Yankalilla Area School eNewsletter

A Note from The Principal

Dear Families

As we reach the end of another term, I want to take a moment to reflect on our shared achievements for Term 3. Your feedback on our strategic directions has been invaluable and we have now been able to summarise the key themes from all key stakeholders’ (see infographic below).

I am pleased to share that our attendance data has shown significant improvement this year, with a culmination of term 3 2025 being the best attendance rate we have had in many years. This reflects the dedication of our students and families, as well as the hard work of our staff in creating engaging and supportive learning experiences. Thank you for your continued support in encouraging regular attendance—every day in school is an opportunity for growth in both academic and social skills.

In addition to our attendance success, we are proud to announce that our school has been nominated for a South Australian Public Education award in the category of safety. This nomination is a testament to the community’s involvement in the Escape the Vape initiative. I would like to recognise Tia and Ali from the local council, Peter Fissell from the Lions Club and ….. and of course, previous Principal Christine Bell for driving this work. I see this nomination as a recognition of the community connections YAS values and if we are successful in winning the award, it is certainly due to the work of the team involved, not just the school. Could you please name the members/community groups involved? 😊

Keeping with the theme of YAS winning awards, I wish to congratulate Bu Ellin, Bu Taylor and Mr Nassir for winning the Together for Humanity National Award for Intercultural Understanding. Our students are very lucky to be exposed to the learning experiences and outcomes relating to their exceptional work in embedding intercultural experiences and understanding at YAS.

Our Year 12 formal event was a standout occasion to finish the term, showcasing the elegance and maturity of our students. It was truly a classy affair held at the Adelaide Wine Centre, with everyone looking their best and demonstrating our school values of respect, responsibility and care. A special thank you must go to all of the families who sent in their well-wishes for the night, and to Miss Shute and Mrs McEvoy for their impeccable organisation and support for our Year 12 students.

I also want to extend my congratulations to our Agriculture team, as our chickens recently placed 6th out of 40 at the Royal Adelaide Show! This achievement highlights the dedication and hard work of our students in their agricultural pursuits and showcases the wonderful learning opportunities we offer beyond the classroom at YAS.

Finally, I thank Miss Cameron for stepping in for Miss Zimmermann as Primary School Leader over the last 4 weeks. She has done an amazing job ensuring our Primary students, families and teachers receive timely and effective support.

As we approach the holiday break, I encourage everyone to take this time to relax and recharge. We have a lot to look forward to in the next term, and I hope you all enjoy a safe and restful holiday with family and friends.

Warm regards,

Haley Przibilla

A Note from our Pastoral Care Worker

The origins of the word Community, can be traced back to

Communauté), which comes from the Latin communitas "community", "public spirit" (from Latin communis, "common").

Here in Yankalilla, we share a common unity in so many ways. Like living on the Fleurieu; cheering on our local sporting team, belonging to a community club or church; coming together for the Normy New Year’s Eve parade, etc and of course our Yankalilla Area School community.

Our values, interests, location and beliefs, unite us and give us the sense of belonging that, as individuals, we were created for.

The spirit of a community usually comes from the generous heart of those in that community. You only need to look at a way the community and in fact, the nation, comes together when there is a natural disaster or something to celebrate.

Just this week, we celebrated Volunteers Week.

It does your heart good, when you see the time and enthusiasm that so many people give to our students. A HUGE thank you, for your support of our school Community.

Here at Yankalilla Area School, there are many ways to bring that same sense of belonging and community spirit. We are looking to bridge that strong community spirit with our school community.

We are hosting some special Term 4 events and will need the support of the whole school community. (WATCH THIS SPACE)

I have been catching-up with a few parents for a coffee on alternate Fridays. If you would like to join us, please contact me via the Front office. We would love to meet you!

Sincerely,

Wendy Lindsay

Pastoral Care Worker

Thank you to our Volunteers!!!

Thank you to all our Fabulous Volunteers!! On Tuesday 24th September we celebrated our volunteers with a Morning Tea at Cockatoo Cafe. We really appreciate everything you do for our students!!!

Year 12 Formal

Yankalilla Area School hosted its much-anticipated annual school formal on 20 September, and it was nothing short of magical. Held at the National Wine Centre, the event brought together students and staff to celebrate a key milestone in the students’ schooling journey.
The evening was spectacular, filled with pride and joy, as students demonstrated YAS values throughout the night. We are proud of every student who contributed to making the evening so memorable. This formal will undoubtedly be remembered by all as a celebration and reflection on the year—a perfect way to cap off a year of hard work and achievement.

Beach House Classroom Excursion

On the 11^th of September Year 12 students from the Beach House walked down to the Yankalilla Meal on Wheels. The wonderful volunteers and food safety manager showed the students around the kitchen and explained how everything worked. They had to follow food safety protocols by wearing aprons, hair nets and washing hands on arrival. Students were able to see and experience serving the food and packing up for delivery. The head chef of the day was lovely enough to share the mouth watering mud cake that was the day's dessert with the students. We can highly recommend them!! We thank the volunteers at Meals on Wheels for a wonderful experience and encourage anyone with a spare couple of hours a month to volunteer and give back to our amazing community.

Year 11 Outdoor Ed Camp

In Week 8, Year 11 Outdoor Education students completed their major bushwalking camp in the Flinders Ranges. Students undertook a series of challenging walks, covering over 20km in one day. Students challenged themselves and developed skills in teamwork, perseverance, self-management and minimising impact on environment. There were plenty of exciting and memorable moments had!

Celebrating Excellence at The Lions Speaking Contest

We are thrilled to announce the results of this year's Lions Speaking Contest, an event that showcased the incredible talent, creativity, and dedication of our students. Each participant delivered outstanding performances, demonstrating not only their speaking skills but also their ability to engage and inspire their audience. A heartfelt congratulations to our winners.

4/5 Winners

1st: Noah Bockman, 2nd: Heidi Graetz, 2nd: Emilia Buckle, Judges Choice: Ruby Thorn

6/7 Winners

1st: Lilly O'Brien, 2nd: Tracey Singh, 3rd: Ruby Mcquay, Judges Choice: Amber Durling

8/9 Winners

1st: Christine Stokes, 2nd: Chloe Campbell, 3rd: Willow Boylan, Judges Choice: Jade Coleman

We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to all the students who participated in this event. We would like to express our appreciation to The Lions for their generous and continuous support of this contest. Your commitment to fostering public speaking and leadership skills among our youth is invaluable. Finally, we must acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our teachers, who played a pivotal role in preparing the students for this competition. Your guidance, encouragement, and expertise helped shape these talented speakers.

Mayor's Short Sory Competition

Congratulations!!

Queenie Hunt won the Year 3/4 category of the Mayor's Short Story Competition. For her prize-winning story received a $50 book voucher and $1000 for the school library. Well done to Lilly O'Brien and Paisley Lane who were short listed.

Brewing Up a Love for Reading: Miss Dunn's 'Starbooks' Book Tasting Event

During Book Week, Miss Dunn’s 8/9A Middle School class took a magical journey to ignite a love for reading through a special 'Starbooks' book tasting event. The classroom was transformed into a cosy café, complete with a wooden coffee machine and a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The students had the opportunity to "sample" some of the Notable Australian Children’s Books of 2024, voted on by the class. With café vibes all around, the students read or listened to the first few pages of several books and reflected on their experience in their personalised book-tasting brochures.

Each student took note of the book title, cover design, predictions, and whether the book hooked their interest. As they sipped on imaginary lattes and indulged in the café's laid-back atmosphere, they found themselves immersed in the worlds of the books. The activity encouraged them to reflect on how their predictions measured up after reading, whether they’d continue reading the book, and how they’d rate it out of 5 stars.

The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. Many were so captivated by the books that they didn’t want to put them down and several expressed a desire to continue reading the books after the tasting had finished. The cosy café atmosphere added an extra layer of enjoyment, with many students commenting on how relaxing and fun it was to experience reading in a transformed space.

At the end of the event, students received a special "Starbooks" takeaway gift – a mini hot chocolate kit – so they could "brew up a good book" and continue enjoying their reading adventures at home.

The 'Starbooks' book tasting was more than just a fun activity; it reignited the magic of reading for many students. We hope the class is excited to continue their reading journey beyond the classroom.

2024 STEM Aboriginal Learners Congress: A Journey into Science, Culture, and Creativity

This term, Miss Dunn and Phil had the pleasure of taking four of our Aboriginal learners- Jade, Jackson, Oakley, and Arlie, to the 2024 STEM Aboriginal Learners Congress at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Over two exciting days, they participated in a series of workshops, demonstrations, and performances that beautifully blended STEM learning with Indigenous culture.

Day 1 kicked off with a workshop on native bush medicine, where students learned about the powerful properties of traditional plants used by Aboriginal people for healing. As part of the hands-on experience, they even created their own body butter using natural ingredients. Following this, they were treated to a thrilling science demonstration filled with foam and fire! The explosive chemistry experiments had everyone on the edge of their seats, as colourful reactions burst into life and fire lit up the stage. The excitement was palpable as the learners witnessed the dramatic power of science firsthand. The group also heard from inspiring speakers who shared their journeys to successful careers in STEM, motivating our students to dream big and pursue their own passions in science and technology.

Day 2 began with a delicious and educational workshop on native foods. The students had the chance to try a variety of traditional ingredients before putting their creativity to the test by making protein balls infused with native flavours. Afterwards, they ventured to the University of Adelaide for a chemistry workshop, where each student crafted their own unique perfume. Learning the science behind scent creation was a highlight, giving the students a chance to apply chemistry concepts in a fun and engaging way.

The congress concluded with an unforgettable performance by Dem Mob, an Indigenous hip-hop group. In an interactive session, the audience collaborated with the artists to create a song live on stage- a powerful way to end a two-day experience that celebrated both culture and innovation.

The 2024 STEM Aboriginal Learners Congress not only provided a deep dive into the world of STEM but also highlighted the importance of incorporating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into modern science. Our students left the congress inspired, equipped with new skills, and eager to explore their potential in the STEM fields.

YAS Student Leaders

Our YAS Student Leaders participated in the virtual CE Student Forum on the 19 September. This was broken into several parts, including a session focussing on metacognition (an awareness of thought processes and an understanding of the patterns behind them) and how this supports us to become effective learners. We were also provided an opportunity to collaboratively unpack the DfE ‘Areas of Impact’ and thinking about “what would we be seeing when we see this area of impact in action within the classroom”.

The Areas of impact can be seen pictured below.

Year 10 Road Safety Education (RYDA workshop)

On 13 September, our Year 10 students had the valuable opportunity to participate in the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) workshop, held at Victor Harbor. This interactive and engaging program was designed to equip young people with essential road safety skills, empowering them to make informed and safe decisions behind the wheel. The RYDA workshop is strongly underpinned by best-evidence road safety education, ensuring that students receive the most relevant and up-to-date information.

The day was packed with various interactive sessions, each targeting a different aspect of road safety. One of the key topics, 'The I in Drive,' encouraged students to reflect on how their personal mindset, emotions, and decision-making affect their behaviour on the road.

In the 'Crash Investigators' sessions, students explored the human and environmental factors that can lead to crashes. They learned how these factors not only contribute to accidents but also impact the severity of collisions. One of the highlights of the day was a practical demonstration of how speed impacts stopping distance. Through this activity, they explored the critical relationship between speed, stopping time, and safety features, reinforcing the importance of regular vehicle maintenance.

'Drive S.O.S.' shed light on the unique challenges faced by different road users, including heavy vehicles and vulnerable groups such as pedestrians and cyclists. Students learned to anticipate the actions of others on the road and practiced using both focused and peripheral vision to maintain a high level of awareness.

The RYDA workshop offered an invaluable experience for our Year 10 students, equipping them with knowledge and practical strategies to stay safe on the road. By participating in this program, we expect that they have taken valuable knowledge supporting them to become responsible and informed drivers in the future.

Tumbleweed Film

We are thrilled to share that our students had an incredible experience participating as extras in the film "Tumbleweed," produced by the Yankalilla Youth Theatre! The excursion allowed them to showcase their acting skills by portraying nervous characters during a thrilling western showdown, celebrating the hero's victory, and even learning to dance the Nutbush in the closed-off Main Street of Normanville.

The enthusiasm and energy from our students were infectious, and they truly embraced the opportunity to be part of this exciting production. It was a fantastic day filled with creativity, teamwork, and unforgettable memories. We can't wait to see the finished film!

Lunchtime craft-Yankalilla Show

It's time to start making your art & craft pieces for the Yankalilla Show.
Entries are due by 3pm Thurs 3 October.

Our Year 3 students, Ivy, India and Matilda had fun weaving their magic in the YAS Library.

They used brightly coloured wool to create beautiful birds and love hearts.

Year 11 Food & Hospitality

This semester students have focused on 2 topics:

Topic 1: Paddock to plate

"Paddock to plate" means the journey of food from where it is grown or raised (the paddock) to the consumer's plate. Students focused on how food is produced, what it means to be sustainable and then how to select and cook recipes using fresh school farm ingredients.

Topic 2: Dessert boards

A dessert board is a platter or tray filled with a variety of sweet treats, much like a charcuterie board but for desserts. It often includes items like cookies, chocolates, fruits, pastries, and other confections. The goal for the students was to offer a visually appealing assortment of desserts for people to share and enjoy, while sticking to a budget. The staff all enjoyed the special treats.