April 10, 2026 | updates

Term 1: Update 2

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

April 10, 2026

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EMBRACING YOUNG PEOPLE’S CURIOSITY

Update from the Principal

As we wrap-up Term one, this update comes from a new face – hello! I’ve been stepping in for Sarah while she’s been on leave in the last week, and I hope it’s been a seamless transition supported by the fact that our ABHS staff are a strong and collaborative team that work in community together.

I am reminded of our ABHS purpose, Tomorrow, Today. We strive for students that are curious, inquiring and inventive so that they are prepared the future, whatever that may look like. I reflect on the inventor Mary Anderson, who in 1902 observed the world carefully, and was curious about why things were so. She was watching drivers who had to get out of their cars to wipe snow off their windscreens in order to see. She then harnessed her inquisitive nature and designed a rubber blade with a spring-loaded lever that she called a “window cleaning device”. However, this invention was knocked back by manufacturers, claiming it had no commercial value. As with many innovative ideas, it was before its time and she gained no profit from it. Fast forward two decades and electric windscreen wipers are common on vehicles and remain to this day.

At ABHS we also seek innovation, knowing that this can feel uncomfortable and be challenging. Yet we take risks in learning from a place of belonging and community.

There have been multiple events and celebrations where our school has come together in community this term. From Sports Day to our House Community Days – our students have contributed to school spirit through athletics, human chess, air guitar championships and cooking competitions. We also acknowledged the leadership roles of students in Synergy during their badging ceremony in the last week of term, and recognised their contributions to our school community.

Coming up we have our Learning Conversations in Week 3 and 4 of Term 2. Please note the dates (there are time slots in Week 3 on Wednesday morning online, Thursday afternoon/evening face-to-face and Monday afternoon/evening face-to-face in Week 4) and find a time when you can join. Bookings will open via Daymap in Week 1 next term. Learning Conversations are an important opportunity for students to make purposeful connections with their learning, identify their personal strengths, and discuss their progress, goals and future aspirations. They are a chance for students to showcase and reflect on their learning with their families. As John Dewey said, “We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience”. It’s a great opportunity to hear about the risks and challenges your child has been taking in their learning and how they’ve harnessed their curiosity (and maybe with their own inventions too!)

As we head into Term 2 and the cooler weather, a gentle reminder to support the uniform expectations around outer layers and correct shoes. Our middle school students were treated to a fashion show by their teachers to highlight the outer layers that are available to students so we can represent the school with pride.

Thanks for your support in your child’s learning this term and wishing you safe and restful holidays, ready for another term of exciting learning filled with excursions, camps, music performances, sports and more.

Lara on behalf of our whole team

Upcoming Dates - Term 2

Monday 27 April WEEK 1 First Day or Term 2	Thursday 28 May WEEK 5 Yr10 Student Immunisation First Visit
Wednesday 29 April - Fri 1 May WEEK 1 Yr8 AFL Max Camp	Wednesday 27 May - Wed 3 June WEEK 5-6 National Reconciliation Week
Friday 1 - Sunday 3 May WEEK 1 Generations In Jazz	Thur 4 - Fri 5 June WEEK 6 Yr12 Camp
Friday 8 May WEEK 2 Yr10 Career Expo Excursion	Monday 8 June WEEK 7 Kings Birthday Public Holiday
Friday 8 May WEEK 2 Hukarere Quiz Night	Friday 19 June WEEK 8 Winterfest
Wednesday 13 May WEEK 3 Learning Conversations (Online)	Monday 22 June WEEK 9 Governing Council
Thursday 14 May WEEK 3 Learning Conversations (In-person)	Mon 29 June - Fri 3 July WEEK 10 Yr11 Exams
Monday 18 May WEEK 4 Learning Conversations (In-person)	Friday 3 July WEEK 10 Last Day Term 2
Tuesday 19 May WEEK 4 Student Free Day

Celebrating Community Through Our Staff Merch Store

Our beloved ABHS Staff Merch Store remains a shining example of student initiative, creativity, and community in action.

Since 2019 when staff were first gifted a custom-designed ABHS t-shirt, this thoughtful gesture has grown into a vibrant student-led initiative. Today, students take the lead in designing and producing new staff shirts, with proceeds going to charity, and proudly carrying forward the legacy established by those students who came before them.

The ‘Staff Merch Store’ initiative continues to thrive through collaboration with our Sublimation Station Studio students during their Studio time, alongside the students involved in the Staff Merch Club during break times. Students are engaged in every stage of the process, from design and understanding the demands of large production orders, through working with the Finance team when taking orders, managing the printing process, packaging, and delivering garments to staff. This authentic learning opportunity allows students to build valuable skills in entrepreneurship, teamwork, and production processes, while contributing meaningfully to our school community.

A particularly special aspect of this initiative is the collaborative approach students take, working together to ensure the success at every stage of production. Their pride, teamwork, and dedication shine through in every order created and delivered.

This year, our Staff Merch Store also celebrates the growth of our House Community culture. It has been wonderful to see staff proudly wearing their merch at the recent Splash Out carnival, Sports Days, and House events, strengthening connection and belonging within their House Communities, and highlighting the vibrant community at the heart of ABHS.

Thank you to our staff for your ongoing support through your orders, and most importantly, thank you to our students for the creativity, teamwork, and dedication you continue to bring to this special ABHS tradition.

Eden and Trish
On behalf of the Staff Merch Team

Class of 2026 Formal

On the 13th of March, we celebrated our ABHS Senior Formal — a fantastic evening recognising our senior cohort at the National Wine Centre of Australia.

It was a wonderful night filled with celebration, connection, and plenty of dancing, with the dancefloor full all evening. Our students looked incredible and represented our school community with pride.

We are excited for a year ahead filled with dedication, growth, and memorable moments for this cohort.

Ash Whan and Amy Waters
Senior SAS

Clinical Biology – Adelaide University (Lyell McEwin Hospital)

This term, a cohort of 24 Health-STEM Pathways and Synergy students from Years 11 and 12 were invited to take part in an outreach activity for those interested in pursuing careers in medicine and allied health.

Students spent the day at the Adelaide University training facilities, located directly across from the Lyell McEwin Hospital. These facilities are commonly used by university students as part of their tertiary training, providing an authentic and immersive learning environment.

Throughout the day, students explored a range of clinical duties using state-of-the-art medical mannequins capable of simulating complex medical scenarios, including asthma attacks and heart attacks. They recorded and analysed health data, developing their ability to make informed and timely decisions about patient care.

Students also gained insight into the importance of clinical cleanliness and the extensive range of patient data that must be collected and interpreted in healthcare settings.

Many students reflected on the experience as a valuable opportunity to engage in practical, hands-on learning within fields they are considering for their future. For several, the day helped to affirm their career aspirations.

It was particularly inspiring to see young women engaging so confidently in STEM pathways. Ensuring we have skilled, compassionate professionals in healthcare is vital for our state, and opportunities like this play an important role in helping students explore and shape their future pathways.

Thank you to our outstanding students, whose positive engagement was noted by presenters throughout the day. A special thank you also to Danijela for her support during the excursion.

Glen Arthur
Health-STEM Pathways Manager

Cohort Celebrations

This term, our Middle School Student Achievement & Success (SAS) team set goals focused on how we treat others, how we learn, and how we demonstrate our school DNA through our daily actions. These goals aren’t about individual students or classes meeting a target; they’re about building a positive culture together.

Our focus for students this term was on staying in class and actively engaging in learning through curiosity, effort, and positive contributions to the community. Our Year 8 students rose to the challenge, achieving an incredible 597 positive recognitions!

To celebrate this collective success, students enjoyed an Easter egg hunt. It was wonderful to see them continue to demonstrate the same values that helped them reach their goal—taking only a fair share so there was enough for everyone, sharing with classmates who found fewer eggs, showing respect, and helping keep our spaces clean. It was a celebration that truly reflected how students worked together to achieve a shared goal and support one another along the way.

Our Year 9 students also achieved their goal, earning 460 positive recognitions this term. Teachers have noticed real growth in how students approach their learning—taking risks, supporting one another, and striving for excellence. They celebrated this success with a well-deserved ice cream breakfast.

We are proud of the way our middle school students continue to build a positive culture, support one another, engage in their learning, and live our DNA each day. We look forward to continuing this momentum with our Term 2 goal!

Eden McEwen, Andrea West, Amelia Redman, Danielle Weatherley and Sam Ball
Middle School Student Achievement & Success Team

2026 French Film Festival

As part of Year 8 French, students visited Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas for a wonderful and enriching excursion. They enjoyed a screening of Little Amélie (The Character of Rain) as part of the French Film Festival, une expérience incroyable that brought their learning to life. Students listened to authentic spoken French (français authentique), strengthening their understanding while gaining insight into French culture and perspectives on l’enfance and identity.

Overall, it was a magnifique journée that inspired students and deepened their connection to the French-speaking world.

“The movie was very good and enjoyable to watch as there was lots of culture. It was wonderful to see a multicultural movie, including the French, Japanese and Belgium culture. Though I didn’t learn many new words during, since there were subtitles, but it was a nice experience to it watch in French. I would definitely recommend the French film festival to others, not just French speaking people but to anyone.” Audrey (Yr8)

Tania Zebian
On behalf of the Year 8 French Teachers

Gather Round Football Festival

This week our Year 7 classes attended the Gather Round Festival as the conclusion of their AFL 9s unit. The aim of the excursion was for students to experience the atmosphere of a major football festival while making connections to their upcoming units of work, which will focus on festival games and food.

Students had the opportunity to meet AFL players, take part in interactive games, enjoy food and drinks, and win prizes. It was an engaging and memorable way to wrap up their AFL 9s learning. Unfortunately, the Thursday group was unable to attend due to thunderstorms.

We would highly recommend that families take the opportunity to visit the festival at Rymill Park over the weekend, as it is a free and enjoyable experience for all.

Sam Ball
Lifestyle Choices Teacher

Health and Wellbeing Update: Everyone Deserves to Thrive!

At Adelaide Botanic High School, we believe that wellbeing is for everyone. Wellbeing isn’t just about feeling happy; it’s about looking after your mind, body, and emotions, feeling connected, and having the support you need to grow and succeed. Everyone deserves to have their wellbeing cared for, and we’re working hard to make it a positive part of school life.

Here’s a snippet of what wellbeing looks like at our school:

Weekly Wellbeing Challenges
Each week, our school screens feature fun and engaging wellbeing challenges. These challenges are designed to encourage small but meaningful actions that help students feel happier, calmer, and more connected with others.

Connect Class Social and Emotional Learning
Every Connect class has a weekly focus on social and emotional learning (SEL). These lessons help students develop skills like resilience, empathy, and communication—skills that support wellbeing and make learning more engaging.

Celebrating Diversity and Interests
We love celebrating what makes each student unique. From guest speakers on International Women’s Day, who inspire us with stories of perseverance and resilience, to Harmony Day events, where we come together to recognise that everyone belongs, our school embraces diversity and encourages students to explore their passions.

Wellbeing is not just a program; it’s a part of our everyday school life. By taking care of ourselves and each other, we can create a happier, healthier, and more connected school community.

Adelaide Botanic High School offers short-term counselling to support students’ social, emotional, and wellbeing needs. Counselling is goal-focused, brief, and supportive, helping students build skills, problem-solve, and feel more confident. Please reach out to any of our Wellbeing Team to access more information on this service.

Nina Tanner
Senior Health and Wellbeing Leader

Hukarere Ski Trip Students to Host Trivia Night Fundraiser

Students participating in the upcoming Ski Trip are excited to be hosting a Quiz Night and Silent Auction on Friday, 8 May 2026, at ABHS.

This event is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together for an evening of fun, friendly competition, and support for the students as they prepare for their trip. Doors will open at 5:45pm, with the event running from 6:15pm to 7:30pm.

Attendees are encouraged to gather a team of 8–10 people and take part in a range of trivia challenges and mini games, alongside a silent auction featuring a variety of exciting items. The evening promises plenty of laughs, team spirit, and a touch of healthy rivalry!

The entire event is being organised and run by the students themselves, showcasing their leadership, initiative, and enthusiasm as they work towards this unique opportunity.

Tickets are available via the link below, and all proceeds will go towards supporting the students attending the Ski Trip.

We look forward to seeing you there for a great night of community and fun!

We are also looking for donations of goods or services for the silent auction. Please email Ash Whan on Ashley.Whan645@schools.sa.edu.au to arrange donations.

Book Tickets

Inaugural Human Size House Communities in Connect Chess Tournament

The inaugural House Connect Human Chess Tournament at ABHS was a really fun and unique experience. Having all six houses compete in a knockout format made it exciting, and seeing students act as the pieces made it far more engaging than a normal game of chess. Each house brought a different approach, and it was great to see both critical and creative thinking in their strategies, as well as strong teamwork and house spirit throughout.

The second round took place the following week at Chess Club, where the house leaders faced off. It was intense, with much more pressure, and in the end, Tidli House claimed the win. Overall, it was a fantastic first event that brought people together and set a strong tone for future House Connect chess competitions.

Tania Zebian
Global Perspective Teacher

From the Chess President (Aditto) and Vice President (Aaron):

Describe your experience as Chess President/Vice President in organising the first HC Human Chess competition?
Organising the first House Connect Human Chess event was an amazing experience. We designed promotional posters and a video advertisement, set up a Microsoft Form for sign-ups, and kept the school community informed throughout. Regular communication with teachers ensured everything stayed on track. Going through this process gave us a real appreciation for the effort and coordination required to run a successful event.

Would you recommend Human Chess?
We would definitely recommend Human Chess. It was a genuinely enjoyable experience, and students showed strong engagement throughout the competition. Like any first-time event, there were challenges—particularly that the human chessboard was not ideal—but these can be improved in the future. Next time, we plan to source higher-quality materials to elevate the experience further. Overall, it is a creative and memorable activity that we believe any school would benefit from running, with even greater potential in the future.

Anything else interesting?
The main challenge we encountered was that the human chessboard was unavailable due to its size. However, through quick problem-solving, we organised cones and tape to mark out a chessboard. Overall, the experience itself was rewarding. With the leadership skills we have gained, Aaron and I hope to organise more chess events for our school community.

Level Up - A Research Based Targeted Teaching Program

This term, all Year 7 and 8 students have participated in the first round of the ABHS Level Up program. Drawing upon research from the Scaffolding Numeracy in Middle Years Project (Siemon, Breed, Dole, Izard & Virgona, 2006) and Reframing Mathematical Futures (2013–2018), this program is designed as a targeted teaching approach to multiplicative thinking in the middle years, based on an evidence-based learning progression.

At ABHS, the Level Up program leverages our unique timetable and team-teaching structure to run a series of sessions over the course of a week each term. Individual student data, including PAT-M, multiplicative thinking assessments, and Math Pathways diagnostics, are used to allocate students to one of eight Zone groups.

During these sessions, students have the opportunity, alongside specialist teachers, to access highly targeted learning activities using effective pedagogies such as visual modelling and manipulatives. These activities are designed to ensure the development of deep conceptual understanding of the Big Ideas in Number (trusting the count, place value, additive to multiplicative thinking, partitioning, proportional reasoning, and generalising), which informs the new SA Curriculum.

Students who are identified at the end of the developmental progression, regardless of year level, have the opportunity to engage in a mathematics enrichment program during this time.

As each student’s mathematical thinking progresses, we look forward to celebrating growth with them as they “level up” into the next zone. As a teaching team, it has been wonderful to see students experience those “aha” moments and reflect on new ways of thinking mathematically.

Maylin Evanochko
STEM Leader

More Buses Please! - Persuasive Speech Writing

Year 7 Global Perspectives students have been busy working on persuasive speech writing this term. Students chose an issue that was important to them and wrote and shared a speech with the class. Year 7 student student Omar K was particularly proud of his writing and very keen to share is speech with the ABHS community. Thank you Omar for sharing your passion.

More 98C Buses/Bus Stops – by Omar K (Year 7)

Many times, I have missed the bus due to how far the bus stop is from my house. Just because of that, I get late to class and get a bad attendance rate. So, to fix this and raise awareness, I have written a small speech for there to be more 98C bus stops and buses in Adelaide. From North Adelaide to the CBD, more 98C bus stops and buses will be vital for the civilians of Adelaide. It would enable them to travel safely and swiftly. Also, adding additional 98C bus stops and buses is a leap forward for Adelaide, turning our city into a modern place and a city more connected for everyone. Having more 98C transport in our city means it will be quick and smooth for you and your friends and family to roam or get to required spots every day. Different cities and suburbs in Australia, like Melbourne, have a way better transportation system compared to us. Why can’t we? This results in them getting more bus stops, train stops, and tram stops, so upgrading our public transport system would make a great profit.

Lots of people at ABHS and the normal civilians must walk a long distance to reach their nearest bus stop. Some students walk over 1 kilometre just to catch the bus to school. Having more bus stops would make it easier for students and families to travel, helping everyone get to school and other places more safely and on time.

Having fewer bus stops would result in there being minimal residents taking the bus, and there should be a couple more on every major street, for example, Melbourne Street. It is important because people who need to go to school and must take the bus sometimes have to walk ages to get to the closest bus stop to them. The students can sometimes be late to class as well. That is how people could be negatively impacted.

My solution is that the council could just add some more bus stops between the current bus stops for people who have limited options and can only go to the 98C bus. They would have to walk ages due to that lack of bus stops. To prove my point, people in the field of transport agree that more bus stops, like the 98C, make travel swift and safe for everyone in Adelaide.

After my solution, no one will have to be late because the bus stops would have greater convenience since the number of bus stops would increase. Adding additional 98C bus stops is a leap forward for Adelaide, turning our city into a modern place and a city more connected for everyone.

So, people, after reading this, could act by going out on protests to pressure the council or government, eventually resulting in the council benefiting civilians by adding more bus stops. How many more complaints could be ignored before action is taken?

Additionally, after school, I walk up to a packed bus stop. That is not the issue, though. With over sixty students boarding the bus at a time, overcrowding is confirmed, resulting in safety risks and delays in the bus schedule. It is so cramped. Call yourself lucky if you even get a place to sit down on the bus, as everyone is standing because the seats are packed. In the past, people have fallen and injured themselves when the bus is moving. It is hard enough for me, but imagine what the elderly feel, and women who are pregnant have a risk of falling. Just imagine what a sight that would be if the elderly or a woman experiencing pregnancy fell.

People who have not boarded the 98C bus after school clearly do not know what it feels like to board what looks to be a civilization on wheels. It is a sight no one wants to see, not me and not you. This is the time to act; the price of fuel is skyrocketing. I am sure you do not want to pay for petrol. So many people are loading onto the buses, and the council and government should most definitely add more buses and bus stops, not just for the 98C bus, but for public transport and infrastructure revenue.

To resolve this issue, there needs to be an adjustment in the schedule of the 98C bus. Since school finishes at 4:00, and the bus comes at 4:15, everyone packs onto that bus because they do not want to wait for the next one. Therefore, I propose that after the 4:15 bus, another 98C bus should come at 4:30. That way, students will not have to wait half an hour if they choose not to catch the packed bus, and they can be evenly split between the two buses. Everyone would be happy; they would be able to have a seat on the bus without a hassle because the congestion of people would be divided between two buses. After all, the population that catches the 98C bus should get what they deserve, which is easy and reliable access to a comfortable seat on the 98C bus. Having more 98C buses in our city means it will be efficient and smooth for you and your friends and family to roam or get to required spots every day.

Online International Science Exchange – Australia/Japan/Thailand

Earlier in the term a select group of Health-STEM Pathways (HSP) and senior STEM students were invited to participate in another International Science Exchange. Schools in Wider Japan and Thailand who heard about the experiences with schools in Okinawa, invited us to participate in the event. Students shared their approach to open-ended design investigations from their Stage 1 and 2 Science subjects. Students also shared images and video of the school and our surrounds and experiences studying in Australia. Our connections to the precinct featured heavily. Excellence and community were on show.

I must thank the mature approach and engagement of your students on the world stage. Truly inspirational. International colleagues and students alike were amazed with our facilities and the ingenuity in our learning and approaches. We have such an amazing school, and it is a privilege to showcase it.

Glen Arthur
Health-STEM Pathways Manager

Physics that Matters - Student-led Inquiry

Throughout the second half of Term 1, Year 12 Physics students have been designing and completing practical investigations. Students were challenged to identify aspects of their lives that are influenced by the concepts they have been exploring in class: projectile motion, forces and momentum, and circular motion and gravitation.

After identifying a variety of potential ideas, students thought critically about the most appropriate method for their investigation and justified their decision-making process. This approach resulted in a wide range of experiments, with students investigating how wheel covers on an F1 car allow for easier overtaking, whether the air pressure within a football affects the distance it can be kicked, and whether the distance at which interstellar objects pass each other has an impact on their velocity.

These investigations encourage students to take ownership of their learning, fostering a sense of curiosity as they explore how physics impacts their lives. They also help students build positive attitudes towards failure and develop supportive relationships as they work together to achieve a common goal.

Matt Taverna
STEM Teacher

Save the Date - Learning Conversations

In Weeks 3 and 4 of Term 2, Learning Conversations will take place. During these sessions, ABHS students, supported by their Connect teachers, will lead discussions with parents about their learning progress, goal setting, and their understanding of themselves through the Behaviours for Learning.

When:
Wednesday, 13 May (8:20am – 11:35am) Online via Microsoft Teams

Thursday, 14 May (4:20pm – 7:15pm) in person at Adelaide Botanic High School

Monday, 18 May (4:20pm – 7:15pm) in person at Adelaide Botanic High School

Families will notified early in Term 2 via Broadcast when bookings open. If you have any queries regarding Learning Conversations, please reach out to your child’s Connect Teacher.

Justin Kentish
Assistant Principal – Conditions for Learning

Showcase Evening 2026

Our recent Showcase Evening saw more than 1,000 people through the doors, and it’s safe to say it delivered the energy and atmosphere we’ve come to love each year.

Across the school, learning was on show in every sense. Visitors stepped into classrooms, got involved in STEM experiments, explored languages in action, and sampled a range of delicious student-made treats. Our café culture students were run off their feet all evening, crafting hot chocolates and coffees and putting their skills to the test in a real-world setting.

Guests tested out equipment and technology, and spent time talking with the students and staff who bring our community to life each day. The Skyline Terrace was a standout, offering a chance to take in the sunset views over the city while also having the opportunity to play a game of Pickleball on the Skyline Court.

From hands-on experiences to genuine conversations, the night gave families a real feel for what it’s like to be part of ABHS. It’s one of our favourite nights on the calendar because it captures who we are so well.

If you have families in your community considering ABHS as an option, our Principal Tours are held regularly — you can book via the link below.

Thank you to everyone who came along and experienced it with us.

Principal Tours

Sports Day 2026

Sports Day 2026 was a fantastic whole-school event, showcasing strong participation, positive spirit and outstanding effort from students across all year levels. Whether competing, supporting their house, or cheering from the sidelines, students contributed to an energetic and inclusive atmosphere throughout the day.

The creativity on display in this year’s costumes was a highlight, with students embracing the opportunity to represent their houses with colour, enthusiasm and pride. The effort put into dress-ups added to the sense of fun and community across the event.

A special acknowledgement goes to our House Leaders, who arrived early to assist with set up and preparation. Their organisation and commitment ensured the day ran smoothly and provided a great example of student leadership in action.

It was also a significant day for athletics, with eight new school records set. In an exciting display of competition, three of these records were broken and then immediately surpassed again within the same heat, reflecting the high level of performance and determination shown by our students.

Congratulations to Tanutiti on their overall win, a fantastic achievement and a reflection of consistent effort, teamwork and strong house spirit throughout the day.

Sports Science - CHANGE Fitness Experience

On Monday of Week 8, our Sports Science class had the fantastic opportunity to visit CHANGE in North Adelaide for an unforgettable hands-on experience. Students were taken on a tour of the impressive new facilities, including the state-of-the-art gym, pilates studio, and wellness space featuring a magnesium pool, cold plunge, and sauna.

The highlight of the visit was an engaging session led by Millie, one of CHANGE’s expert trainers, who put the group through their paces. This excursion linked perfectly with our current Anatomy unit, as students explored how bones, muscles, and joints work together, this time by actually putting them into action in a fun and challenging environment. Safe to say, there were plenty of sore bodies the next day, but also a lot of smiles and new learning!

Sam Ball
Lifestyle Choices Teacher

Student Volunteers Shine at WOMADelaide

Over four memorable days, more than 30 of our student volunteers had the opportunity to be part of one of Adelaide’s most iconic cultural events, WOMADelaide.

Students contributed across a variety of roles, including front-of-house support for some epic performances, food preparation in the Taste the World area, sustainability initiatives, content creation, and even hands-on tasks such as washing dishes. Their willingness to step into different responsibilities highlighted their adaptability, teamwork and strong work ethic.

Our media crew were also given a unique backstage tour, where they met the professionals responsible for capturing the entire festival. Students gained valuable insights, learned practical tips, and had the chance to ask questions about working in the industry.

ABHS spaces also played an important role in the festival, with the Botanic Terrace in use and the entire gym transformed into a professional theatre, further immersing our school in the scale and energy of the event.

This experience provided students with a genuine insight into the inner workings of a large-scale international festival, while immersing them in a vibrant celebration of global music, arts and culture.

Our ongoing connection with WOMADelaide continues to provide meaningful opportunities for students to contribute in diverse and dynamic environments. We are incredibly proud of how our students represented the school community throughout the event.

Thank you to Elijah, Patrick and Kingsley for the photos attached to this article.

Wellbeing Matters - When School Feels Too Hard: Understanding “School Can’t”

Welcome to this edition of Wellbeing Matters, where we continue to share insights, strategies, and support for the mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of our young people.
For many students, school is a place of learning, friendships, and routine. But for some, getting to school can feel incredibly difficult. Not because they don’t want to go, but because, in that moment, they genuinely feel like they can’t.

This is often referred to as “school can’t”, and it’s something more families are navigating (usually before 8:30am… often before coffee).

What Do We Mean by “School Can’t”?

“School can’t” shifts the focus away from blame and toward understanding.
Rather than asking “Why won’t they go?”, we start asking:
“What might be getting in the way right now?”

In most cases, school can’t is linked to overwhelm or distress. A young person may care about school, want to see their friends, and fully intend to go, but their brain and body are saying, “Not today.”

What Might It Look Like?

School can’t doesn’t look the same for every young person, but it can include:

Anxiety or panic, especially in the mornings
Physical complaints like headaches or stomach aches
Difficulty getting out of bed (beyond the usual “five more minutes”)
Emotional distress right before they leave/drop off
Withdrawal, shutdown, or avoidance
Increasing absences or partial days

These responses are very real, even when there’s no obvious physical illness. If anything, they can be more confusing (and frustrating) because of that.

What Can Sit Behind It?

There is rarely a single cause. More often, it’s a combination of factors, such as:

Anxiety (social, separation, or generalised)
Friendship challenges or social pressure
Academic stress or feeling behind
Neurodiversity (such as ADHD or autism)
Sensory overload or fatigue
Changes in routine or life circumstances
Previous experiences of stress

A helpful way to think about this is: behaviour is communication.
When a young person is struggling to attend school, they’re not trying to make life difficult, they’re having a difficult time.

What Helps?

While there’s no quick fix (we wish there was one we could email out), there are approaches that make a real difference:

Connection first – feeling understood helps reduce distress
Small steps – progress doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing
Consistency – predictable routines can lower anxiety
Flexibility – temporary adjustments can support re-engagement
Collaboration – school and home working together

Sometimes success looks like getting through the front gate. Sometimes it’s staying for a class. Sometimes it’s just getting out of the car. All of those are steps forward.

Morning Survival Tips
(For those mornings when getting to school feels like climbing Everest… in thongs)

For Parents & Carers
Keep it calm
Even if the morning feels rushed or stressful, a calm tone helps reduce overwhelm (for everyone).

Focus on the next step
Break the morning into manageable chunks: get dressed → get in the car → get to school.

Validate first
“I can see this feels really hard today” can go a long way before problem-solving.

Keep routines predictable
Familiar routines create a sense of safety (even if they’re not perfect every day).

Reduce pressure
On tough days, it’s okay to focus on getting there rather than getting everything right.

Celebrate small wins
Every step forward counts — even getting out of bed is progress some days.

Stay connected with school
You’re not alone — we can support you and your child through this.
For Students
Take it one step at a time
Don’t think about the whole day — just focus on the next small step.

Shrink the problem
Instead of “I have a whole day,” try “I just need to get through the next 10 minutes.”

Name how you’re feeling
Saying “I’m really anxious” or “I’m overwhelmed” can actually help reduce the intensity.

Stick to a simple routine
Doing the same few things each morning can make it feel more manageable.

Aim for “good enough”
You don’t have to have a perfect day — just give it a go.

Give yourself credit
If you made it out the door, that’s a win. If you got to school, that’s a huge win.

Reach out for support
Talking to a teacher or wellbeing staff member can make the day feel easier.

How We Can Support
If your child is finding it hard to attend school, you are not alone, even if it feels like you’re the only one having early morning negotiations that rival high-level diplomacy.
At school, we can work alongside you to:

Understand what might be contributing to the challenge
Develop a personalised support plan
Provide wellbeing check-ins or safe spaces
Adjust expectations to support gradual re-engagement
Our goal is not just attendance, but helping students feel safe, connected, and capable.

A Final Thought
School can’t is not about a lack of effort, it’s a lack of capacity in at moment.
With patience, understanding, and the right supports in place, most young people can rebuild their confidence and reconnect with school in a way that feels manageable.
And on the mornings that don’t go to plan (which will happen), know that you’re not failing. No one is failing. You’re navigating something complex, and you’re not doing it alone.
If you have concerns about your child’s attendance or wellbeing, we encourage you to reach out. Working together, we can support your young person to not just attend school, but to feel that they truly belong.

Phoebe Rowberry
Student Wellbeing Leader

On behalf of the Student Wellbeing Team:

Nina Tanner – Senior Health and Wellbeing Leader
Andrei Leucuta– Student Wellbeing Leader
Jeeves Dunn – Youth Worker

For questions, referrals, or support: Phoebe.Rowberry847@schools.sa.edu.au

Where to Find Support
School Can’t Australia
Information and resources specifically for families navigating school attendance challenges.
Visit: https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/

Can’t Face School
A dedicated resource for families navigating school can’t, with practical strategies and parent-friendly guidance.
Visit: www.cantfaceschool.com.au/resources

Parentline SA – 1300 364 100
Confidential telephone counselling and support for parents and carers.
Visit: www.parenting.sa.gov.au

Headspace
Free or low-cost mental health support for young people aged 12–25.
Visit: www.headspace.org.au

Women’s and Children’s Health Network Volunteers

Congratulations to our Year 12 students, Yalda, Maiar, and Tamy, for being selected to be part of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network Volunteers for 2026. They will be supporting children with Play Therapy while developing an understanding of what it means to work within the health system.

Justin Kentish
Assistant Principal – Conditions for Learning

Yr12 Health and Wellbeing - Relay for Life

On the 2nd of May the Year 12 Health and Wellbeing classes are participating in Relay For life as part of their Awareness Task. Relay for Life is a fundraising event supporting the Cancer Council of Australia, where teams walk or run in memory of or in support of cancer sufferers or survivors. Money raised goes into research, prevention and advocacy.

Recently, the Year 12’s ran a bake sale to raise funds that will be directly donated to the Cancer Council. If you would like to see how our Fundraising team is going or to donate, please visit our site via the button below.

Brittany Ross and Rhiannon Meuris-Palfrey
Lifestyle Choices Teachers

Donate to Relay for Life

Yr12 Outdoor Education Head off to the Flinders Ranges

In Week 8, our Year 12 Outdoor Education class explored the stunning Ikara National Park in the Flinders Ranges. Students discovered the rich history of the area, from Aboriginal cultural practices to early settlers, agriculture, and mining, through bush walks, visits to historic sites, and a boomerang painting workshop with the Adnyamathanha Rangers. They learned about the resilience of native flora and fauna while walking the Boom and Bust Trail, and contributed to the park by repairing trails damaged by recent heavy rains.

Life on camp tested their resilience, with students cooking on Trangia’s and managing the challenges of living outdoors in persistent rain. The week also included thrilling moments, such as witnessing flash flooding and waking early on Friday to watch the sunrise sitting beneath St Mary’s Peak, a stunning view many hadn’t seen all week.

The camp offered students a unique opportunity to connect with nature, history, and each other, while developing skills and memories that will last far beyond Year 12.

Pheobe Rowberry
Lifestyle Choices Teacher