Wow! How did we get to this point of the year? As I sit here to write this report for the last newsletter of the year, I am filled with PRIDE for the achievements, growth and incredible efforts of our students, the persistence and expertise of our teachers, and the way we continue to develop who we are as a school community.

2025 Staffing

As our school community knows, staffing a school in a country setting continues to present many challenges. However, I am thrilled that we are in a great position going into 2025 with all of our staffing appointments finalised for next year.

I would like to welcome the following staff members to the Balaklava High School family for 2025.

• Donna Carpenter – Junior School Assistant Principal
• Liam Marshall – Design and Technology/Home Economics
• Lisa Dewhurst – Art/Design
• Lloyd Cook – English/HASS
• Seema Rani – Science/Maths
• Fran Pfitzner – Library CLA (Term 1)
• Sam Wright – Finance Officer
• Abhijett Kaur - B2 Wellbeing and Inclusion Leader

I'd like to welcome back the following staff from leave in 2024.

• Jess Daniels – Special Options
• Alison Parsons – HPE/Science (from Term 2)
• Josh Jenner – HPE/HASS

Congratulations to the following staff members who have won a permanent position or been converted to permanency at BHS.

• Sally McArdle – English/Special Options
• Adam Collins – Language
• Erica McGiffert – Chemistry/Science
• Holly Crighton – Agriculture/Science

Please see our full list of staff for 2025 in the table below.

Staff Farewells

As another year draws to a close, we must say farewell to staff at Balaklava High School.

Sam Budden is heading back to teach in Adelaide in 2025. Sam has had a wealth of experience at a range of schools in both metro and country regions. He has continued to develop his broad range of knowledge in 2024, undertaking more university study in conjunction with his teaching load. I will certainly miss the loss of an avid Crows comrade and we wish him all the best in 2025.

Pahul Modi will also be leaving us to pursue her next chapter in life in 2025. We have been fortunate to have Pahul’s services in Science/Mathematics over the past couple of years when filling positions has been difficult. We will certainly miss her mischievous personality and look forward to hearing about her future endeavours.

Michala Taggart will take up a new position at Mini Ivy Art Preschool in Woodville North in 2025. We have appreciated Michala’s broad range of artistic talents in the Art Department in 2024 as she has learnt to navigate a new educational landscape transitioning from America. Her bubbly personality and passion for Art will be missed, however, we know she will be fantastic in her new role. All the best Michala.

Nuwan Prasanna joined us at the start of 2024 in his first teaching experience in Australia. Nuwan has been a valuable member of the team teaching Science/Mathematics and has quickly established himself as a quality educator who is driven by continual improvement. We wish Nuwan all the best for 2025 as he moves to Playford College and closer to his family in Adelaide.

Steph Wyatt has been successful in winning a position closer to home in 2025. Steph has been a valuable member in our Admin team as our Finance Officer and we will miss her bubbly personality and bright smile. We wish her all the best for the future.

Deanne Bowden is regrettably heading back to Riverton and District High School in 2025 which is where a piece of Deanne’s heart lays. Deanne has certainly made an imprint on the fabric of our school in a short amount of time, developing genuine, caring and respectful relationships with staff, students and families. We will certainly miss Deanne’s expertise in the classroom and ‘good morning beautiful people’ as she walks through the door. All the best with your new role in 2025.

Kym Spartley has also won a permanent teaching position at Riverbanks College in 2025 which is much closer to home for her young family. I have known Kym for many years after completing my university teaching placement at Riverton and District High School and I feel privileged that our school could utilise her talents and expertise, especially stepping into our Senior Leader role. I know that many of our students will deeply miss Kym and the genuine care and passion she has for student wellbeing and inclusion. I know she will continue to shine bright at Riverbanks.

We wish you all the best in the next chapters of your lives and journey in education.

In addition to these farewells, we have a few staff taking leave in 2025.

• Alana Sharman is taking Maternity Leave for the majority of 2025 and we also congratulate her and her family on the safe arrival of their daughter Claire.
• Karyn Von-Zieden will be taking Long Service Leave in Term 1 2025.
• Bethany Monserrat is taking Maternity Leave for Semester 1 2025 and we wish her and her husband all the best with the birth of their first child.
• Barb Rogers and Di Taylor are taking leave for Term 1 2025.

Presentation Night

Last Wednesday evening, the school gymnasium was transformed into a vibrant hub of celebration for our annual Presentation Night. It was an amazing evening, showcasing the talents and achievements of our students throughout 2024. We were honoured to welcome Brianna Cleggett, a distinguished alumna of Balaklava High School, as our guest speaker. Brianna shared an inspiring message filled with valuable gems, insights and advice drawn from her dynamic and successful career since graduating. I know that her words of wisdom resonated deeply with everyone present.

Congratulations to all our graduates, performers and award winners. The evening was a testament to the dedication and accomplishments of our students throughout 2024. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their growth and success. A special thank you goes to Sarah Reusch, Cherie Cmrlec and their dedicated team for organising and ensuring the smooth execution of the event. Their meticulous planning and hard work behind the scenes made the night a resounding success.

For a complete list of award recipients, please refer to the section further in this newsletter.

Year 12 Results

Year 12 results will be released next Monday, 16th December from 8:30am. Students can access their results through the Students Online portal. Additionally, those who are eligible will receive an official certificate and a Record of Achievement by post. We are proud to acknowledge that many of our students have already embarked on exciting new paths, including employment, apprenticeships and early university entry. We look forward to hearing about their future successes and adventures.

For further details on accessing results, please visit the SACE Board's official website.

Bushfire Procedure

BHS is considered a low/medium bushfire risk site, therefore, on days deemed catastrophic, the school will remain open as closures based on the predicted forecast do not apply to us.  However, our bus runs are located in both the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula Fire Ban Districts, which means if a Catastrophic Day is declared in either district, all buses that travel through these areas will be cancelled.  We will inform parents of this information as soon as practicable after it is declared on the CFS website at 4pm the day before.  We will do this via a text message to parents/carers, Daymap and Facebook whilst Balaklava Primary School will inform bus families via Audiri (please download the app if you haven’t already done so).

As we may need to contact you urgently, it is vital that we have your most current details on our system.  Please keep us informed immediately if any of your contact details change throughout the year.  Please click on the brochure link for further information.  https://www.education.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/bushfire-and-your-childs-school-or-preschool-brochure.pdf  Parents can also call a parent hotline number (1800 000 279) to gain further advice when a catastrophic bushfire day is forecast.

Thank You and Merry Christmas

As we conclude the 2024 school year, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our entire school community.

Governing Council: Thank you to the members of our Governing Council for serving as a vital link between the school and the community. Your thoughtful consultation and sound advice have been invaluable as we strive to be the school of choice in our region.

Student Leaders: Our student leaders in 2024 have been exceptional. From House Captains and Music Captains to Head Students and Student Representatives, your hard work and dedication have represented Balaklava High School with respect and positivity. I wish our incoming Head and Deputy students for 2025 all the best and look forward to your achievements.

Leadership Team: To my Executive Leadership and extended Leadership team, your dedication and passion as educators are truly commendable. Your expertise and tireless efforts for the benefit of Balaklava High School are deeply appreciated, even if sometimes unrecognised.

Staff: Thank you to all staff at Balaklava High School. Your dedication and commitment make this school a special place to work. The countless hours you invest behind the scenes provide our students with rich opportunities to grow, learn and flourish.

Parents and Families: Your support and partnership in our educational journey are invaluable. Effective communication and collaboration can lead to blossoming partnerships. I encourage increased involvement to enrich our students' educational experiences. Together, we can continue to improve and make this the best school possible for our community. We look forward to growing our connection with our families through a Parents' and Friends' Committee in 2025. Stay tuned next year for more information. 

Students: Most importantly, thank you to our students. You inspire, challenge and impress us with your uniqueness and brilliance. For those departing, I wish you all the best in your future adventures.

As I mentioned at Presentation Night, change has been a constant theme this year, and our school community has embraced it with open minds. As John F. Kennedy wisely said, “Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” We look forward to consolidating these changes in 2025 to build on the strong foundation we’ve created. The school community has allowed myself as a new principal and my staff as a new team, space to grow and develop together. I am excited about the future of Balaklava High School and what we can achieve together!

In closing, I wish you all a Merry Christmas. May this time be filled with family, joy and moments of reflection on another fulfilling year.

Regards

Derek Friedrichs

Balaklava High School Principal