Bundaberg North State High School eNewsletter

From the Principal's Office

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the incoming principal, let the community know of my expectations and set the focus for the next 12 months. My name is Craig Martin. I have a connection with some families from my time here as a teacher some time ago and also from being the principal at Moore Park Beach some years previous.

For those who aren’t aware, I was a teacher at Bundaberg North State High for 10 years prior to taking up leadership roles at other schools in 2006. Recently I was the principal at Bundaberg State High School. I am truly proud to return to North, taking this opportunity to prioritise my leadership skills and provide further confidence within the community in order to secure great outcomes for our students. I will provide a consistent focus on the key junctures of secondary education. It is essential that we provide

Quality and focused transitions which allow students the confidence and security to move into secondary education
An education that meets the needs of young adolescents as they navigate their early teenage years and build the requisite skills to move into Senior Education
A quality Senior Education program that allows students to build upon their preferred skills; be it academic or vocational
Quality post school pathways that meets the needs of our students, families and students
All whilst providing a fulfilling, rewarding and rich high school experience.

I hope that all of our families have had a relaxing and refreshing break. It is important that we take every opportunity to focus on family and personal wellbeing. There is no doubt that we live in an increasingly complex world and our personal health is important. This is a key component of some of our plans at Bundaberg North State High School. More of that later.

I welcome our Year 7 students and families and new members of the Bundaberg North community whilst also wishing to connect with those families who are long term parents or guardians. Together we will build a learning community that meets the needs of Bundaberg North.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation of the previous leadership of Robyn Kent and Natalie Brandon who have led the school in recent times. Robyn has been a long term member of staff who was a HOD, Deputy Principal and later led the school as Principal. Her unwavering commitment to the Bundaberg North community is one that requires significant recognition and celebration. Robyn in many ways was the spirit of Bundaberg North, providing many opportunities for students, focusing on improved outcomes and asking nothing of the staff that she was not prepared to do herself. She maintained focus and a commitment to positive student outcomes. Natalie has led the school over the last six months with the development of strong processes and calm routines. I thank both Robyn and Natalie for their leadership and the position that the school currently occupies. We have an experienced Executive leadership team who will support our agendas in the next 12 months.

Mrs Brandon will take responsibility for Yr 7 and 8
Mr Findlay will lead the plans and programs for Year 9 and 10
Mr Ross will ensure that our Senior students in Year 11 and 12 are well prepared for their future aspirations.

The Executive leadership team will support the agendas of our school improvement that have been collaboratively developed over the last 6 months. I have attached our agreed strategic plan and wish to provide you with the key agendas of our Annual Implementation Plan. Our focus over the next 12 months happens to be

All Students Realising their Potential
Expert Teaching Team
Engagement through Technology

BNSHS Strategic Plan

I have confidence that these plans will lead to positive outcomes for all students and ensure that all students are well prepared for their next milestone.

The school values have been revaluated and will be prioritised in our communication with the community. I have confidence that the community will appreciate the focus on Respect, Responsibility, Learning and Resilience. Having worked within a number of school communities and being heavily involved with Year 13 outcomes and providing students with a life of choice, not chance, I feel that these values are integral to the growth of our young people

I look forward to the next 12 months and have confidence that Bundaberg North will provide great outcomes for all of our students. We can’t achieve this though without a collaborative effort. It takes a village to raise a child and for this reason I ask that we have a connected and consistent relationship with parents and carers, based on respect and achieving positive outcomes for students. Every student deserves the right to learn and should be provided with the opportunity to do so. Please communicate with teachers and our leadership team to ensure that meet student needs. At the same time, I ask that you support our agendas and priorities, aimed at providing students with the best opportunities for future success. Pleasingly I can report that the school last year achieved some great ATAR results with over 28% of our ATAR eligible students achieving an ATAR over 90. I wish to congratulate all of those students and wish them well with their future studies.

I know that we have already advertised for coaches for the BSSSS interschool sports programs. It is my hope that we provide a number of teams in these competitions where we perform to the best of our ability and prove how successful we can be as a school. We don’t necessarily have to win the premierships but compete to the best of our ability with pride and a commitment to supporting our fellow team mates.

This year we as a school have agreed to commit to the Resilience Project (TRP). This program is truly a valuable one and has been implemented in previous schools where I have been principal. The focus on Gratefulness, Empathy and Mindfulness all lead to improved student resilience, a key focus for those who educate our current youth. Please discuss the program with your children. There are many learnings which are relevant for all family members.

Please be aware of the future dates. I look forward to meeting with many of you over the next 12 months and I have great confidence that we will achieve our goal of meeting our values and providing the best education for our students.

Craig Martin, Principal

News from Mrs Brandon

Welcome back for 2025!

Welcome Back to Bundaberg North SHS for 2025! It has been a great start to the school year, with enthusiasm and professionalism on display last week as staff attended the Student Free Days and students returning, in uniform, ready to learn and with a positive attitude this week.

2025 looks to be an exciting year here, with a number of changes and new initiatives commencing including:

Welcome to Mr Craig Martin as our new permanent Principal.
Mrs Watson (Deputy Principal) has been seconded to another school for this semester which means we have kept Mr Ross (Acting Deputy Principal) who will continue in the Senior Schooling space.
I have swapped to Junior Sector Deputy Principal, working with the Year 7 and 8 students for this semester.

We have welcomed Mr Jason English (Humanities and English teacher), Ms Mel Lawson (Art and Humanities teacher) and Mrs Tammy McGregor (Food Studies teacher, returning from extended leave) to the school.

We have commenced our new senior subjects in Year 11, seeing Agricultural Practices with a full class as well as two classes of our new Certificate I in Construction course.
Our Year 7s have commenced a new timetable structure which means they will try all eight (8) electives across the year, two per term. This will enable them to pick electives for Year 8 by the end of the year. (Current Year 8 are continuing on the old course of one elective per term).
Year 9 and 10 students have commenced new timetable structures which provide more time and or electives on offer in each grade.

Our EAGLES Extension Program has launched across Years 7 to 10 with full classes in each year level and a waiting list in a couple of them. This exciting initiative will be reviewed regularly to ensure the students are placed correctly.

Our Sports Performance Program – Rugby League is building on their solid foundations of 2024. This year sees those students being invited into the Dolphins Cup competition and we have obtained several significant sponsors of this program.
Our Flexi program has expanded to include a dedicated Year 9 and 10 class.
We have introduced a focused learning class in Year 7 and 8 to assist those students who have gaps in their learning from primary school. They will receive more time in English and Maths and hopefully close some of those gaps and improve their literacy and numeracy.

In addition to all of these changes, we have also revamped our Student Rewards with students all receiving their GOTCHA Passport this week. Students can collect GOTCHA Stamps from teachers before banking the pages of 20 stamps with their RAS Teacher from Week 2 onwards. The GOTCHA Bank deposits can be used later in the term on Cash In Days or held and converted to contribute to excursion participation or other year specific events. More details will be in the coming newsletters.

Coupled with the new Strategic Direction Craig mentioned above, is the adoption of our new school Vision and Values together with a new motto – Realising Your Potential.

Students will hear regularly about our new values, what they look like and how to enact them. Excitingly, to support these new values, we have also launched The Resilience Project as a key component of our RAS (Relationships and Self) program with students undertaking the first lesson of this program this week. The Resilience Project is a well-regarded program across schools, sporting clubs and organisations as well as business entities which can be adopted by individuals and families. I strongly encourage families to look into program and its philosophy with further information provided later in this newsletter.

As you can see, we have an exciting year planned for our students and I look forward to working with the Year 7 and 8 students and families in particular, to help students realise their potential.

Timetable Updates

For any students in Years 9 to 11 wanting to change subjects, they must complete the Change of Subject form and return it to the office by end of Week 2 – 2 February - so all changes can be completed prior to the end of Week 3. After this, no other changes will be occurring. Students will remain in their allocated subjects for the rest of the semester.

For Year 12 students, no other changes to subjects will occur unless it is to a VET course or study lesson (with an appropriate reason for this to occur) as Units 3 and 4 must be assessed, in full, across the year. This is different to Year 11 where Units 1 and 2 contribute QCE points separately.

Parent Apps

There are two apps I encourage parents to utilise over this year:

Q Parents – this is the Education Department app which provides parents with direct access to their student/s’ timetable, assessment dates, attendance / absences, behaviour entries, payments and permissions eg for excursions and carnivals. Parents will need to prove 100points of ID to get access as we do need to keep student details secure. Invitations to join Q Parents are regularly emailed out. If you are having difficulty joining this app, please come in to the office asap and we can assist you get set up.

QKR – Online ordering system used by the P&C for Tuckshop orders. Not only is this a quick and easy way to order your student/s’ lunch, it also allows the students to skip the line and use the other end of the tuckshop to collect their pre-ordered items. Win, Win!

Natalie Brandon, Deputy Principal

Senior Schooling News

At Bundaberg North State High School, the Senior Schooling team is dedicated to supporting our senior students as they navigate their final years of schooling and prepare for their futures. This year, I am privileged to work alongside a talented team:

Mr. Nigel Shield (Head of Department – Senior Schooling)
Ms. Jess Grogan and Ms. Janelle Hearn (Year 12 and Year 11 Coordinators)
Mrs. Alisha Prince (Industry Liaison and VET Coordinator)
Mrs. Kylie Sauer (Link and Launch Officer)

Together, we are committed to helping our students achieve success in their studies while equipping them for future pathways, whether that be further education, employment, or trades. Kylie Sauer (Link and Launch) will also provide ongoing support for the Seniors of 2025 as they transition into employment or training.

Student Coaching

To further enhance student support, we are continuing with Student Coaching for all Year 11 and 12 students. This initiative involves individual meetings with a Senior Leadership Team member or Year Coordinator a couple of times a year, typically following reporting periods. These sessions will focus on academic progress, pathway planning, and student wellbeing, ensuring that every senior is supported and informed about their future options.

Senior Agreement and Badges

At the start of Term 1, all senior students are required to review and sign their Senior Agreement, which outlines the expectations for their post-compulsory schooling phase. This agreement must also be signed by a parent or carer and returned by Wednesday, 5th February. Students who fulfil this requirement will receive their Senior Badge, a mark of their leadership and commitment, during a formal presentation on Tuesday, 11th February.

Formal Tuesdays

We are proud to introduce Formal Tuesdays, where all Year 11 and 12 students are encouraged to wear their full formal uniform every Tuesday. This includes:

White shirt with tie
Formal shorts, long pants, or the
purple pleated skirt
Black leather or vinyl shoes

Formal uniform is also required for special occasions, including the badge presentation ceremony on 11th February. If any student is facing challenges obtaining their uniform, we encourage them to speak with a member of the Senior Schooling team.

Celebrating Success and Setting High Standards

We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our 2024 Seniors, who have completed their schooling journey with excellent results and strong pathways to jobs, apprenticeships, and university. Their accomplishments inspire us as we look ahead to another successful year.

The 2025 Seniors have already set a positive tone, demonstrating maturity and focus during their RAS classes. With the support of the Senior Schooling team and our broader school community, We are confident this year will be one of growth, achievement, and pride for all our seniors.

If you have any questions about Senior Schooling, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

Aaron Ross, Deputy Principal

The Resilience Project

We are excited to announce the launch of The Resilience Project (TRP) at our school, a significant step towards enhancing the mental health and well-being of our students, staff, and community. The Resilience Project is an evidence-based program designed to build resilience and improve mental health through the principles of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness (GEM), and Emotional Literacy.

The Resilience Project has been implemented in schools for over 12 years. Sporting teams from the NRL and AFL have included the program to support their elite athletes for many years. Corporate businesses such as Coles have also realized the potential of the program and have incorporated The Resilience Project into their development processes to support staff.

On Wednesday, students commenced The Resilience Project in their RAS classes. We encourage parents and carers to be involved in discussions about The Resilience Project at home. Please visit the parent and community resources to learn more about TRP@Home

TRP News - Back to School Tips from Martin Heppell

Onboarding New Laptops

Students have started returning to school this week with new laptops. To gain the full benefit from their laptops at school, the devices need to be onboarded to allow access to our school network and the internet. Education Queensland students also have free access to download and use Microsoft Office 365. For information regarding onboarding and Microsoft Office, please visit our school website

BNSHS website - BYOD Program

Mick Findlay, Deputy Principal

Join us at the 'Meet the Teachers BBQ'

Meet the Teachers BBQ - 2025

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QParents in 2025 at BNSHS

QParents is all about making parents’ lives easier. QParents is a safe, private app to help parents and caregivers manage important details about their child’s education. Once you are registered, you can sign in securely and- Make payments online- Check your student’s timetable, assessment calendar and report cards- Inform the school of your student’s past or future absence- See upcoming events- View enrolment details- Update your contact details.

From 2025, the school will be asking all parents to submit their consent for excursions through QParents. Click the link below for more information or contact the school to arrange for your unique invitation code to start your registration process.

You can watch the introductory video at the link below to learn more about QParents and how it can work for you.

QPARENTS INTRODUCTORY VIDEO

QParents Register here!

Year 12 2025: Ready for a Fantastic Year!

On Tuesday, we welcomed our Year 12 cohort for their "final" first day of school. It’s hard to believe the time has arrived, but our students are ready to embrace all the opportunities, challenges, and growth that their final year will bring. This year will be filled with hard work, personal achievements, and memories they will cherish for years to come.

This year is not just about preparing for assessments and finalizing their studies; it’s a time to deepen friendships, unlock academic potential, and explore opportunities for life beyond school. We encourage students to take full advantage of this last year and to embrace all the opportunities presented to them.

We are excited to see what the Year 12 cohort will achieve and look forward to supporting them as they navigate this significant milestone in their lives.

The Year 12 cohort will receive their senior badges at the Investiture Ceremony on Tuesday, 11th February, at 9:50 am. Parents are welcome to attend this ceremony and more information surrounding this event will be communicated soon.

Jess Grogan, Year 12 Coordinator

Term 1 Sport Sign On at North

2025 Term 1 Sport is about to kick off and all students are encouraged to give it a go. This term there is Volleyball, Football (Soccer), Surfing, Table Tennis and Ten Pin Bowling (Yr 10-12) that the student can get involved in.

Sign On is happening in the School Hall at Lunch Breaks (1.1opm) on the following dates.

Thursday 30/1/25
Wednesday 5/2/25
Thursday 6/2/25

If your child has any questions, they can see Mr Thatcher in the L Block staffroom or email him at rthat1@eq.edu.au

We also have an exciting opportunity for our potential and keen Table Tennis players. The Club manager and Head coach from Bundaberg Table Tennis Association is coming to North High on Monday the 3^rd of February during Lunch time to run a free coaching session in the Hall. All are welcome and no need prior knowledge is required.

BDSSS Sports

BDSSS Sports Trials are also happening for Term 1, as details are confirmed, Mr Thatcher will pass information along to students in notices and through emails.

Robert Thatcher, Sports Coordinator

North High Planeteers

As a Reef Guardian school, we have a student environmental group at Bundaberg North State High School called the “North High Planeteers”. This group organises and participates in various environmental initiatives throughout the year including Clean Up Australia, National Tree Day, Ride to School Day, and the Reef Guardian Eco-Challenge. The Planeteers welcomes new and returning members to the group from all year levels. We meet weekly of a Thursday at second break in science room E03. Students who are interested in making a positive difference to our environment are encouraged to come along to our first meeting this week, where we will discuss ideas for the term ahead and begin planning for Clean Up Australia Day. If you require further information, please email Mrs Roberts trobe176@eq.edu.au or find her in upper C block staffroom.

Tracy Roberts, Teacher & Planeteers Coordinator

Reef Guardian Eco-Challenge Winners!

Bundaberg North State High School is a Reef Guardian school. Last year we entered one team in the annual Reef Guardian Eco-Challenge. The 2024 challenge was to use gamification to encourage behaviour change to promote marine species survival. Ben and Phu designed a computer-based game with various interactive features and reef facts; you may have viewed their submission on the school’s Facebook page. We received notification from the Reef Guardians late last year that the boys won their category in the competition. Being senior students, they had already started school holidays at that time. We have presented them with their Reef Guardian polo shirts and certificates this week. They have also won an incursion or webinar for their class, to be presented by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Congratulations Ben and Phu on an impressive winning entry.

Watch Ben and Phu's award-winning submission here

Tracy Roberts, Teacher & Planeteers Coordinator

GPs in State School Program at North

North is participating in the GPs in State Schools Program.

Our Nurse Practitioner Claire Bayliss is available to support students physical and mental health wellbeing. Seeing Claire is free, students just need to bring their Medicare card to their appointment.

Claire is available for student appointments on Tuesday and Thursday between 8.30am and 3.00pm. Appointments can be made through the school office.

Stymie - #saysomething

STYMIE

What does Stymie do for young people?

Of every 30 young people in Australia seven will be dealing with a mental health issue, yet only two will reach out for support. Stymie works with you to give the young people you are working with, the power to say something or ask for help. We are an early intervention initiative that changes and saves lives.

Stymie empowers young people to ask for help when they need support, or if they are seeing or experiencing harm.

Stymie provides online reporting for schools. Encrypted, anonymous notifications are delivered within seconds to authorised recipients, who respond according to their wellbeing framework. The notification provides the option to include screenshots or images that validate the notification.

Being able to anonymously report, relieves feelings of helplessness for those who want to help their peers but don’t quite know how. Our purpose is to support you in creating an environment where harm can be minimised and effective action can be maximised.

Stymie can be used by anybody. It does not have to be a student at our school. The link to make a notification is on the school website front page

Raising Teens today

Friday 5, Term 1 2025 Registration

Friday 5 - Students remaining at school until 3pm Term 1, 2025