Senior School, Term 2 Week 7 2026

Welcome to Week 7.

Thursday 28 May – Saturday 30 May: School Musical

Thank you to all staff, students and parents/caregivers involved in the School Musical, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. All who attended were sure to be impressed with the talent and commitment of our students. To have over such a large number of Year 7-12 students involved is a credit to our School and makes one proud to be a member of the Pulteney Community.

Friday 29 May: Founders Day Assembly

Our Founders’ Day Assembly was a wonderful occasion and a fitting celebration of Pulteney’s rich history and traditions. It was particularly pleasing to welcome so many Old Scholars back to the School to mark this special day and to reinforce the strong sense of connection that exists across generations of the Pulteney community.

Students were privileged to hear from Lieutenant Lucy Sara (Class of 2016), whose reflections on her time at Pulteney and the opportunities that followed provided an important and inspiring message for our young people.

It was also very pleasing to see our students acknowledge the significance of the occasion through the high standard of their behaviour, presentation and engagement throughout the Assembly. Their respectful approach reflected the values of the School and contributed to a meaningful celebration of our shared history.

Upcoming events

Tuesday 2 June, 5:30pm-8:00pm: Subject Showcase – Centre for Senior Learning.

I look forward to seeing many of you this evening for this important event. This Subject Showcase is for students moving into Years 10–12 in 2027. It provides an important opportunity to explore subject options and pathways for the senior years.

The evening will include a presentation from our SACE Coordinator, Michelle Richards, and Futures Coordinator, Leeanne Johnson-Bryan. They will provide valuable information about achieving the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), including SACE credits, compulsory Stage 1 and Stage 2 requirements, as well as pathways such as VET (Vocational Education and Training) and UEPs (University Extension Programs). In addition, teachers from each subject area and members of the Inclusive Education team will be available to speak with students and families, answering specific questions about subjects, electives, pathways, and opportunities such as acceleration pathways

Following the event, each student will receive a personalised link to submit their initial subject preferences.

1:1 subject counselling meetings with Head of House will begin at the start of Term 3. Parents are invited to attend to support informed, confident final subject and pathway choices. Further details, including booking information, will be shared closer to the date.

Thursday 4 June: Year 12 Halfway Day Celebration

We are very much looking forward to this event on Thursday evening. The Year 12 journey is a special milestone for students, teachers, parents, and caregivers alike. In recognition of this important phase, we are delighted to invite you to a “halfway” celebration. This social event will provide an opportunity for you and your child to connect with teachers and other Year 12 parents as we celebrate this unique journey together.

Year 12 students are invited to attend in smart casual attire; uniforms are not required. We encourage both students and parents to attend together to make this a memorable evening for all.

If you have not already done so, please find below an invitation with a LINK to RSVP for catering purposes.

Tuesday 16 June & Friday 21 August: Year 10 Vaccinations

Year 10 meningococcal vaccinations will take place on these mornings. Families have received and completed the required consent forms. Please contact the School if you have any queries.

Monday 15 June – Friday 19 June: Year 11 Exam Week

Year 11 students will sit their exams during Week 9 before undertaking Work Experience in Week 10.

SWOTVAC will be Monday of Week 9. The examinations will take place from Tuesday 16 June to Friday 19 June.

SACE Coordinator, Ms Richards will provide all students with an electronic copy of the exam timetable, and it can also be viewed below:

Students will be asked to:

• take note of the location of their examinations.
• arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of each examination.
• bring stationery in a clear plastic sleeve and notes (for subjects that allow)
• (e-exams), fully charged laptop and charger, calculator and headphones (wired) for exams with audio components.
• wear school uniform.

 Friday 5 June: Coffee in The Lane

Our students have honed their barista skills and make beautiful coffee for you to purchase every Friday morning. Please drop by this Friday and enjoy some student performances with your hot coffee.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Zac Savage
Head of Senior School

Outdoor Education in Term 2

Term 2 has seen the Stage 1 Outdoor Education class take their learning beyond the classroom, building their understanding of natural environments through hands-on experiences on the water. The practical focus for this term has been kayaking, culminating a four-day journey through the Riverland.

Preparation Day – Port Adelaide

Before heading to the Riverland, the Stage 1 class visited Garden Island and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary near Port Adelaide to develop their touring kayak skills. Students learned to control their kayak, pack efficiently for a multi-day journey, and practiced group management and safety skills in real conditions. We were lucky to experience beautiful weather, paddling out to the Port Adelaide ship’s graveyard to explore the vessels of yesteryear. Students also learned about the mangrove ecosystem and its vital role in the health of our local waterways.

Four-Day Journey – Ral Ral Creek, Renmark North

In Week 5, the Stage 1 class launched their four-day paddle journey from Ral Ral Creek, north of Renmark. Each student packed everything they needed into their kayak, waterproofed and sealed in hatches, and set off downstream along the Murray. The journey took the group through some of the Riverland’s most beautiful backwaters, exploring off-shoot creeks including Nelbuck Creek and Amazon Creek, and visiting the Woolenook Interment Camp to learn about its history.

Students camped in light weight tents and prepared their own meals, some of which were of good quality. The growth across the four days was pleasing: from first-day nerves to the controlled confidence of experienced paddlers by day four. Students developed the ability to self-direct their learning, work as a team, use initiative, and draw on the support of staff when needed.

There were many fun moments along the way, as well as spectacular scenery and rare opportunities for quiet reflection and genuine disconnection from the modern world. It was a very positive experience that has deepened students’ understanding of the natural environment and progressed their outdoor education skills.