Byron Breeze tERM 2 | wEEK 4 2025

This year, World Bee Day fell on Tuesday 20 May. The day raises awareness of the importance of protecting bees and other pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to a sustainable future.

Did you know that here at Byron Bay High School we have our own bee hives... and we also extract and sell our own honey?

Introducing the BBHS Bee Club

On Monday 12 May, our Bee Club students took part in an exciting incursion, diving into the hive structure, basic beekeeping care, pest ID and control, safety and hygiene protocols, and hands-on hive inspections. Students learnt responsible and sustainable beekeeping practices by taking on key roles in pest management, collecting honey frames, and also honey extraction.

This week we were thrilled to share the fruits of their labour! In line with celebrating and raising awareness for National Bee Day, the Bee Club sold jars of their own school-farmed honey for $10 each at the school office.

The jars were very popular and sold out in 1 day! All proceeds will go towards helping the club purchase new equipment and make repairs to our bee suits.

We’re also asking families who bought some honey to please support our mission to be as sustainable as possible and return the jars to school once empty, so we can reuse them.

Thank you for your continued support!

The BBHS Bee Club

Year 6 to 7 Transition

Year 6 students attended their first Taster Day at BBHS!

A huge thank you to all the partner primary schools that joined us for our first Taster Day for the Year 7 2026 cohort! It was a wonderful opportunity to welcome the Year 6 students as they experienced their very first taste of high school life.

From hands-on science experiments to creative arts projects, woodworking, and making music – the afternoon was full of energy, curiosity, and new connections.

We’d especially like to thank our incredible staff who made the day so memorable for these students:

• Mr Tim Sawyer – Woodwork
• Mr Tim Baker – Music
• Ms Grace Cuell – Art
• Ms Ash Hall – Science

Thank you also to Mrs Charlotte Connell and Ms Sarah McGregor, our dedicated Year 7 2026 Advisors, and to Ms Annie Murray for coordinating the Year 10 student leaders who guided and supported our Year 6 visitors throughout the day. Their kindness, confidence, and leadership helped our visiting students feel welcomed and at ease.

We’re now looking forward to welcoming Year 6 students from Byron Bay Public School and the Byron Community Primary School for our 2nd Taster Day on Tuesday 28 May.

Mr Murray Cronin - Deputy Principal

2025 Athletics Carnival

The "backyard edition"

Unbelievable! After weeks of rain, the sun showed up on Tuesday, just in time for our 2025 Athletics Carnival. It was a fantastic day where the entire school turned into one giant PE lesson and every area of the school was alive with activity.

There were races, jumps, throws, and even a bounce or two as students gave it their all in our “backyard edition” of the carnival. The Year 12s were absolute legends, keeping everyone fueled with their mouth-watering treat stall, while tunes from the school bands brought the good vibes to life.

Despite a last-minute change of venue, we managed to get through most events – with some outstanding results.

It was great to see our Year 7’s involved in all events and keen to show us what they were capable of, in particular dominating the Tug of War... that was until the Year 12’s showed up with some back up from teachers, and possibly a few extras. It was a controversial win with all video evidence weirdly destroyed.

Big shout out to our Gumboot toss 'Long Jump' event... due to having no long jump pit at school, students challenged each other with the biggest throw of the farmers' shoe wear instead.

Congratulations to our Gumboot Champion for 2025 - Journey K!

Our King and Queen of the Track competition saw the fastest runner in each age group face-off against each other, and then the winner of this went on to compete in the Champion race. The final 4 went down to Atticus M, Camden W , Harley D and Rosie P. The Queen of the Track was awarded to Harley D (Year 7), and The King of the Track went to Atticus M (Year 12).

The overall Champion of the Track 2025 was Atticus M!

Thanks to all the parents and students who continue to support days like this at school - they are an important part of building connections and culture within the school.

As much fun as it was at school, we look forward to heading back to the Cavanbah Centre next year.

Our FNC Athletics Carnival qualifiers are the Top 2 competitors in each age group, plus the Top 4 in the 100m. These students qualify for the FNC Carnival on 17 June at the Walter Peate Oval, Cudgen. Parents/carers, please keep an eye out for an email with all the consent and payment details.

Still to come...

We’ll be completing the 200m, 400m, and Long Jump events ASAP. If your child was at school on Tuesday 20 May and wants to try out for FNC representation in these events, please encourage them to pop into the PE office and register!

And don’t forget – the best stories of the day? They’re all in the photos.

A special mention goes out to Ms Wilson, Darwin and Harry who took all the great photos on the day.

Mrs Kelley Caoyonan - Sports Organiser

HSIE news

Our local waterways

What better place than here, what better time than now!

Last week, students studying Senior Geography fully embraced the opportunity to get out of the classroom and into the local area. Enduring the rainfall, they were literally immersed in the life of a drainage basin and spent time studying waterfalls at Killen Falls, and our water supply with a visit to Rous Water at Dunoon and Rocky Creek Dam.

The group stayed overnight at Dorroughby Environmental Education Centre and woke early to catch the high tide at Mullumbimby the following day. They spent time kayaking down the river taking measurements of the channel width and depth to better understand the ways rivers change from their source to mouth.

At each location students tested the water quality and began to see the impacts of human activity in the river catchment, from farming to urbanisation and recent flooding.

The final part of the excursion was a stop at a regenerative macadamia farm, who are using sustainable practices to successfully grow commercial macadamia crops. The importance of such practice was not lost on the students who identified many species of birds and insects, thriving in their natural habitat.

The skills and techniques and experience of working outside that students acquired over the course of the excursion will really help them next term when they begin their Geographical Investigations.

Thank you to the Year 11 students who made the days so enjoyable and the support of Ms Mast whose scientific knowledge and approach enhanced the students' experience. Thank you also to Harry G for taking the photos, as well as Tamlin and Cindy from DECC who contributed their expertise and support.

Data recording took place at each site using some specialised and expensive equipment to get accurate results. The river flowing near Rocky Creek Dam allowed students to see a relatively undisturbed part of the river system.

Luckily the sun was out for the paddle down river where the students used a combination of low and hi-tech tools to measures aspect of the river.

At the regenerative macadamia farm students observed the healthy and diverse ecosystem, they also attached some bee larvae to the trees to help increase the number of natural pollinators on the site.

Mr Stuart Galletly-Salisbury - Head Teacher HSIE

Why turning off outdoor lights at night matters

An important environmental reminder from our HSIE faculty

Have you ever left your outside lights on overnight without thinking twice? It might seem harmless, but too much artificial light at night can seriously affect our environment, especially our native insect population.

🐛 Insects Need the Dark

Outdoor lights attract and confuse many insects, drawing them away from their natural behaviours. In Australia, species like the Bogong moth, Christmas beetle, and Emperor Gum moth are particularly affected. These insects rely on darkness for migration, feeding, and mating. When they're lured into the glow of porch or street lights, they become disoriented, often circling lights until they die from exhaustion or are eaten by predators.

Fewer insects may sound like a good thing at first, but they play a vital role in pollinating plants and providing food for birds and other wildlife. It's a chain reaction that weakens entire ecosystem. Reducing light pollution helps keep ecosystems healthy and in balance.

💡 Save Energy, Save Money

There’s also a financial incentive to flip the switch. Outdoor lights left on overnight can add up on your electricity bill, especially over time. A single outdoor light running 10 hours every night can cost over $50 a year in electricity. Multiply that by multiple lights, and it adds up fast.

By simply turning off lights when they’re not needed—or better yet, installing motion sensor lights—you can significantly cut down on energy costs.

Sensor lights only turn on when movement is detected, which means you still have safety and security without wasting electricity.

Another bonus? You’ll also be doing your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The less energy we use, the fewer fossil fuels are burned to create electricity. It's a small change, but when a whole community participates, it adds up to real progress.

• Regular outdoor light (always on) = $50
• Light on a timer = $20
• Motion sensor light = $10

By simply turning off your outside lights—or setting them on a schedule—you’re helping native wildlife and reducing your carbon footprint. It’s a small action with a big impact.

Let’s be light responsible and be part of a brighter future—by embracing the dark.

BBHS Human Society and its Environment (HSIE) Faculty

Out of school sport success!

Amelia W represents the FNC in hockey

Recently, Year 7 student Amelia W was selected in the Far North Coast Hockey Association Under 14 representative girls field hockey team. The team competed at the NSW/ACT State Field Hockey Championships in Grafton. Representative teams from across the state played in 3 divisions, with Amelia playing in Division 1, the highest ranking division.

While the Far North Coast team didn’t walk away championship winners, Amelia most certainly played her heart out as a striker.

Teams came from across the state including Bathurst, Orange, Parkes, Canberra, and Sydney and the ACT to compete.

Congratulations Amelia! We look forward to following your hockey journey.

Can your family host a Japanese student?

Seeking BBHS families to host Japanese students in Term 3

We are seeking 7 families to host Japanese students from Okutama from Sunday 27 July to Wednesday 6 August. This is a unique and valuable cultural experience that we offer each year and will involve Byron Bay High School families hosting a Japanese student in their home.

Students who host will be invited to a variety of fun excursions and events, and host families will also receive a small payment to assist with the cost of hosting the student.

If you are interested in finding our more about this initiative please email Mr Humphreys through our school office: byronbay-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Mr Harry Humphreys - PDHPE teacher

Library news

Year 10 news

Higher School Certificate (HSC) minimum standard

Information for Year 10 parents and carers

The introduction of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) minimum standard policy by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) means students in NSW need to demonstrate a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy to receive their Higher School Certificate (HSC) credential.

Year 10 students will sit the HSC minimum standard tests in the three domains of reading, writing and numeracy. The tests will be conducted within the Year 10 Preparing For Success (PFS) classes. Each online test is 45 minutes in length and is structured as follows:

• a multiple-choice test for reading
• a multiple-choice test for numeracy
• a test for writing (up to 500 words) based on a written or visual prompt

Students need to achieve a Level 3 or 4 in all 3 testing domains to achieve the HSC minimum standard. This means that students who demonstrate the standard have the basic functional skills used in everyday life, for work and further study.

If a student plans to leave school before completing the HSC, the minimum standard test results can be used to demonstrate their level of literacy and numeracy. There is no cost to sit for the tests.

Students have multiple opportunities each year to sit these online tests, from Year 10 until the end of Year 12. There are waiting periods between re-attempting each test.

Students will be supported by the school to meet the HSC minimum standard. There will be practice tests conducted at school and demonstration questions are also available online on the NESA website:

If your child has access to extra provisions for assessment tasks, they have also been offered for the HSC minimum standard tests.

Please access this link to the NESA website or contact Ms Leanne Croft, Curriculum Advisor for more information.

Year 12 fundraising raffle

Buy your tickets outside Woolworths tomorrow, Saturday 24 May

Our Year 12 students will be outside Woolworths Byron Bay tomorrow, Saturday 24 May, from 1 - 4 pm selling raffle tickets. If you haven't already bought your tickets, please come along and support our Year 12s as they raise money for their Formal.

With prizes donated from very generous local businesses from across the Northern Rivers, this raffle is NOT to be missed!

Tickets are for sale in NSW and QLD and can be purchased here:

• Tickets are priced at $5 each, or
• 3 tickets for $12,
• 5 tickets for $20,
• 10 tickets for $35,
• 20 tickets for $65,
• 50 tickets for $125

The raffle will be drawn on 4 July 2025. We thank you for supporting Year 12 2025!

From the Canteen

We are so lucky at Byron Bay High School to have a wonderful canteen that provides healthy and delicious food options for students. Our canteen is open for breakfast (8:40 am to 9:00 am), recess and lunch.

The canteen accepts cash or card. If paying by card, students will need to bring in a physical EFTPOS/credit card as cards on mobile phones are not accepted.

Items can be purchased by lining up at the canteen during the breaks, or to avoid the lines, students can place an order at the beginning of the day. We recommend that students pre-order specials for recess or lunch as they often sell out quickly.

To place an order, students should visit the canteen before 9 am and fill out their choices on a paper bag.

From the Careers Advisor

Important information for Year 12 students interested in applying to universities in NSW, ACT, QLD and Victoria.

UAC

Universities Admissions Centre - NSW and the ACT