Dear Families,
It is hard to believe that Term 3 has come to an end. 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 and Vietnamese study tours, sporting events, the Braiding Project, Book Week, Science 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. 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 our school 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 project based 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 the 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, 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 this term, my walks around the school reaffirm 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 come 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 there 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 this break to focus on their study schedule, exam revision and finalising assessment tasks. Year 12 Examinations commence Monday 3 November to the Friday 14 November 2025. The last day of formal lessons for Year 12 Students is Thursday 23 October and to recognise their academic achievements; we will come together for a farewell breakfast and final assembly on the Friday 24 October.
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 21 November 2025 (Week 6, Term 4).
Student Leaders
Our Woodville has a dynamic and unique student leadership structure, enabling students to have influence and improve all aspects of the school in many different teams and portfolios. Throughout Term 3, the student leadership application and selection process has been undertaken for our 2026 Prefects. Students have completed a written application and interviewed for their chosen position within the 2026 Student Leadership structure.
We are excited to announce the 2026 Student Leadership Team at the Whole School Assembly in Term 4.
SENIOR YEARS:
Head Prefect: Natasha Brice
Deputy Head Prefect: Mohammed Elwan
Deputy Head Prefect: Virat Sharma
MIDDLE YEARS:
Head Prefect: Joash Sutherland
Deputy Head Prefect: Jasmine Zaouris
Deputy Head Prefect: Isaac Williams
ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PORTFOLIO:
Year 12: Zebullun Masina
Year 11: Walter Newchurch
Year 10: Justyce Davey
Year 9: Arazonah Rosier
Year 8: Brayden Kurray and Jacqueline Ah Kit Mudu
Year 7: will be appointed in Term 1
CO-CURRICULAR PORTFOLIO:
Year 12: Jennifer Pham
Year 11: Angela Daniel
Year 10: TBC
Year 9: Jasmine Zaouris
Year 8: Ella Mishra and Swastik Vij
Year 7: will be appointed in Term 1
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PORTFOLIO:
Year 12: Safiya Jahic
Year 11: TBC
Year 10: Caitlin McLennan
Year 9: Lily Nguyen and Isaac Williams
Year 8: Trisha Chotalia
Year 7: will be appointed in Term 1
ENVIRONMENTAL PORTFOLIO:
Year 12: Helena Novak-Stanko
Year 11: Rebecca Hardy
Year 10: Hayley Maigler
Year 9: Billy Nguyen and Jasmyn Deegan
Year 8: Jack Parsons
Year 7: will be appointed in Term 1
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP PORTFOLIO:
Year 12: Mohammed Elwan
Year 11: TBC
Year 10: Rubi Pierce
Year 9: Mehul Mehul and Miles McFarlane
Year 8: Aria Treloar
Year 7: will be appointed in Term 1
LEARNING PORTFOLIO:
Year 12: Natasha Brice
Year 11: Virat Sharma
Year 10: Vaanya Bhatia
Year 9: Joash Sutherland and Vy Truong
Year 8: Alexander Syrigos
Year 7: will be appointed in Term 1
WELLBEING PORTFOLIO:
Year 12: Emily Pavlovic
Year 11: Prabhnoor Kaur
Year 10: Ava Orlowski
Year 9: Emily Nguon and Orlando Iglio
Year 8: Teagan Brice
Year 7: will be appointed in Term 1
YEAR 12 INTERNATIONAL CAPTAINS:
Cong Phi (David) Duong
Uyen Minh (Minh) Phan
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION CAPTAINS:
Senior Years: Zaynab Hamidi
Middle Years: Edmund Tran
MUSIC CAPTAINS:
Year 12: Jenny Huynh, Grace Giang
Year 11: Phoebe Clark, Ava Chambers
HOUSE CAPTAINS:
JUPITER: TBC
MERCURY: Maryam Mohammed and Michael Tran
NEPTUNE: Sophia Bui and Peta Uysal
SIRIUS: Taya Wright and Ewan Grierson
BASKETBALL ACADEMY:
Sommer Hallam-Woodcock
FOOTBALL ACADEMY:
Jessica Pham
VACANCIES (to be advertised Week 1):
Year 11
Community Engagement Portfolio
Global Citizenship Portfolio
Year 10
Co-Curricular Portfolio
Jupiter House Captains – x2
Basketball Academy Captain
Football Academy Captain
Preparation for 2026
As Term 3 is quickly coming to a close, staff are working assiduously on preparing for 2026. Our numbers of Year 7 students has increased from last year. Transition days have been scheduled for the 4th and 5th of December, with a parent information evening also planned for the 4th of December 2025.
Interviews with our new families will commence in Term 4 Week 5 on the Monday 10 November 2025 and we are excited to meet our newest members of our community.
Professional Development – SA Curriculum for Public Education
The Student Free Day was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we bring our collective expertise, creativity, and passion to the task of shaping learning for our students. Staff and students engagement in exploring the South Australian Curriculum for Public Education and their commitment to designing curriculum that empowers, challenges, and inspires young people reflect the professional excellence we hold tight at Woodville High School.
The work we have begun is not about compliance or simply aligning to a curriculum framework, it is about creating learning that is authentic, purposeful, future-focused, and deeply connected to the needs and aspirations of every student. Together, we are building a culture of high-quality teaching that has the power to transform lives and set our students on pathways to success.
Michael McLennan, our Senior Years Head Prefect (2025), opened the day with a strong speech about the importance of student agency and decision-making, and the power to lead transformational change in the learning and teaching practices at Our Woodville. The day focused on exploring how the SA Curriculum Framework, conceptual understandings and standards connect with our school’s Strategic Plan, ensuring that our curriculum design, teaching practices, and assessment approaches are all working in alignment to support the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and capabilities our students need to succeed. Our staff and student leaders worked closely with the Department’s Learning Area Managers to understand the key shifts, the rationale, the conceptual understandings, and the dispositions that underpin this work. This collaborative approach is supporting teachers to deepen their understanding of the curriculum’s intent and strengthen learning design, pedagogy and assessment.
In summary, the SA Curriculum:
- Organises the Australian Curriculum content descriptions under conceptual understandings rather than strands and sub-strands, emphasising understanding over the simple recall of information.
- Includes dispositions that are crucial for learning and life, helping students to develop attitudes, values, and mindsets that support their growth.
- Demonstrates how capabilities are developed uniquely through each learning area, ensuring they are embedded and visible in teaching and learning.
- Includes Learning Standards (rather than Achievement Standards) that focus on what learners can be, do, and understand, demonstrating that dispositions, capabilities, and knowledge are equally valued.
- This shift represents a move towards a more holistic, student-centred approach to learning, ensuring our curriculum builds the skills, understandings, and qualities students need to thrive now and in the future.
Multicultural Assembly
On Monday 25 August 2025, 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 110 years of history.
The annual Multicultural Assembly holds a special place in our hearts as it reflects the very essence of who we are as a school. A place where diversity is embraced and celebrated, resilience is nurtured, and integrity is our guiding principle.
As a school community, we had the honour of learning from Councillor Quin Tran who shared her life story, inspiring us to continue writing a narrative of inclusion, understanding, and mutual respect and to challenge discrimination and racism in all its forms. We thank the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison MP who provided Woodville High School with the framed South Australian Multicultural Charter.
A big congratulations to all performers who bravely shared their culture and allowed us to learn from them. Together, we are not just shaping a school, we are shaping a future, a community, and a world that reflects the very best of who we can be. You can experience a glimpse of our vibrant Multicultural Assembly here
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 90+ 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 2026 Leadership positions:
Daniela Piteo
B4 Director of Teaching and Learning Year 7-12
Brett Hains
B4 Director of Strategy and Performance
Maurice Akele
B2 Daily Organisation and Timetable Leader
Jordan Della Pietra
B2 Digital Transformation in Learning and Education Systems Leader
Braden Collins
B2 Health/PE/Co- Curricular Leader
Erin Clarke
B2 Inclusive Education (Mainstream and Special Options) Leader
Rebecca Sykes
B2 Performing Arts/Creative Arts/Digital Technologies Leader
Jon Mace
B2 Technologies/Food Technologies/Horticulture/Sustainability Leader
Belinda Parker
B2 Humanities/Languages/Intercultural Understanding Leader
Elijah Kopsaftis
B2 Mathematics/Science/Numeracy Leader
Emma Green
B2 English/EALD/Literacy Leader
Finally
I hope that the change in routine in the coming weeks refreshes and refocuses everyone for the start of the final term for the year. I wish all the families, staff and students 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.
Kind Regards,
Anna Mirasgentis
Principal
Senior Years
It has been a busy and exciting term for our senior students, filled with important milestones and opportunities to prepare for the future.
Our Year 12 students are now entering the final stages of their schooling journey, with SWOT VAC and SACE examinations just around the corner. This is a time of both challenge and reward, as students consolidate their learning and prepare for their final assessments. While many are working towards an ATAR, it is important to remember that the ATAR is only one pathway, and what matters most is that students give their best effort, seek support when needed, and ask questions along the way.
To celebrate the end of their time at Woodville High School, Year 12s will enjoy a series of fun farewell activities, including Crazy Hair Day, Retro Dress Up, and their Final Breakfast and Farewell Assembly. We extend our gratitude to the Year 11 Food and Hospitality class, guided by Ms Renee Mazel, who have been busily preparing and catering for the breakfast. Their dedication and effort will make this morning a truly memorable occasion for our graduating students.
Beyond Year 12, our Year 11 students have been actively engaged in designing and ordering their 2026 commemorative jumper, an exciting tradition that marks their transition into Year 12.
Meanwhile, all senior students have taken part in subject counselling and course selection for 2026, reflecting carefully on their pathways and future aspirations.
This term has also seen the continued growth of our Year 10 student-led coffee shop, with the exciting addition of a new portable coffee cart to expand service across the school. This initiative not only develops enterprise and teamwork skills but also continues to strengthen our school community.
We are proud of the achievements of all our senior students this term and look forward to the many celebrations and milestones to come.
Wellbeing
Our Wellbeing team sincerely thanks every member of our staff for the incredible work you have done to support our students and our colleagues wellbeing in Term 3. This term has been full of rich learning opportunities, engaging events, and strong examples of the care and commitment that make our school community such a special place. ‘Bullying No Way Day’ was a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in fostering a culture of respect, kindness, and safety. The activities and conversations created an environment where students felt heard and supported and safe. ‘RUOK? Day’ was another highlight with staff once again stepping up to guide students in thoughtful and compassionate activities that encouraged them to check in on one another, strengthen friendships, and develop strategies for looking out for those who might be struggling. The House activities organised throughout the term also gave students a wonderful chance to connect across year levels, develop school spirit, and build their sense of belonging within our community.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to implementing the Berry Street trauma-informed practices and philosophy in your classrooms, and for the consistent use of their strategies to support learning and wellbeing. Your continued restorative approach when addressing student issues ensures that our young people feel valued, respected, and part of a community that genuinely cares for their growth.
Our Welcome Back House Assemblies, will take place on the first day back of Term 4 and will be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with our students.
Finance, ICT and Infrastructure
Term 3 saw the facilities team complete an upgrade to the canteen, with new stainless-steel benches and tiling.
A20 has been upgraded with the old sink being removed and the room being painted and resurfaced.
The school has been working with the Charles Sturt Council regarding the proposed Community Hub being planned to be built near Oval 2 (next to St Clair Recreation Centre). The school has a joint usage agreement with the Council which has been in place for a number of years, and the construction of the Community Hub will provide a number of benefits to Woodville High School to support the curriculum and academy programs.
The finance team have been assisting various curriculum areas with procurement of equipment, e.g. the planned purchase of a laser cutter for Technologies to assist in the delivery of a Year 11 Robotics course for 2026.We are also purchasing Drone equipment for our new STEM program.
ICT have been in the background updating our systems to ensure the school’s ICT framework is compliant with DfE requirements and robust. The planned installation of additional security cameras during the Term 3 break will ensure a safer environment at the school.
Music
Term 3 has been another busy term for the Music Centre. We have had 13 workshops and performances this term, involving 289 students. This includes a performance this evening, with our Chamber Strings performing in the Adelaide Baroque Academy. Highlights this term have been the Balaklava Eisteddfod, where we received several first and second places, the ABODA festival, where all 6 ensembles were awarded silver and bronze places, and the trip to Melbourne for the Victorian Schools Music Festival, where the Wind Ensemble received a Gold Award. Students have also participated in several workshops, including the University of Adelaide Big Band and Adelaide Baroque. Our music captains have also contributed to the SAC renewal and Students as Researchers projects and will be featured next term as part of the Leading Future Learning Alumni program. We are looking forward to another busy Term 4, with major performances at the Jazz Cabaret, Tuesday on Flinders, the Middle School Concert Series, and the Year 12 Graduation.
