Principal's Message
Welcome to a wet week 5. It is good to have a few hours without rain to reset and dry out a little. This week our positive behaviour for learning focus is on phones. We are reminding students and families that phones are banned from NSW schools for students. Students need to have their phones off and away all day. This also means that air pods and headphones also need to be put away. This is a whole of state requirement. If students are seen with a phone, teachers can confiscate them, take them to the front office and students can pick these up at the end of the day. We recognise that the majority of our students do the right thing every day and we seek to reward doing the right thing as well as providing consequences for not doing so.
Last week our Year 7 STEM Day was a great success with students engaging with design activities to build a catapult. It was an enriching learning experience for our year 7 students and gave them an opportunity to excel in creative thinking and collaboration.
Term 2 is packed with sport, sport and more sport. Our students Jinja (year 10) and Molly (Year 7) made a successful showing at the State Swimming Championships. Our junior boys, Dougie (Year 9), Bastian (Year 7) and Leif (Year 8) represented North Coast in AFL at the State Championships. Unfortunately, Richie (yr 8) was selected but due to injury was unable to play. Lily Wiseman (Year 7) was able to get a run with Sydney West for the AFL State Girls Championships held at Byron. The girls battled terrible weather and a soggy ground to claim a victory. Our boys volleyball team played in a round robin yesterday for CHS and were narrowly defeated by Byron Bay HS. This Thursday afternoon, all of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families are invited along to our Yarn Up BBQ afternoon. This is a great opportunity for families to check in with school staff about how students are travelling academically, socially and culturally. It is also an opportunity to find out more about the various education and training pathways available that can be tailored to student needs. We look forward to seeing you there. Please see further information and invitation below. Have a great week 5 and stay safe and dry.
Ms Bree Harvey-Bice, PRINCIPAL
Imagining Futures Workshop - Plan C and SCU
Last Friday, Year 11 students Eleanor (Ella) and Oska represented the youth perspective at an SCU 'Imagining Futures' strategic planning workshop. (Photo with Sam Refshauge CEO of Plan C). Their eloquent contributions highlighted the desire of young people to be actively consulted in shaping their future. This collaboration supports Plan C's ongoing mission to build community resilience. Currently, Plan C is delivering its third Surviving Disasters course at MHS to Year 11 students during Life Ready sessions. Utilising the PPRR (Prevention, Preparation, Response, and Recovery) framework, students are gaining vital skills in:
- Risk assessment and bush skills
- Emergency communications and "Go Bags"
- Evaluating misinformation
- Psychological First Aid
Library News
Mrs Dean, our school librarian teacher, has just ordered and received some books. Come and visit the library and get your hands on a new book!
Sports News
The school will host Monaro High School on Thursday 28 May for an afternoon of interschool sport. Students will have the opportunity to compete in Futsal, Rugby League, Basketball and Netball. Please note that the school Athletics Carnival, originally scheduled for Friday 29 May, has been rescheduled to Wednesday 3 June to accommodate this event.
CHS STATE SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS Congratulations to Molly Boyle and Jinja Jones who recently competed at the CHS State Swimming Championships. Molly Boyle competed in the 13 years age division and performed strongly in her events to come 23rd in 100m Backstroke in a time of 1:28.54 and 15th in 100m Butterfly in a time of 1:20.40. Jinja Jones competed in the 16 years age division and performed strongly in her event to come 22nd in the 100m Backstroke in a time of 1:27.98.
Reminder of school procedures: Leaving Early, Arriving Late or Messages
GOING AWAY 5 DAYS OR MORE? A reminder to our school community that the NSW DET requires that parents arrange holiday DURING school vacations. If your family holiday is during school time, you will need to inform the School Principal in advance and submit a permission to leave from school. An application for leave should be provided at least two weeks prior to departure. Ask our office for an “Application for Leave” BEFORE the holiday. ABSENT, LATE OR EARLY? If your child is not at school, let us know they are safe. We will let you know they are not at school with an SMS message if we have not heard from you. COMING IN LATE? School starts every day at 8:50am for all students. If students arrive after that time and miss CARE (roll call), please let the school know why they are late or provide them with a note. Students need to sign in at Student Services Office as soon as they arrive on the premises. LEAVING EARLY? Only legitimate one-off appointments will be approved by the principal. A note or a phone call should be made to Student Services before 9:30am and a leave pass will be processed. MESSAGES TO STUDENTS? Please call before 2pm. Only URGENT messages will be passed on during class time. We ask that all arrangements regarding after school activities be discussed with your student BEFORE school to avoid stress and distraction.
Attendance Matters
Coming to school regularly makes a big difference - it helps you keep up with your learning, stay connected, and give yourself the best chance to succeed. We're excited to announce that this year, we're recognising students who show a strong commitment to being at school. At the end of each term, all students with 95% attendance or higher will go into the draw to win a $500 gift voucher. Two vouchers will be awarded every term so there's plenty of chances to win. Vouchers can be used at a range of stores, including JB Hi-Fi, Foot Locker, City Beach, EB Games and plenty of other leading retailers. So come to school each day, stay consistent, and you could be in the draw to win $500!
MHS Yarn Up Invitation
You are warmly invited to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family & Community Yarn Up next Thursday, 21st May at 3:30pm. This will be a relaxed afternoon BBQ and catch up, providing an opportunity for staff, families, students, and community members to connect, have a yarn, and continue building strong relationships within our school community. Details:
- Date: Thursday 21st May
- Time: 3:30pm
- Location: The Yarning Circle - Mullumbimby High School
Dates for your Diary
- Monday 18 May - Futsal 16s in Coomera
- Tuesday 19 May - Certificate 1 Tourism
- Wednesday 20 May - NAIDOC Film Project
- Wednesday 20 May - Year 10 program
- Thursday 21 May - Careers Expo in GC
- Thursday 21 May - Yr 8 Young Men's Reconnect Program
- Thursday 21 May - MHS Yarn Up
- Friday 22 May - FNC Cross Country BBHS
- Friday 22 May - Yr 7 Young Men's Reconnect Program
- Monday 25 May - Flat Rock Biology Excursion
- Tuesday 26 May - Certificate 1 Tourism
- Tuesday 26 May - National Sorry Day
- Wednesday 27 May - Shearwater sports visit
- Wednesday 27 May - Year 10 Program
- Wednesday 27 May - National Reconciliation week (27/5/26 - 3/6/26)
- Thursday 28 May - Monaro HS Sports Visit
- Friday 29 May - Yr 7 Young Men's Reconnect Program
- Monday 1 June - RIEP Construction Taster Program
- Tuesday 2 June - RIEP Construction Taster Program
- Wednesday 3 June - RIEP Construction Taster Program
- Wednesday 3 June - MHS Athletics Carnival
- Wednesday 3 June - Transition afternoon for Year 6
- Wednesday 3 June - Captains Visit to Parliament
- Wednesday 3 June - Yr 10 Program
- Thursday 4 June - Yr 8 Young Men's Reconnect Program
- Friday 5 June - Yr 7 Young Men's Reconnect Program
A Note from our P&C
We’re delighted to share that the P&C and Mullumbimby High School have agreed to co-fund a number of long-awaited Faculty Wishlist items, supporting learning across a range of areas: CAPA (Drama): Sony FX30 Cinema Camera Pro Kit TAS: Twin drum sander TAS: Sawgrass Virtuoso sublimation printer HSIE: Archaeology dig kits Science: 5 × Airlink Bluetooth sensor connectors Whole School: Signage for the MHS 12-seater van Decision to fund these items was made at the P&C’s most recent meeting last Monday. There was strong agreement in the room that this is exactly what our fundraising should enable – practical, high-value resources that will be used and appreciated by students for years to come. It’s a fantastic outcome, and a great example of what can be achieved when the P&C and school staff work closely together. With these contributions, the P&C’s financial support to MHS now exceeds $17,000 over the past 12 months. We’d like to sincerely thank everyone who makes this possible – our dedicated volunteers who organise events, write grants and lend a hand wherever needed, as well as our wider school and local business community for their ongoing generosity and support. This collective effort, built over many years, is what allows the P&C to contribute meaningfully to the school. Looking ahead, this year’s P&C Trivia Night Fundraiser is shaping up to be another great evening – please save the date: Friday, 21 August.
Careers News
Yr 10 Subject Selection
Year 10 In Term 3, Year 10 students will participate in the subject selection process for the HSC. There are two upcoming University webinars that outline key considerations and offer the opportunity to hear from student ambassadors sharing their stories and experiences with subject selection and transition to University studies. University of Newcastle - Year 10 Subject Selection Webinar Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026 Time: 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm Register via the following link - https://www.newcastle.edu.au/events/info-sessions/y10-subject-selection-webinar
National Careers Week
Last week, we recognised National Careers Week and the theme of Connect. Create. Thrive, highlighting the importance of helping students explore diverse opportunities and future pathways. Career education plays a vital role in preparing young people for an ever-changing world. Throughout the week, our CARE teachers engaged in career conservations based on critical skills areas that have been identified as top priorities to meet growing demand, address workforce shortages and respond to rapid industry changes (NSW Skills Plan 2024-28: Building Skills and Shaping Success). Agriculture and agrifood Care and Support Economy Net Zero and energy transition Construction Digital and cyber security Two classes of Year 10 students engaged in developing a Student Pathway Plan and all students will have the opportunity to complete this by term end. This week, we will be taking over 90 students to the Gold Coast Careers Festival on Thursday 21 May and in July, a group of Year 9 students will have the opportunity to attend the Northern Rivers Careers Expo. Construction Workforce Project - there are five spots for Year 9 or Year 10 students interested in construction and attaining their White Card. All students must be 15 years of age. Students in both Year 11 and our Inclusive Education senior class engaged in a Job Ready Session with Ms Vanessa Perrin, Head Teacher, Careers, Educational Pathways Program exploring career pathways. For careers information, come and speak with Ms Clarkson at school or refer to Mullumbimby High School careers website - https://mullumbimbycareers.com/ Leanne Clarkson Careers Adviser (relieving) Mullumbimby High School
Ballina Byron Aviation Expo Event The Ballina Byron Aviation Expo is just around the corner. Ballina Coast High School will be hosting an event featuring guest presenter Byron Waller, the youngest pilot to circumnavigate the globe. Byron will share his journey and insights into aviation with the Ballina and wider Communities. This is a fantastic free event for families, students and the broader community to come together, connect and be inspired.
MHS Uniform Shop Volunteer Roster
The MHS P&C is calling for volunteers to help our Uniform Shop Coordinator, Dorothee, for just ONE hour on Monday mornings (8:30–9:30am). The Uniform Shop plays a crucial role in raising funds that directly support programs, resources, and opportunities for all MHS students. By volunteering a single hour, you’re making a meaningful contribution to our school community. If you’re able to help, please email Caroline with your available date(s) and phone number at caroline.a.henning@gmail.com Your time—no matter how small—makes a big difference!
Canteen
Students should hand in their lunch order at the canteen before 9:30am to avoid disappointment.
Community Announcements
Please note all announcements included here are for your information and further details should be checked directly with organisers.
Become a Field Officer for the 2026 Census Have you heard the news? Field Officer jobs are now available in locations all over Australia, including our capital cities, regional towns and remote areas. The best part? No prior experience is required. As a Field Officer, you’ll be the local face of the Census. You’ll deliver Census letters and forms, answer questions from the public and follow up households that haven’t yet responded. Field Officer jobs are temporary and suit a variety of schedules, from students to part-time workers and retirees. You can earn extra money and work flexibly across weekdays, weekends and evenings. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is looking for a broad range of people to apply to reflect the diversity of Australian communities. Get your application in by Monday 18 May 2026 to be considered in the first round of recruitment in your local area. Join the Census team and help collect the data that informs local services for your community. To apply and see all Census job opportunities, visit census.abs.gov.au/jobs.
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Created with an image by zhao dongfang - "Beautiful sky and colorful clouds at sunset"