Byron Breeze tERM 4 | wEEK 9 2024

The items on these lists can be purchased from any stationery or department store. For your convenience, Book Packs can also be purchased online through local company Dolphin Office Choice:

2024 Presentation Day Assemblies

Celebrating Years 7 to 10 student achievements

On Tuesday 10 December we recognised our Junior student's outstanding efforts in 2024. With our school hall currently out of action due to renovations, our traditional Years 7 to 10 assembly looked a little different this year. We held smaller, Year group-based assemblies in our Performing Arts Centre (PAC).

During the assemblies we recognised students in the following categories:

• Principal's Award - for overall outstanding academic achievement
• Year Advisors Awards - for outstanding commitment or improved effort
• Sporting Excellence - Age Champions | Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country
• Sporting Commendations - for excellent achievement | Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country
• Merit Awards - for excellence or outstanding effort across individual subjects

Other special awards for exceptional achievement in 2024 include:

• Junior Sportspersons of the Year - exceptional sporting achievements in 2024
• Garrima Jagun Award - First Nation students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment
• Australian Defence Force | Future Innovators Award - Year 10
• Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award - Year 10

YEAR 7

YEAR 8

The Junior Sportsman of the Year title goes to Lawson K, an absolute weapon in the sporting arena! He claimed victory as both the Far North Coast and North Coast Swimming Champion in 2024. His outstanding performances continued at the NSW CHS State Swimming Championships, where he placed 2nd in the 50 Freestyle, 4th in the 100m freestyle, 5th in the 100m backstroke, 7th in the 100m fly and 200m freestyle. He would go on to represent at Nationals placing 5th in the 50m Freestyle!

Additionally, Lawson showcased his prowess by qualifying for the NSW CHS State Athletics Championships where he won Gold in the 14 Boys High Jump. On his last jump, a championship ending injury saw him unable to compete in his 2nd event of Long Jump. Displaying evident talent across various sports, and we look forward to seeing him back in the sporting arena representing our school again in 2025. Congratulations Lawson!

YEAR 9

This year, the Garrima Jagun Award goes to Gemma R. Garimaa means 'respect' in broader Bundjalung and this award celebrates students of First Nations heritage who demonstrate a commitment to the continuation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, dedication to their studies and commitment to culture, learning, and connection. Congratulations Gemma!

YEAR 10

The Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award goes Daniella L, who has demonstrated innovation and learning in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Congratulations Daniella!

This award celebrates leadership and teamwork qualities and was awarded to Hayden A. Each year, the recipient of this award is respected amongst their cohort and by their teachers. They are committed to their studies and are always willing to help and support whenever required. Congratulations Hayden!

This year, the Garrima Jagun Award goes to Archie W. Garimaa means 'respect' in broader Bundjalung and this award celebrates students of First Nations heritage who demonstrate a commitment to the continuation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, dedication to their studies and commitment to culture, learning, and connection. Congratulations Archie!

In 2024, our Junior Sportswoman of the Year is Mia H, an exceptional individual who has exemplified sportsmanship while representing our school in soccer. Being one of the youngest players amongst the 17 and 18-year-olds in an Open girls team, she held her own and was respected by her peers for her ability and attitude. In her 2nd year representing at this level she continues to outperform her peers.

She was awarded the Most Valuable Player in the North Coast team and was also the top goal scorer on the North Coast this year at the NSWCHS State Championships. Not settling for just one sport, she has also represented Byron Bay High at North Coast level in Cross Country and Athletics. It brings us immense pleasure to award the Junior Sportswoman of the year to Mia. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

CREDIT: Photos taken by Tarryn Wilson (CAPAL faculty)

CAPAL news

Our Visual Arts HSC students' final BOWs

As we celebrate the exceptional achievements of the Year 12 2024 Visual Arts class, this story serves as a tribute to their dedication, skill, and remarkable commitment. We have shared many moments of excellence, with numerous nominations and selections for ARTEXPRESS, but I'd like to honour the collective and individual brilliance of all our students.

We have been consistently amazed and inspired by the calibre of work displayed by every member of the class. Their passion and creativity shone through in each Body of Work, reflecting a powerful level of practice that is outstanding.

Below is the link to a booklet which showcases the students' Body of Works, along with their final artist's statements. We are incredibly proud of what they've achieved and excited to see where their artistic journeys will take them next.

Miss Tarryn Wilson - Visual Art Teacher

First Nations Leadership and Empowerment Camp

Twelve First Nations students from Year 7 and 8 recently attended a Leadership and Empowerment camp at Lake Arragon on Yaegl Country. By all accounts the camp was thoroughly enjoyed. Students learned about each other and the diversity of experience and culture that lives inside each of us. They were courageous in expressing themselves, patient with each other, showed respect for the country and the spirit that supports us all.

Activities were diverse and selected to highlight aspects of traditional culture and values that can be brought into the modern world in order to maintain cultural obligation and proud reflections on being a member of the first peoples of this country we now call Australia. Skills included teambuilding and role fulfilment, food and shelter preparation, understanding the role of story and memory in the keeping of culture, how knowledge and hunting are complementary skills and even how to safely extinguish a bbq and basic car maintenance! The learning was diverse to say the least.

Some student highlights included the kangaroos and wildlife that allowed close observations, learning how to light a fire with anything but a lighter, swimming and paddleboarding in the lake, stargazing, and building new friendships. Having said that, many looked forward to reacquainting themselves with hot showers and flushing toilets!

Guests at the campsites and Gary the National Parks Ranger, commented on the positive attitude and conduct of the BBHS students, reflecting the pride we have for our school, our community and our cultures.

Teachers Ms Lowe, Mr Powers, and Mr Pietens really enjoyed learning with the students on Yaegl country and were impressed by our student's resilience and willingness to extend themselves.

A big thank you to the following local businesses for supporting our First Nations Leadership and Empowerment Camp:

• Trevor Mead Quality Meats
• Byron Bay Muesli
• Brookfarm
• The Source
• Santos Organics

Mr Eli Pietens - English teacher

English news

Student highlight - Year 9 English

Year 9 English students have been working on creating visual appropriations for their Fairy Tale unit. Appropriation is the reuse and alteration of existing images and objects and incorporating them into one's own artwork. Featured above is Coco L's very clever visual appropriation of the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood.

Well done Coco!

Ms Tina Dobson - English teacher

Sport news

A clean sweep for the new BBHS Tennis Champ!

Another outstanding season of tennis has been completed during Term 4 sport, and we have a new school tennis champion! Congratulations goes to Year 8 student Benji A, who played consistently every Wednesday throughout the term, finishing the last week of competition with a clean sweep within his division. Benji’s love of the game is contagious and his style on the court exceptional. Well done Benji, I’ve no doubt the game will be a lifelong gift, bringing you success, fitness, friends and enjoyment.

For the first time there was a three-way tie heading into the final week's matches. Last season’s winner Vincent N and River O rounding out the top 3 with a collection of 17 points each.

This exemplifies the growing intensity and level of skill in the competition, with several players within 5 points of the final.

A big congratulations to the following students who are division champions and runners up:

• Division A - Winner:  Benji A, Runner up: Vincent N
• Division B - Winner: River O, Runner up: Ben T
• Division C - Winner: Raph S, Runner up: Yuying B
• Division D - Winner: Orin M, Runner up: Abbie B

The camaraderie, joy and physical benefits of the game mean in the end, all players are winners. Thank you, Byron Bay High School, for yet another excellent competition.

Mr Eli Pietens - English teacher

2025 Sports Carnivals

Please don't forget to grant your consent now ready for the 2025 carnivals

Thank you to all the parents and carers who have already accessed the online 2025 Sports Carnival consent form that was emailed to you last week. Your quick response is very much appreciated! If you have not yet accessed this online form, please do so before the end of the school year.

Our whole school Swimming Carnival is only 5 days into the new school year - Wednesday 12 February - and we are working to get a head-start on the consent process in preparation.

The 2025 school carnivals are key school events, and ALL students in Years 7 to 12 are expected to participate.