Tatachilla news

In Week 5 our courageous Year 6 students set off on a highly memorable journey to Canberra — a highlight of their final year in primary school and an established Tatachilla rite of passage.

The week was packed with discovery and connection as students explored the heart of our nation’s capital. From standing beneath the flag at Parliament House to diving into hands-on learning at Questacon, each day brought new adventures and lasting memories.

The trip included a tour of the Senate and House of Representatives at Parliament House as well as visits to the Royal Australian Mint, Australian War Memorial, Embassy District, National Gallery of Australia, Australian Institute of Sport and the National Arboretum.

The Year 6 students also had the opportunity to spend time at the Museum of Australian Democracy, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, the National Portrait Gallery and - during their return journey - the Sydney Opera House.

During the trip, friendships grew stronger and students embraced challenges together, building resilience and class spirit.

Read about some of the most memorable moments from the Canberra trip in students' own words:

During our visit to the Australian Institute of Sport, we gained an exciting insight into what it's like to be an elite athlete in Australia. We toured the world-class facilities and had the chance to watch the Australian women’s volleyball team and national swimmers in training. One of the highlights was exploring the Sportex room, where we tried out interactive simulators that gave us a taste of various sports in a fun and engaging way.
Izi Szollosi and Harper Simmons
 
We visited Parliament House and had the opportunity to sit in the gallery of the Senate. Although the House of Representatives was not accessible on the day, we explored images and discussed how it functions. During our tour, we learned about key features of Parliament, including the significance of the traditional colours and the history of the ceremonial mace. A highlight of the visit was participating in a mock debate at the Education Centre, where we successfully passed a bill—making the experience both educational and memorable.
Gabriel Liu and Ned Owens 

One of the places we went to was Questacon. Questacon is a fun science place with fun challenges and games, exploring different things to do with Science. Towards the end of the visit we were able to visit the shop and buy lots of amazing things. Everyone had so much fun. 
Niamh Moran

We visited the Australian Electoral Commission which is located in Old Parliament House. We learned a lot about voting, particularly how preferential voting works. I also learned that you have to be an Australian citizen and 18 years old to vote. 
Aliona Kenmuir 

The Australian War Memorial was an interesting and educational place to visit. We learned about the past and how soldiers sacrificed their lives for Australia. We also learned that everyone has a story and we were able to hear some amazing stories from people who fought in the war. 
Mila Mansell and Zara Lucas

During our trip to Canberra we visited the Australian National Gallery. We had a tour of the gallery which contained many detailed prints. At the end of our visit, we were given random materials which we had to make something out of, using the inspiration of the artwork around us.
Zachary Rouvray

I loved being a part of the mock parliament and experiencing what it's like to sit in the Senate. I also really liked seeing all the amazing portraits of the past Prime Ministers. 
Hayley Fenna

The interactive games and activities at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) were my favourite. We were lucky enough to witness the Australian Women's Volleyball team training, they were taking part in a camp. 
Harper Greer

My favourite place was Questacon. Overcoming my fear of the drop slide was a memorable moment as well as being able to take part in cool experiments. There are so many levels of fun and exciting activities.
Sophia Sferruzzi

In Week 3 of Term 2, all Year 10 students embarked on an unforgettable five-day, four-night outdoor adventure camp in the breathtaking Grampians National Park, Victoria.

The program offered much more than just a break from the classroom—it challenged students to develop their skills in resilience, teamwork and leadership, all while gaining practical knowledge in lightweight camping, tent setup, outdoor cooking and safe campfire practices.

The itinerary was action-packed, featuring bushwalking, canoeing, abseiling, mountain-biking and a scenic tour of local waterfalls and lookouts. Of all the activities, rock climbing and abseiling proved to be the standout favourites among students.

Despite the physical and mental demands, every student stepped up and met the challenges of the trip head-on, which was testament to their determination and growth.

Tatachilla’s Outdoor Education program is a vital part of student development, encouraging critical and creative thinking, a deeper connection with nature and an appreciation for conservation, sustainability and First Nations perspectives.

It also helps students manage personal risk, build confidence and experience the long-term benefits of outdoor recreation for joy and wellbeing.

This camp was more than a school trip—it was an adventure in learning, living and leading.

We congratulate the students on their achievements in the bush and are grateful to Peter Thornton (7-12 Camps Coordinator), Jimmy Grant (Year 10 Flourish Leader) and Chris McElligott (Head of Middle and Senior Years) for making this important outdoor experience possible.

From emerging primary talent to our senior stars, Tatachilla’s netballers have been making waves on courts across the region. Whether dominating carnivals, showing grit in knockout clashes, or earning district selection, our students have showcased passion, skill and teamwork at every level of the game.

Open Girls netball team battles hard in knockout clash

Tatachilla’s Open Girls knockout netball team put on a strong display of skill and teamwork in the first round of competition, taking on two tough opponents in a day full of determination and spirit.

In their first match, the team faced Eastern Fleurieu School in a thrilling, neck-and-neck contest. With both sides fighting hard for every possession, the game came down to the wire. Tatachilla narrowly missed the win, going down by just 3 points, with a final score of 47–44.

Bouncing back with confidence, the girls dominated their second game against St Peter’s Girls’ School. Showing excellent coordination and control, they pulled away steadily throughout the match to claim a solid 47–30 victory.

Team members included Nara Weber, Grace McAvaney, Grace McDonald (Year 10), Emma Carpenter, Emily Hart (Year 11), and Sienna Burgess, Nicola Hollitt, Amity Evans, and Isabella McAvaney (Year 12). Special mention to Eva Aldridge (Year 11), who was sidelined with an injury but remained a supportive presence throughout the day.

Despite their impressive effort, the team was unfortunately knocked out of the competition in this first round. We extend a heartfelt thank you to our four Year 12 players who represented Tatachilla for the final time — your leadership and commitment will be missed.

Well played, girls — you did Tatachilla proud.

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Tatachilla shines at Southern Zone Netball Carnival

Tatachilla’s netball talent was on full display at the Southern Zone Netball Carnival on Tuesday 27 May, with five teams proudly representing the college at the Southern United Netball Association (SUNA) in Morphett Vale.

Our Year 7/8 ‘Pool A’ team played with determination and skill to finish 1st on the ladder—a fantastic achievement for Lia Feckner, Chloe Oniszk, Lily Schulze, Adi Anderson, Baylie McPhee, Faith Worrall, Saige Sunczyk, Isla Robinson, Portia Rhodes and Mabel Mills.

The Year 7/8 ‘Pool B’ team also impressed, securing five wins and one draw to reach the grand final. In a gripping rematch against Aberfoyle Park, the game ended in a thrilling draw. Congratulations to Rachael Cox, Alyssa Young, Savannah Clarke, Ivie Mair, Payton Cutler, Milla Greer, Kailah McSkimming, Madeline Belton, Isla Griffiths and Indie Vaninetti.

In the Year 9/10 division, our ‘Pool A’ team dominated the court, going undefeated across all seven matches to finish top of their ladder. Well done to Kayla Paterson, Aaliyah McSkimming, Amelia Perry, Caillin Thomas, Harper Matthews-Moore, Eve Ware, Tahlia Hicks and Claire Painter.

The Year 9/10 ‘Pool B’ team also showed great spirit and teamwork, finishing 5th overall. Congratulations to Lily Stewart, Amber Fisher, Mikai Labuschagne, Bella Schutz, Nora Munro, Amelia Boadle, Madison Gutschlag, Kirra True and Evie Orrock.

Our Open team, made up mostly of Year 10 students, faced strong competition in the senior division. Although wins eluded them, the players gained valuable experience and showed great resilience. Well done to Amelia Baragwanath, Peyton Burgess, Abby Stoffel, Mylie Anderson, Hayley Wingrave, Maisie Hunt, Cejay Farrelly, Adele de Sciscio and Sophie Greer.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our amazing AADP student coaches — Nara Weber, Eva Aldridge, Emma Carpenter and Kaysha Dellow — and to our dedicated student umpires: Isla Hockham, Grace Syvertsen, Issy Evans, Izzy Brown and Annabelle Hockey.

Special mention to Tori Young, who, despite being injured, supported the teams by assisting with scoring. We also thank our wonderful coaches Tonia Fielke, Holly Hays, Jo Kolencik, Seona Anderson and Bella Sciberras for guiding and supporting our athletes throughout the day.

Well done to all players, coaches and supporters for representing Tatachilla with pride and passion.

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Young netball stars selected for district team!

Congratulations to Hazel Rose and Izi Szollosi (Year 6), and Pippa Syvertsen (Year 5), who have been selected to represent the Onkaparinga South Year 5/6 Girls' district netball team!

These talented young athletes will take to the courts at Netball SA Stadium from 18–20 June 2025, competing against some of the best primary school players from across the state.

We’re incredibly proud of their achievement and wish them all the best for a successful and exciting tournament.

On Wednesday 21 May, our college proudly participated in the National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS)—a much-loved annual event organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Now in its 25th year, NSS brings together children from across Australia and beyond to share in the joy of reading.

This year, more than two million children from 16,632 locations, including schools, libraries, homes, and even international communities in New Zealand, Canada and Germany, took part in the event. Together, we turned the pages of the 2025 featured book, The Truck Cat, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell.

The Truck Cat is a beautifully illustrated story that follows Tinka the cat and his human companion Yacoub on a heartfelt journey. As they face separation and unexpected turns, the story gently explores important themes such as immigration, identity and the meaning of home-making. The book is not only engaging for young readers but also a valuable teaching tool that aligns with the Australian Curriculum from Foundation to Year 6.

Our children enjoyed drawing their own trucks and cats as part of this vibrant, nationwide celebration of literacy and storytelling. Whether you're a cat lover or not, we highly recommend picking up a copy of The Truck Cat—you’ll be glad you did!

Last week our Reception students focused their learning on National Reconciliation Week.

The children approached their learning with big hearts and open minds, learning about Australia’s past and sharing their hopes for the future. The aim was to connect, not only with one another but also with the rich culture and deep history of the land that we all share.

Through play-based activities, they developed their understanding of the significance of Kaurna land - the stories it holds, the ancestors who walked through it and with it, and the wisdom passed down through generations.

Reception students listened to and re-told Dreamtime stories and also used clay and natural materials to build “woodleys” (natural housing structures). 

The college is proud of all that the Reception students have shared and learned during this important week, which was a special time to celebrate the privilege of living and learning on Kaurna land.