EE's Term 1 Newsletter

OUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Our Mission

Our mission is to foster academic and creative excellence in a respectful and nurturing educational environment. We strive to support student wellbeing and provide meaningful learning experiences that develop socially responsible and resilient life-long learners. Through collaboration and leadership, our students will engage in, and contribute to the community, both locally and globally.

Our Vision

At Pinnacle College, we celebrate diversity and uniqueness in an innovative and inclusive learning environment. Our vision is to equip students with the confidence and skills to reach their potential and meet the challenges of the future as global citizens, leaders and innovators.

Our CORE VALUES

Diversity, Innovation, Respect, Excellence, Integrity, Compassion

Principal’s Message

Hello all parents, students and community members!

For those who I haven’t had the opportunity to meet with yet, my name is Mr Omer Faruk Demirbas and I am the new Principal at the Elizabeth East campus. It is a pleasure to be here, working together with our caring staff in teaching and guiding our students.

It’s been a very busy Term 1! We have many new students and parents – I welcome you all to the Pinnacle College family! I encourage all of our students and parents, new and old, to maintain open communication with our staff and management. Together, we will improve the educational experience for our student!

As is the norm with any Principal article, I’d like to also take this opportunity to highlight a few things:

• Traffic: We are well aware of the congestion during pick up time. I kindly ask all parents to avoid parking in the designated bus areas and to ensure that we do not block the road by parking in front of our neighbours’ driveways,
• Attendance and punctuality: This year, we are focusing on attendance and punctuality at Pinnacle College. Any time missed at school means missed learning opportunities. I urge all of our parents to do what they can to ensure that students are dropped off and picked up from school in a punctual manner and that student attend school daily.

Thank you for your understanding and assistance to the matters above.

On that note, I wish for all of our students and parents a restful Term break and look forward to seeing you all again in Term 2!

Deputy Principal’s Message

Hello to our wonderful Pinnacle College - Elizabeth East families and community,

As we come to the end of a busy and rewarding Term 1, I would like to take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights and important events that made this term so special.

Firstly, congratulations to our Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students who participated in NAPLAN this term. They showed excellent focus and resilience, and we are proud of their efforts. We also had our School Photo Day, where students proudly wore their uniforms and shared smiles with classmates — these photos will no doubt become treasured memories in years to come.

This term, we were fortunate to run the ‘Just Like You’ program, a fantastic Disability Awareness Program that encouraged students to develop a deeper understanding of what life can be like for people living with disabilities. The program sparked important conversations and strengthened our commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive school community.

Our Primary Sports Day was another highlight, with students enthusiastically participating in a range of events, showing great sportsmanship and team spirit. We also celebrated Harmony Day, which gave us the chance to recognise and embrace the wonderful diversity within our school community. It was fantastic to see so many students proudly sharing their cultural backgrounds.

A special mention must go to our talented students who competed in the Bachar Houli Cup. We were thrilled to see our school take out three Grand Final wins across both primary and secondary — an incredible achievement and a testament to their hard work and teamwork.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge the importance of Ramadan for many of our students and families this term. We have been proud to see our values of respect and compassion reflected throughout this important time.

Thank you to our staff, students and families for your continued support and contribution to our school community. We look forward to another exciting and successful term ahead.

Teaching and Learning

I would like to formally congratulate our Year 3 and Year 5 students who have now completed all NAPLAN assessments for this year. Thank you to our staff and parents for all their support during the testing period. I am happy to announce that Individual reports will be sent out to us during Term 3. 

Reading in the early years 

Reading aloud and sharing stories with your child when they are young can help them develop literacy skills and learn about the world around them. Children learn words and language skills from listening and engaging in stories, songs and conversations.

Benefits of reading and storytelling: 

• Helps your child get to know sounds, words and language, and develop early literacy skills
• Introduces your child to the value of books and stories
• Sparks your child’s imagination and curiosity
• Promotes your child’s brain development and ability to focus and concentrate
• Helps your child build social, communication and emotional skills
• Helps your child learn about the world, their own culture and other cultures.

Years 3-6 students have been working with an online reading assessment tool “Literacy Pro”. This tool begins with a quick online, adaptive assessment to measure a student’s comprehension and level of text complexity. Students are given a Lexile number which then allows them to read in their ability range. The platform gives all an opportunity to search for texts of interest at their Lexile level and a huge range of online e-books. Literacy Pro is all about matching students to a ‘good fit’ book, monitoring their achievements and motivating our students to read more. 

Homework

Homework helps children practice what they learn in class, making it easier to remember and understand new concepts. It also teaches responsibility, time management, and independent learning which is important skills for future success. Students are expected to complete the assigned weekly homework to the best of their ability.

Warm regards
Nibal Al Bayati
Teaching and Learning Coordinator

"Just Like You" – Learning About Autism

This Term, our primary students took part in a powerful and engaging session called Just Like You, which focused on understanding autism and celebrating inclusion. The session helped students learn about the experiences of people with autism and how we can all be kind, supportive, and respectful of each other’s differences. Through stories, videos, and open discussions, students explored what it means to be a good friend and how small actions can make a big difference. It was a valuable opportunity to build empathy, promote understanding, and reinforce that while we are all unique, we are also more alike than we may think—just like you!

Kind regards

Mrs Musa
Inclusive Education Coordinator 

School Counsellers

Towards the latter end of term 1, the counselling team has been focusing on student and staff wellbeing and self-care. This is even more prominent with the celebration of Ramadan. As students and some staff are taking part in the fasting process, the need for awareness of energy levels, focus and window of tolerance is required. The counselling team have been able to offer their support of students and staff with guidance around work load, burnout and task management. This to ensure that all those at Pinnacle are able to hold a positive mindset within a positive environment during the school term. Doing this also contributes to an increase of respect, openness to experience and acceptance of diversity among one another as everyone is doing their best efforts to reach their goals.

Be kind, always.
The Counselling Team
Jesse Agostino: jesse.agostino@pinnacle.sa.edu.au  
Maysa Tabet: maysa.tabet@pinnacle.sa.edu.au 

Library

It has been an exciting start to the school year in the library with the introduction of Lexile levels.  Lexile levels are a way to measure the difficulty of a book and match it to a reader's ability. Students can find the level of a Lexile book by looking at the sticker on its spine or looking it up on the library catalogue.

The Scholastic Book Fair will again be held at Elizabeth East next term (June 3-9). Buying books from the fair is a great way to help Pinnacle College as Scholastic gives back a percentage of the total spent to our school to purchase new books and educational resources.

Pinnacle College Library Team

Primary

Foundation

In Term 1, we’ve had a fantastic start! We’ve learned our letters and sounds, explored numbers, and discussed healthy eating choices. We also investigated the life cycle of a butterfly. Along the way, we've made many new friends and are excited for the adventures and learning ahead this year!

Kind regards
Miss McBean

Foundation / Year 1

Term 1 has been a busy time getting used to our composite class. In Art we have been investigating using shape, colour, and lines to make different art works. We have had a lot of fun and produced some great pieces, including portraits, abstract faces, and spiders.

Kind regards
Mrs Mirfin

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Year 1

This term, the Year 1 class had a visit from Hahndorf Farm Barn! In our science lessons, we have been learning about living things, their needs and how to care for them. This was a great hands-on experience to learn about the care of farm animals. 

Kind regards
Mr Brady

Year 2

Year 2 has had a great start to the year! To support our recount writing, students had a fun and educational cooking incursion, where they made delicious peach danish and san choy bao. The experience taught them cooking skills, teamwork, and creativity as they prepared these tasty dishes. It was a hands-on, engaging activity that sparked excitement for healthy cooking!

Kind regards
Mrs Musa

Year 3

This term, Year 3 enjoyed an Aboriginal boomerang-making incursion and designed mini fridges in our insulation project. We’ve also been preparing for NAPLAN with focused practice. Next term, we look forward to exploring chemistry through the SciWorld incursion, discovering exciting concepts in the Junior Chemistry Capers workshop.

Kind regards
Mr Sun

Year 4A

This term has been nothing but fantastic so far in year 4A! We’ve learned about procedure writing, animal food chains, and addition strategies. We’ve also explored many other exciting topics, making our lessons fun, and engaging. We were even able to experience a hands-on cooking activity with making Fairy Bread. We have had many new students in our class that have fit in well and are a great addition to Pinnacle College. Everyone has worked hard, and we can't wait to keep learning and growing together!

The Year 4A team 
Mrs Pietrantonio + Mrs Nibal

Year 4B

This term we had Animals Anonymous visit us and bring in lots of different Australian animals for our students to see and learn about! Our students were able to watch an iguana crawl across the ground and even watch as a sugar gilder jumped and glided through the air!

Kind regards
Miss Newton

Year 5 

Welcome to the new school year, Year 5! We’re excited to welcome new students and families. This term, we’ve been focusing on NAPLAN preparation, writing narratives, and persuasive texts. Looking forward to the exciting learning experiences and opportunities for growth coming our way this year!

Kind regards
Mr Triantafilakis

Year 6 

Welcome Year 6 class of 2025! In Term 1, students explored natural disasters in science and technology. They identified types like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes, learning about their causes. Students also studied safety procedures, ensuring they are well-prepared and informed to protect themselves and others during such events.

Kind regards
Miss Bartemucci

Primary Sports

Bachar Houli Cup: Year 5/6 Boys and Girls Shine in Grand Final Victory

The Bachar Houli Cup was a thrilling success this year, with both the Year 5/6 boys and girls teams bringing home the trophies after winning their respective grand finals. The tournament, designed to bring together students from Islamic backgrounds to play modified Australian Rules Football, was a day full of excitement and team spirit.

The boys' team remained undefeated throughout the day, showing great skill and determination, while the girls' team only lost one match, showcasing their talent and resilience. In the girls' division, Nalan from Year 6 was voted the Best Player, a well-deserved recognition for her outstanding performance.

Congratulations to all the players for their hard work and sportsmanship. Well done to both teams for their impressive achievements!

Kind regards
Mr Triantafilakis
Primary Sports Coordinator

Primary Turkish

This term, Turkish lessons have been filled with interactive and engaging activities to enhance student learning. To support reading development, students received books and booklets suited to their levels. In-class participation was encouraged with rewards for successful students, motivating them to stay active in lessons. To make learning more enjoyable, songs were introduced, adding a fun and musical element to the classroom. Additionally, homework assignments were given to help reinforce what students learned at school. If you have any suggestions or requests regarding Turkish lessons, feel free to share them with us—we would love to hear from you!

Kind regards
Mr Birol

Primary Sports Day

Our annual Primary Sports Day was a fantastic celebration of energy, enthusiasm, and teamwork. Students gave it their all across a range of events, showing great determination and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all teams for their efforts, and a special shoutout to the yellow team—Eagles—for claiming first place! Your teamwork, positive attitude, and persistence were outstanding. Thank you to the staff, families, and volunteers who supported the day and helped make it such a memorable event for our students.

Kind regards

Mr Triantafilakis
Primary Sports Coordinator

Secondary

English

English Department Newsletter – Term 1 Update

The English Department has had an exciting and engaging start to the year, with students diving into reading, writing, and debating opportunities that challenge their thinking and creativity.

Writers’ Week – Year 12 Excursion

Our Year 12 students recently attended Writers’ Week, where they had the invaluable experience of learning from acclaimed authors. As part of their preparation for Assignment 1, students attended two insightful sessions:

• Immortal Dark with Tigest Girma – an exploration of storytelling, themes, and the power of literature to reflect identity and heritage.
• On Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy with Amie Kaufman and Lili Wilkinson – a deep dive into crafting imaginative worlds, compelling characters, and the unique demands of speculative fiction.

Hearing directly from established authors provided students with inspiration and practical advice to enhance their own writing. We look forward to seeing how their experiences shape their upcoming assessments!

Premier’s Reading Challenge & Our New Book- Flix Wall

We’re excited to launch our Book Flic Wall this term—a dynamic space where students can discover recommended reads based on:

• The Premier’s Reading Challenge Book List
• Community Value Recommendations – books suggested by students, parents, and staff that reflect themes of respect, identity, and personal growth.
• Qur’anic Values Books – literature that aligns with themes of justice, kindness, and wisdom.
• Teachers’ Recommendations – a special feature where each month, students can guess the teacher whose favourite books are on display!

Encouraging a love for reading remains at the heart of our department, and we invite all students to participate in both the Premier’s Reading Challenge and our Book Flic Wall initiative.

Student Leadership & Persuasive Speaking

This term, students applying for Student Representative Council (SRC) leadership roles were given the opportunity to deliver their candidate speeches in English classrooms. This not only allowed them to showcase their persuasive writing and speech delivery skills but also reinforced the real-world application of rhetoric and argumentation. The speeches demonstrated the power of effective communication, confidence, and strategic thinking, all key skills developed in English.This year we had more students try-out for leadership than ever before!

YouDebate Tournament – Term 2 Preparation

Debating fever is running high as students from Years 7–10 prepare for the YouDebate Tournament in Term 2. In preparation, each year level will take part in a practice debate later this term, competing between the Golden Grove and Elizabeth East campuses. These debates will sharpen students’ skills in argumentation, critical thinking, and public speaking—essential tools for academic success and beyond.

We can’t wait to see our students showcase their talents across reading, writing, and debating as the term progresses! Stay tuned for more updates.

Kind regards
Mr Guglielmucci
The English Department

Art & Technology

Term 1 has been full of activities for the Art and Technology Department. While Junior and Senior Secondary classes have been busy working on a diverse range of projects featuring coding and making, Art and Technology Scholarships Round 2025 is now finalised. We extend congratulations to Albaraa Amr Abdel Mohsen Hafez (Year 8B) and Muser Raza Qurbani (8A) as the recipients of Technology Scholarship and the following students as the recipients of Art Scholarship: Hunain Memon (Year 9), Syed Azaan Shah (Year 10). 

Our recent graduate Zainab Ali’s SACE Art Project has been accepted as part of the SACE Art Show 2025. Her work is exhibited at the Lights Square Gallery in the city and will be travelling around South Australian Galleries throughout 2025 along with other SACE Art achievers. 

The annual Refugee Week Poster Competition entries are coming to a close. Please submit works to the art subject teachers or the front office desk by the 4th of April to be considered for an entry.

Kind regards

Selen Morkoc
Head of Arts & Technology

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Humanities

Psychology students recently designed memory games as part of their exploration into cognitive psychology. By applying theories of memory and learning, they created engaging activities to better understand how the brain processes and recalls information. These hands-on projects allowed students to connect theory with real-world applications in a fun way.

Kind regards
Ms Roelofsen
The Humanities Department

Science

Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, which plays a key role in maintaining healthy skin, joints, and connective tissues. In Week 6, the Year 12 Nutrition class investigated how boiling time affects the vitamin C content in broccoli. To do this, they boiled broccoli for 0, 1, 5, and 10 minutes, then conducted a drop titration to measure vitamin C levels. Students counted the number of drops required for a significant color change, indicating the presence of vitamin C. Their results showed that as boiling time increased, more vitamin C was lost to the water, meaning that longer boiling times reduce the amount of vitamin C available in the broccoli itself. The students learned that it is best to consume fruits and vegetables raw whenever possible. If boiling is necessary, consuming the cooking liquid can help retain more of the lost nutrients.

Kind regards
Ms Neong
The Science Department

Maths

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter!

As the Mathematics Department, we extend our best wishes for a successful and enriching year in mathematics to all our students. Our dedicated team is committed to supporting your child’s learning and growth in the subject.

The mathematics teachers for each year level are as follows:

Year 7 – Mr. Ibrahim Yigiter
Year 8 – Mr. Adem Adak
Year 9 – Mr. Erdem Toryan
Year 10 – Mr. Adem Adak & Mr. Erdem Toryan
Year 11 – Mr. Ibrahim Yigiter & Mr. Sami Hussein
Year 12 – Mr. Sami Hussein & Mr. Turgut Turan
For general matter Mr Gokhan Kot

Our team looks forward to working with students to develop their mathematical skills and confidence throughout the year.

Kind regards
Mr Kot
The Mathematics Department

Year 8 Arabic

The Year 8 Arabic students at Elizabeth East Campus participated in an exciting incursion, creating polymer clay incense burners decorated with Arabic writing about Ramadan. This hands-on activity was a wonderful way to celebrate the holy month and connect it to the Arabic curriculum.

Students enjoyed a fun and engaging experience, blending cultural learning with creative expression.

Kind regards
Mrs Reham & Mrs Yasmin

Year 10 Arabic

The Year 10 Arabic students began the 2025 academic year with an exciting excursion to support their food blog writing in Arabic. They enjoyed a guided tour of Adelaide Central Market, followed by lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant.

Students explored different foods and cultures and will now write about their experiences and opinions in Arabic. It was a great way to combine language learning with real-life experiences.

Kind regards

Secondary Sports

Excitement filled the air as students from year 7/8 emerged victorious at the prestigious Bachar Houli AFL Cup, held at Ridley Reserve on Monday 24th Feb. The competition, which celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion through AFL, saw teams from various schools showcase their skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

The teams demonstrated exceptional determination and skill, impressing both spectators and coaches alike. With precise kicking, strong defense, and seamless teamwork, they progressed through the tournament, overcoming tough competition to secure the championship title. 

Some standouts from the day include Ameen winning the lunchtime sprint competition, Adem H kicking goals from everywhere on the field and Team 2 sweeping the rug out from team 1 and winning the day! A great effort by all involved.

Kind regards
Ms Delchau
Secondary Sports Coordinator

Pastoral Care

Empowering Change: Our Students' Inspiring GAP Month in Aceh, Indonesia

Recently, our Pastoral Care Department organized an impactful trip to Aceh, Indonesia, as part of the annual GAP Month program. This unique initiative, available every January to our Year 12 students and recent graduates, offers a transformative experience that goes beyond the classroom.

During their month-long stay, our students collaborated with the local education department to teach English in public schools. This hands-on experience allowed them to develop essential skills such as communication, leadership, adaptability, and cultural understanding. Living and working in a new environment challenged them to step out of their comfort zones and make a meaningful difference.

A particularly moving moment occurred towards the end of the trip when students visited a local dormitory in dire condition. Deeply touched by what they witnessed, they quickly organized a fundraising initiative. Through their determination and teamwork, they successfully raised enough funds in a short period to restore the dormitory, ensuring a safer and more comfortable living space for the local students.

This trip not only allowed our students to contribute positively to the community but also highlighted their capacity for empathy, leadership, and social responsibility. It was inspiring to see them take such an active role in creating change.

We are proud of their achievements and the lasting impact they have made. For those interested in next year's GAP Month opportunity, applications will open later this year. Stay tuned!

Kind regards
Mr Erdem
Pastoral Care Department