Principal’s Message – Term 1, Week 11

Principal's Message

As Term 1 draws to a close, I want to congratulate all Clare High School students on their outstanding efforts and achievements throughout what has been an exceptionally full and exciting start to the year.

This term we witnessed a vibrant Swimming Carnival and an energetic Athletics Day, both of which were fantastic opportunities for all students to showcase their skills, house spirit, and sportsmanship.

Our dedicated staff have also undertaken valuable professional development in restorative practices, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. A significant change this term has seen the introduction of our enhanced Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) positive points system. It has been wonderful to see such strong engagement and success, particularly among our middle years’ students.

We were excited to celebrate our successes today with a school barbecue and a whole-school ‘Capture the Flag’ competition. This event was specifically chosen by students in Gleeson House, the winning PBL points house for Term 1. It is fantastic to see students taking the lead in selecting ways to celebrate, making our end-of-term activities even more meaningful.

Our Year 12 students began the year with a fantastic retreat day, setting a positive and supportive tone for their final year at Clare High. To close out Term 1, they enjoyed a wonderful Year 12 Formal- an amazing evening and a highlight of the social calendar.

We also acknowledge that, as a school community, we have navigated both celebration and challenge. The recent loss of our highly respected teacher, Mr John Duivestein, has touched us all deeply. Our thoughts remain with his family and all who knew him.

As we head into the holidays, I encourage all students to rest, spend quality time with family and friends, enjoy a good book or movie, and take the chance to recharge. Thank you once again for your commitment and positive approach to everything you do.

Have a safe and relaxing break – Term 2 promises to be another big term at Clare High School!

Warm regards, 

Natasha Dunn
Principal, Clare High School 

FROM CHS TO CANBERRA – MEET NATHANIEL
We are incredibly proud of our Year 9 student, Nathaniel, who has been appointed to the Australian Youth Steering Committee (YSC). A remarkable achievement and a fantastic opportunity to represent the voices of young Australians at the highest levels of government.
 
The YSC is made up of just 14 young people aged 12–25, drawn from every state and territory across Australia. Members are appointed for a two-year term and work directly with the Federal Minister for Youth, Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh, to shape the national youth engagement strategy and provide advice on government policies and programs that affect young Australians.
 
In March, Nathaniel travelled to Canberra for Youth to Parliament Week, where YSC members met with the Minister for Youth and presented the summary report from the 2025 National Youth Survey.
 
The committee then hosted the 2026 National Youth Forum, where Nathaniel took part in a “policy hackathon” working alongside passionate young people from across the country to develop creative solutions to real policy challenges across three areas: youth mental health, the national environmental science program, and arts and culture. These ideas were then presented directly to policymakers for further consideration.
 
Nathaniel had a wonderful time connecting with like-minded young people who share his passion for engaging with government on the issues that matter most. We look forward to hearing about his next trip to Canberra later this year!
 
Congratulations, Nathaniel. We are so proud to have you representing our school and your community on the national stage. 
 
Read the 2025 National Youth Survey Summary Report here:
 
Learn more about the Youth Steering Committee (including a profile on Nathaniel!):

 

FROM OUR SCHOOL TO THE CONCERT STAGE – WELL DONE GRAHAM

A huge congratulations to our Year 9 student Graham, who has been selected for the Festival of Music Orchestra for the 2026 Concert Series! 

Orchestra places are highly sought after and awarded by audition, open to string, brass, woodwind, keyboard, guitar and percussion students in SA government schools from Years 5 to 10, so earning a spot is a fantastic achievement. We are incredibly proud of Graham!

Throughout 2026, Graham will be travelling into Adelaide for weekly rehearsals, performing a wide range of exciting and challenging repertoire alongside other talented young musicians from across South Australia’s public schools. He will then take to the stage for a series of performances later in the year.

About the Festival of Music Orchestras:
The Festival of Music is an iconic South Australian tradition dating back to 1891. The orchestras are part of a broader school-based music education program managed by the SA Public Primary Schools Music Society and the Department for Education. Each year, the orchestras perform alongside the Festival of Music choirs, giving secondary students the opportunity to perform at some of South Australia’s most prestigious venues, including the Adelaide Festival Centre and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Well done, Graham – we wish you the best of luck!

SCHOOL CALENDAR

See More
20May

11/12 Boys & Girls Knockout Basketball Round One

12:00 am - 11:59 pmBalaklava High School
20May

Year 11 & 12 RSA Training

12:00 am - 11:59 pm
20May

Year 10 Youth Opportunities

12:00 am - 11:59 pm
21May

11/12 Boys Knockout Football Round One

12:00 am - 11:59 pmBarossa Park
21May
21May

Wellbeing Resources & Events

The Wellbeing Barometer survey is an annual check-in that helps us better understand student wellbeing at Clare High School. It provides valuable insights into students’ experiences, highlights areas of concern, builds on strengths, and supports early intervention.

This year, the survey has been updated to give clearer, more meaningful feedback from parents and carers, while continuing to prioritise privacy and confidentiality. Your participation is encouraged. Please take a few moments to complete the survey for each of your children, based on the past 12 months.

If the content raises any concerns, please contact the school or seek professional advice. Your feedback is always welcome.

COMPLETE THE WELLBEING BAROMETER SURVEY HERE

Missed the SchoolTV webinar, Anxiety and Depression to Foster Resilience? The recording is available until Monday 4 May via the link below or on the Webinar Series tile on our SchoolTV homepage. Don’t forget to download the KEYpoints flyer to support conversations at home.

Understanding Anxiety and Depression to Foster Resilience (Part I)

We look forward to delivering Part 2 of the Webinar Series in Term 2, with further details to be shared in early Term 2.

As children and young people mature, their understanding of relationships, boundaries and respect continues to evolve. Learning about consent is not a single conversation, but an ongoing process shaped by everyday interactions, social influences and guidance from trusted adults. While these topics can sometimes feel challenging to navigate, they play an essential role in supporting young people to form safe, healthy and respectful relationships.

Consent extends beyond sexual activity and is closely linked to communication, empathy and mutual respect in all relationships. In today’s social and digital world, young people can face complex situations that require clear understanding and confidence to navigate. Consistent, age-appropriate messages from both home and school help reinforce what respectful behaviour looks like in practice.

By engaging with this topic, families are encouraged to build confidence in having calm, open conversations at home. When schools and families work together to reinforce shared values and expectations, young people are better equipped to understand boundaries, respect others and make informed choices that support their wellbeing now and into the future.

Here is the link to this Special Report http://clarehs.sa.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-consent-respectful-relationships-au

Community News

Upcoming Webinar: Supporting Autistic Young People With Work Experience

We invite families to join an important free webinar about helping autistic and neurodivergent young people explore career options with confidence.

Webinar: Maximising Work Experience for Autistic Young People
Date: Thursday 30 April 2026, 1:00pm (AEDT)

The online platform, myWay Employability Plus, offers practical tools and guidance to help young people discover their strengths, explore careers, set goals, and prepare for work. Developed with input from autistic individuals and researchers, myWAY focuses on person-centred planning and encouraging independence.

This session will provide families with tips on how work experience can help build skills, grow independence, and create social networks. It will also share practical strategies to find and support work opportunities that suit each young person’s strengths and interests.

REGISTER HERE

Please share this with anyone who might benefit.

Welcome a French Exchange Student to Your Home in 2026!

After our success in 2025, Clare High School is excited to once again offer local families the opportunity to host a French exchange student through the DfE International Student Program in 2026.
 
We’re looking for welcoming families to host vibrant Year 10 or 11 French students who will become part of our school community for 10 weeks (arriving mid-Term 2 and staying until mid-Term 3), with a total visit of 12 weeks in Australia.
 
🏠 Host families will receive $360 per week from International Education Services to help cover hosting expenses.
 
Why get involved?
🔴 Immerse your family in French language and culture
⚪️ Enhance your child’s awareness of the wider world
🔵 Create lasting friendships across the globe
🔴 Impact a young person’s life in a meaningful way
 
Want to know more or register your interest? Please get in touch with Lauren Davies 8842 2788 or complete our EOI Form – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx…
 
Expressing your interest is simply an enquiry – there’s no commitment at this stage.
 
We look forward to hearing from families ready to share in this fantastic international experience!