September 9, 2022 | updates

Term 3: Update 2

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

September 9, 2022

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EMBRACING YOUNG PEOPLE’S CURIOSITY

Update from the Principal

A conversation can change a life

8 September 2022, R U OK day

The second Thursday of September is R U OK? Day, a day dedicated to inspiring and helping everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them by asking the simple question “Are you OK?”.

At Adelaide Botanic this is an important day that we make into a special event with fun activities, resources and opportunities to connect with one another and to check in and ask R U OK?

We help students and staff understand that you don’t need to be an expert to reach out, be a good friend and a great listener. The four steps of: ask, listen, encourage action, and check in are promoted because a conversation could change a life:

Now could be a great time to ask your child “Are you OK?” and to support them in the event that they are struggling. As we know, having a meaningful conversation with teenagers can be tricky but so worthwhile. ReachOut Australia has created some resources that may help parents to have these conversations and these resources can be accessed through this link.

R U OK? Day is just one of many opportunities we create to support our students at Adelaide Botanic, with many of the other approaches embedded within Connect and Studio One. When a student misses or is late for Connect in the morning or absent from Studio One, these are the supports and strategies that go missing for them. I encourage you to support your child by doing everything possible to avoid missing these times.

Alistair on behalf of our whole team

English Literary Studies student, Alyssa, shortlisted for 2022 Young Writer's Award

Congratulations to Alyssa O, a Year 12 English Literary Studies student, for being shortlisted for the 2022 Young Writer’s Award facilitated by the South Australian English Teacher’s Association (SAETA)!

Alyssa has courageously offered to share her 19-stanza poem, It’s Okay Not Be Okay, to encourage others to share their voice during times of adversity, which coincidently aligns with the objective of sharing our voices around R U OK Day?

Tania Zebian
Global Perspectives Teacher

It’s Okay Not Be Okay, by Alyssa O

Erased, disgraced, misplaced.
Do these people ever care about what I’ve faced?
Drowning in my own thoughts, clawing at my own mind.
The walls, the walls, those times were never kind.

Uprooted, disconnected, unknown.
That place was foreign, my mind was not my own.
I was lost, it wasn’t safe anymore.
Remembering these moments pains me, right down to my core.

Everything was dark at that time,
The ocean raged inside, with cliffs so steep I couldn’t climb.
My emotions were scattered.
The ocean could never be calmed – my thoughts never gathered.

Hurting, breaking, dying.
I think of what was and now I’m crying.
My tears were like acid, burning a route into my skin.
I got used to it though, it was as familiar as kin.

I drowned, and drowned, and drowned in pain.
My lungs about to punch through their delicate membrane.
It burned, it branded, it seared me alive.
This isn’t a phase someone ‘just survives’.

I’ve been abandoned, forgotten, and left to the weather.
So many times now, I can’t even remember.
I prayed for a hero, someone to save my life.
But who would ever want to go through such strife?

I’d been dropped, cracked, and glued back together.
Now even a wrongly placed tap TING – and I shatter under pressure.
I was broken and unwanted, a monster in disguise.
Tangle with that demon and you welcomed demise.

My soul’s been choked, drowned, and burned.
These scars I wear have all been earned.
You may not see them, but God knows they’re there.
Knowing that makes me grateful, that way people don’t stare.

For so long these thoughts have remained unspoken.
I was breaking, breaking – until I was broken.
This may come across as a helpless yelp,
But I perceived this as my call for help.

The help that we all have access to in times that are concerning.
The happiness I never allowed myself because I felt I was undeserving.
The light I never searched for despite all the corners of my mind.
The support I never seeked from my family and friends who have always been kind.

My story. My life. My pain. Yes, it’s all sad.
It is complex, it is powerful, but do not feel bad.
Some may deny this, even call it a joke.
But your emotions are valid, never let their words soak.

I am before you today, an embodiment of survival and strength,
Telling you right now – do not hold your health out at arms-length!
Instead, I urge you to embrace the pain, protect your health,
It sounds ludicrous I know but it will provide you great wealth.

Now that won’t be in gold and riches, but in self-appreciation and tranquility.
That sounds boring, you may say, but it is simply our reality.
It may seem silly, irrelevant, and to some even embarrassing.
But this is crucial. This is essential. This is even empowering.

Three steps – a journey to empowerment.
Three steps – it’s essential but not urgent.
Three steps – like a relationship, you must be committed.
Three steps – no cheating, no lying for that, is not permitted.

Step one – feel your pain.
It’s a true friend just let it explain.
Listen, don’t ignore it for it always speaks to you,
‘It’s okay not be okay with me,’ it says, this I know is true.

Step two – own that fact, send your pain a reply.
Do not fight it with your fists held so high.
Why not greet it with a hug, whether it be envy, denial, or yearning.
Because at the end of the day it just needs a bit of nursing.

Step three – take your time to explore,
And you’ll begin to grasp things you once ignored.
Working through this time is no easy task,
It’s a deceptively powerful healing practice and for you I remove its mask.

Feel your pain, own your pain, explore your pain.
A lengthy process yes, but it will not be in vain.
At first it will feel unfamiliar, but your soul will tell you otherwise.
For eventually it will no longer be the feeling of hurting, but the feeling of being alive.

Pain is your friend; pain is your ally.
Even with these steps it’ll always be nearby.
Soon, Hope will blossom deep within your soul,
And then you’ll be healing, healing – then finally whole.

Upcoming Dates - Semester 2

13-16 September WEEK 8 (Term 3) Learning Pathway Conferences	28-30 November WEEK 7 (Term 4) Year 11 into Year 12 2023 Transition
Thursday 22 September WEEK 9 (Term 3) ABHS Music Showcase (tickets available soon)	Wednesday 30 November WEEK 7 (Term 4) Year 11s finish
Friday 30 September WEEK 10 (Term 3) Last day of Term 3	Thursday 1 December WEEK 7 (Term 4) Year 10 last day of lessons
Monday 17 October WEEK 1 (Term 4) First day Term 4	Friday 2 December WEEK 7 (Term 4) Student Free Day
Wednesday 2 November WEEK 3 (Term 4) Year 12 Good Luck Breakfast	5-7 December WEEK 8 (Term 4) Year 10 into Year 11 2023 Transition
7-17 November WEEKS 4-5 (Term 4) Stage 2 Exams	Wednesday 7 December WEEK 8 (Term 4) Year 10s finish
16-23 November WEEKS 5-6 (Term 4) Stage 1 Exams	Wednesday 7 December WEEK 8 (Term 4) Student Achievement Awards
Thursday 24 November WEEK 6 (Term 4) Year 12 Graduation Celebration	8-9 December WEEK 8 (Term 4) Year 6 into Year 7 2023 Transition
Friday 25 November WEEK 6 (Term 4) Year 11 last day of lessons	Friday 16 December WEEK 9 (Term 4) Years 7-9 last day of school (3pm dismissal)

Learning Pathways Conversation in Week 8

The Learning Pathways Conversation is the opportunity to connect students’ past, present and future, building self-reflection and evaluation skills, as well as connecting to goals and actions – and forms part of the Subject Selection process for 2023.

ABHS is committed to empowering students to take control of their future and build the skills they need for tomorrow, today.

The key lifelong Career Development Competencies that can be developed through subject selection processes are:

Area A: Personal Management
Area B: Work and Career Exploration

The aim is for all ABHS students to build these skills in a supported environment while at school so they can continue to apply them at transition points across their lives.

The ABHS Careers website is an excellent resource for general career information, containing a broad range of information on all topics and to suit all pathways.

ABHS Careers Website

Visit the ABHS Careers website which aims to provide families with all the latest information to help students make decisions about their future careers and life beyond school. The website can be used to:

Locate University, TAFE and any other type of courses across Australia
Get information about the SACE
Search for job vacancies and much more.

Students can access ABHS Careers via Frog and parents can access the website via the link below and on the Senior Years section on the website.

Visit ABHS Careers

Pedestrian Safety Reminder

Due to ongoing concerns about student safety and responsibility at the pedestrian crossings on Frome Road and at Gate 9 between Lot Fourteen and ABHS (the road between Lot Fourteen and Frome Park, to the south of ABHS), this is an important reminder that students are to only cross when the crossing lights are green due to increased traffic at this intersection. Recent incidents have highlighted a lack of attention and careless pedestrian behaviour by students.

Students must also use only Frome Road to access the school from North Terrace and avoid the thoroughfares in Lot Fourteen. There is an increase of heavy vehicles within Lot Fourteen, and the safety of all pedestrians and students around the precinct is paramount.

What the Law says

Under the Road Traffic Act 1961 and the Australian Road Rules a number of offences exist in relation to walking without regard to other road users or without regard to safety. It is an offence to walk without reasonable consideration for other road users

Under the Australian Road Rules:

It is an offence for a pedestrian to cross a road diagonally unless at an intersection where this is allowed.
A pedestrian must cross a road by the shortest safest route and they can only cross when the pedestrian lights are green.
A pedestrian must not cross a road within 20 metres of a crossing on the road, except at the crossing or another crossing.

Everyone should watch the road, not their phones.

ABHS Music Showcase

Thursday, 22 September 2022
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Come and enjoy an evening of music at Adelaide Botanic High School presented by the talented ABHS Music Intense students. Set across four stages students will showcase a broad range of music in traditional and contemporary styles.

Terrace Stage: Featuring student-led rock bands and soloists rocking out on the Terrace
Theatre Stage: Refined sounds of the ABHS Bigband and String Ensemble supported by the Year 7 & 8 Lab Bands
Atrium Stage: Be Vocal and Vocal Plus choirs along with our middle school Stage Band and Stage Band plus extension ensemble
Second-floor Café: Enjoy a hot drink and nibbles while being entertained by our outstanding Music Intense soloists.

TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON!

Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize Awardee

After undertaking the Soldier Profile study in Global Perspectives during Term 4 of 2021, students were encouraged to continue their efforts by undertaking more in depth research on a soldier of their choice and enter their work into the Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize.

Jack L (Year 10) took up this challenge and also used his research to inform his Global Inquiry subject. Jack undertook a lot of individual research on his chosen soldier, Mervyn Douglas Graham. Jack forged personal connections with the Graham family and was able to interview them. Along with his own research, working with previous ABHS winners Olivia T & Lara D (Year 11) and staff from the Virtual War Memorial, Jack presented very in depth research of his solider & was able to examine and emphasise with the remarkable sacrifices Mervyn gave to this country and the state.

We are pleased to announce that Jack was successful in the 2022 Premier’s ANZAC Spirit School Prize. He will be presented with his award on 21 November 2022 at an awards ceremony at Adelaide Town Hall and wins an all expenses study tour in 2023. Previous awardees have been to Europe, Vietnam and the 2021 winners went to Darwin in April this year.

As well as being an award winner, Jack has been asked to attend the National Schools Constitutional Convention on 27 October 2022.

ABHS is ecstatic that Jack’s hard work has been recognised in such a fantastic way. We hope to continue the tradition of ABHS winners in 2023.

Sally Ziniak
Global Perspectives Teacher

Laptop care and learning program

This year, ICT has received a large number of damage/insurance claims arising from simple things like laptops being dropped.

Please remind your child to take care with their laptop; they should be kept in their laptop bags at all times to ensure prevention of damage and claims.

Additionally, please check if your child still has their stylus and powerbank. Students who have lost these items have to borrow powerbanks from other students or have their laptop charged at the Service Desk, leaving them without their laptop for a period of time. These items can be ordered and paid for via Qkr! under the IT Supplies menu.

Alternative powerbanks and stylus’ can be sourced from parents’ preferred suppliers.

2022 Interschool Chess Competition: ABHS vs RC vs GIHS

On Monday 22 August, Glenunga International HS (GIHS) welcomed Adelaide Botanic HS (ABHS), and Rostrevor College (RC) to the third round of the annual 2022 Interschool Chess Competition.

The tournament was led by Sabrina and David Koetsier, from Chess Life Academy, who facilitated five consecutive rounds of dynamic chess play. Students were head-to-head throughout, with ABHS taking the lead from rounds 2-4, until Glenunga took the lead by one point on 68 points, followed by ABHS (67 points), and RC (40 points).

Despite the friendly competition, students were grateful to (re)connect with like-minded peers within the local community whilst supporting the wider community. A big shout out to Leon B who won five consecutive rounds for ABHS (featured in group photo) and to Max P – team captain, ABHS chess president, and most recently, the U18 SA junior chess champion – for assisting on the day, as well as organising and facilitating the chess fundraiser.

In the week that followed, funds were raised for Caritas Australia’s Ukraine Appeal to support families in Ukraine who are still struggling as the Russo-Ukrainian war in Ukraine continues to be “marked by indiscriminate shelling in civilian areas with the number of civilian casualties rising to over 12,000 people and close to 1,000 children” (Caritas Australia, 2022). The ABHS chess community held a Ukraine fundraiser, challenging people to guess how many blue and yellow items (symbolic of Ukraine’s flag) were in the jar. Donations to this cause will provide financial assistance and transitional accommodation to Ukrainians displaced by the conflict.

Further thanks are extended to Chess Life Academy, Glenunga HS for hosting, and Rostrevor College who will host in 2023!

Isaac C (Yr 8):

“I passionately enjoyed participating and competing in the 2022 Interschool chess competition as it gave me a strong sense of community, freedom and independence, along with an opportunity to achieve highly while still having heaps of fun! A key highlight for me was celebrating with my teammates after winning an intense comeback game of chess.

One aspect I have learnt about myself, and my peers is to stay positive as a unit even in the face of defeat, due to that fact it strengthens our determination to succeed and have fun as a whole. This was our primary challenge after narrowly losing by a single point, but we persevered and stayed positive no matter the hardships.

Next chess tournament, something I could do differently would be to practice patience and chess tactics to gain a better understanding of the game as well as to consider my options with increased efficiency and success.”

Learn more about the Ukraine Appeal.

Tania Zebian
Global Perspectives Teacher

Supporting Student Success in Meeting Agreed Timelines

With a focus on teaching students responsible behaviours this year, the emphasis in the latter part of the term was on the importance of meeting agreed timelines. This expectation is outlined under the school’s guiding value of “Excellence”.

Whilst the expectation is that all students will submit their evidence of learning on time, it is acknowledged that this is not always possible due to extenuating circumstances. To support students in having proactive and crucial conversations about their progress, the Submission of Work Guidelines (shown on p5) have been
introduced. These guidelines outline the steps that students and teachers will take to submit their evidence of learning by the agreed timeline.

There is a link on the Student Dashboard of Frog that students can use to initiate an extension request prior to the due date. There is an element of flexibility in the amount of notice a student should provide when requesting an extension; based on the length of time provided for the original task and the progress that the student has shown to date. Typically, this is two-three days before the due date. Students are expected to follow up the digital request by having a conversation with their teacher to negotiate the extended timeline for submission of their work.

Parents, students and the relevant subject Learning Area Leaders each receive a copy of the student’s request, as well as a copy of the outcome of the request for an extension. The intention is that this process is flexible and sensitive to students’ personal circumstances, while upholding ABHS’ Responsible Behaviour Expectations and developing a culture where students appreciate the importance of completing their work by the agreed timeline.

If students are unable to show evidence of learning at the checkpoints prior to the due date, at the due date, or at the extended due date, they will be assessed with a Not Assessed (NA) grade if they are in Years 8-10, and with a No evidence (N) grade if they are SACE students.

Kirsty Gebert
Assistant Principal, Innovation in Teaching and Learning, Education Systems and Inclusive Education

Shaving for a great cause!

The second annual ABHS World’s Greatest Shave is coming!

Nine students and staff are taking part in World’s Greatest Shave this year for the Leukaemia Foundation and they’re on a mission to shave the world from blood cancer!

Please sponsor them to give families facing blood cancer the support they need. You’ll also fund vital research to help more people survive blood cancers, while improving their quality of life.

To sponsor the team, click the button below. Thank you for your support!

Make a Donation

Law Society SA Interschool Mock Trials Competition

The Adelaide Botanic High School Mock Trials team are to be congratulated on an outstanding year competing in the Law Society SA Interschool Mock Trials Competition, finishing in third place on the overall ladder.

After a series of impressive victories in the preliminary rounds, the Adelaide Botanic team won a position in the semi-finals, which took place at the University of Adelaide Moot Court on Tuesday 16 August.

The team consisted of Olivia T and Taylor P acting as barristers, Helena T and Tilly F as solicitors, Amy Z and Francesca M as witnesses, and Mihir R as Judge’s Associate. The students met regularly throughout the two-week preparation period to prepare their case, defending the respondent “Wayward Hospital” against a negligence claim.

The team are to be commended on their understanding of complex legal issues and the outstanding quality of their advocacy. In a nail-biting judgement, the Mock Trial was awarded to ABHS’s competitors, University Senior College, by a margin of two points.

2022 has been a fantastic first year in the Law Society SA Mock Trials Competition, and the team looks forward to what it can achieve in 2023!

Matilde Wiese
Global Perspectives Teacher

Responsible behaviour and expectations reminder

Students at Adelaide Botanic High School can bring their food from home or purchase it from Cafe B. Food ordered from delivery services and sent to school is not allowed under Education Department Guidelines.

SAETA 2022 - Year 12 English Studies Exam Preparation Evening

On 4 August, the Year 12 English Literary Studies class attended the SAETA 2022 - Year 12 English Studies Exam Preparation Evening at Wilderness School. The sessions specifically addressed the external assessment aspects of the course: the Critical Reading Exam and the Comparative Text Study.

The evening was facilitated by past markers and experienced teachers of Year 12 English Literary Studies. Areas that were covered included the following:

How to go about planning and writing the Comparative Text Study
Specific discussion on how to approach the Critical Reading in the exam
The opportunity for questions from the audience to be answered. Students were encouraged to come along with questions already written down and have them answered by English Literary Studies experts.

Two Year 12 English Literary Studies students shared their reflections of what they thought of the evening:

“It was really helpful in helping to understand what the examiners were looking for in the exam and comparative essay. A highlight was learning that other schools hadn’t started the comparative essay that we started in term 1. The presenters were very articulate, as well as providing their own personal experiences with the exam, which was very beneficial for all of us. I feel much more prepared for the exam now, and I feel very reassured that I’m on the right path with my comparative essay.” – Will B, Year 11

“It was great to attend the English Literary Studies workshop – a very beneficial experience which encouraged the analysis of various text types to be critical, articulate, and thought-provoking. The workshop helped to prepare everyone to think in different ways about what texts could mean both in a figurative and literal sense, highlighting how we all may perceive texts in different ways but still reach a communal understanding. It was engaging, informative and very helpful in the lead up to exams! There is still lots to learn but the experience brought a new perspective to the way we can analyse and read into literature.” – Sasha S, Year 12

Tania Zebian
Global Perspectives Teacher

Year 10 student, Sam, interviewed by Channel 10

Entrepreneurial Year 10 student, Sam W, was interviewed by Channel 10 News about his thriving popcorn business in a feature which aired nationally on Channel 10 during their Friday night bulletin.

Sam also uses his business as a vehicle to raise funds for kids with cancer and, in partnership with the Childhood Cancer Association, 40% of the sale price of every popcorn pail sold goes towards the Kids4Kids fundraising program. The money raised goes directly towards helping the Childhood Cancer Association carry out their vital work supporting kids with cancer and their families. Find out more about Sam’s fundraising here.

You can watch the interview and find out more about Sam’s business at the link below.

Watch TV Interview

STEM Aboriginal Learner Congress 2022

This term, students from ABHS attended the STEM Aboriginal Learner Congress on 18-19 August on 19 Kaurna Land, the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Amelia M (Yr 8), Hayley T (Yr 10), Monica J (Yr 8) and Jaylah C (Yr 8)

The Young Aboriginal STEM Thinkers of South Australia (YASTSA) welcomed Aboriginal Botanic High School (ABHS) STEM students to the biggest STEM event, and the only one of its kind for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in Australia.

The congress aimed to engage participants with science, technology, engineering and math learning and industry experiences to inspire students to realise their aspirations and take on challenging subjects at school and in future learning. The congress was designed within an Aboriginal community context, to enable students to explore the skills they would need as future STEM innovators and problem-solvers.

Throughout the two-day congress, students were invited to connect to their cultural identity and explore other cultural identities with Aboriginal STEM knowledge to unlock future STEM pathways.

Aboriginal peoples, organisation and industry representatives, and undergraduates in STEM fields brought new thinking, cultural connection, and inclusive opportunities for learners to experience at the congress. Workshops, Keynote Addresses and Spotlight sessions ensured students experienced new ways of working and thinking scientifically and mathematically, exploring possibilities, language, innovations, and career pathways.

Of importance, the delicious morning teas, nutritious lunches and walks to off-site STEM workshop locations helped the body and mind to stay alert for learning!

Barbara Gillis
Aboriginal Education Teacher

ABHS students creating glass threads and building structures in the STEM workshop ‘Innovate and engineer: see a challenge, create a solution”.

Photography: Wendy Lawrie, Aboriginal Secondary Education Transition Officer (ASETO) Adelaide Botanic High School

Studios: Everything you need to know (and more)

At Adelaide Botanic High School, students are supported to have genuine choice and voice in their learning, as they are far more likely to be engaged and take greater ownership of their experience as a result.

Studios represent a significant opportunity for students to customise their learning experience and build that ownership.

What are Studios?

Studios are single-term courses, which enable students to have genuine choice and voice in their learning. They provide students with the ability to customise their learning pathway to explore new areas, extend and enrich their interests, and develop aspects of themselves that they identify as areas for growth. Studios are reported on using the Australian Curriculum General Capabilities (a version of 21st Century or “soft skills”) rather than an A-E grade, helping students understand themselves beyond a grade.

Each Studio is a 75-minute block of time each week, with a strong Australian Curriculum and pathways focus. For Year 7 and 8 students, Studios occur on Wednesdays, a fantastic way to split the week and shift focus. The day begins with Studio One, a time in which the Keeping Safe curriculum is taught and the Personal and Social capability is prioritised. The remaining three sessions are devoted to the Studios the student has chosen for the term, however in Term 1, new Year 7 students complete a series of Induction Studios. These help them understand the three elements of the school’s DNA – Curiosity, Community, Excellence – and familiarise students with the daily routines, facilities, connection to the learning precinct, and the use key digital technologies that will feature in their learning.

For Year 9 students, the three Studio sessions are spread across the week, enabling “Year 9 only” Studios that move them towards specialisations in Year 10.

In all cases, Studios are part of a planned pathway, meeting a number of learning design criteria before being offered. Studio learning design criteria include:

specific Australian Curriculum not covered in other areas
an experience that extends and stretches student learning in a particular area
support in areas where students may struggle
an experience that is unique
being part of a planned pathway
assessment of Australian Curriculum General Capabilities
the promotion of collaboration
immersion in an area of passion
address the Adelaide Botanic High School learning design principles

How do students choose their Studios?

Three times a year, students complete Studio Preferences via an online portal called Web Preferences. Students indicate their three highest preferences for each term, and a number of reserve options (more on these later).

The selection schedule is as follows:

YEAR LEVEL	TERM 1	TERM 2	TERM 3	TERM 4
YEAR 7	Students complete Induction Studios Students submit preferences for Term 2 choice studios	Students complete Choice Studios Students submit preferences for Term 3 & 4 choice studios	Students complete Choice Studios	Students complete Choice Studios Students submit preferences for Term 1 of Year 8 choice studios
YEAR 8	Students complete Choice Studios Students submit preferences for Term 2 choice studios	Students complete Choice Studios Students submit preferences for Term 3 & 4 choice studios	Students complete Choice Studios	Students complete Choice Studios Students submit preferences for Term 1 of Year 9 choice studios
YEAR 9	Students complete Choice Studios Students submit preferences for Term 2 choice studios	Students complete Choice Studios Students submit preferences for Term 3 & 4 choice studios	Students complete Choice Studios	Students complete Choice Studios

What happens then?

Once preferences are submitted, students are allocated to Studios based on the order they listed their preferences. The software looks for the maximum success rate for students, attempting to have the highest number of first preferences, then second preferences, then third, and so on. This process often achieves around 85-90% success rate for first preferences, although there are always students who end up with reserve options or are possibly not assigned enough classes because their preferences cannot fit together.

Sometimes, particularly when a student chooses all the popular Studios, it is impossible to fit all of the preferences. While the aim is to accommodate all students in their preferences, there are constraints regarding staffing and facilities that are impossible to overcome. In those instances where a student has a “gap” in their Studios, they are able to choose from the list of available studios that are scheduled at that time. It’s worth noting that students are never added to Studios that they have not chosen as either a preference or reserve, unless the Studio is a compulsory part of a learning program such as Music Intense, SYNERGY, or Debating.

How are Studios assessed and reported on?

Studios are structured around the development of Australian Curriculum General Capabilities. Teachers report each term on the student’s demonstrated level of development of the Studio’s target capabilities, indicating the “Level” the student has shown.

Through this period of schooling, students would typically be demonstrating skills and abilities at Level 5 (by the end of Year 8) or Level 6 (by the end of Year 10). In this way, students are able to identify where they are on a trajectory of growth and set goals for development in the areas that meet their needs.

The emerging concept of a “Learner Profile” (watch this space for more exciting developments in this area) will provide an opportunity for students to show how they are excellent, in ways that might not be captured in regular A-E assessment.

Some statistics (everyone loves statistics!)

Number of options offered in Semester 2, 2022	91
Number of students in Studios	628
Number of preferences and reserves submitted	7345
Number of Studio classes in Term 3	99
Top 5 most in-demand Studios in Semester 2	1. Australiana Flavour (212 preferences) 2. Mangia Pasta (199 preferences) 3. Gastronomy (146 preferences) 4. Build a Pinata (133 preferences) 5. AUSLAN (116 preferences)
Total number of different Studios offered since the school opened	193

Summary

Studios are a feature of the student experience at ABHS that the school is really proud of. They offer students the ability to customise their learning to develop a profile of capabilities that suit their goals and development. There is an enormous range of interests represented in the Studio program that caters for all kinds of students, including student-initiated options.

For more information head to our website, check out the latest Studio Guide, or contact Ryan Westell at ryan.westell246@schools.sa.edu.au.

Ryan Westell
Assistant Principal, Innovation in Timetable Leadership, Curriculum Cohesion and Operational Design

Lunchtime concert performance at Elder Hall

On Friday 26 August a group of Music Intense students were taken to the premiere performance of a brand new Jazz composition, “Where Emus Roam the Streets”, at Elder Hall.

The performance, composed by Mark Ferguson for the ABC Jazz Composer Commission, is inspired by the dramatic vistas, ‘ghost towns’ and extraordinary people of the Northern Flinders Ranges on Adnymathanha country.

The students were captivated by the musicality and synergy of the ensemble featuring a quartet of prominent Adelaide musicians who explored colour, tone, dynamics, and improvisation in a sonic representation of the country which inspired the work’s inception. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and reflected on ways in which they can integrate some of the ensemble skills demonstrated into their own music making and ensemble practice.

Justin Daughtry
The Arts, Music Teacher

Knockout Sport Results

Boys Open Netball

Earlier this term, the Open Boys Knockout Netball team travelled to Golden Grove to participate in Round 1 of the statewide netball competition. Having now played together for a few years, the team were fairly confident of being able to play some good netball, however, in the first match they came up against a fierce Modbury High School, who displayed some flawless defensive pressure and won the game convincingly. The team then played Pedare College in a much tighter match, playing some excellent passages of netball. It came down to the wire, but unfortunately ABHS went down by four goals.

In the next match, the team played Le Fevre High School, which was made up of mainly Year 10 students. Adelaide Botanic were able to draw upon their experience and height to win the game convincingly. This left one more match for the day against Golden Grove. Golden Grove dominated the first half, however, ABHS were able to claw their way back into the game during the second half. Unfortunately it was a little too late and Golden Grove won the game by 10 goals.

Regardless of the final results, all team members played to the best of their ability, improving their netball as the day progressed. They all represented Adelaide Botanic High School with pride. Well done to all team members: Mack D, Torin B, Liam L, Jackson P, Ronan F, Hudson M, Woody N and Ethan S.

Notices

From the Adelaide University Football Club (AUFC)

Following on from the success of the Auskick program at Uni Oval this year, the AUFC is in discussions with SANFL juniors about building a junior football program commencing in 2023. They propose to field an Under 7 team for this year’s “Auskickers” and Under 17.5 men’s and women’s teams initially, which they would hope to expand over time if there is demand. Currently, there are seven senior men’s teams and three senior women’s teams based at Park 12.

You can find out more about the club here.

With demand for a city-based juniors club, especially with the growing student population through Adelaide High and Botanic High, AUFC anticipates sourcing players from all around town and importantly, encouraging as many players as possible to keep playing. They also have magnificent ovals that are under-utilised on a Sunday.

Significant resources are expected to be invested into the program to ensure that their juniors get the best possible football experience they can to love the game and play for as long as they possibly can, hopefully 30 or 40 years based on the current lower team’s demographic!

For now, AUFC is seeking expressions of interest for: