Newsletter - Term 3, Week 10 2025
Principal's Update
As we approach the end of Term 3, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and partnership. This term has been extremely busy and productive, marked by achievements, transitions, and exciting opportunities for our school community. It’s hard to believe that in just a few weeks, our Year 12 students will return for their last fortnight of lessons before heading into SWOTVAC and their final exams. The year has flown by!
Farewell and Good Luck to Shane Matei
At the end of this term, we bid farewell to Shane Matei, who has served Golden Grove High School with passion and dedication for 17 years. Shane has accepted a Program Leader position at the new Technical College at the Heights. Over the years, Shane has been an exceptional Science teacher, a supportive mentor to student leaders, and a very successful VET leader.
While Shane's departure is a great loss for our school, it’s also an exciting new chapter for him. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and know he will excel in his new role. From Term 4, Casey Roe will step into the role of VET Leader. Casey, coming to us from Mark Oliphant College, brings excellent experience as a VET and Careers Education Leader. We are thrilled to welcome her into our community.
Golden Graze – A Public Education Awards Finalist
Huge congratulations go to Cherie Dawkins and the Golden Graze Team for being recognised as a finalist in the 2025 Public Education Awards' Inclusive Practices in Education category. Whether they win or not, this recognition speaks volumes about the initiative’s positive impact on students with disabilities. Outstanding work, Cherie and the team! We will find out the outcome at the Awards Dinner on Friday 7 November.
Student Excellence at Tea Tree Gully Youth Achievement Awards
On Thursday 28 August, Marc Wallis and I had the pleasure of attending the Tea Tree Gully Youth Achievement Awards, where our students impressed everyone by winning the three categories we were nominated in:
Together We Can Award
Year 11 student leaders Addison, Brydie, Jelique, Mia, Talise, and Tayla received this award for their outstanding leadership in organising a school-wide fundraiser for the Big AL Foundation, raising an incredible $7,500.
Peer Choice Award
Brydie Fraser triumphed as the winner of this award for her inspiring leadership within the school, including spearheading charity events and launching our new positive school values recognition initiative.
Young Entrepreneur Award
Recent graduate Alisha Richardson won this award for her innovative crocheting business, which she runs in her spare time. Alisha is now thriving in her Speech Pathology studies at Flinders University.
We are incredibly proud of these students and their accomplishments—what a fantastic representation of Golden Grove High School’s positive contributions to our community!
World Teachers Day – Friday 24 October
We formally celebrate the work of our fabulous teachers and their amazing contributions to educating the young people in our community on Friday 24 October. We will celebrate with a morning tea catered by the incredible Golden Graze team. However, there is a way you can contribute to the success of the day by sending through a ‘shout out’ to that special teacher or teachers who have gone above and beyond for your child. Simply go to the school’s website and click on the “Thank a Staff Member’ tile on the home page or click below. We will make sure your message gets to the teacher(s) ready for our celebrations on the Friday.
https://forms.office.com/r/HcsSUw5pYr
Spectacular Dance Performances
Congratulations to the GGHS dance team of Lynette, Coby, and Alyssa for putting on breathtaking Year 10-12 performances that wowed sold-out crowds at the Rec and Arts Centre in week 8. The talent of our students, combined with the dedication of our amazing dance teachers, made these shows unforgettable.
Even more exciting, our dance students have been invited to perform at the Public Education Awards dinner and the Christmas Pageant. This recognition is a testament to the excellence of GGHS's Special Entry Dance program.
Revitalising Ties with Seto Junior High School in Japan
For over 30 years, Golden Grove High School has shared a sister school agreement with Seto Junior High School in Japan. However, the pandemic forced a pause in our student and staff exchanges.
I am delighted to report that later this week, Hayley Moat will travel to Seto for two weeks to re-establish these connections. Hayley will teach Spanish lessons and work to secure future opportunities for our students, including the possibility of homestay visits during the term 3 holidays in 2026. Hayley has a significant task ahead but is well-equipped for the challenge. We wish her all the best and look forward to hearing the outcomes of her trip!
Once again, my sincere thanks to everyone—students, families, and staff—for your contributions to making Term 3 a success. Enjoy the upcoming school holidays and take the opportunity to recharge.
Peter Kuss
Principal
Meet GGHS Family
Zsahni Karagiannis
Position- One+ Curriculum and Innovations Leader
Education (school)- West Lakes Shore PS, St Mary's College
Education (tertiary) – Adelaide University
Interest/Hobbies – Gardening (ornamental and productive). My garden is around 2000m2 of which 450m2 is lawn, 900m2 is ornamental and the rest is productive. We have recently built a large commercial style greenhouse and have begun to propagate seedlings. I could spend every day in these spaces.
Favourite Drink – It's a tie between sparkling water and coffee.
Overseas Travel – I have only travelled to a few places overseas including Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Greece, Turkey, Vanuatu, New Caledonia & New Zealand. We are planning to go to Vietnam and Fiji soon. My favourite destination thus far has been Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with Singapore and Hong Kong a close second.
If I could go to dinner with anyone - I'm not very interested in celebrities and don't follow anyone. I would like one last dinner party with family members we have lost.
Proudest Accomplishment – Professionally, from a Science point of view, I think receiving the SASTA award (Outstanding Contribution to Science Teaching) a few years ago. In my current role, the redevelopment of spaces to accommodate additional VET pathways and improve the experience for existing courses. From a non-work point of view, completion of the last building project I managed.
Senior School
The Class of 2025 celebrated their main event, the School Formal on Friday, 25 July at the Convention Centre.
The evening began with a beautifully presented alternate-drop meal featuring:
- Char-grilled Barossa Valley chicken breast with native thyme Kipfer potatoes, garlic-fried green beans, honey-roasted carrot purée, balsamic onion jam, crispy prosciutto shard, and a Coriole verjuice glaze.
- Char-grilled beef fillet with Olga’s Beef Boss RBU braised short rib, stock-braised potato, cauliflower purée, broccolini, roasted heirloom carrots, and jus.
Dessert was equally indulgent: Haigh’s chocolate & salted caramel fudge cake with whipped chocolate ganache and rosella & raspberry ice cream.
From there, the dance floor came alive. Students sang loudly, danced boldly, and had such a wonderful time that no one wanted the night to end.
One unforgettable highlight was when several students grabbed the microphone and kicked off a High School Musical flash mob, joined by more than 30 others—a moment I will remember for the rest of my career.
Another standout was the sequence of group dances: first the Nutbush, followed by the line dance to Lil Boo Thang, both perfected earlier in the year with guidance from our dance expert, Lynette Haines. But the most magical moment came when everyone joined in the four-person line dance to Love is in the Air. The entire group wound their way around the dance floor, leaving the Convention Centre staff stunned as they stopped to watch.
Not only did the Class of 2025 look spectacular—they behaved spectacularly.
Class of 2025, you made us all proud.
QUINGO is an annual event that never disappoints. A mix of quiz questions, bingo, music, laughter, and plenty of fun—it’s always a highlight of the Year 12 school calendar. This year was no different, with the night proving a huge success and the perfect way to finish what is often the most hectic term of Year 12.
Adding to the atmosphere, tables embraced the tradition of choosing themes. We saw everything from brides, grooms, and bridesmaids to pyjamas and bright-coloured wigs.
Prizes were awarded across the night for Heads and Tails, longest plank, BINGO winners, and of course, the overall 1st and 2nd table prizes. It was the Smokin Joes who claimed the top spot, closely followed by Are We Right? in second place.
It truly was the perfect way to close out Term 3, full of energy, laughter, and celebration. Students are now looking forward to trial exams in the last week of holidays followed by their last few weeks of exams before coming home strongly in end of year exams. It will not be long now before we are farewelling them at graduation.
Students are preparing for trial exams in the final week of the holidays, followed by their remaining assessments before concluding with end-of-year exams. It won’t be long before we’re celebrating their journey and farewelling them at graduation.
School Formal
QUINGO
Middle School
Year 8 Core Teacher Structure Update
We would like to share an important update regarding the structure of our Year 8 classes. After staff consultation and a successful endorsement of our proposal, we will be moving away from the current model where Year 8 students are limited to just three core teachers across Global Perspectives, Mathematics, Science, and Healthy Lifestyles.
This change was carefully considered, and our staff believe it will bring several benefits for both students and teachers:
- Teaching Expertise: Students will now learn from subject specialists in each area, giving them the best possible experience in Mathematics, Science, Global Perspectives, and Healthy Lifestyles.
- Student Growth: By Year 8, students are ready to take the next step in their secondary schooling journey. Having a broader range of teachers will help them build independence, adaptability, and confidence as they prepare for Year 9 and senior years.
- Staffing Flexibility: This change allows us to make the best use of our teachers’ skills and ensure classes are timetabled more effectively, supporting high-quality teaching and learning across the school.
- Connection and Belonging: Importantly, students will continue to do their core learning in these subjects with their Grove class. This means they will still benefit from strong relationships with their Grove peers and their Grove teacher, while also accessing the expertise of subject specialists. This balance ensures students feel supported and connected while developing the independence needed for success in the later years.
We are confident this adjustment will strengthen student learning and wellbeing by giving them access to passionate subject experts while also preparing them for the structures of senior secondary schooling.
We look forward to working with families to support students through this positive change.
Kirsty Ujhelyi
Assistant Principal: Head of Middle School & High-Quality Teaching and Learning
Middle Years Fidget Boxes
As part of our inclusive practices here at Golden Grove High School, we are piloting the use of ten new fidget boxes. These boxes can be borrowed by middle years teachers for classes in the middle years building. There is also a box in the Learning Centre to complement their current range.
Each box contains 10 fidgets for different sensory needs. Teachers can borrow the boxes for use with their classes, and each box is slightly different to accommodate for a variety of needs and preferences.
Many individuals benefit from the use of sensory tools in learning environments. They provide discrete movement for those who struggle to sit still for long periods of time and can provide calming textures or movements for those who are overstimulated by learning environments.
There are no pre-requisites for accessing these sensory tools, they are available to all.
Year 8 Positive Behaviour Record Champions!
At the beginning of this term, our Year 8's were set a challenge. To beat their Positive Behaviour Chronicle (PBC) record from term 2, which was already incredibly high at 928!
The Year 8 leaders challenged the students to not only break their record, but to see if we could take it over 1000 this term.
To do this our students need to demonstrate above and beyond commitment to our school's values or use of their learner dispositions. Each PBC recorded by our staff is sent home to the family via email so you can celebrate alongside your child AND 3 points awarded to their House.
We are incredibly proud to report that as of Friday week 10, our year 8's earned 1024 PBC's!!!
We didn't initially have a prize or celebration planned, but with such an outstanding effort by the students as positive members of our school community, we don't want this to go unnoticed... so stay tuned for early term 4 celebrations in ID Program!
Ben Wilson, Rebecca Prout and Sarah West
Year 8 Leadership Team
Learning in Action
Year 8 Science
As part of the unit of work on plate tectonics in science, students learnt about and researched structural features of earthquake-proof buildings. Then they designed and constructed models of their buildings and conducted experiments to test how well their structures stood up to the stress of an earthquake.
Spanish Language Assistant at GGHS
We are very lucky to have a Spanish Language Assistant, Carlos from Spain, with us this semester!
So far, he has danced along with us in our Latin Dance and Music Day, taught us a Spanish song with his guitar, taught us about Murcia where he is from, supported our Year 7 to Stage 2 Spanish classes with their in-class learning and preparing Year 11s for the Stage 2 oral exam next term!
Gracias Carlos!
Señorita Carrington and Señor McLeod-Axturaspe
Spanish Language Teachers
Engineers in the Classroom Take Learning to New Heights
Last week, we welcomed engineers from Lockheed Martin Australia into our Year 7–9 Science classes for an engaging, hands-on session as part of the Engineers in the Classroom (EITC) program. The students participated in a paper plane challenge, using real-world engineering principles to design, test and refine their creations.
Working in teams, students were guided through a simplified Engineering Design Process and introduced to key project management skills. With set constraints and clear design requirements, they were tasked with building a paper plane that could achieve both distance and stability. The session finished with group presentations, where students reflected on their designs, what worked, and what they’d do differently next time.
This activity is part of a broader initiative that Lockheed Martin Australia has been delivering since 2011. The EITC program offers 30–90 minute workshops designed to promote STEM skills through practical, team-based challenges.
A big thank you to the Lockheed Martin team for making engineering real, relevant and exciting for our students!
Tasting Science: Stage 1 Nutrition Students Explore Sensory Analysis
Our senior Nutrition students recently brought science to life — and to the tastebuds — as they conducted a sensory analysis practical across several of our Science classes.
As part of their studies on food evaluation and perception, students designed and delivered activities that explored the sight, smell, taste, texture and even sound of different foods. Year 7–11 Science students were invited to participate in taste tests, record observations, and reflect on how the senses impact food choices.
It was a fantastic opportunity for peer learning, hands-on investigation and a deliciously fun way to link Nutrition and Science in action.
Well done to our Nutrition students for leading with confidence and curiosity!
Year 8 Physics – Rube Goldberg Machines
Miss Charlton's Year 8 science class has been busy exploring the fascinating world of energy transfers and simple machines by designing their very own Goldberg machines! These creative contraptions—famous for using a chain reaction of levers, pulleys, ramps, and more—were built to complete a simple task in the most entertainingly complicated way possible.
Through this hands-on project, students put their physics knowledge into practice, demonstrating concepts like kinetic and potential energy, friction, and force, all while showcasing problem-solving, persistence, and teamwork. The results were both inventive and impressive, with plenty of laughter along the way.
Congratulations to our winners:
Most practical: Nate, Brody & Soren (filling the water balloon)
Most creative: Ishaan, Lachlan & Harrison (the water bottle pulley)
Best teamwork: Ava, Sofia & Abbie (Oreo in a cup)
Law and Society - You be the judge!
Mrs West's Year 9 Law and Society class have been learning that legislation is not easy reading and decisions judges must make in court are not always so simple!
Through learning the court hierarchical system, and objectives of justice, students have been challenged through mock crime scenarios to decide on the best outcome for victims and society. Not always coming to a consensus on appropriate sanction, this drove deep discussion about what justice should aim to achieve and if reduced crime is the goal, how can we best achieve this?
All their legal training culminated in a mock trial for a young man involved in a fatal car accident, where both the prosecution (led by Cooper and Ava) and defence (led by India and Emily) argued whether his driving was reckless and caused the accident, or another car on the road caused the tragic sequence of events. An important lesson not only on the responsibility of being a road user, but also court processes and strict rules of evidence.
Judge West was impressed by the strong arguments posed by both legal counsels but ultimately felt the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accident was caused by reckless driving, and the defendant was found guilty. Coming back next term, the class will now have to decide an appropriate sentence.
Through this activity students demonstrated their learner dispositions, particularly collaboration and creativity. Their critical thinking was evident in well thought out arguments and discerning use of the evidence presented to them. What a great display of learning in action!
Year 7 Great Outdoors Camp
One of our Year 7 Great Outdoors's class had an amazing two days at Para Wirra Conservation Park.
The year 7's embarked on many activities to keep them occupied, including orienteering, first aid role-play, scavenger hunts, spotting wildlife, cooking on trangias, a night walk, marshmallows by the fire, and lastly finishing with a 9.5km hike to Devil’s Nose. It was a great challenge and adventure for all the students.
Mr Wojtkowiak, Ms Anderson and Ms Carrigan were so impressed with the resilience, teamwork and communication shown by all students. A fantastic way to wrap up the term!
Discovery Centre
Outdoor Education
It might be the end of term, but the Discovery Centre Outdoor Education class were still full of energy and undertook their 3-day aquatic camp at Port Vincent on the York Peninsula.
All the students couldn’t wait to practice their camp craft, cooking, group dynamics, sailing skills and engaging in the local environment. The students enjoyed listening and learning from the Port Vincent Aquatic Centre’s instructors, especially on our exploration of the aquatic life on the south beach. You know the time it takes to pull off an event like this is working when the students were saying, ‘Can we go one more time, please, please, please! ‘.
A special thanks goes out to them for hosting our student over the 3 days and thanks to Tegan and Alan for being great support staff.
International
Welcoming Koishikawa Secondary Education School to GGHS
Golden Grove High School recently had the privilege of hosting 20 students from Koishikawa Secondary Education School, Japan, for an exciting and culturally enriching study tour. The students arrived on a Monday evening and were warmly welcomed by their homestay families—a fantastic start to their Australian adventure.
The following day, during our whole school assembly, our students extended a heartfelt welcome to our visitors. The Koishikawa students then commenced their lessons with Ms Schmocker, our dedicated English Teacher, as they settled into school life at GGHS.
Their study tour included two exciting excursions. The first outing took them to the bustling Central Market and the Adelaide Museum, where they worked through an activity booklet alongside their GGHS buddies. Our buddies truly shone, forming strong connections and guiding the Japanese students through the day's adventure.
As is tradition for our international students, the second excursion was a highlight—visiting Gorge Wildlife Park, Melba’s Chocolate Factory, Hahndorf, and Mount Lofty Lookout. Holding a koala, feeding kangaroos, and exploring some of South Australia’s most iconic locations made for a day to remember.
During their time at school, the Koishikawa students had their own classroom and timetable, complete with engaging English and cultural lessons delivered by Ms Schmocker. They also joined in activities with our Discovery Centre students and participated in diverse lessons, including art, cooking, science practicals, Aussie Rules football, and even some dance sessions. These activities gave everyone a chance to share and learn from each other’s cultures.
The farewell event was truly special. To end their visit, host families and students came together for a Farewell BBQ. Guests enjoyed a classic Aussie feast of snags and salad, followed by incredible entertainment from the Koishikawa students, who performed four song and dance routines. Their talent and enthusiasm left everyone in awe.
Although the final day brought some tears and a few wistful goodbyes, the visit was an unforgettable experience for all. The cultural exchange fostered lasting friendships, and both students and families alike learned much from one another.
We are deeply grateful to our amazing homestay families for opening their homes and hearts to host our visitors. Their generosity was instrumental in providing the Koishikawa students with a warm and welcoming experience to remember.
If you would like to learn more about Golden Grove High School’s International Programs or are interested in becoming a homestay family, please contact the school for more information.
First Nations
SAASTA Shield Carnival
During Week 8, our SAASTA students proudly represented the school as part of the Parafield Gardens High Academy at the annual SAASTA Shield Carnival! Over two big days, students showcased their skills and teamwork in Flag Football and Dodgeball, competing with pride, determination and excellence. 🏈🔥
We are thrilled to share that the Parafield Gardens High Academy was awarded Academy of the Year – an incredible achievement that reflects the effort, commitment and spirit of all involved. To be invited to the Shield, students must meet the SAASTA KPIs, and our students have done just that, making us all so proud. 🖤💛❤️
Sport
Year 7–9 Girls Football State Final – Division 1
GGHS proudly walked away with silver medals after going down to a very strong Sacred Heart side.
Final Scores: GGHS 3.3 (21) def. by Sacred Heart 11.8 (74).
We are incredibly proud of our young team, which featured nine Year 7 students stepping up to the big stage. Our captain Mia and vice-captain Olivia both stood tall, leading from the front and showing immense pride and resilience right until the final siren. Ruby sparked plenty of excitement in the third quarter, kicking all three of our goals in a brilliant 15-minute burst. A special shoutout to Abby, who came along to support her teammates as our 1st emergency and selflessly helped as the boundary umpire during the match.
A big thank you as well to the many parents who came and cheered us on, having our own cheer squad really added to the experience. We hope our older players can continue to mentor and guide our younger players, building on this experience. Well done to all players, the future looks very bright!
Sam Rowland
PE Teacher
Year 9/10 Girls Statewide Futsal Champions!
Our Year 9/10 Girls Statewide Futsal team has achieved success taking out the Statewide Futsal Finals on Week 8 Friday, and what a performance it was!
The team went undefeated in their pool, playing three tough games and finishing with two strong wins and one hard-fought comeback for a draw to book their place in the semi-finals. From there, the team found another gear, producing a dominant 6-3 victory in the semi-final to secure their place in the big dance.
The grand final was nothing short of spectacular. With teamwork, determination, and some dazzling skills, the girls stormed to an emphatic 9-1 win, cementing themselves as statewide champions.
A huge congratulations to all players who contributed to this outstanding achievement. Not all first-round players played on finals day. Some members of the team were unable to play due to family holidays or illness, however, their efforts were a key part of the team’s success. Another special thank you goes to Mia and Matilda who travelled straight from camp to play a crucial role for the team in finals.
This incredible result is a testament to the team’s motivation to achieve sporting greatness over the past few years. Well done!
Tom Moffat
Sports Coordinator
School Life
EMU Gardening Club
We grew carrots and peas!
Over winter we grew purple carrots and sugar snap peas in our wicking beds and in week 9 we enjoyed harvesting and eating them! We planted carrot seeds in rows, thinned them out a few weeks ago, then harvested the biggest ones, and there will be more to enjoy early term 4. In the same wicking bed, our garlics and onions are growing nicely in rows too. Garlics take a long time to grow. A general rule is ‘plant on ANZAC Day and harvest on Remembrance Day’. Watch this plot!
In another wicking bed we’re growing the beans up a trellis, and around them are the carrots we removed when thinning out the other bed. They’ve survived the transplant but we’re guessing they’ll be very interesting shapes!
Our worm farm is kicking along nicely too so we’ll be using the worm castings to top up our third garden bed and start planting our summer crop (strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicums and/or zucchini) after the holidays.
Happy gardening!
On behalf of our EMU (Environmental Management Unit) lunchtime club
SA Schools Constitutional Convention
Year 11 student Nishi was selected as one of 80 students from across all South Australian schools to participate in this year's Constitutional Convention, a joint initiative by the Department for Education and Parliament of South Australia.
Each year students are hosted at Parliament House for the day, exploring a constitutional challenge through a series of keynote speakers, Q&A panel with members of parliament and group workshops, ready to take their views to the floor of the House of Assembly and debate on constitutional reform.
This year's challenge asked students 'Should the Constitution be easier to change?' and the student debate did not disappoint! Lively commentary from the backbenches, strong leadership from the Speaker and thought-provoking views on either side of argument. It was certainly the most passionate and lively debate the teachers had seen at the convention yet!
Nishi was the embodiment of a parliamentary representative, supporting her peers to construct powerful arguments, reserving her opinions in the main debate until she had heard the views of others and then closed with a powerful speech, rebutting her opponents with evidence and passion. A true politician in the making!
All participants are invited to apply for the National Constitutional Convention in March 2026, which 12 students are selected from each state for an all-inclusive 4-day tour of Canberra where they will have the chance to debate another constitutional challenge right in the heart of our political capital.
Sarah West
Legal Studies Teacher
Professional Learning
SA Curriculum
On Friday 29 August, our staff engaged in professional learning centred on the new South Australian Curriculum. All Department for Education schools will implement the SA Curriculum by 2027.
The SA Curriculum reorganises the Australian Curriculum (Version 9) to support teachers in designing learning, teaching, and assessment that foster the holistic growth and development of every student. This approach emphasises not only knowledge, but also the dispositions and capabilities that enable students to learn and thrive.
During the day, our staff explored:
- The value of dispositions, capabilities, and knowledge in student learning.
- How to intentionally design learning that provides opportunities for students to develop their dispositions, capabilities and knowledge.
- Ways to create authentic and meaningful learning experiences for students.
We will continue to dedicate significant time to preparing for the SA Curriculum, ensuring our site is ready for full implementation by 2027.
Wellbeing
🌟 Wellbeing Week 2025 – Courage Over Comfort 🌟
In Week 7, Golden Grove High School embraced Wellbeing Week 2025 with the theme “Courage Over Comfort.” The week challenged our young people to step outside their comfort zones, take on new challenges, and overcome fears—together as a community.
Monday – Blind Obstacle Course
We kicked off with energy and laughter as students from Years 7–12 competed in a blindfolded obstacle course. With teammates guiding and cheering, participants raced against the clock—showing that trust, courage, and resilience are just as important as speed.
Tuesday – Movie Day: Inside Out 2
When the rain set in, we gathered indoors for a special screening of Inside Out 2. The film introduced us to the new emotion Anxiety, sparking conversations about what it means to face and manage new, sometimes overwhelming feelings.
Thursday – R U OK? Day
On Thursday, we paused for connection. Over a hot chocolate and a chat, students and staff reflected on the importance of checking in with each other and asking, “R U OK?” It was a warm reminder that small conversations can make a big difference.
Friday – Karaoke Finale 🎤
We wrapped up the week with Karaoke at lunch. Both students and staff showed incredible courage as they stepped up to the mic and belted out their favourite songs. The atmosphere was electric, with plenty of smiles, laughter, and applause.
Daily Grove Time Learning
Each morning, during Grove, students engaged in short learning sessions on growth mindsets, courage over comfort, and resilience. These were thoughtfully prepared by our School Mental Health Practitioner, Steph—a trained psychologist. The sessions provided practical strategies for students to reflect on and take into their daily lives.
Looking Ahead
Our ID program will continue to focus on wellbeing over the coming weeks, keeping the momentum of “Courage Over Comfort” alive and encouraging our young people to keep stretching, trying, and growing.
Wellbeing Week 2025 reminded us all that courage doesn’t mean we’re not afraid—it means we try anyway.
CTTG SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Freestyle BMX hang out for ages 10+
Ride with BMX coaches from Freestyle BMX Academy. Learn tricks and score free pizza as part of our school holiday program.
Ages 10-18 | Cost $5 | Wednesday, 1 October 2pm – 4:30pm | Golden Grove Skate Park
Bling-a-thing creative workshop for ages 13+
Jazz up something plain with crafty bits and pieces, glue and your creativity.
Ages 13-18 | Cost $10 | Tuesday 30 September 2pm – 4pm | Community Learning Centre, Tea Tree Gully Library
Learners drivers permit – support before the test
Do you have trouble learning from books? This hands-on course might be just what you are looking for.
Ages must be close to 16 years and over | Cost $10 | Wednesday, 1 October 12:30PM – 4:30PM | Holden Hill Community Centre
Welcome to our new Youth Worker – Jacqui Romanelli
The Wellbeing Team is excited to welcome Jacqui Romanelli to our Team this term. Jacqui brings with her over 20 years of experience working with young people across community settings. Throughout her career, she has built strong connections with young people, supporting them through challenges and celebrating their successes. Her passion lies in creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered.
In her role as Youth Worker at GGHS, Jacqui will be working closely with staff, students, and families to strengthen wellbeing, belonging, and resilience across our school community. Some of the key parts of her work will include:
- Student connection & belonging: Being a friendly, approachable presence in the Wellbeing Hub, building relationships with students, and running lunchtime activities to encourage positive connections.
- Academic & learning support: Helping students develop organisation, routine, and time-management skills to support their learning.
- Social & emotional skills: Co-delivering wellbeing programs, facilitating restorative conversations, and providing regular check-ins for students who need extra support.
- Practical & wellbeing support: Supporting transitions, attendance, and referrals to external services, as well as assisting with case management.
- Programs & initiatives: Leading inclusive lunchtime clubs, supporting Wellbeing Week, Wear It Purple Day, and other key events, as well as bringing in guest speakers from the wider community.
- Data & documentation: Monitoring Hub usage, keeping accurate case notes, and supporting the completion of wellbeing surveys.
Jacqui’s depth of experience and genuine care for young people make her a wonderful addition to our school. We look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have on our students and the wider GGHS community.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Jacqui to Golden Grove High School!
Old Scholars Association
Welcome back classes of 1995, 2005 and 2015!
Our third reunion night took place late this term, calling back our ex-students to reminisce on their time at GGHS, catch up with some old familiar faces and take a trip down memory lane. Every year we love hearing about the wonderful adventures our students have gone on to explore after their time with us, and a few cheeky anecdotes from their time at school.
Each celebration night one of our staff members Elnora Schmocker takes attendees on a journey through the past, cheering on Sports Day and swimming carnival results, major events of the year, the (tragic) fashion choices of the time and school photos that take each person straight back to year 12.
We look forward to next year's reunion for the classes of 1996, 2006 and 2016. This event largely relies on our community connections to spread the word to old scholars we may not have contact details for... so if you know anyone from these graduating years, please tell them to get in touch with our association (link below) so we can keep them up to date with next year's plans!
Back to School Reunion for 1996, 2006 and 2016 - 19th September 2026
Register below to be part of our Old Scholars network and then start tracking down former classmates to join too!
Any students who were part of the cohort starting in Yr 8, graduating in Yr 12 in '96, '06 & '16 - even if you did not graduate or attend GGHS for the full 5 years! You are part of the 'Class' & we want to hear from you!
We are also on the lookout for any old scholars from any year level who want to keep in touch with our school community, support school events or student learning, or have memorabilia you would like to donate or loan to the school. Click the link below and we will connect with you.
Download The Compass App!
Have you downloaded the Compass app yet?
Easily accessible from your app store, the Compass parent portal app is the ultimate tool for parents and caregivers. It connects you directly to your child's learning, assessment and timetable. This is also where you can read all about the positive behaviour Chronicles their teachers have awarded them. It is also a useful portal to check our calendar, report on any absences or communicate with your child's teachers.
Using the app you can stay in the loop as we will often send push notifications to your phone for daily updates and reminders