The Lyrebird

At Government house, they met the Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable Andrew Bell AC, over a cuppa and were able to ask questions about his role and that of the Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC. At Government House, while we realized we would “never be royals”, we did have the opportunity to sit on Queen Elizabeth's sofa, purchased for Her Majesty's visit in 1954. Harriet found one of the first grand pianos built in NSW and was able to play one of her original tunes. Our tour guide let us know that David Helfgott OAM had also played the historic instrument. As our captains are both performers, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Opera House as well.

It was a great pleasure to travel with these exceptional students.

Rewards and Awards

Attendance awards

Each term, 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.

This term's recipients of the Excellence in Attendance are Year 7 students Aleea Thompson and Janali Anson.

Table Tennis winner and Winning House for this term

English & Debating

Mullumbimby High School’s Senior Debating Team has had a fantastic run in the Premier’s debating challenge in 2026. In recent debates, the team has progressed through our local and regional debates with perception, sophisticated argument and flawless delivery. On Thursday 21 May, Mullumbimby came up against the challenging team of Turramurra High School on Sydney’s leafy North Shore. The topic ‘That professional sports players who commit crimes should be banned’ created a highly technical debate that saw the adjudicator deliberate for a considerable time. MHS was arguing the affirmative side with Hazel Beaton establishing a strong model that would see only sportspeople who had committed an ‘indictable’ offense banned, attempting to soften a law that technically could see a person banned for jaywalking or a traffic infringement. Hazel spoke with clarity and coherence about the ongoing influence sportspeople have on young people, making the adroit point that no one wants a murderer on their cereal box. Juliette Adlard started slowly but in her customary way she came home with a wet sail with some excellent rebuttal to the negative’s case. Eleanor Sena as our third speaker was extremely strong slicing through the negative’s argument with a razor and a smile. Eleanor’s delivery that is both cutting and calm has been a challenge for most teams in this competition. After an eternity for adjudication the team went down in a very narrow loss based on the technical model which tried to expand the definition of what is a ‘crime’; however, I could not see any other way out unless we think that a ‘jaywalking’ offence should see Sam Kerr banned for life. A huge thank you to our team advisor Scarlett Clifford for her organization and deep thinking. The senior debaters will now start training our Year 7 debaters. We have nearly four teams and the future of debating is looking bright at MHS.

English & Drama

Just before the winter solstice, our Year 10 and 12 Drama students travelled to Brisbane to attend the QPAC Theatre in Southbank. The cultural experience was both nourishing and invigorating for our young and emerging artists.

Year 8 English students

Year 8 English classes have been working their way through a new collaborative program between the drama and English faculties. The new program, written by Marisa McEwan and Head teacher English, James Clarke seeks to bring the play form to life through dramatic recreations. Utilizing the Andrea James play ‘Sunshine super girl’ students have been learning the features of the dramatic form, such as set design, lighting, movement and dramatic monologues to name a few. Students, whilst reluctant at first have been really blossoming in their confidence and producing some incredible work.

The dramatic monologues written by the students have been detailed, insightful and reveal strong knowledge of drama and the human spirit. Their small productions from the play have accentuated how creative and playful Mullumbimby High school students can be. The English and drama faculties have likewise been enjoying the collaboration that this program has brought and look forward to our new year 8 class next term.

Year 11 learn Life Ready Skills in Kunghur

Year 11 Life Ready students travelled to Kunghur to participate in the bush survival skills element of disaster survival program Plan C. Team Leader, Scott Poad from Rewild, took them through how to make fire, snake bite first aid, how to make a shelter and water purification.

Everyone made it home with lots of new skills and demonstrated great teamwork. Thank you Plan C and Rewild! And to our awesome students.

Year 12 Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation students at Boogarem Falls

Our Year 12 Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation students recently wrapped up their Outdoor Education unit with a trip to Boogarem Falls, taking in the incredible views across Mullumbimby and Byron Bay. Meanwhile, students in Years 8–10 have been enjoying their sport afternoons by trying their luck fishing locally, with some impressive catches including flathead and mulloway. Great to see our students getting outdoors, developing new skills, and making the most of the amazing environment we have in the Northern Rivers!

Sports Results

School Athletics Carnival In a welcome change, the sun shone brightly for our School Athletics Carnival, providing perfect conditions for a fantastic day of competition. Students showcased their talents across a range of track and field events, demonstrating skill, determination, and school spirit. While the ever-popular tug-of-war drew the biggest crowd and plenty of enthusiastic participation, there were also some outstanding performances in our competitive events throughout the day. Congratulations to all students who placed in the top two of their events and have now qualified for the Far North Coast Athletics Carnival at Cudgen on Tuesday 23 June. A special mention to our Age Champions for their exceptional performances, and to the Kurrajong House captains for their leadership and enthusiasm in guiding their team to victory in the overall house points score. Well done to all students for contributing to a positive and memorable carnival.

The following students were the MHS Athletics Age Champions and House points are below.

FNC Athletics Lily-Rose Newell 15 yrs - 1st in 800m, 1500m, 3000m Cruiz Winter 14yrs - 2nd in 800m  Harper Culbert 12 years - Age Champion, 1st in Discus, Long jump, 2nd in 200m, 3rd in 100m.  Cooper Bird 17 yrs - 1st in 100m, 200m, Relay Zac Boyle 15 yrs - 1st in 400m Finn McKenzie 17 yrs - 1st in 400m,  relay, 4th 100m Charlie McKenzie 16 yrs - 2nd in 1500m Sol Connell 12 yrs - 1st in Shot put, Long jump, 2nd in 100m,  Decklan Miller 2nd in 100m, Long Jump Esiaha Bridges Hentzsch 17yrs - Relay, 2nd in Long jump, Triple jump. Gab McGregor 12yrs - 1st in High jump Maisy Hickling 16 yrs - 1st in Discus, 2nd in Shot put Taya Mann 13yrs - 1st in Discus Lulu Petersen Lyne - 2nd in Discus Janali Anson 13 yrs - 1st in javelin Nash Kane 14yrs - 2nd in javelin Rumi Ryabinin 16yrs - 1st in javelin Milo Land 17 yrs - relay Alyssa James 17 yrs - 1st in Javelin

Tennis

Male Tennis Players: Jaegar Lindsay, Reuben Staples, Theo Sena, Wilbur MacKenzie-George. Female Tennis Players: Juliette Adlard, Zilla Wolff, Aleea Thompson, Lulu Peterson Lyne

Netball

A huge congratulations to our MHS Year 7/8 Girls Netball Team who made the FINAL of the Netball NSW Schools Cup in Tweed Heads. We defeated St Joseph's College Banora, Kingscliff High School, Xavier Catholic College and Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School throughout the day.

Girls Futsal

Congratulations to the MHS 14s Girls Futsal Team who defeated Kingscliff High School and Foxwell State Secondary College at the South-East QLD Futsal Championships at Coomera on Tuesday 5 May. Secret Squirrel was the difference.

Agriculture

This semester the Junior and Senior Support classes have enjoyed a range of projects and activities at the Ag farm and the Mullumbimby Farmers Market. A big thanks to our Ag farm assistant Peter Cairns for his help and guidance.

Hospitality

Our hospitality students have been busy developing their practical skills and producing some impressive culinary creations this term. Students have demonstrated excellent attention to detail and customer service skills while preparing a range of quality coffees, showcasing their growing confidence and professionalism in the café environment. Students have also been refining their baking techniques, producing delicious lemon meringue pies that highlighted their skills in pastry preparation, presentation and teamwork. Their dedication and pride in their work have resulted in some outstanding products.

Meanwhile, our Year 11 hospitality students are currently undertaking work placement, gaining valuable experience in a range of hospitality settings. This industry experience provides students with the opportunity to apply their classroom learning in real-world environments, while developing essential workplace skills and building connections with local employers.

Biology

On 11 June, the biology students finally found a break in the swell and weather to have a beautiful sunny day to conduct their yearly assessment of the flora and fauna of the rock platform at Flat Rock. The students used their ecological mapping skills to obtain a snapshot of the marine diversity that is hidden to most of us. The students recorded a wobbegong shark, octopus, sea hares, sea urchins and many molluscs.

Year 11 Marine Studies

This term our Year 11 Marine Studies students have completed their Open Water Diver certification through PADI with the outstanding Sundive crew in Byron Bay. Both groups worked exceptionally well as they completed all the practical components of the course. Please have a look at the marine life they were able to get up close to in these two videos below. A big congratulations to our students who pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and chased down a new experience.

Musical Achievements and Community Connections at Mullumbimby High

Term Two at Mullumbimby High School has been filled with creativity, collaboration, and musical growth. Across all year groups, students have continued to develop their skills in performance, composition, and aural analysis, while also sharing their music with the school and wider community.

Year 7: Building Foundations in Music

Our Year 7 students have continued developing their keyboard and guitar skills, focusing on both melody and chord work. Students have shown increasing confidence in practical lessons and class performances, with many demonstrating significant progress in coordination, musical understanding, and performance technique. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm for music continue to grow throughout the term.

Year 8: Blues, Rock, and Musical Exploration

Year 8 students have explored the rich traditions of Blues and Rock music. Through studying characteristic rhythms, structures, and performance styles, they have developed a stronger understanding of these influential genres. Their work on keyboard, guitar, and ensemble tasks has highlighted both creativity and technical growth, and many students have embraced opportunities to perform and collaborate with their peers.

Years 9, 10, 11 and 12: Performance, Composition and HSC Preparation

Our senior music students have continued to refine their performance and compositional skills through solo work, small ensembles, and class performances. Students have worked on arranging repertoire, developing original compositions, and strengthening their understanding of musical concepts through listening and analysis activities. Year 9 and 10 students have explored Australian Music through performance and research projects, developing an appreciation for the diverse artists and styles that have shaped Australia’s musical identity. Year 11 students have continued building their performance and composition skills while preparing for the demands of senior study. Year 12 students have been focused on preparing for their HSC Music performances and assessments. Their dedication, persistence and commitment to rehearsal have been evident throughout the term, and they continue to represent the high standards of the Mullumbimby High School Music Department.

Community Connections and Looking Ahead

Music students have continued to support school and community events through a range of performances and collaborative projects. Their willingness to perform, rehearse and encourage one another has helped create a positive and inclusive musical culture across the school. A special highlight this term has been Harriet Killips achieving second place in the prestigious Australian Children's Music Foundation Songwriting Competition. This outstanding achievement in a highly competitive national event reflects the creativity, skill and dedication demonstrated by our senior music students and is a wonderful accomplishment for Harriet. The Music Department is now looking ahead to the Term Three Mullumbimby High Music Night, where students from across the school will have the opportunity to share their talents with the wider community. We are excited to celebrate the achievements of our young musicians and look forward to another term of inspiring performances, creative work and musical success.

Biggest Morning Tea

Mullumbimby High School was proud to support the Mullumbimby Biggest Morning Tea in aid of the Cancer Council, with three outstanding students volunteering their time to help make the event a success. Throughout the morning, the students assisted with preparing and serving a variety of delicious food and refreshments to members of the community. They also helped serve tea and coffee, ensuring guests felt welcome and well looked after.

Adding to the warm atmosphere, the students entertained attendees by playing music on the piano throughout the event, creating an enjoyable and relaxed environment for everyone present. Most importantly, these young people demonstrated the values of kindness, service and community spirit. Their willingness to give their time, work hard and engage positively with community members reflected exceptionally well on Mullumbimby High School.

Film and Video

Three of our Year 11 Film students — Billy Russo, Phoenix Dwyer and Joshua Griffith — were invited to film the annual Aviation Expo in Ballina. This exciting opportunity provided valuable hands-on experience in a real-world production environment, allowing the students to apply their skills in a professional setting. The boys were outstanding ambassadors for both the school and our unique Film and Video elective, which gives students the opportunity to gain practical industry experience while developing their creative and technical expertise.

Our Year 10 Film students have recently completed their class music video to Party Rock Anthem. Transforming a school corridor into an improvised disco set, students made creative use of costumes, sequins and glitter sourced from our studio costume department to bring their vision to life. Throughout the project, students took responsibility for every stage of production, including scripting, choreography, directing and editing. This production experience has helped develop their creative and technical skills, preparing them for the independent music video projects they will undertake next term. Stay tuned for a screening later this year.

Eight fortunate students from the Year 10 and Year 11 Film classes recently attended the annual Screen Futures Seminar and Workshops in Lennox Head, where they explored a range of exciting career pathways within the film and screen industry. Throughout the event, students participated in hands-on workshops and presentations covering screenwriting, costume and set design, special effects makeup, acting and auditioning, drone operation for film production, and sound design. The experience provided valuable industry insights and inspired students to further develop their creative and technical skills in filmmaking.

Mathematics

Our Year 11 Advanced Mathematics students are not only learning Trigonometry but Teamwork and Presentation Skills.

World Environment Day

Our school environmental awareness team recently did a great job in running a cake stall on World Environment Day. Some of the funds raised will go towards future environmental projects at school, and some of the funds were donated to a local tree planting organisation. The environmental team and our Principal, Ms Harvey-Bice, were also judges in a ‘Trashion’ fashion design and catwalk task with Ms Mullane’s Year 9 Textiles class. Thanks to everyone at school and home who helped support the environmental awareness team with these events!'

Inclusive Education

The Inclusive Education faculty has been taking the students to many wonderful excursions the past months. From the lighthouse to a game at the bowling alley or celebrating Cairo's birthday. They also farewelled Matilda who has moved to Melbourne.

Careers

On Friday 12 June, Jinja Jones and India Willis attended the TAFE EPP Start Your Future Automotive course. The task on the day was to undo these compressor pumps and re-assemble it. They passed with flying colours!

Hands on Learning

Our new Hands-On Learning Precinct is an exciting and evolving space designed to provide students with opportunities to learn through practical, real-world experiences. Centered around two repurposed shipping containers, the precinct is being developed as a dedicated hub for hands-on learning, creativity, skill development and student engagement.

The first container has been established as a functional workshop where students can safely access tools, materials and project space while developing confidence, teamwork and practical skills. This marks the beginning of a larger vision for the precinct, which will continue to grow through a range of student-led projects focused on construction, sustainability, environmental stewardship and biodiversity. The precinct will serve as a foundation for future initiatives, creating meaningful learning opportunities while fostering a strong sense of ownership, pride and connection within the school community.

Where are they now?

We always get very excited when we hear from ex-students. It is encouraging for both teachers and students alike to find out which roads our ex-students have chosen to thread. Make sure to keep in touch. Send us some pictures or stories of your accomplishments.

A message from Marielou Baudouin from the USA

"Hey, it's Marielou here. I graduated from Mullumbimby high in 2024. I am currently competing at a D1 college* in the United States. I played 1.5 years at the school of Western Michigan and I am now looking for a new opportunity somewhere else in the USA. I’m about to sign with my new school Missouri State and commence my remaining 2 years of college there. I’m studying exercise science to hopefully become a Physiotherapist back in Australia. I’m so grateful for the opportunities Mullumbimby high school has provided me and I will continue to chase my goals to become a pro player!"

* In the USA, a D1 school (short for Division I) is the highest level of competition in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). More than 190,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA sports each year, according to NCAA.