News, Week 10, Term 1, 2026

This issue

1. Principal’s Message
2. Important Dates
3. Open Night
4. Camborne UK Visit
5. Harmony Day
6. Enrichment News
7. Pathways Information
8. Sports News
9. Brains or Bots?
10. Order from Chaos
11. Year 12 Earth Systems Excursion
12. Year 10 Vaccinations

Principal’s Message

Cost of Living

We recognise that the rising cost of living is placing increased pressure on many families in our community. At times like these, it’s important to remember that support is available, and you are not alone. Our school is committed to working alongside families to ensure every student can fully participate in their learning. Assistance may include flexible payment options, access to financial support programs, or help with essential school items and activities. If your family is experiencing difficulty, we strongly encourage you to reach out in confidence to the school. A conversation can often open the door to practical support and solutions tailored to your circumstances. Your first port of call is the Senior Colour Leaders Rogan Tinsley (Red), Brian Parsons (Yellow), Femia Bakuszowski (Green), Lisa Pope (Blue), or Matthew Verdon (Deputy Principal – Learning Culture).

A Safety Reminder: Senior Assassins

We’re aware some students are participating in Senior Assassins, a game similar to tag but with higher stakes. Using an app, players track each other via GPS and must record a water “tag” to progress. Items like goggles or floaties can provide temporary immunity, and the app includes “safe zones” such as schools and workplaces; these are not always being respected.

There are growing concerns about unsafe behaviours linked to the game, including trespassing, gambling and actions that may cause public alarm or invade privacy. This game also requires the players to provide their exact location details to a third party. 

While played outside school, any incidents impacting student safety or wellbeing may result in school action. We encourage families to discuss safe and responsible choices with their young people.

What could I ask my child?

Staying connected with your child’s educational journey at the ASMS is essential. Engaging in meaningful conversations can provide valuable insights into their experiences and progress. Here are six thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the day:

• What was the most interesting thing you learned today? This question encourages your child to share exciting discoveries or topics that captured their interest, helping you understand what learning resonate with them.
• Were there any challenges you faced in your classes today? How did you overcome them? Discussing challenges helps your child reflect on their resilience and adaptability, while also opening opportunities for you to offer support and guidance.
• Did you collaborate with any classmates on a project? What was your role? Collaboration is a key aspect of learning at ASMS. By asking about group learning, you can learn about your child’s teamwork skills and contributions.
• How do you feel about your progress this week? This question allows your child to reflect on their achievements and areas for improvement, fostering a sense of self-awareness and growth.
• What goals have you set for yourself this week? Encouraging goal-setting helps your child focus on their priorities and aspirations, providing a sense of direction and motivation.
• Is there anything you’re curious about and want to explore further? By exploring their curiosities, you can support your child’s interests and encourage a lifelong love of learning.

Incorporating these questions into your routine can foster a supportive environment that values education and personal growth.

Important Dates in Term 2

Open Night

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 Open Night.

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.

Camborne UK Visit

In Week 9 and 10 this term the ASMS welcomed 6 students and 2 teachers from our partnership school, Camborne Science and International Academy in England.

While here the students immersed themselves in both Central Studies and Year 12 subjects, experiencing our different ways of teaching and learning. They also got the true Aussie experience feeding kangaroos, meeting koalas and eating meat pies, FruChocs and managed to fit in a few visits to Haighs.

Our ASMS cohort have been extremely welcoming, promoting our ASMS culture, Learner Attributes and showed initiative and agency to help Camborne Science and International Academy visitors become members of our school community.

Thank you to our ASMS families and community who hosted the visiting students and their teachers while they were in Adelaide, we understand it has been an enriching experience for all!

Harmony Day

In Week 8, the ASMS we recognised Harmony Week as well as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

In Learning Studies, our cohort were able to participate in a range of educational games and activities organised by our staff and Changemakers students. Our students were also asked to wear purple or orange or traditional dress to show their support for diversity and inclusion.

Thank you to our ASMS for reflecting on respect and belonging in our school community during Harmony Week.

Enrichment News

Enrichment at ASMS has been pumping this term, we have had over 50 students completing a range of competitions, sign ups for Term 2 are well underway. Students are encouraged to use the menu on the portal to choose an activity that suits them and register now by emailing Nikki their preferences. Parents are also welcomed to view what Enrichment activities are on offer by navigating to the ASMS portal.

National Schools Constitutional Convention

In Week 10, our Year 12 student Ark attended the National Schools Constitutional Convention in Canberra representing the ASMS and South Australia at this event. This is what Ark had to say about this learning experience.

“The National Schools Constitutional Convention was an incredibly rewarding, fun, and valuable experience. The ability to hear talks from and meet professors of law, politicians, and the Governor-General herself has helped me to delve into my understanding of how Australia’s constitution came to be and its purpose today. For me, a highlight was speaking with other students about government, the constitution, and politics, as well as meeting the Governor-General and observing question time in the House of Representatives. I am incredibly grateful to be able to have represented my state and school at a national level.”

Youth of SA Parliament

The following students have submitted entries into Youth of SA Parliament Sienna, Kayleigh, Beth, Mia, Hana, Callen, Cohen and the UN Women National Schools Competition Julia, Beth, Izzy. We wish them all the best.

Bebras Computational Thinking Competition

The Bebras Computational Thinking competition (from Australian Maths Trust) was held at ASMS, students answered 15 challenging questions in a combination of multiple choice, integer and interactive responses. By doing this competition students actively develop crucial future-ready skills like research, digital literacy, and problem-solving. Well done to Year 10’s Romin and Arlo, as well as Year 11’s Riya, Matthew, and Meharbir.

Australian Maths Trust

On Thursday 26th March, 6 of our Yr 10’s & Yr 11’s completed the Australian Maths Trust (Kangourou sans Frontières) competition which is a 75-minute test condition style format, testing students on their Basic arithmetic, Fractions and ratios, Algebra and pre-algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Statistics and probability, Problem-solving. Whilst is was fun, students reported that it was “mind boggling” and made them “think in a different way”. These competitions are available to students so that they can trial their skills in new and unfamiliar contexts. Well done to our Year 10’s Urja, Arlo and Romin, and our Year 11’s Cem, Matthew, and Meharbir for giving it a go.

Grok Academy Python

In the coding side of things, Year 10 Aaron G completed a Grok Academy Python (intermediate) 4-week Competition in 2 days, we await the results of this. Fantastic work Aaron.

Minecraft Build Challenge

The Minecraft Build Challenge is well underway; this year we have 3 teams in total. 2 of the teams are working on the Semester 1 project with their design brief being to research a major real-world structural failure to understand the physics and mechanics behind the collapse and construct it in a Minecraft world with justifications. Year 10s Nico C, Ali R, Charith C, and Zion S are working on the Christchurch Earthquake (New Zealand) and Elroy, Neal S and Rory B are working on a manmade dam. In Semester 2 we will have Callen S and Malikai W working on the design brief of ‘sustainable career paths and construct a “Workplace of Tomorrow” that highlights the specific skills, technologies, and innovations required for success in that industry’. They have big shoes to fill as ASMS took 1st place in this competition last year.

SA Space School Academy

Three of our Year 10 students, Isla, Arlo and Angus have entered successful applications to the SA Space School Academy 4-day camp. We cannot wait to see how this goes and hear about their experiences. The camp has been postponed from the April school holidays to the October School holidays due to unforeseen reasons.

Young Voices, Bright Futures

Young Voices, Bright Futures is a youth-led celebration of the creativity, leadership and positive impact of young people across South Australia, hosted during SA Youth Week this year. We wish Year 11 Luci all the best with her application.

Passion Project

Students are preparing some evidence of learning to showcase to their peers on Thursday in Week 11 in the Passion Project showcase. We look forward to sharing some highlights from this day in next edition of info@asms.

International Women’s Day Breakfast 2026

Kylie Eggers, our principal along with 9 students attended the International Women’s Day Breakfast 2026 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Students reported that they were inspired by the unity of those from around the nation, they especially were ecstatic to hear from Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Director of space technology of Australian Space Agency, who was the Keynote speaker of the event. Students commented on the passion and kindness displayed by Penny Wong, the Minister for foreign affairs, and they noted that supporting such an important even with representation of ASMS students, both males and females at such an important event helped them see the importance of inclusivity. Thank you Kylie, and Year 12 students; Lauren, Clara, Aden, Lulu, Emma, Trinity, Angeline, Ark, and Hana.

Sports News

This term has seen a strong start to sport at ASMS, with three day carnivals providing students the opportunity to get involved and represent the school with pride. Earlier in the term, students took part in beach volleyball, followed by the basketball 3-on-3 competition on 19 March and the athletics carnival on 26 March.

Across all events, students represented the school exceptionally well, demonstrating positive sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and a strong competitive spirit. The basketball carnival was a standout, with our Division 1 team competing against some of the top sporting schools in the state and securing a majority of their games. Our Division 2 team also delivered an impressive performance, losing just one game across the day. All teams should be recognised for their efforts, particularly for the way they managed themselves and officiated their own games without incident.

At the athletics carnival, a team of approximately 12 students competed across a range of events. Supported by their teacher, Daniel, students performed admirably throughout the day, including in events such as hurdles and the steeplechase. There was strong representation across different age groups and events, with several students achieving first, second and third place finishes.

Overall, it has been an excellent start to the year, with high levels of participation across all carnivals. Interest has been so strong that, at times, selection has required a random ballot system to ensure fairness and give as many students as possible the chance to be involved.

Looking ahead to next term, there is an exciting range of sports on offer, including futsal, basketball, soccer, AFL 9-a-side, badminton and netball. Students are encouraged to keep an eye on their emails, register their interest, and take advantage of the opportunity to get involved, connect with others and enjoy sport at ASMS in 2026. Go ASMS!

Pathways Information

Adelaide Career and Employment Expo

ASMS will attend on the 8^th May. South Australia’s largest Careers & Employment Event is open on May 7 to 9, 2026 at the Adelaide Showground.  The Expo will host over 200 organisations and employers with career opportunities for all ages.  Entry’s Free.

The event is for school students, parents, teachers, graduates, job seekers, people looking for courses and workers seeking new training options.

The Expo is packed with Free advice, you can…

• Talk with over 200 Training Organisations & Employers
• Gain Free Career Advice
• Discover Your Future at the Student Pathways & Careers Area
  Jobs available from Entry Level through to Graduate Roles
• Enjoy the Try a Trade Interactive Zones
• Discover Defence & Space Industry Jobs
• Find your Ideal Role at the Australian Defence Force Display

Please be on the lookout for your students’ excursion forms.

Year 12 Flinders Taster Days

Flinders is offering a range of taster days across a variety of industries during the April school holidays to give Year 12 students the opportunity to explore their study options. The tasters will be across Bedford, Tonsley and City campuses, so read the details carefully. Follow the links to register your interest directly with Flinders.

• Engineering – mechanical, electrical, civil, biomedical and more
• Computing – IT, cybersecurity, AI and software engineering
• Natural Sciences – GIS and surveying, environmental sciences, marine biology, biodiversity and conservation, animal behaviour
• Physical and Molecular Sciences – forensics, biotechnology, advanced science, physics and chemistry
• Medical Mystery– Follow a patient journey to solve a medical myster, looking at possible treatments for ongoing management.
• Allied Health – Get a taste of physio, OT, Speech Path, Exercise & sport science and Nutrition. 
• Film Making and TV-produce, film and edit a micro short film, and record a filmmaker statement
• Business – you’ll take part in an interactive workshop and hear from academics about our courses, majors and specialisations
• Law, Criminology, International Relations and Political Science – Ever wondered how a case is argued in court? How political decisions are made? What really goes on in understanding, responding to and preventing crime? Or how global conflicts are resolved? You’ll get a taste of it all.
• Performance – Join us for a fun session covering voice, movement, storytelling and introductory theatre games. 

Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) Holiday Workshops

For free upcoming events at AIE, check out their website.

NOTE: These are all outside of school times (holidays and weekends so please register yourself via the link above)

Games and Animation Workshop Day: Wednesday 15 April

Learn how to create 3D animation, design, and code games with a day of hands-on workshops using industry software.

Film Production Workshop: Friday 17 April

Discover the film production process and get hands-on with cameras and lighting by making a fast film in teams!

Open Day: Saturday 23 May

Meet our instructors, uncover the courses that we offer and find out how kickstart a career in games, film & animation with AIE.

Brains or Bots?

In Brains or Bots, students are currently studying philosophical concepts and themes such as freedom, control, posthumanism, and rebellion as explored in The Matrix. To allow all Year 10 and 11 students to experience the 1999 film together in a theatre setting, ASMS hired the Capri Theatre on Tuesday, 17 March. The candy bar got a workout. Popcorn was popular with 9:30am choc-ices coming in a close second.

Feedback indicates that students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share the experience with one another. We believe they gained more from viewing the film in a cinema than they would have in the classroom, and we hope to repeat the experience in the future. Students represented the school exceptionally well, demonstrating maturity and respect both on the journey and at the theatre. Congratulations to all involved.

Order from Chaos

In Order from Chaos students have moved into Module 2 – Patterns and Perspectives, understanding and modelling patterns in the periodic table. This has taken the form of exploring reactivity of elements down the Groups and linking this to the number of electrons in the valence shell, atomic radii and ionisation energy (aka can we get Sodium to ‘pop’ in water!). 

We investigated if any of these patterns could be accurately mathematically predicted using arithmetic sequences and linear modelling. This learning culminated in Checkpoint 1, which as a SAT, took the format of a timed test to provide practice responding to routine and complex mathematical and scientific questions within a given time frame. This checkpoint enables students to demonstrate their depth of understandings with the content so far and provides a focus for them to build from moving forward into check point 2 and 3 for this module. 

Week 9 was focussed on understanding how the development of technology over time has deepened scientific understandings of the atom where we looked at emission spectra for metal salts, model subshell notation with indigenous weaving practices and used with a Scanning Electron Microscope that was hired for the week. There is a great transfer moment with this focus as considerations of ‘development of technology’ dovetails with learning currently being undertaken in Brains or Bots and Biodiversity. 

Moving forward, we will be exploring types of bonds and chemical reactions, particularly single and double displacement reactions leading us into a mini scientific investigation report for checkpoint 2. 

Coming into Term 2, Order from Chaos students will spend the last two week of this module, modelling chemical patterns using geometric sequences and series before they go into Curiosity in the Community Week in Week 3. 

Year 12 Earth Systems Excursion

Ahoy! Said the year 12 Earth Systems students as they paddled out into the Urrbrae Wetlands. These maritime-ready students were tasked with investigating whether the water captured at the Urrbrae wetlands meets the Australian Drinking Water Standards.

We spent the morning touring the wetlands and becoming familiar with its history and purpose, as well as the role it plays in local water management. Students then moved into the design phase where they collaboratively explored methods to test a range of water quality variables. The students were introduced to some nifty tech, like the convenient dissolved oxygen sensor and the digital pH meter; no need for messy universal indicator here!  

Finally, the students hopped in their tinnies, McKenzie and Tim in their two-person kayak (don’t ask Tim about the stability) and got to work. The students tested water variables at different locations in the main pond, learning how to collaboratively row a boat at the same time – turns out this is harder than it looks.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and valuable day of hand-on science, combining fieldwork and collaboration.

Year 10 Vaccinations

Meningococcal vaccinations for Year 10 students will be taking place in Term 2. The 1st dose will be on May 27 in the Conference Room.

The consent forms were sent home with students earlier this term. If you have not yet returned the form, please do so before the end of this term. The council that are administering the vaccinations will not be able to accept consent forms on the day.

If you have any questions, please contact the school.

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.