March 4, 2025 | updates

Term 1: Update 1

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

March 4, 2025

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EMBRACING YOUNG PEOPLE’S CURIOSITY

Update from the Principal

What a wonderful beginning to 2025 we have experienced! It has been a true pleasure to start meeting members of the Adelaide Botanic High School community, getting to know the staff and students, and gaining a deeper understanding of the exceptional learning and growth happening in our school. It is hard to believe that we are already in week 5!

I am delighted to share and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our Year 12 students from 2024. Their impressive SACE results, featuring 8 merits and a 100% pass rate, reflect their dedication, perseverance, and the steadfast support of our committed staff and families. Congratulations to all our graduates on their achievements! It was wonderful to celebrate the achievements of all students but particularly to acknowledge the Dux of 2024 Prabul who was presented his certificate by 2023 Dux Victor.

With exciting events on the horizon, our school is buzzing with learning, connection, and community spirit. Our House Leaders organised the first House Community event, and their enthusiasm in coordinating this event was contagious. Precinct visits have begun, with students already exploring the Space Discovery Centre at Lot Fourteen, University of Adelaide, the Central Markets, and the Botanic Gardens. Our unique location offers numerous opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world contexts, and it is fantastic to see our students engaging with these experiences.

Community is in our DNA, and we’ve had wonderful opportunities to connect recently. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents and caregivers who attended our “Morning to Connect.” It was delightful to meet you and witness the growing connections between core teachers and families.

Our annual “Splash Out! Carnival” was a fantastic celebration of connection and community for our middle school students. We are grateful to the Lifestyle Choices and SAS team for their outstanding efforts in coordinating such a fabulous day.

We are eagerly anticipating Harmony Day, where we will celebrate the cultural diversity of our community. Please mark your calendars for a special celebration on Friday, 21 March. More details will be shared soon.
I am eager to meet many more of you in the coming weeks and months. I firmly believe in the vital role a local school plays in its community and the power of education to shape the futures of the young people and families we serve. I look forward to connecting with you at school events, as well as during the parent and family forums in planning for later this term and early next term.

In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to me if there is anything you would like to share about your child’s schooling and experience. It is crucial that we work together to support the belonging, wellbeing, and connection of all our young people, ensuring they flourish and thrive.

Sarah on behalf of our whole team

Upcoming Dates - Term 1

Saturday 1 March WEEK 5 Year 6 ACER Testing for 2026 Special Entry	Friday 14 March WEEK 7 Year 12 Formal
Tuesday 4 March WEEK 6 Sports Day	Wednesday 2 April WEEK 10 Showcase Evening
Friday 7 - Monday 10 March WEEK 6 WOMAD	Wed-Fri 9-11 April WEEK 11 Senior Arts Experience
Friday 7 March WEEK 6 Student Free Day	Friday 11 April WEEK 11 Last Day Term 1
Monday 10 March WEEK 7 Adelaide Cup Public Holiday

These shoes were made for walking

As we get back into the swing of the school year as a school we have noticed an increase in students that are sporting a range of different types of footwear. This is a good time to remember that the ABHS school shoe needs to be a black leather lace up or T bar shoe with a defined heel.

You can find more information about the ABHS Uniform on the Parent Frog Page.

FROG Parent Page

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

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

Thursday, 14 August, returning on Friday, 15 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)

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
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.

Eden McEwen
Assistant Principal – Conditions for Learning (Middle School – Year 7)

Andrea West
Assistant Principal-Conditions for Learning (Middle School – Years 8-9)

Brad Stubing
Assistant Principal-Conditions for Learning (Senior School – Years 10-12)

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.

Morning to Connect

ABHS recently opened our doors for the Morning to Connect. More than 400 parents were welcomed by Principal Sarah Chambers and met their child’s Connect teacher to learn more about what Connect at Adelaide Botanic High School is. For many teachers and parents, this was the first opportunity to meet face to face and start building a relationship between teachers and students that will support our young people through their ABHS experience.

Throughout the morning, parents had the chance to meet their child’s Connect Group teacher(s). This was a great way to understand the support and guidance available in 2025. Building a good relationship with the Connect teacher is key, as they will be there to support students throughout the year.

Parents were also able to attend a range of spotlight sessions around SACE, Math Pathways, ATAR, ABHS Communication Platforms, and Medical Pathways. There will be recordings of these sessions that will be made available soon if you were unable to make the morning.

The event also featured various teams set up in the gym, where parents could chat with members from the Wellbeing, Inclusive Education, Aboriginal Education, Governing Council, Studios, Student Services, and ICT teams. It was a relaxed setting to ask questions and get any specific concerns addressed, ensuring everyone feels supported and ready for the year ahead. Families were also able to drop by Café B for a coffee and morning treat between sessions.

It was a great first opportunity for parents and staff to Connect. Please continue to reach out to your child’s Connect teacher with any questions or noticings that you might have.

We look forward to many more opportunities to connect with families this year.

Justin Kentish
Assistant Principal – Innovation and Equity in Conditions for Learner Success and Agency

Governing Council

The ABHS Annual General Meeting was held on 17 February, during which time the election for x3 Governing Council parent members was conducted. We would like to thank Memoona Rafique who has come to the end of her 2 year term and is retiring from Governing Council. We are pleased to welcome back Craig Harrison and Simon Langsford, both of whom were re-elected for a further 2 years. We also announce our newest parent Governing Council Member, Dasha Kolesik.

The 2025 ABHS Governing Council parent members are:

Lana Blazujevic

Craig Harrison – Chairperson

Jane Haley

Sarah Haylock-Jacobs – Secretary

Dasha Kolesik

Simon Langsford – Treasurer

Mel McDowell – Vice Chairperson

A reminder that you can reach out to your Governing Council via dl.1919.govcouncil@schools.sa.edu.au

Week 0 with Leaders and Staff

The focus to come together at the start of each year is to think about the experience we are creating for our students as they start their ABHS journey or return to us for their next year of learning.

This year was exciting, have launched our next iteration of Our Charter which provides frameworks and aspirations for our staff to be coherent in their approaches to designing learning.

Our Leaders teamed in presenting those things that matter most at this point in time, to create a great start to the year. Our new Principal, Sarah, led our team with passion and excitement to connect with each other and our students as we began the year together.

Donna Mason
Deputy Principal

SplashOut!

Year 7-9 students attended the second annual ‘ABHS SplashOut’ carnival at Marion Outdoor Pool. Typically, swimming carnivals are designed to capture times for top swimmers to qualify for State Interschool competitions. However, ABHS SplashOut prioritises building community connections, creating a relaxed, picnic-like atmosphere for everyone to enjoy throughout the day.

Students participated in 25m and 50m races for freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke. Additionally, non-swimmers enjoyed a variety of activities, including grass games like cricket and soccer, a FINSKA tournament, picnics on provided rugs, access to the splash park, water slides, a rubber duck collection for House points, and a tyre-tube relay. It was such a fun day out for everyone involved!

Congratulations to Tirntu House, who made the most house points on the day. Special recognition goes to the year-level swimming champions. The diverse activities led to high attendance, participation, and exemplary behaviour, promising continued growth for future SplashOut events.

A huge thank you to the Senior Years House Leaders who arrived early to assist staff with setup and decorate their House tents, promoting House culture.

The SplashOut Team

SACE Merit Ceremony

Congratulations to our 2024 SACE Merit Awardees. Students were honoured at Government House for their outstanding achievements. However, due to extreme weather conditions, the second day of the ceremony has been postponed, preventing many of our students from receiving their awards on stage.

Finding your daily groove – Induction Studios are go!

Studios are a feature of Adelaide Botanic High School that stand out as a significant point of difference for the experience our students have over students at other schools. We are extremely proud of the level of choice and voice students have in customizing their learning through Years 7, 8, and 9.

For our Year 7 students, their first term at ABHS features a day of Induction Studios, aimed at helping them experience a smooth transition to our community and how we operate. Each Wednesday, our newest community members rotate through three flavours of Induction Studios, centred around our DNA of Community, Curiosity, and Excellence.

ABHS Community: This studio is designed to allow students to engage in the experience of ABHS. Students will work individually and collaboratively to build relationships that will enhance their wellbeing and overall experience throughout their ABHS journey. Students will experience a number of precinct walks to begin to consider learning beyond the classroom and will come to understand the ABHS DNA more clearly. Through the experiences they have in this Induction Studio, students will gain a sense of belonging to the ABHS Community.

Curiosity on Show: This studio provides opportunities for students to activate their curiosity about themselves and the world around them. Students will explore what makes them who they are, their strengths and areas for growth, and begin to understand their own “Learner Profile” through experiences that are reflective and exploratory. Students will be given an opportunity to participate in activities across the four learning areas of the school, while also being able to explore the wider community. They will also explore how Studios at ABHS help them develop their Learner Profile through the pursuit of passions and challenges, and the development of their own capabilities.

Digital Excellence: This studio is designed to empower students with the digital literacy skills necessary for thriving in the modern world. The rationale for this course is rooted in the understanding that proficiency in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is not just an add-on, but a fundamental competency for academic success and future employability. The course aims to equip students with the ability to use their laptops and associated software effectively and responsibly, and will explore how generative AI can be an amazing support to learning when used ethically. It progressively builds on foundational skills, promotes a culture of learning and creativity, and culminates in the students demonstrating their growth and proficiency.

Later in Term 1, Year 7 students will be choosing their first set of general Studios for Term 2. The range of Studios is impressive, with over two hundred different options created since the school opened in 2019. Each term, students select three options based on interests and passions, or experiences they would like to “dip their toes in”. Focused on capabilities development, students reflect and respond to their own chosen areas of development, selecting Studios that play to their strengths and provide opportunities for growth. By the time students finish Year 9, they will have completed thirty-three Studios of their choosing (as well as the three Induction Studios).

For more information about our Studios, visit our Studios Frog site, or via our website link below.

Ryan Westell
Capabilities and Futures Design Leader

Studio Program

International Guest

Sarah Pore joined us from Switzerland in week 2. Sarah is a teacher of Physical Education, Science and Health and asked to visit ABHS as part of her international sabbatical. As usual we welcomed her with open arms and provided her a great experience of our school visiting with staff and students. Our people always benefit greatly from the large amount of activity, including visitors to our school, where we are able to reflect and share about our practices and goals. Sarah was also very generous with the reciprocal sharing and learning, and we look forward to connecting with more staff from her school in the future.

Donna Mason
Deputy Principal

More about Sarah's School

A Cultural and Educational Exchange Between ABHS and Ryukyus University

In late 2024, students from the Health-STEM pathways program participated in an International Science Seminar. The seminar was coordinated by academics from Ryukyus University, Okinawa, one of Japan’s largest universities. Researchers worked with surrounding schools to support them in individual scientific design investigations. The model resembles many of Adelaide Botanic High School’s (ABHS) current partnerships with academics from the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

Students from Year 11 and 12 Chemistry at ABHS were able to share their deconstruct and design investigations, developed from input and access to the precinct universities. The exchange was much more than a science exchange; it was a wonderful opportunity to share culture and community in the way our students live and thrive. Students and academics from Okinawa were in awe of our beautiful facilities and surroundings.

So much so, that a small contingent of academics and researchers from Ryukyus University travelled to Adelaide in January. Their liaison, Tomo Fellowes, a marine biologist from the South Australian Museum (and a former student from a lifetime ago), reached out to me to connect the group with local academics and industries. They were also very keen to tour our school.

The group, consisting of Dr Kozo Fukomoto, Dr Ayaka Agarie (Program Directors), Ms Hiroko Arakawa (University Admissions), and Mr Yuhi Umeda (a recent PhD candidate), met with key academics from all three South Australian universities, world-leading researchers and industry representatives in the emerging green economy, and a representative from our all-important UNESCO arts and creative industries.

Their highlight, beyond the Jam Factory, Haigh’s chocolates, and our local food and wine, was their tour of our incredible building nestled in the gardens and parklands. They were welcomed warmly by Sarah, our incoming Principal, and marvelled at the spaces and vistas on a tour of the southern tower. They were very much interested in our unique breakout spaces for small group discussions and the importance of providing alternative ways for students to connect and engage in learning and the precinct.

The exclusive program offered to ABHS by Ryukyus will be available again this year, while we also explore the future possibilities of the viability of undertaking the exchange in person for students from Okinawa and Adelaide.

Glen Arthur
Health-STEM Manager