One of the most powerful lessons a young person can learn is that growth rarely comes without challenge. At school, we see this play out every day in classrooms where students stretch themselves with new concepts, on the sporting field where they test their limits, and in the countless moments where they step outside their comfort zone. Resilience and growth are not just desirable qualities they are essential life skills that shape how our students face the future.

This term, we have seen many examples of students embracing opportunities that have pushed them well beyond the ordinary. A group of 10 boys recently completed the Operation Flinders program, trekking through remote South Australia and carrying everything they needed on their backs. The week demanded endurance and grit, but also teamwork and encouragement. The boys discovered what it means to persist when the journey feels impossible, and they returned stronger for it  physically and mentally.

Our Outdoor Education students have also faced challenges of their own on recent camps. Navigating the natural environment, working together to solve problems, and coping with unpredictable weather are all part of the experience. These camps are more than outdoor adventures; they are deliberate opportunities for students to learn about themselves, build resilience, and grow in confidence.

Equally inspiring has been the way our Dance Academy students have taken to the stage at recent competitions, performing in front of large audiences both individually and as a group. For many, this meant confronting nerves and trusting their preparation. Performing at that level requires not only skill but also the inner strength to step into the spotlight and give their best in a high-pressure environment.

Our Futsal team also travelled to Adelaide to compete at a state level. While they didn’t experience the results they were hoping for, what stood out was their determination to keep playing with heart, to represent their school with pride, and to learn from the experience. The true success was not measured on the scoreboard but in the persistence and sportsmanship they displayed.

Looking ahead, 23 of our students will soon embark on a service trip to Fiji. This will be a chance for them to step into a very different context, contributing to local communities while also learning about culture, perspective, and gratitude. Experiences like this help students understand that resilience isn’t just about pushing through challenges for themselves, but also about how they can give back and grow through service to others.

It’s not only through extra-curricular opportunities that resilience is being built. Our staff are deliberately designing learning tasks that focus on dispositions and capabilities including resilience to provide students with more opportunities to develop the skills they will need well beyond school.

Resilience also shows up in smaller, everyday ways the student who commits to improving their grades after a setback, the one who quietly perseveres after time away from school, or the peer who encourages a friend to keep going when things feel tough. These acts may not always be recognised publicly, but they reflect the culture of persistence and encouragement we are working to build together.

As we move through the rest of the term, let’s keep resilience and growth at the centre of our school culture. Every challenge our students take on whether on stage, in the classroom, on camp, or in competition helps them grow stronger. That persistence is worth more than any score or result.

This week we recognise and celebrate our Support Staff, who play such an important role in the life of John Pirie Secondary School.

Our Support Staff contribute in so many ways supporting students in classrooms, keeping our administration running smoothly, maintaining resources and facilities, and providing that extra layer of care and connection that makes a real difference every day. Their work is often behind the scenes, but it is at the heart of how our school functions and how our students are supported to succeed.

We are very fortunate to have such a committed group of Support Staff here at JPSS, our school is stronger because of the work they do.

Here is a snapshot of just some of the team. 

Additional appreciation to those superstars who couldn’t make the photo because they were supporting students!

In Week 10 of Term 2, our Year 12 students bravely swapped textbooks for trampolines, deadlines for dramatic drops, and stress for slides (very large ones). Their mission? To be kids again!

Basing themselves at West Beach Caravan Park, the crew began their adventure by unleashing their inner 8-year-old at the St Kilda Playground—because nothing says “school maturity” like a 17-year-old flying down a giant slide. Next came the high ropes where fears were conquered and heights were prominent. This was followed up by night-time Bounce, where students defied gravity (and hamstring limits) on trampolines.

On Thursday we headed to the Museum of Design followed by an Amazing Race through Adelaide’s CBD. Let’s just say Google Maps was both hero and villain, depending on who you asked.

Students finished with Kingpin bowling and arcade games in Norwood where competitiveness peaked as someone bowled multiple strikes while simultaneously collecting 300 arcade tickets. Peak performance.

The camp was a welcome reminder that beneath the essays, exams, and existential dread, our Year 12s are still just kids—ones who, it turns out, can swing from ropes, dominate bowling, and eat more ice cream than previously thought humanly possible.

Laughter was constant, sleep was... fine, and memories were many. A huge thanks to the staff who kept up, kept count, and kept calm(ish) throughout.

This year JPSS celebrated Book Week 2025 with by Adventuring through the library, Poetry in Action theatre performances and a ‘decorate your door’ competition. Following a captivating read aloud by Mrs. Blight, our intrepid adventurers were challenged to free themselves from “The Shadow Room”, find ‘X marks the spot’ with Pirates, take a Superhero Selfie, use their memories in “Passport to Adventure” and adventure aloft with hot air balloons. Our Year 12’s even got to dress in costume for their final ever Book Week!

Poetry in Action visited us once again and took the Year 7’s on a Poet’s Quest to use poetic language in the search for love. In the Year 10 performances Riots and Rebellion, students were shown how powerful words can be in changing the world.

The classes took on the ‘decorate your door’ competition with gusto and a real competitive spirit. Doors were decorated in the themes of Jumanji, Adventure to the World Cup, Harry Potter, Where the Wild Things Are, Up and many more. With the doors being judged next week and the winners receiving a class pizza party – Yum!

We love Children’s Book Week here at JPSS and it is an integral part of the school culture with students and staff alike looking forward to it every year!

Ms Rohde - English Coordinator & Ms Blight - Library Manager

Poetry in Action, a theatre troupe who hails from Sydney, visited JPSS on Wednesday as part of Book Week celebrations. As the name states, it was an action-packed performance about poetry, poetry techniques and how poetry can be used as a powerful voice.

Our Year 8's went on "A poet's quest" as our young protagonist went in search of ways to improve his writing through the techniques of rhyme and rhythm, among others, to improve his own poetry to capture his sweetheart!

The Year 10's looked at the Poetry of riot and revolution and that words are often more powerful than war in creating change and provoking us to take a stand on things we feel passionate about. Our students embraced the performances and asked some great questions at the end.

It was a real treat to experience live theatre in our Powerhouse.

On Friday August 8, Mrs Rohde's Essential English class, accompanied by our volunteer, Mrs Marg Congdon, had the pleasure of attending the Ellen Hotel for the purpose of completing a food review task.

Our students enjoyed their choice of meal from the lunch menu and dined on arancini balls, perch, fillet caprice, tagliatelle, and risotto in the elegant surrounds of the Ellen. They sipped on a mocktail and finished their meal with a refreshing gelato. 

This was an experience for us all and we express our most sincere appreciation to Daryl and his staff from the Ellen for their support of our students and their impeccable service and care. We all look forward to the reviews!

JPSS students in year 10-12 enjoyed the opportunity to participate in P.A.R.T.Y. - the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth Program on Tuesday 12th August.

This program is a hospital-based injury awareness and prevention program and aims to help teenagers understand risks, choices and consequences.  Students were engaged in workshops with various trauma services including trauma nurses, paramedics, SAPOL, Fire Service, and Allied Health professionals who shared vital information along with shared stories and experiences.

A highlight for students was participation in a real-life simulation of a trauma patient in a hospital setting. They were also fortunate enough to listen to a story from a car crash survior.

These real life experiences and connections raised awareness, sparked conversation and gave these students valuable tips to consider safety, risks and consequences. A take away from this was - don't be scared to seek help when you or your friends are in danger and to always be a good friend.

Between the 6th and 13th of August, 10 students and 2 teachers from John Pirie Secondary School participated in Operation Flinders, an exercise designed to build grit, connection, confidence and purpose in participants.

The young men from JPSS who participated showed significant resilience, determination and personal growth while completing gruelling hikes across difficult terrain as well as acing rock climbing and abseiling challenges. 

Congratulations to all participants who formed Tango 5. You did yourselves and John Pirie proud!'

A group of 30 students were involved in a song writing workshop with musicians Nancy Bates, Felicity Freeman and Dave McEnvoy.

The Year 10 students joined Nancy and Felicity to write their own lyrics and melody line.  While a select few students from years 8-12 joined Dave in learning to play the chord progression to match lyrics.

They came back together after a very short hour and performed the final piece together as a group. It was inspiring to see the students working together and getting over their nerves to perform the final piece of music.

We are now looking to polish the piece of music and create a film clip to go with this so we can share the student's hard work.

This was an incrediable opportunity for our students, and we appreciate the time these musicians took out of their day to work with us.

The Stage 2 SAASTA class were tasked with putting together a Healthy Eating Recess Stall as part of their assessment. They are promoting healthy eating in the community to boost overall wellbeing and alternative food options. 

The students researched healthy bite sized menu items such as cucumber boats, cold rolls, curried egg sandwiches, zucchini & apple muffins, yoghurt bites, and energy balls.

The students worked collaboratively to put on this feast, and the food was a hit!

Thank you for everyone who purchased a plate and the money raised was donated to the Fiji Trip.

When: Wednesday 3rd September

Where: JPSS Powerhouse Performing Arts Centre

Time: Official Opening 5pm – doors open 4:45pm

What: Visual Art Exhibition, Music Performances, Dance Academy Performance and Drama Performance.

JPSS Art Prize Entries.

Students are invited to submit original 2D and 3D artworks in the JPSS Art Prize for a chance to win $300.

For more information or entry forms students need to speak to a Visual Arts Teacher.

Winner announced at Festival of the Arts.

Are you a year 10,11 or 12 student in the electorate of Grey?

The "My First Speech" competition is an opportunity to write a 90 second speech about the issues you are passionate about. Imagine if you were a newly elected Member of Parliment in the House of Representatives, what issues realy matter to you?

A winner from each year group will be invited to travel to Canberra to deliver their speech live and undertake a program of meetings and tours at Parliment House.

The deadline for submissions is Monday 15th September.

More details can be found and applications submitted at their website https://mfs.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au/