THE LYREBIRD Term 4 | 2025 | Mullumbimby High School's Term Magazine | Celebrating All That's Happened!

Year 9 Year 9 have been delving into the world of crime fiction and have become experts and identifying the codes and conventions of the genre. We have read classic crime fiction extracts and viewed crime fiction films, culminating in a persuasive film review. “Whatever people say, there is right. There is wrong. There is nothing in-between.”

Year 10 Earlier this term, Year 10 completed their RoSA exam to great success. Post exam, classes have been completing a classic novel study, exploring what the literary canon is, who is included and why. They’ve had a crash course in how to apply literary theories to their chosen novel and have written a literature review of their text. Understanding and applying critical literary theories is certainly a challenge and students have risen to the occasion. We think they will transition spectacularly into Stage 6. Well done Year 10.

Year 12 Congratulations to our cohort of Year 12s who have just completed their first term of their chosen English course. Crazy to think term one of year 12 has finished! Everyone is evolving into the Year 12 mindset of learning, studying and completing assessments. This is commendable considering the rest of the school is winding down for the year, but our 12s must maintain their focus and energy for learning.   The Advanced English group have completed an in depth analysis of how Arthur Miller’s allegorical play, The Crucible, explores individual and collective human experiences, whilst comparing and contrasting it to a text of their choosing. This was accompanied by engaging and professional presentations of their findings to the class.   The Standard English classes have been exploring the individual and collective human experience in Favel Parrett’s Past the Shallows composing an in depth analytical essay as well as a recorded multi-modal presentation.   The English Studies group have also been studying the human experiences portrayed in the classic film Billy Elliot. They have responded to this text with an analytical essay.

Technological & Applied Studies (TAS)

Food Technology

It’s a wrap for 2025 in Food Technology! The kitchens are officially closed after a dynamic and productive year across all year groups. We wish you a safe holiday season.

Year 8 students completed the Trip of a Lifetime unit, exploring global cuisines through hands-on cooking experiences. They finished the year by designing and preparing a pizza inspired by international flavours and ingredients, bringing their global culinary journey to a delicious conclusion.

Year 9 students wrapped up the Food in Australia unit by designing and baking their own cross-cultural pies, showcasing creativity and thoughtful flavour pairings. They then explored Food Product Development, investigating how food products are marketed and the economic and social factors that drive companies to adapt or rebrand products. This unit concluded with a practical assessment where students developed and presented their own version of loaded fries.

We farewell our Year 10 students as they move into their senior studies and new electives—we will certainly miss their energy and enthusiasm. This semester, students completed two major units: Food Service and Catering, and Food Equity. They explored affordable and nutritious options for food truck-style catering, preparing a range of impressive salads and cooked dishes on a shoestring budget. All the delectable food was presented to restaurant quality and attention to detail and flavours. The semester concluded with their RoSA practical assessment, where they prepared Pad Thai, followed by a theory exam covering key learning from the past two years.

Music in the junior support class

As part of their Music program this year, the Junior Support class were fortunate enough to have some of our talented students come along to perform and tutor them. We would like to give a huge thank you to Bonnie, Malia, Maayan, Charlie Mc, Alex, Talon, Reuben S, Harriet, Elijah F, and Kaelan T for sharing their skills and time with us. Also, much appreciation to Gary for helping to make this happen.

A highlight of the event was the opportunity to collaborate with peers from across the five Tweed Valley schools. Many students found comfort and motivation in realising that others were navigating the same early challenges — from generating ideas for their Body of Work to understanding the expectations of the HSC course. Teachers guided students with activities that linked artmaking practice to the frames and conceptual framework, encouraging them to analyse artworks closely and think critically about artistic intentions. Surrounded by the inspiring architecture and exhibitions of the Tweed Regional Gallery, students were prompted to reflect on their own emerging concepts and possible directions for their Body of Work. Described as both enjoyable and enlightening, Kickstart provided a meaningful and energising start to the HSC year. Students returned with renewed focus, strengthened confidence, and a clearer sense of direction as they begin developing their own creative responses.

Year 9 Visual Art: a work in progress

Year 9 Visual Art students are currently transforming both sides of a massive school tunnel into an immersive underwater world, inspired by Australian native marine wildlife. Even in its developing stages, the large-scale mural creates the illusion of walking through an aquarium tunnel, with layers of colour, marine forms and flowing movement surrounding viewers as the ocean comes to life. These progress works highlight the creative process behind large-scale collaborative artmaking. Students are experimenting with scale, composition and texture, learning how individual ideas come together to form a unified visual outcome across such an expansive space. The mural reflects not only growing technical skill, but also imagination, teamwork and problem-solving in action. Visual Arts is an exciting and dynamic subject where students learn by doing—testing ideas, refining techniques and watching their concepts evolve in real time.

This ambitious work-in-progress offers a glimpse into the creativity, energy and commitment that underpin Visual Art in our school.

Musical Performance Highlights

As we reach the end of the year, students in Music have been working hard and engaging with a wide variety of musical styles and ideas. It has been a pleasure to see their creativity and confidence develop throughout their lessons.

This term has seen a number of outstanding musical performances both within the school and across the wider community. Students proudly represented the school at community events including the Mullumbimby Show and Carols by the River, where their performances were warmly received and showcased the talent and dedication of our young musicians. We are especially proud of our School Captain, Harriet Killips, who recently performed at Mullumbimby Primary School’s Musical Showcase, inspiring younger students with her musicianship and confidence. Harriet has also achieved an exceptional individual success, receiving second place in the prestigious Australian Children’s Music Foundation National Songwriting Competition. As part of this achievement, she has won a full day recording in the Australian Institute of Music’s Sydney studio with a professional sound engineer, along with a $1,000 music scholarship. Year 7 students explored Spanish guitar alongside the musical element of texture. They learned how different layers of sound work together to create a piece of music and developed their listening and performance skills by exploring melody, accompaniment, and rhythm. Students showed a growing understanding of how musical texture can change the mood and character of a piece. Year 8 focused on what makes a successful hook in music and examined hip-hop culture as both a musical genre and a cultural movement. They explored how hooks are used to make music memorable and studied the key features of hip-hop, including rhythm, lyrics, and production techniques. Students demonstrated excellent creativity and insight when analysing songs and developing their own musical ideas. Students in our Elective Music classes developed their composition and performance skills by creating and recording original music on their chosen instrument, working as soloists or in small ensembles. Each composition included at least two contrasting sections and was developed through rehearsal and refinement.

The final recordings showcased a wide range of styles and highlighted students’ creativity, teamwork, and growing confidence as musicians.

Our senior students have made a strong start to their HSC Music course this term, completing their first assessment task. This involved performing a piece of their choosing and presenting a ten-minute viva voce, in which they discussed a chosen piece of music and demonstrated their understanding of the musical concepts involved. Students showed great commitment and confidence in meeting the demands of senior music study, and we are very proud of their efforts as they begin their HSC journey. As we look ahead to next year, we are excited about the opportunities that await our students across the Creative and Performing Arts. We are already looking forward to showcasing their talent and hard work at next year’s CAPA Showcase, which promises to be another celebration of creativity, collaboration, and excellence. We thank our students for their commitment this year and look forward to another inspiring year of learning, performance, and artistic growth.

Film and Video

Northern Rivers Conservatorium Music School at Mullumbimby High School

Northern Rivers Conservatorium, in partnership with our school, is thrilled to continue bringing the joy of music to our students through the Music in Schools (MIS) 2026 program. This program gives your child the unique opportunity to enjoy individual music lessons right at school, during the school day—no extra travel, no extra stress! Music isn’t just fun—it’s powerful. It boosts brain development, fine motor skills, confidence, creativity, and even teamwork. These are skills that last a lifetime. If your child has enjoyed learning music this year don’t let the music stop! Or if your child would like to join our music program next year, secure their spot by enrolling for 2026 prior to Sunday the 11th of January. Spaces are limited, and early re-enrolment guarantees your child’s spot. Visit www.nrcac.edu.au

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

Inaugural High School bowls Trophy

Congratulations to the following team members who won the Inaugural High School Bowls Trophy on Thursday at the Ocean Shores Country Club.  A hot day in the sun requiring lots of concentration and team support. Congratulations to:  Jet Bolton, Marcus Collings, Cairo Garrett, Phoenix Dwyer, Aiden Gersh, Harry Graham, Reuben Morris, Chase Hall, Clancy Halloran, Marlow McAllister, James Muddle, Taylor Simpson, Beau Treveton, Leon Weir and Narayana Worland who willingly stepped in as a first time bowler to help out as our reserve. Mullumbimby High took out three individual places against Richmond River High: 1st place:  Jet, Clancy and Marcus 2nd place:  Beau, Chase and Harry 3rd place:  Taylor, Leon and James. Thank you, boys, for your fun team spirit and being committed to training and participation. Well done. -- Ms Karen Barnard and Bradley Connor

Girls Futsal

Once again, the Mullum Girls Futsal team has done the school and themselves proud. Considering this U/16 team has only two sixteen-year-old players, two fifteen-year-olds and the rest only fourteen just qualifying for the North Coast Finals is an achievement in itself. This was the fifth time in a row that we have had a girls' team in the finals, a huge effort, due to us being a relatively small school, that has always been built on commitment and hard work. This year's team was no exception. Playing the unknown quantity that was Lismore High in the semi-final our opposition started well and looked to be a potential threat but an early goal by Taminya Browning put us ahead and the girls turned up the heat coming away winners 9-2. A highlight of the match was Hazel Willis' scoring a great goal and producing a controlling first touch that would have even the most ardent football supporter applauding in appreciation. To the final we went against traditional foe Bellingen High, and in an appropriate result the two best teams on the North Coast, went at it in a truly great final. The teams went goal for goal to 2-2 then Bellingen went ahead 4-2, Mullum got back to 4-3 but Bellingen went ahead again 5-3 and that was the final result with Mullum throwing everything they could at Bellingen hitting the post twice in the last few minutes. Fantastic. A real final and congrats to Bellingen for finally getting one back off us. So many efforts from all the girls that I could fill the page but I must credit the two senior girls of the team in Zilla Wolff and Brooklyn Riddle who led this young team so well and were both shining examples of how to approach a challenge and how to behave in a manner representing the school and themselves wonderfully, you guys rock -- Brian Hedge

Mullumbimby High Shines at Beach Volleyball

Our Mullumbimby High beach volleyball teams donned their yellow and blue singlets and plenty of sunscreen for a picture-perfect day at Cudgen Beach. The highlight of the day was a thrilling match from our Junior Girls team, who battled all the way to the Far North Coast CHS Final, narrowly going down in a tight third set. Well done Mira, Mali, Maayan and Cleo. Every player showed great determination and improvement as the day went on, making it a fantastic day of volleyball for all involved. All teams represented the school with outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout the competition.

Outdoor Education camp

This term 19 of our Year 10 Outdoor Education students spent 2 nights camping at Lake Arragan, building real outdoor life skills and embracing new challenges! From planning and packing their own meals to setting up tents and cooking for themselves, the camp encouraged independence and resilience. Students also stepped up as leaders when they ran their own group problem-solving activities on the beach, working with peers they wouldn’t normally team up with. One of the biggest challenges of the trip was swimming across a river while guiding kayaks full of gear, demonstrating teamwork, clear communication and trust. A hike to Samson beach, rock-pool exploring, surfing and fishing rounded out an awesome trip focused on personal growth, leadership, and strengthening friendships.

Basketball

Many of the Mullumbimby High School basketball team players tested themselves in a fast-paced 3X3 basketball competition at Ballina - entering teams of 4 players from year 7, 8, 10 and 11. All teams had wins over the course of the day with a junior and senior team making it through to finals, only to be pipped at the post by Kingscliff and Tweed River. It was a day of fun and cheering played with good attitudes and respect for our teammates & opponents. Congratulations Gents, you made us proud. What a fun event. Thank you to our regional basketball development officer Lauren King for organising it.

Gymnastics in PDHPE

This term, students in Years 7–10 PDHPE have participated in a gymnastics unit designed to develop fundamental movement skills that transfer across a range of physical activities and sports. The focus was on key gymnastics elements including balance, strength, flexibility, coordination and agility. Students explored skills such as partner and group balances, handstands, cartwheels, and safe springing and landing techniques using mini trampolines. Lessons also provided many opportunities for students to engage both their bodies and minds through obstacle courses and problem-solving physical challenges. Overall, the unit encouraged confidence, cooperation and skill development in a supportive and active learning environment.

Sports Excellence Program

It’s been a huge term for our Year 7 Sports Excellence students

The term kicked off with strength-building weight-training sessions and an energising sprint-focused boot camp at Brunswick Heads Beach. Students pushed themselves through tyre drags and rolls across soft sand, sprinted in and out of the water during the team-based bucket challenge, and raced in individual sprint events. They also completed a theory-based nutrition seminar, followed by a hands-on workshop where they created performance smoothies tailored to the needs of a chosen athlete. The program wrapped up with a challenging bushwalk along the Minyon Falls track — hiking from the lookout to the base of the falls and then all the way back to the top. A great achievement for all involved! Well done to every student in the program. We’re incredibly proud of your commitment, growth and enthusiasm throughout the year!

Careers

Hospitality Discovery Day at Crystalbrook Resort in Byron

Mullumbimby High School Year 10 students recently had the opportunity to participate in an inspiring Hospitality Discovery Day through the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program, in partnership with Crystalbrook Byron. Coordinated by Senior Project Officer Tracy Bolt, the excursion introduced students to the diversity of career pathways available within the hospitality sector as they prepare to study Hospitality in Years 11 and 12.

Hosted by Crystalbrook’s HR Manager Vanessa Thompson (People and Culture Manager), students explored a range of operational areas, selecting activities in either front-of-house and housekeeping, or chef and kitchenhand roles. Under the welcoming guidance of Crystalbrook staff including Kat (Venue Manager), Helen (Executive Housekeeper) and Tiffany (executive chef), students engaged in hands-on learning and even prepared and served a delicious lunch of Wagyu beef burgers with hand cut chips and salad, followed by a decadent chocolate mousse to the group.

Throughout the day, students heard from employees across the resort about their career journeys, participated in mock interviews and a career Q&A, and were encouraged to apply for current employment opportunities. Several students will also be offered short courses and work experience placements as a result of their participation. TAS teacher Leah Samios reflected on the exceptional quality of the experience, noting that students were “thoroughly engaged in a well-paced, informative and hands-on day” and returned energised, even asking if excursions like this could happen every week. She highlighted the value of seeing hospitality in action within a dynamic, professional setting, helping students connect their classroom learning to real-world practice.

Many students expressed interest in future employment with Crystalbrook Byron.

Mullumbimby High School extends sincere thanks to Tracy from RIEP, Vanessa and the entire Crystalbrook team for providing such a meaningful and motivating experience for our students. -- Ms Leah Samios & Ms Leanne Clarkson

Careers Week for Year 10

During the last week of this term, our Year 10 students completed their Work Experience. We have some great photos to share, featuring students and the wonderful local businesses that welcomed them into their workplaces. A huge thank you to our new host employers; your support helps build their confidence, skills, and future pathways. We appreciate every workplace that partnered with us to make this week such a success!

University Excursion

Over two days, thirty one Year 12 2026 students enjoyed guided tours and exploring Southern Cross University, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), University of Queensland (UQ) and Bond University. They enjoyed the overnight stay at Leo College, giving them all an insight into University life. We are incredibly grateful to our Career’s Advisor Ms Clarkson for organising the tour. Students have come away inspired to see what lies ahead for them beyond school and the pathways available.

Year 10 and Year 12 Formals

Notes from the P&C

Trivia Night Success

Firstly, let's celebrate the success of our Trivia Night! It was a fantastic event, raising almost $4400, and we look forward to supporting our incredible wellbeing hub with funds raised. Thanks to all who attended, to Sharon, Amy, Tanya and Cindy for organising, to Jinky and Dottie for helping on the night, and especially to our trivia host extraordinaire Will Brennan. Aaron Madritsch and the TAS department have talked about constructing a bigger and better chocolate wheel (pressure/no pressure Aaron) for use at future events. We're eternally grateful to our prize sponsors. P & C funds, raised primarily through our volunteer run uniform shop, have again allowed us to make many wonderful contributions to the school this year. 

• An all-terrain wheelchair - 60 calculators for the maths faculty. Sixty calculators have already been delivered to the school, ready for the start of 2026.
• A tool shed for the inclusive education garden.
• subsidized state travel for many of our successful students who participated in events further afield.

A huge thank you to Dottie for managing the Uniform Shop and to all the volunteers who have supported open days. 

The Uniform Shop is seeking volunteers for the OPEN DAYS prior to the beginning of Term 1, 2026. If you can assist on the following dates – or on Mondays when the Shop is open during term time – please email Dottie: mullumuniforms@gmail.com

Uniform Shop Open Days

Wednesday, 28 January, 8:30am-12pm Thursday, 29 January, 8:30am-12pm Friday, 30 January, 8:30am-12pm Saturday, 31 January, 8:30am-12pm

Meeting Dates and AGM

Please note the following dates in your calendar for our P&C meetings next year.  Both meetings will be held at 5:30pm for a 5:45pm start, in the MHS Library: 

• P&C meeting: Monday 9 February 2026
• P&C meeting and AGM: Monday 9 March 2026

We welcome you all to join us. Thank you all for your commitment and support!

Community Announcements

All announcements shared here are only for your information.

The Richmond Tweed Regional Library Summer Reading Challenge runs from 1 December 2025 to 21 January 2026. Children and young people aged 0–18 can pick up a free activity booklet from any library branch and complete fun reading activities over the holidays. There are great prizes to be won, including the major prize (a Samsung tablet), family pool passes, and lots of bonus book prizes. Every activity completed earns an entry into the regular book draws and the major prize draw. Winners will be announced at the Summer Reading Finale Parties on Wednesday 21 January 2026—a free, family-friendly school-holiday event. Visit your local library to join in.