Wow, where did the last 11 weeks go? It’s hard to believe that we are at the end of Term 1 already. As I sit here and reflect on our start to 2024, I can’t help but feel great PRIDE for everything that we have achieved throughout the term. I’d also like to thank staff, students and families for the warm welcome I have received and how the community has embraced our new look team at BHS.

These are just some of the happenings that have taken place in a busy Term 1.   

• Year 7 Meet and Greet and Moonta Excursion
• BHS and Lower North Swimming and Athletics Carnivals
• Open Boy’s Cricket
• SAPOL Road Safety
• Restorative Practice training
• Elevate Program
• Student Led Conferences
• Governing Council AGM
• Student Council camp and Student Leader Induction Ceremony
• NAPLAN
• Open Night
• A range of curriculum-based excursions

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.

Staffing

As announced to the BHS community yesterday, I am thrilled to be leading Balaklava High School for the next 5 years. It is a great privilege to lead a school, let alone one in the community that you call home. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our school and the quality of public education that is offered to our community.

I would like to congratulate Lucy Thiel who has won a position as Assistant Principal – Middle Years at Ocean View College starting in Term 2. Lucy has been an integral part of the BHS team over the past 10 years and she has brought a great range of knowledge, expertise and drive to our school community. Most importantly, Lucy has demonstrated an undeniable passion and dedication towards our students and their positive development. There has been much debate amongst students on who we will miss more, Eddie or Lucy, but we know that they will both be sorely missed at BHS and we wish them well for their future. I am currently working on a replacement for Lucy’s position and hope to have this in place early next term.

I must also congratulate and farewell (for now) Kimberly Walker who has won an Inclusive Educator position at Para Hills for the remainder of the year. This is a great opportunity for Kimberly to build her knowledge and understanding in the area of inclusive education and we are hopeful that we will welcome her back to BHS in 2025. I would like to congratulate Kym Adams and Ash Parsons who will step into this role and lead Wellbeing and Inclusion across the school for the remainder of 2024. 

I am excited to welcome Dylan Rolston-Howard to the Balaklava High team starting in Term 2. Students would be familiar with Dylan as he has just finished his final teaching placement with us. Dylan has impressed and excelled in his time here with us and we look forward to having him onboard for the remainder of 2024.

With a shuffle in staffing, there will be some timetable changes in Term 2 that will be communicated to families once they are finalised. Alison Parsons will be heading off on Maternity Leave from Week 3 and Erica McGiffert will be completing her final university placement at Thomas Moore College in weeks 1-6. During Term 2, we will also welcome four university students to BHS who are completing a placement with us. I’m looking forward to welcoming them to our school.

Student Induction Ceremony

Our student leaders were inducted on Tuesday 19^th March in a ceremony held in the Gym. I’d like to thank Tiarhn Carpenter who was our special guest on the day and shared her wisdom about leadership through her experience at BHS and also Richard Thomas and Kelly Schubert for their work in organising and leading Student Council.

I also spoke to staff, students and parent about my philosophy about leadership which I have shared below.

Good afternoon students, parents, staff and community members.

It’s with a great sense of PRIDE that we meet here today as a collective group for the 2024 Student Leader Induction Ceremony and celebrate the significance of student leadership. You will hear from our Head Students Josh and Janna shortly about their perspective on leadership, however, I would also like to share some of my own thoughts on this role and I think we share many of the same philosophies.

When we talk about leadership, we often think about those in positions of authority, however, leadership is not just about titles or control. It's about positive influence, about setting an example and about upholding the values and standards that define who we are as a school and wider community. Gone are the days when leadership in schools is confined only to the principal’s office or the staffroom. Today, we understand that leadership is not determined by your age or title but by actions and influence you have. This is my eighth week at Balaklava High School and already I have seen some amazing examples of leadership and positive influence.

Now, for those who know me well, you will understand that I’m very much a movie buff, so I have armed myself with some powerful movie quotes in my message today about leadership that have resonated with me throughout the years.

One of the last things that Uncle Ben says to Peter Parker in Spiderman is ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’ Indeed, as student leaders, your entrusted with the power to influence and shape our school's culture and future. However, positions of power and leadership are not about putting yourself ahead of others, nor are they for thinking you are better than others. It’s the selfless act of working alongside others to make them better; encouraging, coaching and mentoring others to be the best version of themselves. By doing so, you show true leadership qualities and make a positive impact on those around you. Coach Boone in Remember the Titans wisely said ‘attitude reflects leadership, captain.’ Your attitude towards your position must be one that leads by example, by demonstrating integrity, respect, and compassion in all that you do. This is what inspires others to do the same.

Each one of us has the power to make a difference, to contribute positively to our school community. Whether you hold a formal leadership role or not, you have the ability to influence those around you by your actions and words. In Terminator 2, Sarah Connor states that ‘the future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves’ and Galadriel in Lord of the Rings tells us that "even the smallest person can change the course of the future." You all have the ability to make a difference if you want to.

The values of leadership were powerfully expressed by former Australian Army General David Morrison when he said, "the standard you walk past is the standard you accept." These words hold profound significance for us as students, staff, parents and as leaders. They remind us that we are not passive observers but active participants in shaping the culture of our school. This message is echoed by the Dark Knight in Batman when he states ‘its what I do that defines me.’

So, student leaders, my advice and challenge to you is as follows. Represent our school with PRIDE and encourage your peers to live by these principals in the classroom, out in the yard, on the bus, in the online world and out in the community. Respectfully challenge others to improve and work alongside your peers to be better. Don’t walk past the standard that you are not willing to accept or doesn’t meet the culture we wish to create at Balaklava High School. You’ll find that your peers will look up to you not because you place yourself above them on a pedestal, but because you are there to lift them up when they are down. Your position as a student leader means treating others with kindness and empathy, and standing up injustice and what is right and holding ourselves and others accountable even when it's uncomfortable. Remember, ‘sometimes we face the choice between what is right, and what is easy’. ‘It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but it takes a great deal more to stand up to your friends.’ I’ll leave you with those two quotes from Albus Dumbledore and wish our student leaders all the best in your leadership journey throughout the year.

Student Free and School Closure Day

Governing Council have now approved our proposed Student Free Days and School Closure Day (Adelaide Show) for the remainder of the year. These are as follows;

TERM 2 – Student Free Day - Tuesday 11th June (Week 7)

TERM 3 – Student Free Day - Monday 22nd July (Week 1)

TERM 3 - School Closure Day - Monday 2nd September (Week 7)

TERM 4 - Student Free Day - Friday 1st November (Week 3)

Buses

During the start of Term 2, there will be a change to traffic conditions on Gwy Terrace as buses will be doing school drop offs in this zone while works are undertaken on the Balaklava Primary School bus lane.

No parking will be allowed from the High School traffic lights to the Horizon Christian School stop lights on Gwy Terrace. Bollards will be in place and traffic may be moving slower than normal.

More information will be disseminated to families in coming weeks and I would like to thank our Public Education colleagues over at Balaklava Primary School for the extensive work they are doing to coordinate this work and overall management of the buses.

Japanese Study Tour

Balaklava High School has had a long-standing relationship with Meidai and they are again seeking an opportunity for their students to spend time at our school in July by BHS hosting a study tour. 

I am seeking an expression of interest from any interested families to host a Japanese study tour student. Families receive financial support to host a student/s.

Families will receive an Expression of Interest email from the school this week. Please complete the form to register your interest.

Agriculture Committee

BHS extends an invitation to parents and community members to join our Agriculture Committee, either through active involvement in running our farm, 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 our them for diverse career paths in a crucial industry.

Thank you to those people who have already expressed interest in joining the Agriculture Committee. We look forward to having this up and running towards the start of Term 2.

Public Education Strategy

The new South Australian Public Education Strategy is a comprehensive framework designed to shape the future of education in the region. Its purpose is to ensure that all students in South Australia have access to high-quality education that prepares them for success in a rapidly changing world.

Overall, the South Australian Public Education Strategy is guided by a commitment to learner-centered education, quality teaching and leadership, partnerships and engagement, and innovation and excellence. Its purpose is to create a dynamic and inclusive education system that equips all students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need to thrive in a complex and interconnected world.

I will be working with all BHS stakeholders throughout 2024 to begin embedding the Public Education Strategy into our vision and practices. 

Year 12 Holiday Classes

I’d like to wish all of our staff and families a restful and enjoyable Term 1 holidays. Take care and we look forward to seeing you all back for a rewarding Term 2.

Derek Friedrichs

Principal

Balaklava High School

In our continuous effort to embrace innovation and enhance communication within our school community, we remind parents that our student reports have transitioned to a fully digital format, accessible through Daymap. This move aligns with our commitment to sustainability, efficiency and providing immediate access to important information about student progress. See below for details on accessing your child's report using Daymap and instructions on creating or resetting parent logins if required. 

Amber Buick

Mathematics Coordinator 

It has been a very busy and successful term of School Sport to kick off this year. Since our last edition of the newsletter our students have competed in our School Athletics Carnival, the Lower North Interschool Athletics Carnival and the Secondary School Sport SA Track and Field Championships at Athletics SA Stadium. Full reports of these events are found below. 

As we head into Term 2, students will have the opportunity to nominate for and trial to be selected in school teams for Football, Basketball and Netball along with competing in the Lower North Zone Cross Country event which is combined with Mid North Primary SAPSASA. More information about these events will be available during Term 2. 

I would like to wish a number of our students good luck as they trial for School Sport SA State Representative teams in Basketball, Netball and Football. To keep up to date with State Representative team information and trial dates, please follow the School Sport SA Facebook page. 

For all School Sport inquiries from Term 2 onwards, please contact Hudson Noack as I begin my maternity leave. 

Balaklava High School Athletics Carnival

After having to re-schedule due to the extreme heat forecasted for the original date, we hosted our annual Athletics Carnival on Friday the 15^th of March. Another dominant display by Ross House saw them crowned winners of the Championship Cup with a lead of 383 points over James House. Walter House won the Athletics House Spirit Shield, making it a 4-peat for them, winning the shield consecutively since 2020. The Plains Producer 100m Sprint Handicap Race was won by Year 10 student Charlotte Hodgetts off an 82 m handicap.

A number of records were broken on the day, and in the lead up to the carnival, congratulations to the following students who now hold records:

Results:

Age Group Winners

Championship Shield:                                                                    

House Spirit Shield

School Sport SA Individual Secondary Golf Championships

On Tuesday 5^th March Max Nicholls competed in the School Sport SA Individual Secondary Golf Championships for the first time at North Adelaide golf course along with 70 other students from across the state. Well done to Max for competing in this School Sport event. Read about his experience below.

"Golf was really good, and was a lot more fun than I thought! I enjoyed how it worked and how friendly everyone was. I learnt that more kids like to play golf than I thought."

Max Nicholls

Interschool Athletics

Thursday of Week 8 saw Balaklava High's best assemble at Kapunda High School for the annual Lower North Athletics Carnival. Over 60 BHS students took to the track and field and produced some excellent results.  

Madeline Futterleib had a day out, breaking three 13&U records: High Jump, 400m and 800m. Congratulations! 

Congratulations also to:

Connor Willmer - 14&U Boys Runner Up

Sebastien Hughes - 16&U Boys Champion

Brooke McArdle - 19&U Girls Runner Up

Despite a large injury toll the Girls finished in third place, the Boys finished first and overall BHS came third.  

Thank you to all parents and staff who attended to cheer on the students. 

Adelaide Athletics Report

On Wednesday of Week 10, 32 BHS students represented the Lower North Athletics Team comprising of students from BHS, Riverton and Burra. 

It was a great experience for all involved to challenge themselves against athletes from a broad range of schools whilst experiencing elite facilities.

Special mention to all students who placed on the podium in an event, the official results will be released in early Term 2.

Thank you to all students who assisted Mr Cmrlec with the High Jump station and to those who filled in additional events and even competed in events not normally run at the BHS Athletics Carnival.

Hurdles: Charlotte Hodgetts and Cooper Jagiello
3000m: Adawynn Hughes
Steeplechase: Sebastien Hughes
400m fill-in: Jack Pike

1500m fill-in: William McArdle

The Lower North Girls finished 4th, the Boys finished 2nd and the team came 3rd overall.

Well done!

Mr Noack and Mr Parsons

Our school community congratulates and celebrates the performing arts achievements of two of our Year 7 students, Caitlin McLean and Paetyn Slater. 

Caitlin McLean - Festival of Music Orchestra

The Primary Schools Festival of Music performances are held over two weeks in September in the Festival Theatre and this year will consist of eleven concerts.

There are two orchestras who share the responsibility of accompanying the primary school choirs for the festival and students from public schools from Years 5 to 10 are eligible to audition for these orchestras. Caitlin auditioned on the cello for the Klemzig orchestra back in November last year and was successful. She began rehearsing back in Week 5 of Term 1 and has been attending 1 hour and 40 minute weekly rehearsals in Adelaide. These weekly rehearsals continue through Term 2 and 3 along with some full day rehearsals in August, followed by some big rehearsals and performances in the Festival Theatre in September. 

Caitlin is finding some of the music quite difficult but is enjoying the challenge. She is confident that with lots of practise she is going to be playing it all really well by Term 3. Her favourite thing to play is the song “Impossible is Possible” and she also loves “Beautiful Creatures” which is a song from the movie “Rio”. The Klemzig orchestra has around 40 musicians, however Caitlin is the only student from a country school.  

Congratulations Caitlin!  Our school community is very proud of you and will be cheering you on.  Enjoy the experience.

Paetyn Slater - Junior Theatre Festival

We congratulate Paetyn on being selected to perform as part of the Adelaide Youth Theatre group that will travel to Newcastle for the Junior Theatre Festival at the end of October.  She will be busy rehearsing with this group throughout the year to prepare for this exciting experience.  BHS are cheering you on, Paetyn, and we look forward to hearing more about your time in Newcastle later in the year.

This week Miss McGiffert's Year 10 Science class started their Biology unit by delving into the fascinating process of extracting DNA from strawberries. This hands-on experiment served as an excellent introduction to the intricate world of molecular biology. Through this activity, students gained valuable practical skills while learning about the basic principles of genetics. The students conducted their own extractions with the aim of extracting as much DNA as they could and tried different methods to do so. Well done on a great start to the Biology unit Year 10's!

Tameika West, Matilda Williamson, Macy Tiller, Scarlett Smith

REMINDER - 2024 MATERIAL & SERVICE CHARGES ARE NOW DUE

THANK YOU to those families who have made a payment, submitted a school card form or who have made contact with the school to discuss a payment plan relating to their child's M&S Charges for 2024. We appreciate your promptness.

This is a friendly reminder that all M&S Charges are due in full by Monday the 29^th April, 2024, unless you have entered into a payment plan or submitted a School Card application. School Card applications can be completed online using the link below or you can collect a paper copy from the Front Office.

SA.GOV.AU - School Card scheme (www.sa.gov.au)
If you have any questions, require support with your School Card application, or would like to discuss a payment plan, please email dl.0769.finance@schools.sa.edu.au. Alternatively, please call the Business Manager on 8862 0623 before the end of Term 2.

For any outstanding accounts, reminder and final notices will be issued throughout Term 2, with referrals to the Recoveries Team (Debt Collection within DfE) being sent at the beginning of Term 3.

Kind Regards,

Elly Swift – Business Manager

Elly.Swift570@schools.sa.edu.au

8862 0623

Good News for Android Users – Qkr!

For those who have been having issues accessing the Qkr! App on an Android device, the wait is finally over and the issue has now been resolved. Parents/users can now download the App from the Google Play Store.

Dear Parents / caregivers, 
 
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But hurry, this incredible offer is only available until Monday 15th April 2024. Don't let this opportunity pass by—it's a chance to not only unlock extra Membership value but also to show your unwavering support for our fundraiser. 

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