February 16, 2024 | updates

Term 1: Update 1

Adelaide Botanic High School students engage in learning tasks which are about connecting, creating, communicating, co-ordinating and collaborating.

February 16, 2024

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2024: Let’s Do This

Update from the Principal

The 2024 school year is well and truly in top gear already and I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all our returning students, fantastic staff, and, of course, our newest members – the vibrant Year 7 students and families joining the Adelaide Botanic community.

It has been a remarkably calm and enjoyable start to the school year, with students expressing their excitement and readiness for learning after a great holiday break. The calm and enjoyable atmosphere that has characterised the beginning of the year is setting a promising tone for 2024.

The presence of our Year 7 students brings an added zest to our school, and we are thrilled to have them here. They now represent our largest year level with just under 300 students. As they step into this next chapter of their school journey, know that they are surrounded by a supportive school community eager to see them thrive and achieve.

Olivia Turner receiving the Governor of South Australia Commendation – Excellence Award

Entrusting us with the education and wellbeing of your children is a significant responsibility and one that we do not take on lightly. We understand the importance of the partnership between home and school, and we look forward to working closely with you to ensure that together we provide the best possible experience for your child. The upcoming Meet the Connect Teacher Evening and Spotlight Information Sessions provide an opportunity for all parents to meet with the Connect teacher and explore the information that will assist you in supporting your child throughout the school year.

I also extend an invitation to consider becoming a part of a highly functional and motivated Governing Council. It is not too late to nominate during this weekend. Your involvement and input are invaluable as we strive to shape the future of our school and ensure the best possible outcomes for our students.

I also want to share with you and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Year 12 students from 2023. Their exceptional SACE results, including 16 merits, high-level grades and a 100% pass rate, are testament to their hard work, resilience, and the unwavering support of our dedicated staff and families. Congratulations to all our graduates on this remarkable accomplishment!

It has been rewarding to hear about the pathways our students from 2023 are taking beyond school, with 85% securing their first or second tertiary choice. A number of our high-achieving graduates will be sharing their experiences, advice and pathways at a whole-school assembly this term.

“2024: Let’s Do This” is the exciting message we have reiterated to our students. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead filled with growth, learning, fun and possibilities.

Welcome to Adelaide Botanic High School, where every day is an opportunity to flourish

Alistair on behalf of our whole team

Upcoming Dates - Term 1

Thursday 22 February WEEK 4 Annual General Meeting	Monday 18 March WEEK 8 Year 7 DNA Action Day Group A
Wednesday 28 February WEEK 5 Meet the Connect Teachers / Spotlight Sessions	Tuesday 26 March WEEK 9 Year 7 DNA Action Day Group B
Friday 1 March WEEK 5 Year 12 Formal	Friday 29 March WEEK 8 Good Friday Public Holiday
Saturday 2 March WEEK 5 Year 6 ACER Testing	Monday 1 April WEEK 10 Easter Monday Public Holiday
Tuesday 5 March WEEK 6 Sports Day	Wednesday 3 April WEEK 10 Open Night
Thursday 7 March WEEK 6 Year 10 Immunisations	Friday 5 April WEEK 10 Year 7-9 Swimming Carnival
Friday 8 March WEEK 6 Student Free Day	Wed-Fri 10-12 April WEEK 11 Senior Arts Experience
Monday 11 March WEEK 7 Adelaide Cup Public Holiday	Friday 12 April WEEK 11 Last Day Term 1

Responsible Behaviour at Adelaide Botanic High School

Adelaide Botanic High School’s Responsible Behaviour Expectations are based on the key attributes of our DNA: Curiosity, Community and Excellence.

Predictable but flexible consequences
At ABHS we believe in maintaining a learning environment that aligns with our expectations. If a student’s behaviour is not in line with these expectations, a predictable consequence will be ensured. However, the type of consequence is flexible, allowing teachers to select from a range of options spanning Tier 0 to Tier II. In situations where leadership is involved, Tier III consequences may be considered.

Our Emphasis on Restorative Practices
In 2024 we have introduced a Tier II behavioural intervention. If a student’s behaviour in a learning session does not meet ABHS Responsible Behavioural expectations, a teacher may direct the student to a different learning area to Refocus. Subsequently, the student is scheduled for a restorative conversation with the teacher. This conversation allows both the student and the teacher to Restore their relationship. Through this dialogue, both parties can share their perspectives, and agreed actions are established to enable the student to Reconnect with their learning. We have termed this process. Refocus, Restore, Reconnect (3R).

Parents will be notified if their child is scheduled for a restorative conversation, and we kindly request your support in ensuring your child’s attendance. Restorative Conversations are held at 9.10am each day (10.00am Wednesdays).

A teacher may choose to schedule a Restorative Conversation without relocating the student to another learning area. If this option is selected, the same 3R process is followed.

Andrea West
Assistant Principal-Conditions for Learning (Middle School)

Brad Stubing
Assistant Principal-Conditions for Learning (Senior School)

Meet The Connect Teachers

Please SAVE THE DATE to visit Adelaide Botanic High School on the evening of Wednesday, 28 February for our “Meet the Connect Teacher” evening.

This evening will provide you with the opportunity to meet your child’s Connect Group teacher(s) for a presentation regarding key attributes of teaching and learning at ABHS, including the Parent Portal and other digital platforms. You will also hear from the ABHS team about:

Student Wellbeing
Inclusive Education
Student Achievement and Success
Studios and Capabilities
Student hosted school tour (Yr7)

Some additional information sessions will also be on offer, including:

Communication & Assessment – including Daymap, Frog and Rubrics (Yr7-12)
Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) Information (Yr12 only)
Medical Pathways (Yr11-12)
South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) Information (Yr10-12)

Further information regarding timing on the evening and requesting RSVP’s will be sent to families soon.
Please note that following this event, presentations will be shared digitally with all families for reference and for those who are unable to attend.

A reminder that Important Dates are available on the Frog Parent Portal so you can mark this and other events in your calendar.

Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Merit Achievement

Three of our 2023 Stage 2 Chemistry students, Victor Chey, Dat Hong and Torin Barnes, were recently invited to receive a medal on behalf of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) for achieving a Merit in Stage 2 Chemistry. Dr Ula Alexander presented the medals to the recipients at the Science Innovation Learning Centre at Flinders University. Only 37 merits were awarded for the subject in 2023 across schools in South Australia. Our students were part of a distinguished group of only four schools who received multiple merits across the state. We represented the public sector well, being the most successful school in terms of merit count for the subject. Our students are to be congratulated on this phenomenal achievement and their wider success as a cohort. Kylie and Glen, as their senior teachers, are hugely proud of their approach and the success that followed. We wish Victor, Dat and Torin well in their future endeavours in the fields of engineering, dentistry/officer entry, and paramedical/medicine respectively.

Glen Arthur
STEM Teacher

Why attendance matters

One of Adelaide Botanic High School’s Responsible Behaviour Expectations relates to the Excellence component of the school’s DNA. At ABHS, it is expected that students are able to be punctual and regular in attendance.

Attendance is a key part of the government’s Public Education Strategy, and it is expected that all young people should achieve at least 90% attendance. Underpinning this strategy is the belief that every day matters in the school life of a young person and every day they are at school is a step along the pathway towards future success.

One or two days of absence a week doesn’t seem like much but…

If your child misses…	That equals…	Which is…	And over 13 years of school that is…
1 day a fortnight	20 days per year	4 weeks per year	Nearly 1.5 years
1 day a week	40 days per year	8 weeks per year	Over 2.5 years
2 days a week	80 days per year	16 weeks per year	Over 5 years
3 days a week	120 days per year	24 weeks per year	Nearly 8 years

A whole year has 365 days, a school year has 190 days. That leaves 175 days to spend on family time, visits, holidays, shopping and other appointments.

Did you know?

A two week holiday during term time means that the highest attendance a student can achieve is 94.7%.

What can parents can do?

Make school attendance a priority.
Talk about the importance of coming to school every day and make this an expectation.
Help your child make daily routines including completing +Time and getting a good night’s sleep.
Try not to schedule medical and dental appointments during the school day.
Ensure your child comes to school every day unless they are truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety.

Help your teen stay engaged

Find out if your child is engaged with their classes and feels safe at school.
Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers if necessary. Make sure you know how to contact teachers if you are concerned.
Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, or skipping classes.
Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, but be mindful of how many hours a week students are engaged in after school commitments, and support them to balance these with their +Time and downtime.

Communicate with the school

Support the school’s expectations that students should be punctual and regular in attendance.
Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behaviour. These could be related to something happening at school.
Check on your child’s absences in the Daymap portal and make sure they are not piling up.
Respond to SMS requests asking for an explanation for your child’s absence.

Exciting Calendar Dates for our Year 8 and Year 9 students

We are thrilled to announce that we have secured bookings for some exciting experiences for our Year 8 and Year 9 students:

For our Year 8 students, we have arranged an overnight experience at AFL Max at West Beach. The dates are as follows:

AFL Max – Group 1: Tuesday, 30 April to Wednesday, 1 May.
AFL Max – Group 2: Wednesday, 1 May to Thursday, 2 May.

For our Year 9 students, we have organised an overnight experience at Woodhouse Adventure Park in the Adelaide Hills:

Thursday, 15 August, returning on Friday, 16 August.

These experiences are designed to provide students with fun, collaborative, and physical learning activities that foster personal growth and teamwork.
Please stay tuned for a detailed itinerary, the final grouping of our Year 8 students (based on Connect groups), and information regarding costs to families.

We look forward to these enriching experiences and the positive impact they will have on our students.

Andrea West
Assistant Principal -Conditions for Learning (Middle School)

Year 12 Outdoor Education - Port Noarlunga Surf Camp

The Year 12 Outdoor Education Students kicked off the school year with a Surf Camp adventure at Port Noarlunga! Across three days, these students dedicated themselves to refining and advancing their surfing abilities, tackling both white and green waves. Despite the slightly challenging surf conditions under the bright sun, the group enthusiastically ventured beyond their comfort zones to grasp these new skills. Throughout the experience, students exhibited remarkable resilience, positivity and persistence, even in the face of some epic wipeouts.

Amelia Redman
Lifestyle Choices Teacher

Jasper joins the cast of BYPASS for the 2024 Fringe Season

ABHS student and Cirkidz performer, Jasper H has secured a spot in the show BYPASS by SA Circus Centre.

BYPASS takes you on an evocative journey through the complexities of human nature and the intrinsic need to participate in a collective. Prepare to be mesmerized by a thought-provoking spectacle of acrobatic humans that challenges you to question why, despite the benefits of the group, so many individuals yearn to be different. As you step into the world of BYPASS, be prepared to question, reflect, and marvel at the intricacies of the human experience, navigating a profound internal struggle to find belonging. This show raises questions about the balance between the safety and security of conformity and the desire for individual expression.

Well done Jasper, we look forward to seeing the show!

Purchase Tickets

Year 7's Dive into Physics with Rubber Band Cars

Year 7 STEM students are getting hands-on with physics through a rubber band car project. They are exploring the principles of energy, motion, and design in a practical way.

The students formed teams and brainstormed designs for their rubber band cars. Armed with cardboard, rubber bands, and other basic materials, they set out to construct their vehicles, incorporating concepts like aerodynamics and wheel size into their designs.

The real test though, can their designs actually move? Students faced challenges and setbacks, forcing them to problem-solve and iterate on their designs. This lesson helped students to gain valuable knowledge in physics and engineering while fostering teamwork and critical thinking skills.

Teen Parliament 2024: Future leaders wanted for the opportunity to appear in parliament

Young leaders are encouraged to submit their big idea for a better future for South Australia to be in with a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship.

Applications have opened for The Advertiser’s Teen Parliament 2024, where entrants will be in the running to become one of 30 students representing the youth of SA at Parliament House on 8 March.

Students from Years 10, 11 and 12 have the opportunity to submit their ideas relating to topics such as state development, the economy, the environment, health, education and social issues.

Applications close on 22 February.

Photo – 2022 and 2023 Teen Parliament scholarship winners at Parliament House. (The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette)