We recognize that well-being is essential for enhancing students' academic performance and overall school experience. Mental and physical health support concentration, memory, and resilience, aiding students in managing stress and remaining engaged in their studies. Positive social connections and emotional stability also foster motivation and reduce behavioural issues. Prioritizing well-being helps students navigate academic pressures and personal challenges more effectively, leading to better outcomes and a more supportive learning environment.

The Department for Education underscores the importance of well-being through its Strategy for Public Education. Alongside Equity and Excellence, Effective Learners, and Learner Agency, well-being is a key area of focus for delivering on the goal of ensuring every young person learns and thrives.

At JPSS, we are dedicated to supporting our students' well-being through various initiatives.

This term, we’ve introduced the Open Parachute program, funded by the Guy Sebastian Foundation, to teach essential mental health skills. We are excited about the benefits this initiative will bring.

Our skilled and growing well-being team includes:

• Inclusion and Wellbeing Assistant Principal Aaron Ward. This is a new leadership role initiated this year to further increase the capacity of our wellbeing team.
• Wellbeing Leader Jasmin Wright
• School Mental Health Practitioner -  Unfortunately, Jo Vanstone has resigned from this role to take up another employment opportunity; the recruitment process to replace Jo will commence soon.
• Youth Worker Kelly Pedler, with plans to add another Youth Worker in the coming weeks
• Additional Teacher Wellbeing Support Kirsty Rayner

Additionally, our ancillary staff contribute significantly to student support across all areas of the school.

The Wellbeing team organizes events such as food provision at recess, whole school breakfasts, Bullying No Way Day activities, and presentations from various organizations including SAPOL, Carly Ryan Foundation, Encounter Youth, and Sammy D Foundation.

Our staff have engaged in extensive professional learning in trauma-informed practices through the Berry Street Education Model. This approach creates a safe, empathetic environment that recognizes and addresses trauma, promoting understanding, safety, and trust. It fosters resilience, minimizes re-traumatization, and supports emotional and academic growth.

JPSS's holistic approach to student well-being, highlighted by the Open Parachute program and our dedicated team, demonstrates our commitment to nurturing both mental and physical health, ensuring students are well-prepared to excel academically and personally.

Michael Gaunt

Principal

"A School Captain's Recount"

On Wednesday,  3rd July, day 1 of the year 12 retreat, students woke up earlier then they normally do to arrive at JPSS to eagerly prepare for the 3-hour bus ride to their destiny. Once in Adelaide, students and staff battled in a game of Pegasaurus, with one student coming out on top with the greatest number of stolen pegs.

Students then spent time together at St Kilda playground, acting as they did when they were primary school kids, running amuck. For lunch, teachers prepared exquisite sandwiches and juice boxes for students to devour. The bus then made its way to the Adelaide Gaol, where tour guides gave educational and entertaining tours to the groups of students. It was here where students pretended to be historical prisoners, displaying their truly exceptional acting skills.

Everyone then arrived at the West Beach Caravan Park, where new friendships were made, food was rapidly inhaled, playgrounds were swarmed with teenagers, and beds were napped in. Later that night John Pirie staff and students, contested and conquered Bounce INC. Everyone then came back to the park, demolished more food and ice-cream, then tucked themselves into bed to catch some Z’s.

Day 2 was the day of the ultimate battle, the Amazing Race of Adelaide. However, before the race could begin students needed to wake up, eat breakfast, prepare their troops, and venture through the Mod Museum to experience the ‘BROKEN’ exhibition.

After the Mod, it was time for friendships, students’ knowledge, and their speed to be tested. It was time for the Amazing Race. Students were given questions, riddles, and silly little challenges to complete.

During the race, patience was tested, slight arguments were had, but most importantly students once again got in touch with their childlike selves reminiscing on the fact they are nearly no longer high school students.

Ultimately, one group reigned supreme where they received bragging rights, breakfast the next morning and the back seat of the bus, what else could they have wanted?

Students then went back to West Beach, to bathe and rid the evidence of their battles, build, and strengthen more friendships, and celebrate an 18th birthday with an amusing balloon race.

We all then headed to Charlie's diner for dinner, it was here that students really investigated their plate stacking and food eating abilities, afterwards on the bus, vocal cords were destroyed with the atrocious karaoke singing, before arriving at Kingpin bowling and arcade.

Once back at West Beach, students settled down, read some bedtime stories, said good nighty night, and went to sleep.

Students returned the next day to Port Pirie, ready for the last few months of their schooling!

Thanks to all staff involved, it was a blast!

In week 2, Year 10 students participated in a day walk through Nelshaby Reserve. All students were left eager for their upcoming overnight bushwalk in Mount Remarkable National Park and feel better equipped to plan and prepare for their next outdoor experience.

In week 3, Clontarf held their Annual Year 12 Employment forum in Adelaide. This was a great opportunity to learn more about the workforce/Uni and different avenues for our young men. The students had mock interviews with management with different Clontarf partners from around the state. We had ex Clontarf alumni and star Port Adelaide player Willie Rioli come in and talk to the boys about his journey to the AFL. Willie also spoke about how Clontarf helped him prepare for life after school and how the academy was a brotherhood for life. Willie still speaks to his academy mentors and brothers now when he needs advice.

On Thursday the boys teamed up for a game of football at Glenelg oval. They competed against Sacred Heart College and the game was played in great spirits by all. Our Spirit Award for this camp went to Tyson Evans. Tyson showed great leadership and was willing to give everything a go! Well done Tyson!

Dance Academy attended Dance Ultra Schools Competition at Immanuel College and competed against numerous schools and colleges. Students competed both their jazz and contemporary routines, and received an honourable mention from the judges. It was a successful day and staff were overly impressed with students' respect for other schools, bravery for first time performers and commitment in trying their best. 

The ten year 7 student voice representatives have been involved in a Developing Leadership Program with the year 6 leaders from the Port Pirie Primary Schools. On Tuesday, 13^th August they participated in day 3 of the program with a final day scheduled for later in term 4. The Gr8r.me program focuses on personal development and provides students with practical learning to enhance their leadership skills. The JPSS year 7 leaders have been able to contribute positively to the sessions and reassure the year 6 students about the move to secondary school. 

On Wednesday 14^th August, students from Years 10 & 11 attended the Port Pirie Regional Hospital to attend the PARTY (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth). This program allowed students to listen to Intensive Care Nurses from both the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre who work closely with both young people and adults who suffer trauma and life altering injuries because of car crashes. Students were able to gain life experiences and enact what it would be like in a hospital Emergency Department. SAPOL & SAAS were also able to share knowledge with the students about day-to-day situations that occur in their areas of employment. It was a very confronting day for the students, however many walked away still very keen to enter the workforce in these occupations.

Jasmin Wright & Michael Gaunt

Book Week 2024 has seen the library magically transformed this week. There's a Magician's nook, the magic faraway tree and some enchanted flying story bird books.

Each English class has taken part in a read-aloud, witch and wizard quizzes, the magical memory box and a Harry Potter Obby! All students have loved it, complete with top hats, tiaras, wands and capes. Reading truly is magic!!

This week the Year 7 classrooms had a classroom competition to define Reading is Magic! In a hard fought magical battle, Ms Fuller and Mrs Rohde came to the conclusion that there would be two awards, one for Creative Cleverness and Effort and one for Ingenuity and Innovation.

With that in mind, the winners are (with imaginary drumroll!) A1 Mrs Jarrett's class for their creativity and cleverness in turning their classroom into the Wizard of OZ, complete with yellow brick road, walkthrough rainbow, Dorothy and Toto and the poor Wicked Witch of the West! Truly an amazing effort. The ingenuity and Innovation Award went to A3 Mrs Rayner's class for their "magic in me" collection of photos of the class with something that brings out the magic in them and their writeups which were in invisible ink and needed special lighting so we could read their work, Ingenious! Both classes will win their own Pizza party with a time to be decided!

Well done to all involved Great Work Everyone!