Welcome Back to 2025

Welcome back to another exciting school year! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable break, filled with opportunities to recharge and prepare for the journey ahead.

Before we look forward, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our Stage 2 students in the 2024 SACE results. Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence was exceptional, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts. Some key highlights from these results include:

• Continued high rates of SACE completion, with 51 students successfully achieving their SACE in 2024
• Continued growth in A and B grade achievements, with 2024 our best year on record
• Four students achieving an ATAR above 90, including our Dux, Brodie White, with an ATAR of 96.60. Brodie also achieved a Merit for Material Solutions.

In addition to these excellent results, several students have also successfully completed VET courses in fields such as Engineering and Electrical, among many others. This has seen several senior students successfully transition into apprenticeships, traineeships and full-time employment.

Congratulations to all students and staff who contributed to this success.

Welcoming New Staff

We are excited to welcome several new staff members to JPSS this year:

• Carol Bowman                  Year 8 Care Group, Mathematics & Science
• Thao Ly                               Mathematics & Science
• Chris Mayman                   Year 9 Care Group, HASS & PE
• Laura Pardon                    Year 8 Care Group, English & HASS
• Jordan Rafferty                 HPE
• Lisa Gale                             Classroom Support SSO
• Kate Kassapis                   Youth Worker
• Sara Nguyen                     Information Technology Support Officer
• Sam Wurst                        Information Technology Support Officer

We look forward to the knowledge, passion, and energy they will bring to our school community.

Building Better Futures through Resilience and Persistence

As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on two qualities that will shape our success—resilience and persistence—and how they connect to our school vision: Building Better Futures.

At JPSS, Building Better Futures is more than just a motto—it is a commitment to equipping students with the skills and mindset they need to succeed in school, work, and life. Two essential qualities that contribute to this are:

• Resilience – the ability to overcome obstacles and keep moving forward
• Persistence – the drive to stay committed to goals, even in the face of difficulties

These qualities are not simply inherent; they must be explicitly taught and nurtured. This year, we will continue to embed resilience and persistence into our learning through a focus on learning dispositions and capabilities within our curriculum, ensuring that students develop the skills needed to thrive. We are also strengthening our trauma-informed practices to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all students. Additionally, we are excited to continue the Open Parachute wellbeing program, introduced last year, which provides valuable tools for emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and personal growth.

By fostering resilience and persistence, we are actively Building Better Futures—helping students develop the confidence, skills, and mindset to achieve their aspirations. Whether students are beginning their journey at JPSS or preparing for graduation, every challenge they face is an opportunity to grow.

I am excited for all that 2025 holds—a year of growth, success, and a strong focus on resilience and persistence. Together, we will continue to create opportunities that empower every student to build a better future.

Michael Gaunt

Principal

John Pirie Secondary School congratulate our graduating class of 2024 on their outstanding SACE Results.

Congratulations to Brodie White, the 2024 DUX with a raw ATAR of 96.60. Brodie has strived for excellence throughout his studies, which commenced as a year 10 student in 2022. The Stage 2 subjects he has studied over the last 3 years include Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Material Solutions, Digital Communication Solutions, Physics, English and Research Project.

Brodie also recieved a Merit for Material Solutions.

In addition to the success Brodie Achieved, 3 other students achieved ATAR's above 90. Congratulations to Jesica Cojocea, Charlotte Steward and Natasha Sadedin.

Well done to all of our 2024 graduating class. You should all be exceptionally proud of your achievements and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Daymap Connect is an extension of the Daymap Learning Management System which provides care givers with access to key school and student information both at home or on the go. All parents whose email addresses have been provided to the school and have not previously accessed Daymap, will be sent a password reset for Daymap as part of Daymap Connect.

Parents are able to see individual student assessment tasks, assessment task results, end of term reports and upcoming events including being able to book for Care Giver - Teacher Interviews. Care givers will also be able to respond to messaging communications. They will also have access to student timetables and once rolls are marked by staff will be able to identify whether or not the student was in class. To access Daymap Connect, Care givers will need to access the
website https://jpss.daymap.net/DaymapConnect.

Rachel Gray
Deputy Principal

School Fees are now due!

The school fee for 2025 was set at $396 per student, however we can confirm that the school fee after the goverment rebate of $200 will only be $196.

If you are eligible for school card please apply as soon as possible.Please check out the link at https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme

School Card must be applied for each year, at each school you have a student attending.

Does your child have a medical condition that may require intervention during the school day? If the answer is yes, your are required to provide a Health Care Plan and Medication Agreement (if required). Health Care Plans can assist with your child's treatment if required. Plans will inform staff how they can assist children and young people with various health conditions such as:

• Siezures
• Anaphylaxis
• Asthma
• Diabetes

Plans provide details of emeregency and routine health and personal care.

Treating health professionals provide this information through care plans, management plans, action plans, first aid plans and medication agreements.

For more information and for health care plans please visit the link below.

https://www.education.sa.gov.au/supporting-students/health-e-safety-and-wellbeing/health-care-plans

Health Care Plans are available through Student Services.

A reminder if you child takes medication outside of  school hours and is attending a school camp a medication agreement form is required.

Governing Council AGM – Join Us!

The Governing Council Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in the school's Resource Centre on Monday March 17. This is a valuable opportunity for the school community to come together and reflect on the achievements of 2024, hear from the Governing Council Chairperson and Treasurer, and elect new members for the 2025 school year.

Want to make a difference in your child's education?
The AGM is your chance to get involved in the decision-making processes that shape the future of our school. If you're interested in representing the broader school community, we welcome your active participation in the Governing Council.

WHAT DOES THE GOVERNING COUNCIL DO?

The Governing Council works alongside the Principal to provide leadership and ensure effective governance for the school. It meets regularly to guide the strategic direction of the school and ensure that resources are allocated in a way that best supports student outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborative decision-making: Ensuring the best interests of the entire school community are at the forefront (rather than personal interests).
• Resource allocation: Directing resources to support the improvement of learning and wellbeing for all students, in line with school goals and plans.
• Stakeholder engagement: Creating opportunities for parents, staff, and students to participate in the decision-making process and ensuring the needs of all students are met.
• Strategic planning: Setting and monitoring the vision, purpose, and improvement plans for the school, with a focus on continuous growth.
• Accountability: Monitoring and reporting on learning and wellbeing outcomes, with annual reports to the school community and the Minister.

WHY JOIN THE GOVERNING COUNCIL?

Being part of the Governing Council allows you to make a direct impact on the educational experience at our school. As a member, you'll be helping shape the future of the school and the experiences of all students.

Benefits of joining the Governing Council include:

• Voice and influence: Share your thoughts, ideas, and opinions on matters that affect the school.
• Collaboration: Hear from other parents and school staff, and contribute to meaningful discussions.
• Stay informed: Gain insight into the inner workings of the school and its strategic direction.
• Connect with others: Meet and build relationships with other parents and members of the school community.
• Learn and grow: Deepen your understanding of how the school operates and how decisions are made to support student success.

When the whole school community works together, students thrive—not just academically, but throughout their lives. Your involvement in the Governing Council plays a crucial role in creating a positive and productive learning environment.

We have 7 vacancies to fill with two of those being community vacancies.
If you’re interested in joining the Governing Council, please complete an application form, available at the school front office.

We look forward to seeing you at the AGM!

In line with the State Government's ban, students are required to turn off all mobile phones or switch to flight mode, and put them away while at school.

If you need to get in touch with your child during school hours, please ensure you use the school's formal communciation channels so staff can assist with passing on a message or connecting you with your child. Likewise, we will always contact you directly where there is a need to do so.

Please encourage your child to always speak to a staff member in the first instance if they are feeling unwell or experiencing an issue at school so we can offer appropriate support and follow up. To ensure our duty of care obligation, families needing to collect children during school hours at short notice, must contact the school office and use formal sign-out processes.

Thank you to all students who have been making efforts to follow these expectations, and to families for your support with this policy.

While mobile phones have an important place in our society and offer many benefits, they can also put students' safety and wellbeing at risk when they are used inappropriately. Keeping them off and away during school hours helps us to limit the negative impact from unsafe or inappropriate use.

More information about the statewide ban, and why it has been put into place, can be found on the Department for Education's website at http://phonesoff.sa.gov.au

Attendance

Missing just two days a month of school can start to affect your child's academic success. Should your child be absent from school due to illness, family circumstances or any other reasons, we ask that you notify the school as soon as possible. Also please don't forget to let us know if your child will be leaving or arriving late. You can call on 8632 0400 -  Student Services.

If your child is sick for 3 consecutive days we will require a medical certificate.

Details

Do we have your most up-todate details?

If not, please contact the school so we can update our records. These details include your address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact details. Please remember to let the school know if any of these details change.

A reminder that families can guarantee their child’s recess or lunch order from the canteen by ordering ahead of time on the FlexiSchools app! The app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or from the Google Play Store.

Getting started with ‘FlexiSchools’

If you’d like to start ordering online with Flexischools, it’s super simple to get started!

How to set up your ‘Flexischools’ account:
1. Download our app
• The Flexischools app is the easiest way to place online lunch orders.
2. Register
• Open the Flexischools App and click 'Like to register?' or click here to register on their website.
• Submit your email address to create an account.
• Go to your inbox and open the registration email from Flexischools. Click on the link provided and follow the registration process, creating a password and completing your personal details.
3. Log in to your Flexischools account and enter your details.
• Once your account is set up, log into the Flexischools App or go to their website.
• If you are using the app, select the ‘Profile’ icon on the navigation bar. Under ‘Student, click ‘Add new’. Enter your child’s name, school year level, and class.
Click ‘submit’.

Order on our App
1. Place your order
• In the Flexischools App, click ‘Order food’ at the top of the homepage. Select who you would like to place an order for.
2. Make your selection
• Choose which date to order.
• Select the items you wish to order.
3. Make payment
• When you have finished adding items, click ‘Confirm order’.
• Select your payment option and complete payment to place your order.