WEEK 5 TERM 1 2025
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Dear WHS Community,
As we reach Week 6 of Term 1, I am pleased to share that we have had a wonderfully settled start to the year. Our dedicated staff have demonstrated exceptional expertise in delivering explicit quality teaching and learning, creating an environment where our students can thrive. This term, we have encouraged our students to take personal responsibility for their learning by continuing to develop a school wide approach to individual portfolios. These portfolios serve as valuable tools for students to collect evidence of their learning and achievements, fostering a sense of ownership and reflection on their progress.
Our Year 7 students recently embarked on an enriching school camp at Riverwood Downs. This experience not only provided opportunities for students to step out of their comfort zones but also played a crucial role in building positive relationships among peers and staff. I would like to acknowledge our staff for delivering a high-quality learning and wellbeing experience during this camp, which undoubtedly contributed to the personal growth of our students.
Looking ahead, we are preparing for NAPLAN assessments for Year 7 and Year 9, which commence next week. I encourage all our learners to put forth their best effort and demonstrate the high expectations we have for their literacy and numeracy development. This is an important opportunity for students to showcase their personal growth in these fundamental skills, which are vital for their success across all areas of the curriculum.
I am delighted to report that several of our students have already begun representing our school in various competitions. We have seen a flurry of notifications on our Facebook page celebrating those who have been selected for the Hunter Area Teams to contest in the NSWCHS state championships. Their dedication and hard work are commendable, and I look forward to seeing their continued achievements.
Exciting news on the uniform front: our new onsite uniform shop will commence operations this coming week. We have been grateful for the swift support of our new uniform supplier, who has ensured a smooth transition and ample stock for our community. I am pleased to announce that we have negotiated great prices, with all items either remaining the same or being cheaper, while maintaining or exceeding the quality and durability standards we expect.
I would like to extend my appreciation to our students, staff, and P&C for your involvement in consultations that led to the addition of new uniform items. Notably, we will now offer everyday grey shorts, consistent in style and fabric with our current black WHS sports shorts, along with warm, comfortable grey long pants for both boys and girls to wear during the colder months. The uniform shop will be open from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Mondays and 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM on Thursday mornings, providing onsite shop hours for our community. Additionally, our uniform supplier is looking to hire someone to operate the store on-site at WHS. If you are an ex-student or a parent interested in this opportunity, please reach out to me via the school email address, using the subject title "Uniform Shop - Employment." Preference will be given to applicants available to work on both days.
In light of current laws and recent policy developments, we have also implemented new guidelines and protocols regarding the safety and storage of e-scooters and e-bikes. Students have been advised at school over the last few weeks of changes taking immediate effect. All parents should have received an email outlining these new protocols, and further information will be included later in this newsletter.
We all recognise that one of the challenges parents sometimes face when raising adolescents is obtaining information from our teenagers regarding school activities, trials, excursions and events. A large proportion of school communication occurs directly with students and in particular, through the daily student notices which students can access at all times from their Student Sentral Portal. This can sometimes lead to confusion for parents about what’s on, schedules and requirements. To support our parents in staying informed, our school provides access to a wealth of information through the Sentral Parent Portal. This platform allows you to view important details about your child's attendance, timetable, academic reports, student wellbeing data, awards and recognition, as well as upcoming calendar items and news events. If you do not currently have access to the Parent Portal, I encourage you to contact the school administration office for assistance. Together, we can ensure that you remain well-informed about your child's school experience.
We are currently seeking parent feedback on our school reports and parent teacher interviews, to ensure we best meet the needs of our students and families. Please click on the link https://forms.office.com/r/Ki9MZGWpjt or use your phone to access the QR code to have your say, it should take less than 5 minutes to complete.
I would like to share with you some opportunity for our community to support our amazingly talented students.
Recently, Cassie Corder from our Year 12 class of 2024 achieved a Band 6 in VET Live Entertainment and a Band 6 in Music 1 and has backed this up by releasing a single on spotify. Cassie performed ‘Mirror Mirror’ at our Education Week assembly last year and this song has now been released on Spotify. Please click on the link here to listen to Cassie’s new single. We love to celebrate our students. Congratulations Cassie.
We also have our Marine studies students who have been successful in making the final of the 2025 Litterarty Waste-Art Competition. The art works are included later in this newsletter and will be on display in the Pavillion at Bondi Beach this month. We are hoping you can support our students by voting for the people’s choice awards via this link. Our students and their teachers have worked hard to create such wonderful pieces, and we believe they are certainly worthy of your votes for the people’s choice. Come on Whitebridge, let’s get behind our students.
Lastly, we are excited to welcome new staff members to our team. An updated staff list is attached to the back of this newsletter for your reference. Communication remains a priority for us, and we have various methods in place to keep students and families informed. Our school communication protocols are also included in this newsletter for your convenience.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure a successful and enriching environment for our students.
Warm regards,
Nadene Harvey
Principal, WHS
WELLBEING
Headspace
Headspace is a free and confidential Australian service to help parents, carers and family support a young person's mental health and wellbeing. Click on the button below for more information:
WHITEBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL P & C
On May 27, 2025, at 6pm the Whitebridge High School P&C will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the school. The Whitebridge High School P&C plays a vital role in the operation of the school’s exceptional canteen, and we warmly invite parents, families, carers and community members to attend and get involved to help ensure this important service continues. The canteen is the P&C's primary fundraising initiative, and the commitment required for various roles is minimal. Our dedicated team of paid canteen staff manage the day-to-day operations, with the P&C providing oversight. With just four meetings per year (one per term), the P&C is designed to fit the busy schedules of families. In addition to supporting the canteen, these meetings offer a chance to learn about the school’s current initiatives and recent successes. If you have any questions about the roles that are required to be filled, please reach out to secretary.whspandc@gmail.com or president.whspandc@gmail.com and the current members will be happy to answer your queries.
Angie Andressen - President WHS P&C
YEAR 7
Year 7 have had an exceptional start to their high school career. They have approached the process with maturity and their Year Advisor is so proud of how well they have done. The feedback from their teachers is overwhelmingly positive. Well done Year 7!
Already we have had our Year 7 camp, where the students spent two nights at Riverwood Downs in the Barrington Tops. They cooked for themselves, set up their own tents, canoed, and hung out with their friends. They embodied the PBL values of the school excellently. They were all polite, respectful, and considerate of others. I’m sure there were some exhausted campers over the weekend!
Here’s to a great Term 1, and many more years to come!!
Mr Liam Wicks - Year 7 Advisor
Year 7 Camp
In Week 5, our Year 7 students went on an unforgettable outdoor camp, filled with exciting activities, teamwork, and new experiences. The key focuses for the camp were for all the students to develop outdoor skills for life, connect with their peers and teachers, and work to create a kindness culture within their year group.
The camp was filled with memorable experiences where all the students were immersed in a variety of activities, from canoeing on the Karuah River, to cooking over an open fire, to sleeping under the stars, and even tackling the challenging Warriors Walk.
One of the highlights of the camp was canoeing. Students all had a positive experience and learned how to paddle, steer, and work together to keep the canoe balanced and for some to re-enter their boat after capsizing! Some of us even had a mini race up the river and although a few people got a bit wet, it was a great way to build confidence on the water and our Year 7s need to be commended for their positive attitude towards the activities.
Across the five days all campers were required to start their own fires and cook breakfast, lunch and dinner for each other. From gourmet bacon and eggs to beef hamburgers, the experience was both fun and rewarding. Cooking outside made everything taste even better!
Riverwood Downs turned on a show at nighttime as the students were fully immersed in nature, sleeping out under the stars. The sounds of nature, the fresh air, and the excitement of staying up (just a little) past bedtime made for some memorable nights. Some were a little cold, but the experience of waking up to the sunrise was something that will live long in the memory for all our campers.
The most challenging part of the camp was the Warriors Walk which is a test of endurance and teamwork. It involved persevering through the rugged terrain of the Karuah River, over rocks and through rapids. The Warriors Walk pushed the students out of their comfort zones. Even though it was tough, everyone encouraged each other, and all completed the challenge making it an inspiring experience.
The Year 7 Warriors Camp was an amazing adventure that helped us develop new skills, make stronger friendships, and appreciate the great outdoors. A huge thank you must go to all the staff who attended, but special mention must go to Year 7 Advisor Mr Liam Wicks, who worked so hard in the lead up to camp to create a positive environment for each student and to Mr Peter Atkins who worked tirelessly on camp to ensure each experience for the students was not only memorable but one they will be grateful to have attended.
It was a camp the students will never forget, where kindness was at the forefront of the experience and we hope to see the culture created enhance the future educational environment for each student at Whitebridge High School.
Mr Chris Dale - Teacher/Co-Camp Organiser
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YEAR 8
Welcome back Year 8! I hope everyone had a lovely holiday and are back into your school routine. I have been very proud of everyone wearing their correct uniform, positively participating in your new electives and being leaders now we’re no longer the little ones at high school. We have had some great success with some students at our competitive swimming carnival and some featured artists for Star Struck. Remember you get out what you put in, so sign up for all of the wonderful extra-curricular opportunities on offer here at WHS. I am now located down in the CAPA Staffroom so if you need a check in, have a question, or want to update me on an exciting achievement pop in to say hello!
Miss Ashley Fry - Year 8 Advisor
YEAR 9
Firstly, thank you to all families who have donated clothes in the past few months to the clothing pool. If you have any school uniform items in good condition could you please remember to just drop them into my office and I will sort them out from there. As the term progresses we will build up towards more sporting activities and school representation so please remind the people in your care to keep an eye out for daily notices so they don’t miss out. I hope all families had a relaxing break and look forward to working with you during 2025.
Mr Andy Holahan - Year 9 Advisor
YEAR 10
Year 10 are settling into the new year nicely, with students undertaking a VET course and an increasing number of our Year 10's being successful in gaining work experience one day a week. This year will be a huge journey as students start to plan and navigate their future pathways.
Everyone is to be commended for their efforts throughout the VET Induction Day on their first day back at school. It's always a big day and we appreciate your attentiveness and support in being proactive in completing all compliances for VET.
A big congratulations to Gabrielle Parmeter, our 'Champion of Champions' winner at our Championship Swimming Carnival. We are very proud of you - well done!
Our year group has set two focus areas and goals for the year. One being “Kindness”, treat others how you would like to be treated and to always respect and support your peers and teachers. The second goal is “Opportunities”. We are wanting students to broaden their skill sets and knowledge and take advantage of the opportunities provided to them throughout the year. This will be the year of growth and focus of future pathways.
We would also like to acknowledge the 11 students who have commenced an additional accelerated course for their senior studies. This is a huge challenge and accomplishment.
Well done Year 10!
Miss Bronte Osland - Year 10 Advisor
YEAR 11
Welcome to Senior School Year 11!
As the school year begins, Year 11 students are stepping into a pivotal year of their high school journey. The excitement of the new year, new uniform and new classes also comes with the anticipation of new challenges that lie ahead.
For many students, the highlight of these first few weeks has been the long-awaited arrival of senior jackets. These jackets aren’t just pieces of clothing—they’re symbols of achievement, pride, and the hard work that has brought them to this milestone!
Year 11 met for their first Year Meeting in Week 2. Everyone was given their Senior Roles and Responsibilities Agreement for Year 11. Students, parents/carers and the deputy need to sign this agreement.
There is also lots of buzz and excitement regarding the Annual Year 11 Ski Trip. Students have been sent information regarding this and are encouraged to complete the EOI if they are wanting to attend.
Thank you to the students and families who were able to attend our Information Evening in Week 3. If you are needing further support or advice while navigating these next two years, please don’t hesitate to contact the Year 11 Advisor (Ms Courtney Turner) or Deputy (Mrs Melita Morrow)
Our students are embracing Year 11 life and classwork with enthusiasm and dedication. Ms Turner and Mrs Morrow could not be prouder! As the year unfolds, I hope, as a year group you continue to encourage each other and celebrate every success along the way.
Ms Turner is so proud of her students work ethic and enthusiasm towards their senior studies!
Ms Courtney Turner - Year 11 Advisor
YEAR 12
It has been an eventful start to 2025 for Year 12 with students working hard in their studies. Each fortnight students are engaging in the Life Ready program to support future pathways. Thank you to Mr Bendall, Mr Mulhearn and Mr Carter for your support in these lessons. Year 12 are enjoying utilising the newly equipped senior learning hub in their study periods. The term is flying by and I'd like to wish Year 12 the best of luck with their upcoming assessment tasks. Students are encouraged to follow a study and revision timetable and check in with their mentor teachers or myself for support with upcoming tasks. Some very exciting news... the Year 12 Formal is also scheduled for Term 4 this year, prior to the HSC examinations. The event will be at Merewether Surf House on Thursday 13th November. The first deposit payment can be made online or at the office. We are so excited for a successful and eventful year ahead!
Ms Georgia Lindsay - Year 12 Advisor
Important Update re School Guidelines for E-Scooters and E-Bikes
As we prioritise the safety and well-being of our students, I would like to remind everyone of the current guidelines regarding the use of e-scooters and e-bikes to school, which align with both Department of Education policy and current legislation.
E-Scooters
Are students permitted to ride an e-scooter?
No.
In NSW, it is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter on roads or road-related areas, including footpaths, shared paths, cycle ways and cycle paths.
Privately owned e-scooters can only be ridden on private property.
Effective immediately, students are not permitted to ride e-scooters to school. Additionally, e-scooters will not be stored on school grounds. Any e-scooters found on school property will be relocated outside the school gates. Please note that the school accepts no responsibility for theft or damage to e-scooters either found on school property or left outside.
We strongly advise against allowing students to ride e-scooters to school for their safety.
E-Bikes
Similar guidelines apply to e-bikes. Due to fire risks associated with storing e-bikes near fixed structures, including covered walkways, these vehicles can only be stored in the allocated bike racks on school grounds. Walkways must at all times remain clear to ensure the safe movement of all students and staff, with specific consideration for disability access.
E-bikes that are stored outside the designated bike rack area will be relocated to the bike racks. If an e-bike is secured to a fixed structure or building with a bike lock, the lock will be cut to enable the e-bike to be relocated to the allocated bike racks. The school will not accept responsibility for any damage or theft of items stored on school property or those relocated to the bike racks.
Students who are concerned about their e-bike getting wet are advised to leave it at home.
Our school encourages the use of active, foot-powered bikes and scooters only.
Safety Reminder
In all circumstances, we remind students to adhere to safe riding guidelines, including wearing a helmet while riding.
Further information can be found via the transport for NSW website: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2024/crs_bikes_e-bikes_e-scooters.pdf
CAREERS
This term has been extremely busy so far setting up a number of programs for various year groups to enable them to reach their career aspirations.
Year 10 have successfully completed their VET course inductions, uploaded their Ready for Work Placement certificates and supplied their USI number onto Evidence Central.
This year fourteen year 10 students have applied for the CTP (Career Transition Program) and are attending work experience one day a week on Wednesday. They have settled into the work site and report back the next day on the activities that they completed in the day on the job site.
There have been a number of school-based traineeships signed up this week for Year 10 students whereby they will attend TAFE and are paid one day per week for working on the job.
Thirty Year 11 students have received and accepted their TAFE course offerings and are settling into attend TAFE one day a week in a vocational area to enhance their skills in their chosen trade pathway.
Year 12 students that are seeking a University pathway have been asked to complete an EOI for the UoN Early Entry Program (EPP). This will ensure that they receive an email reminder for later this term for the EEP workshop hosted by the University at WHS. The TAFE TVET students are continuing on with their course program from last year and should have two VET qualifications at the end of their HSC.
All Year 12 students that successfully completed their certificate for their (school) VET course should now be downloading the certificate from schools online in order to have this ready to upload onto their university EEP application.
Mr Matthew Bendall - Careers Advisor
LEARNING AND SUPPORT TEAM
Learning and Support Mentor (Literacy and Numeracy)
For 2025, we have embraced new roles in learning and support mentor in literacy and numeracy, additional to our classroom teaching and leading roles and responsibilities. In this new role, we are providing in-class support and small group withdrawal in areas of literacy and numeracy. We are also working with the Learning and Support Team (LaST) to support individual students in engaging in key literacy and numeracy skills to both support and extend them across the key learning areas. We are also working with the Quality Teaching Framework in classroom observations to promote quality teacher practice. Additionally, we facilitate the organisation and data analysis of curriculum areas such NAPLAN, HSC Minimum Standards.
Word Banks
One of our whole school strategies to promote student growth in literacy, specifically reading, is the use of word banks. A word bank is a small group of words that support the development of a specific skill, increasing the breadth of a student’s vocabulary and, providing access to engage with texts at a deeper level. For example, in Year 9 Commerce, students are learning about the Australian court hierarchy so their word bank including parliament, rules, morals and ethics. In Year 11 Legal Studies, students are learning about statute law and their word bank includes legislative process, delegated legislation and separation of powers. These word banks are then incorporated into additional literacy strategies such as matching definition activities, cloze passages, research tasks and short answer responses.
NAPLAN 2025: Wednesday 12th March - Monday 24th March
NAPLAN assessments involve students applying their literacy and numeracy skills to a variety of contexts, across a range of subject areas and real-life applications. The results from these assessments helps parents/carers and their child to determine where their strengths lie, and identifies areas in which they may be experiencing challenges. For our staff, this valuable information allows for more informed planning and intervention and gives feedback about the strategies and resources which have made a positive impact.
This year, we will be running the NAPLAN assessments in the library and classrooms, using school devices. The timetable can be found in the table below, and any additional information will be distributed closer to the time. Students are encouraged to bring their own plug-in headphones for each assessment.
Please note that we will try to catch-up students who have missed previous assessments in the library when 'Group B' are doing their assessments. If your child does miss an assessment, please encourage them to attend a catch-up session at the next possible time.
Mrs Angela Bettison and Ms Lisa Murrell
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Age Champions
12 years - Delilah Neilson and Ashton Penny
13 years - Heidi Read and Alex Morgan
14 years - Ayla Collins and Oliver Blatchford
15 years - Claudia Morgan and Sonny King
16 years - Lara Morgan and Zac Denham
17 years + - Will Griffiths
Also a big congratulations to our champion of champions winners Gabi Parmeter and Will Griffiths, fastest female and male swimmers.
CAPA
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Street Art Elective
Year 8 elective students have begun the course with a detailed investigation into public art. Students have developed lettering posters using graffiti style text, bold colour and use of line. Year 8 have also discussed exciting public and interactive art exhibitions such as Newcastle's Annual Chalk The Walk Festival. Students are also experimenting with developing some colourful chalk murals of their own.
Stage 4 & 5 - Visual Arts Spotlight
Our Stage 4 & 5 students have made an excellent start to the year developing expressive introductory pages. Year 8 are completing an in-depth study of the elements and principles of Visual Arts. Year 9 are exploring the exciting Pop Art movement with a focus on striking colour and bold use of line. Year 10 have begun a unit exploring the 'Built Environment' and have developed engaging concept pages utilising collage and mixed media. Our wonderful students are to be congratulated on such a fantastic start to the year in a practical workspace.
Stage 6
Our Year 12 Drama class travelled down to OnSTAGE at the Seymour Centre on Monday to watch Exemplar Performances from 2024 HSC students. Despite being caught in a thunderstorm and walking into the theatre (very) wet, the students were resilient and engaged. They all came home with lots of enthusiasm and ideas for their major works!
We were lucky enough to go down to Sydney again to watch the 2024 Exemplar HSC Dance Performances at Callbacks. The students got to experience a range of outstanding performances and gain advice from past students on how to succeed in a practical course. There were lots of lively discussions and brainstorming on the way home. We're very excited to see what our Seniors create this year in Dance.
ENGLISH
Welcome!
The first half of the term has flown by, and classes and teachers have settled into daily routines, introducing themselves, asking questions, proudly revealing new haircuts, new backpacks and new friends for a fresh 2025 start. I would also like to welcome Mr Elijah Spence and Mr Jonathan Scott to Whitebridge HS English faculty this year.
Importance of Reading
Once again, regular reading is both a faculty goal and a whole school initiative for 2025. Every English class has either raided the English book room or the school library for a book of their interest to read in class. Year 7 and 8 students will be engaging in the Accelerated Reading Program throughout their English and ILS lessons. This program helps to select the appropriate level for each student to read while tracking their reading comprehension through quizzes. Students can access this online program from home for some home reading and consolidation of language. The Premier’s Reading Challenge has commenced as well so there are plenty of opportunities for students to read, increase their vocabulary and their comprehension skills, and to appreciate the imaginary and real worlds of others.
Debating and Public Speaking Competitions
The school has enrolled in the 2025 Premier’s Debating Challenge and the Junior Secondary Speaking Competition. Students can add their names to the list in the library – there are quite a few names already! For further information on debating, students can visit the English staffroom and speak to Ms Hollis or to Ms Murrell for the public speaking competition.
Kids’ Lit Quiz
We entered the Lit Quiz competition last year for the first time and had a barrel of fun taking two teams to the event with great success. This year we have entered three teams and Ms Jenkins already has a substantial list of students excited to participate in literature-based trivia. You can practice your trivia knowledge using previous competition questions by clicking on the button below:
Year 12 Standard English
Congratulations to HSC English students who received their results from the first assessment task. Students received head teacher awards and class teacher awards for their achievement and growth in English. A fabulous effort!
Ms Lisa Murrell - Head Teacher, English
LIBRARY
Borrowing
It has been so lovely to see so many students, both junior and senior students borrowing books already in 2025.
Junior students are able to borrow 2 books for 4 weeks
Seniors are able to borrow 4 books for 4 weeks
Books belonging to other faculties, such as Maths textbooks and English novels, that are loaned through the library can be borrowed for longer periods of time.
Overdues
A reminder to students to return any items overdue from 2024, including faculty textbooks. You can either return it to one of the library staff or place it in the returns slot located on the library help desk (see above)
If students are unsure if they owe books from last year, please come to the library to ask.
CLICKVIEW (Video Library and Digital Content)
Whitebridge High School subscribes to ClickView, a service that provides digital content, such as video, to members of the Whitebridge High School community. The online videos available to ClickView members are sourced from free-to-air channels and premium educational content providers as well as ClickView-produced curriculum-aligned videos for learning and teaching. For secondary schools, like Whitebridge High School, there is an extensive library of online resources that are curriculum aligned to support each subject, with more items being added every single day.
Students can access ClickView by going to the library homepage, selecting ClickView and using their department login or by clicking on the button below:
Chess
Social chess will be held in the library each Friday at recess. All students (and staff) of any level are welcome to come. Chess sets can be borrowed from the library help desk during any of the breaks.
Premier's Reading Challenge 2025
The Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2025 has started! It is open to all students in Years 7-10 at Whitebridge High School.
Opened Monday 24th February 2025
Students need to read and record their books on their online 2025 PRC Reading Log by Friday 22nd August 2025
Everyone who has their 2025 Reading Log validated will receive a certificate. These will be distributed to students in Term 4.
For further information on the rules of the PRC please click on the button below:
Support
If you need some help finding some books to read for the 2025 PRC or some support logging books, please come to the library.
The first order of 2025 has arrived!
Keep an eye out for the next order with student book requests and books from the "Children’s Book Council Australia 2025 Book of the Year Notables" lists.
Renaissance Place
This year at Whitebridge High School we have once again purchased a subscription for all Year 7, 8, 9 and Malang Academy students to participate in the Accelerated Reader Program.
Essentially students read books of their own choosing and test their comprehension through taking a short online quiz about the book they have read.
Students can log into Renaissance Place here:
Students accumulate points for the quizzes completed and for every 10 points achieved, they receive a 'Wow'.
There are thousands of books that are part of the program and students are encouraged to read both during Independent Learning Skills classes and at home.
Books from the library at Whitebridge High School can be read or something from the students own collection. They also have access to MyOn, a digital book subscription with many audiobooks that can be found by logging into Renaissance Place. Many public libraries also offer free membership and access to audiobooks.
Mrs Sarah Walker - Teacher/Librarian
HSIE/LANGUAGES
As usual, we have enjoyed meeting our new Year 7 students and getting to know them before they left for the Year 7 camp. Two of our faculty’s teachers went to camp with them – their Year Advisor, Liam Wicks as well as Year 9 Advisor, Andy Holahan. Year 7 History students have started the year by investigating the ancient past and we are already looking forward to the visit of the Tutankhamen Road Show very early in Term 2.
Our junior students have settled into their respective studies of Geography, History and Commerce very successfully and we look forward to seeing their development throughout the year as well as their engagement in extra curricula activities like the Australian History Competition and the Australian Stock Exchange Schools Sharemarket game.
Our senior students are also immersed in their studies and already are developing their skills and understanding in their respective courses. Year 12 Society and Culture students are using State Library resources to assist them in planning their individual Personal Interest Projects while Extension History students are also researching their mandatory projects. Completing these individual projects allows students to choose their own topics which helps them to engage in these valuable learning opportunities.
We are also looking forward to the upcoming visit of some students from Japan. Languages teacher, Ms Trudy Quartermain, is co-ordinating this program and we thank parents, students and community members who will be hosting our visiting students.
A warm welcome to our new teacher, Miss Keira Blatchford, and welcome back to our returning teacher, Mr Sam Mackintosh. We’re also thrilled to see Toby, our support dog back at school.
Ms Sue Nunn - Head Teacher HSIE/Languages
Languages – Japanese
Year 7 students have shown a lot of enthusiasm and are already doing well learning Japanese. Our Year 7's have learnt how to write their name in Japanese using katakana script and romaji. They have also learnt greetings and are becoming more confident in reading Japanese to identify towns/cities in Australia. Soon our students will experience learning and writing in hiragana which will further their understanding of the Japanese language. Congratulations Year 7 to a great start to the year!
Visting Students from Japan
From the 21 March to 1 April, 14 students from two Junior High Schools accompanied by two teachers from Japan will be staying with host families from Whitebridge High School. Thank you to all the families who have volunteered to host. The visit will provide amazing opportunities for all involved including students at Whitebridge High School, to learn about the Japanese culture while at the same time teaching our visitors about our own Australian culture.
Ms Trudy Quartermain - Teacher, Japanese
TAS
To all the parents and students of Whitebridge High School - the TAS faculty would like to welcome back all of our wonderful returning students and new students to school for 2025. We are looking forward to another busy, fun packed year of learning across a variety of subjects. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back the following staff in TAS: Mr Don Heather, Mrs Sarah Box and Ms Genevieve Kenworthy.
The beginning of Term 1 has seen another busy start with a range of subjects being offered across each of our stage groups.
Stage 4
Technology Mandatory has seen our Year 7 & 8 students begin their study of one of four focus areas that they will rotate through over the next two years including: Food & Agricultural, Material & Production (Textiles, Timber or Metal), Digital Technologies and Engineering Technology.
Stage 5
We currently have several classes running including Food Technology, Child Studies, Industrial Technology Timber, Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering Systems. These subjects form an important foundation of learning and skills for those students who elect to continue these subject areas in Stage 6 for their HSC.
Stage 5, VET Early Commencement
We currently have 75 students studying an early commencement VET course in TAS across four frameworks - Construction, Manufacturing & Engineering, Hospitality and Information Technology. Students are already working hard to complete course competencies over a two year period, which once completed will give them an industry recognised qualification ranging from a Statement of Attainment through to a Certificate I, II or III depending on the qualification framework studied.
Stage 6
We currently have a range of subjects running across Year 11 & 12 including Textiles, Engineering Studies, Food Technology, Industrial Technology Timber and Software Engineering. Our Year 12 students in Industrial Technology Timber and Textiles are busy working on their major projects being supported by our amazing staff.
If you ever have any questions regarding subjects delivered in the TAS faculty, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Mr Shane Lloyd - Head Teacher, TAS
SCIENCE
Welcome back to school for 2025! This year the faculty welcomes two new members to the Science team. Though not totally new to the students, they are now part of the Science Faculty – Miss Julia Watkins and Mr James Muldoon.
The year has commenced strongly with classes reacquainting themselves with laboratory procedures and conducting experiments. It has been great moving around and observing science classes working intently on familiarising themselves with laboratory equipment, gaining Bunsen burner licenses, and data collection in their experiments.
Some of the other years have been conducting dissections, model construction, testing household chemicals, and some onsite fieldwork in their early modules of work.
All classes should now have access to their respective scope and sequences for their units of work this year and the assessment schedule. Additionally, this will include the week that students will expect to be completing an in-class task as part of their assessment.
Stage 6 Science courses have commenced well, with our new Year 11 cohort stepping up to the rigour of their specific courses. The science team encourages the use of Atomi in all courses to support and extend knowledge in the content area being studied. I would encourage all Stage 6 students to put time aside to revise and implement good routines with time management when the demands of school and life come together.
Best of luck to all for the year ahead in Science.
Mr Steve Edwards - Head Teacher, Science
MARINE STUDIES
Year 9 and 10 Marine studies have been learning about water safety as part of their core modules. As part of their learning, emergency response for marine related injuries and DRSABCD including CPR on our mannequins was a fun practical way to upskill our students.
LITTERARTY COMPETITION
Our Year 9 Marine Studies class for 2024 were given an assessment task that incorporated the topic of Marine Disasters combined with a creative element of art. These art works were then submitted as part of the 'Litterarty Ocean Lovers Festival' in Bondi. We have 14 of our artworks in this category which was our whole class. Below is each group/individuals' photos for their art assessment task last year. The finalists' artworks can be viewed in Bondi from March 19-23 at the Yalang Room, Bondi Pavillion.
As part of the annual Litterarty Competition, school students and holiday organisations around Australia have been repurposing rubbish into prize-winning artworks. Finalists will be on display in an art exhibition at the Ocean Lovers Festival.
Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 have been invited to participate in the 2025 Litterarty Waste-Art Competition for the chance to win cash and other prizes including the opportunity to have their work on display at the annual Ocean Lovers Festival.
Works are constructed from rubbish that has been repurposed into an art medium by the students, including sculpture, 2D, assemblage, mixed media, and collage.
Two Valerie Taylor prizes of $750 will be awarded to the Primary and Secondary School winners elected by the judges thanks to the generous support of Blue World. The Primary and Secondary runner-up will each receive a cash prize of $250. A People’s Choice Award of $500 will be awarded to the artwork with the most votes. Additional prizes will also be up for grabs, such as tickets to the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Sealife Aquarium and more!
The wider public can vote now for our amazing students in the 'People's Choice Award' by clicking on the button below:
Year 7
Year 7 Maralkan have been learning about the different states of matter such as solids, liquids and gases. They have been familiarising themselves with the Science classrooms and working safely whilst performing experiments in the labs.
Mrs Amy Daugherty - Teacher, Science/Marine Studies
MATHEMATICS
A warm welcome to all our parents and community members as we begin another exciting school year. A special welcome to our new Year 7 families, who are engaging with our school for the first time. We look forward to working with you and supporting your child’s learning journey in mathematics.
Maths Faculty Update
The Mathematics Faculty is pleased to share that we have retained all staff from 2024, so students will see plenty of familiar faces in the classroom. Over the past two years, our team has been working diligently on curriculum reform, and 2025 marks the full implementation of the new syllabus for Years 7–10. We are excited to bring engaging, high-quality learning experiences to all students under this updated curriculum.
Calculator Reminder
We hope that Year 7 students received a calculator in their book packs. If not, they are available for purchase at the front office. For all other year groups, bringing a calculator to every maths lesson is essential. Please ensure your child has a calculator for class.
Our school uses Abacus calculators, which are not commonly available in retail stores. If purchasing a calculator from another source, please choose a Casio-branded model to ensure compatibility with classroom learning.
Financial Services VET Course
A big thank you to the students and parents of the 24 students who have chosen to undertake Certificate III in Financial Services with Ms Moffat this year! We have seen a significant increase in enrolments compared to our first cohort in 2024, which is fantastic.
This course offers valuable skills and knowledge in personal finance, financial planning, and practical accounting. Students will also develop hands-on experience using Xero, a leading accounting software, to replicate the financial management of a small business. It’s an exciting opportunity, and we look forward to another great year in Financial Services!
Mathspace
Reminder to all parents: Your child has access to Mathspace as a valuable resource to support students in mathematics. All students can log in to Mathspace using their departmental details.
Over the past few weeks, Year 7 students have been introduced to Mathspace and have been working hard to learn new content. Year 7 parents, you will receive some more information about the use of Mathspace in Week 7.
One of the engaging features of Mathspace is Class Points, where students earn points for completing tasks, demonstrating effort, and making progress in their learning. To celebrate success, we will be introducing Mathspace Points leaderboards, recognising students' achievements and encouraging their ongoing growth in mathematics!
Term 1 Assessment Tasks
Year Level Assessment Task Due Dates:
- Year 7 Number Theory and Integers Week 11
- Year 8 Pythagoras' Theorem and Percentages & Financial Maths Week 10
- Year 9 Right-Angled Trigonometry Week 9
- Year 10 Trigonometry Week 10
GAME-SMART
The 'Game Smart' workshop was developed by CALM Inc and Gamble Aware Hunter New England to raise awareness about the risks of gambling and the relationship between gambling and gaming to enable young people to make informed choices.
Thank you to the facilitators who delivered the workshop today.
Mrs Jess Fulton - School Support Officer
YARN-UP BREAKFAST
Thankyou to all the wonderful students, families and staff who came along to our Yarn Up Breakfast in Week 4. It was fantastic to connect, catch up and set some goals for 2025. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will be working with their mentors on their Personalised Learning Plans this term. We look forward to another exciting year in culture at Whitebridge.
MALANG ACADEMY
We are off to a wonderful start to 2025 in the Malang Academy!
Yaayiin Class
In our Yaayiin class, we’ve had eight students start TAFE courses this term in various subjects including baking, automotive and animal care. Students are adjusting well to the adult learning environment that TAFE provides, preparing them for life after school.
Tunang Class
To kick off 2025, Tunang class are sharpening their minds and strategic thinking skills through the Whitebridge High School Chess Club. Every Friday, students come together in the library to learn tactics, enhance problem-solving abilities, and build friendships. With friendly competitions and expert guidance, the club fosters a supportive environment where everyone can hone their abilities. We hope to see this positive participation continue throughout the year!
Waaling Class
This year Waaling class love Fridays because Toby, our 'Approved School Support Dog' comes to our classroom for pats, hugs and a walk around the oval. This has encouraged lots of laughter, positive friendships and a calm classroom.
Waakan Class
In Week 5 our Year 7’s went on school camp and engaged in lots of fun activities ranging from swimming, canoeing, camp cooking while making new friends. In the classroom we have been creating individual interest-based art works to hang up in our learning space.
Keyarapai Class
The Keyarapai class is excited to embark on a creative journey as we begin work on our collaborative painting! This project will not only allow us to express our individual artistic talents but also to work together as a team, sharing ideas and inspiration. The Keyarapai boys have been enjoying periods of calm, relaxing painting and are excited to fill our back wall with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inspired art.
Booyaan Class
In the Booyaan class, we have been working on some growth mindset activities in Skills for Life and learning about the benefits of positive self-talk including developing a growth mindset. We have also been learning about 'Pirates and the High Seas' in Focus Study while designing pirate flags.
Pipita
Students from the Pipita class have been creating artworks inspired by the artist ‘Mulga’. They have created their mixed media artworks using acrylic paints, textas and pencils. Students are applying their problem-solving skills by completing Mathematics problems using the Mathspace program.
In Week 5 students from the Malang Academy attended the Newcastle Show. Their behaviour was exemplary while they gathered ideas for their $20 Boss projects.
SOCCER
The Whitebridge High School Open Boys Soccer team has kicked off their Puma Cup campaign in dominant fashion, showcasing their high level of skill, discipline, and teamwork. Coming off an incredible run last year, where they finished second in the state, the boys showed they are once again a force to be reckoned with.
In their first match, they secured a commanding 7-0 victory over Muswellbrook, followed by an even stronger 9-0 win against West Wallsend. With a total of 16 goals scored and an impenetrable defense that never looked like conceding, the team demonstrated their quality at both ends of the pitch.
Beyond their impressive results, the boys displayed outstanding sportsmanship and a great attitude throughout the day. Their hard work and commitment set a strong foundation for another exciting Puma Cup campaign ahead.