News, Week 10, Term 3, 2026

This issue

1. Principal’s Message
2. Important Dates
3. Homestay Opportunities in Term 4
4. Enrichment News
5. Active Citizenship Convention
6. Pathways Information
7. Exploring the Future of Technologies
8. Primary Maths Extension Group Session 3
9. Year 12 Health P.A.R.T.Y Program
10. Year 12 Media Studies
11. Specialist Maths High School Scholarships for Girls

Principal’s Message

Our Year 11s are currently considering their learning pathway for Year 12 and the Web Preferences signed form is due Friday 25/9/26. A reminder that the Year 12 program is interdisciplinary, however the extent to which the students explore these links is up to them.

Year 12: The finishing line is in sight for our Year 12s; the coming holidays might be busy with finalising the last few assignments and getting ready for exams. Year 12s have been informed of the available revision/ work sessions during the Term 3 holidays. Please don’t forget to sign in when you arrive and again when you leave.

Continuing at the ASMS in 2027? As we start to plan for 2027, we would ask that if a student does not intend to continue at the Australian Science and Mathematics School for the 2027 school year, that you let us know as soon as possible via a phone call to the school on (08) 8201 5686 or via email to info@asms.sa.edu.au. It is important that we receive this information by the end of Week 1, Term 4 (16 October 2026).

Enrolment audit: ASMS recently underwent an audit of its enrolment and attendance processes, with excellent results. The audit confirmed that students are appropriately categorised and FTE calculations are accurate, with no findings requiring action. Auditors also praised the cooperation of staff and their strong knowledge of individual student circumstances. Two recommendations were made to further strengthen practice centring on the exemption processes and records of communication and follow-up. These strong practices support both compliance and student wellbeing.

STEM Teachers Network: ASMS is proud to be leading the new STEM Teachers’ Network, a statewide initiative supporting secondary teachers in Mathematics, Science and Technologies to strengthen pedagogy, assessment and learner outcomes. The network will provide professional learning, mentoring and collaboration opportunities for teachers across South Australia, with an initial focus on Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics and Physics. This work reflects ASMS’s ongoing commitment to building STEM teaching capability across our state and supporting young people to pursue future pathways in science, technology and mathematics.

Staffing News: Congratulations to Bethany Barker & Amber Mausolf who have been appointed as permanent teachers to the ASMS from 2027. We wish them all the best in their appointments. Please note Lisa Pope and Campbell Harvey will be on the Canada Trip in Week 2 of the holidays and for Week 1. 

Happy Holidays, see you October 12.

Kylie Eggers, Principal

Year 12s

• Thursday 22 October -Yr 12 Farewell Assembly
• Friday 23 October -Yr 12 Breakfast, signifying the end of classes.
• Tuesday 24 November -Yr 12 Presentation Night

Year 10 & 11 students are expected to attend ASMS until Tuesday 24 November; Central Studies classes for Year 10 and 11 will run until Friday, Week 6, 20 November, then 23 & 24 November are set aside for transition and preparation for 2027.

Important Dates in Term 4

Homestay Opportunities in Term 4

Students and teachers from Seishokaichi High School, Japan are arriving soon and we need your help!

During Week 3, Term 4 we are hosting a Study Tour of 5 students from Sunday 8 November to Friday 13 November 2026.

As a Study Tour program through the Department for Education, families can receive reimbursement to support their student while they are here.

Through this opportunity your family can share the wonderful things that make Australia and South Australia unique and experience the wonder through a visitor’s eyes.

All family types are eligible to become homestays so get in contact with us now via email international@asms.sa.edu.au or by completing the Homestay Registration of Interest form.

If this sounds like something your family is interested in, visit our website to find out more.

Please direct any questions to our International Services and Student Programs Manager, Shannon Sellar, Shannon.sellar@asms.sa.edu.au

Enrichment News

Careers in Allied Health at Women’s and Children’s Hospital

On Thursday week 6, Brian took a group of our Year 11’s and 12’s to the Women’s and Children hospital to attend the Careers in Allied Health day. Students were really happy with the experience they got to hear from Social workers, a midwife, a dietician and learnt about what

Australian Maths Trust Competitions; AIMO & AIO

ASMS also took part in the AMT’s Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO) 4-hour examination and the Australian Informatics Olympiad which is a 3-hour exam on computer programming. Well done to Year 10s Arlo, Eli and Shawrya for giving the AIMO a try and to Matthew and Arlo for completing the AIO, a big thank you to the wonderful Tun for his support during these long examinations.

Lauren Thurgood speaker

On Thursday 10th September, our students welcomed guest speaker, Dr Lauren Thurgood from Flinders University to our school. Dr Thurgood is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Biosciences from the College of Medicine and Public Health; she spoke to our students about the multiple avenues of careers and pathways within this field and was able to answer lots of our students’ questions. Hear from two students below about their take home messages from this experience.

Dr Thurgood’s presentation was deeply informative. Pathways and options to courses were suggested, medical degrees and the process of accessing further education was explored in depth. Her knowledge showed her experience and hearing the perspective of someone familiar in the field was a great opportunity! Freya, Year 10

 “So, if something happens in Year 12 and you really don’t do as well as you thought you might, you can still go into our associate degree.” – Zarlie, Year 10

Active Citizenship Convention

A big shout out and thank you to our thoughtful students who were part of the team representing the ASMS at the 2026 Active Citizenship Convention at Adelaide oval last month – Amber, Emily, Fletcher, Isabella, Jesse, Kayleigh and Wynton.

This event brought together students and educators from across South Australia with youth leaders, experts, government officials, and other community stakeholders in the interests of democracy. The theme this year was ‘Our Voice, Our Impact’, and our students didn’t let us down!

Their contribution to key elements of the program throughout the day led them to participate in round table discussions with Dr Kylie Henker, Commissioner for Children and Young People as well as studio session work with Music Artists ‘Dem Mob’, culminating in a wonderful performance at the end of the day.

Pathways Information

SATAC Early Bird Closing

The early bird fee for SATAC closes on the 30^th September. Year 12s are highly encouraged to make sure their applications are paid for before this date. Preferences can be adjusted through until the end of December, even after they get their SACE and ATAR results.

• Early Bird fee = $60
• After 30 September fee = $210

Unpaid applications are unable to receive university offers through SATAC. Jason, the Pathways leader, will be onsite at ASMS on the 28 September if students need support with their applications.

New 2027 Combined Degree Law/Medicine

Are you interested in a Double Degree of Bachelor of Laws – Legal Practice Entry/Bachelor of Medical Science? It is fresh off the press and only viewable through SATAC (Not even on the Flinders website yet).

The Medical speaker, Lauren Thurgood, we had at school discussed it for those present.The SATAC code is 254131. Consider whether it suits you.

Year 12 Enhanced Campus Tour Program

Flinders are excited to announce the launch of our new Year 12 Enhanced Campus Tour Program happening during the October school holidays! 

This program:

• Gives students the opportunity to explore Flinders’ campus and discover where they could study, socialise and relax
• Hear genuine stories, practical tips and insights from our Student Ambassadors 
• Get answers to questions and gain firsthand insights into life at Flinders 

What makes these tours different?

These tours are exclusive to Year 12 students and have been designed to complement, rather than replicate, our Taster Day offerings. Unlike Taster Days, which are academic-led and focused on specific study areas and hands-on activities, the Enhanced Tour Program provides students with a broader introduction to university life. Led by our Student Ambassadors, participants will:

• Take part in a guided campus tour
• Learn about the student experience from current Flinders students
• Explore a lecture theatre or tutorial room environment
• View examples of student timetables
• See what the student portal looks like
• Participate in discussions and ask questions about university life

Students can register via the following link.

Exploring the Future of Technologies

In Week 9 we hosted almost 150 Year 1/2 students from Highgate Primary School. The program focussed on Exploring the Future of Technologies, and included hands-on workshops on Robotics, Augmented Reality and Computer-Aided Manufacture. The energy and enthusiasm from the students was extraordinary and they relished the chance to engage with technologies-based learning.

Thanks to all involved, but especially Danny and Josh who provided invaluable support to the teachers and made great connections with our young visitors.

Demonstrating an application of augmented reality (using Merge Cubes) to explore human anatomy.

Primary Maths Extension Group Session 3

In Week 7, the ASMS hosted 100 Year 5 and 6 primary school aged students for the final session of the Primary Mathematics Extension Program, where students had the opportunity to present their mathematics inquiry posters during Passion Project to our Year 10 and 11 Passion Project students.

Thank you to all of our students who participated as a mentor in our Primary Mathematics Extension Program.

R U OK Day BBQ

Our school community came together to recognise R U OK Day with a free BBQ enjoyed by both students and staff. The event provided an opportunity for everyone to connect, share a meal, and take time to check in with one another in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

R U OK Day is an important reminder that a simple conversation can make a real difference. Throughout the day, students and staff were encouraged to look out for one another and to remember that meaningful support often begins with asking, “Are you OK?”.

When supporting others:

1. Start the conversation and ask, “Are you OK?”
2. Listen – Take the time to listen without judgment.
3. Encourage action – What is one step that could be taken to improve the situation?
4. Check in – Follow up later to show ongoing care and support.

The BBQ was a great success and reflected the strong sense of community and inclusion within our school.

Year 12 Health P.A.R.T.Y Program

Congratulations to the Year 12 Class in Health and Wellbeing this year for their participation and collaboration at the Prevention of Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth program (P.A.R.T.Y. Safe) at Flinders Medical Centre, SA Health.

The program is designed to help young people who are interested in public health and safety and medical professions, as well as students studying the social determinants of public health. It includes tutorials and workshops on risk-taking choices, trauma and injury faced by medical professionals, trauma rehabilitation and a simulation of life saving procedures in an intensive care unit.

Our students engaged thoughtfully and professionally in an authentic, real-world environment, working alongside medical professionals from Flinders Medical Centre. They will use the experience to reflect on their learning in their final assignment for the subject, evaluating the effectiveness of the P.A.R.T.Y. program and its impact on their own experiences and choices.

Year 12 Media Studies

Read through the fantastic opinion piece written by Jali, one of our Year 12 Media Studies students, about female representation in sport media.

Specialist Maths High School Scholarships for Girls

Applications are now open for the AMSI Specialist Maths High School Scholarship for Girls, for current year 10 girls across Australia, who intend to study Specialist Maths, or an equivalent advanced mathematics subject in their state or territory, in Year 11 (2027) and Year 12 (2028).

This program aims to empower young women to pursue advanced-level mathematics, fostering their confidence and capabilities to excel in the field and paving the way for greater gender equity in mathematics and related disciplines.

Scholarships are awarded over two years, valued at $3000 per year, and awarded in honour of AMSI donors. Applications may be submitted by eligible students or by teachers nominating a student

For more info head to the AMSI website.