T3N1 Heritage College Newsletter 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Our Multicultural Day was a fantastic success, highlighting the rich diversity within our school community. The front reception promoted the day and had a stunning doll collection on display dressed in cultural dress from many countries of the world. It was great to see the effort made with costumes and to welcome many of you to our morning parade programme. Students and staff wore traditional dress or that which is associated with that country. All enjoyed the student parades and cultural dances contributed by students, parents and grandparents! The African drumming workshop was a highlight, engaging students in both rhythm and cultural understanding. The day was topped off by P&F recess goodies and a sausage sizzle lunch.

The Rocketeers Holiday Program was another triumph, meeting a real need for families during the term break. From obstacle courses to art and LEGO incursions, there was something for everyone. If you have not tried a day yet, keep an eye out for the October program.

Excitement is building for next week’s Cinderella Production. This production promises to be a spectacular celebration of student creativity and teamwork of this famous story. If you have not secured your tickets, please see the details below.

Looking ahead, we are actively preparing for 2026. Foundation interviews are underway, while our senior students are exploring SACE subject choices aligned with their strengths and career aspirations. You will find a great article on Careers Week that demonstrates what is provided as we assist students in making good choices for an independent life beyond Heritage.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are a community where students grow in faith and friendship, all within a caring environment for each student. Our cultural backgrounds enrich the oneness of the gospel message, ‘For in one Spirit we were all baptised into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and were made to drink of one Spirit.’ 1 Cor 12 v 13.

Justin Robinson

Parents & Friends Association

A BIG THANK YOU

We would like to express our sincerest thanks for your generous donation towards our sensory room. Your kindness has enabled us to purchase a variety of valuable resources, including sensory boxes, lap trays to support learning, a soft chair and bean bag, a range of sensory and fidget toys, and a sensory compression blanket.

The sensory room is now a highly valued space within our school, used for a variety of purposes including a calm-down area, intervention sessions, and as a dedicated space for visiting external agencies to work with students. These additions have significantly enhanced the support we can offer, and we are truly grateful for your contribution.

Multicultural Sausage Sizzle Lunch Day

A big thank you to Jamie Samwell & Dave Gore for cooking approximately 550 sausages to perfection (!) & also to our fabulous team of mums that helped serve out our Multicultural Day sausage sizzle lunch– together we raised approx. $1230 for our school!

Heritage College Invites you to the 2025 Secondary Musical: Roger and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”

Our talented Secondary students are putting the finishing touches on what will be an enchanting musical! The classic fairytale is reimagined with warmth, humour and a modern twist. Book your tickets now! (There are still seats available on Monday & Tuesday nights). 

Dates: August 25th & 26th, 28th & 29th at 7pm

Venue: The Parks Theatre, 46 Cowan St, Angle Park

Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DBYPI

Heritage College School Tour

Are you considering your community school, Heritage College, for your children in the future? You are invited to join a tour to ask questions and see the school in action.  Please see attached flyer.

Book now via this link: https://enrol.heritage.sa.edu.au/group-tour

Coming Up...

Click on the following links to see what fun events we have coming up:

Careers Week: Building Purpose, Passion, and Pathways

At Heritage College, Careers Week is more than just a schedule of events, it’s an invitation for students to explore their God-given potential, uncover their unique strengths, and step confidently into the future with purpose and hope. Guided by our biblical ethos and the Heritage Active Learning Mindset, the week of career-focused learning empowers students to grow in self-awareness, take ownership of their journey, and connect learning with real-world opportunity.

Throughout the week last term, our students engaged in a rich variety of experiences designed to open their eyes to the breadth of possibilities that await beyond the classroom. One of the highlights was our Parent and Alumni Careers Panel Series, with 11 sessions covering diverse fields such as project management, pharmacy, financial management, medicine, and more. Hearing firsthand from people within our own school community provided not only inspiration, but also a reminder that career pathways are often shaped by perseverance, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning.

Students also took part in targeted excursions and incursions. A visit to Henstock Engineering gave a practical insight into manufacturing and technical design, while a digital art session run by the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) provided a glimpse into the creative and rapidly growing world of digital design. Boys participated in a hands-on resumé building workshop, while the girls engaged in an enterprise skills session that encouraged innovation and leadership.

Year 10–12 students attended a full-day excursion to the University of Adelaide and UniSA, where they explored a range of career workshops in fields such as nursing, STEM, interior architecture, and digital business. These sessions offered valuable exposure to different industries and tertiary pathways, helping students make more informed choices as they consider life beyond school.

The week concluded with our University and Apprenticeship Pathways session, which welcomed students and parents alike to connect with tertiary and industry representatives, further reinforcing the importance of family involvement in guiding and supporting career exploration.

Ultimately, Careers Week at Heritage is not just about jobs, it’s about inspiring students to explore where their talents might lead them and to develop the courage to pursue a meaningful life of service, purpose, and impact. We are grateful to all the parents, alumni, staff, and organisations who supported this important initiative.

Lower Primary - Leeanne Clark

Our Spiritual Theme for this term is "Friends of Jesus". We will be looking at various people our Lord Jesus Christ called his friends. From Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Zacchaeus, his disciples and us!

Here is some samples of writing from the Year 1 Wonders after learning about Peter:

Lower Primary - Jesse Bruce

This term, we celebrated Multicultural Day by exploring the unique family cultures that make up our school community. Each student thought about their own cultural background and the traditions that are important to their family. As part of our activities, students drew themselves dressed in costumes that represented their cultural heritage. We saw a variety of outfits – from kilts and saris to soccer jerseys and traditional dresses – each one telling a story about family identity and connection.

To bring these drawings to life, we used Keynote on our iPads to animate our characters walking into school. The results were both creative and entertaining, as students watched their “digital selves” parade into the school. This activity encouraged creativity and digital skills but also helped us reflect on the importance of culture, family, and belonging. Multicultural Day was a wonderful reminder of the diverse backgrounds that make our school such a special place to learn together. 

Middle Primary - Nicole Lagowski/Naomi Tretola

In 3/4LT, we have had a fantastic start to Term 3 and are diving into some exciting learning across all subjects.

 In Geography, we are exploring Australia’s Neighbours, the countries that are closest to Australia.

To kick off our unit, students used Google Earth to explore the world around them. Their challenge was to locate ten neighbouring countries, screenshot each one with Australia clearly visible, and compile their screenshots into a Keynote presentation. This hands-on task helped students better understand how close (or far) these countries are and gave them a visual sense of where we sit in our part of the world.

The countries we explored included:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Vanuatu
• New Caledonia
• Tonga
• Solomon Islands
• Fiji
• Papua New Guinea
• Indonesia
• Timor-Leste

This activity has been a great way for students to build their digital skills, practise using maps, and make real world connections between countries. Over the coming weeks, we will continue learning more about these countries by exploring their cultures, traditions, and natural environments.

Something exciting also happened - we now have pen pals, we have buddied up with students in Year 2/3 at Heritage College Knox. The students have enjoyed writing letters and receiving replies. It’s been a great way to practise our writing skills and build connections with students at Heritage College Knox.

In Art, we have been creating some beautiful dot art pieces using Keynote, inspired by traditional Aboriginal art. Students have enjoyed experimenting with colour, shape, and pattern while learning about the significance and stories behind this unique Australian art form.

We are especially looking forward to Multicultural Day, where we will come together as a school community to celebrate the wonderful diversity in our school and community.

Upper Primary - Jason Hauser

MAKE A SCIENCE ARTICLE COME ALIVE: PODCAST PROJECT - YEAR 5/6JH

As part of implementing our SAMR model for effective iPad use in the primary school, students worked in pairs to transform a science article- selected from an age-appropriate magazine- into a podcast they could share with the class.

The process involved several steps. First, they photographed the article they were given, then they read it carefully, highlighting the key points. Next, they created a glossary of new words, complete with definitions and images to support their understanding.

They then designed an eye-catching advert to promote their podcast. Finally, students composed their own music and recorded the podcast using their iPads.

This project not only developed a wide range of iPad skills but also strengthened students’ reading comprehension and presentation skills- all while deepening their knowledge of science. And yes, it was a lot of fun!

Upper Primary - Rachel Morrison

Last Term, our Year 5 and 6 students participated in our Activate Program, a celebration of creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. Students were challenged to bring a personal passion to life through deep exploration, problem-solving, and creative presentation. The enthusiasm and dedication on display were truly inspiring!

We are excited to congratulate our prize winners for 2025:

• Year 5 Wonder Walker – Cool Constellations by Heidi Lucas
• Year 5 Pathfinder – JK Homes by Jacob Knowles
• Year 6 Wonder Walker – Wordiology by Venetia Cheek
• Year 6 Pathfinder – Canadian Tabs by Jack Barr

The Wonder Walker Prize (one per year level) is awarded for outstanding exploration of a personal passion with creativity, depth, and flair.
The Pathfinder Prize (one per year level) recognises deep thinking, perseverance, and creativity in bringing a passion project to life.

We are so proud of all our students for their curiosity, hard work, and willingness to share their passions with our school community.

In addition to Activate, students combined their Geography learning with Technology and Design in an exciting cross-curricular project. They explored natural disasters and severe weather events, investigating how communities can prepare for and respond to these challenges.

Using Keynote, students learnt the skills to design and create their own educational apps aimed at helping people stay safe and take preventative action in emergencies. They combined their new digital skills with the knowledge from our Geography lessons, resulting in innovative, interactive, and informative apps. Term 2 and the beginning of this term has been a wonderful celebration of student creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application of skills—preparing them not only for the classroom, but for life.

Secondary - Kirsty Palmer

Tech and Dress Rehearsal 1

In week 2 the talented musical cast got to travel to the theatre for the very first time. We took some of the props and costumes that we needed to test out in the space. The students were excited to see the backstage area and work out where they need to enter for each different scene. The Parks Theatre has an audience entrance called a vomitorium that was immediately everyone’s favourite spot.

It was two long, challenging days but we are feeling more and more ready for musical week. We have two more rehearsals at the theatre before opening night and we can’t wait for everyone to see our magical show.

Lower Secondary - Brett Arnold

Last term the Year 7 students completed their active learning unit (Activate) which culminated in a showcase of their hard work in the Heritage gym. It was an incredible achievement and a great success for both students and teachers. Each group was asked to address one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and come up with an innovative idea for change in that area. Examples of goals that were addressed included: no poverty (2 groups); zero hunger (3 groups); good health & wellbeing (3 groups); quality education (2 groups); sustainable cities & communities (1 group); life below water (4 groups); life on land (2 groups); and peace, justice & strong institutions (1 group). The skills that the students displayed were connecting and communicating with local and global issues; understanding divergent thinking; using feedback to improve their ideas; and improving the structure and delivery of a persuasive pitch. There were 2 awards given for all the effort made by the students. The “Future Forward” award winner was, ‘Big Little Bear’ (Florence Parry & Charlie Jurevicius) and the “Voice of Vision” award winner was, ‘Cargo Carriers’ (Xavier Lawrie, Decklan Scott & Silas Bain). Congratulations to the winners and all the students for participating in a worthy cause.

Lower Secondary - Sarah Burney

The Year 9 English classes have recently begun a novel study on Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah, a memoir set in China between 1940 and 1960. The classroom has been very quiet and peaceful as students engage with the narrative, either reading the hard copy or listening to the audiobook. They are diving into a very different time and place, experiencing the story of a young girl navigating family rejection, and exploring themes of identity, resilience, and empathy.

This novel ties in with the Australian Curriculum’s cross-curriculum priority: Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia, by giving students a glimpse into China’s history, customs, and social expectations. As a part of the study, they will compare traditional Chinese values such as family hierarchy and filial piety with Australian cultural norms, through the lens of our Biblical ethos. One of the key messages to take away from this is that God's unchanging truths, rather than shifting cultural standards, should guide our thinking.

Lower Secondary - Julie Samuel

Students have been exploring the fascinating world of chemicals and how they interact in our daily lives that God created. They discovered that treating simple heartburn with antacids is an example of a neutralization reaction and then conducted experiments to test the effectiveness of different antacids. This engaging investigation allows students to present their results in a formal lab report while also collaborating with peers and being productive in their learning.

Upper Secondary - Evan Franco

Last term, our Year 11 Business Innovation class visited the WestCare Centre in the Adelaide CBD to explore the issue of homelessness. This eye-opening experience challenged our assumptions and gave us a deeper understanding of the complex factors that contribute to homelessness, many of which stem from trauma, domestic violence, or mental health challenges rather than just addiction or poor choices.

One powerful story that stood out to many students was that of a man who, despite once leading a successful life as a senior manager, found himself homeless within just two years after struggling with depression, addiction, and family breakdown. This narrative was a stark reminder that homelessness can happen to anyone and highlighted the importance of support networks, something we often take for granted.

Students also reflected on how the homeless individuals they met defied stereotypes, showing warmth, friendliness, and resilience. One student shared how a man warmly greeted them as volunteers, leaving a lasting impression of kindness and humanity.

The visit also tied into key business concepts. Many students noted how vital a sense of purpose is in both life and business, something that drives persistence, fuels compassion and brings meaning to what we do. Overall, the excursion was not just a lesson in social awareness but also in empathy, leadership, and ethical entrepreneurship.

We’re grateful to the WestCare Centre for this impactful learning experience.

Upper Secondary - Shannon Kennedy

Year 10 Food Innovation

This term, our Year 10 Food Innovation students have been putting their culinary skills to the test with their ‘Science of Taste’ assignment. The challenge? Take a recipe, swap one functional ingredient, and see how it changes the flavour, texture, and overall success of the dish.

From creative flour swaps to excellent egg alternatives, the kitchen was buzzing with ideas, and some very tempting smells. Students worked in pairs to plan, cook, taste, and evaluate their creations, with many discovering that a small change can make a big difference to the final product.

And of course, no good cook lets their food go to waste, taste-testing was thorough!

Check out the photos of our talented young cooks in action.

HeLP Awards - Foundation Bailye

Evelyn Mitsos for full involvement in all class activities.

Lincoln Mansfield for settling into school so quickly. 

Adeline Tretola for great focus in class.

Ziva Morrison for slotting into school life so beautifully.

Jonah Mansfield for putting effort and care into his work.

Amos Maslin for being amazingly responsible all week. 

HeLP Awards - Year 1 Clark

Stella Gurd for being a fantastic 'Helper of the Day'.

Albert Plail for making great choices every day.

Hannah Samuel for writing a thoughtful and comprehensive Bible Study recount.

HeLP Awards - Year 2 Bruce

Amos Coish for impressive accuracy when telling the time. 

Imara Khokhar for amazing effort and concentration in Maths lessons. 

HeLP Awards - Year 2 Morrison

Isabella Arnold for settling back into school and showing resilience in your learning.

Arabella Phillis for showing good resilience by giving every task a go. Well done.

Violet Hill for being a quiet achiever, always giving your best!

HeLP Awards - Year 3/4 Lagowski/Tretola

Willa Pan for creating a fantastic keynote presentation in Geography about Australia’s neighbours.

Jonty Archer for putting great effort into creating his dot artwork in keynote.

Phoebe Williams for writing clear and well organised instructions in her procedure writing task.

Micah Mansfield for writing a fantastic procedure on ‘How to be a good friend’.

HeLP Awards - Year 3/4 Wiafe/Witton

Jachin Parry for settling into Term 3 well and applying his best effort in all tasks.

Macey Neil for applying herself maturely to all tasks and making progress in her penmanship.

Rosie Arnold for attention to detail and excellent effort in Guided Reading activities 

Lily Evans for working carefully in all areas and for cheerfully taking on challenges. 

Eden Crispin for enthusiastically working on all learning activities. 

Zengyi Jin for working resiliently to catch up in Science and creating an amazing Rube Goldberg Machine.

Edison Liu for working resiliently to catch up in Science and creating an amazing Rube Goldberg Machine.

HeLP Awards - Year 5/6 Hauser

Ozias Colliver for notable improvement in handwriting.

Michaela Healy for outstanding results in the ‘Beep Test’.

HeLP Awards - Year 5/6 Healy

Roham Mahmoudi for being such a cheerful addition to our class and settling in with a great attitude to learning

Nathanael Thiele for a well-reasoned and organised Maths investigation this week.

Gilbert Crompton for resiliently completing our Maths investigation this week and then catching up on units.

Rachel Oliver for consistently working hard and being reflective in class, taking on feedback.

HeLP Awards - Year 5/6 Morrison

Ted Hill for demonstrating an inquisitive mindset and showing resilience during activate.

Zeb Phillis for being creative and resilient during work tasks.

Jonah Camplin for always being willing to help everyone all of the time.

Venetia Cheek for showing great initiative in her project and great resilience in mental math.

Maya Scott for putting great thought into her activate project and showing care in her work. 

Jonah Camplin for being respectful of others and helpful in class. 

Oliver O’Callaghan for doing what is expected in all lessons. 

Max Gong for showing good resilience in math lessons. 

Learning Support - Hannah Mitchelson

Understanding Dyscalculia: Supporting Our Students' Learning Needs

Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects a person’s ability to understand and work with numbers. Often referred to as "maths dyslexia," dyscalculia can make it hard for students to grasp basic number concepts, remember math facts, or complete calculations. This condition is not a reflection of intelligence or effort—students with dyscalculia often have strong abilities in other areas but may experience frustration or anxiety when faced with tasks involving numbers. As educators and parents, recognising the signs early can lead to better support and outcomes for students.

Common signs to watch out for include difficulty remembering number sequences, struggling with basic maths operations, confusion with time, direction, or measurement, and an ongoing reliance on fingers for counting beyond the expected age.

If you have concerns regarding your child's difficulties with numeracy and would like to explore this further, please do not hesitate to contact me for further advice or guidance on the next steps.

2025 TERM 3 KEY DATES

July 28th - September 26th

• August 19-25th Scholastic Book Fair
  
• August 22nd Foundation Interviews for 2026
• August 25-29th Secondary Musical Week - Cinderella
• August 28-29th Principal's Conference
• August 29th Foundation Interviews for 2026
• September 1-4 Year 10 Camp
• September 2nd Father's Breakfast
• September 4th Father's Day Stall
• September 5th Student Free Day
• September 8th Resilience Project Presentations (evening)
• September 11th RUOK? Day
• September 17th Year 7 Businesses 
• September 18th Music Performance Night
• September 22nd Council Meeting
• September 24th Volunteers' Morning Tea
• September 26th SRC Event
• September 26th Last Day of Term 3
  

2026 TERM DATES

• TERM 1:  Tuesday January 27th - Friday April 10th
• TERM 2:  Monday April 27th - Friday July 3rd 
• TERM 3:  Monday July 27th - Friday September 25th 
• TERM 4:  Monday October 12th - Friday December 11th

HERITAGE CONTACTS

Principal  Justin Robinson
Business Manager  Adrian Maycock
Enquiries Front Desk

Staff Contact Details available on Sentral under "Resources:Miscellaneous Information: Heritage Contact List"

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Scott Robson - Chair | Tea Tree Gully ecclesia
Rod Case - Finance | Enfield ecclesia
Peter Evans - Deputy Chair | Salisbury ecclesia
Steve Jeffress - Secretary | Enfield ecclesia
Nathan Jolly - Community | Cumberland ecclesia
James Mansfield - Treasurer | Mount Barker ecclesia 
Graeme Shugg - Curriculum | Salisbury ecclesia