Book Week
What a fantabulous time we had at our Book Week parade in Week 7 last term!
Everyone looked amazing in their costumes! Check out that creativity!
Industry in Action
In Week 8 a group of High School students visited Advanced Sheet Metal and Adelaide Profile Services in Lonsdale to gain real world exposure to industry in action!
Previous HCS students who have been successful in gaining apprenticeships with the businesses where on hand to share their experiences and share handy hints and tips how they can land their own meaningful employment in the engineering sector!
Leaders Visit Parliament
In Week 9 Anne and Eve, School Captains for 2026, were invited to Parliament House of South Australia by Alex Dighton MP, Member for Black.
Alex hosted a personal tour of Parliament House, provided access to a question time session, and hosted a private lunch where he fostered conversations around leadership in the community and future pathways.
Thank you very much Alex Dighton MP for the opportunity!
Connecting to Country through Art
Our Marni Kanthi students have been exploring their connections to land, place and community through art, with their ideas helping shape a new collaborative artwork currently being created for the Marni Kanthi room.
Students have also been working with Willunga Football Club on a special Reconciliation project, designing footballs that share stories of connection to Country.
As a thank you for sharing their creativity and stories, each participating student has received a football to design and take home to share with their family.
Next time you pass the Marni Kanthi room, take a moment to see the R–12 and staff artwork created during Reconciliation Week, now proudly welcoming visitors into this culturally inclusive space.
A special thank you to Julie Clifton, Danyle Pearce, Matthew Johnston and everyone who has helped bring these projects to life.
Battle of the Buns
All the way back in Week 8 our staff vs students Battle of the Buns took centre stage! Staff and students battled it out to create the best sandwich and bring home the glory.
Staff won this round with a few… bold… flavour combinations from some of the students, but it’s all to play for next term!
Festival of Music
Our students recently had the wonderful opportunity to perform in the Primary Schools Festival of Music: Stars on Stage at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Alongside more than 1,300 Year 5 and 6 students from across South Australia, 28 of our students proudly took to the stage, showcasing their enthusiasm, confidence and musical talents. We were also delighted to see Evelyn and Esmee represent our school as a members of the troupe along with Daniel in the orchestra, demonstrating exceptional dedication and skill.
This year’s concert was a truly unforgettable experience. Audiences were thrilled by energetic guest performances, outstanding musicianship from the orchestra and troupe, and a vibrant repertoire spanning a range of musical genres.
A special thank you to our teachers and support staff who went above and beyond to make this opportunity possible. Their dedication, encouragement and countless hours of preparation helped our students shine on stage. We are incredibly proud of all our performers and grateful to be part of such a spectacular celebration of music, learning and public education.
Gr8 Race
Year 8 students once again took part in the annual Gr8 Race! A group orienteering challenge combined with activities designed to build upon the schools values or respect, resilience and integrity.
The sun shone and treated students to a great day with to spend with friends.
Special thanks to our local Woolworths Hallett Cove for sponsoring the sausage sizzle for lunch.
Climbing Fun
In Week 9 our daredevil Stage 2 Outdoor Ed class completed their rock-climbing unit at Onkaparinga River National Park and Morialta Conservation Park!
Students learnt to climb, belay and abseil down 15m cliff faces!
- Skills learnt
- Fears conquered
- Memories made
Ice Factor
In Week 9 our very own Hallett Cove Huskies competed in the End of Term Tournament coming out with 4 wins and 1 draw.
It was amazing to see the team working together and only getting stronger and stronger!
Congratulations to MJ, Riley, Layla, Keanu and Jade for winning awards on the day.
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BMX Balance
Check out some amazing shots of our BMX Balance squad!
Skills Swap
At the end of term our Year 9 students stepped into leadership roles through our Skill Swap, planning and teaching a skill to groups of Year 4, 5 and 6 students during Pastoral Care
From magic tricks and dancing to face painting, guitar, bracelet making and sporting techniques, there was a huge range of skills on display! The activity was a great opportunity for our Year 9s to demonstrate leadership, collaboration, creativity and confidence while sharing something they enjoy with younger students.
Our Junior School students had a fantastic time meeting and learning from their older peers, with plenty of encouragement and support along the way. A great opportunity for students across our school to connect and learn from each other!
Youth Ops Graduates
Congratulations to our Year 9 Youth Opportunities graduates! Over the term, our students have grown in different and meaningful ways through the personal leadership program.
A highlight was seeing them show the courage to speak in front of a large crowd of family and friends at their graduation.
They leave the program with new skills, greater self-awareness and learnings to support them throughout school and into the future.
Well done, graduates!
Choreography Night
In Week 10 we held our Choreographic Dance Awards with students from five of our dance classes presenting their self-devised choreography
Our winning choreographers were:
Year 7 / 8 Solo – Esmee titled ‘Waves’
Year 7 / 8 Group – Erynne, Ruby, Phoebe, Aviana, Rose titled ‘Four White Walls’
Year 9 / 10 / 11 Solo – Tay titled ‘Nostalgia’
Year 9 / 10 / 11 Group – Holly, Sienna, Chloe, Aggie, Aimee titled ‘Stole the Show’
Many thanks to Nicola Beyer and Caitlin McNamara for being dedicated teachers who led our young dancers to perform their best and a huge thank you to our expert guest judge Tamara Chesson.
Pre-Trades Grades
In the last few weeks of term Mr Beaglehole’s Year 10 Pre-Trades class were developing their bricklaying skills through hands-on learning, including mixing mortar, buttering bricks, using a stringline, and laying a course of bricks. Students then planned their final assessment using a bond pattern of their choice.
This practical learning has already led to one student undertaking work experience with a local bricklayer, with apprenticeship opportunities now being explored. Great work Year 10 Pre-Trades!
Wellbeing Festival and Colour Run
We finished off Term 3 with our amazing Wellbeing Festival and Colour Fun Run.
For our wellbeing Festival, students had the opportunity to participate in a range of activities that were designed to promote healthy lifestyles, self-care and resilience. We had team sports, mindful colouring, crochet, a gratitude station and even a bike-riding smoothie station!
In the afternoon we let ourselves run wild in our Colour fun Run! In the lead up our families, students and community did an amazing job raising a total of $8793 for Hallett Cove School! It’s always great to see everyone having so much fun! Even the teachers that got slimed!
A fantastical way to end an amazing term!
Child Studies Collab
Our Stage 2 Child Studies class has recently been collaborating with one of our Year 1 classes in a meaningful and engaging learning experience
Early in Term 3, the Child Studies students met with the younger students to explore which types of puzzles and themes were age-appropriate, engaging and developmentally beneficial. During this consultation session, the Year 1 students interacted with a range of jigsaw, sequence, shape-sorting and peg puzzles, and shared their preferences for popular themes such as animals and shapes. They also had the opportunity to draw their own puzzle ideas.
Using this valuable feedback, the Stage 2 Child Studies students designed their own puzzles on paper, which were then brought to life using workshop technologies. A special thank you to Mr Johnston for his support in helping students create their final products.
Last week, the Year 1 students joined us again to test and enjoy the finished puzzles. It was a joyful, hands-on experience that provided valuable learning opportunities and plenty of smiles for all involved.
Pink Stumps Day
What a fantastic day supporting the McGrath Foundation and their incredible work providing breast care nurses to people experiencing breast cancer!
Our school community got behind the cause with a pink hair spray station, a fun four-wicket cricket game, and three brave teachers who took fundraising to the next level by shaving their heads for a good cause! A huge shoutout to Mr Cummins, Mr Wall and Mr Sweet for getting involved and showing their support!
Together, we raised an amazing $548! A massive thank you to everyone who participated, donated and helped make the day such a success.
Every dollar helps make a difference. Thank you, HCS community, for getting behind such an important cause!
Year 12 Final Week
What a final week our Year 12’s had! From a good old-fashioned game of Family Feud, to coming dressed as their childhood self, it was a week to give thanks, have fun and reflect on their 13 years of schooling.
We miss them already and wish them all the luck in the world for their upcoming exams!
International
Last Term was a huge term for our International Students!
This term, our vibrant global community grew even bigger as we welcomed 40 fantastic new international students to our cohort!
It’s been an action-packed term full of memorable Aussie experiences, including:
Unforgettable Trips: Exploring the charming streets of Hahndorf, taking in the coastal views at Victor Harbor, and experiencing the rugged beauty of the Flinders on our Outback Camp.
A Classic Aussie Welcome: Joining international students from across the state to learn the art of kicking a footy, having a go at cricket, and braving their very first taste of Vegemite!
Essential Life Skills: Practicing key water safety rules to stay confident and safe at our beaches and pools.
New Academic Horizons: Students have jumped right in, trying out exciting subjects they don’t have back home!
We are so proud of how quickly our new arrivals have settled in, made friends, and embraced the Aussie culture. Thank you to everyone who helped make them feel right at home!
Earlier in the term we also welcomed our friends from South Korea!
Earlier this term, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting a study tour from Chungcheongbuk-do — South Korea’s only landlocked province!
We packed their itinerary full of unforgettable Aussie experiences, cultural exchanges, and hands-on learning:
- In the Classroom: English language lessons, interactive Aboriginal Art workshops, and full immersion in everyday school life alongside our local students.
- Out & About: Sightseeing trips to local library, Parliament House, the historic streets of Hahndorf, and up-close wildlife encounters at the wildlife park.
- True Aussie Culture: Trying iconic local foods, mastering the art of kicking an Aussie Rules footy, and sharing plenty of laughs along the way.
- Sharing of Culture: Fantastic presentations to the Aussie students showcasing K-Pop, Korean food, business, history and sports
- A Fond Farewell: Wrapping up an incredible visit with a fun farewell pizza and ice-cream lunch to celebrate new friendships.
A massive thank you to everyone including our local homestays, our student buddies and teachers who made our guests feel so welcome.
Sport
Southern Vales Soccer Comp
In Term 3 our Hallett Cove School Soccer Program took 13 teams to the Southern Vales/Fleurieu 5-A-Side Soccer competition across two days for some action packed, mud-soaked, fun-filled competition.
On Tuesday our 2 Yr 7/8 Girls teams battled resiliently in horrendous conditions to finish top two in a intensely fought league. The temperature was low, learning high and fun was extreme. Our Boys took out the Year 7/8 Boys Division 1 Competition after a disciplined display in the round matches and a highly skilled and exciting final. All 9 of our Yr 7/8 teams enjoyed a wet muddy day of determined and gritty football.
On Wednesday our Yr 9/10 Girls took home the Division 1 Gold in a masterful and highly skilled grand final display. Opposing coaches commented on levels of teamwork rarely witnessed in school based sports.
The Yr 9/10 Boys completed a sweep of Division 1. A determined Yr 9 Boys outfit took home the silver after an intense battle through the pool games, succumbing to their first loss in a tense final, where our strong and determined HCS Yr 10 Boys team took home the gold.
Our Division 2 Boys squad completed the sweep of awards, winning their division in a tense finals display.
Current school mentor, former HCS student and National Premier League stalwart, Zac Becker, commented on the recent success. “Participation, enjoyment and belonging remain the foundation of soccer at HCS, but for students with aspirations to take their game further, we also offer one of the most comprehensive school-based development pathways. That journey begins through developing strong technical foundations, confidence and a love of the game under the guidance of our experienced teachers and specialist coaches.”
Expertly coached by our soccer program’s senior students, all 13 teams across the carnival exhibited respect and resilience, representing our school with pride.
Mr Kenny and Mr Heywood would like to thank Ms Roach, Mr Russell, Ms Fletcher, Ms Kaderes, Mr Salter and all our parents/caregivers, support staff and student mentors for making these opportunities possible for our students.
Student Spotlight
Year 8 student Malakhy has recently been awarded the ‘First Year Star’ medal for his umpiring through the SANFL
The award recognizes outstanding first-year junior field, boundary, or goal umpires who have shown exceptional promise, high training standards and excellent on-field performance across the SANFL Juniors network.
He has done so well umpiring both field and boundary and has already been scouted for future development programs in 2027!
Well done Malakhy! What an amazing achievement!
Phone Policy and Yondr Pouches
Thank you to all of our students and families for their support with implementing the South Australian Government ban on mobile phones in schools in 2023.
The use of Yondr pouches at Hallett Cove School made an immediate impact on phone use and students are happily engaging in learning, during class and at break times.
Your ongoing support with encouraging your child to follow our phone policy is appreciated.
Hallett Cove School aims to take advantage of the reach and instantaneous nature of social media to communicate with our families.
Social Media
We have long had a regularly updated Facebook page and last year we added Instagram to our media presence. Links to all our pages are included at the bottom of this page.
Along with our main page, we have also created two additional Facebook pages for particular audience members of our community:
- Hallett Cove Career Pathways: To keep parents and students informed of career information and opportunities through Hallett Cove School.
- Hallett Cove School Community Announcements: To keep parents, students and the wider community informed about education sessions and educational opportunities, to raise public awareness around the current trends in society and provide information about upcoming events and opportunities.
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Kiss and Drop Areas
When dropping off/picking up your child(ren), please remember that the middle lane (Gledsdale Road Kiss and Drop) and right lane (Sanderson Road Kiss and Drop) should not be used as a waiting/parking lane.
Local councils are often out and about at schools ensuring the community use these spaces safely.
Parents and Friends
Hallett Cove School values the contribution of our community and we encourage any of our parents and friend to consider joining the Parents and Friends Group (P&F) in 2024.
The P&F support key functions in the school. Recently, our P&F have held a Sports Day stall, Harmony Day stall, Fun Run and parents are assisting in managing our Street Libraries (outside the Vegetable Garden and Early Years Centre).
Please email info@hcs.sa.edu.au if you are interested in joining P&F and the school will put you in contact with our P&F representative and our Volunteer Coordinator.
SchoolTV
Hallett Cove School is pleased to provide SchoolTV to our community. SchoolTV is an all-in-one resource for the community aimed to offer parents a fresh approach to the concerns and pressures faced by Australian children.
SchoolTV is a unique online resource delivering powerful and credible information to empower parents with the skills to address these concerns and raise happy, well and resilient children.
You can access the bank of SchoolTV resources via our website
Feedback and Suggestions
As always, should you have any feedback or suggestions on how we can continue to further the quality of experience we offer our community, I welcome your contact via email, phone or in person.
Yours Sincerely,
Tony Hall
Principal
