GG Term 2 2025 Newsletter

principal's message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the second issue of Pinnacle College's 2025 newsletter. We’ve had another vibrant and fulfilling term at Golden Grove Campus. Below are some highlights:

Eid Festival

A big thank you to all staff and students who organised the event. Over $25,000 was raised and distributed across more than 10 countries via the Australian Relief Organisation (ARO). A wonderful display of generosity and compassion from our school community.

Principal Lunches with Students

Starting next term, I will be meeting with small groups of students over lunch. These sessions aim to encourage student voice, build stronger connections, and share ideas on how to improve our school. I’ve already been impressed with our students’ confidence and thoughtfulness so far.

Club Activities

Primary students enjoyed engaging Friday afternoon club sessions this term. Popular clubs included coding, art, gardening, and cooking. 

Book Fair

It was held on 17 June by the Library Department. Students showed great enthusiasm for reading and exploring new books. Thanks to the library staff for promoting a strong reading culture at our campus.

Open Day and School Tour

Held on 29 May and 18 June for prospective families. Visitors explored classrooms and learned about our programs and values. Thank you to our Enrolments Manager and Year Level Coordinators for their outstanding efforts.

Pastoral Care and Camps

A number of sleepover programs were organised by the Pastoral Care Team this term. These programs supported student growth in leadership, teamwork, and resilience. We wish all participating students a safe and enjoyable camp experience.

Sports Achievements

Our students delivered outstanding performances across a range of sports this term, achieving excellent results in volleyball, soccer, and AFL at various interschool competitions. Their teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship were evident throughout each event. We are proud of all our players who represented the school with pride, and we thank our coaches and PE staff for their tireless effort in preparing our teams.

Art Achievement

Our students achieved great success at the 2025 SA Refugee Week Youth Poster Awards Exhibition, with one of our students receiving a Certificate of Recognition from the local Member of Parliament. We also extend our gratitude to their teachers for continuously supporting student growth through ongoing assessment and constructive feedback. 

Winter Uniform Reminder

Please ensure students are in full winter uniform, including jumpers and jackets and ties for secondary students. Your support helps maintain our high standards in presentation.

Traffic Safety

Please follow all traffic and parking rules around the school. Drive carefully and be respectful of our neighbours during pick-up and drop-off.

Thank you for your continued support throughout a very rewarding term. Wishing all our families a restful, safe, and enjoyable school holiday.

Until next time,

Warm Regards,
Gokhan Kot

GG & GP Campus Principal

primary coordinator

Dear Families/Caregivers, 

I hope you have been keeping well.

We have come to the end of yet another busy, joyful and memorable term. It was great to see so many parents and friends from our community at our annual Qurban Festival. Thank you to those who contributed on the day – your efforts are greatly appreciated. 

Students from primary had their ‘Shining Stars’ behaviour excursion where we rewarded the top 5 students from each class. These students were rewarded for their engagement in lessons, manners in the yard and in class as well as their excellence in representing our school values through all learning areas. Students had a great time visiting Bounce at Greenacres where they took part in lots of fun team building activities.

Over the holidays I would like you to reflect on exploring ways to build your child’s resilience and create a strong, happy and healthy mind:

• Feeling Our Feelings
  Teaching children that all feelings - happy, sad, angry, anxious - are okay helps them learn emotional fluency. Simple open questions like “How did your day feel?” or “What was a glimmer today?” encourage expression and understanding.
• Mindfulness Moments
  Mindful breathing and simple meditation can calm the mind. Techniques like “butterfly breaths” or a 1 minute pause during transitions help children reconnect with their senses. A national study found such practices significantly boosted focus, emotional resilience, and classroom positivity.
• Boosting Resilience
  Resilience is like a muscle - built through practice. Encourage regular physical play, problem-solving by stepping back rather than jumping in, and comforting routines to support emotional growth . Allowing children to face small challenges helps them learn independence and confidence.

Have a safe, blessed and relaxing holiday! 

Kind Regards,
Mrs Sawafta Natasha 

Primary Coordinator

secondary coordinators

What a great Semester we have had. Our year 7 secondary girls have been very busy this term but settled quite well into their new environment. The SACE students have also been working very diligently to achieve their best, and the year 10’s have just completed their first ever Semester exams; well done girls! We hope they have all achieved the success they have been working towards. Regardless of the results, all students should be very proud of their achievements this term. 

We would like to remind you and your daughters to use this three week break to rest and recharge; ready for a fresh start next semester. Just a reminder that our Uniform Shop is available to help you stock up on all required uniform items. This includes the official grey hijabs and Pinnacle school bags. Please note that alternative hijabs, jackets, or bags do not meet our uniform guidelines. 

Fun events to look forward to next term include Book Week parade, the door decorating competition and School library day, Science Week fair, and Language Week. It will be a busy term!

Enjoy the break, and we look forward to welcoming the girls back to school on the 22nd of July.

Thank you kindly,

Dr Genine Meredith & Mrs Shyamali Jayasena

Secondary Coordinators 

primary teaching & learning coordinators

It’s hard to believe we’ve already wrapped up another action-packed term in the Primary years!

Our students have enjoyed a variety of enriching learning experiences, including National Simultaneous Storytime, the Qurban Festival celebrations, exciting SciWorld, Islamic Art and Bubble Show incursions, and varied fascinating excursions! These opportunities continue to support our curriculum focus while making learning meaningful and memorable.

Next term promises to be just as exciting, with a number of academic competitions on the horizon, including Spelling Bees, the ICAS assessments, and the Book Cup. These events provide students with the chance to extend their learning and challenge themselves in new ways.

Over the break, we encourage families to continue supporting learning at home by engaging in regular reading, practising multiplication tables, and revisiting key numeracy and literacy skills. Even a little each day can make a big difference!

We’ve also had the pleasure of welcoming several prospective Foundation students for 2026 during recent tours – it’s always lovely to see familiar faces as siblings continue their journey with Pinnacle.

If you’re looking to enrol a child for next year, please contact our Pinnacle Enrolments team at your earliest convenience.

Kind Regards and Happy Holiday!

Mrs Shaneel Wall, Head of Primary Teaching and Learning
Mrs Chloe Rees, Teaching and Learning Coordinator - Golden Grove

secondary department updates

Art & Technology Departments

Art and Technology Departments have been busy with various topics in term 2 that include First Nations Art, Word Art, coding and programming. 

As an Arts & Tech Department we always encourage our students to enter state and interstate competitions. Entries to Refugee Week Art Competition has been very successful and we are pleased to announce that the following students’ works have been chosen to be displayed in the final exhibition under ‘’secondary school’ category at the Adelaide Arts and Entertainment Centre:

Syed Azaan Shah (Year 9) from Elizabeth East

Sadiya Multani ( Year 9) from Golden Grove

We extend our sincere congratulations to both students for their achievements!

English Department

Dear Students, Parents, and Supporters,

We've had an incredibly eventful Term 2 here at the English Department! Our students have once again showcased their talents and dedication through a series of exciting competitions and creative endeavors.

YouDebate Success:
We are proud to announce our outstanding achievements in this year's YouDebate competition, where our teams from Elizabeth East and Golden Grove faced off with our sister schools from all around the nation. Congratulations to all participants for their spirited debates and thoughtful arguments!

Elizabeth East Highlights:

• Year 7: Orhan Got, Mustafa Abu Shaban, Adil Ali
  
• Year 8: Aahil, Omer Albaraa Mohamed, Hasan Hajeer
  
• Year 9: Chris Sharma, Mehmet Eren Guler, Malek Abudusamaiti
  
• Year 10: Musa, Erfan, Abraham
• Public Speakers: Raihan Sufandi.

Golden Grove Highlights:

• Year 7: Sara Al Mufti, Samiha Bashir, Mariam Hussein, PS - Muskaan Faria Syed
• Year 8: Juwariah, Maham, Zunairah, PS - Aaya Shawqy
  
• Year 9: Zubi Syed, Lara Salman, Ayesha Khan, Public Speaker - Sirin Omar
  
• Year 10: Anamtta Baig, Elaha Jafari, Ragd Elrayah
  
• Public Speakers: Muskaan Faria Syed,Aaya Shawqy , Sirin Omar
  

Achievements:

• Golden Grove claimed 1st place in Public Speaking for Year 7 and 3rd place for Year 8.
  
• Our Year 8 Golden Grove girls secured an impressive 2nd place in the YouDebate competition.
• Elizabeth East placed 3rd in the Year 9 division of the YouDebate competition.
  

Write a Book in a Day:
A special shout-out to the Elizabeth East team for their incredible dedication in the "Write a Book in a Day" competition. Ahil Tajdar, Hasan Hajeer, Daniel Belba, Ali Rezaye, Muser Qurbani, Haroon Khan, and Moussa Abdelsadek wrote tirelessly for 8 hours, demonstrating creativity and teamwork. Best of luck to our Golden Grove girls in Term 3!

Open Day Preparation:
As for Open Day, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the teachers in the English Department who worked tirelessly to make our department shine. Your dedication ensures that our students excel in both academic and creative pursuits.

Thank you to:

• Saphron Brackney
  
• Ashton Botha
  
• Natasha Cameron
  
• Hilary Donraddt
  
• Lucy Moschos
  
• Michael Salter
  
• Thomas Schlicker

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and events from the English Department in Term 3!

Warm regards,

Carmine Guglielmucci
Head of English Department

Health & Physical Education Department

In Health & Physical Education, we always strive to ensure our students are feeling confident in their bodies and know what they are capable of. In Year 9 Health, students are learning about fitness components and how to design a fitness program. Our Year 10 students are learning about Sports Injuries, and our Year 8 are tackling Issues in Sport. Our Year 7 students learnt about medication. We taught a variety of different sports this term, including AFL, Netball, Basketball & Table Tennis. Continue to try your best in your PE lessons and enjoy!

Humanities Department

In History studies, our Year 8 students have delved into studies of Feudal Japan, bringing history to life through creative diary entries written from a samurai’s perspective. They explored the values of loyalty, honour, and discipline while learning about the samurai’s daily life. The work that students developed was able to creatively capture the way of life and how Feudal Japan evolved throughout the 12th to 19th century.

Next semester our students will begin their studies in Geography, harnessing mapping skills and developing an understanding of Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

LOTE - Arabic & Turkish Department

The Arabic Department recently organised a special embroidery incursion in celebration of Eid Al-Adha for secondary students and warmly invited students from the Turkish language class to participate. Together, they created beautiful pieces of art featuring the phrase "Eid Mubarak" written in Arabic.

Students enjoyed the hands-on experience, demonstrating creativity and focus as they designed and embroidered their individual canvas pieces. It was a meaningful opportunity to celebrate a significant occasion while fostering cultural pride and artistic expression.

As part of the Eid celebrations, the Arabic Department also hosted one of the secondary school assemblies. During the assembly, Arabic teachers presented achievement certificates to students in recognition of their consistent effort and hard work.

In the primary school, Arabic teachers distributed small gifts to students who demonstrated outstanding achievement and strong effort in their Arabic studies, making the celebration both joyful and encouraging across all year levels.

Mathematics Department

Greetings from the Maths Department!

As Term 2 draws to a close, we want to celebrate the incredible progress and dedication shown by our students in mathematics. This semester has been packed with learning, with curriculum content thoughtfully delivered and explored across all year levels. We're passionate about making mathematics come alive for our students, and a key part of that is helping them see how the skills they learn in our classrooms translate directly into the real world.

We've been particularly impressed with our Year 7s, who are truly grasping the value of their maths assessments. Beyond just a score, they're learning to view assessments as vital tools for understanding their strengths and identifying areas for growth. This foundational understanding is crucial for their mathematical journey ahead.

For our Year 11s, this term has also been a period of crucial decision-making regarding their mathematical pathways. We've seen thoughtful consideration as students selected their next level of maths, whether moving from Mathematical Methods to General Mathematics or from General Mathematics to Essential Mathematics. Our aim is to ensure every student is on the most appropriate pathway to support their future aspirations and build confidence in their mathematical abilities.

We're incredibly proud of our students' efforts and the progress made this term. We wish everyone a restful break and look forward to another engaging term of mathematical discovery!

-The Team in Maths

Religion and Values (RV) Department

 “Food on the Table” Excursion

Our incredible Year 8 girls from Pinnacle College – Golden Grove Campus took part in the "Food on the Table" program, where they prepared fresh meals for people experiencing homelessness.

Through cooking, packing, and working together, the students showed empathy, teamwork, and a strong sense of community responsibility. What a meaningful way to make a difference!

Well done, girls — we’re so proud of you!

Science Department  

This term, the middle school science classes have learnt different concepts to further their understanding of the world around them. The year 7s learnt about separation techniques and forces, while the year 8s learnt about physical and chemical change. They applied their knowledge by designing an investigation about the rate of reactions. The year 9s learnt about energy efficiency and how this relates to cost-effective measures around the house, while also learning about the carbon cycle. The year 10s finished the term, learning about global systems and the mysterious universe.

As the term comes to an end, the science department would like to say a warm farewell to Ms. Beyza Yavuz, who is leaving our school after inspiring students with her love of science. Her dedication to teaching has left a lasting impression on both students and staff. Ms. Yavuz brought energy and enthusiasm to every class. We thank her for all she has given and wish her every success in the future. 

– The Science Faculty Team

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inclusive education coordinators

Term 2 has been a lovely, calm, and productive time for the Inclusive Education department.

We’ve really appreciated the opportunity to meet with parents and caregivers throughout the term, strengthening our partnerships and working collaboratively with teaching staff to ensure students continue to feel supported and confident in the classroom. These connections are a vital part of creating a positive and inclusive learning environment, and we thank families for their ongoing engagement and insight.

Looking ahead to Term 3, we would like to inform our Secondary families that the ICAS assessments will be taking place. This is a valuable opportunity for students who wish to challenge themselves in areas such as English, Mathematics, Science, and Digital Technologies. Parents and caregivers can expect to receive a letter from the Secondary Inclusive Education Coordinator very soon with more information and details on how to nominate their child to participate.

Congratulations to all students, families, and staff on a fantastic Term 2. We’re proud of the progress and resilience shown across the board and look forward to continuing the positivity in Term 3.

Kerry Sangermano & Gianna Palumbo 

Inclusive Education Coordinators (Primary & Secondary)

school counsellors

Thank you to all of our community for their efforts and dedication to wellbeing this term. We have seen students working hard and reaching goals academically, for their personal wellbeing and socially with peers. We recognise the important work of our families, staff and students to support wellbeing in our community.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind students of all ages, parents and staff that as AI develops, we are presented with new challenges online everyday. We encourage students to speak to a trusted adult about anything online that makes them feel uncomfortable, confused or worried. We can all be mindful to limit the information we share about ourselves online and to practice caution when interacting with others online, even in games spaces such as Roblox. It is not your fault if you receive concerning messages or distressing content online, but it is important to question what we see online and to seek advice from trusted adults when something feels unusual.

Students, parents and staff can access free online safety information and view steps to report distressing online content at the eSafety Commissioner website accessed at esafety.gov.au. Let’s continue to approach our online world with our critical thinking and utmost care for our community.

Emily Devitt & Amalina Yahya, School Counsellors

pastoral care

A huge thank you to our dedicated Year 11 girls who led the Peer Support Program every week this semester and to our Year 10 students who stepped up every second week with commitment and care.

Your leadership, consistency, and willingness to give your time and energy have made a real difference to the younger students at Pinnacle College – Golden Grove Campus.

We wrapped up this incredible program with a Coordinators' Lunch, where we reflected on the experience, shared feedback, and celebrated the efforts of everyone involved.

Your kindness and sacrifice haven’t gone unnoticed — we are so proud of your efforts to support and uplift others.

Mrs Aslan & Mrs Esma

Year 8 & 9 Pastoral Care Program – End of Term 2

At the end of Term 2, Year 8 and 9 students participated in a special Pastoral Care Program. The morning was spent engaging in reading and discussion sessions focused on wellbeing, reflection, and personal growth. In the afternoon, students enjoyed a fun and active ice-skating session, providing a chance to relax, bond with peers, and celebrate the end of a successful term. The day supported student wellbeing and offered a positive conclusion to Term 2.

Year 8 & 9 PC Team

Mrs Soheir, Mrs Aslan and Mrs Melek

primary sports coordinator

What an exhilarating term it has been for our young athletes! Our students have shown tremendous dedication and skill in various sports competitions, and we are thrilled to share their remarkable achievements.

SAPSASA Soccer

Our girls' soccer team has brought home the winning trophy, showcasing their hard work and teamwork throughout the tournament. Their determination on the field was absolutely amazing, and they demonstrated excellent sportsmanship.

Swimming Success

Congratulations to Maryem Shama (Year 4) for making it into the state-level competition in the School Sport SA 12 years and under Swimming category. Her commitment to training and passion for swimming are commendable, and we’re excited to see her represent our school!

Rugby Tackle Competition

In another exciting event, our Year 5/6 rugby teams competed vigorously in the tackle competition, with both the boys' and girls' teams returning victorious with trophies in hand. Their teamwork and resilience were evident, and they made us all proud!

Harmony Cup National Soccer Team

We also celebrate the incredible achievement of Maryem Shama (Year 4), Malika Elkordy (Year 6), and Moustafa Ghazzawi (Year 6) for making the Harmony Cup National Team. 

We are immensely proud of all our students and their amazing accomplishments. Let's keep the spirit of sports alive and continue to support one another in our athletic endeavors! 

John Incoll

Primary Sports Coordinator

secondary sports coordinator

We have had some fantastic success this term in Secondary Sports. The Year 9&10 girls won the Bachar Houli Cup and won all of their games for the day, congratulations girls. We entered 2 teams on the day, with both teams showing excellent skills and sportsmanship. 

Students also participated in a Volleyball competition, Badminton competition and the Islamic Schools Soccer Cup. In the Islamic Schools Soccer Cup, we had 3 students make our National Islamic Schools SA State Team; Aya Hamada, Masangay Swaray & Alia Sharma. Well done ladies. 

We still have a Year 7&8 Soccer competition coming up in Week 10 (which is during the holidays for our students!) which should be a great day out.

src - primary

We have had an amazing Term. Students had the opportunity to run their first assembly and they really enjoyed it. This Term we were focusing on keeping the school clean during recess and lunch. We also ran a value poster competition, the winner will be announced next Term!

Mrs H

junior primary

Foundations have had so much fun this Term. The highlight was our science incursion where students got to learn all about science and the amazing things they could create. We also had our first Show & Tell and the kids enjoyed sharing all about where they live. 

The Year Ones have had a busy and fun-filled second term. They enjoyed celebrating our Qurban Festival and took part in various engaging activities. This term, we focused on procedure writing and even made fairy bread as part of our learning. In Science, the students explored the different seasons and deepened their understanding of seasonal changes.

Year 2 have been busy creating Solar System Dioramas after a visit to the Planetarium to learn about Space. In English, we have been learning how to research facts online and paraphrase into our own words for our Information Reports! 

Mrs H, Mrs Abraham and Mrs Rees

middle primary

This term, Year 3 students took on an exciting integrated project that combined their learning in Maths and English. They designed and built imaginative 3D shape castles, applying their knowledge of shape properties in a hands-on, creative way. To complete the project, they proudly presented their castles to the class, using clear and confident speaking skills to explain their designs and the features of the 3D shapes they used. A fun and meaningful way to bring their learning together! 

In Year 4, the students have truly excelled in crafting their information reports, diving deep into the ocean and learning about whales. From fascinating facts about marine life to insightful discoveries about our environment, the students have showcased their creativity and research skills. To complement their learning, on their trip to the Marine Discovery Centre they engaged in hands-on activities, explored marine ecosystems, and even observed various sea creatures up close. The experience not only enhanced their understanding of marine biology but also fostered a sense of wonder and respect for our oceans.

Mrs Sangermano and Mr Incoll

upper primary

Term 2 has been a busy and exciting one in Upper Primary, with many events and engaging learning activities!

Highlights in Year 5 have included a Science incursion, where we undertook hands-on activities and experiments to explore the properties of light in interactive ways. In Design Technologies, we worked in small groups to create arcade games out of reused materials. We also had the chance to play our games at the end of term!

Highlights in Year 6 include the responsibility and commitment the Year 6s displayed in our Qurban Festival. They all brainstormed, planned and executed wonderful stalls that helped fundraise a lot of money! I am very proud of you all. 

Ms Zeunert and Mrs Sawafta

community engagement

A Wonderful Term of Community Engagement.

This term has been a fantastic one for the Community Engagement Department. We had the pleasure of hosting several events with our parents, strengthening the connection between school and families.

Highlights of the term included our Parents’ Breakfast, a lovely Mother’s Day Tea Time, Eid breakfast, home visits and our regular discussion and tea time gatherings, which continue to bring our community closer.

One of the most meaningful initiatives was the fundraising sausage and burger stall held during the Qurban Festival. We raised a total of $4,000. These funds were donated as Qurban to support families in need in various countries.

We are grateful for the ongoing support and participation of our parents, and we look forward to more successful events in the coming term.

front office update

library update

In South Australia, May was history month, so in May we looked at the history of various items including history of pictures/ cameras and even had the chance to look at a Stereoscope, toys and sports. This is always a fun month to let children know about history.

National Simultaneous Story time was fantastic with the Reception to Year 2s. Ms Chantelle organised a really fun craft activity. Come to the library to check it out.

Students would have noticed that a lot of our Fiction, Junior Fiction and Easy Fiction books now have a three-digit number on the spine. The new spine labels identify the Lexile level a book is. Lexile levels are a way to measure the comprehension difficulty of a book and match it to a reader's ability. The Lexile level is represented by a number, where higher numbers mean more complex texts. 

The Golden Grove Campus hosted a Scholastic Book Fair during Term 2. Hundreds of books, resources and keepsakes were available for purchase. Purchasing items from the book was a great way to help Pinnacle College Scholastic gives back a percentage of the total spend to our school to acquire new books for the Library.

Next term we are looking forward to Book Week – the theme this year is “Book an Adventure”. It will be held from the 16-23 August, with the Book Week parade on Friday 22nd August.

Thank you,

Mrs Lisa Preston, Mrs Chantelle Wiles, Ms Tammy Skelton

Your Library staff

oshc

This term at OSHC, our theme has been Animals Around the World. The children explored a wide range of animals through creative and hands-on activities that sparked curiosity and imagination. Here are some activities below including an elephant jigsaw puzzle, which they carefully made themselves. They also created vibrant 3D seahorses using water paints and patty pans, folded origami rabbits while developing fine motor skills, and crafted whales using coloured paper and glitter to bring the ocean to life. It’s been a fun and educational journey celebrating animals from across the globe! Very soon the children will vote what the theme will be next term, so look out what talent creations we will show you next term!

Regards – Allison

OSHC Coordinator – 0403 634 459