As we approach the end of 2025, it is wonderful to look back on a year of vibrant community, student achievement and collaborative growth.
Firstly we are very happy to finally release our new Acknowledgement to Country video, attached to this article. Written by our students as part of our ongoing work to authentically acknowledge our Kaurna elders in unique ways we thank Education Web Solutions for their patience to get this right for all of us at Underdale, where learning Begins with U!
Celebrations and Highlights
Our achievement assembly and Year 12 Graduation were a special highlight of student success this term, both events were seamlessly organised. We have received great feedback from special guests at the Graduation, who were extremely impressed with the speeches, performances, professionalism of the students and general positive feel of the event.
Our Year 7 Transition Evening was also a highlight, thanks to the excellent involvement from staff and presentation by Deputy Chair of the Governing Council, Cameron Marlowe. It was exciting to hear so many Year 6 students express interest in the Canberra trip planned for 2026. Our Inclusive Learning team has gone above and beyond this year, especially in supporting transitions. I am grateful for everyone’s continued dedication.
This term we celebrated Underdale High School’s 60th Anniversary. The event, held on Friday 28 November, was a huge success with over 200 registrations, a fantastic turnout of alumni, diverse displays and memorabilia, and a special limited-edition magazine was created by Kat Marshal. Thank you to Kat and all staff who contributed to making this event a memorable occasion. The energy and pride in our school community was palpable throughout the event.
Student Achievement and Community Engagement
Congratulations to all involved in this year’s Arts Evening, which was filled with diversity and engagement—inclusive of the Art Exhibition, Arts Market, Cafe Culture, as well as performances in Dance, Drama, Media and Music. The feedback from families and the community was overwhelmingly positive.
On 11 November, our Year 8 students represented Underdale High at the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the City of West Torrens Memorial Gardens. We also held a moving ceremony at school, led by Year 7 students, with navy cadets laying wreaths and a minute’s silence observed across the campus. These ceremonies allowed the school community to come together to honour service and reflect on values such as courage, resilience and sacrifice.
Learning in Focus
It has been rewarding to see middle school Humanities students engaging in research, reflection and critical thinking during their persuasive argument presentations. Likewise, Year 7 students impressed a panel recently at the local youth council, demonstrating depth of thought and confidence. We also look forward to our upcoming Exhibition of Learning for year 7 & 8 students.
Our staff Learning Area teams are using pulse check surveys to gather feedback from students and they have begun a deeper dive into how we evidence assessment, ensuring familiarity with the Department for Education SA Curriculum documentation as we plan for 2026. The Culture Team has prepared valuable resources for Project U (Home Group program), including DfE Careers Portal materials, KS:CPC, eSafety Resources and Self-Regulation for Learning (SRL) strategies.
The transition of Year 11 students into Year 12 has also been relatively successful.
Staff and Community
Special congratulations to staff member Shemayla Ahmad, recipient of the MASA 2025 John Gaffney Mathematics Education Award—an exceptional achievement.
We recently shared a heartfelt farewell with Elena, reflecting on her contributions as both a mathematics teacher and valued colleague. We look forward to seeing her in Week 0 for a quick visit and hopefully for some relief teaching in the future. Japanese teacher, Chizuru Lock will be farewelled on the last day.
Thank you to all staff who have participated in discussions about learner dispositions and contributed to the Site Learning Plan—examples of this work can be seen outside the staffroom, and more information about the start of the year will be sent out soon.
Looking Ahead
The Executive Team has been updating our Learning Framework, Learning Culture Book, and making preparations for Weeks 0 and 1 of 2026. We have been referencing connections of our sequence of learning across the disciplines and considering our assessment and task design as AI becomes more prevalent.
Our Professional Learning Teams will now be known as the Pedagogical Innovation Team—or “PIT”—to reflect our ongoing commitment to growth, innovation and excellence in practice.
Next year we start with our new Learner Management system and will roll out sessions for families during Welcome night. We are also investigating a new software application for year 7 and 8 students, to help monitor the use of gaming.
In 2026 we are keen to introduce the Duke of Edinburgh award for all our year 9 students.
I would like to acknowledge the work of our Governing Council and in particular Judy Masters as our Chair. Judy has also been nominated for our outstanding volunteer award in 2025.
Thank you again to all our staff, students, and families for a successful and eventful year. Your continued support and commitment underpin all that we achieve as a school community.
