Guest speaker gives advice on future career pathways

By Sarah Rogers

Nick Smith, Regional manager for Elgas visited Penola high School on the 14th August in cooperation with SA Great Speakers-in-schools program, to talk to the students about their career pathways.

The SA Great organization aims to help promote South Australia’s growing opportunities to a vast range of age groups. This was Nick’s first year as a speaker in the Speakers-in-schools program. During his speech, Nick spoke of his life experiences and how they influenced his various jobs the industry in which he works from after high school to his present day employment at Elgas.

Reflecting on his speech to the Year 10, 11 and 12 students, Nick believed it went quite well.
“I was happy with the speech because it is important to provide advice to students about their career pathways.”
“I gain the feeling that I am helping students to grow and maximize their opportunities.”

Asked if his life experiences with his various jobs have helped him achieve his goals and get him to where he is today, Nick believed that they did, indeed, help him.
“You don’t have to set a path and stay on it. You are what you choose to be and you shouldn’t be afraid to take risks.”
Nick also believes that his family ethics growing up on the land have also helped him with his jobs, “When you work on the land, you work hard, which teaches you not to take things for granted.”

The presentation will certainly have a profound benefit for the students in the way that they can relate to experiences and understand that there are various different career pathways that can be achieved through hard work and determination.

Fun Run promotes healthy lifestyles and exercise in school

By Sarah Rogers



The Penola High School Student Representative Council (SRC) held the annual Fun Run on the 29th July, in order raise funds for future SRC ventures.

The students either ran or walked separate courses to the Penola Racecourse. The SRC organised a BBQ lunch for the students after the completion of their run or walk.

U/16 Girls Trophy Winner, Megan Treloar, said she quite enjoyed the annual Fun Run.
“I enjoyed the Fun Run, even though it was very challenging but it was good to finish the race in a good time.”

The Fun Run aims to promote healthy lifestyles for students and encourage exercise in schools. All money fundraised by the students went to the Golden Circle organisation and the SRC.

The winners of the day were as follows:
U/14 Girls – Winner: Stephanie Pahl Runner up: Heidi Hutchesson

U/14 Boys – Winner: Tom Moore Runner up: Keiron Lindner

U/15 Girls – Winner: Aimee Galpin Runner up: Mandy Richardson

U/15 Boys – Winner: Tom Lepley Runner up: Lachlan Jones

U/16 Girls – Winner: Megan Treloar Runner up: Shaya Mercer

U/16 Boys – Winner: Rhys Lambert Runner up: Josh O’Connor

Open Girls – Winner: Kim Rowntree Runner up: Teegan Galpin

Open Boys - Winner: Nick Kidman Runner up: Bryan Randhawa

The House Trophy for the day went to Torilla on 37.5 points followed by Moyanga on 24.5 and Yalluminga on 22.5.

SRC Social for 2007 goes off with a bang

By Sarah Rogers

The Penola High School SRC held the annual social on Wednesday 27th June at the high school. Sixty two eager students came along to the school hall for a night of dancing and social interaction with friends, away from the hustle and bustle of school day-to-day life.

The theme of “cross dressing” dominated the night, with many of the students dressing in football t-shirts or mini skirts to add to the cross dressing theme. Entertainment for the night consisted of a DJ Wade, playing a variety of songs throughout the night, contributing to the overall atmosphere. Social attendee Emma Schulz agreed that the social was enjoyable and generated a good attendance.
“Yes, I enjoyed the social and I think most people who where there enjoyed it too. Over all it was a good social.”

SRC Co-President Claudia Bissell commented on the success of the social:
“The social, this year, was a good quality event, which really came together well. An effort was made by the whole SRC and it was great to see the majority coming in their crazy costumes. Over all, the spirit was excellent.”

For the SRC, improvements must be considered for future socials, with some already on the agenda.
“Improvements may be made on overall attendance and also people’s attitudes towards the social also need to change,” stated Miss Bissell.

In the mean time, the SRC will be kept busy with such events as Quiz Night and Fun Run and the formal at the end of the school year.