Message from our Principal
Jingiwallah everyone and welcome back to the start of our 2026 school year. I hope that the summer break gave you time to rest, reconnect with family and friends, and recharge for the year ahead. Coming back together today matters. Schools are places of stability, care and hope, and it is good to be back together as a learning community.
As we begin the year, I want to return us to what sits at the heart of everything we do here: respect, responsibility and learning.
Respect means how we speak to one another, how we listen, and how we value difference. It means treating others with dignity, even when we disagree, and understanding that every person here brings their own story, strengths and challenges. Responsibility means owning our actions and choices. It means showing up, doing the right thing even when no one is watching, and contributing positively to our school community. Responsibility is not about perfection; it is about effort, accountability and growth. Learning is why we are here. Learning is not just about marks or assessments; it is about curiosity, persistence and being willing to stretch yourself. It is about asking questions, taking risks, and understanding that mistakes are part of the learning process. One of the great strengths of public education is its power to provide opportunity for all. Public schools open doors. They nurture talent, build confidence and create pathways that can change lives. Every one of our students deserves access to rich learning, expert teaching and opportunities that help them to discover who they are and who they might become.
My message to students to kick off this year is simple: take every opportunity. Say yes to learning experiences, to leadership, to creative and academic challenges, to programs that stretch them beyond what feels comfortable.
Staff changes
This year we are also very pleased to welcome some new staff and some familiar faces back to our school. In the Deputy principal chairs this year are Mr Johnson who will be looking after year 8, 10 and 12 and Mr Edwards who will be looking after year 7, 9 and 11. Joining us in our Inclusive Education Team, we have Ms Stephanie McWilliam, working across our core subject areas in year 7 -10 we have Ms Grace Lehfeldt and joining us in HSIE is Ms Gabbie McGoldrick. In Maths and Technology is Ms Jasbir Singh-Athwal. Mr Jesse Iwasko will be relieving for Mr Tynan in PDHPE/Outdoor Ed and he will also be taking on the Year 10 Year Adviser role. In the Head Teacher Science role, we have Ms Brodee Jeffery, replacing Mr Colli for term 1. We also welcome back Ms Chloe Power as the relieving Aboriginal Education Officer. Back in the Head Teacher Learning and Wellbeing roll we have Ms Veriga-White. You can find the Garhima team in their new home which is where the CAPA and TAS staffrooms used to be near the staff common room. We are proud to have such skilled, committed professionals on our team, and I know they will make a positive difference to our students and to our wider school community. I also want to highlight a wonderful opportunity available this year: Mullumbimby Voices of Youth project. This project in conjunction with the Mullumbimby District Neighbourhood Centre and other local youth organisations, gives young people a platform to express their ideas, experiences and perspectives, and to use their voices in powerful and meaningful ways. I am encouraging students that are passionate about storytelling, advocacy, creativity or making a difference, to express an interest in codesigning this project. Your young peoples’ voices matter, and this project is an opportunity to be heard. It is not just a project for the student leaders in our school. This is an opportunity for all students to have their say. If students are interested in being a part of this project and making a difference to the future of what our school and community looks like for young people, please come and sign up on the signup sheet at the front office or in Garhima.
As we step into this new year together, let’s commit to living our values every day. Let’s show respect in our words and actions, take responsibility for ourselves and each other, and approach learning with courage and curiosity. I am proud to be the principal of Mullumbimby High School, proud of our students, our staff and our community, and excited about what we will achieve together in 2026. Welcome back, and I wish everyone a successful and rewarding year.
Respect | Responsibility | Learning | Bree Harvey-Bice, PRINCIPAL
Arriving Late or Leaving Early
Each school day begins at 8.50AM with a 10-minute compulsory roll call period for all students called CARE (Communication, Attendance, Relationships and Educational Support). This applies for students in Year 7 to Year 12, no exception. CARE allows staff to monitor attendance, mark the roll and communicate essential daily information to students. LATENESS -- Any student who arrives late must go to the Student Services Office. Students should hand in a note explaining their late arrival. “Sleeping in” is not an acceptable reason. Should a student arrive late without a note from a parent/carer, the student will be recorded as unjustified. A text message/email will be sent requesting an explanation from the parent/carer. All lateness, whether excused or not, is recorded as a partial absence and will be listed on the student’s records. A student whose attendance is unsatisfactory may be issued with an Attendance Monitoring Card. This allows the school to clearly monitor attendance for a one-week period.
LEAVING EARLY PASS -- Any student who needs to leave the premises during school hours must bring a note from their parent/carer and hand it in at Student Services Office before 9AM. The Principal or Deputy Principal makes the decisions regarding approving this leave. Absences, both full-day and partial, may be recorded on report cards and references. As sport is compulsory, students will only be issued with a leave pass for Sport Afternoon in exceptional circumstances. Students who require a pass must present a note from their parent/carer and any necessary documentation (medical certificates etc) to Student Services. LAST MINUTE CALLS -- Calling the school at the last minute should be used for emergencies only. Please support your student in getting organized in the morning in regard to after-school plans with a note to avoid stress and anxiety.
MONDAY LEAVE PASS -- On Monday afternoons timetabled classes for students end at 2.30PM. During this time, staff members engage in professional learning and meetings. To ensure your child is adequately supervised during this time, we require them to remain on the school grounds from 2.30PM - 3.00PM until the school buses arrive. If your child lives within walking distance of the school, they can apply for an early leave pass for this day. This will allow them to walk home at 2.30PM. A note to apply for this pass can be collected from the School Administration Office. Students can apply from the beginning of the new school year.
Dates for your Diary
- Monday 2 February - first day back for all students! Week A
- Monday 9 February - P&C Meeting at 5:30pm in the school library
- Wednesday 11 February - MHS Swimming Carnival
- Tuesday 17 February - Futsal 14s+ Opens in Coomera
- Thursday 19 February - FNC Basketball
- Friday 20 February - FNC AFL
- Monday 23 February - School photos
- Tuesday 24 February - FNC Swimming Carnival in M'bah
- Thursday 5 March - Information Day for Year 6 to Year 7 2027
- Monday 9 March - AGM for the P&C at 5:30pm in the school library
A Note from our P&C
Please note the following dates in your calendar for our next P&C meetings. 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.
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop is open 8.30am to 9am every Monday morning during the term. We’re seeking volunteers for Monday mornings or to help with admin on Wednesday mornings. Please email Dottie if you’re available to assist: mullumuniforms@gmail.com
Canteen
Please order your lunch from the canteen before 9:30am to avoid disappointment.
Community Announcements
E-Bikes -- Reminders for families
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