ers have specifically acknowledged Woodville High School for working with the club to ensure RJ can continue his schooling while developing as an athlete.

Following his signing, RJ demonstrated that he remains firmly connected to his school community. The day after becoming a 36ers Development Player, he was back on court with the Woodville High School Open team, competing in the Statewide Schools Competition finals at the State Basketball Centre in Wayville. Adelaide 36ers General Manager of Basketball Operations Matt Weston was also there to watch RJ and other emerging local talent.

For RJ, the opportunity also represents the next step towards ambitions that extend beyond the NBL. He has spoken about his goal of one day reaching the NBA, while remaining focused on taking his development one step at a time. He has drawn inspiration from former Adelaide 36ers Josh Giddey and Terrance Ferguson, both of whom followed pathways from Adelaide towards the NBA.

The Adelaide 36ers have highlighted RJ’s athleticism, speed and basketball skills, noting his ability to compete against significantly older players. His signing reflects the club’s commitment to identifying and developing emerging South Australian talent and providing young athletes with opportunities to progress within a professional basketball environment.

RJ also comes from a basketball family. His father, Raheim Brown, played professionally in Italy and France and founded The Dream Basketball Academy in Adelaide, where he has supported the development of young basketballers in the local community.

RJ’s achievement is a wonderful example of what can be possible when education, sporting development and strong community support come together. His journey reflects the opportunities available through Our Woodville and our partnership with the Adelaide 36ers, helping students pursue their sporting aspirations while continuing to grow academically and personally.

We are incredibly proud of RJ and all that he has achieved. We look forward to following his journey as he takes this exciting next step with the Adelaide 36ers and continues to pursue his goals both on and off the court.

Congratulations, RJ! We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you.

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Woodville High School students recently came together for a ‘Lunch for Democracy’ as part of our annual Braiding Project initiative. Proudly hosting the first session of its kind at any school in Australia, students were given the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about democracy, civic participation and the role young people can play in shaping their communities.

In the lead-up to the event, students took the initiative to develop and lead Table Talk, creating a space for their peers to share ideas, discuss issues that matter to them and explore different perspectives in the yard during lunch times. These student-led conversations encouraged open dialogue, active listening and respectful discussion, helping to build confidence in sharing ideas and engaging with others.

The conversations continued during the Lunch for Democracy, where students had the opportunity to connect, ask questions, exchange perspectives and learn more about democracy and civic engagement in an accessible and engaging environment.

It was fantastic to see Woodville High School students taking ownership of the conversation and helping to lead the first school-based session of Lunch for Democracy, demonstrating the importance of having young voices represented in discussions about our community and society.

The Lunch for Democracy was a wonderful example of student voice and leadership in action, encouraging our young people to be informed, engaged and active members of our democratic community. Appreciation goes to our Global Citizenship Portfolio for organising the event, Serafina Mariorano from Our Global Table who brought the Lunch for Democracy concept to the school, Amber Brock-Fabel, the 2025 Young South Australian of the Year who supported the initiative throughout and our incredible Woodville High School Staff.

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This year’s theme, “Symphony of Stories,” celebrated the way stories bring together voices, cultures and imaginations to create a vibrant community of readers.

Once again, Our Woodville came together to celebrate Book Week, with students and staff embracing their favourite book characters and bringing the pages to life! From Bananas in Pyjamas, Harry Potter and Where’s Wally to Toy Story, Sonic, Spider-Man, Fairies and the Little Miss series, our Book Week Parade was filled with creativity, colour and plenty of imagination.

A huge congratulations to our Best Dressed prize winners! With so many incredible costumes, our judges certainly had a tough decision to make!

A special thank you to Maeve, Cherie and Mackenzie for their hard work, leadership and creativity in making Book Week such a welcoming, engaging and community-building celebration. Your passion was infectious!

What a wonderful way to celebrate the joy of stories and reading at Our Woodville!

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What began three years ago in a Year 8 ceramics class has grown into a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture and community, involving hundreds of students, staff and community members.

Each unique ceramic bird reflects the individuality of its creator, while together they represent the incredible diversity of our Woodville community. The mosaic leaves, created through Arts Week, feature “peace” in many languages, celebrating the cultures and stories that make our school community so special. The birds in flight represent knowledge, progress and aspiration, connecting beautifully with our motto: “Reach for the Stars.”

A huge thank you to Hindmarsh Greening, mosaicists Ivana Kotasek and Cheryl Jaeschke, and Natalia Bajcic for mentoring and supporting our students throughout this incredible project. We’re also incredibly proud of our student leaders, including Jasmyn D, whose dedication helped bring the vision to life. Thank you to The Honourable Lucy Hood MP, South Australia’s Minister for Education, Training and Skills, for joining us to celebrate the launch.

This mural is more than art, it’s a celebration of belonging, diversity, partnership and the belief that everyone has a place to soar.

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Guests enjoyed a selection of barista-made coffees, hot chocolates and teas, along with delicious muffins, fresh fruit cups and more. The event provided a welcoming space for everyone to catch up, enjoy some treats and celebrate the skills and talents of our students.

The Good Vibes Cafe was proudly organised by the IE Business and Innovation class, with tasty food prepared by the IE Food and Hospitality class. The event gave students an authentic opportunity to develop their hospitality, business, communication and teamwork skills while collaborating with the wider school community.

A huge thank you to all the students and staff (help from 3 Year 10 Semester 1 Coffee Business students Vaanya, Daniel and Maryam) who gave their own time during recess to be part of this special collaborative event, we could not have done it without them. Good Vibes Cafe was such a positive and welcoming event. We look forward to seeing where our students take the cafe next.

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Our 2026 Multicultural Assembly was a vibrant celebration of the rich diversity at Woodville High School, filled with energetic music, singing, and dance. The event featured dynamic performances including the traditional lion dance, the elegant Vietnamese ‘Non La’ dance by students from Woodville Gardens School, a lively performance by our Venezuelan boys, captivating Indian and Nepalese dances, and a powerful contribution from Dusty Feet Mob. Each performance was a testament to the many cultures that shape our community, with the assembly beautifully embodying our commitment to respect, inclusion, and pride in our shared identity.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the staff who had the courage to perform alongside our students and to all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support students, ensuring the success of each performance. Your commitment, encouragement, and hard work brought this celebration to life and further strengthened our shared values of respect, inclusion, and cultural pride.

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Throughout the photography course, students have developed their understanding of composition, lighting, framing, focus and visual storytelling. They have applied these skills to create original photographs that reflect their individual interests, ideas and creative approaches. Entering the competition allows students to share their work with a wider audience, celebrate their achievements and gain valuable experience by participating in a recognised public exhibition.

We are incredibly proud of the students for their enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to showcase their photography. We wish all students the very best for the competition!

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Our Woodville STEM team is currently refining flight data that will be submitted to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as part of an exciting project to launch a satellite into space in Term 4.

As students progress through the prototyping and testing phases of the project, they are developing valuable skills in engineering, data analysis, problem-solving, and aerospace technologies while applying their learning to an authentic real-world challenge. In the coming weeks, the team hopes to undertake a practice low-level launch on the school oval as they continue preparing for this incredible milestone.

This innovative project showcases the creativity, curiosity, and ambition of our students as they push the boundaries of STEM learning and explore future pathways in science, engineering, and space technologies. Watch this space as Our Woodville reaches for the stars.

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Woodville High School was delighted to welcome residents from Bupa to a special performance of Cinderella presented by our Year 12 Drama students for Intergenerational Project. The event provided an opportunity to connect generations through storytelling, creativity, and performance.

We congratulate our Year 12 Drama students, whose talent, dedication, and professionalism brought the beloved story to life. Their engaging performances showcased not only their theatrical skills but also their ability to create meaningful connections with their audience.

A special thank you to the Drama staff and the team at Bupa for their support in making this experience possible. Their collaboration provided students with an authentic performance opportunity while fostering community connections and shared experiences through the arts.

We are incredibly proud of our students for representing Our Woodville and contributing to an event that celebrated creativity, community, and the power of bringing people together through performance.

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