June 13, 2025 | updates

Term 2: Update 1

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

June 13, 2025

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EMBRACING YOUNG PEOPLE’S CURIOSITY

Update from the Principal

As the leaves fall on Frome Road and the weather cools, it’s great to see our students embracing all that Term 2 offers. Our students have excelled in various activities, from the Generations in Jazz festival to the innovative Australian Rover Challenge, as well as participating in a range of camps and co-curricular activities. These camps and outdoor education activities are designed to build resilience and confidence, fostering essential life skills, social connections, and a sense of belonging. We thank the Middle Years team for the Year 8 AFL Max camp and the Senior Years team for the Year 12 Retreat. These experiences provide valuable opportunities to connect and reflect outside the school environment.

We hope our families enjoyed the recent Learning Conversations. These conversations provide vital opportunities for students to reflect on their learning, set goals, and consider behaviours that support success. We appreciated your contributions to our cube of questions and the shared experiences of high school life with your young people.

From 27 May to 3 June, we acknowledged Reconciliation Week. With a range of awareness-building activities in our Connect program and specific opportunities for our Aboriginal students to connect with culture, this week is an important acknowledgement of the importance of reconciliation. I had the honour of accompanying Year 11 students Amelia M and Jaylah C to Government House, where they received Dame Roma Mitchell scholarships from Her Excellency The Honourable Frances Adamson. Having two recipients from Adelaide Botanic High School highlights the outstanding work of our Aboriginal Education Team. Jaylah also initiated our first Reconciliation Colours Day, a project from her Stage 2 SACE subject, Activating Identities and Futures. She coordinated a school-wide photo with students in the colours of the Aboriginal flag. Our community choir’s performance of “Solid Rock” at lunchtime was a fitting conclusion to the week.

We are looking forward to ‘The Future Looks Brighter’ art exhibition, scheduled for Thursday, 26 June from 5:00pm – 7:00pm (please note the change of date). This event will showcase the creativity and talent of our students inspired by the recent Chihuly exhibition in the Botanic Gardens, and I encourage everyone to attend.

Preparations are underway for our presentation at the Osaka World Expo in July. This opportunity will allow our students to engage on a global stage, sharing their experiences with the DfE-created AI model, EdChat. They are preparing videos on AI use cases to enhance learning, followed by a live Q&A. We look forward to sharing their insights and learnings following their trip mid-year.

Sarah on behalf of our whole team

Upcoming Dates - Term 2

Monday 9 June WEEK 7 King's Birthday Public Holiday	Mon-Wed 23-25 June WEEK 9 Year 11 Biology Whyalla Cuttlefish Camp
Tues-Fri 10-13 June WEEK 7 YASTSA Camp	Thursday 26 June WEEK 9 The Future Looks Brighter - Yr5-10 Art Exhibition
Wed-Fri 11-13 June WEEK 7 Year 10 Outdoor Education Deep Creek Camp	Mon-Fri 30 June - 4 July WEEK 10 Year 11 Exams
Thursday 12 June WEEK 7 Official Opening of ABHS Expansion	Friday 4 July WEEK 10 Last Day Term 2

Osaka World Expo 2025

We are proud to share that a group of our staff and students has been selected to represent South Australia at the Osaka World Expo 2025 as part of a Department for Education delegation coordinated by International Education Services (IES). This exciting opportunity will see our students showcase how AI is being used in innovative ways to enhance learning through EdChat, South Australia’s safe and secure AI platform.

The group, made up of students Harry (Year 12), Lumi (Year 12), Sidney (Year 11), Samaira (Year 11), Leo (Year 10), Ysabella (Year 10), Miles (Year 9), and Aditto (Year 8), as well as supporting staff Sarah Chambers, Hannah Darling, and James Almond, will travel to Japan during the July school holidays, departing on 13 July. With just a few weeks to plan, write, film, edit, and rehearse, the team is working to a tight timeframe to deliver a high-quality, student-led presentation that will be featured in the Australian Pavilion on Fun and Play Day.

The presentation involves creating a series of short, engaging videos and participating in a live Q&A with audiences at the Expo. The Q&A will include one-to-one consecutive translation, providing an incredible opportunity for students to experience intercultural dialogue and present confidently to a global audience.

As part of the trip, students will also visit Koishikawa Secondary Education School and Koishikawa Elementary School, where they will deliver their presentation and meet local students. These visits are designed to build international friendships and provide an authentic opportunity for cultural exchange.

In another fantastic opportunity, the group will also present their work at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo—a significant honour that reflects the importance of the project and the trust placed in our students to represent South Australia, the Department for Education, and the Minister for Education on the international stage.

Earlier this term, students pitched their ideas to representatives from IES in a fast-paced session that helped shape the direction of their final presentation. We are incredibly proud of the creativity, leadership, and teamwork already shown by the group, and we can’t wait to see them shine in Japan.

Sarah Chambers, James Almond & Hannah Darling
Osaka Delegates

Learning Conversations

We would like to extend our thanks to all the families who attended our recent Learning Conversations in person and online. Your involvement and support are invaluable to us and play a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience for our students.

A special mention goes to everyone who participated in the Community Cube activity. It was a delightful way to engage with parents and add a bit of fun to the event. We appreciate those who contributed by adding a coloured dot to the cube, along with answering a question about their own high school experiences. The stories shared were both funny and inspiring, reflecting the diverse journeys that have shaped our community.

Thank you once again for your continued support and enthusiasm

Year 12 Camp

During Week 4, the Year 12 cohort departed for an overnight camp at Dzintari in Normanville. The camp was a beautiful way to celebrate the halfway mark of the Year 12 journey and provided time for us to reflect on our values as individuals and recognise the support around us throughout this year.

We also looked into the past by reading letters we wrote to ourselves on transition day in Year 7, and we took a dive into our future by writing a letter to ourselves one year from now. The camp was full of fun activities and team-building challenges.

Teams of students competed in a quiz night, all based around events at ABHS throughout our time here, which was followed by a talent show full of excellent acts. That night, we had a blast at a silent disco before heading to bed.

In the morning, staff shared lovely stories of their Year 12 experiences, giving us all valuable lessons to think about. Overall, it was a wonderful opportunity to spend time together, reflect on ourselves, and have some fun!

Lily J
Year 12

Hukarere Quiz Night

Earlier this term, an epic night of brains, laughs, and friendly competition unfolded at the Hukarere fundraising quiz night. Students collaborated with staff to plan and execute a fantastic evening filled with six trivia rounds, games, and an exciting silent auction.

Thanks to everyone who participated, over $2,000 was raised. This money will help reduce the cost of the trip and cover jackets, food, and other goodies for the students.

The silent auction was a huge success, featuring amazing prizes such as stunning paintings, meat trays, Beauty and the Beast tickets, a Crows guernsey, and much more.

A big thanks to everyone who contributed to making the night such a success.

The Hukarere Team

Australian Rover Challenge and Robotics Workshop

Recently, a group of eleven Year 10 students from the Rocket Science and Space elective went on an exciting excursion in a minibus, driven by our very own teacher, Lauren Scarfe, to the Roseworthy Campus of the University of Adelaide to watch the Australian Rover Competition.

Students had the opportunity to watch the Queensland University Team compete in the challenge. The team was in a tent far away, unable to physically manipulate the rover, and used code to program the rover to navigate a simulated moon environment. Students also observed other teams preparing their rovers, and some had the chance to speak with Melbourne’s Monash University about their distinctive pink rover.

The excursion included a tour of the veterinary studies area, which had a hospital-like smell, and students witnessed a few preserved animals. This was followed by a visit to the robotics workshop. In the robotics workshop, students from Adelaide Botanic High School and Clare High School learned the basics of coding and robotics with the help of a student-run organisation called Robogals, which was created to encourage more girls to pursue careers in STEM.

The students then formed small groups and were tasked with programming a VEX robot to follow a trail and pick up a cube that simulated a soil sample on the moon, using their knowledge of block coding. They were challenged to see which group could get their robot to the finish line the fastest by modifying the code they had used earlier. Clara, Saanvi, and Lucy from our school achieved the fastest recorded time of 43.11 seconds. Congratulations to these girls for their problem-solving skills and creativity in STEM!

Saanvi M and Lucy C
Yr10 Rocket Science and Space

The Plot Thickens... Tales From the Library

There’s always something happening in the library. Here are the highlights so far this term:

LIBRARY DISPLAYS AND EVENTS

Each term we shine a spotlight on one of the school’s learning areas and this time we focus on Global Perspectives. A range of resources including novels, poetry, Indigenous stories, economics, languages, and history are displayed near the main entrance to the library until the end of term.

The library’s temporary display area has recently celebrated the LGBTQIA+ community for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Books ranging from Queer history to a drag queen murder mystery have prompted a lot of positive interest from staff and students. The library’s rainbow flag bookmarks have been hugely popular – come and grab one before they run out!

Our latest display celebrates National Reconciliation Week and its theme: “Bridging Now to Next”. See photos of our Book Bridge in the next update.

NEW BOOKS AND “HOT” READS

Lots of new books have arrived, particularly in the Crime, Mystery, and Suspense genre. If you love a whodunnit, a tough guy detective novel, or a thrilling spy story, then come and have a browse. There are also lots of new Graphic Novels including the Blue Lock series which is flying off the shelf.

If you’re a film lover, the library has just purchased the BFI (British Film Institute) Film Classics series covering masterpieces like The Wizard of Oz, Jaws, Blade Runner, and Citizen Kane. Finally, we now have the complete set of the Football Superstars series for all those soccer fans out there.

Don’t forget that the library has hundreds of audio and e-books that can be borrowed and enjoyed on your own devices. So far, the most popular reads for Term 2 are:

Demon Slayer (Manga)
Blue Lock (Manga)
One of Us is Lying (Crime, Mystery & Suspense)
Heart Stopper (Graphic Novel)
Captain Underpants (Funny Stories)
Football Superstars series (Non-Fiction)

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE

This year, we’ve had increased participation in the PRC across all year levels which is very pleasing. Along with the official PRC certificates and medals, students can also earn house points for completing the challenge. In addition, students can get extra house points for reading beyond the minimum twelve books. It’s not too late to get involved – entries close Friday 5 September.

BOOK WEEK

Book Week is only a few months away. As always, there will be activities and competitions throughout the week including old favourites and some new surprises. This year’s theme is: “Book an Adventure”. Put your thinking caps on now if you are interested in participating in the annual ABHS Book Week Costume Parade. More about all of this in future updates.

Remember the library is open before school, break times, and until 4:15 pm after school. Happy reading!

Kerrin White
Library Manager

Save the Date – The Future Looks Brighter Exhibition

Since early 2024, we have eagerly anticipated the Chihuly Exhibit at the Botanic Gardens, and we are thrilled to have this extraordinary opportunity right in our own backyard. As a school community and neighbour to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, we recognised the importance of crafting a special response to this event. Our Arts team has developed a learning program for students in Years 7 to 10, enabling them to experience the Chihuly exhibit and respond creatively through both 2D and 3D artworks.

We are pleased to announce that bookings are now open for our exhibition. This event will feature the remarkable artworks created by our talented students, inspired by Chihuly’s masterpieces. We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating their creativity and dedication.

Please secure your spot by clicking the button below to book your attendance. We look forward to welcoming you to this special occasion.

Eden McEwen
Assistant Principal – Conditions for Learning Year 7 and Transition

Book Tickets

2025 Musical - Guys and Dolls

We are thrilled to share that rehearsals for our upcoming production of “Guys and Dolls” are going exceptionally well. We are excited to announce that the official poster will be released soon.

Behind the scenes, our set team has been hard at work crafting props and designing the stage to transport you to the bustling streets of New York City. Their creativity and attention to detail are truly remarkable, and we can’t wait for you to see their efforts come to life. As a special treat, here’s a sneak peek into what has been happening the set-building construction zone.

Stay tuned for more updates, and mark your calendars for Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August 2025 for what promises to be an unforgettable theatrical experience!

Lauren Scarfe
Musical Director and STEM Teacher

Synergy Badging Ceremony

The SYNERGY Badging Ceremony recently took place, offering a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the expanding student leadership group at Adelaide Botanic High School. This year, 57 new members joined Endeavour. New students took to the stage to share their aspirations for joining the SYNERGY program, while experienced members from Advocacy and Unite reflected on their personal growth and shared their most cherished experiences. The formalities concluded with a celebratory morning tea for SYNERGY members and their guests. We sincerely thank all the staff and students who attended to show their support

Loren Carbone
SYNERGY Leader

Generations in Jazz

Our Music Program Coordinator, Josh Cowley, and Music Teachers Sarah Bradley, Justin Daughtry, and Amy Parham, our music-intensive students travelled south to Mount Gambier to participate in the Annual Generations in Jazz festival. This is the biggest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and our Big Band made history as our first ensemble to rank amongst the competing bands in Division 4.1.

The Big Band placed third, a significant achievement. There were 22 bands in Division 4.1, while Division 4.2 had 17 bands, making this achievement even more exceptional. This award represents nearly 5 years of growth and development in culture. It is not the result that should be focused on but the effort and energy that went into the journey. In time, I am sure we will see other ABHS groups achieve similar milestones and achievements, which we can all celebrate.

Well done to Isabelle B and Eric G for being selected into the Division 4 GIJ Superband. This is an award to acknowledge the strengths of individual soloists and is selected from both Division 4 groups: that’s 20 spots for over 600 students!

Additionally, Sarah Bradley took our Vocal Plus group to the Barbershop Harmony Association’s Central Region Competition, where they were awarded the first BHA Central Region Perpetual Trophy for their performance.

We would like to extend our thanks to the dedicated instrumental tutors, parents, and guardians for their support, and further appreciation to Josh Cowley for leading this phenomenal group of students!

Josh Cowley
Music Coordinator

Eastern Secondary School Student Leadership Partnership

In 2025, our student representatives, Lily J and Sidney D, will continue ongoing collaborations with student leaders from schools within the Eastern Secondary School Student Leadership Partnership (ESSSLP). This presents an exciting opportunity for our student leaders to share our SYNERGY program, gain insights from other schools, and come together with like-minded individuals to contribute to strategic initiatives, lead broader educational progress, and pursue shared goals.

Last year, Lily was part of the student leadership team that designed the Student Charter to increase awareness of student agency, co-agency, and the power of student voice. With Sidney’s support this year, she aims to continue driving this work forward.

Earlier this term, Sidney, Loren, and Eden attended the first student leaders meeting for 2025 at Glenunga International High School. The meeting focused on the Department for Education’s public education strategy and key areas of impact: Wellbeing, Equity and Excellence, Learner Agency, and Effective Learners.

We look forward to sharing the progress of this inspiring work as the year unfolds.

The SYNERGY Team

Year 8 AFL Max Camp

The Year 8 students recently embarked on an exciting adventure to AFL Max Camp, where they participated in activities designed to foster teamwork and personal growth. The camp provided an incredible opportunity for students to connect through team-building exercises, football kicking sessions, and bouldering challenges.

Interactive touch screen activities and a movie night offered both entertainment and educational experiences, while trampolines added an element of fun and physical activity. It was wonderful to see the students bonding, supporting each other, and developing a strong sense of camaraderie.

This experience not only enhanced their skills but also deepened their friendships, leaving them with lasting memories. Camps like these are important as they offer a unique environment for students to step away from their usual routines, work together, and build trust, thereby strengthening bonds and fostering a sense of community.

The Middle Years SAS Team

Women’s and Children’s Hospital Volunteer Network

Adelaide Botanic High School is engaged in a continuing partnership with the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Volunteer Network. This year, three of our Year 12 students, Ella, Kieley, and Wilbur, have been accepted into their youth volunteer program. This program, which is exclusive to ABHS, is an opportunity for students to volunteer three hours a week in the children’s ward, working with Play Therapists to support young people who are heading into, or recovering from, serious surgeries.

Our students support children and their parents while learning about the management of the hospital and gaining unique experience. The Women’s and Children’s Hospital Volunteer Network has been operating with adult volunteers for 60 years. This major milestone was celebrated as part of National Volunteers’ Week. Dr Richard Harris SC OAM, Lieutenant Governor of South Australia, invited members of the Network to a reception at Government House, where their contributions were lauded.

Personally, I would like to commend our students for their service and the time they commit to this program during their final year of school.

Rogan Tinsley
Assistant Principal: Curriculum Innovation and Community Connections.

Year 11 Psychology - Inside Out

For this year’s Deconstruct and Design Investigation, Year 11 Psychology Inside Out students had the opportunity to explore a topic in Environmental Psychology that was not too far from home. They examined the differences between the old learning environment in the ABHS North Tower and the newly upgraded South Tower, which boasts modern facilities and redesigned furniture.

Their task was to investigate how workplace design can impact the wellbeing of students and staff through either quantitative and/or qualitative research. Students were encouraged to explore the broader concept of workplace wellbeing in relation to building design (such as temperature and lighting), architecture (including acoustics and spaces that encourage or discourage conversation), and work environments (like furniture design and sensory stimulation).

Through this inquiry, students gained insight into how physical spaces influence mental health, comfort, and productivity in educational settings.

Tania Zebian
Global Perspectives

Year 11 Physics - Engineering for the Future

Over two visits this term, Year 11 Physics students have visited the engineering departments at Flinders University and the University of Adelaide.

At Flinders University, students worked with PhD students to prototype and test water wheels to generate electricity within an industrial flume. Similarly, at the University of Adelaide, students worked with members of Engineers Without Borders to construct wind turbines from household materials.

These workshops allowed students to test their understanding within practical contexts, while also presenting options for post-school studies or careers.

Matthew Taverna
STEM Teacher

IDAHOBIT Celebration

On Friday, 16 May, Adelaide Botanic High School came alive with vibrant celebrations for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)!

Students enthusiastically participated in a variety of engaging activities during break time, including bracelet and ribbon making, banner signing, face painting, and a lively photo booth. Adelaide Botanic High School proudly champions an inclusive school culture, fostering a sense of belonging for all students.

The Wellbeing Team

Sport

Year 11/12 Boys Knockout AFL

The players competed against Marryatville High School and Norwood International in the open boys knockout competition. Although we didn’t achieve the result we wanted, the team fought hard all day, creating options and using the ball well.

During the last quarter of our game against Norwood, the players truly took the initiative. They won the quarter through excellent teamwork, creating opportunities, and kicking six goals.

All the boys should be proud of their efforts and hard work!

Meropi K
Year 12