YAS Term 2 Week 10 Newsletter
A Note from The Principal
Dear Yankalilla Area School Community,
As we reach the end of Term 2, I reflect on our students' achievements with pride. This term has seen success not only in students' academic progress, but also in their exemplary behaviour and participation in our Ticket Tower whole school reward program. Our students have shown a commitment to our school values, and I congratulate every student who contributed to filling up the Ticket Tower. It is already half way full again so I am sure another whole school reward will be just around the corner!
I am honoured to announce that I have been appointed as the Principal of Yankalilla Area School for the next ten years (2026-2036). I feel privileged to be able to continue our work in achiveing our strategic directions and school improvement journey, working alongside our dedicated staff, students, and families to achieve our goals.
A heartfelt thank you to the Yankalilla Community Op Shop for their generous $10,000 donation towards our pastoral care program. This support will make a significant difference in the lives of our students, providing essential resources and opportunities for growth. Stay tuned for more information on this as we start rolling out parent resources on how we can work together to support our children's wellbeing.
I extend our gratitude to Chloe Manfield for stepping in and filling Jade Barry's role this term with enthusiasm and dedication. Chloe did an excellent job in keeping the Cockatoo Cafe running successfully and students enjoyed having her as their classroom teacher for Home Economics. We also wish Emily Cameron all the best as she embarks on her maternity leave. Her contributions to YAS have been invaluable, and while we look forward to her return, we hope she treasures the time at home with the new addition to her beautiful family. A big thankyou to Barb for her management of the canteen over the last year and we welcome aboard Bec.
I am pleased to announce the soft launch of our new school website. It has undergone a much needed re-designed to ensure easy access to school information and a functioning school calendar. Some pages are still under construction, but we encourage families to utilise the calendar function when needed.
As we prepare for Term 3, I would like to remind families of our uniform expectations, especially as the weather gets colder. Please ensure that students are dressed appropriately in school uniform, including black pants and school approved jumper. A friendly reminder that ugg boots and fluffy crocs are not approved. Governing Council has approved a very smart-looking (and reasonably priced) new school jacket to be added to the uniform options for next term which will arrive over the school holidays. Further info will be shared with you once it has arrived.
Finally, I wish everyone a lovely holiday break. I hope you stay warm and sickness free!
Warm regards,
Haley Przibilla
Principal, Yankalilla Area School
Meet our 2025 Governing Council
Pastoral Care News
The Winter
This morning, the fog was pretty thick when I looked out of my window.
The fog can play havoc with aircraft and road safety too. It was cold, gloomy and certainly not conducive to getting out of bed! But hey, it is winter time... that season when it may feel like life is on hold.
Winter is a necessary season in life, not just for plants but for our own lives. Just as the earth lies dormant, we to need seasons to simply reflect, reevaluate and relax. The deciduous tree may look dead, but it is resting in readiness for spring.
In a culture that often glorifies busyness, winter is reminder that slowing down is not only ok but necessary for renewal.
I truly hope that you can take time out during these winter holidays to rest up and rug up.
King Regards
Wendy Lindsay
PCW
Open Parachute Wellbeing Program
Our school is pleased to be using Open Parachute wellbeing program as part of our Pastoral Care lessons to support every student to learn practical mental health skills.
This program aims to build a strong foundation of resilience so that your child can learn to trust in their own abilities, relate to their own feelings in a healthy way, and change any unhelpful patterns that may hold them back at any point in their lives.
These conversations can also continue at home! We will be including links to parent resources in future newsletters, and we encourage you to continue these important conversations at home. Your support and involvement can make a big difference in their wellbeing journey.
For access to parent Learning modules on the following topics,
· Building resilience
· Teaching empathy and accountability
· Healthy social media habits
· Teaching your child to say “no”
· Building self-esteem
· Strategies for when your child acts out
· Coping with bullying
· Supporting mental health at home
· Changing addictive patterns
· Supporting your child through trauma
· Teaching about boundaries and consent
· Coping with anxiety and depression
·Helping your child transition from primary to middle-school please visit: https://learn.openparachuteschools.com/parent/dashboard
Important Reminder for Parents and Caregivers:
We've noticed that some students are using their mobile phones to contact parents directly for pick-up. Please keep in mind our policy on mobile phones and personal devices:
- Bringing Devices to School:
- Students can bring devices for safety while travelling.
- Devices are allowed on the school bus if the driver permits.
- Parents and part-time employers can reach students outside of school hours.
- Students may need to be contacted about someone they care for.
- Devices should be kept 'off and away' during school hours and activities, such as camps and excursions.
- Students can only use devices during school hours if they have a medical exemption approved by the Principal.
This policy ensures a focused learning environment while allowing necessary exceptions. If students contact parents directly during school hours, it goes against our policy and may lead to follow-up actions according to our behaviour management policy.
For more details, please refer to our Mobile Phones and Personal Devices Policy.
Making Payments
Did you know that you can make payments for everything on QKR now?
Uniform, Excursions, Incursions, Camp, School fees (charges)
Click on QKR app
Click on Yankalilla Area School
Click on either School payments, Uniforms or Fundraising
If you can’t find what you need (or have a credit on your account and need to pay the balance) , payment can be made under School payments, Miscellaneous and you can add details of what the payment is for.
2025 MATERIAL AND SERVICES CHARGES
Thank you to the many parents/caregivers who have made contact, made payment, made a payment arrangement or applied for School card. It is appreciated.
Please note Material and Services charges and Subject charges are legally recoverable.
Any queries please make contact lisa.pinder549@schools.sa.edu.au
Year 11/12 Outdoor Education Sailing Camp
Our Year 11 and 12 Outdoor Education students recently returned from an unforgettable Sailing Camp that challenged their skills, built resilience and created lasting memories. Over the course of the camp students learned a wide range of sailing techniques and safety procedures, developing confidence and teamwork on the water.
The experience was not only educational but also one of personal growth. Students stepped out of their comfort zones, embraced new challenges and supported one another. It was fantastic to see the difference from the start and finish of the camp. At the start, lots of confused faces trying to process the skills needed to sail a boat. By the end of the camp students were sailing their own boats in pairs in assisted. Of course, there was also plenty of laughs when Jed and Hudson were the first group to capsize! To their credit, they quickly ‘self righted’ the boat, got back in and continued sailing.
Amaroo Farm
It’s a busy time of year at Amaroo Farm, with all of our programs now in full swing!
We currently have five Tamworth piglets that we’ll be raising through to the end of the year. We also welcome this year’s beef calves, which are Black Angus cross Holstein Friesian. Students are actively involved in hand-feeding the calves with milk every morning and afternoon.
Our first batch of chickens for 2025 is almost ready for sale to our school community, and we’ll be receiving our next lot of day-old chicks at the beginning of Term 3.
We’ve also replenished our garden beds with fresh seedlings, which will grow into produce for sale to the community.
Looking ahead to Term 3, we’ll be preparing a variety of entries for both the Adelaide and Yankalilla Shows — an exciting time for our students and the farm!
Thank you
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Chris Andrews Fleurieu Contracting and Jarrad Symonds from Yankalilla Seeds for their generous donation of time, equipment, and expertise to support our school farm. Thanks to their efforts, we’ll have hay to feed our animals throughout the year.
You Really Do Eat with Your Eyes!
This semester, the Year 8/9 Home Economics students are exploring the art of food presentation, focusing on the importance of colour, texture, and height when plating meals.
In our practical lessons, students have demonstrated their creativity and skills through beautifully presented scones featuring jam, cream, fruit garnishes, and thoughtful design.
These practical's help students understand how presentation enhances the eating experience. I am proud of their enthusiasm and the eye-catching results they’ve produced so far.
I look forward to seeing their confidence grow as they continue experimenting with new techniques.
Child Studies Stage 1 & 2
Our Stage 1 and Stage 2 Child Studies students have been putting their learning into practice with some fantastic hands-on projects! As part of their coursework, students designed and created sensory boards and children’s books, showcasing both creativity and a deep understanding of early childhood development.
The sensory boards are thoughtfully crafted to stimulate young children's senses through touch, sound, and visual elements – perfect for supporting sensory exploration and fine motor skill development. Each board reflects the students’ careful consideration of safety, engagement, and developmental appropriateness.
In addition, students authored and illustrated their very own children’s books. These stories are not only imaginative and colorful but also tailored to support literacy and language development in young readers. From simple narratives to interactive features, the books highlight the students’ ability to blend educational theory with creative storytelling.
