Byron Breeze tERM 3 | wEEK 3 2025

On Wednesday, we said goodbye to our wonderful guests from Okutama, Japan, as they boarded their coach for Brisbane, before flying home today. It was clear that deep bonds were formed and lasting friendships made, with tears, laughter and hugs shared abundantly in the final farewell.

The Okutama staff, students and their homestay buddies were immersed in an array of exciting, fun and cultural experiences during their stay, such as:

• local sight seeing tours to the lighthouse, our beaches and Killen Falls
• a Bangalow Public School visit
• a Circus Arts workshop
• a trip to Dreamworld
• a special Year 12 Music concert
• school workshops on coastal management
• Anzac biscuit making
• origami
• art and dance

They also attended a variety of interesting lessons with their homestay buddies.

On Tuesday afternoon, a farewell party and presentation was held in the PAC, where our Japanese visitors presented us with cultural story-telling, speeches and a traditional dance that saw staff and students from Year 7 and 10 on the stage performing the lively moves in a celebratory circle, alongside our guests.

On behalf of all of us at Byron Bay High School, I would like to extend my gratitude to our generous homestay families for their hospitality and care of the Okutama students. This exciting cultural exchange program only happens because these families embrace the experience.

I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to Mr Harry Humphreys, Ms Jireh Dixon and Ms Cathy Walkden-Brown for their tireless efforts working with me on the organisation of this program. It was a fine collaborative effort!

Until next year, we say, SAYOUNARA OKUTAMA!

Ms Simone Museth - Head Teacher Creative and Performing Arts and Languages

Year 8’s teach our Japanese visitors how to make ANZAC biscuits

On Tuesday 29 July, our Year 8 students had the opportunity to teach our Japanese guests how to cook one of our most famous Aussie biscuit recipes.

To our ANZAC biscuits, we added the native ingredients of Lemon Myrtle and Wattleseed. Under the careful guidance of 6 of our young student chefs, the Japanese visitors were able to see, touch, smell, and taste these 2 unique ingredients, and to make them into biscuits.

Thank you Anja, Ivy, Mendl, Zachary, Rosie and Scout for being such great teachers!

Of course everyone got a recipe and biscuit to leave with, so we hope when our Japanese visitors make these biscuits at home, they will remember us and their cooking experience at Byron Bay High School.

Ms Felicity Wooltorton - TAS teacher

'Wild Rocket' are off to SpecFest in Sydney!

We are very excited for Year 10 students Zephyr P and Kai A, from Wild Rocket! The boys have been chosen to perform at the Surround Sound Spec Fest, which will be held alongside the Schools Spectacular at Sydney Olympic Park in November.

Surround Sound is all about celebrating student bands from rural and remote NSW public secondary schools. Bands will bring the stage to life with covers or original songs in any contemporary style!

This year’s talented finalists are:

• No Man’s Land – Batemans Bay High School
• Wild Rocket – Byron Bay High School Official
• Undercover Funk – Kooringal High School
• Onion Skin – Maclean High School
• Ship of Thesius – South Grafton High School
• TPS – The Rivers Secondary College Kadina High Campus
• The Rays – The Rivers Secondary College Lismore High Campus
• Scream St – Willyama High School

We can't wait to see all the bands rock the stage live at Spec Fest 2025!

Mr Stuart Black - Music teacher

North Coast Athletics Carnival

Outstanding efforts by our students!

What a fantastic day we had at the North Coast Athletics Carnival last week! Our students competed against some of the top athletes from across the region — an area stretching from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads, and west to Casino.

Everyone gave their all, with strong performances across the board.

With only the top 2 competitors in each event progressing to the next round, the competition was incredibly tough — but our students rose to the challenge.

Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the NSWCHS State Championships, to be held in Sydney from 10 - 12 September:

• Giorgia B - 13 Years Girls 800m
• Billie B - 14 Years Girls 1500m
• Harley D - 13 Years Girls 100m, 200m and 13 Years Girls Relay
• Charlyze D - 13 Years Girls 100m, 200m and 13 Years Girls Relay
• Coco H - 14 Years Girls High Jump
• Mila H - 12 Years Girls Long Jump and 12 Years Girls Relay
• Luella M - 12 Years Girls 200, 100m 12 yrs girls relay
• Romeo P - 14 Years Boys 800m and 400m
• Finley S - 12-15 Years 1500m
• Ryan T - 17+ Boys 100m

Relays:

• 12 Years Girls Relay = Alera T, Luella M, Mila H, Willow H
• 13 Years Girls Relay = Charlyze D, Harley D, India H, Rosie W
• 14 Boys Relay = Parker A, Jack R, Quinn R, Max F

Parents and carers, please ensure the online consent form for the NSWCHS State Championships is completed as soon as possible, and refer to the email sent to you on Monday 4 August for the event program to assist you with your planning.

Well done to all our BBHS competitors – we’re very proud of your achievements!

Mrs Kelley Caoyonan - Sports Coordinator, PDHPE teacher and Year 12 Year Advisor

Volunteers are awesome!

Byron Bay Public School Athletics Carnival

A big thank you to the wonderful group of Byron Bay High School students who recently lent a hand at the Byron Bay Public School Athletics Carnival.

The feedback from the Primary school staff was outstanding – our students did an incredible job with timing, marshalling, and supporting the runners throughout the day. They even joined in for a cheeky race, much to the delight of the younger students!

Thank you all for representing Byron Bay High with such positivity and enthusiasm. We’re proud of the way you showcased our school in the wider community!

Mrs Kelley Caoyonan - Sports Coordinator, PDHPE teacher and Year 12 Year Advisor

Riding to Sport

Does your child ride a bike or e-bike to Wednesday Sport?

If your child rides their bike to their Wednesday sport, please keep reading! We’d like to remind families and students of a few important expectations to ensure everyone stays safe and arrives on time:

• HELMETS ARE COMPULSORY! All students riding to sport must wear an approved bicycle helmet for their safety.
• PUNCTUALITY MATTERS. Students must arrive at their sporting venue on time and be ready to participate.
• RIDE SAFELY. We ask all students to follow the road rules, ride respectfully, and be aware of their surroundings.
• PARENT/CARER CONSENT IS REQUIRED. If your child is riding to sport, a written note or email must be provided to the school indicating that you are aware and give permission for them to do so.

Students leaving from the venue at the end of the session are recorded on the roll as having permission from their parents. Students must wait with the teacher until the group is dismissed at the end of the lesson. Students who leave before they are dismissed will have this privilege revoked.

Mrs Kelley Caoyonan - Sports Coordinator, PDHPE teacher and Year 12 Year Advisor

Year 11 explores our local ecosystem

Year 11 Earth & Environmental Science and Biology fieldwork

Last Friday, Year 11 Earth & Environmental Science and Biology students enjoyed a hands-on field trip to Minyon Falls, exploring our local ecosystem in a breathtaking outdoor setting. Using transects, trowels and digital probes, students examined biotic and abiotic factors influencing the environment.

Students were supported by staff from the Dorroughby Environmental Education Centre to collect data on plant life, soil composition, and temperature variations, across two different forest ecosystems. This practical experience enhanced their classroom learning and emphasised the significance of fieldwork in scientific inquiry.

A big thank you to all the staff and students involved for making this enriching experience possible! We look forward to more outdoor adventures that inspire our future environmental scientists.

Mr Nicholas and Ms Yeadon - Science teachers

STEM Roadshow inspires future innovators

Fizzics Education STEM Careers Roadshow

Students from Science classes 10G, 10U, 9J and 9I were recently treated to an exciting and interactive visit from the STEM Careers Roadshow. The presentation, by Fizzics Education, focused on the cutting-edge roles of aviation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems in shaping the industries of the future.

Throughout the session, students were encouraged to consider how STEM skills can open doors to innovative and high-tech careers.

A clear favourite moment was the chance to fire rolls of toilet paper at their teachers. All in the name of generating lift! Another highlight was meeting the robotic canine, which gave students a glimpse of how robotics is already transforming workplaces.

The roadshow was a great opportunity to bring learning to life and inspire the next generation of engineers, pilots, programmers, and tech pioneers.

Mr Kai Connell - Head Teacher Science

SRC Peace Run

On Thursday 31 July, the Peace Run, also known as the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, visited Byron Bay High School as part of its global journey to promote peace and international friendship. Our SRC students, warmly welcomed the Peace Run team and participated in the celebrations. A highlight of the visit was the symbolic passing of the Peace Torch, which represents a shared aspiration for a more peaceful world.

As part of this event, some of our students performed musical pieces celebrating themes of peace and unity.

Rowan BvF welcomed the Peace Run team on behalf of our school and shared a thoughtful speech, which included his personal reflections on what peace means to him. Heidi K, Jasmine B, Archie D, and Eva W-S also shared their talents through heartfelt performances that, combined with the presence of the Peace Torch, inspired a deep sense of connection, hope, and harmony within the school community.

Ms Madelyn Sergi - HSIE Teacher

Congratulations to our Society and Culture Class of 2025!

Personal Interest Projects (PIPs)

A huge congratulations to our Year 12 Society and Culture students on the successful completion and submission of their Personal Interest Projects (PIPs).

Over the past nine months, these students have engaged in a sustained and rigorous process of sociological inquiry, exploring a social issue of personal significance. Through a combination of secondary reading and original primary research, each student has worked to develop deeper insights into the world around them—both as it is today and as it may be in the future.

As their teacher, I could not be prouder. Their persistence, intellectual curiosity, and genuine commitment to understanding society and culture has been inspiring.

Some of the PIP topics included:

The result? A collection of thoughtful, intelligent, and sophisticated major works that reflect the best of what it means to be socially and culturally literate. These young minds now move forward with the tools to challenge assumptions, seek diverse perspectives, and engage meaningfully with the world. The future is brighter for it.

Mr Drew Minton - HSIE teacher

Donut Day fundraiser

The last Donut Day for our graduating Year 12s

A BIG shout-out goes to all our students who supported the Year 12s in their final fundraiser. They appreciate everyone's support as they raise money for their Year 12 Formal.

The famous 'Donut Day' did not disappoint, with students walking away drooling with their tasty, hot donuts and ice cream.

Year 12 thanks the Byron Bay High School community for your continued support with their fundraisers over the past 12 months. A HUGE thank you also goes to their dedicated Year Advisor, Mrs Caoyonan for helping to make it all happen!