24 October 2025

Principal

What a couple of busy weeks we have had in our return to Term 4, with no end of excitement insight

In Week One, we had our World’s Greatest Shave participants, shaved, waxed and coloured, with all funds raised going to a good cause. Congratulations to Libby, Noah, Bridie, Althea, Jamie, Erin, Tohuranga, Chappie James, Mr Davy, Mr Small and Mrs Moretti.

Our Year 12 Hospitality students held a Thank You dinner for their parents and invited guests last week. An amazing showcase of our students’ abilities in the kitchen, as well as managing a function. I am sure all who attended agreed that it was a great feed.

Our Instrumental Music students participated in a Fine Arts Evening last Tuesday night at the primary school. Again, another great opportunity for our students to showcase their talents.

This is the last week of learning for most our Year 12 students. External exams start next week (for four weeks), and we wish our students the best of luck in their exams. We will see them briefly for Awards Night and Leaver’s celebrations in Week 7. We congratulate all our students on making it this far, and wish them the best in whatever their future holds.

Our annual Awards Night will be held on Monday 17^th November, at 6pm in the Biloela Civic Centre. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible to share in the success and celebration of our students.

Our Halloween Dress-Up Day is  Monday 27^th October, it’s a great way for our student's personalities to shine through, and embrace the opportunity for a little bit of fun.

In 2026, our new school shorts will officially be a part of our school uniform. As a school, we have worked very hard to ensure that the short styles were chosen by students, and that we have kept the cost to a minimum. A huge thank you to all our families who have already purchased these. There is an expectation that all our 2026  from Years 7-12 students will be wearing these shorts.

Natasha Bunn
Principal

Important Dates

* Please note these dates are subject to change without consultation.

Deputy Principal Years 7 and 8

Welcome to the final lap for 2025!

Timetable Update

Year 7 students are finalising their Geography studies and will then rotate to their final Humanities subject for 2025 which is Civics.

Students in Year 8 have now rotated to their final Arts rotation for the year.

Students in Years 7 and 8 will learn within their current timetable until Wednesday 3^rd December.  From Thursday 4^th December until Wednesday 10^th December, students will learn via their ‘Roll Up’ Timetable.   This is where students commence working on their learning for the next academic year.  During this time students will, where possible, work with the teacher they will have for each of their subjects in 2026.

Please continue to use Compass to assist you to support your child’s learning.   All learning task dates for your child are embedded within Compass.  If you currently do not have access to Compass, please contact the front office team so that they can provide you with access details.

Year 7 2026 Transition Update

Thursday 23^rd October was the final Information Evening for our incoming students. During this Information Evening, the students worked with our staff whilst the families were in the Resource Centre. Our next exciting step is the final Transition Day on Tuesday 2^nd December. Only students who have completed their enrolment interviews are able to attend on this day.

Linda Holman
Deputy Principal Years 7 and 8

Deputy Principal Years 9 and 10

Year 9 Expression of interest for the Emu Gully Camp (for 2026)

Information has been emailed home (and provided for students to access) in relation to the Year 10 Camp at Emu Gully in 2026.  The Emu Gully Adventure Camp provides unique physical and team-building experiences in an outdoor environment for our students.

Expressing Interest: If you wish for your child to attend this camp, please refer to the details provided in the letter.

Students that are not currently meeting the attendance or behaviour requirements for involvement in extra-curricular events will not be able to express interest in attending the camp at this time.

A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 must be paid to the school office no later than Monday, November 3^rd November.

An Information Evening will be held at the school for all students that express an interest to attend on Wednesday the 2^nd of December [Week 9] of Term 4 for parents / carers and your child.

Year 11 Transition Day 2

The Year 10 students will participate in their first lesson of each of the four electives (not Mathematics or English) on Wednesday 29^th October.  The aim of this day is to help students gain more insight into their chosen subject and their capability of achieving success in it in year 11 to reinforce their subject choice.

Students will get their timetable for this day on Monday 27^th October at the end of whole school parade.

Any students who wish to change their subjects after this day are encouraged to do this as soon as possible.  There will be no further changes to subjects from Week 3 of Term 1 2026, until Unit 2 begins at the end of Term 2.

Students need to see Ms Roach to change their subjects.  She will put times she is available on student notices as she is in and out of external exams over the next three weeks.

David Hall
Deputy Principal Years 9 and 10

Deputy Principal Years 11 and 12

Assessment

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For Parents:  https://parents.au.reachout.com/
For Young People:  https://au.reachout.com/

Year 12 General Subjects External Exams & Applied Exam block

External exams began Monday 27^th October and all students have this timetable.  They are all aware of what they need to bring with them and the mock exams gave some insight into how each session will run.

Applied and Essential assessment block also begins on Monday 27^th October.

Parents, carers and students have received emails with information regarding both external exams and the applied exam block.  This is important information.

Year 12 students are expected to attend school for their assessment sessions only during the exam blocks.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Year 12 Final Week

All Year 12 students will participate in two days of activities to transition them from school to the wide world of adulthood, beginning on Wednesday 19^th November and culminating in the Leaver’s Day Ceremony on Thursday afternoon beginning at 5:00pm in the spaceframe.  Friends and family are welcome to attend.  The Year 12 Breakfast will be held on Thursday 20^th November at 8am with our Year 11 Hospitality class catering for this event.

Year 12 students will not attend school on any other days except for these two.

Year 11 – Unit 2 results

Year 11 students are busy working on Unit 2 assessment or beginning Unit 3 work.  The upcoming report card will be based on the Unit 2 grade only, not the entire year.

Teachers and/or HODs will be in contact with parents/carers where there is concern for student’s progress in their current subject.  Students are able to change their subjects as soon as Unit 2 is complete to ensure they are in the right subject to achieve success in year 12.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.

Tania Roach
Deputy Principal Years 11 and 12

House Spirit Update

House Spirit Update – Term 4 Week 3

Paterson triumphed in Term 3.

Points Tally:

These are the final results to add to the 2024/2025 House Cup Competition. The winning house will be announced at our Academic Awards evening.

Our students are now working to earn house points for the Term 4 as a start to the 2025/2026 house spirit competition. Points are up for grabs from such things as:

• Receiving a Positive Post Card from a teacher.
• Attendance at or above 92% at the end of the Term 4.
• Taking part in school competitions (Student Voice).
• Participating in sporting events (such as the Swimming Carnival and Friday Lunch sports).
• Fortnightly KAHOOT general knowledge quizzes held in Care Group.
• Contribution to school service events (such as Clean Up Crew, Interact etc).
• Recycling Containers. Each container contributes a point to the house total.
• Volunteering and helping in the tuckshop or with the daily wellbeing breakfast.
• 100% weekly attendance earns additional points.

Student Support

Free Webinar for parents provided by Black Dog Institute 

Helping teens thrive online 

For young people, screens are a central part of life, shaping how they learn, connect, and relax. However, technology use can also bring challenges for wellbeing, leaving parents and teachers wondering how to best guide teens through the digital world. 

Join us for a free webinar bringing together researchers, educators, and parents. Together, we will unpack the latest insights on teens and technology, explore both the risks and opportunities, and share practical strategies carers and parents can use alongside each other to support healthy digital habits. 

Our expert panel: 

• Facilitator: Dr Kristine Kafer – Clinical Psychologist, Senior Psychology Content Developer & Facilitator at Black Dog Institute.
• Speaker: Atia Fatimah – Psychologist and PhD candidate at Black Dog Institute.
• Speaker: Dr Lyndsay Brown – Senior Researcher Officer at Black Dog Institute.

Panellist: Kayla Grant – School Teacher & Wellbeing Advisor 

Details: 

Cost? Free - register below   

• When? Wednesday, 29 October, 4:00pm - 4:45pm (AEDT) 
• Who's it for?  Parents, carers and teachers of high-school students 
• Where? Online (Zoom) 
• How long does it go for?  45 minutes 
• Cost? Free - register below  

Day For Daniel is Friday 31st October 2025 

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation raises awareness about child safety and has developed a suite of resources for school and parents to assist with education and discussing issues of safety with young people.  Please visit their website here - https://danielmorcombe.com.au/day-for-daniel/ 

Youth Support Coordinator

Job skills and Training.  

Inscope Training is a trusted Australian registered training organisation delivering both trade apprenticeship programs and short courses—such as first aid, safety, asbestos, and White Card training. Serving Central Queensland, offering a hands-on approach in practical training, with industry-experienced educators providing relevant, engaging learning that meets real-world workplace and compliance needs. Check out their website for more information at www.inscope.edu.au.

Apprentices and Trainees Queensland, a well-established, not-for-profit Group Training Organisation, with a dedicated office in Biloela. Apprentices and Trainees Queensland offer a comprehensive range of training programs designed to equip individuals with practical skills and qualifications across various industries. These programs cater to both school-based and adult learners, providing pathways to meaningful employment and career advancement. Contact them on 1300 242 425 or check out the website www.atqld.com.au.

My Skills Institute is a leading Registered Training Organisation operating in Biloela, Queensland, as part of Apprentices and Trainees Queensland. Offering nationally recognised training across various industries, including construction, civil operations, mining, and workplace safety. Contact them on 07 4883 8380 or check the website www.msi.qld.edu.au  

Dylan Burmester 
Youth Support Coordinator 

Industry Liaison Officer

Holiday Work Experience

Applications for work experience during the Term Four holidays have now closed and placements are currently being negotiated. During the recent Term Three holidays, 20 students completed work experience, we have received excellent feedback from our local host businesses including some potential employment opportunities. Work experience is an amazing opportunity to gain insight into different career pathways whilst gaining hands on experience and building industry relationships. Students are encouraged to seek feedback from their host businesses, and references can be excellent additions to student resumes.

School-Based Apprenticeships

Our Year 12s are busy completing the final aspects of their school-based traineeships, whilst our school-based apprentices are preparing to transition to fulltime apprenticeships. Congratulations to all Year 12s students and best of luck as you complete your secondary education.

Training

With the year drawing to an end, a lot of our students are busy completing their VET courses. Congratulations to the six students who have successfully completed their Cert II in Automotive Vocational Preparation. Congratulations to Coen who has also completed a Cert II in Applied Digital Technologies.

We are still seeking expressions of interest for students currently in Year 10s  and eleven who would like to complete a Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation. This is a gateway course to apprenticeships and traineeships within , light and heavy vehicle mechanical and auto electrical fields. Applications are available from the ILO office in the Resource Centre.

Peta Constable
Industry Liaison Officer

Stymie

Biloela State High School is proud to be working with ‘Stymie’ to foster and empower students to further our school’s culture of care. Any student can make a notification about someone they believe is being bullied or harmed via the link below. This notification is automatically forwarded to the school, and managed by the appropriate, nominated members of staff.

We share the weekly Stymie focus each week, with teachers often referring to this in their lessons.

Tuckshop

Natasha Nelson
Tuckshop Convenor

Community Notices