SOUTH AUSTRALIA VOLLEYBALL SCHOOLS CUP 2024 – YEAR 9 and YEAR 10 GIRLS
On Thursday 15th, Friday 16th and Sunday 18th of August we took two girls teams to the South Australia Volleyball Schools Cup competition where we played at various locations. The Year 10 Girls played Brighton Secondary School first up at Mount Lofty, where they came out firing and played some very good volleyball. They won the first set but unfortunately lost the last two sets. Then played Endeavour College which was another tight game with some great volleyball skills. Winning the first set 25-14 then losing the second set 22-25, with the last set being close having to do a count back on total points which gave us the win. On Friday the girls played Murray Bridge and Reynella which they both won. They all showed great teamwork on Friday sticking to our game plan of having 3 hits followed by a great smash to win multiple points. We finished 2nd overall in our pool meaning that we would play 1st of pool A which was against Paralowie on Sunday. It was an early start to the Sunday morning at Brighton Secondary School which showed in our first set against Paralowie losing 21-25. However, the next two sets were tough, but some great volleyball was shown by all winning the second set 25-22 and the last set 24-12, which meant we were through the Grand Final against Brighton Secondary School. The girls were so pumped for this game, and it showed. There were hardly any serving errors, they were getting 3 hits and smashing the ball, playing smart by hitting just over the blocker or to deep corners and covering Brighton’s smashes as well. Our first set was 25-13 and the second set was 25-17, with Eastern Fleurieu taking out the win and winning gold.
Our Year 9 girls volleyball team had an impressive run at the State School’s Cup competition. They began the tournament with a hard-fought match against Heathfield High School, resulting in a well-earned draw after three competitive sets. The team then showcased their skills by defeating Pulteney Grammar, Roma Mitchell, and Hallet Cove, which earned them a second-place finish in their pool based on percentage. On Sunday, the girls continued their winning streak by overcoming Reynella East College, who had topped their pool, securing a spot in the grand final. In a thrilling rematch against Heathfield in the grand final, our team played two highly competitive sets but ultimately fell short. Despite the tough loss, the Year 9 girls proudly received silver medals for their outstanding performance in the Year 9 Girls Division competition.
Congratulations to all the players for their dedication and hard work!
Regards,
Kelly Bahr and Kristen Rothwell
Teachers
Sports Day
Science Week
National Science week was held in Week 4 of Term 3 (10th -18th August). Our 7-12 Science Classes hosted some of the Junior Campus students, giving them a taster of what they could look forward to in years to come.
On Wednesday of Science Week, Miss Clark’s Year 6 class joined up with Mr Berry’s Year 8 class for some fun science activities. The two classes used a square of cloth, two zip-ties, string and a tennis ball to design parachutes that would deploy a few seconds after the tennis ball was launched. Figuring out how to fold the parachute so it would fit inside the tennis ball - but not wrapping it up so tightly that it wouldn’t deploy – was one of the main challenges.
The tennis balls were loaded into cannons that sent them flying high into the air. Some parachutes deployed perfectly, and others required a bit of re-packing, repair or adjustment before they were re-launched. It was excellent seeing the student’s problem-solve and take setbacks in their stride – very important skills in any area of science. To finish things off, one of the cannons was loaded up with treats and for a few minutes it rained lollies on the back oval.
I loved it! It was amazing, it was nice and fun and engaging and the lollies were yummy. - Logan
I had fun, I liked running around and shooting out parachutes and shooting lollies out of the cannons. - Ruby
it was really fun because we got to make stuff and take it home. It was really cool to shoot our creations out of cannons and learn how parachutes work. - Elli
Miss Lampe (7D) with Ms Parry (Year 5)
Miss Lampe and 7D hosted Ms Parry's delightful Year 5 class. They explored the properties of solids, liquids and gases, then made the non-Newtonian fluid Oobleck.
Mr Doody (7E) with Ms McInnes (Year 4/5)
The year 7’s displayed a solid understanding of lab procedures and the science behind the lesson. It was great to see the older students sharing their knowledge and skills with the younger students and then supporting them to participate in the “doing bit” of the practical and recording their observations.
Miss Martin (9B) with Mrs Diepgrond (Year 5/6)
The current topic of Ecosystems, saw the lesson revolve around the concept of living vs non-living. The students worked collaboratively to sort items by considering the 8 characteristics of living things. The second half of the lesson involved a practical task involving ‘Sewer Lice’, students needed to use their skill of observation and inferencing to determine if these creatures were in fact alive!
The teamwork and passionate discussions that evolved between the students was exciting to witness and both classes enjoyed the opportunity to share their knowledge and establish connections.
Regards,
Jordan Berry and Keegan Taylor
Teachers
Community News
Strathalbyn Show Monday 7th October 10am – 4:30pm
Library News
Jigsaws
Our kindly donated jigsaws are remaining popular. The current one is quite challenging.
Thanks to the parents who had a go at the jigsaw while waiting for their subject selection appointments.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
This is due 6th September. Please return forms to the Library desk or to me at Adrienne.Carter407@schools.sa.edu.au before then.
Regards,
Adrienne Carter
Year 9 FTX
Global Foods Banquet
As part of the Year 9 Global Foods unit, students chose a country to research, prepare and present a signature dish from, highlighting key ingredients and flavours.
Some of the countries and dishes chosen were Thai Satay Skewers, Indian Butter Chicken, Brazilian Brigadeiros, Chinese Kung Pao Chicken, Spanish Churros, Filipino Buko Pandan Salad, and Greek Pita with Tzatziki.
The Year 9s were so excited for this event and to be able to serve their dishes as part of a Global Foods Banquet for teachers to try and provide feedback. The results from all students were outstanding and delicious! They should be very proud of their efforts!
Regards,
Tess Maple
Stage 1 Food and Hospitality
Terrific Tarts Unit
The Stage 1 Food and Hospitality students completed their AT1 Design Practical, which centred on designing a signature tart, suitable for a wedding dessert. Students experimented with tart bases, fillings, and presentation elements, to elevate their design ideas. Their tarts were presented to current Year 12 students, who gave feedback, which will help our Year 11 students continue to grow and thrive in the kitchen.
Regards,
Tess Maple
Music Tour 2024
From Monday 26th to Wednesday 28th August, the EFS Concert Band and Vocal Ensemble went on tour to the Barossa Valley.
Across the three days, they performed at five schools (Riverbanks College B-12, Tanunda PS, Angaston PS, Nuriootpa PS and Kapunda PS), and enjoyed several stops along the way, visiting Melba's Chocolate Factory, the Whispering Wall, Barossa Bowland, and two of Australia’s ‘big things’ – Map the Miner and the Big Rocking Horse.
Each performance consisted of a few pieces each from the Concert Band and Vocal Ensemble, plus demonstrations of the various instruments being played in the band. The audience at each school enjoyed the variety of music performed and enthusiastically joined in, clapping along and waving their arms with the Vocal Ensemble in Love Runs Out and Crowded Table, and yelling “Ghostbusters!” at the appropriate moments with the Concert Band.
With each performance, the students grew in confidence, refining the show, encouraging audience participation and supporting each other. They demonstrated all the school values throughout the trip, but teamwork and determination were most prominent as they became a well-oiled machine – loading, unloading, setting up, packing down, and loading up again.
Please enjoy a selection of photos from our trip!
Regards,
Shayne Tarling
First Nations
STEM Aboriginal Learner Congress
On Thursday, 29th and Friday, 30th October in Week 6 some of our First Nations students in Years 6 to 10 attended the STEM Aboriginal Learner Congress at the Adelaide Convention Centre. The theme for this year was ‘Cultural Innovators – 65 + Thousand Years in the Making’, honouring the deep STEM knowledge within Aboriginal culture and inspiring the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. Have a look at the range of engaging STEM activities the students participated in over the two days.
Regards,
Emma Cooney
First Nations Coordinator
Stage 1 Chemistry – Titration Experiments
Earlier this term, Mr Berry’s Stage 1 Chemistry class completed an experiment using an analytical technique called ‘titration’.
Titration is process in which a solution with a known concentration is used to determine an unknown concentration. Titration is used in both research and industry for tasks such as:
- The quality control of food and drink products
- Testing the acidity of wine
- Monitoring levels of pollution in waterways and soils
- Analysing the purity of medicines and calculating correct dosage for patients
In this experiment, the students analysed a cleaning product containing cloudy ammonia to see if the manufacturer’s claim of ’20 grams per litre’ was accurate.
Hydrochloric acid was reacted with the cleaning product and an indicator was used to determine the end-point of the reaction. The students had to try and determine the precise point at which the solution changed from yellow to a faint orange colour – not the easiest colour change to spot!
The results showed that the product contained 17.5 grams per litre of cloudy ammonia. The students investigated the possible reasons for the difference from the manufacturer’s claims – the loss of ammonia from the bottle over time, errors during the experiment or possible manufacturer error.
A second sample of cleaning product was taken from a bottle that had been sitting on the shelf for over 10 years. Analysis showed that this sample only contained 10.5 grams per litre of cloudy ammonia - a definite sign that cleaning products lose their effectiveness over time.
The class did a fantastic job of collecting, interpreting and analysing the results from this experiment.
How the titration experiment
was set up.
The cleaning product
being tested
The colour changes seen during the experiment
Regards,
Jordan Berry
Year 6’s Visit for Science Week
On Wednesday of Science Week, Miss Clark’s Year 6 class joined up with Mr Berry’s Year 8 class for some fun science activities. The two classes used a square of cloth, two zip-ties, string and a tennis ball to design parachutes that would deploy a few seconds after the tennis ball was launched. Figuring out how to fold the parachute so it would fit inside the tennis ball - but not wrapping it up so tightly that it wouldn’t deploy – was one of the main challenges.
The tennis balls were loaded into cannons that sent them flying high into the air. Some parachutes deployed perfectly, and others required a bit of re-packing, repair or adjustment before they were re-launched. It was excellent seeing the student’s problem-solve and take setbacks in their stride – very important skills in any area of science. To finish things off, one of the cannons was loaded up with treats and for a few minutes it rained lollies on the back oval.
I loved it! It was amazing, it was nice and fun and engaging and the lollies were yummy. - Logan
I had fun, I liked running around and shooting out parachutes and shooting lollies out of the cannons. - Ruby
it was really fun because we got to make stuff and take it home. It was really cool to shoot our creations out of cannons and learn how parachutes work. - Elli
Regards,
Jordan Berry
Year 9 Architecture
Architecture students in Mr Jamieson’s Year 9 and Mr Gomez’s Year 11 classes hosted a Q&A session with two practicing architects, Jenny Watson and Justin Smith. Both architects are Melbourne based, so the meeting took place virtually via Teams on the teleconferencing system in our school Principals’ office. Year 11 students Chloe and Layla chaired the meeting with great professionalism, and everyone was given the opportunity to ask Jenny and Justin questions about their 10+ years of experience working in the design and construction industry. The architects shared live views of current project 3D models on Revit, the very same software students are learning at EFS. This unique opportunity built powerful industry connections and highlighted Eastern Fleurieu School as a leader in design and construction career pathways.
Regards,
Michael Jamieson
Teacher
SSO Week Celebrations
It's SSO Week and we're thrilled to celebrate and recognise our amazing EFS 7-12 SSOs! Our whole school community genuinely value everything they do and the incredible impact they have. They are truly the heart of EFS. Thank you!
Outdoor Education
Onkaparinga River National Park
Our Stage 1 Outdoor Education class, made up of 8 Year 11 students—4 girls and 4 boys—recently enjoyed a fantastic day at Onkaparinga River National Park. With Miss Humphries and Mr. Doody guiding the way, the students learned essential belaying and climbing techniques. The beautiful spring weather, with clear blue skies and warm sunshine, provided the perfect backdrop for the day's activities. The group worked together seamlessly, supporting each other as they developed their skills. They also challenged themselves with a thrilling abseil down from the top of a cliff. One student even helped with belaying despite wearing a moon boot for a broken toe, showing true determination and teamwork!
Regards,
Dani Humphries
Teacher
Year 10 Outdoor 3 Day Bushwalk
The year 10 Outdoor Education class spent three glorious days in week five, on their 3-day bushwalk. The students participated in a 4km orienteering course on the first morning, followed by the 3 km walk carrying full packs to camp in the afternoon. After their tents were set up, students had time to complete some of their journal, where they wrote about how they were feeling about camp and being in the outdoors. Dinner was cooked on Trangia’s, probably a little earlier than most were used to eating, but we made use of the daylight. The second day we hiked about 15km’s and students participated in numerous roles like front and back markers as well as leading the group with navigation over a predetermined section of our route. We all successfully completed the walk, although there were a few whinges and complaining as we neared camp in the late afternoon. On the last day students walked around 5km to our pick-up point, but in one section through native vegetation they were asked to walk individually for a little over 500m, enabling them to soak in the tranquillity of the outdoors while taking in the surrounding noises. Several of the students mentioned this was the best part of the walk!
Regards,
Tom Doody
Teacher
Flinders University Open Day
On Friday, 9th of August a large group of our Year 11 and 12 students visited Flinders University (Bedford Park Campus) for their annual Open Day. Due to our strong connection with Flinders University and their guaranteed entry program, many of the students who attended are anticipating attending this campus to begin their tertiary education journeys in the next two years.
Students who attended were given the opportunity to tour the campus as well as attend information sessions provided by different faculties. They were able to investigate on campus living arrangements and the many food options available. There were interactive activities all around the campus, with the opportunity to win prizes and ask students and staff questions about course options.
Mrs Thompson, Mrs Turpin, Mrs Martin and Mr Moulds were lucky enough to see multiple alumni from Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School undertaking their studies on the day and some students were very excited to see 2023 graduate, Brady (pictured below), as he moved from class to class.
Once again, an awesome day hosted by Flinders University for staff and students!
Regards,
Brittanie Thompson
Senior Leader
Year 7 Camp at Arbury Park
Our Year 7 students recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to Arbury Park, Bridgewater, where they experienced a unique blend of education and adventure. The camp was designed with the purpose of bridging Year 7 Geography and History through fieldwork experiences, focusing on essential areas such as "Water in the World," Indigenous Perspectives, Citizenship, Global Perspectives, and Collaboration. This immersive experience allowed students to connect classroom learning with real-world applications in a fun and interactive environment.
The camp kicked off with an engaging program that intertwined educational objectives with thrilling activities. Students explored the theme of "Water in the World" by participating in hands-on activities that highlighted the importance of water conservation and the water cycle within Arbury Park. These activities not only reinforced their geographical knowledge but also instilled a deeper appreciation for this precious resource.
Incorporating Indigenous Perspectives was a significant highlight of the camp. Students had the privilege of learning about the rich cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of the First Nation people. Through storytelling and interactive sessions around a fire at night, students gained insights into the deep connection between Indigenous communities and the land, fostering a sense of respect and understanding.
The camp also focused on citizenship and global perspectives, encouraging students to think beyond their immediate surroundings. Through collaborative projects and discussions, they explored what it means to be a responsible global citizen. These activities emphasized the importance of teamwork, determination, integrity, and respect—values that are at the core of Eastern Fleurieu's school ethos.
One of the standout moments was the "Web of Life" game, which took place on Tuesday. This interactive game emphasised the interconnectedness of all living things and the impact of human actions on the environment. It was a fun and enlightening way for students to understand complex ecological relationships and the importance of sustainable living.
The camp fostered a sense of community as all Year 7 students from different groups came together to laugh and learn. Sharing meals and participating in activities like the "Web of Life" game provided ample opportunities for students to bond, share experiences, and build lasting friendships. These moments of togetherness were invaluable, reinforcing the school's commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
Throughout the camp, Eastern Fleurieu’s values of Teamwork, Determination, Integrity, and Respect were evident in every activity. Students demonstrated teamwork by working together in various challenges, showed determination in overcoming obstacles during outdoor activities, upheld integrity in all their interactions, and displayed respect for each other and the environment.
In conclusion, the Year 7 camp at Arbury Park was not only an educational success but also an exhilarating adventure that left students with lasting memories and valuable lessons. The combination of fieldwork experience, cultural learning, and personal development has truly enriched our students’ educational journey. We look forward to more such enriching experiences in the future, continuing to nurture well-rounded, informed, and compassionate global citizens.
Regards,
Jen Turpin
Senior Leader
Inclusion and Wellbeing Team
EFS are very fortunate to have an extensive team of passionate educators providing Wellbeing supports to the young people in our school community. You or your child can get in contact with the Inclusion and Wellbeing team by contacting Student Services to book an appointment on 85362455 or you can send an email to the team at: DL.0796.Wellbeing@schools.sa.edu.au.
We have been introducing different members of our Wellbeing Team in our Newsletters and today we would like to introduce you to one of our Youth Workers, Kate.
Name: Kate Yabsley
Role: Youth Worker at 7-12 Campus
About the role: Within our Inclusion and Wellbeing team our three Youth Workers work closely with our Inclusion & Wellbeing Leaders and PCW to promote student wellbeing initiatives within our school community. Youth Workers provide direct wellbeing support to students and support families to connect with community services and referrals. Kate has a wealth of knowledge around mental health services and support and often provides guidance to families navigating NDIS.
Interests: Musicals, True Crime, Reality TV, Spending time with her dogs, a beautiful King Charles Cavalier (Sheldon) and Silky Terrier (Lilly)
Places you will find Kate at EFS: Kate works Monday-Friday and can be found in in the Youth Worker Office (in the library building), Room 1 or in the yard.
Wear it Purple Day
Wear It Purple Day, an annual event dedicated to promoting inclusivity and celebrating diversity within the LGBTIQA+ community, was a success this year with a unique and engaging basketball event.
In an effort to honour and support young people from the LGBTIQA+ community, a special basketball game was organised, pitting staff against students in a spirited and inclusive match. The game was more than just a friendly competition; it was a celebration of diversity, with every participant given the opportunity to play. Students rotated in and out of the game, ensuring that everyone had a chance to join the fun and experience the sense of community that Wear It Purple Day embodies.
Alongside the basketball game, a presentation was shown in classrooms throughout the day. This presentation aimed to educate students and staff about the importance of Wear It Purple Day, highlighting the positive impact of supporting and celebrating LGBTIQA+ individuals. It featured inspiring stories of athletes from the LGBTQIA+ community who have made significant contributions to the world of sports, demonstrating how inclusivity can foster excellence and unity.
Wear It Purple Day is more than just an occasion for awareness; it’s a call to action for creating supportive environments where everyone feels valued and respected. Through the combination of sport and education, this year’s celebrations successfully underscored the message that diversity is not just accepted but celebrated. The basketball game served as a lively reminder that inclusivity can be fun, engaging, and impactful. A huge thank you to all involved!
By coming together in the spirit of unity and respect, participants not only enjoyed a memorable day of sport but also contributed to a greater cause of fostering understanding and acceptance within the community.
Head of Campus Report
In Term 3 teachers have been collaborating on the implementation of high quality, consistent routines with a particular focus on welcomes circles. The purpose of the welcome circle is to create a connected and fun start to the day for all students, with activities centred on promoting positive relationships and school values. Important elements of the welcome circle include:
- Each student greeted by name
- Positive primer (a fun, icebreaker activity)
- Sharing announcements and daily notices
- Setting values and expectations for the day (readiness for learning)
When engagement is high, welcome circles offer students the opportunity for social/emotional development through enhanced peer to peer interactions and improved teacher/student relationships. Respectful, authentic relationships help to foster a safe, inclusive learning environment and improve wellbeing for all students. Furthermore, participation in the welcome circle ensures students know all relevant information for their day and hear about a range of extra-curricular opportunities. Please encourage your child to arrive at their classroom by 8:50am to maximise participation in this important daily ritual.
WHAT WENT WELL?
Our student free day last week gave our R-12 staff team the opportunity to explore the new SA Curriculum. EFS staff are optimistic about the unique opportunity the emerging learning standards bring for learners to not only evidence their content knowledge, but important learner dispositions and capabilities. There were also a range of workshops focused on enhancing the literacy outcomes of students. At the 7-12 Campus the learning focused on the use of digital tools (including AI) to evaluate, create and differentiate class texts to meet the diverse needs of learners.
2025 SUBJECT SELECTIONS
This week the 7-12 leadership team have been meeting with families to finalise their subject selections for 2025. This process informs our timetable development and staffing for 2025 so it is vital that students select their courses carefully. All students currently in Years 8-11 are required to complete this process. If you missed the course selection conferences, please contact the school as soon as possible to arrange a time to discuss your child’s selections.
TERM 3 EVENTS
As usual you will find our newsletter packed with amazing achievements and rich learning experiences. Since our last newsletter some highlights include a Music Tour, 7-12 students supporting R-6 students with practical lessons in Technology and Science and, of course, our Steer, Goat, Poultry and Merino Wether teams are at the Royal Adelaide Show this week! Still to come in Term 3 are the Rite Journey solo camps, work experience and transition for our 2025 Year 7 students.
We wish all of our students the best of luck with their chosen pursuits.
Regards
Vanessa Coker
Director of Secondary Education
Olympics with Room 28
The Olympics were so much fun! We collected newspaper articles, designed our own Australian uniforms. These were very colourful. We then designed our own medals based on if Strathalbyn had the Olympics. These were extra special and Mr Bilney took all of our ideas a printed a 3D medal. It looked awesome!
We then participated in our own Olympics. We had cup blowing contest, longest standing jump, accuracy throw with cotton balls and javelin with cotton buds! We then had our own Olympics for our Potato competitors. This was hilarious fun. We had diving (with the biggest splash) Potato and spoon race, Break dancing (How long our potato could spin for) and we had shot put with our potato. All in all we had such a great time and have really been inspired by the Olympian athletes.
Regards,
Donna Prusa and Emma Cooney
Science Lessons at the 7-12 Campus
Regards,
Belinda Parry and Monique Hausser
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