Hundreds Attend PLHS for NRW “Communi’tea”

Wow! What a way to wrap up our busy schedule of activities in recognition of National Reconciliation Week 2025. Earlier today, hundreds of students, staff and invited guests came together in the Specialist Building for a “Communi’tea” – congratulations to our SAASTA crew for organising and delivering such a highly successful event.

This morning’s festivities included:

• around 140 Year 6 students/staff from Port Lincoln Primary School, Kirton Point Primary School and Lincoln Gardens Primary School visiting PLHS – each group was given a quick tour of some of our facilities, including the Year 7 Building that we hope the Year 6’s will call home next year
• a Welcome to Country delivered by Year 8 students Lyndah Jeffrey-Richards and Skyla Long
• speeches delivered by PLHS Principal Mr. Craig Akehurst, SAASTA teacher Mr. Hayden Bennett and SAASTA students Beau McLean, Connor Kropinyeri, Makyle Johncock, Lloydey McLean, Mylee Bilney and Levi Miller
• visual displays including a poster of Year 10 student Connor Kropinyeri’s successful Power Cup guernsey design and artist’s statement, and a series of stunning posters (with accompanying QR codes) featuring various members of the Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame produced by the Stage 1 SAASTA class – don’t worry, Graham; your poster will be finished and printed soon!
• a craft activity of braiding wool in the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags

The morning tea itself featured the following “palya” offerings:

• braised kangaroo tail and kangaroo stew prepared by Mr. Jeremy Hartwich and his Certificate II in Cookery students
• traditional damper (with jam and cream, of course!) made by our Stage 1 and 2 SAASTA students under the guidance of Mrs. Jenny Pickett and her daughter, PLHS ASETO Shantelle
• special Reconciliation Week-themed cupcakes produced by Year 11 E.I.F. student Elke Thomas and decorated with the assistance of her peers Mylee Bilney, Demi Selwyn-Shore and Remy Ellis
• fruit, juice, water, tea and coffee

Congratulations and thank you to all involved in both arranging and participating in today’s event, especially our SAASTA staff and students. They were wonderfully supported by our Aboriginal Education Team, and the school’s Leadership and Staff crews.

We again thank the students, staff and leadership of three of our local primary schools for visiting PLHS today – we sincerely hope you enjoyed the opportunity to connect with us and help us to acknowledge this important week on our calendar. Your involvement in our “Communi’tea” enhanced what was a fitting finale to our National Reconciliation Week activities; furthermore, you greatly assisted us to again embrace this year’s theme of “Bridging Now to Next” and the ongoing connection between past, present and future.