How did we get to Term 4 already? It is a busy time of the year with students finishing their studies at various times throughout the term and many activities planned throughout.  We are looking forward to a strong finish to the year for all of our young people.

Staffing

As communicated via Daymap at the start of the term, there have been a few staffing changes in Term 4 as we cover Mr David Szular who is on Long Service Leave for the term. I’d like to thank Miss Schubert, Mr Prasanna and Mrs Sharman who are taking over different classes in Term 4. I’d also like to welcome the following staff members:

• Miss Liao who will be teaching Mathematics throughout the term.
• Miss Philips who will be working in Special Ed for the first 4 weeks.
• Mr Vincent who will be covering a science class and all our relief lessons throughout the term.

Please be aware of the following changes to subject teachers for Term 4.

• Year 11/12 Physics – Miss Schubert
• Year 11/12 Mathematics/Methods - Miss Schubert
• Year 11 Mathematics C – Mr Prasanna
• Year 10A Mathematics - Miss Schubert
• Year 10B Mathematics – Mr Prasanna
• Year 9/10 Digital Engineering Studio – Mr Prasanna
• Year 9B Science – Mr Vincent
• Year 9C Mathematics – Miss Liao
• Year 8B Mathematics – Miss Liao
• Year 7A Science – Mrs Sharman
• Year 7B Mathematics – Miss Liao
• Special Options Cooking & HPE – Miss Philips

I look forward to announcing more of our leadership positions and consolidating our teaching staff in the coming additions of the newsletter.

2025 Confirmation of Enrolment

Parents and carers would have received an EdSmart email regarding your child’s enrolment for 2025. Thank you to parents and carers who have already completed this form. 

Preparation for the 2025 school year is underway and we are beginning to explore possible class structures for next year. It is essential to have accurate student numbers to determine the number of classes, their configurations and teacher allocations. If you know that your child(ren) are likely to transfer from our school, please inform us as soon as possible to assist in our planning. 

• My child (ren) will be attending BHS in 2025
• I am unsure at this stage – please follow up with our family later in Term 4
• My child (ren) will not be attending BHS in 2025

As part of the 2025 class allocation and structure process, we invite parents/carers to submit any concerns or requests in writing that you believe should be considered and may impact your child(ren)'s educational outcomes. Please note that we are unable to accommodate requests for specific class teachers and in some cases, we may not be able to meet all requests.

Sally Cowan

In the holidays, I was lucky enough to attend the Department for Education’s Length of Service celebration ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre to see Sally Cowan be honoured for 50 years of service to education. Take a moment to reflect on the significance of this accomplishment! To work 50 years of your life is an achievement in itself, let alone in one industry and more amazingly, one school. Sally has been a stalwart at Balaklava High School and the Balaklava community and I am looking forward to honouring her 50 years of service at BHS with a celebration dinner later in the term.

Hats must be worn in Term 4

This is another timely reminder that as we are in Term 4, hats are compulsory and must be worn when out in the sun at break times and while participating in activities outdoors, including HPE.

Students who do not wear a hat will be asked to seek appropriate shade. Appropriate shade is not a small thin strip of shade provided by a shed or building. Appropriate shade should cover your whole body with shade.

Being SunSmart is an important issue in the harsh Australian sun and the risk of melanoma which is referred to as ‘Australia’s National Cancer’ is real! These statistics demonstrate just how real the risks are:

• In 2023, 18,257 Australians were diagnosed with melanoma.
• 11% of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2023 were melanoma.
• Melanoma of the skin is the third most prevalent form of cancer in Australia.
• Melanoma is the most common cancer for Australians aged 20 to 39 

It is not too much to ask to wear a hat when you are out in the sun or seek appropriate shade when you do not have one. I will also make sunscreen available at the front office for students who wish to use it.

Year 12 Farewell

What a journey it has been at Balaklava High School! As we get set to bid farewell to our Year 12 students and class of 2024, I cannot help but feel a mix of PRIDE for what they have achieved and a touch of nostalgia that they are about to complete their high school journey and depart us for the big wide world.

To our graduating class: you’re almost there. Take a moment to soak it all in and enjoy your achievements and what is to come next. From the nerves of stepping foot into High School for the first time and forming new friendships to the stressful moments and hustle and bustle of completing assignments and upcoming exams, you’ve shown grit, determination, plenty of resilience and a lot of heart. As a cohort, you have certainly faced your share of challenges, particularly the interruptions that COVID presented. Your achievements, both in and out of the classroom, have been nothing short of impressive.

However, it's not just about acing tests and handing in assignments (although I’m sure you did that remarkably well), but also about the laughs shared, the challenges faced and the growth you've experienced. You have shown us that anything is possible when you put your minds to it and there is no mountain you cannot climb when asked.

To the parents and guardians, a big shoutout! Your support and encouragement have been a crucial part of our Year 12 student’s success. Thank you for being their rock and our partners in shaping these wonderful individuals.

We acknowledge all of the work staff have done to support you over your journey along with your parents and caregivers. I’m sure you’ll go on to be great ambassadors and graduates from Balaklava High School.

Now, to our Year 12s as they are about to embark and set sail for the next chapter—whether it's university, work, travel, or whatever their hearts desire—remember this: the end of high school isn't the end of a lifetime full of learning. Keep shining bright, dreaming big and making waves in this world. You have left an indelible mark on our school and we can't wait to see the incredible things you achieve.

Next Wednesday is the last day of scheduled lessons for our Year 12 students and Thursday at 9am we will hold a formal assembly to wish them well as they complete final assessment tasks and/or prepare for exams. Parents of Year 12 students will have received information about the upcoming celebrations of the graduating dinner and Presentation Night and we look forward to each of these events.

Year 12 Results

The SACE Board have announced that Year 12 results will be available via Students Online from 8.30 am on Monday 16th December with hard copy documentation arriving from this date onwards. This will include an official certificate (if eligible) and Record of Achievement.

Student Free Day

A reminder that our final Student Free Day for 2024 is next Friday 1^st November (Week 3). This day will be used to work on site learning priorities for 2025. Balaklava Primary School also has a Student Free Day on this date and as such, buses will not run.