Adelaide Secondary School of English eNewsletter

From the Principal

Term 2 has proven to be another extremely busy term at Adelaide Secondary School of English, with many new students starting at the school, bringing the total numbers of students to well over 630. There were 48 cultural and language groups represented across the school.

Student learning and wellbeing is at the centre of all that we do, and we are very fortunate to have volunteers who willingly give up their time on a regular basis, to work alongside our teaching and support staff in classes. In May, we celebrated and acknowledged their on-going commitment and dedication to the school, by celebrating national volunteer week.

Reconciliation week was also celebrated in May, with a range of activities throughout the week, including a student friendly basketball game with Warriappendi Secondary School and a range of in- class activities during home group.

Our celebrations continued in June with us reflecting on the positive contributions refugees make to Australian society and our school community. As part of our refugee week and student achievement assembly, we focused on promoting harmony and celebrating the diversity within our school community to create a better understanding of different cultures.

The Honourable Andrea Michaels (Minister for Small and Family Business, Consumer and Business Affairs & Arts. Member for Enfield) was our guest speaker at the assembly, sharing her family’s experience of fleeing a war-torn country before finally making their way to their new home, here in Australia. She also took the time to meet with our student assembly hosts and to do an art gallery walk. Many of our students contributed to our refugee week art gallery display, sharing photos of precious items from their home land.

Some of our soccer loving students were selected to play a student friendly game for the Friendship Cup. This is an annual event that is generously hosted during Refugee Week by Saint Ignatius’ College, and although the competition can be tough, it is always lots of fun for all involved.

On our student free day, staff engaged in professional development on the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC). This was an opportunity for many teachers to refresh their previous training and to reinforce key concepts that need to be included in our curriculum.

The school also hosted a visit from members of the Northern Adelaide State Secondary Schools Association (NASSSA). This was an opportunity for us to showcase our school by sharing an overview of our context, curriculum, teaching and learning practices, and wellbeing programs.

Finally, the term ended with us farewelling 181 students upon completion of their English language course at our Graduation assembly. We were honoured to have Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, as our guest speaker. She also helped to present four of our special awards, including the first inaugural Lara Hall altruism award.

Ms Anti Macri

As always, Refugee Week is an important date in our school calendar, and students and staff celebrated and acknowledged the resilience and spirit of people who have been displaced from their homes. The theme for 2025 was Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community.

This year, students were asked to bring an artefact that is special to them or their culture, and to share with us why that was important to them. The items were photographed and put on display in the East building.

Students brought a range of interesting items, including cash, jewellery, books, and special clothing. Taqi from class 39 brought his mother's biryani dish and explained that he brought this dish in, because " I am proud of my culture!", he said.

We completed our celebration with a whole school BBQ lunch!

Ms Michelle Smith

Art Exhibition

The anti-racism team from the Department for Education organised an exhibition of ASSoE student work at the head office in the city during Refugee Week. Students took the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences of coming to Australia as a refugee. Some students shared those parts of their experience that had been enjoyable (freedom and spending time with friends) but others shared the hardship and cruelty they faced. Some shared their deep sadness at having to leave their homes to escape war.

Ms Leila Haq

Friendship Cup

Our students recently travelled to Saint Ignatius’ College for the Friendship Cup soccer game, enjoying a perfect day for sport. The girls played a competitive match, narrowly going down 7-5, while the boys secured an exciting 7-5 win. Both teams showed great determination, skill, and teamwork throughout the games. It was fantastic to see students encouraging one another and displaying such positive sportsmanship. A big thank you to Saint Ignatius’ College for being such welcoming hosts and creating a great atmosphere for all involved. Well done to all players – you represented our school with pride!

Mr Teo Zoitakis

On Friday 30^th May, class 35 volunteered at the local community gardens. First, we met the two helpers and they gave us gloves and vests to wear. We discussed some safety rules and then we did an hour of mulching on the gardens. We all worked very hard and used the shovel, wheelbarrow and buckets. After, we all shared a BBQ lunch together. It was a beautiful sunny day and we all had a great time. We also realised that volunteering is good as it helps others and you can meet new people.

Ms Shona Morrison

IDAHOBIT Day

On Friday 16^th of May, we celebrated IDAHOBIT Day, a Worldwide Celebration of Sexual and Gender Diversities. “The power of communities” was the theme for 2025. Students learnt about the importance of showing their support and acceptance for all and how we all play a role as an ally. Our students and staff made coloured flowers which we displayed in our garden.

Ms Martha Maiorana

Homegroup Activity

Students of class 54 were encouraged to make flowers in support of IDAHOBIT day which was to be the following day. I brought some paper from home and we got some more from the art room. We watched a clip on you-tube showing us how to fold a simple paper flower and it went from there.

Then students tried different sizes and helped each other and the following morning we took them over to put with the other flowers that other students had made in the art room.

Ms Alison Esselbach

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is celebrated each year from 27 May to 3 June. The 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.

Each day during Home Group, an iconic song is provided in order to engage students with understanding reconciliation, as an ambiguous term that can be applied in a range of contexts. The songs have been chosen to reflect the key historical events that mark this national week of reflection. The theme of Bridging Now to Next similarly is open to interpretation. It can be bridging from engagement with a song, to a deeper understanding of why the song was written; it can also be recognising the importance of next generations continuing the messages in song.

Mr Tim Braund

Reconciliation Week - a Friendly Basketball Match

On Thursday 29^th May, the basketball team from Adelaide Secondary School of English played a friendly match against the Warriappendi Secondary School (SS). Both teams were full of energy and played with strong motivation.

Although Warriappendi SS team was physically stronger, our team played with more speed and showed great effort. In the first half, our team had the advantage, but in the second half, Warriappendi SS played with more power, better team work and more accurate shots.

At the end of the match, both teams showed great sportsmanship and respect. Warriappendi SS won 19 to 14. Players from both schools smiled, talked to each other and took photos together. It was a fun, respectful and memorable game for everyone.

Ariz Kazemi, Narges Baqeri and Shakila Nabizada (class 3)

Aboriginal History

In week 8, all History students were treated to a presentation by Rebecca Milne, a PhD student studying Archaeology with the Adnyamathanha people who live near the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Ms Milne presented information on Archaeology and how we can find out how long Aboriginal people have been living in Australia (a very very long time - up to 65,000 years or so). It was an informative session and we also learnt about the importance of caring for Country and how to say the names of some of the many Aboriginal Countries in South Australia.

Mr Tim Braund

“Radiocarbon dating is used to find the age of once-living things like bone or wood and it works by measuring carbon and it works up to about 50,000 years. On the other hand, luminescence dating is used to date when sediments like sand were last exposed to light or heat and it helps find the age of a place or an object up to hundreds of thousands of years old. Both methods help scientists understand the past. Samuel Ishala (class 19)

“I enjoyed the presentation because there were new things that we did not learn in class before. The big word is Archaeology, and I learned a lot about the Aboriginal peoples’ culture through the presentation. I also tried pronouncing some Aboriginal words. I feel that we should encourage people to learn Aboriginal languages, so that we also have a good chance to understand more about them through communication. The videos that we watched were also very interesting and helpful to understand more about the Aboriginal peoples. I was even thinking that I might want to study to become an archaeologist in the future.” Asli Abdi Ahmed (class 12)

Music Career Expo

In week 9 this term, a team of music professionals from The Push and Carclew came to our school and ran a workshop for a group of students. They presented and performed to introduce links to possible music careers such as sound recording, managing and performing.

The visiting team included a hip-hop artist, singer song writer, production manager, event organiser and industry representative.

Students listened to musicians perform and talk about their work. They also learned about other jobs in the music industry and essential skills such as, networking, communication skills, a positive attitude and teamwork.

During the workshop, students worked together with the presenters to set up a public address system and organise a small festival where students and presenters performed.

Mr Daniel Hurditch

SRC Leadership Day

On Friday 20^th of June, the Student Representative Council Leadership Day was run at school. This workshop was aimed to support our students to further develop their leadership skills and inspire them as potential leaders of the future.

Senator Fatima Payman, from Western Australia, joined the students online. Several students asked her questions around leadership. Senator Payman talked about her own career experiences. She provided the students encouragement to continue to strive to be future leaders. She spoke about reaching for their goals no matter what others say and not to being scared to fail as this will only make you more resilient and more determined. She also encouraged students to continue to be proud of their cultural heritage as this will make them even better leaders moving forward.

Following Sentor Payman interview, there was a panel of leaders:

Anti Macri - Principal, ASSoE
Dilky Wijeyekoon - Senior Program Manager, AMRC
Sarah Chew - Senior Practitioner, Uniting Communities
Councillor Kim Dinh - Parks Ward, City of Port Adelaide Enfield

These inspiring and motivational leaders spoke with the students about leadership and their own experiences throughout their career. The students were able to speak and ask questions to the panel members. Students gained valuable insight into the qualities and knowledge of leadership.

Ms Martha Maiorana

Peer Mentoring

In semester two, we continued to run our Peer Mentoring Program. The peer mentoring program is aimed at providing all new students with support and mentoring, with a key focus on settlement support, safety, cultural pride and self-regulation. There where over 20 students who were trained as mentors. The students meet for a lesson each week for over eight weeks.

Student Wellbeing Team

Diversity in Community Pebbles Project: Celebrating Connection Through Art

In term 2, students from Pathway A and Pathway C classes came together to create something beautiful and meaningful - the Diversity in Community Pebbles Project, an art initiative developed to celebrate Refugee Week and the unique stories our students bring to our school.

The project involved students from two different classes teaming up as buddies to design and decorate their own paper “pebble.” Each pebble was a symbol of individual identity, creativity, and culture. Once completed, all the pebbles were arranged together in a shape chosen by the group and then placed in a frame, creating a powerful image of unity.

Just like real pebbles on a beach, no two designs were the same. Some were bold and colourful, others soft and delicate, but together, they formed a single, harmonious piece of art. The message was clear: we are all different, but we belong together.

It was also a wonderful opportunity for students at different English levels to work side-by-side, share ideas, and build friendships.

The artwork will now be proudly displayed as a reminder that diversity is our strength, and when we come together, we can create something truly special.

Ms Yelena Timochshenko & Ms Gosia Sztolc

Transition Forum

On the 3^rd of June, we held our annual semester transition forum. Over 20 Alumni from a range of schools around Adelaide, returned to speak with our exiting students. The Alumni spoke to students about their experiences with moving from ASSoE and starting at their new High Schools. The forums were very valuable for our students to ask questions around their own transition and their new schools.

Student Wellbeing Team

Volunteering Excursion

The students from class 11 attended a volunteering excursion. At this excursion they helped a class of new arrival students with their reading and art. This is the students’ feedback after the excursion:

I loved making the crafts with the primary students from Kilkenny. - Habib
Volunteering has made the whole class feel more responsible. - Melat
Volunteering has made me feel like I can do some good for my community. - Angella
Helping the young students made me enjoy volunteering, I would want to do it again. - Meryem
I really enjoyed helping the young students, they were cute and I wanted to take one but I could not. - Hussain
Volunteering made me feel like I could do more for people and also improve my English. - Isabella
Volunteering made me feel close to the community. - Remas

One and All

Three of our students, Thin Pyant Hlaing (class 3), Payton Jaimon Press (class 3) and Jean Baraka Kabangu (class 37), had the opportunity to participate in the One and All Youth Development Voyage, sponsored by Rotary Clubs through Adelaide. The boat departed on Sunday 13^th April from Port Adelaide and arrived back to the same dock on Thursday afternoon 17^th April. The five-day journey on the sailing ship saw our students be part of the sailing crew. They learnt many skills and gained valuable experiences, whilst also making many new friends. Students recount their two most positive experiences:

“The best thing was the friendships and connections I made with the people on the boat. Everyone became close and it was really hard to say goodbye. The crew taught us how to use the sails, ropes, tie knots and climbing. I had to control the helm which was one of the hardest things I learnt” (Payton).

“I really enjoyed sailing every day, playing uno and activities including climbing, our port watches group, and all the kind people I met.” (Thin)

Ms Martha Maiorana

Drumming

Don Ntikahavuye and Kim Nefyn, counsellor/advocates from STTARS, facilitated an eight week session of drumming with a group of 15 students. During these sessions, students learnt how to drum whilst learning about a range of topics around wellbeing and positive mental health. Students learnt help-seeking skills, they also learnt about the importance of positive relationships. Students really found these sessions beneficial and provided positive feedback about what they gained from participating in this program.

Student Wellbeing Team

Australian Animals

On Friday 27^th June, students and staff enjoyed a hands-on encounter with some of the Australian animals presented by Animals Anonymous.

During Crochet and Knitting club this term, many students attended, and they all worked on different projects. Here is some work created by Meriya from class 22.

Ms Ourania Svingos

Mathematics Activities

Students are learning about fractions. They cut and sorted shapes into whole, half, quarter, and third, then glued them into their Learning and Assessment Framework (LAF) booklets. They also classified and glued the fractions into booklets.

Ms Michelle Peng

Excursion to MOD.

Class 8, 36 and 37 went to MOD. at UniSA for their end of Transition excursion. MOD. is Australia's leading future-focused museum, provoking new ideas at the intersection of science, art and innovation. It was a very hands-on and eye-opening experience! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the interactive exhibition and learnt new knowledge about technology, biology, resource handling, space, and humans.

Ms Ariel Chuang

First Hike Project

On the 24^th of May we had eleven students participate in a hike at Parra Wirra Conservation Park with First Hike Project. The First Hike Project provides opportunities for newly arrived young people to experience guided hikes in nature, as a way to explore their new country.

“I chose to participate in the First Hike because I wanted to try something new and exciting. I thought it would be a great to chance to enjoy the outdoors, challenge myself physically, and spend time with some of my class mates in a different environment.

The two best things about the First Hike were reaching the top of the hill and spending time with my friends. When I got to the top, the view was absolutely beautiful. It made all the effort feel worth it. I also enjoyed walking and talking with some of my classmates along the way. It brought us close and made the hike feel more fun and also less tiring. I would recommend the First Hike. It was a great experience that helped me feel more connected to nature. It gave me a break from daily routines. It was also a fun way to exercise and build stronger friendship.” - Fatema Jamili (class 38)

“The hike went really well! … We played a get to know you game, hiked around 9km in 3.5 hours in sunny and sometimes windy conditions and then had a BBQ afterwards. Special mention goes to Ali H for leading the cooking.” - Ms Bec Werner (First Hike Project)