Tatachilla news

Carvings 2025 marks our 30th anniversary as a college.

Packed with unforgettable performances, championship victories, milestone celebrations and extraordinary learning experiences, this year’s publication captures the people, moments and stories that made 2025 such a remarkable chapter in Tatachilla’s history.

Inside these pages, families will revisit:

• Celebrating 30 years of Tatachilla
• The excitement and energy of We Will Rock You taking to the stage
• Welcoming two new tammar wallabies to our EcoSanctuary
• Being crowned state champions in both soccer and futsal
• Life-changing journeys to Ampilatwatja and Japan
• Hosting our second SALA exhibition, Walk in My Shoes
• Outstanding performances across athletics, netball and cross country
• Academic excellence in chemistry and mathematics
• State recognition for poetry

More than a yearbook, this edition is a snapshot of a particularly special year in our community’s story.

Copies have been delivered to classrooms this week — and if there was ever a yearbook worth pulling straight out of the school bag, this is it.

Step into the Wild Wood and prepare for an unforgettable adventure as our junior school students bring Wind in the Willows to life on stage!

Filled with laughter, friendship and plenty of mischief, this charming musical follows Mole, Ratty, Badger and the irrepressible Mr Toad as they journey through the English countryside, embarking on daring escapes, wild motorcar adventures and tender moments of friendship and longing.

Featuring memorable musical numbers including Home Sweet Home, Cheer Up Toad, King of the Road and Friends Together, this much-loved production promises to charm the whole family.

Behind every scene, song and costume is the enthusiasm, creativity and dedication of our talented young performers, who have been working tirelessly to bring this classic story to the stage. From colourful characters to energetic musical numbers, audiences can expect plenty of on-stage magic.

With a talented creative team led by Director Peta Johnston, Music Director Maxine Lee-Morath and Costume Designer Coral Winterbourn, this production is set to delight audiences of all ages.

Tickets are selling now — don’t miss your chance to support our youngest performers and experience this delightful theatrical adventure for yourself. Gather your family and friends and join us for a journey into the Wild Wood and beyond!

Purchase tickets

From vineyards to coastlines, Year 10 artists have turned wine boxes into powerful stories of place.
 
Year 10 Visual Arts students have transformed simple wine boxes into striking works of art as part of The Wine Box Project, exploring themes of community, sustainability, identity and connection to place.
 
Drawing inspiration from the Fleurieu region, students have developed original artistic concepts that reflect vineyard landscapes, coastal environments, local industry, tourism, Indigenous connections to land and the unique character of the communities around them.
 
The project has challenged students to think beyond traditional painting practices, using wine boxes as both sculptural forms and storytelling surfaces. The result is a collection of creative, thoughtful and visually powerful artworks that capture different perspectives of what makes this region special.
 
Connected to the broader Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize, students have been encouraged to consider an important question: How can art represent the identity of McLaren Vale and the relationship people have with this place?
 
The completed artworks will be exhibited throughout June 2026 at The Good Bank Gallery in McLaren Vale, where visitors can experience the creativity and perspectives of our young artists alongside wider community celebrations.
 
Through projects like these, students are discovering that art is more than creative expression — it is also a powerful way to connect, communicate and contribute to community.

On Thursday 22 May, our students in the middle years were immersed in an unforgettable cultural and musical experience as they welcomed the energetic performers from Matsuri Taiko for a live drumming performance and workshop.

From the very first powerful DON of the drums, students were completely captivated. The performance transformed the space with thunderous rhythms, dynamic movement and infectious energy, offering students a vibrant introduction to the traditions of Japanese taiko drumming.

Throughout the performance, students experienced a range of traditional Japanese drums and instruments while learning about the history, cultural significance and performance traditions behind this powerful art form. Highlights included the dramatic opening performance, the stirring “wind song” that echoed through the gym, and fascinating insights into how taiko has evolved across generations.

Students were particularly excited to learn kuchi shouga — the vocal rhythms used to teach taiko patterns — enthusiastically joining in with clapping, tapping and spirited calls of “DON DON KA SU!” as the performance became increasingly interactive.

One of the most memorable moments came when several students were invited on stage to try the taiko drums for themselves — an experience many will not soon forget.

Following the performance, students spoke enthusiastically about not only the music and energy of the show, but also the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Japanese language and culture in such an engaging and hands-on way.

We are incredibly grateful to Matsuri Taiko for sharing time, passion and talent with our students. The inspiring performance was educational, entertaining and memorable — and may well have sparked the interest of a new generation of taiko drummers and Japanese language learners.

Our Year 9/10 boys AFL team made a strong statement in Round 1 of AFL Knockout on Tuesday 20 May, travelling to Woodcroft College and returning home undefeated after two impressive victories.

Facing both Heathfield and Woodcroft, the boys knew they would be challenged physically, with both opponents holding a clear size advantage. Rather than being intimidated, the team adjusted their game plan, relied on pressure and teamwork, and delivered two outstanding performances.

The opening match against Heathfield was an intense contest from the outset. Tatachilla started strongly, kicking three of the first four goals before trailing by seven points at half time. A determined third quarter kept the boys within striking distance, trailing by just five points at the final change.

What followed was their strongest football of the day.

Lifting their pressure to another level, the boys dominated the final quarter, keeping Heathfield scoreless while kicking 3.2 themselves to secure an impressive 15-point victory.

Final Score
Tatachilla 7.6 (48)
Heathfield 5.3 (33)

The second match brought a clash against traditional rivals Woodcroft, with the team again rising to the challenge. Strong team defence and midfield dominance restricted Woodcroft to just one first-half goal, allowing Tatachilla to build a 14-point lead by the main break.

While the second half developed into a tough and physical contest, the boys remained composed, stood strong under pressure and finished with another convincing win.

Final score
Tatachilla 7.4 (46)
Woodcroft 4.4 (28)

Several players produced standout performances across the day, led by Cody Hastwell, whose influence around the ground and six goals made a major impact.

'Best on ground' votes
Cody Hastwell – 20
Levi Miles – 12
Aldo Spaumer – 12
Kabe Boehm – 10
Jake Albrechtsen – 4
Nathan Marsland – 1
Ernest Neville – 1

Goal scorers
Cody Hastwell (6), Lincoln Hutchesson (2), Levi Miles, Ernest Neville, Jasper Harradine, Jack Furner, James Plunkett and Lachie Kleinig (1 each).

Two wins, strong teamwork and a determined brand of football made for a memorable start to the knockout campaign — and the boys now move forward with plenty of confidence heading into the next round.

Our Year 10 Food Technologies students recently experienced learning in its richest form — through stories, culture, conversation and, of course, food.

On Tuesday 19 May, the college had the great pleasure of welcoming Ngarrpadla Daphney Paringangki Rickett (Aunty Daphney River Woman Rickett) to Food Technologies as part of our students’ Indigenous Foods Investigation. As they explore the question, “What is the cultural significance of Indigenous foods and how are they used in Modern Australian cuisine?”, students were given an opportunity to learn directly from an invaluable source of knowledge and lived experience.

Working alongside our EcoSanctuary team, Aunty Daphney helped create an immersive display of Indigenous ingredients and artefacts, inviting students to touch, taste and smell native ingredients while hearing stories of her upbringing and deep connection to Country.

Students enjoyed an incredible tasting experience featuring wattle seed damper topped with kangaroo and lillypilly and quandong relish, muntrie muffins with lemon myrtle icing, lemon myrtle tea and Roogenics tea. They also sampled bunya nut — the edible kernel from a pinecone that can weigh up to an astonishing nine kilograms.

One student reflected on the experience, saying:

“It was a real privilege to have such a valuable source of knowledge to present to us. We were able to sample foods I never would have thought to cook for myself and try ingredients I have never tasted. I came away with so much more knowledge about First Nations' way of living and connection to land.”

We are incredibly grateful to Aunty Daphney for generously sharing her time and knowledge with our students, particularly in the lead-up to Reconciliation Week — an important opportunity for reflection, learning and connection across our nation.

The later secondary years bring exciting opportunities for growth and independence, along with new situations that require thoughtful judgement and personal responsibility.

As young people move through the senior years of secondary school, they naturally seek greater independence, freedom and responsibility. This period often includes increased social opportunities, driving, employment, parties and greater exposure to situations where alcohol, vaping, drugs and other risky behaviours may be present.

At Tatachilla, we provide age-appropriate education around wellbeing, decision-making, respectful relationships, online safety, alcohol and other drugs. However, schools cannot replace the role of parents and caregivers. Families are the primary educators of their children and remain the most significant influence on the values, attitudes and choices young people develop.

The best outcomes occur when families and schools work in partnership, providing consistent guidance, expectations and support as young people navigate increasing independence.

Five ways parents can support older teenagers

1. Talk early and often
Have regular, honest conversations about alcohol, vaping, drugs, relationships and personal safety.

2. Stay connected

Know your teenager's friends, plans and activities, and show genuine interest in their lives.

3. Set clear boundaries
Communicate expectations around parties, driving, alcohol, drugs and online behaviour.

4. Keep safety first

Make sure your teenager knows they can contact you if they find themselves in an unsafe situation and that you will help them get home safely.

5. Lead by example
Model the behaviours, decision-making and values you hope to see in your young person.

Together, families and schools play a vital role in helping teenagers develop the confidence, resilience and judgement needed to make safe and responsible choices as they prepare for adulthood.