News, Week 2, Term 2, 2026

This issue

1. Principal’s Message
2. Important Dates
3. Materials and Services
4. Parent Information Night – What Learning Looks Like
5. Open Night May and August
6. Year 10 Immunisations
7. Pathways
8. Enrichment
9. Sports News
10. Brains or Bots?
11. Order from Chaos
12. Year 12 Biology
13. Wellbeing and Engagement Collection
14. English Literary Studies Author Visit – Andrew Bovell
15. Service Club Notices
16. Library Update

Principal’s Message

Welcome to Term 2. It’s a busy start with almost every student engaging with a lot of hands-on practical learning already! I am looking forward to hearing about everyone’s CIC Week exploits and the fun times had the at the Year 12 Formal this week.

Curiosity in the Community Week

In Week 3 of Term 2 (11-15 May) Year 10 and 11 students will be participating in Curiosity in the Community (CIC) Week. There are no formal lessons for Years 10 & 11 and all students are expected to take part in CIC Week. Year 12s have normal lessons during this period. Students will apply their STEM knowledge and skills to address real-world problems and promote positive change. A massive thankyou to everyone making this week possible; we have almost 300 students off site at various times throughout the week, from five-day camps to half day excursions. Please keep checking emails for last minute communications.

Z & Tau (Z&T)

Building on the success of X and Why? in 2025, Semester 2 will see the launch of the new Central Study Z&T start, where students will personalise their learning by choosing from a wide range of four week modules designed to increase agency and ensure key learning outcomes are met. This week, students will be asked for their module preferences, including compulsory modules for Year 10 and Year 11. Families are strongly encouraged to discuss these options together before selections are submitted. Please note that final module offerings will depend on student interest. 

Year 12 Home Study

From the beginning of Term 2, Year 12 students may apply for Home Study during certain unscheduled study sessions at the start or end of their school day, offering greater flexibility and responsibility in managing their learning and commitments. Home Study is a privilege, only approved and maintained for students who keep up with their course work and attend all required sessions. To be eligible, students, and their families, must complete and sign the necessary forms before Home Study can commence; until this process is completed, students must attend all school sessions as usual.

Important Dates

2026 Materials and Services Charges

The 2026 Materials and Services Charge was due on 10 April 2026 (end of Term 1) unless prior arrangements had been made. Family Statements detailing the outstanding balance have been emailed to parents/caregivers regularly throughout Term 1. Please check your statement carefully each month and if you have any questions or concerns, contact our school Finance Officer on 8201 5704.

Financial Support

If you would like to organise a direct debit payment plan, please complete the DDR form here and return the Direct Debit Request Form to finance@asms.sa.edu.au.

School Card Scheme

The School Card scheme offers financial assistance with school fees (Materials and Services Charges) for students attending government schools each year. School Card financial assistance is available for students from four years of age receiving full-time schooling. The scheme is administered by the Department for Education to provide financial support towards educational expenses.

Please note: School Card applications must be submitted every year. Click here to apply. If you have any queries, please contact our Finance Officer on 8201 5704.

Thank you for your attention and support.

ASMS Finance Department

Parent Information Night – What Learning Looks Like

We invite all ASMS parents and guardians to join us for a Parent Night centred on What Learning Looks Like—with a particular focus on student wellbeing and the learning process. This evening will offer insight into how our school is supporting students’ mental health, social development, and overall wellbeing, and to be active members of the community.

You’ll have the chance to connect with our wellbeing team, hear from student perspectives, engage with other parents and explore strategies we use to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Together, we’ll discuss how to help our students manage stress, stay motivated, and maintain balance across all aspects of their lives.

📅 Date: 3/06/25
🕕 Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
📍 Location: ASMS

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to support the ASMS students.

Register to attend the evening here.

Open Nights – May and August

On Thursday 28 May, from 6pm to 8pm, we look forward to welcoming students and families who are considering our school to join us for our first Open Night of the year.

If you know families who are interested to experience the ASMS, please spread the word and welcome families to book now for Open Night.

We truly appreciate our students’ involvement in Open Night, as visitors take a look around our open learning environment and hear first-hand how our students drive their own learning, pursue their passions and explore emerging sciences.

Year 10 Immunisations

Just a reminder to all parents and caregivers that Meningococcal vaccinations for Year 10 students will be taking place on Wednesday 27 May 2026.

The second dose will be on the 30 July 2026 on site at the ASMS.

Pathways

DSTG Work Experience Opportunity

The Defence Science Technology Group (DSTG) are allowing secondary school students to undertake a STEM Immersion Week at their site in Edinburgh. Placements are available in June & July. DSTG is the Australian government’s lead agency responsible for applying science and technology to safeguard Australia and its national interests.

In this placement students will have the opportunity to observe and gain an introduction to the application of research in engineering and science fields. Students will be specifically introduced to Defence scientists/engineers and learn about how they help to develop new capabilities and assess existing science and technology. While students will not be engaged directly to perform any scientific work they will have the opportunity to tour our facilities and speak to many different scientists about their areas of research, education and career histories.

Only Australian citizens are eligible to apply and students must be between the ages of 15-18.

Application Process. Students can apply for the placements on the following link – Defence Careers – STEM Immersion: Edinburgh Defence Precinct and Adelaide CBD (June/July)

When applying online, students will be required to answer the following questions when completing their online application:

1. What STEM subjects/areas are of particular interest to you? How do you think this Defence STEM work experience will assist you in choosing a future career pathway.
2. Are you currently involved in STEM related activities/projects within school, or outside school? If so, please outline the activities and your involvement.
3. What are your interest and hobbies (E.g. describe your participation in science, programs, organisations, volunteering, part time jobs, hobbies, additional schooling etc.)

Please see the attached or the link for further information. Applications close May 17.

Bond University Scholarships

Bond University provides a range of awards including full-fee scholarships awarding from $110,400 – $202,400 in value, and part-fee scholarships.  
Elite Scholarships

• Vice Chancellor’s Elite Scholarship – 100% tuition remission for an approved single or combined degree
• Vynka Hohnen Scholarship (WA only) – 100% tuition remission for an approved single degree

Recipients of these scholarships are also invited to participate in the Vice Chancellor’s Mentoring Program once commenced at Bond. The Mentoring Program connects each scholar with an influential corporate mentor, and is intended to cultivate industry links, networks and business acumen.

Other Scholarships

• Excellence Scholarship – 50% tuition remission
• Leadership Scholarship – 25% tuition remission
• Bond University Indigenous Scholarship – up to 50% tuition remission
• Sporting Scholarships – up to 100% tuition remission
• Transformer Scholarship – 50% tuition remission
• CoLab Industry Scholarships – 25% tuition for any of the four Transformation degrees offered in the Transformation CoLab.

Follow the link for further information

Enrichment

Young Voices, Bright Futures 

During the April school holidays, Year 11 Luci Tinsley-Smith was invited to participate in the Young Voices Bright Futures showcase, which was held during Youth Week. It highlighted young people from across South Australia and their contributions to their community. I was invited to speak about environmental issues, a part of my speech: ‘My willingness to challenge decisions and oppose decision makers has greatly helped me to make real change in my community. Young people like myself should be involved with activism and should use their passion and anger about a situation to make real change.’ 

Periods, Pain, Endometriosis Program (PPEP Talk) Workshop

On Wednesday, 8th April, Week 11, we had Vanessa from PPEP Talk (Periods, Pain, Endometriosis Program) join us to educate our young people on periods and endometriosis. Here are some reflections on what our students learned on from the workshop:

• “We learnt that it can affect people of all ages and we think it’s really good that they are trying to lower the age of diagnosis. – Ivy & Gracie
• “I learnt a lot more about the different types of pain that can come from the pelvis. I think that it is important that everyone is educated on this as you learn about what is and isn’t normal and all of the support that is available.” – Annie
• “It was great to learn more about what can be done to alleviate these different sorts of pain, and it was helpful for me as a male as well.” – Elory
• “One thing that I learnt was that no matter level of pain you’re going through, the foundation of all that is staying hydrated and having a healthy diet. Other thing that fascinated me is that it affects young and older people. One thing I took from this session is to not be shy or uncomfortable to talk about period pain as it can result in a higher issue.” – Tamanna
• “I would definitely recommend this because I learned a lot of things that I wouldn’t learn in normal sex education. I learned that you aren’t supported to be having Panadol and for me that was a shock because I had been using it since I got my first period.” – Stella
• “I liked the how welcoming the presentation felt, and how much we learned in such a small amount of time. I would recommend this for anyone, male or female, as it didn’t feel like something we were forced to learn, and instead it was something of common interest between everyone.” – Laura
• “I really liked the workshop because it taught me lots of new things that can help me manage my period. She taught a lot of stuff that you wouldn’t usually learn in Sex Ed or in class. It was nice to have a focus on all types of period pain, symptoms, management and diagnoses. I didn’t know that you weren’t supposed take Panadol for period pain because its inflammatory pain.” – Julia
• “I didn’t know like 80% of that so it’s good to be informed for the people around me” – Aidan
• “One thing I learnt: the different ways and places you can feel pain and how it affects your wellbeing.” – Brooke
• “Panadol and Nurofen do not have the same effect on pain because Panadol is not an anti-inflammatory.” – Laura
• “4 in 10 people suffer from endometriosis.” – Lacey

Term 1 Passion Project Showcase

Feedback from students and the Governing Council has seen us add an extra element to the showcase which is allowing students time to focus on exploring their peers’ projects from the group that they are presenting in, prior to showcasing their piece and them moving to another group’s showcase.

Quantum SA Conference / Open Day

Our first Enrichment excursion for Term 2 was on Thursday 30th April. At the Quantum SA Conference/Open Day students and staff had access to a range of stakeholders including Universities and industry partners (13 organisations), Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) – Adelaide University, CeQuTech, EinsteinFirst, Quantum Girls, Quokka, Questacon, Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), CSIRO, Australian Institute of Physics (AIP), Engineers Australia, Australian Signals Directorate, and SA Department of Education (Physics demonstrations).

Cohen, Year 11 student reflects on the day:

“I have previously begun thinking about a career in mechanical engineering and have considered specialising in quantum technologies. After this event, I am surer than ever about what I want to do for a career. Quantum sciences are incredibly interesting, and I want to be at the forefront of it as the industry develops.”

For more information on Enrichment opportunities, check out the portal page which features a calendar of events and registration dates.

Sports News

Sport has continued this term with ASMS. While most tournaments are yet to be played, there have already been two major updates.

The first was the staff versus students table tennis match, where staff secured the win and continued their winning streak for the year. However, special mention goes to Year 10 student Angie, who went undefeated on the day, defeating all opponents. While the staff won overall, she was clearly the standout player.

The second update is the mixed netball carnival held in Week 2. ASMS entered three teams: a Year 10 girls team, a Year 10–12 boys team, and a Year 11–12 girls team. All teams played a series of short games at Netball SA Stadium and performed admirably. A special mention goes to the Year 10 girls, who won their bracket, losing only one game and recording three wins and two draws.

Overall, it was a great day of sportsmanship. Students performed and behaved extremely well, volunteering to umpire and assist where needed. Fortunately, the rain held off despite threatening conditions.

There are many more sporting opportunities to come in Term 2, including knockout competitions and day carnivals. Upcoming events include badminton, girls’ nine-a-side AFL, boys’ basketball, and boys’ and girls’ soccer and futsal. Students are encouraged to check their emails regularly for opportunities to engage in the ASMS sporting program.

Brains or Bots?

If you have seen the movie ‘The Matrix’ you will remember a scene where Morpheus describes how the AI grows and keeps humans alive in pods, using them as batteries. In our current Brains or Bots module students have chosen to specialise in developing an understanding of the relationship between structure and function of organs and organs systems or developing an understanding about how electricity can be generated through chemical reactions.

In the organ system specialisation we have started looking at the process that describe how substances are transported into and out of cells, namely diffusion and osmosis. Plenty of hands-on practicals and demonstrations have been used to support students develop an understanding of these concepts. Students have worked collaboratively to describe how these concepts are applied in the digestive respiratory or excretory system and will present these to the class. We have explored the issues around organ donation via some impressive debates.

In the electrochemistry specialisation, students have explored how electricity is generated through spontaneous chemical reactions, with a specific focus on understanding how batteries function. Students put theory into practice in numerous practical activities, including testing metal reactivity, constructing galvanic cells, and electroplating metals. 

Order from Chaos

In Order from Chaos, students are nearly at the completion of Module 2 –Patterns and Perspectives by working towards their final submission for the ‘Reactive Patterns’ Unit, which is the copper tree investigation. This has seen the students apply their knowledge of single displacement reactions to grow their own copper trees. They are currently generating a mathematical model of this growth pattern to predict the number of branches at a given point.

To do this, they are generating and testing their conjectures and stretching this further by investigating an additional variable relating to their tree in order to make a prediction about its future growth. By undertaking this investigation, students develop understandings that while mathematical models are helpful to make predictions, they are imperfect and must be considered for accuracy within the context of the real-life situation that they are modelling. 

The students have growth some beautiful and intricate trees! It’s wonderful how something inorganic can still grow and demonstrate patterns as though it is organic!

Year 12 Biology

Both Year 12 Biology classes have been very busy learning about DNA, mutations and a range of Biotechnology tools and different applications as part of Topic 1 DNA and proteins in cells. Students put their knowledge of bacterial transformation to the test and completed a practical on pGREEN during Week 10 of last term.

This practical involved transforming bacteria (E. coli) with a gene from Aequorea victoria; a bioluminescent jellyfish. The successful transformations of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) of the Aequorea victoria will be expressed in the bacteria; causing them to glow bright green under UV light (as you can see in the image below).

Our Year 12 Biologists are practicing inquiry skills and learning the impact of errors in experiments which is important for this field of science, and skills that transferred well to their Deconstruct and Design Task on enzymes.

Wellbeing and Engagement Collection

As part of the Department for Education’s statewide data collection process, our students have been invited to take part in the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection survey. The survey will be open in Weeks 2 to 5 of Term 2 (Monday 4 May to Friday 29 May 2026).

Purpose of the survey

Young people’s wellbeing is an important part of how they learn at school. The survey seeks students’ views about their wellbeing and their engagement with school. Students in years 4 to 12 across the state will be invited to participate and the information collected will help the education system and broader community to support young people’s health and wellbeing. Within the ASMS, we will use the information to identify points for closer engagement with students to understand and address their wellbeing needs.

What is the survey about?

The survey asks students about their social and emotional wellbeing, school relationships, engagement and learning in school, physical health and wellbeing and after school activities.

How will students complete the survey?

Teachers will arrange for students to do the survey during class time. They will be asked if they would like to participate and are free to withdraw at any time. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact the school as soon as possible after receiving this letter by emailing rachel.koek@asms.sa.edu.au

Will students’ information be kept confidential?

Students’ personal information and identity will remain anonymous. Survey responses are confidential and no one (including school staff) can use the results to identify individual students. Participating schools with fewer than 5 students undertaking the survey will not receive a report of results, to protect the confidentiality of students.

What will happen if a student is distressed during or after the survey?

The survey includes some questions on topics such as student happiness and bullying.

Teachers will inform students that:

• if they find the survey uncomfortable or distressing, they should leave the survey immediately
• it is not compulsory to take part in the survey as a whole
• students can skip individual survey questions if they wish.

Students who would like to speak to an adult about any concerns they may have will be supported to do so.

Where can I get more information?

More information on the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection can be found at www.education.sa.gov.au (search: wec) or can be collected from the school.  For questions or concerns, or to view the questions, please email Education.WECSA@sa.gov.au

English Literary Studies Author Visit – Andrew Bovell

Year 12 English Literary Studies students were treated to an exclusive audience with award-winning author Andrew Bovell, at ASMS in Week 2 of this term.

Bovell, best known for his internationally acclaimed screenplays Lantana, Strictly Ballroom and Edge of Darkness, and his stage dramas Things I know To Be True and the Ruby award-winning When the Rain Stops Falling, shared his unique insights into the art and craft of storytelling with our English Literary Studies students, as part of their Responding to Texts unit.

Students are currently in a focused study of Bovell’s AWGIE award-winning text Speaking in Tongues, and the author generously provided detailed insider-knowledge into his writing process, the play’s thematic ideas, and his stylistic intentions.

Armed with a host of incisive questions, our Year 12 students also quizzed the author during an extended Q & A, uncovering deep insights into Bovell’s rule-breaking writing style, his rationale for ‘challenging audiences’, and his reasons for preferring stage over screen writing.

The event was a remarkable example of the praise-worthy perceptiveness of our ASMS students and their capacity to maximise opportunities for learning in tertiary-style, adult contexts.

Many thanks to Andrew Bovell and to English Literary Studies teacher Marcus Roberts for organising the event.

Martin Gray – English Literary Studies Teacher

Service Club Notices – CIC Week & Biggest Morning Tea

Visit to Minton Farm during CIC Week

On Tuesday 12^th May a small group of students and 2 staff will be visiting Minton Farm in Cherry Gardens. We would like to take some items to help out the feeding of the rescue animals that are cared for at Minton Farm. We are looking for donations of muesli, allbran, rolled oats, weetbix and dry dog kibble. The food can be out of date or opened packages.

We are also looking for old t shirts, jeans and windcheaters to use as lining for the knitted pet pouches we plan to make for Minton Farm.

Please bring all items to LC3 on Monday 11^th May. Thank you for any offers you can give.

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

On Monday 25^th May 2026 (Monday week 5) the ASMS Service Club will be holding our 19^th Biggest Morning Tea Cake Competition to raise funds for the Cancer Council.

It is time to start thinking and planning if you would like to make an amazing cake to share. The way this works is:

• You must be prepared to make and donate a cake and sell slices of your cake after it has been judged for $2.00 per slice
• The cake can be what ever you wish to make (don’t make it with expensive ingredients – and preferably not one that needs to be refrigerated)
• If you are looking for inspiration – it can be in the colour of your LSG
• House Points will go towards each colour – so make sure you let me know your name when you bring in your cake.
• Judging will take place before recess so that students can see the cakes at recess time before they are cut up.
• Selling slices will be during lunch time – please be prepared to cut up your cake (paper plates or serviettes and spoons will be supplied)

All money raised will be donated to The Cancer Council of SA/NT.

Library Update

Need help? Get in touch with ICT

If you are having any issues with the portal, or Daymap, please get in touch with by emailing ict@asms.sa.edu.au.