Another 10 weeks of the school year has flown by and it’s hard to believe that we are at the end of Term 2 already. Again, as I sit here and reflect on the first half of 2024, I can’t help but feel a great PRIDE for everything that we have achieved throughout Semester 1 and look forward to what is installed for the remainder of the year.

These are just some of the happenings that have taken place in a busy Term 2 for our students.   

• Life Education
• Year 8 Drama Performance
• Year 12 Focus Day and Elevate session
• White Card Course
• Knockout Football & Netball
• SAPOL Bullying & Violence Information sessions
• Uni Hub Careers Expo
• Knockout Basketball
• Reconciliation Week
• Change of Semester
• A range of curriculum-based excursions and camps including Lifestyles PE, Geography and Agriculture.

A reminder to our school community that there is an early dismissal tomorrow for the last day of term. The school day will finish on Friday at 2:15pm and the Student Council are holding a Casual Clothes Day with a gold coin donation going to the Cancer Council.

Staffing

I would like to welcome the following staff to Balaklava High School who have taken up contracts for the remainder of the year.

• Welcome to Miss Caitlin Hanson who will be teaching Year 7-10 HPE. Caitlin completed her final university placement with us and we are thrilled to have her back at BHS.
• An official welcome to teaching to Mr Lachlan Strudwicke. Lachlan has been a regular TRT at BHS in Term 2 and has also supported our Tech and Art classes. He will be teaching Year 8-9 Art and Year 8 Digital Technology.

At the end of Semester 1 we farewelled Miss Sophie Chapman who has taken up a contract a little closer to home in Adelaide and at the end of this week we also farewell Mr Brad Westley who has also won a permanent position at another school. I’d like to thank both Sophie and Brad for their time at BHS and wish them luck at their new schools.

Congratulation to Miss Ashleigh Leonello who will step into our Aboriginal Education Teacher (AET) position for the remainder of 2024. 

As communicated through a parent letter at the end of Semester 1, there have also been some changes to Home Group teachers for Semester 2.

• Year 7C (7BLC4)  – Mr Nuwan Prasanna (CL3)
• Year 8A (8GTS1) – Miss Caitlin Hanson & Mrs Deanne Bowden (IP3)
• Year 8B (8MGL1) – Miss Bethany Monserrat & Miss Louise O’Halloran (GL1)
• Year 8C (8LIP4) – Mr Josh LaGrutta & Miss Erica McGiffert (IP4)
• Year 10C (0PGL3) – Mr John Geddie & Mrs Karyn VonZieden (GL3)

Agriculture Committee

BHS extends an invitation to parents and community members to join our Agriculture Committee. The first meeting for our Agriculture Committee will be held in Week 1 Term 3.

The purpose of the committee is to advise the Governing Council about the maintenance of the Agriculture Learning Centre (ALC). 

The committee: 

• makes recommendations about future development and required maintenance of the ALC. 
• encourages and plans for the improvement of the ALC. 
• contributes to discussions regarding budget submissions relating to improvements in the ALC.  
• monitors the ongoing maintenance schedule and contributes to planning and development of the ALC. 
• makes recommendations regarding agriculture projects. 

BHS is also seeking Expressions of Interest to assist with weekend feeding and animal welfare rosters. If you are able to assist in this area, please feel free to contact the school. 

Stay tuned for an Agriculture Learning Centre Sunday Working Bee and BBQ early next term.

Student Free Day

A reminder that we have a student free day on Monday 22^nd July.  Balaklava Primary School also has a student free day on this date and, as such, buses will not run that day.  Term 3 will start on Tuesday 23^rd July 2024 and we look forward to welcoming students back, refreshed from school holidays.