Director of Teaching and Learning
This is an exciting time of the term as we embrace the richness of school life, including Learning Conferences, the Intercollegiate Cup, Gig at the Gov, Science Week, Book Week preparation and much more.
Please read below for information about:
- Science Week 2026
- Booking information for the Term 3 Learning Conferences
- 2026 NAPLAN Individual Student Reports
National Science Week
This year’s National Science Week theme, Seeds of Science: Nurturing Knowledge for All, celebrates how curiosity, inquiry and shared learning can grow scientific understanding. Throughout the week, students across all year levels will participate in engaging activities, demonstrations and presentations from guest speaker, Dr. Caterina Selva, an Adelaide University researcher on Australia’s Internationally acclaimed Plants for Space (P4S) project. These experiences will encourage students to think critically, ask questions, explore new ideas and discover how their understanding of how things work, can lead to innovation to solve real-world problems.
Biography – Dr Caterina Selva
Dr Caterina Selva is a plant scientist and researcher at Adelaide University, where she is part of the prestigious ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space. She began her scientific career in genetics and plant reproductive biology with a Master’s degree in Molecular Cell Biology in Milan, Italy, before completing her PhD in Plant Genetics at Adelaide University, where she applied her expertise to improving productivity in barley and wheat. Following her PhD, while working at the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, she was invited to speak at Food for Earth 2021, an international sustainability initiative organised by the FAO and the Future Food Institute. Building on her interdisciplinary background in genetics, molecular biology, and developmental biology, her current research investigates how duckweed responds to environmental cues to initiate flowering and the molecular mechanisms underlying flower development. Through her work, Dr Selva aims to develop genetic resources and knowledge that can contribute to sustainable food production on Earth and support future space exploration.
Term 3 Learning Conferences – 1st and 3rd September
Tomorrow, Wednesday 19 August, all families (ELC to Year 12) will receive an email containing booking links and information for the Week 7 Learning Conferences.
We place great value on Learning Conferences as an opportunity for students, families and teachers to discuss progress, celebrate achievements and identify priorities for continued growth. These conversations strengthen the partnership between home and school and help ensure that each student is well supported in their learning.
Two formats are available to accommodate the needs of families. Please select the option that best suits your family:
- Tuesday 1 September, 4.00–8.30pm: Face-to-face conferences
- Thursday 3 September, 4.00–8.30pm: Online conferences
We look forward to seeing you there!
For assistance with bookings, please contact the relevant Sub-school office:
ELC: Chloe.Moir@pulteney.sa.edu.au
Junior School: Kass.Woods@pulteney.sa.edu.au
Middle & Senior School: Julie.Dangerfield@pulteney.sa.edu.au
2026 NAPLAN Individual Student Reports
Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 completed the 2026 NAPLAN tests in early March.
The 2026 NAPLAN Individual Student Reports will be available to families this Wednesday, 19th August via the Reports tab on the Pulteney Parent Portal.
Families will receive an email containing information about interpreting the results, including advice regarding the technical disruption to the Years 5, 7 and 9 Writing assessment.
NAPLAN provides a snapshot of achievement at a point in time and should be considered as a component of wholistic ongoing classroom assessment and teacher observations.
For assistance accessing the report, please contact the relevant Sub-school office:
Junior School: Kass.Woods@pulteney.sa.edu.au
Middle School: Julie.Dangerfield@pulteney.sa.edu.au
Nadia Maglica
Director of Teaching and Learning