Dates correct at time of publication.

Just when things seem to be going well without any disruptions…I blame myself as I recently said how smoothly things were going in girls sport! Sorry!! As you would be aware, this week we had cancellations of the QGSSSA Swimming Championships and Round 7 and 8 of AFL. With the Swimming Champs rescheduled for Wednesday March 12, we look forward to sharing details of what the final round of AFL will look like as soon as we receive this information.

Over recent weeks we have had the great pleasure of presenting our Open girls captains and Open teams at our Senior assemblies. Our girls AFL, Cricket and Swimming teams have all been presented and we look forward to presenting our Open Basketball, Football and Touch Football teams next week as they prepare for their seasons.

As we enter a traditionally busy period of QGSSSA sports at the end of Term 1, we encourage all students to remain organised and stay informed with the latest updates by:

• Speaking with your coaches and Masters in Charge (MIC) of your sport during training or competitions
• Regularly checking your sport-specific Team App for any announcements
• Visiting the Extra-Curricular (EC) Office in D Block if you have any questions or need assistance. Our dedicated EC staff are always available to provide support, so feel free to reach out if needed

We have 7 sports either continuing their seasons or commencing fixtures next week so please take care of yourself physically and communicate with staff regularly if you need support. With the busy schedule ahead, prioritising self-care is important. Students can do this by checking the ‘BSHS Strength & Conditioning’ Team App to find information about training, recovery and taking care of yourself away from the court, field or pool.

We would like to express our gratitude to the following staff for their work as Masters in Charge:

Master in Charge	QGSSSA Sport
Mrs Natasha Adams	Swimming
Mr Cameron Conlon	Basketball
Mrs Monica Tracy	AFL
Mr Damon Giles	Cross Country
Mr Stuart Sport	Touch Football
Mr Glen Kranen	Cricket
Mr Jesse Rigsby-Jones	Football

AFL

AFL has kicked off to an amazing start for the senior side of the program with participation higher than ever. Coming from having two senior teams to four has really contributed to the spirit and livelihood of the program and girls sport in general.

It is wonderful to see the uprise of participation, particularly from girls who have never played AFL in the Senior B and Bii teams. It has also been greatly rewarding as a longer-time state high AFL player, to see their progression and enjoyment within their teams.

Across the senior cohort, the rapid improvement in skills and game awareness is very impressive, especially with the limited amount of experience and training that some teams have had. Results are improving across senior teams each week and we are becoming even stronger as a program towards the pointy end of the season which is super exciting for our girls.

Over the course of the season the Opens have had a strong start in working towards securing premiership contention in the final round, only two weeks remaining until they come up against St Peters. The sense of State High pride has been electrifying on the field, showcasing the sheer skill and team dynamic between the girls. The debutants from Year 10 have meshed into Opens level incredibly well, bringing their energy and high-level footy experience, putting an impressive number of goals into the mix. With only three schools left to verse the Opens are hungry for redemption.

The girls who participate at any level within it, know that the community within BSHS AFL is unlike any other sport and the spirit between and within teams is outstanding. The senior season has set a high precedence for the junior season (in Term 4) including the introduction of merit entries for AFL, which is set to contribute to the exposure of women in sport.

Maddie Howard (AFL Program Captain) and Clare Walker (Open Team Captain)

– Ms Monica Tracy | MIC AFL

QGSSSA Football

Last Wednesday, 26 February, our Open Football team kicked off their season with a stellar performance against St. Peter’s Lutheran College (SPLC) in a pre-season trial match. The game served as an important part of the final selection process for our Opens team, with players from Years 8 to 12 taking to the field. This blend of younger and older students is a testament to the depth and strength of our Football program, showcasing a wealth of talent across the different age groups.

The team put on a dominating display, securing a convincing 6–0 victory. From the opening whistle, our players showed great cohesion, linking up well in attack and maintaining a solid defensive structure throughout. The forwards were relentless, putting constant pressure on the SPLC defence, while our midfield controlled the tempo of the game. In the backline, the defenders were resolute, preventing any significant SPLC advances and keeping our goalkeeper relatively untested.

It wasn’t just about the scoreline though; the game was a valuable opportunity for coaches to assess player performance under match conditions. With players from multiple year levels competing for a spot in the final squad, every moment on the field was crucial. The energy and determination shown by all participants made the coaches' job even harder, as everyone brought their A-game to impress.

In the morning following the match, the team regrouped for a recovery session led by Mr Fletcher Caplen (Class of 2014), a former National Premier Leagues – Women’s (NPLW) S&C coach Mr Caplen led the players through a structured recovery session, which was followed by a breakfast. Breakfast, donated by Alumni, provided a chance for players to reflect on the game and bond as a team. Mr Caplen’s involvement is part of our continued efforts to support the holistic development of our student-athletes, both on and off the field.

With all pre-season trials now concluded, we are still looking to add a few more players to our Junior & Intermediate teams (Years 7 to 10). If you’re interested in joining, please reach out to the coaching staff or the Master in Charge (Mr Jesse Rigsby-Jones). Whether you’re new to Football or have experience, there’s always room for more talent in our program!

Courtney Boyce & Mia O’Kane (2025 Football Captains)

– Mr Jesse Rigsby-Jones | MIC QGSSSA Football

– Mr Tom Herborn | MIC Girls Rowing

Cricket

This season BSHS is celebrating 30 years of girls’ cricket. This program aims to develop quality players and sportswomen and they have not missed the mark.

This year, the integration of young year 7s and inexperienced players through teams from division 2 to Open Seconds, has strengthened the community within the program. It has been wonderful to see the older girls step up into leadership roles to guide these girls through the start of their BSHS cricket journeys.

The pride in this 30 year milestone for girls Cricket has been shown in many ways. Last week, the Open First team were presented with their baggy caps that they will wear proudly during their fixtures and hold valuable for their years after State High Cricket.

As well as this, Open Firsts Co-Captain Rebecca Storrs organised the printing of personal ribbons for the entire program (shown in images). It has been wonderful to see these ribbons around the school with girls from all age groups showcasing their spirit toward the program.

The progression of skills and understanding as well as the improvement of results across teams has been amazing to see. The Open First team is undefeated with run totals skyrocketing each week and the open seconds have been continuously working to follow in their footsteps. The Division 1 team is at the top of their ladder and both Division 2 teams closely trail BGGS in a top 3 position.

The success of the program is only on the rise and we cannot wait to see the girls fight for the top positions on their respective leader boards in the coming weeks.

GPS Volleyball

It has been fantastic to see the commitment and support from our boys, parents, and volunteers this season. With a few challenging matches ahead, extra support for our First VI and all other teams would be greatly appreciated as we push through the final stretch.

As the 2025 First VI Volleyball Captains, we have had the privilege of witnessing our Year 7 players tackle their first-ever games, seeing the growth of our middle school athletes, and being part of the hard work and determination of the First VI. Although it has been a tough season with some close losses, this reflects the high level of competition in GPS and keeps us accountable for areas we need to improve.

With only one home game left, the support of the blue-red-blue is crucial in helping us finish strong. We hope to see everyone there!

Taiki Butlin (Year 12) and Masyn Cheng (Year 12) – Volleyball Captains 

GPS Swimming

The GPS Swimming Team has been fine-tuning their best times over the past few weeks in preparation for the 102nd GPS Swimming Championship. The squad has been pushing each other in training, competing for limited spots on the team, and striving to represent BSHS at their best. Some of our swimmers are even in contention to break GPS records that have stood for decades!

With several individual and relay teams poised to compete for event and age group wins, it is vital that we fill our allocated seats at Chandler Aquatic Centre to cheer on State High. The atmosphere at GPS Swimming Championships is unmatched, as all schools bring their students to support their teams. Let’s show up in full force!

Jack Mulvogue (Year 12) – Swimming Captain

BSHS Boys Cross Country

Pre-season training is well underway as the team gears up for the first race of the season – The Donnelly Dash. This 1,500m race through the school and Musgrave Park, finishing with a lap of the BSHS Oval, is a highlight of the year.

Donnelly Dash
Tuesday 11 March at 11:35 am
BSHS Oval
HPE Uniform or Athletics Uniform

How to participate:

• Students interested in competing must nominate via the StudentNet survey.
• Students who have been attending training will be automatically entered into the event.

Following the Donnelly Dash, the GPS season officially begins in Week 8. Students must register their attendance for GPS meets via Team App (Events Tab).

GPS Meet No.1 – Hosted by ACGS
A return bus will be provided for all meets. Students must travel to the venue via the school bus and inform the MIC if being collected from the venue.

Race Schedule – Friday 21 March

• 4:15 pm – 13 Years
• 4:17 pm – 12 Years
• 4:22 pm – 16 & Open
• 4:47 pm – 10 Years
• 4:50 pm – 14 & 15 Years

Training Schedule

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Departing F Block at 7:15 am

With GPS Cricket, Rowing, Volleyball, and Swimming seasons concluding, students from these programs are encouraged to join training and compete in multiple GPS sports.

For any questions, please contact Mr Langmack.

– Mr Matthew Langmack | MIC Boys Cross Country

BSHS Boys Rowing

Survey to complete: https://forms.office.com/r/kCQf7d1i5a

– Mr Tom Herborn | MIC GPS Boys Rowing

GPS Cricket

It was another strong weekend for our First XI, securing a victory against Brisbane Grammar School in a well-fought match.

A standout performance came from Micky Ramaswamy (Year 7) in the 7A team, scoring an incredible 103 runs not out—his second century of the season! Well done to all teams for their efforts over the weekend.

– Mr Neil Holmes | 1st X1 Cricket Coach

GPS Debating

The Senior A team remains undefeated with five wins from five debates as they move into the final stretch of the season.

Across the program, BSHS debaters currently hold a 58% win rate, reflecting the dedication and skill of our teams. We look forward to seeing them continue to compete at this high level.

WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part 1)
DATE: Tuesday, 18 March 2025
TIME: 7:00 pm

This presentation is Part 1 of a two-part series.

Join SchoolTV for an exclusive session with two of Australia's leading experts in youth wellbeing and cybersafety, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg and Susan McLean. Gain invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Topics in this session will include:

• New Regulations on Social Media
• Cyberbullying
• Exposure to Hate Speech
• Online Safety and Fraud

– Ms Rachel Hobson | Deputy Principal Culture & Engagement

In 2025, NAPLAN Online will take place at Brisbane State High School between Wednesday 12th of March and Thursday 20th of March. Over the coming weeks you will receive communication regarding our BSHS test schedule for students in Year 7 and 9. Students are supported to achieve at their personal best through exploring a range of targeted strategies in both their curriculum and ARC lessons. NAPLAN allows us to see students’ strengths and areas for development at two key junctures across secondary school. This information allows our teaching teams to support your students with precision.  

BeloW is a our ‘one pager’ support document that we use with students. You may like to use this at home over the coming weeks. We also encourage parents and guardians to familiarise themselves with the NAPLAN Online platform by using the public demonstration site available at: 

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site 

I would like to say a big thank you to our school community for embracing this change, we now have over 70% of parents logged on and using the application. Managing attendance through the app allows BSHS to reduce the administrative burden on staff and enables us to put our energy in the most important area, supporting our students.

As the system is now fully operational, please familiarise yourself with our revised attendance processes. These will be in full operation from Monday 10 February 2025.

Absence:

• The absence line has now been disabled
• All absences must be entered via an Attendance Note in the Compass app (Instructions below)
• If your student will be absent all day, please amend the time frame to cover the entire day, you do not need to enter a note for each period
• If you are unable to enter a note ahead of time, the system will automatically send you an absence reason during period two
• Failure to complete this step would result in the absence being unexplained.
• If an absence is related to sport, please select “Holiday” from the available options (predefined by Ed Queensland) and write the sport representation information in the comments box.

Late Arrival:

• Depending on which campus students start their day they should head to B Block, or I Block level 2 and sign into our Compass Kiosks.
• Sign is completed using their name and DOB as a password.
• Once a reason for lateness has been selected students head to their first class.
• As a parent you will be notified as your student signs in and asked to validate the reason.
• Failure to complete this step will result in the absence being unexplained.

Early Departure:

• An attendance note MUST be raised in Compass for a student to depart school.
• If an attendance note is not visible in the system, then teacher will not allow your student to leave the room. Schools and teachers have a duty of care to always account for a student’s whereabouts.
• When an attendance note is raised (e.g. a medical appointment). The class teacher will see this on their roll screen. This indicates to the teacher the request to leave is genuine.
• Students should then head to B Block where they will be signed out and given a pass to leave school.
• This process will be active from Monday 10February 2025.

Uniform Pass

• Uniform passes are not requestable.
• Any student out of uniform for any reason should present to B Block to receive a uniform pass as they arrive at school.
• We take pride in our uniform and the collective belonging it represents. Students consistently out of uniform and or wearing items that do not match our uniform policy will be tracked through the system and supported by our student services team.

Thank you again for your responsiveness to the change in systems and making the start to the new school year so smooth.

Additional Assistance

If you encounter any issues while logging in, recording attendance notes, or responding to unexplained absences, please contact Lachlan Miller lmill664@eq.edu.au. We are happy to assist you.

– Mr Arthur Cowell | Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning

State High Dance Choreograhpy Competition

Junior:

1st: Lara Teixeira and Suri Zhou (Year 9)

2nd: Elsa Yang, Zara Cantor, Jia Kim and Ruri Lee (Year 9)

3rd: Tess Hogan, Isabella Guan, Jaanavi Visagan, Kayla Semple, Anika Vivek and Elise Hoon (Year 9)

Senior: 

1st: Bella Parbery and Olivia Maybanks (Year 12)

2nd: Zoe Mason and Harini De Silva (Year 11) 

3rd: Erin Savage (Year 11)

Outstanding Performer: Zoe Mason (Year 11)

Audience Favourite Award: Ashley Duan (Year 8)

BPAC Choreography Scholarship - Junior: Lara Teixeira (Year 9)

BPAC Choreography Scholarship - Senior: Bella Parbery (Year 12)

Dance Camp

The inaugral Dance Troupes Camp saw 80 students from Years 7 to 12 spend the weekend at Alexandra Headlands learning and rehearsing choreography for their competition routines this year. Our 5 Dance Troupes - Junior, Senior, Bollywood, Tap and Crew - were led by their student dance captains through a variety of workshops ranging from technique to performance skills, choreography and team building. All Dance Troupe and Curriculum routines can be viewed at the annual Dance Showcase in Term 4!

– Ms April Williams | MIC Dance Troupes

Drama

Our students were recently treated to two outstanding professional performances in the BSHS PAC.

Shock Therapy Arts captivated our Year 7 and 8 students with their powerful play, The Apology. This gripping performance explored the complexities of peer pressure, bullying, and accountability, resonating deeply with our students. The engaging storytelling and dynamic performances sparked meaningful discussions, leaving our young audience both entertained and reflective.

Meanwhile, our Year 11 and 12 students had the privilege of experiencing Oliver Hetherington-Page’s The No Bang Theory, a Matilda Award-winning play that offers an insightful look into the life of a neurodivergent young person navigating the world. Through humor, heart, and raw honesty, the play challenged perceptions and fostered greater understanding of neurodiversity in society. Many students expressed how eye-opening and thought-provoking the performance was, helping them appreciate the challenges and strengths of neurodivergent individuals.

Both performances were not only entertaining but also deeply educational, reinforcing the power of theatre to inspire empathy, reflection, and important conversations. We are grateful to Shock Therapy Arts and Oliver Hetherington-Page for sharing their talent and storytelling with our school community!

– Ms Katrina Haslthorpe | 2IC The Arts

Music

We are pleased to announce the following successful news stories from the Music department this week.  We are so proud of our students and their musical successes.  We wish them the best of luck in their upcoming recitals and programs, which they have worked so hard to earn a place in. 

Young Instrumentalist Prize Finalists

The following students are finalists in the annual Young Instrumentalist Prize run by Queensland Symphony Orchestra.  Our students have been selected in the top 6 from the state, and will perform in a recital at QSO studios.  There are several prizes on offer and first place includes the opportunity to play with QSO in concert.  We are so proud of our finalists and wish them all the best for their recital.  We also congratulate Oscar on winning the Brennan Keates OAM AE Smith Violin loan as part of this competition. 

Daniel Hsieh Year 12 – Marimba - Finalist

Ellie Kyoung Year 10 – Violin - Finalist

Patrick Phillips Year 11- Cello- Finalist

Oscar Borrego-Losada Year 9 - Brennan Keates OAM AE Smith Violin Loan

Interlochen Arts Camp - USA

Interlochen Arts Camp is an internationally respected, prestigious music camp in Michigan, USA that offers audition-based programs for students to master their craft or instrument.  The program is highly competitive and offers limited places to around 100-200 students per year for Music.  We would like to congratulate Oscar Borrego-Losada in Year 9 for his acceptance into the camp for both the orchestra and intensive violin courses. 

National Youth Wind Ensemble of Scotland

This program is a partnership between the Open Conservatorium, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Scotland, UK, giving our students an opportunity to work with their Scottish and International peers.  We would like to congratulate Max Ward Year 11 on his acceptance into the program as an Australian ambassador.

– Ms Laura Johnson | Music Teacher

The Year 12 Legal Studies cohort attended an incursion to hear a talk from Eddie Synot (Lecturer, Griffith Law School) regarding the Australian Constitution and provide a First Nations perspective on the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum. Eddie's insight provided an in-depth look at the Australian Constitution and its principles, which assisted the students in their preparation for the IA1 Exam in Week 5.  

– Ms Christie Butler | Legal Studies Teacher

– Ms Amanda Chamberlain | General Manager

– Nurse Elle | BSHS School Nurse

Year 7 Family Picnic - Rescheduled

Friday 9 May | 5pm to 8pm | Kurilpa Concourse, I Block

This is a special event for Year 7 families to connect with our school community.  All Year 7 family members, including students are warmly invited to attend.

There will be plenty of games and entertainment for all ages.

Feel free to bring your own picnic, or you can enjoy the convenience of food and drinks available to purchase from the canteen.

While the event is free, we appreciate a gold coin donation.

P&C General Meetings

The P&C Association meets at 6:00pm on the fourth Monday of each month (except during school holidays/public holidays) in I Block – Room B2, on the Merivale Street Campus. Parking is available via Gate M2 on Merivale Street (refer to map). All members of the school community are welcome to attend.

Please note the AGM is 6pm on Monday 24 March 2025, followed by the General Meeting.

Diamond Plaque

A Diamond Plaque is a wonderful way to celebrate your child's time at State High. Available in various sizes, these plaques make a lasting tribute while also supporting the State High Foundation, funding vital school projects and facilities. Orders placed now will be installed in Term 2 and displayed permanently along the Kurilpa Concourse. Secure your child’s place in State High history today!

Order Now:

https://brisbaneshs.eq.edu.au/Supportandresources/Formsanddocuments/Documents/Ourcommunity/SHF/state-high-foundation-family-application.pdf

For further information please contact Natalie Loye - Alumni and Community Engagement nloye0@eq.edu.au or (07) 3291 4230

– Ms Natlie Loye | Alumni and Community Engagement

BSHS Culture Group

We are excited to announce a program at State High with the aim to share and learn about the wide variety of BSHS student cultures, beginning with a highlight on Pacific Islander culture through cultural dances, as well as traditional songs.

We would like to connect students, no matter what background throughout all year levels by coming together to showcase our traditions on Harmony Day, Week 8 Friday lunchtime and this coming week.

If you are interested in joining, please bring your friends, cousins or siblings Friday morning (7am) to F block where we will discuss a plan and further organising. For any further questions don’t be shy to contact or ask any of the seniors like me or anyone else you know in this program and to email lkefu2@eq.edu.au

BSHS Greenscapes

Greenscapes: From little things, big things grow.

The BSHS Greenscapes gardening group have been in action since 2018, and is located on the upper campus, behind G Block. Our mission statement is to reduce BSHS environmental impact through education and action. We have weekly gardening sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am to 8:45am.

Some of our current projects are the construction of a permaculture planting circle for the propagation of banana, pawpaw, sweet potato, and pineapple. We are also working very hard on improving the soil naturally through composting and brewing weed tea. The BSHS Stem team are also using the Greenscapes garden space to work on their submission to the UQ Sunflower Competition: https://agriculture-food-sustainability.uq.edu.au/sunflower-competition

One of our Gardeners tells of her experience:

I joined Greenscapes after randomly coming across a StudentNet Post in Year 8 about an upcoming meeting for a meaningful environmental group at school and decided to join as another extracurricular group to participate in and meet new friends. We mainly just had Containers for Change. Time flew by, and now I’m a Greenscapes leader in Year 12. The group has also expanded to having a huge garden that actually grows useful vegetables, along with a number of exciting upcoming events. This will definitely be a memory worth treasuring even after graduating high school, so if you haven’t joined Greenscapes already, come along to our weekly activities and see what we do!

The BSHS STEM Ambassadors have written up an article about our current project – UQ Sunflower growing competition.  The students in the image are Keer Fan, Micole Devinuwara, Cherri Xi, and Shukanya PRACHI.

The 2025 STEM Ambassadors have been hard at work planting and cultivating 50 sunflowers in the State High garden “GreenSpace”. This project was generously funded by UQ Agriculture for the UQ Sunflower Competition and Queensland Science Contest. Aimed at increasing awareness of food security and agriculture, students must design watering systems and optimise our sunflowers to win.

State High must triumph over 87 other schools in obtaining the heaviest sunflower by the 16 May. We have been busy watering and trialing various ways to optimise growth. Recently, Barry B Benson alongside their other sunflower friends have sprouted! Stay in tune to find out whether the tiny seedlings make it through cyclone Alfred!