Welcome back for Term 2!  I trust everyone all had a safe and relaxing holiday break and that they are ready for a term of active learning and involvement in broad school life.

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is a time of reflection on the sacrifices of so many others who went to war, many of whom paid the ultimate price by losing their lives, which have allowed us to have the life and freedoms we ultimately enjoy today.  As a school community, it is important that we pay our respects to servicemen and women each year and we have traditionally sent Student Council representatives to the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Balaklava Triangle, however, over the past couple of years we have expanded this to have representatives at other services around the community where our students live.  This year BHS was represented by Kashaya Carpenter, Brooke Michalanney, Sophie Hamdorf, Denise Nellas, Melanie Cavanagh and Isabelle Poole at the Balaklava service; Alice McArdle, Corbin Branson, Annabelle Cay and Taylor Harkness at Owen; Pepper Batten at Mallala and Harry Dall at Port Wakefield.  Brooke and Kashaya also read a prayer at the Balaklava service.  Never before have we had such an overwhelming response from students willing to attend these events.  I thank all of our students, and their parents who organised transport, for so willingly putting their hands up to represent our school at this early morning service.

Phones Off While School’s On

As you know, this year, the state government has introduced a ban on the use of mobile phones in high schools to help provide supportive, safe and productive learning environments for all. This is consistent with our existing phone policy that we have had in place since 2020, which essentially means that between 8.30am and 3.15pm each school day students’ phones and other personal devices need to be switched off and away.

Senior students wanting to listen to music in study are able to access Spotify though their laptops (students can set up a free account to do this) and we ask that they have headphones with cords to connect to their laptops.  Air Pods should also not be used at all in the school and smart watches are only to be used for telling the time or they should also be off and away.

If parents need to get a message to their child during the school day, please contact the front office and we will make sure it is passed on.  Students are also able to use a school office phone to call you during the day if they need to.  We thank all students and their families for their support of this policy.  The full policy can be found on our website and further information is also available at http://phonesoff.sa.gov.au/

Principal Appointment

Principals are generally appointed to a site for a five year tenure and, at the end of the five years, there is a process that is led by the Education Director to explore the possibility of a rollover of the appointment for the same length of time.  This year is the final year of my initial five year appointment.  Our Education Director, Mr Neil White recently undertook this review process, speaking to the Governing Council as parent representatives and the staff at a whole staff meeting and, I am pleased to say I have been reappointed at Balaklava High School as the Principal for the next five years.  We have achieved a great deal in the past five years, which has seen the school physically transform with our buildings and grounds as well as making a significant shift in the culture of the school.  There is still work to be done at Balaklava High School and I look forward to working with the school community in the future.

Student Free Days

A reminder that we have two confirmed Student Free Days on Tuesday 13th June (Week 7, Term 2 after the June long weekend) and Monday 24th July (Week 1, Term 3 first day of term).  We also a School Closure Day confirmed for the Paskeville Field Days on Wednesday 27^th September (Week 10, Term 3).

As always, I invite parents 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 Sonia.Pringle235@schools.sa.edu.au or you can phone the school on 8862 0600 to speak to me directly or to make a time to come and see me.

Sonia Pringle

Principal

Certificates of Achievement are presented to students to acknowledge their academic success at the end of each term.

Congratulations to our students who received High Achiever  Certificates to acknowledge excellence and improvement in their overall performance for the Term 1 reporting period.

Australian Government Assistance for Canberra Excursion

Students from Balaklava High School have recently undertaken an educational tour of the nation's capital. Whilst on this tour, students participated in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit their National Capital as part of their civics and citizenship education. To assist schools in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government is contributing funding under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program. All students who participated in this excursion will be refunded $135 through this program to alleviate the travel costs incurred by this trip. 

We would like to thank the Australian Government for their support of this program.

The activities undertaken during this trip have been outlined below.

We hope that this excursion was a rewarding experience for all students.

On the 30^th of April a group of 45 students from Years 10-12 departed Balaklava High School for a 4.5 day trip to Canberra, ACT. The students undertook a busy few days in the nation’s capital, taking in a range of educational, historic and cultural sights and experiences and were able to further their understanding of Australia’s unique history and heritage, and how our democracy operates.

Over the 4.5 days in Canberra students visited Parliament House (and participated in a House of Representatives role play), the Royal Australian Mint, the Australian War Memorial and ANZAC Parade Walk, National Electoral Education Centre, Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD), a guided cruise on Lake Burley Griffin, the National Gallery of Australia, High Court of Australia, Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Sportex, National Capital Exhibition (The Story of Canberra), Questacon: National Science and Technology Centre, Government House, and the Mount Ainslie Lookout.

On behalf of the entire BHS Canberra Trip group, I would like to thank the attending staff (Mr Parsons and Jules) and our parent volunteer Brigitte Brooker for their work in supervising and engaging with students throughout the trip, as well as parents and families for their support of this unique opportunity.

A special thank you also goes to Elly Rankin for all of her hard work behind the scenes, from collecting medical information to managing all aspects of finances for the trip.

Luke Clark

On the 30^th of April 45 Balaklava High School students went on a 15 hour long bus trip to Canberra. Some of the places we visited were the Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the Royal Australian Mint, War Memorial Drive, the Art Gallery, a cruise on Lake Burley Griffin and lots of other popular tourist attractions. One of my favorite places we visited was the War Memorial, I liked seeing all the poppies on the wall for all the soldiers, but I would’ve liked if we had more time to walk around and look at everything ourselves, it was also cool going up to the top of Mount Ainslie and looking at the view of Canberra from up high. Overall Canberra was very cold and foggy but a great experience and I learnt a lot about the history of Australia and politics.

Tilly Woidt

The Canberra Trip was a very jam packed but well scheduled tour. We had the opportunity to see many things not everyone has access to. For me personally the Australian Institute of Sport, Government House and the War Memorial were highlights. I really enjoyed seeing a different part of the country that I was so unaware of. I learnt a lot that I know I would not have learnt without going on the Canberra trip.

Bella Pratt

On Sunday, the 30th of April, we left for a Canberra Trip for six days. We drove on the bus overnight to get to Canberra, it was a long trip. The trip was organised by the school and WorldStrides with Mr Clark and Mr Parsons leading the way. The trip included visits to the War Memorial, Parliament House, Government House, AIS, The High Court, Questacon, The Royal Australian Mint, Museum of Australian Democracy, The Electoral Education Centre, The National Capital Exhibition, a cruise on Lake Burley-Griffin, a bus trip looking at all of the Embassies from other Countries in Canberra, and also ten-pin bowling. My favourite part of the trip was the War Memorial, I wish we had spent more time at there.

Matthew Brooker

In Parliament House we were able to do a mock reading and passing of a bill in our own version of the House of Representatives, before we got to visit the real House of Representatives as well as the Senate. Being able to learn about these processes in an interactive way, and at the actual site, provided a memorable and insightful experience.
The Canberra trip provided many opportunities to do some hands on learning outside the classroom and provided many insights into life away from school, and how our parliament functions. We learnt many valuable things, like how to properly vote and that it is impossible to get a good nights sleep on a bus. A big thank you to everyone that organised the trip!

Brooke Michalanney

Wednesday morning, we went to the AIS. The AIS stands for the Australian Institute of Sport and this was my favourite place in Canberra, we got to see the commitments that athletes must undertake to be professionals in their sports. The last day we went on a beautiful bus tour and saw Canberra in its grand scale and, before long our trip was over. I never foresaw how amazing Canberra would be and I can’t wait to return.

Sebastien Hughes

Overall, the trip to Canberra was eye-opening and educational while still allowing us to have a fantastic time. I would definitely recommend that people give themselves the chance to visit Canberra at some point in their lives, as it will be a decision they won’t regret.

Chelsea Mason

Free internet access is available to students who don’t have reliable internet at home. This is through the ‘student home internet program’.

Reliable internet access supports online study at home, for the purpose of extended learning. It also allows teachers to design more learning experiences that use digital technology.

Families of eligible students can request internet access by following the steps on this page.

Eligibility

Open to all SA government school students who don’t have adequate home internet access.

Students must only use the internet access for learning and study at home.

What we’ll provide

The department will supply you with:

• a dongle (small USB device), if you need one
• a mobile internet SIM card
• home internet access until the end of the school year.

The internet access will be deactivated at the end of the year. You can apply again for the following year if you still need the service.

Your child won’t need a dongle if they’ll be using a laptop or tablet with a SIM card slot.

Requesting the home internet

Only 1 request form is required for each household, as the internet access can support multiple students.

How to request access

To request home internet access:

1. complete the request form and user agreement (PDF 651 KB)
2. submit the form to your school via email, fax or in person.

Your school will then request the internet service from the department.

We’ll set up your access and send required devices to the school. Your school will let you know when the devices are ready to be picked up.

If you apply during the school year, allow 2 to 3 weeks for your internet access to be set up.

Setting up your home internet

The student home internet user guide (PDF 435 KB) steps you through how to set up your home internet.

Contact your school if you need additional support.

Cancelling your home internet

Your home internet connection will be disabled at the end of the school year. You can keep the internet devices if you’ll be requesting access again the following year.

If you no longer need the home internet access, you need to:

1. let your school know
2. return the internet devices to your school.

This could be because your child is leaving the school, or you’re getting your own stable internet service.

Monitoring data use

We’ll monitor student home internet data use. Your school will contact you if you go over levels deemed appropriate for educational purposes.

Your internet service may be suspended or disabled if this continues.

In the last week of Term 1, school photos were given out to all students who had ordered and paid for them. If you have any problems or didn't receive what you believed you had ordered please call Academy Photography on 1800 816 224.

Please see attached a link to view and pay online for speciality photos such as the Spec Ops class, Year 12 group, Student Council or Sports/Music/Drama captains.

AUSTRALIAN BUSH BUDDIES

On Friday 28^th of April the Balaklava Community library welcomed Louise from Australian Bush Buddies. Lucy and Dianne from the library were overwhelmed to see the library filled with 75 children and their families over three sessions. We were very excited to meet a baby saltwater crocodile, tawny frogmouth, two bobtail lizards, a spotted python and two squirrel gliders. All the children loved being able to hold and pat each animal and ask Louise all their questions. We cannot thank Louise enough for her time and we will definitely be seeing her again at the library!

LADIES' DAY AT THE LIBRARY

On Sunday 7^th of May the Library welcomed a group of ladies from all different parts of the Wakefield Regional Council for a “Paint and Sip”. Their day was filled with painting colourful cows, delicious food from the Rising Sun Hotel Port Wakefield and great company. We look forward to hosting a lot more of these experiences in the future!

To our valued school community in South Australia

Parents Say May 2023 edition is now available to read online. 

Hear from our President Jenice Zerna about the financial status of affiliated committees in schools, as well as the importance of volunteers, and acknowledging them from the 15th until the 21st of May for National Volunteer's Week.

The Minister for Education, Training & Skills, Blair Boyer MP, discusses the mobile phone ban in schools and the impact it will have for students.

Clare Feszczak, Student Pathways and Careers Executive Director, Dept. for Education, talks about alternative pathways students can take, as well as highlighting the new technical colleges being built,  with the first, Findon, set to open in 2024.

Angela Falkenberg, President of SA Primary Principals Association (SAPPA), gives strategies for parents to help their children navigate life's setbacks, and why it is important to help them through those challenging times.

We have articles about the SACE art show, and John Pirie Secondary School FLIPS Centre for re-engaging students in learning.

to read these articles and more please access this link  bit.ly/3HM6IFC

or click on button below

Parents Say Magazine Link