Tatachilla news

College captains Travis Robinson-Prince and Jakayla Loza have had the honour of attending a special reception at Government House, hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia.

This rare opportunity offered our captains a close look at the significance of civic leadership and the vital role that Government House plays in the life of our state.

Travis and Jakayla were warmly welcomed by Her Excellency and her staff, who shared fascinating insights into the responsibilities of the Governor’s office and encouraged young people to engage in leadership and service.

The reception brought together student leaders from across South Australia, providing a platform to share ideas, discuss challenges and celebrate the positive impact of young leaders in their schools and communities.

“It was such a privilege to see Her Excellency again,” said Travis. “Her warmth and insight have made a lasting impression on me. We learned how she balances her many roles on the national and international stage and had the chance to exchange ideas with other student leaders about how to make a difference in our school.”

Jakayla reflected on the inspiration she drew from the event: “My experience at Government House gave me a deeper appreciation of how my own leadership journey can contribute to my school community but also to society more broadly.”

The captains were also captivated by the historic treasures on display, from portraits of historic influencers to fascinating fossils and photos of Her Excellency with world leaders — reminders of South Australia’s significance in the global arena.

We are grateful to Her Excellency for her generous invitation and for her strong support of student leadership as an essential part of shaping South Australia’s future.
 

Our Year 8 students have once again rolled up their sleeves and deepened their connection with Tim Jarvis AM and The Forktree Project this term – a partnership that holds special significance for Tatachilla. 

In fact, our students were among the very first to be involved in this inspiring rewilding initiative when it began, and we are proud to see the relationship continue to grow.

Over two action-packed days, students joined Tim and his dedicated team of volunteers and staff, including a familiar face, Karen Lawrence (former Tatachilla staff member). A highlight for many was meeting the team’s newest recruit – Finn, a playful nine-month-old puppy who quickly won over the students’ hearts.

The Forktree Project’s mission is simple but powerful: to transform a degraded 133-acre former pastoral property on the Fleurieu Peninsula back to thriving native bushland. This involves planting tens of thousands of native trees and shrubs, bringing back wildlife and sequestering tens of thousands of tonnes of carbon. For context, that’s enough to offset the yearly carbon footprint of many Australians.

Our students braved wind, rain and patches of sunshine to plant, weed and care for the property, contributing to the long-term goal of restoring this precious piece of land.

Year 8 Flourish Leader Jordan Allen reflected on the ongoing connection:

“For me, being involved in taking the first Tatachilla group back in 2020 (our Class of 2023) and returning year after year, I am immensely proud of the relationship we have built with Tim, Liz and the Forktree team. I love hearing the positive feedback from students, often surprising themselves with how much they enjoyed giving back to our planet in this way.”

This unique partnership not only allows our students to learn about sustainability in a hands-on way but also empowers them to see the difference they can make in the world.

You can learn more about this inspiring initiative at www.theforktreeproject.com/about-us.

A night of fun and dancing has turned into lasting benefits for students in the junior years, with the recent disco raising an impressive $1,296.

The Student Representative Council (SRC) consulted with their home class peers and decided to use the disco funds to create individual ‘sports kits’ for every junior years class.

Each classroom has now received a tub filled with a range of equipment, including a basketball, soccer ball, tennis ball, soft/play ball, football, skipping rope, flying ring, cones and handballs. These new kits will support active play, teamwork and healthy lifestyles for all junior years students.

We sincerely thank our families for supporting the disco and helping make these valuable additions possible.

Two Tatachilla students have showcased their talent on the national stage, competing at the Cross Country Nationals on the Gold Coast earlier this month.

Congratulations to Shay Barker (Year 8) and Hugh Chivers (Year 5) who proudly represented South Australia at the Cross Country Nationals, held on the Gold Coast from 7–10 September.

Results:

Shay achieved outstanding success, taking 1st place in the multi-class 1km time trial and bringing home a gold medal. Hugh also performed strongly, placing 24th in the 11-year-old category against a highly competitive field.

We are extremely proud of both students for their hard work, dedication and achievements at a national level.