I would like to pass on my thanks to our staff, students and families for your support in navigating a tricky day at BHS last Friday 14th March. 28 sites across our region were impacted by the loss of power on Friday and coupled with the extreme heat, the Department for Education made the decision to close sites for the safety of all. I appreciate the quick response from parents to either not send or come to collect their child from school throughout the day.

Unfortunately, these things happen but it is a great reminder to be grateful for the essential things we have in life and how we can navigate obstacles together.

We also made the decision to suspend curriculum for the day and thankfully, we did not have any major activities like NAPLAN testing scheduled for the day. Students participated in some physical activity in Lesson 1 before the heat set in and then headed indoors for activities for the rest of the day while we were open.

Student Leadership

I’d like to thank Ashleigh Leonello and her team for a wonderful Student Leader Induction Ceremony on Tuesday 25th February. We have some exceptional student leaders representing our school in 2025 and I enjoyed hearing Maddison Bond’s thoughts on leadership and her experience at BHS. It was also great to see such a strong turn out by parents/community members with over 60 parents staying for the luncheon provided after the ceremony.

Last week, student leaders also attended their Student Leadership Camp at Wallaroo. It was great to speak to some of our students and hear their positive thoughts on the camp, time as a student leadership team and plans for 2025.

Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to Caitlin Hanson and her team for another successful Athletics Carnival. The sportsmanship and encouragement within our student cohort was an absolute highlight for me and it was great to see so many families come along and support the day. I am looking forward to our students competing in the Lower North Athletics Carnival at Burra Community School on Thursday.

Student Led Conferences

Thank you to Donna Carpenter, with the assistance of Hannah Marshall for the organisation of Student Led Conferences on Monday and Tuesday in Week 6. It was great to visit the Mallala community and I enjoyed the opportunity to have some conversation with parents on their suggestions for the school and positive feedback on where the school is headed.

Student Toilets

I am pleased to report that works are moving forward with improvements to student toilets. While we are awaiting the concept designs and feasibility study for a new toilet block at the southern end of the school, we are currently pushing forward with planning for renovations of the existing female toilet facilities. These renovations will improve student safety with floor to ceiling cubicles, changes to the entry to allow multiple access points for greater air flow and visibility and general cosmetic improvements.

School Buses

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students on our school buses, we would like to remind everyone of the importance of adhering to our school bus safety regulations.

• Seatbelt Safety - it is compulsory for all students to wear seatbelts while travelling on the school bus. This measure is in place to protect students in the event of sudden stops or accidents. We kindly ask parents to reinforce this message at home and ensure that students understand the importance of wearing their seatbelts at all times during the journey.
• Accessing a school Bus - for students wishing to access a school bus or different bus than their usual one as a one off, arrangements must be made through the front office in writing at least 24 hours in advance. Due to many of our bus runs being near or at capacity, we cannot always guarantee approval for these requests. It is essential to organise this prior to the intended travel date to avoid any inconvenience. Please be aware that we do not allow students to access the school bus to travel to sports trainings.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in these matters. Our primary goal is to maintain a safe and efficient transportation system for all students. Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Agriculture Committee

BHS extends an invitation to parents and community members to join our Agriculture Committee, either through active involvement in running our AG Learning Centre, contributions to our educational programs or simply through donation of resources or services.

Agriculture is not just a subject in our curriculum; it's a vital component of our rural community's identity and future. Your expertise, insights and support will help us create a dynamic agricultural program that equips our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the ever-evolving agricultural landscape. 

By joining this committee or being involved in some way with our program, you have the opportunity to play an active role in shaping the agricultural education and experiences of our students and help prepare them for diverse career paths in a crucial industry.

Our first Agriculture Committee meeting with be held of Wednesday 26^th March at 3:30pm. Please contact me on 88620600 or derek.friedrichs447@schools.sa.edu.au if you wish to be involved.

PARENTS AND FRIENDS COMMITTEE @ BHS

We’re excited to launch the BHS Parents & Friends Committee and invite you to be a part of something special! This is your opportunity to engage with our school community, support student learning and contribute to meaningful projects that enhance BHS for every student.

We would love to talk to you about:

• Engaging with our community
• Supporting school events
• Fundraising
• Student learning
• After-school activities
• Supporting new staff

As a community, we are committed to improving outcomes for every student by developing resilience and resourcefulness. Together, we can help make BHS the best it can be—both inside and outside the classroom!

Contact us to register your interest:

kevin.kelly797@schools.sa.edu.au

8862 0600

Let’s work together to create a stronger school community!

#BHSParentsAndFriends #BalaklavaHighSchool #CommunityMatters #SupportingOurStudents

Please feel free to contact me at the school if you would like to discuss any aspect of your child’s learning. I can be contacted via DayMap or email derek.friedrichs447@schools.sa.edu.au or you can phone the school on 8862 0600 and ask to speak with me directly. Alternatively, I would be happy to discuss your needs in person – please pre-arrange this with the Front Office Team so that I can ensure I am available when you arrive.

Regards

Derek Friedrichs

Principal

Balaklava High School