Term 3 has begun with great energy and purpose at Clare High School, with students and staff already involved in a wide range of learning opportunities, community events and exciting experiences.
We began the term with a highly successful Pupil Free Day, where staff came together to continue strengthening our teaching practice and improving learning outcomes for all students.
The mid-morning session focused on developing high-quality One Plans, ensuring we continue to provide personalised support for students with identified learning needs. Staff explored practical strategies for writing effective One Plans that genuinely support classroom learning and student success.
During the other sessions, staff selected from a range of professional learning workshops including using Artificial Intelligence (AI) effectively in education, Microsoft OneNote, Daymap, analysing NAPLAN and PAT data, creating resources in Canva, literacy strategies, differentiation, mentoring Early Career Teachers and podcasting. It was certainly a busy day, but one filled with collaboration, new ideas and practical learning that will benefit our students throughout the year.
Since returning, the school has already enjoyed a number of outstanding events.
Our Agriculture Team held a successful fundraising event at the Snowtown Hotel as they continue preparing for the upcoming Adelaide Show.
Our Cambodia Team hosted a fantastic Quiz Night, with strong support from our school and local community. Thank you to everyone who attended, donated prizes or volunteered their time to help make the evening such a success.
One of the highlights of the term has been our celebration of NAIDOC Week, recognising this year’s theme, ’50 Years of NAIDOC’. Throughout the week, students participated in roll class activities, classroom Acknowledgements of Country, basket weaving workshops, bush medicines and cultural knowledge sessions, Nunga Screen films and discussions, and a whole-school assembly and Yarning Circle. These experiences provided valuable opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and achievements while continuing our commitment to reconciliation and respect.
Our Year 8 students enjoyed an exciting camp to Adelaide during the first week of Term 3. The camp provided a wonderful opportunity for students to strengthen friendships, build independence and experience learning beyond the classroom.
Throughout the camp, students visited a range of Adelaide locations and participated in engaging activities, including a tour of Adelaide Oval and a variety of educational and recreational experiences. Camps such as these are an important part of developing resilience, teamwork and confidence while creating lasting memories with peers.
Back at school, students also participated in Butterfly Foundation workshops, which focused on promoting positive body image, respectful relationships and overall wellbeing. These interactive sessions encouraged students to develop healthy attitudes towards themselves and others while providing practical strategies to support positive mental health and resilience.
Together, these experiences reflect our commitment to supporting students’ academic, social and emotional development both inside and outside the classroom.
At the end of the school holidays, we said farewell to Heather Guthrie, who retired after 24 years of dedicated service as Business Manager at Clare High School. Heather has made an enormous contribution to our school community through her knowledge and care for staff, students and families. She will be sincerely missed, and we wish her every happiness in retirement.
We are also delighted to welcome Tash Liddy, a former Clare High School student, who has joined our teaching staff in Science and Mathematics. We look forward to the positive contribution she will make to our learning community.
This term we continue to implement our Site Learning Plan, aligned with South Australia’s Public Education Strategy, with a strong focus on developing effective learners.
A key priority is helping students understand that learning is an ongoing process of improvement. Across all learning areas, teachers are working alongside students to seek and respond to meaningful feedback, provide constructive feedback to their peers, reflect on their learning, identify their next steps for improvement and build confidence and independence as learners.
Research consistently shows that effective feedback is one of the most powerful influences on student achievement. By helping students understand how to use feedback well—not simply receive it—we are building the skills they need to become self-directed learners who can continue improving throughout their education and beyond.
Thank you to our staff, students and families for the wonderful start to the term. We look forward to another busy and successful few weeks ahead as we continue learning together and creating opportunities for every student to thrive.
Warm regards,
Natasha Dunn
Principal, Clare High School
Do you have friends, family, or neighbours considering high school options for their child? We’d love for them to come and see what makes Clare High School such a special place to learn and grow!
Our Principal’s Tours are the perfect way for prospective families to explore our campus, meet our leaders, and get a real feel for our school community – all in a relaxed, no-pressure setting. Tours are personally led by our Principal, Natasha Dunn, and run on selected Wednesday’s at 4:30pm during school terms.
📅 Upcoming Tour Dates:
• Wednesday, 19 August 2026
• Wednesday, 2 September 2026
• Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Tours are by booking only – prospective families can secure their place using our online booking form.
Can’t make a tour date? No problem! Families are welcome to contact our Student Services team to arrange a meeting with our Wellbeing & Enrolment Leader, Mandy Knight.
You know better than anyone what a great school community we have here – so please, share the word and help us welcome new families to CHS!
