BNSHS Newsletter 12 September 2025

From the Principal's Office

This is the last newsletter of Term 3. We have much to celebrate at the end of term and are focused on finalising our senior results. Our priority at this time of the year is to ensure that all students are on track to meet their goals whilst providing a supportive stance where all student achievement is recognised. 

Next week our Yr 12 students are engaging in their Mock Exams. This is a critical step to ensure that students are well versed in exam procedures and receive specific and critical feedback so that students are best positioned to receive both a positive mark in their subjects along with the ATAR they deserve. 

Our school performance data shows improved attendance, currently sitting at 82.8%, indicating a more settled and welcoming and supportive environment. This too has been recognised in our behaviour data with significantly reduced referrals and fewer suspensions than previous years. I congratulate the entire school on these results. 

Our Senior Students who have met Rewards Trip Criteria and have met appropriate deadlines are currently on their Rewards Trip to Dreamworld. This is a great chance to recognise those students who have achieved positive academic results and demonstrated strong Effort and Behaviour in all of their classes. I am sure they will have experienced a positive day. Last week our Crushers Rugby League students who met the Rewards Criteria were rewarded with a trip to Brisbane to watch the Dolphins play. Next week we have the North Star and Reach for the Sky Awards celebration. We will also hold our GEM Day celebration where all of our students will be encouraged to participate in a Dance and Song performance which will capture the essence of Gratefulness, Empathy and Mindfulness, all of which lead to Resilience, a factor critical to student success. Next term we will celebrate those students who identify as Indigenous on their successful completion of Yr 12. 

Pleasingly our Yr 12 students remain on track to attain 100% QCE and will finish the year on a positive note with their Formal and planned activities in Week 3.  They are also preparing for their end of year dance performance, a tradition at Bundaberg North. 

Our focus on specific Assessment Literacy where students are provided with clear and precise marking guides, along with cognitive verbs and learning goals has paid dividends in general with strong academic results. Junior reporting will be sent out next week and we look forward to improved overall academic results. I encourage all parents to have conversations with their children in relation to their academic performance. 

This week I had the pleasure of listening to our Strings perform at their annual Soiree. I was truly impressed with the quality of performance. The same students will perform for us at the Awards Evening in Week 3. Not only have our students performed well on the cultural stage but they have excelled in the Sporting Arena. We have 5 students competing at the State Athletics titles and we wish them well in Townsville. We also wish our Surf Life Saving Team the very best in their competition today at Neilson Park. 

Next term we have significant infrastructure work occurring around the school. The school fence will start in term 4 and over the holidays work will start on upper D Block. As such there will be some timetable changes next term. 

Our Yr 10 student are engaging in SET Plan interviews as we lead into the holidays. I have real confidence that this will lead to quality pathways for these students as they lead into their senior studies. 

I welcome all families to the Awards Night on October 23 where we will celebrate the great outcomes of our students and their continued commitment and performance. Please place this in your calendar so that the entire community can celebrate the achievements of our students. 

On Sept 17 we have our Father's Day Feast where our Reach for the Sky reward recipients get to attend a luncheon with their father figure. Congratulations to those who met the criteria. 

Next Tuesday our prospective 2026 school leaders will present their leadership speeches on parade. This is the last piece in a rigorous selection process. These students have completed an application and sat an interview with current captains and 2 members of the school administration. Following the speeches, staff and students will vote to determine the 2026 leaders. I have been extremely impressed by the calibre of the young leaders we have amongst us. I wish all applicants the very best in the last stage of the process. 

Recently our Recreation Studies students held an Oz Tag day at school for our feeder schools. Not only was this a great chance for future students to experience sport at our school but it provided our Yr 11's with organisational skills necessary to run other events.

I would like to personally thank our P&C who have provided an overview later in the newsletter regarding their extensive support of the school. Our P&C have provided significant support for all students at Bundaberg North for a long time. Many of the resources and opportunities afforded students have resulted from their generous and selfless support. If there is any way you can assist the P&C, please reach out. 

Have a wonderful end of the term and we look forward to everyone's return on Tuesday October 7. 

Craig Martin, Principal 

News from Mrs Brandon

Resilience – One of our school values

This year, we excitedly introduced The Resilience Project (TRP) as our whole-school wellbeing program, delivered through our Relationships and Self (RAS) curriculum. TRP is a natural fit with our new school values: Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, and Learning.

As part of TRP, our students completed a wellbeing survey earlier in the year. This term, staff unpacked the results together to better understand the mental health and wellbeing of our students. The data gives us valuable insight into what’s happening in their lives and helps guide our support strategies.

Recently, I listened to an episode of The Imperfects Podcast titled “Dis Works – A Game Changing Study of The Resilience Project”, which reinforced the positive impact TRP is having in schools across Australia. The creators shared compelling research showing that students in TRP schools are 47% less likely to experience symptoms of depression. It’s encouraging to see the difference TRP is making—not just in our classrooms, but in the lives of students, families, and school communities nationwide.

Here are the key highlights from our Bundaberg North State High School Student Resilience Survey 2025 that should be celebrated:

Top Strengths Across the School (Compared to Australian Norms)

🛡️ Bullying Behaviours (PROTECTED Domain)

• Year 9 Females:
• 100% reported not being bullied at school (vs 89% nationally)
• 94% not bullied online (vs 95%)
• 94% not socially excluded (vs 84%)
• Factor Score: 96 (vs 89) → Highest in the school
• Year 11 Females:
• 95% factor score (vs 92)
• Consistently high across all bullying indicators
• Year 11 Males:
• 94% factor score (vs 89)
• Strong results in online and social inclusion measures

This shows a strong culture of safety and inclusion among our students.

💚 Healthy Choices (RESPECTED Domain)

• Year 7 Females:
• 93% factor score (vs 94)
• Very high scores in avoiding smoking, drugs, vaping, and violence
• Year 8 Females:
• 92% factor score (vs 92)
• 100% do not smoke or use illegal drugs
• Year 9 Females:
• 100% do not use illegal drugs
• 81% do not smoke (vs 95%)
• Factor Score: 80 (vs 90)
• Year 11 Males:
• 95% do not smoke (vs 87%)
• 90% do not vape (vs 83%)

Students are making safe and responsible lifestyle choices.

🤝 Friendship Experiences (CONNECTED Domain)

• Year 8 Females & Males:
• 92–97% have at least one good friend
• 94% of Year 8 females are good at keeping friends (vs 81%)
• Factor Scores: 86 (F), 85 (M) — both above national norms
• Year 9 Females:
• 100% can disagree and still be friends (vs 87%)
• Factor Score: 78 (vs 82)

Strong peer relationships and social skills are evident.

🏡 Family Support (CONNECTED Domain)

• Year 8 Males:
• 93% love and support from family (vs 91%)
• 93% encouragement from caregivers (vs 92%)
• Factor Score: 84 (vs 88)
• Year 7 Males:
• 91% feel safe at home (vs 94%)
• 80% factor score (vs 90)

Family support is a consistent strength across year levels.

🌱 Mental Wellbeing (PROTECTED Domain)

• Year 8 Males:
• 79% factor score (vs 78)
• High scores in emotional stability and concentration

Year 8 males show strong mental health indicators.

Some of the areas that were highlighted for improvement included:

Mental Wellbeing

📌 Suggested Focus: Sleep hygiene education, and targeted wellbeing programs.

Reflective Attitudes (Coping Skills)

📌 Suggested Focus: Social-emotional learning, peer mentoring, and resilience-building workshops.

Caring Behaviours

📌 Suggested Focus: Promote sleep routines, nature-based activities, and community service opportunities.

Hopeful Attitudes

📌 Suggested Focus: Growth mindset programs, goal-setting workshops, and positive psychology interventions.

Our survey data clearly shows that sleep is a key area of concern for many of our students. Teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to function at their best—physically, emotionally, and academically.

During our Senior Coaching interviews, we talk with students about their sleep habits, including how long they sleep and where their phone is located overnight. However, these conversations and habits need to begin from the start of high school and can’t be left for school staff to have the conversation. For this reason, we encourage all parents and carers to help establish consistent bedtime routines, aiming for at least 8 hours, and ideally closer to 10 hours, of sleep each night, with phones either out of the bedroom or at least on the other side of the bedroom.

In addition to sleep, we continue to promote the GEM principles—Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness—as simple but powerful ways to boost happiness and strengthen connections at home and school. We’re excited to be again, celebrating GEM Day next Thursday, which has quickly become a highlight of the term. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for photos and stories from the day!

Reports

Senior reports for Year 11 and 12 students have been issued for this term. This report for Year 12 students is their final report from the school and is reflective of their results across this year. Students should ensure they have log in details for My QCE as this is where their final results will be issued.

The Year 11 report is an interim report for Unit 2 so is reflective of only their Term 3 work. Year 11s will be completing their Unit 2 work and assessment mid Term 4, with a report issued soon after. The students will the commence preparation work for Year 12 studies and implement any subject changes prior to the end of the year. Unfortunately, subject changes will not be facilitated at this time of the semester due to the need for Year 11 students to complete the whole of Unit 2.

If you would like early access to your student’s reports – regardless of year level – please contact the school to become a Q Parent user. Those parents not only get instance access to the report cards when they are completed, they also can log absences, see behaviour entries and action any consent forms needed for excursions etc.

Friday Early Bus Change

Stewarts & Sons Buses has informed the school that they will no longer be running the early Moore Park bus on a Friday at 1.10pm from the commencement of Term 4. They will be running usual afternoon buses on a Friday as per every other day of the week. If you have questions about this, please direct your enquiries to Stewarts & Sons. 

Natalie Brandon, Deputy Principal 

Sport @ North

Term 3 Sport Report – Celebrating Student Success at North High

Term 3 has seen some outstanding sporting achievements from our students at Bundaberg North State High School.

🎽 Wide Bay Athletics Trials
In August, 12 students proudly represented Bundaberg at the Wide Bay Athletics trials. Each student demonstrated commitment, effort, and sportsmanship, making our school community proud.

We are pleased to congratulate the following students who were selected for the Wide Bay team:

• Mark
• Davey
• Parker
• Maddie
• Bridie

A special mention goes to Bridie, who was named Wide Bay Age Champion—a remarkable achievement earned through consistent performance across multiple events. Well done, Bridie!

⚽ Futsal & Football Success
We also celebrate Zara’s selection into the U15 Girls Wide Bay Futsal team, rounding off an exceptional year in football. Zara was also selected for the U15 Girls Wide Bay Football team and received honorary selection into the Queensland team—a testament to her talent and dedication.

🐎 Equestrian Excellence
Congratulations to Hayley and Sarah for their outstanding achievements at the Fraser Coast Interschool Equestrian Competition held in Maryborough last week. Their dedication to the sport was evident as they placed in every event they entered.
🏅 Main results include:
• 1st Hayley – Show Jumping
• 1st Hayley & 3rd Sarah – Hacking
• 3rd Hayley & 4th Sarah)– Dressage
• 4th Hayley – Western Dressage

🚣‍♀️ Rowing Report
North High was proudly represented at the Head of the River Rowing Regatta on Sunday, 24 August by Sarah and Dusty.

• Sarah had an exceptional day, winning the Open Girls Single and Open Girls Double Scull 2000m events, and earning silver in the Mixed 8 2000m (as part of a composite crew with St Luke’s and BSHS).

• She was also awarded the prestigious ‘Haberman’ Trophy for All-Round Sportsperson.

• Earlier this year, Sarah competed at the National Titles in Tasmania, reaching the quarter-finals in the highly competitive Open School Girls Single, achieving a personal best time of 8:37 mins and ranking as the 19th fastest schoolgirl in Australia.

• Sarah has also begun completing competencies to become a boat race official and coach—a fantastic step forward in her sporting journey.

• Dusty also performed strongly, placing 2nd in the Year 8 Boys Single Scull 1000m, and competing in the Year 8 and 9 Boys Double Scull and the Boys Coxed Quad Scull 1000m.

🌟 We would also like to acknowledge the many other students who have recently achieved success in their chosen sports. Whether through regional representation, personal bests, or consistent effort and improvement, your achievements are valued and celebrated.

Thank you to our families for your ongoing support of our students’ sporting journeys. We look forward to sharing more successes in the future.

Rob Thatcher, Sports Coordinator 

SPP Blast - Reward Trip to Suncorp Stadium

Recently, our Sports Performance Program (SPP) Rugby League students attended the NRL match between the Dolphins and the Titans at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. This reward trip recognises students who consistently meet program expectations.

Importantly, the only way to earn a place on this trip is by upholding the standards of the SPP. While some of our top players missed out due to attendance or behaviour, many others rose to the challenge. In fact, we’ve already seen students who missed last year’s trip change their behaviour and commitment in order to attend this year.

Building a Positive Culture

This is the second year the school has run the reward trip. In 2024, students attended the Dolphins vs South Sydney match at Kayo Stadium. Each year, the program reinforces a powerful message: representing the school with pride comes from effort, discipline, and teamwork—both on and off the field.

We are proud of the way our students represent Bundaberg North. Schools where students feel proud to represent their community are stronger, more positive places to learn. The SPP has been central in building this culture, encouraging students to train, compete, and strive to be their best.

Driving Participation in Sport

Since the program’s introduction, student participation in school sport has grown significantly. Requiring students to represent the school each term has created a ripple effect—natural leaders step up, and others are inspired to follow. This culture of representation has lifted participation across a wide range of sports, not just Rugby League.

Students who represent their school are more likely to feel connected and positive about their learning environment. This shift is reflected in our School Opinion Survey results, which have become increasingly positive since the SPP began. While this improvement is the result of many factors, we are proud of the program’s contribution.

What It Takes to Earn Rewards

Reward opportunities, such as the trip to Suncorp, are reserved for students who consistently demonstrate:

• High attendance
• Positive behaviour and minimal negative incidents
• Active academic engagement to the best of their ability
• Representation of the school in sport each term
• Participation in all intra-school carnivals

These qualities are strong predictors of success at school—and in life. Students who play sport build resilience, form stronger relationships, and learn to overcome setbacks. The lessons learned on the field often translate into personal growth and improved wellbeing.

Looking Ahead

The SPP continues to grow from strength to strength. While there will always be challenges, the program’s trajectory is clear: cultural change driven by participation, representation, and excellence. As our first SPP cohort moves through their senior years, we are excited to see the long-term impact of this initiative on our students and school community

Robert Elphinstone, SPP Teacher

Book Week Brings Stories to Life at Bundaberg North State High School

Book Week was a fantastic celebration of storytelling and creativity across the school, thanks to the efforts of the English Department and the enthusiastic participation of staff and students. The week was packed with engaging activities designed to inspire a love of reading and writing in all year levels.

One of the week’s highlights was the Sizzling Start Competition, where students were challenged to hook readers with a compelling opening to a short story. The entries showcased a wide range of imagination and writing talent, with winners proudly announced at Tuesday’s Parade.

Students also had the chance to revisit their childhood favourites through picture book reading sessions, which proved to be a fun and nostalgic experience. Another standout event was the Dungeons & Dragons sessions, which allowed students to collaboratively build narratives in a fantasy world. The sessions were such a hit that many students have expressed interest in continuing the activity beyond Book Week.

On Thursday, the school came alive with colour and character as staff and students dressed up as their favourite book characters. The creativity and enthusiasm on display were truly impressive and added to the festive atmosphere of the week.

To wrap up the celebrations, the English Department hosted a lively performance of Romeo and Juliet that brought stories to life on stage. With plenty of laughs and applause, it was a fitting end to a memorable week.

A huge thank you to all who participated and supported the events. Book Week was a great success, and we look forward to making it even bigger and better next year!.

Anthony Holt, HOD English 

Opti-MINDS Success

We are delighted to congratulate our Opti-MINDS team on achieving first place in the Wide Bay Region in the Language Literature Division III over the weekend.

This outstanding result is a reflection of the students’ creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. Over the course of seven weeks, the team worked diligently to develop their ideas, write scripts, and design props and costumes in preparation for the competition.

We commend Grayson, Meah, Grace, Lucinda and Kenny for their commitment and dedication throughout this process.

The team will now advance to the State Finals in Brisbane next month, where they will represent Bundaberg North State High School. We are extremely proud of their efforts and wish them every success as they prepare for this next stage of the competition.

Sophie Parkinson, Teacher

Forensic Day Conspiracy Workshop

Recently, our students became real-life crime solvers in the Forensic Day Conspiracy workshop. The School Hall was transformed into a bustling investigation hub where students worked together to crack a case involving drugs, money, and firearms.

Moving through hands-on evidence stations, they tested DNA, examined ballistics, and analysed arson clues. Each activity challenged them to think like forensic scientists, examining evidence, connecting clues, and piecing together a timeline. The excitement was clear as students realised science isn’t just something in a textbook, but a powerful tool for solving real-world problems.

Alongside the science, the workshop also wove in important life lessons. Themes such as drug awareness, peer influence, and the impact of risky choices were explored subtly, sparking open and thoughtful conversations among students.

By the end of the day, our young investigators had sharpened their teamwork, problem solving, and reasoning skills while also solving a gripping mystery. The feedback was glowing, with students saying how much they enjoyed the chance to “do science for real.”

The Forensic Day Conspiracy was a standout event that not only made science exciting but left students with knowledge and skills they will carry well beyond the classroom.

James Peach, HOD Science 

Year 10 Students Gain Valuable Road Safety Insights

Year 10 students attended the Rotary Young Driver Awareness program held at the Bundaberg showgrounds.  Students were presented with the latest road safety statistics along with opportunities to reflect on the road rules and their risk appetites.  Students were given an opportunity to experience the lack of vision from the cab of a semi-trailer, as well as observing the stopping distance for a police car travelling at 80km/hour.   We hope that students consider their learnings from this day as they start to obtain their learners and drivers licenses.

Andrew Duncan, HOD Middle School 

From Mazes to Prosthetics: A Hands-On STEM Experience for Year 10

Recently, our Year 10 Extension Maths students embarked on an inspiring STEM adventure to the Mathema Gallery and QUT!

At the Mathema Gallery, students explored the rich contributions of diverse cultures to the field of mathematics and tackled the ever-growing hedge maze—a fun challenge that’s evolved since our last visit!

At QUT, students toured the Bloomberg trading room and law courts, engaging in insightful discussions about future study and career pathways. They also experienced hands-on with STEM activities—collecting and analysing experimental data and even building and programming a prosthetic arm!

Andrew Duncan, Maths HOD 

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P&C Update

On behalf of the Bundaberg North State High School Parents and Citizens Association (P&C), I would like to share an overview of how P&C funds have been allocated to the school over the past few years to support our students, staff, and school environment.

Key Areas of Expenditure:

We are proud of the positive impact these contributions have made and thank all families and community members who have supported our fundraising efforts. Your involvement directly benefits our students and enhances their educational experience.

If you have any questions or suggestions for future funding priorities, please don’t hesitate to reach out or attend our next P&C meeting.

Shelly Hansen, President Bundaberg North State High School P&C Association

Device Upgrade Notice: Transition to Windows 11 by October 2025

Our school is transitioning all devices to Windows 11 before October 2025 to ensure continued access to the department’s network. Parents and students with BYO devices are encouraged to contact our school to confirm that your device has been upgraded

Important dates