December 12, 2025 | updates
Term 4: Update 1
Adelaide Botanic High School students engage in learning tasks which are about connecting, creating, communicating, co-ordinating and collaborating.
December 12, 2025
Table of contents
- Update From The Principal
- Upcoming Dates - Term 4
- Adelaide Botanic High School 2026 Start of Year Times
- A Milestone Moment: ABHS Hosts First Alumni Event
- Adelaide University Childcare Visit
- Chess House Blitz Tournament 2025
- Celebrating Excellence: Jennifer's Figure Skating Success
- Class of 2025 Graduation
- Senior School 2025
- 2025 DNA Awards Recipients
- Final Exam Preparation – Stage 2 Chemistry
- High Flyers Off to Space School!
- Holiday Operating Hours
- House Communities Leaders Day
- Interschool Maths Battle: ABHS vs PAC
- Languages Alive Day
- Live TED Talks 2025
- Muriel Matters Award Winner
- Oliphant Science Awards 2025
- Once Upon a Festival
- Our first Ritsumeikan Tour
- Premier's Reading Challenge 2025
- Reminder from the Enrolments team - Leaving ABHS
- Researcher in Residence – Adelaide University, Professor Tak Kee
- SAFTA Best 6/7 Prize for French
- Senior Arts Showcase - "NEXT STOP"
- Social Media Age Restrictions
- STEM Aboriginal Learner Congress
- Twilight Fair
- University of Adelaide Ingenuity 2025
- Year 7/8 Futsal – 2025 National School Futsal Champions
- Year 10 Science - One Problem, One Day
- Year 11 Essential English – Community Partnerships
- School Sport
EMBRACING YOUNG PEOPLE’S CURIOSITY
Update from the Principal
As we reach the final weeks of the year, I have been reflecting on what a privilege it has been to lead this extraordinary school for my first year. Every day, I have witnessed care, curiosity, and genuine kindness in our classrooms, our staff spaces, and our community. It has been an energising and deeply rewarding year, and I am so grateful to all of you for the way you have welcomed me and worked alongside me.
I want to begin by acknowledging two members of our staff who are moving into exciting new roles. After eight years of committed service to Adelaide Botanic High School, Theo Papazoglov has been appointed Deputy Principal at Valley View Secondary School, and, after two years of dedicated work with us, Rogan Tinsley will be joining the Australian Science and Mathematics School at Flinders University. Theo and Rogan have both contributed greatly to our students, our culture, and our growth. We thank them sincerely and wish them every success as they step into their next chapters.
This update also marks two beautiful milestones for our young people. Recently, we farewelled our graduating Class of 2025. Their presence, leadership, and character have shaped our school in meaningful ways, and watching them take these final steps has been a moment of genuine pride for all of us. At the same time, we feel the buzz of anticipation as we prepare to welcome our new Year 7 students in 2026. Their excitement, questions, and eagerness to belong remind us why our work matters.
I also want to express heartfelt thanks to the families who have opened their homes to support our emerging international program. The generosity of our host families enriches the lives of visiting students and creates a powerful cultural exchange for our own young people. As this program continues to grow, I encourage others to consider hosting in 2026. It is a deeply rewarding way to contribute to our global community.
Looking forward, I am delighted to share that we will welcome three new leaders to Adelaide Botanic High School in 2026. Lara Lang will join us as Deputy Principal, and Sam Tuffnell and Aija Mee will step into Assistant Principal roles. Their passion for students and learning, along with their commitment to high expectations and strong relationships, will help guide our school into its next chapter.
As I reflect on this year, I feel a profound sense of gratitude. Thank you for your trust, support, and the way you continue to champion what is possible for our young people. I hope the weeks ahead bring rest, renewal, and moments of joy with the people who matter most. I look forward to returning in 2026 to continue this journey with you and to shape an even more vibrant future for Adelaide Botanic High School.
Warmest wishes for a safe, restorative, and happy break.
Merry Christmas!
Sarah on behalf of our whole team
Upcoming Dates - Term 4
| Friday 12 December WEEK 9 (Term 4) Years 7-9 last day of school (3pm dismissal) | Tuesday 27 January 2026 WEEK 1 (Term 1) First day of school for Years 7, 11 and 12 |
| Monday 15 December 2025 - Friday 23 January 2026 School holidays | Wednesday 28 January 2026 WEEK 1 (Term 1) First day of school for Years 8, 9 and 10 (Joining Year 7's) |
| Monday 26 January 2026 Public Holiday | Thursday 29 January 2026 WEEK 1 (Term 1) All Year Levels |
Adelaide Botanic High School 2026 Start of Year Times
The benefits of the staggered approach experienced this year were that individual or multiple year level groups could be supported in a targeted way, along with students being able to use a greater range of spaces in the school.
The Plan for Adelaide Botanic High School 2026 Start of Year:
The plan for Adelaide Botanic High School 2026 Start of Year has been endorsed and approved by the Governing Council and Education Director.
A reminder will be sent prior to Week 1 of Term 1, 2026.
The school will make arrangements on Tuesday, 27 January for students who are not required to attend school on those days, but who may attend as they are at-risk or vulnerable/or their parents are unable to provide care.
A Milestone Moment: ABHS Hosts First Alumni Event
Adelaide Botanic High School proudly hosted our first-ever Alumni Event, bringing together past students and staff for an evening of connection, conversation, and celebration. It was wonderful to welcome everyone back into our spaces and hear stories that traced the school’s early years, the pathways our graduates have taken, and the impactful moments that continue to shape our community.
Music was performed by Paul Kominos and his Band, as attendees reconnected, met current staff, explored the new South Tower, and reminisced about the foundation years of ABHS. We also celebrated the future, strengthening the relationships between our past students and our current learners. Creating these authentic connections is truly at the heart of our DNA, ensuring that the experiences, insights, and journeys of our alumni continue to inspire the next generation.
Our ABHS Alumni Association is currently in formation. If you would like to receive updates or be involved as it develops, please get in touch by filling in an expression of interest HERE.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a memorable milestone for our school community. We look forward to many more gatherings ahead.
Adelaide University Childcare Visit
As part of Year 11 Psychology Self and Others, students were visited by the Adelaide University Childcare. Students designed engaging activities for preschoolers to participate in, making the day both fun and enriching. The Year 11’s focused on lifespan psychology, with a particular emphasis on child development (e.g. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development). Working in small groups, they created age-appropriate games and activities that encouraged preschoolers to explore and demonstrate their cognitive skills. As part of their D&D investigation, students also developed simple, thoughtful questions that helped deepen their understanding of developmental theories in a real-world context. Overall, it was a wonderful and memorable experience that brought theory to life and allowed students to see first-hand the joy of learning through play.
“The incursion with the Adelaide Uni Preschoolers was enjoyable as watching the young children interact, communicate and problem solve with all our different tests and games was so engaging to see. It really helped my learning for my class Lifespan psychology too and allowed me to apply concepts from theorists we have been learning about like Piaget, who emphasized stages of cognitive function, and Vygotsky, who highlighted the role of social interaction within learning. For people in the future, I would recommend this class as well as experience, as it provides truly valuable, real-life context for developmental theories and makes concepts easy to understand and remember as we are using them in a real and natural setting.” Jack
Tania Zebian
Global Perspectives Teacher
Chess House Blitz Tournament 2025
The 2025 Chess House Blitz Tournament was a fast-paced, energising experience that highlighted both the intensity and joy of competitive chess. The rapid time controls under 5-minutes pushed both students and staff to rely on intuition, pattern recognition, and calm decision-making under pressure. Overall, the tournament was both challenging and rewarding, and a powerful reminder of why we love the game: its blend of logic, psychology, and artistry.
A huge congratulations goes to the winners of this year’s Blitz Tournament; Luthira from Tidli House claimed first place, Prady from Ilya House followed closely in second, and Khue from Tirntu House secured a well-earned third place. Here are the results: Ilya (Red) – 33 Tirntu (Orange) – 27 Wilampa (Yellow) – 6 Tidli (Green) – 82 Kalta (Blue) – 30 Tantutiti (Purple) – 30 Also a huge congratulations to our newly elected Chess President, Aditto B, and Vice President Aaron J for 2026.
We look forward to seeing your wonderful contributions in the year to come. Well done to all competitors for making the event a memorable highlight of the year!
Tania Zebian
Global Perspectives Teacher
DNA Achievements Beyond the school
This section celebrates our student achievements beyond the school. If you know of someone achieving beyond ABHS, please tell us about it! You can submit your story below. This form is also accessible on the Frog Parent and Student portals.
Submit your storyCelebrating Excellence: Jennifer's Figure Skating Success
DNA Achievements Beyond the school
Year 8 student Jennifer and her skating team, Adelaide Ice Magic basic novice, achieved their best PB score in the 2025 Australia National Figure Skating Championship synchronised skating. They are placed 4th in the competition and more importantly they achieved international qualification score and been officially chosen to represent Australia for Easter trophy skating competition in Italy in March 2026.
Well done Jennifer!
Class of 2025 Graduation
Congratulations to our Year 12 Graduates of 2025. This milestone reflects years of hard work, determination, and the support of families, staff and peers.
The night was a great celebration, featuring standout performances from Olivia C, the ABHS Big Band, and the ABHS Orchestra and Choir. Their music helped make the evening feel truly special.
We also thank Sarah Cutbush for joining us as our guest speaker. Her message was thoughtful, genuine, and meaningful for our graduates as they step into their next chapter.
To ensure every student can keep a record of this moment, ABHS has partnered with SA School Photography to provide a free photo of each graduate receiving their certificate.
Registering to access your photos from the Year 12 Graduation:
- Click on the link below and follow the prompts to register.
- You’ll need to take a selfie to activate the facial recognition.
- Once registered, you’ll be notified via SMS once your photos are available to view in your gallery.
- You can also add a parent name and number during the registration process, so they too can receive your photo via SMS too.
*Please note* This must be completed on a device with camera capabilities (Phone, Ipad, etc.)
Graduation Photos
Senior School 2025
2025 has been a huge year for the Senior School at ABHS. Between STEM competitions, Battle of the Bands, the Senior Arts Showcase, and celebrating our wonderful 2025 graduating class across all their events, we’ve had an incredible term – and year!
Our Senior Years community continues to grow, and we wish everyone a lovely break. All the best to our Year 12 students receiving their ATAR results on 15 December, and to the entire 2025 cohort as they look forward to an exciting 2026!
Ashley Whan, Hannah Darling and Brad Stubing
Senior Years Team
2025 DNA Awards Recipients
Thank you to all the families that were able to attend the recent Learning Awards, any families wishing to obtain the photos taken at the awards ceremony, please email grace.weber801@schools.sa.edu.au with the student name in the title.
| EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING | HIGH ACHIEVEMENT IN LEARNING |
| Year 7 | Year 7 |
| Fiona L | Adel SS Andrea C Anhad Ha Arlandria S Barbod F Eason W Eithen Je Ellie K Elsie J Emily J Emma P Enis B Francesca G Gauravie T Hayden K Jiya P Josephine M Kim V Lily K Lotte OS Mia B Naksh S Naysha P Oliver T Payton D Pippa K Rubi AC Sebastian L Sophie J Sophie P Venavir S William L Xyrus B Yshmael A Zayra Z |
| Year 8 | Year 8 |
| Aaron J Aditto B Amy N Anshika B Bareeha A Jessica F Ky E Mihan B Neath H Rosa M Sofia D Tahia R Zia O | Aadvick S Alexandre T Anika F Ashlyn R Bayan E Cacia C Daksh D Daniel H Deetya P Dhairya P Divyanshi B Eadie W Emily Z Enai K Felix G Finn L Hai T Hasrat B Helia F Hrishi K Jayden X Jorgia P Keyaan P Kieran P Krish A Lilah G Lilliana P Lily Hu Liya C Liyana LK Lucy D Maddy M Naresh K Nusaiba A Peter P Riyaa Ra Rodaina E Ruby L Ruby P Sarah A Shambhavi T Sharvi K Sienna E Taya R Tea B Vedant B Venuki K Victor H Zoe G |
| Year 9 | Year 9 |
| Aarchi S Alisha V Ashley E Autumn L Grace S Ken T Lucas W Mackenzie R Max M Patrick H Star H | Aarush P Annabella Y Aryan K Aryan P Calvin M Charlie B Chloe C Claudia H Dinidu K Elly S Golnar AM Heidi J Jaiden N Jasmine H Jenuli P Jonas K Jordan N Julia N Khue L Kiet N Kristy S Lenard T Meryl G Milla B Mohamad H Niamh C Nishtha S Olive C Saba S Scarlett DG Siddhanta K Valentino K Vidunethu J Yanik B Yehi D Zina W |
| Year 10 | Year 10 |
| Abigail S Angus S Brendon R Callum N Rajwa H Rosa L Saanvi M Saike S Sean L Vathsocheata H | Abby M Adiraj P Alex S Ava H Clara EL Daisy K Dhivyesh S Diya N Edie S Ellise S Emily D Erica F Fletcher M Gabi C Hannah G Jonathan J Kentaro L Kiara B Leo T Lyla J Oliver J Sakura MP Seth J Stanly L Tejas M William C William R Ysabella L Zac G Zara N |
| STAGE 1 SUBJECT EXCELLENCE | |
| Abigail S Alanna K Alastair M Alex G Angelos A Angus L Ayla N Belce B Callum N Carla D Charlie DP Chloe C Chloe V Claire H Daisy D Daisy K Darshana R Edith AK Ellysa R | Felix O Inudith J Isaac C Isaac K Jamie T Maiar E Mason W Max CY Michael D Rosa SS Samaira G Sara A Tamyen H Tilda K Victoria C William C Xavier S |
| STAGE 2 SUBJECT EXCELLENCE | |
| Addison C Aleisha W Allen O Andrew T Arabella G Athena D Bahar AM Ben S Bianca M Chloe F Darcy F Finn M Henry P | Liana R Lily J Lottie H Lumi LM Michael D Olivia C Poppy C Rachael L Rachel H Sam St Toby E Yuvraj M |
| MAJOR AWARDS | |
| VET in Schools Student of the Year Sienna AD, Year 12 | Australian Defence Force (ADF) Future Innovators Awards Saanvi M, Year 10 Liana R, Year 12 |
| Lucy Hood MP Kindness Award Abby P, Year 10 | ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Awards Rajwa H, Year 10 Ella R, Year 12 |
| Rotary Club of Adelaide Parks Community Award Isabelle B, Year 12 | Muriel Matters Award Saanvi M, Year 10 |
| Award for Innovation in Environmental Sustainability, Technology and the Arts Agrim G, Year 11 | ABHS All Rounder Award 2025 Lily J, Year 12 |
| Olympic Change Maker Maddie W, Year 12 | ABHS Dux 2024 Prabul K, Year 12 2024 |
Final Exam Preparation – Stage 2 Chemistry
The Year 12 Chemistry classes took a well-deserved break during the final session of their Chemistry exam ‘boot camp’, making dry-ice ice cream together. At –78 degrees, the frozen carbon dioxide quickly froze their creations and added some welcome fun to an intense study period.
Our Stage 2 Chemistry students worked incredibly hard throughout their exam preparation and performed with dedication and resilience. We congratulate them on their efforts and wish them every success with their results.
Glen Arthur and Kylie Ellendon
Senior Chemistry Teachers
High Flyers Off to Space School!
Angus and Saanvi have a passion for space, and their curiosity and dedication have been rewarded through a special invitation to attend the South Australian Space School. They will join selected students from across South Australia for a four-day residential conference focused on careers in the Space Industry and Astronomy.
The event will explore opportunities in physics, science, and engineering at the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, and the University of South Australia. Participants will engage in intensive educational activities and network with experts in the field.
As part of the program, students will also visit the Defence, Science and Technology Group, and take part in a full-day Mission to Mars program at the Hamilton Space Centre.
We are very proud of them and wish them all the best for their adventure next week!
Dr Rogan Tinsley
Assistant Principal: Curriculum Innovation and Community Connections
Holiday Operating Hours
As we move into the holiday season, please note the following important updates regarding school operations:
Materials & Services Charges:
- Materials and Services invoices will be issued in mid-January 2026.
Finance & Payments:
- Qkr payments and the Finance Office will be closed from Monday, 22 December to Monday, 5 January. During this time, our phones will operate on their scheduled holiday mode.
- For any finance-related queries, please email the Finance team directly on dl.1919.finance@schools.sa.edu.au, and they will respond as soon as possible.
School Closure:
- The school will also be closed during this period. For general enquiries, please email dl.1919.info@schools.sa.edu.au, and staff who are onsite will respond.
We wish all our families a safe and relaxing break.
House Communities Leaders Day
2025 saw a record number of House Communities applicants, a record number of House Communities events throughout the year (39 in total), and a record number of memories created by our amazing 2025 House Communities leaders.
To celebrate this fantastic year, our leaders put their competitive faces on for one last time with a House v House Escape Room challenge hosted by Escape Hunt Adelaide. Although there was success from all Houses as they escaped within the time limit, our Tantutiti leaders were two minutes shy of breaking the most challenging rooms record held at the venue. At the end of the Escape Room, students sat together for one final lunch, where memories were shared and gratitude cards were handed out to celebrate and say goodbye to our most successful year of House Communities.
We thank all of our 2025 team for their incredible work, and we wish all of our departing Year 12 leaders the absolute best on their next journey in life post ABHS.
Tirntu: Ayaan M, Ceilidh W, Sam C and Jackson S.
Tidli: Bastien S, Lauren M, Sienna AD and Hudson E.
Ilya: Kieley C, Wilbur O, Scarlet C and Lyla J.
Wilampa: Sally G, Will A, Ella R and Evie F.
Kalta: Donald T, Samaira G,Vathsocheata H and Seth J.
Tantutiti: Lily J, Rachel H, Angus L and Clara EL.
Interschool Maths Battle: ABHS vs PAC
This term saw a very important historical event – Australia’s first ever secondary interschool Maths Battle – problem-solving prepared in real-time and presented live to an audience (think debating meets spelling bee, but with more numbers).
This event pitted some of Botanic’s best and brightest against a team from Prince Alfred College in a memorable and high-quality event. Year 7 students from our Extreme Maths studio faced PAC, the reigning champions, in an exciting clash of minds on their home turf.
The event featured two rounds:
- Quick Fire: Testing speed and accuracy
- Traditional Battle: Presenting detailed solutions to judges and peers
Our team performed well in the Quick Fire round, adjusting well to this new format for their mathematics and finishing just two points behind PAC after this opening round.
In their preparation and presentations in the Battle, our students displayed outstanding focus, teamwork, and enthusiasm, working closely together and embracing challenge. Presentations were scored on mathematical accuracy, presentation quality, and board work, with all participants achieving at a very high standard.
Our Battle team of Vitarl B, Ansh C, Serena EK, Andrea (Andy) C, Dhyan P, Rhythm P, Rohan R, and Thinuli Y was highly competitive, going down 70.5 to 69 points in a close and high quality display of mathematics.
A special mention should go to our presenters; team captain Andy for leadership, quick fire prowess and calmness under pressure, Serena Kadi for her detailed and impressive whiteboard work and explanations of problem-solving strategies, Dhyan who impressed the judges by identifying additional solutions missed by our opponents and Vittal for presenting a complex solution to a challenging question.
Congratulations to all students for their dedication, teamwork, and remarkable effort! We look forward to more opportunities to showcase our mathematical thinking in the future and a maybe re-match down the track.
Alastair Lupton and Li Teng
STEM Teachers
Languages Alive Day
Our inaugural Languages Alive Day was a vibrant celebration of culture and language at ABHS. A huge thank you to all the students who performed, whether sharing their first language or showcasing a second language they’ve been learning. The pride, passion, and authenticity displayed throughout the day made the event truly memorable.
This inaugural celebration featured a diverse range of activities, including:
- Talent Show – Performances in native and second languages
- Arts & Crafts – French tongue twisters, Japanese origami, Chinese calligraphy and hands-on creative stations
- Auslan Learning – Students explored introductory Auslan elements
- Cultural Entertainment – A film screening in the Glasshouse and a cultural book display in the library
Thank you to all staff for encouraging student involvement, and most importantly, to every student who shared their culture, their language, and their passion. This first Languages Alive Day has set a wonderful foundation for the years to come.
Tania Zebian
On behalf of the Languages Team
Reflections from our Year 7 French student performers:
“Performing Les Petits Poissons was an enjoyable experience. I liked how the melody was fun, and singing together made the group feel connected. It was a great chance to practise new French words and work on pronunciation. I would recommend this song to others since it’s easy to learn and engaging. My highlight was when everybody sang together in sync with clear pronunciation. It showed how much we had improved and made the final performance feel successful.” – Anushka S
“It was an enjoyable and frightening experience at the same time, but after many rehearsals it wasn’t as terrifying. I would like to participate again, and I hope to see even more people next year because it was a delightful opportunity. Some highlights were being on stage and performing, although there were definitely some nervous thoughts beforehand. A French word I learnt from the song was nage (swim) and also gros (big), for ‘big fish’. Overall, it was a fun event and something new that I tried in French.” – Audrey M
Live TED Talks 2025
The annual live TED Talks were presented in the Performing Arts Studio this year by our very own Year 12 English Accelerated students. The event was a wonderful success, showcasing curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking at its finest. Students and staff who attended were treated to an inspiring display of excellence, and the talks left our school community both engaged and proud of the achievements of our presenters.
Some of the thought-provoking topics presented included:
Taskin E: The Power of the Human mind: Should we force change upon ourselves?
Tammy H: Looking Beyond the Night Sky: The Power of Curiosity Through Space Exploration
Agrim G: Head vs. Heart: The Psychology of Our Inner Compass
Alanna K: The Emotional Cost of Apathy: Rethinking the Value of Caring
Here are two testimonials from two of our speakers:
“I loved the opportunity to do the TED Talk as a part of the Stage 2 Accelerated General English subject, as I was excited to share something with my peers that I am passionate about. I chose to speak about the power of curiosity through space exploration because the unknown has always inspired me, and I wanted to use this opportunity to inspire others. I enjoyed producing my speech and deciding how I presented it, such as the lighting, music and visuals. Delivering my TED Talk reminded me how exciting it is to communicate something meaningful, and reinforced my confidence in public speaking.” – Tammy H
“Delivering a TED Talk in front of students and peers was an exciting and rewarding opportunity. It not only allowed me to share my thoughts and research but also helped me build confidence in public speaking. The support I received from our teachers, especially Ms. Tania, and my peers motivated me to give my best. Finally, the feedback provided afterwards was very valuable, as it helped me identify areas for improvement so that I can continue developing my skills moving forward. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that will benefit me well into the future.” – Agrim G
Tania Zebian
Global Perspectives Teacher
Muriel Matters Award Winner
Congratulations to Year 10 student Saanvi M, who earlier this term was ABHS’ winner of the 2025 Muriel Matters Award.
The awards profile and recognise the work and life of Muriel Matters (1877 to 1969), a South Australian born suffragist, educator and social reformer who created meaningful change in the early 20th century through her advocacy for women’s rights, universal access to education and opening career pathways to talent.
Students who are self starters, show initiative beyond school arranged activities, engage in democratic processes to promote change and make a difference through their actions, demonstrating selflessness and personal challenge, can be nominated for the Muriel Matters Award.
This year the award was presented by the Hon. Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, and Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Hon. Leon Bignell MP.
Saanvi, through her support of others within the school, her participation in Synergy and her mentoring of younger children in Tae Kwon Do, has demonstrated these qualities in abundance. She was selected to speak about her experiences and motivations in giving back to the community and spoke clearly and powerfully about her journey.
Well done Saanvi, congratulations!
Oliphant Science Awards 2025
We were delighted to attend the 2025 Oliphant Science Competition Awards, where hundreds of South Australian students from across the state were recognised for their achievements in categories ranging from scientific essays to interactive models.
We are incredibly proud to celebrate our own Venuki K, who received an award in the Crystal Growing category. This is a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to Venuki’s curiosity, dedication, and scientific thinking.
Well done, Venuki!
Glen Arthur
STEM Teacher and Health STEM Pathways Manager
Once Upon a Festival
Earlier this term, a delegation of 30 passionate young writers from ABHS attended Once Upon a Festival, which is one of the largest literary festivals for young people in South Australia. The festival offered an outstanding line-up of world-class authors and illustrators who presented a broad range of workshops and talks. Our students made the most of every opportunity available at the festival, participating enthusiastically in writing workshops, engaging with author talks, and getting their books signed by their favourite authors and poets.
Particular highlights of the day were a talk by popular historical fiction writer Katrina Nannestad, exploring the process of natural history illustration with celebrated writer and illustrator Sami Bayly, honing the craft of mystery writing with award winning author Jack Heath, and opening our eyes to poetry in all its forms with poet Joel McKerrow.
Particular congratulations must go to Maddy M (Year 8), who entered the Once Upon a Festival Creative Writing Competition and won a special commendation for her story ‘The Book Nook’, which was displayed at the festival. The ABHS students who attended the event had an incredible day engaging with writing in all its forms and encourage all aspiring writers at our school to apply for the opportunity to attend next year.
Matilde Wiese
Global Perspectives
Our first Ritsumeikan Tour
We have been delighted to host thirteen students and their teacher from Ritsumeiken Junior High School, near Kyoto in Japan. As well as receiving lessons in English, the group has visited Cleland Wildlife Park, toured the North Terrace Precinct, and enjoyed various activities with their host families over the weekend. It has been so wonderful to see how they have embraced the challenges of being in a new country, and how much our ABHS community has welcomed them. I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the homestay host families, student buddies and staff who have supported this tour.
Dr Rogan Tinsley
Assistant Principal: Curriculum Innovation and Community Connections
Premier's Reading Challenge 2025
Well done to all the students who completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge in 2025!
We doubled our participation rate this year which is an amazing result. A huge congratulations to Year 9 student Ashley E for being the top reader at ABHS – 292 books in total!
Below are this year’s participants and their levels of achievement. 2025 is the first time that house points have been awarded for participation and reading above and beyond the 12 book commitment.
Name – PRC Award – House – House Points
Claire A Reader for Life Certificate Tantutiti 100
Tom A Reader for Life Certificate Ilya 80
Isabelle B Reader for Life Certificate Ilya 80
Aditto B Reader for Life Certificate Kalta 80
Enis B Reader for Life Certificate Tidli 100
Chloe C Champion Medal Kalta 100
Ethan C Bronze Medal Wilampa 100
Andrea C Reader for Life Certificate Tidli 80
Lucy D Legend Medal Wilampa 100
Ashley E Bronze Medal Ilya 120
Ky E Legend Medal Tidli 80
Barbod F Bronze Medal Tidli 100
Jessica F Reader for Life Certificate Tidli 80
Zoe G Hall of Fame Medal Kalta 100
Ava G Hall of Fame Medal Tidli 80
Livvy H Reader for Life Certificate Tantutiti 80
Aaron J Reader for Life Certificate Wilampa 100
Heidi J Reader for Life Certificate Ilya 100
Hayden K Reader for Life Certificate Tantutiti 100
Fiona L Reader for Life Certificate Tirntu 100
Max M Reader for Life Certificate Ilya 80
Callum N Reader for Life Certificate Kalta 80
Dhairya P Reader for Life Certificate Ilya 80
Jiya P Reader for Life Certificate Tidli 100
Ivy R Hall of Fame Medal Tidli 80
Naksh S Reader for Life Certificate Kalta 80
Aarchi S Reader for Life Certificate Ilya 100
Grace S Reader for Life Certificate Tantuti 100
Eadie W Hall of Fame Medal Kalta 100
Zayra Z Reader for Life Certificate Wilampa 100
Medals and certificates will be presented in year level assemblies over the next few weeks.
Kerrin White
Library Manager
Reminder from the Enrolments team - Leaving ABHS
Families are reminded that if their child/ren will no longer be attending ABHS in 2026, they are required to submit a Student Clearance / Leavers form which can be accessed through the button below.
Student Clearance / Leavers FormResearcher in Residence – Adelaide University, Professor Tak Kee
Students from across Year 11 Chemistry, Physics and Health-STEM Pathways recently attended our most recent Researcher in Residence series hosted in our Forum by Professor Tak Kee, Head of Chemistry at Adelaide University.
Tak shared his fascination with how colours are produced in the natural world from plants to peacock feathers and how this journey has been interwoven into his world leading research into the production of new photovoltaics that mimic nature in the production of green fuel sources for the future. Tak ran an interactive session, commenting on how engaging and confident our students were to ask complex and considered questions.
We hope to continue the series in 2026, inviting academics and researchers to share their story and passion with our STEM and HSP students.
Glen Arthur
STEM Teacher and Health-STEM Pathways Manager
SAFTA Best 6/7 Prize for French
We are thrilled to announce that one of our students has been awarded a SAFTA Best Year 6/7 French Prize at the annual Distribution des Prix ceremony hosted by the South Australian French Teachers’ Association (SAFTA). Each year, SAFTA invites schools across South Australia to nominate outstanding students in Year 6 or 7 who demonstrate excellence in French. As part of the competition, students write a short, handwritten letter in French to Madame la Présidente de la SAFTA, introducing themselves and sharing their interests, and family life — all within 100 words, 60 minutes, and no computer assistance! Félicitations to Enis B (7CB) on this fantastic recognition! This achievement is a reflection of the dedication and enthusiasm Enis has for French – a passion developed over the course of his first year of learning the language.
We look forward to seeing more of our talented French learners take part in SAFTA competitions next year — bonne chance à tous et à toutes!
Kat Stewart
Global Perspectives Teacher
Senior Arts Showcase - "NEXT STOP"
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the 2025 Senior Arts Showcase, Next Stop, where our Year 12 Arts students presented an impressive range of photography, visual arts, architecture, film and design, proudly supported by contributions from our Year 11 cohort. Their collective creativity, technical skill and storytelling were on full display.
A special highlight of the evening was our guest speaker, Carly Tarkari Dodd – a proud Kaurna, Narrunga and Ngarrindjeri artist and curator whose work explores identity, culture and connection to Country. Her insights and encouragement resonated strongly with our young creatives, and her message about taking the path less travelled and showing up with resilience as the way forward offered a powerful reminder of what it means to pursue a creative life with courage and authenticity.
This year also marks the second year we have purchased a student artwork as part of our commitment to celebrating and investing in student talent. Our 2025 acquisition award is called the ABHS Emerging Artist and is a striking photographic piece by Zac B.
We were also thrilled to announce the People’s Choice Award, which went to Lumi LM for her evocative work capturing the dynamic and captivating movement of water.
Congratulations to all students involved in Next Stop, your work continues to inspire our school community.
James Almond
The Arts Leader
Social Media Age Restrictions
From 10 December, there will be new social media age restrictions which are the responsibility of social media platforms to enforce.
Parents can play an important role in helping young people understand this change and develop positive digital wellbeing habits.
The information for families section of the eSafety Commissioner’s website includes helpful guidance, such as:
- Social media age restrictions: Get-ready guide for parents and carers
- How to talk about social media age restrictions with under-16s
eSafety Commissioner Website
STEM Aboriginal Learner Congress
Late in Term 3, a selection of SAASTA Connect students attended the STEM Aboriginal Learner Congress at Adelaide Oval. The Congress is supported by the Department for Education and co-designed with the Young Aboriginal STEM Thinkers of South Australia (YASTSA), and aims to help young people to engage with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning and industry experiences to inspire them to realise their aspirations and take on challenging subjects at school and in future learning.
As members of YASTSA, Year 9’s Isabelle and Ivy presented their workshop at the congress. They provided their audience with an understanding of the importance of sustainable fishing, as well as a hands-on opportunity to weave traditional fishing nets. The girls received multiple compliments for their workshop, especially their ability to support younger students with their weaving. The Aboriginal Education team are very proud of their participation in YASTSA over the year, and Isabelle and Ivy will receive 10 Stage 1 SACE credits as recognition for their self-directed community learning.
Years 7’s Ella, Eliana, Gracie and Bailey also attended the Aboriginal Learner Congress. They were able to participate in a workshop run by another YASTSA, learning about traditional medicines, as well as experiences led by industry, creating wearable technology at the University of Adelaide. We even bumped into Celestina (Year 10) who was volunteering as a senior mentor at the Congress. Between workshops, students engaged in keynotes from Young Aboriginal people who were leaders in their fields, received words of encouragement from various ministers, and a performance from acclaimed hip hop group DEM MOB.
Matthew Taverna
Aboriginal Education Teacher
Twilight Fair
Our Year 8 Global Perspectives students have been hard at work over the past few weeks, planning and creating their stalls, products, and activities. Seeing their ideas come to life on the night was a real highlight.
The fair was filled with student-led stalls, clever sideshow games and plenty of energy. One of the most popular attractions was the sponge splat, where students took great delight in soaking a few brave teachers—provided their aim was up to the task!
With live music adding to the atmosphere and our community coming together, it was a fantastic evening for everyone involved. Thanks to the support and generosity of our families, we raised an impressive amount for our chosen charities.
Thank you to everyone who came along and backed our students. Your support makes events like this possible.
We’re already looking forward to an even bigger and brighter Twilight Fair next year.
University of Adelaide Ingenuity 2025
Almost 100 year 10 STEM and Health STEM Pathways students were in attendance at Ingenuity 2025 at the Convention Centre in October, with unlimited access to final year projects from across STEM and wider disciplines at the University of Adelaide. Students were exposed to a range of interactive projects and careers linked to areas of architecture, engineering, science, technology, computer and mathematical sciences in a real-world context. Students were able to discuss projects and trajectories for study. A truly valuable experience.
Glen Arthur
STEM Teacher and Health-STEM Pathways Manager
Year 7/8 Futsal – 2025 National School Futsal Champions
Adelaide Botanic High School proudly represented South Australia at the 2025 National School Futsal Championships in Brisbane (24 to 26 November), as the only South Australian school invited to this year’s event.
Our Year 7 and 8 boys earned their place after an outstanding performance at the 2025 SA Schools Futsal Championships, finishing runners up in a closely contested penalty shootout against Roma Mitchell. This result secured ABHS its first ever opportunity to compete at a national school sporting tournament, a historic milestone for our school.
Hosted by Football Queensland at Nissan Arena, the tournament provided a high performance environment for our students to showcase their growth. Across three days of competition, the squad demonstrated discipline, teamwork and exceptional futsal ability.
Tournament Results
Round Games
- Round 1: ABHS 4 def. St Augustine’s College 3
- Round 2: ABHS 9 def. Somerset College 5
- Round 3: ABHS 8 def. Great Lakes College 2
Quarter Final
- ABHS 2 def. St Justin’s Catholic School 1
Semi Final
- ABHS 5 def. Corinda SHS 4
Grand Final
- ABHS 5 def. Cairns State High School 4
With an undefeated run across all matches, Adelaide Botanic High School was crowned Year 7 and 8 2025 National School Futsal Champions.
Beyond the results, this achievement reflects the remarkable growth of the group. These students began as brand new Year 7’s in 2024, many of whom barely knew each other. Across the year, more than 48 Year 7 and 8 students trialled for selection ahead of the South Australian KO Championships. This level of interest highlights the depth of talent at ABHS and the exciting emerging players who will continue to strengthen our sporting programs in the years ahead.
Through early morning training sessions, state carnivals, indoor and outdoor KO competitions and dedicated holiday futsal programs, the team developed the resilience, commitment and maturity needed to excel on the national stage.
We are immensely proud of the players for representing both South Australia and ABHS. Bringing home a national title is a milestone achievement that will proudly sit in our school’s sporting history for years to come.
It has been a privilege to coach this group and I am excited to see where their hard work and teamwork take them next. I would also like to thank our ABHS community and families for their unwavering support throughout this journey. This achievement is something we can all celebrate together.
Jack Ward
Lifestyle Choices Teacher
Year 10 Science - One Problem, One Day
As a part of the Year 10 Science course, Term 4 takes a focus on the environmental challenges facing our planet. The content begins at the global level and works its way down to our local ecosystems over the weeks, with the persistent idea of “One Day, One Problem”.
Each week, students are introduced to a new problem and equipped with the scientific understanding to help build solutions. The classes take these ideas to develop and conduct experiments within their sessions, and observe the practicality of their work.
In week 3, students looked into the science of plastics and microplastics, along with the corresponding issue of their widespread pollution and extensive degradation timeframe. Part of the solution was to substitute petroleum based plastics, with the creation of bioplastics made from renewable sources such as corn starch and tapioca starch. Many versatile plastics were made by the students with some keen to show them off. The next step will be to observe the plastic degradation over the rest of the term.
In week 4, the focus now shifts to the local waterways and the high presence of nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates that lead to large algal blooms. As a starting point, students have collected samples from the Karrawirra Parri and will conduct some visual analysis under microscope to identify potential contaminants within the river.
As we move forward, students will test different methods of chemical filtration and assess the feasibility and safety of implementations to critical water sources.
Year 11 Essential English – Community Partnerships
Over Term 4, our Year 11 Essential English students have been taking part in weekly volunteer visits to Helping Hand Aged Care in North Adelaide. These visits have given students a unique opportunity to connect with older generations and hear stories from people with extraordinary life journeys, including former soldiers from the Vietnam War, journalists, artists, teachers, and musicians.
As part of the SACE Oral Communication prototype, students developed real-world communication skills through board games, conversations, and interviews with residents about their life stories. They then reflected on what they learned about ageing, identity, resilience, and the importance of intergenerational connection.
Here are some reflections they shared:
“I learned that ageing can really change the way people look back on their lives… one of the residents talked about losing his wife, and it showed me how much strength it takes to keep going after something that hard.”
“Talking with seniors helped me learn about their generation and how they once lived, and for them, how our current generation lives now. It was emotional hearing how little freedom they had back then. It made me feel grateful for the opportunities I have now.”
We are incredibly proud of the students’ engagement, compassion, and willingness to learn from the wisdom of those who came before them. Thank you to Helping Hand for welcoming our students each week — and to the residents who shared their stories.
Kristy
Global Perspectives Teacher
School Sport
Year 9-10 Boys KO Tennis
An overcast morning had the Year 9/10 Tennis team venture down to Unley to compete for a spot in the Knockout Finals. Battling it out against both Unley and Golden Grove High School, the team left with pride as they were able to secure their spot in the Knockout Finals!
Going up against Unley High first, Julian and Aaron were able to comfortably secure the No.2 Doubles, winning 6-1. For the No.1 Doubles, Dylan and Oscar attempted a comeback but unfortunately lost. However, the extra games won proved to be important in the final match score, helping us break through a tie, winning 3 SETS 27 GAMES to Unley’s 3 SETS 26 GAMES. With back-to-back matches, the team immediately faced Golden Grove where Julian and Dharija dominated the No.2 Doubles with a 6-0 win! Facing an extremely strong No.1 Doubles, Dylan and Oscar were unfortunately unsuccessful in their attempt for a win but still showed much fight in their singles. For the 3rd and 4th singles, both Julian and Aaron dominated with a 6-1 win over their opponents. This helped lead us to a 3 SETS 23 GAMES to 3 SETS 20 GAMES victory, carrying us through to the finals after winning both matches!
Chris Cheng
Pre-Service Teacher
Year 7-9 Mixed Table Tennis - State Finals
Our Year 7-9 table tennis team represented the school proudly at the State Finals held at the Woodville Table Tennis Club. The boys faced a tough first match against the eventual champions, Glenunga International High School, and despite a strong effort, went down narrowly. From there, however, they found their rhythm and went undefeated for the rest of the day, beating the teams of Adelaide High, Temple Christian College, St George College and Sacred Heart.
The team displayed excellent teamwork, consistency, and skill and it was a fantastic effort from all involved.
Lachie Christie
Lifestyle Choices Teacher
Year 7/8 Boys KO Cricket
Our Year 7/8 Boys KO Cricket team travelled to Sacred Heart to compete to get into the T20 Cricket Finals. ABHS won the toss and decided to bowl first on a lovely sunny day for cricket. The opening bowlers did a great job of keeping the scoring low and taking crucial wickets. After 20 overs in the field and a great performance from our bowlers and fielders, Sacred Heart scored a total of 116 runs. The opening batters started well holding off a fast bowling attack from Sacred Heart. After losing a few wickets the run rate slowed as the batters needed to play more defensive. The team did a great job of batting out the 20 overs, but unfortunately fell short of the total, scoring 68 runs. Denil P was a stand out bowler with figures of 3/14 and Mihan B was the top scorer with 12 runs.
Callan Hammond
Lifestyle Choices Teacher