Byron Breeze tERM 4 | weEK 6 2025

What a team effort the formal was! The event was once again held at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre and was only possible due to the organisation and dedication of a team of people working tirelessly behind the scenes.

A special mention must go out to Mrs Coayonan (Year 12 Year Advisor), Ms Besgrove (School Administration Manager), our Office staff and the BBHS Executive and teachers who made this wonderful event happen. It was definitely a night of glamour and fun and the room looked amazing, with the table settings and stage decorated for the occasion. Thank you also to Ms Flanagan for providing all of the native flora used in the floral arrangements... they looked stunning.

'Bowerbird' from the Byron Bay Golf Club once again did an amazing job catering this event. The ability to adequately cater for such a large and diverse group of people is a real credit to this wonderful local business and it was a pleasure working with them.

The night wouldn't have been possible without Ms Ray and her Hospitality students who assisted on the night. Their efficient and friendly service throughout the night is to be commended.

The studio and photo booth by In the Booth Brisbane and the photography opportunities provided by The New Camera House Lismore added a lot of fun to the evening. Year 12 families can access and purchase photos taken on the evening by the professional photographers via the link below:

Plus, here's a little sneak peek of the photo booth fun on the night:

We congratulate all Year 12 students on reaching this important milestone and wish them every success in their future endeavours. This special night was a fitting tribute to their dedication, resilience, and unity throughout their time at Byron Bay High School.

Our school rocks!

Battle of the Bands - a spectacular celebration of talent

Last week saw the annual epic musical grudge match that is the Byron Bay High School Battle of The Bands take place in the hall every lunchtime. This year was the 4th consecutive year the competition has run and we must say this year the competition was fierce.

Our students took to the stage with electrifying performances that showcased not only their musical skills but also the vibrant spirit that makes our school so unique.

Monday’s heat saw last year’s winner, Aurora Quinn advance through to the finals with a new original composition. Heat 2 on Tuesday was hotly contested with Year 10 band The Grannie Smyths narrowly marking it past Funky Stench to claim a spot in the final. On Thursday, heat 3 gave the audience a very high caliber of performances with last year’s runner up, No Commitment, winning the heat, as well as wild card finalist Blue Denim performing.

Due to the wet weather the final could not be held outdoors this year. However, a huge audience showed up to the hall to enjoy the amazing performances and cheer on our incredibly talented students.

The Finals show kicked off with Blue Denim performing 2 original compositions and treating the crowd to their lovely melodies and harmonies. Next to take the stage were The Grannie Smyths who delivered some high energy 90’s alternative tunes to a pleased crowd.

Following The Grannie Smyths was last year’s winner, Aurora Quinn, who played two hauntingly beautiful original songs. And, to finish the show, No Commitment, hit the stage as if they were shot out of a cannon.

With two raucous original songs and some guitar heroics they stole the show and the top prize of BBHS Battle Of The Bands winner for 2025.

We would like to give a huge shout out to all the acts that performed during the week, the CAPAL staff for supporting live music performances in our school and the Year 10 Live Sound Production students for organising and running the event.

Mr Tim Baker - Music teacher

Bangalow Show 2025

Art, photography and craft prizes galore!

Once again the Bangalow Show Pavillion was filled with the colour and cleverness of Byron Bay High School students. Many prizes were awarded, with the judge overwhelmed with the incredible standard that was submitted.

Great work to all our artists - the local community loves seeing what you are achieving and there is a display of the winning works in the front office for the next week.

• Champion Art Work : Indi S (Year 10)
• Champion Junior Craft: Eve L (Year 7)
• Champion Junior Photography: Harry G (Year 11)
• Junior Art champion: Amarlie B (Year 10)

• Drawing 13-17: 1st Banjo K, 2nd Alifie S
• Painting 13-17: 1st Hannah C, 2nd Erin C
• Mixed Media 13-17: 1st Amarlie B, 2nd Sita C

• Open Drawing: 1st Teal P
• Open Painting: 1st Alani F, 2nd Eleana N
• Art: Grace Wilson Memorial Prize: Ocean H

• Photography: Any subject: 1st Harry G
• Photography: Youth Culture: 1st Harry G

Mrs Margo Simpson - Art teacher

Year 9 Visual Art masterpieces

A journey through the landscape

Also on display in our school office this week are the beautiful creations by our Year 9 artists. In their 'Journey through the landscape' unit, students investigated how artists from different historical and cultural contexts represent the Australian landscape.

V.O.I.C.E.S.

Youth leading the way toward community and environmental change

Last week, Byron Bay High School was proud to host the inaugural event V.O.I.C.E.S. — the Venture of Impactful Community and Environmental Sustainability — a 3-day youth leadership forum designed entirely “for youth, by youth, for the future.” Bringing together young changemakers from across the Northern Rivers, the program gave students a platform to identify real issues within their school communities and to design solutions that create lasting, positive impact.

At the core of V.O.I.C.E.S. is the belief that meaningful change must be student-led. Too often, young people have innovative ideas but limited pathways to put them into action. This forum flipped that script. Students were positioned as leaders, designers and decision-makers from beginning to end, using the Design Thinking Process to guide them in tackling authentic environmental and social issues. Groups of students were encouraged to link their projects to one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing the global significance of their work.

A Three-Day Journey of Innovation and Leadership

The forum was preceded by an intensive 2-day training program for 9 BBHS Year 10 students, led by V.O.I.C.E.S. founder Rowon BvF. These students became the event’s mentors—guiding each participating school through the design process, fostering collaboration, and ensuring every student felt heard and supported.

Day 1 focused on the Empathise and Define stages. Through ice-breaker games, a guided school tour and group discussions, students began identifying the environmental and social issues affecting their schools. By the end of the day, each team had created a comprehensive list of concerns—from sun safety and waste systems to racism, outdoor shelter, recycling incentives, school gardens and more.

• On Day 2, students moved into the Ideate and Prototype phases. They first selected one key issue to address, then brainstormed every possible solution. Once a final idea was chosen, groups developed early prototypes and mapped out how their design could realistically be implemented at school.

Day 3 brought the forum to its inspiring conclusion. Students polished and presented their designs to a 5-member panel: Janine Marcus (BBHS Principal), Stuart Galletly-Salisbury (Head Teacher HSIE), Rowon BvF (V.O.I.C.E.S Founder), Zoe Tiernan (Principal, Murwillumbah High) and Michelle Lowe (Local Councillor & BBHS teacher). Each group received meaningful feedback to help refine their ideas and prepare for the next phase: real-world implementation.

Looking Ahead: From Design to Real Impact

The forum may be complete, but the V.O.I.C.E.S. journey is just beginning. Throughout 2026, students will work with mentors, teachers and community partners to bring their designs to life.

• Term 1 - Schools begin hands-on implementation.
• Term 2 - All participating schools reunite for workshops and progress presentations.
• Term 3 - A final showcase invites families, community members, council, sponsors and press to celebrate the students’ achievements and future plans.

The forum has already created strong inter-school connections and a powerful network of young leaders who now feel empowered, trusted and supported. V.O.I.C.E.S. has also gained backing from major organisations, including the Cancer Council, NSW Department of Education, NSW Reconstruction Authority, and Prosper Northern Rivers.

A huge congratulations to all V.O.I.C.E.S. participants for their commitment, creativity and determination. Special thanks to BBHS canteen and library staff, Miss Wilson, and founder Rowon BvF, co-director Coco L, and the 9 dedicated mentors: Coco L, Xavier A, Banjo K, Hannah C, Marley P, Ben K, Kaisher P, and Eva W-S.

V.O.I.C.E.S. is more than an event—it’s a growing movement, proving that when youth are empowered, their ideas can shape a brighter, more sustainable future for us all.

Mr Stuart Galletly-Salisbury - Head Teacher HSIE

Success at the NSW CHS Canoeing Championships

From 15-18 November, 5 of our Byron Bay High School students competed at the NSW Combined High School Canoeing Championships, held on the Mann River near Jackadgery and the Clarence River at Grafton. This year, we were represented by our biggest team yet: Hannah C, Erin C, Eliana P, Lina L and Vincent D.  

The competition was attended by schools from across NSW, with some coming from as far away as Penrith and Mudgee. 

A heavy downpour on Saturday evening gave a high water level and faster currents, creating more challenging conditions than usual.

All of our Byron Bay High School students pushed their limits and delivered great performances across multiple events: Slalom, Whitewater Sprints, Wildwater and Flatwater Sprints, achieving several podium results. Their combined results placed BBHS 2nd in the overall pointscore behind Woolgoolga High!

Anyone keen to get involved in whitewater canoeing either competitively or recreationally is encouraged to come along to an Intro to Whitewater Weekend run by Big River Canoe Club. Follow them on Facebook for more information.

ASX Schools Sharemarket Game

National Prize Presentation

For the 2nd year in a row our Byron Bay High School students have been presented with national prizes in the ASX Schools Sharemarket Game! These national prizes are only awarded to students who place in the top 3 share traders nationally, out of the many thousands of student syndicates taking part in the game and are extremely prestigious.

This week, Jude and Lachlan were presented with their cash prizes, framed certificates and a number of special ASX prizes.

We are very proud of Jude, Lachlan and all of the other students at Byron Bay High School who traded shares in the ASX Schools Sharemarket Game in 2025.  With 11 of the top 15 share traders nationally, we continue to be a leader in teaching students about trading securities in the financial markets.

We look forward to continuing this proud tradition in 2026.

Mr Dale Stevenson - HSIE teacher

Some reminders as we head into the busiest time of year

Keep an eye on your emails

It’s such a busy time of year—for both us and you! To stay up to date with all the latest news and important information, remember to check your email inbox regularly. Email is our main way of communicating with you, and we want to make sure your child doesn’t miss out on any fun excursions or special activities with their friends.

The majority of our emails will be sent to you from the email address noreply@mail.schoolbytes.education.

With lots of due dates looming, please keep an eye on the deadlines for your consent and payments.

With so much happening behind the scenes to organise the many end-of-year events on our calendar, please ensure all online consents and payments are finalised by their due dates. Unfortunately, we cannot accept late payments once we have confirmed numbers with venues and arranged bus seating. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

You can also keep up to date with what's happening by regularly checking the Byron Bay High School calendar.

If your child is leaving school early

Parents are reminded to please send a handwritten note to school with your child if you know they will be leaving early for any reason.

Your child will present your note to their Deputy Principal before 9 am. Once a Deputy Principal has read, approved and signed the letter, our office staff will issue your child with a printed Leave Pass.

This Leave Pass allows students to leave their classroom at the designated time and meet their parent at the gate.

If it is an unforeseen appointment and you have been unable to send in a note at the beginning of the day, please come to the front office to collect your child. This process can take up to 10-15 minutes as we get your child out of class - so allow yourself plenty of time!

Please remember: We do not accept early leave requests via email.

Combined Schools Musical 2026

Calling for student nominations for this event in 2026. It is literally on our doorstep next year and it will provide untold possibilities for our students!

Following the success of Shrek the Musical JR in 2025, The Arts Unit invites schools to participate in the 2026 Combined Schools Musical production of Mary Poppins JR. The program offers students a high-quality staged musical experience.

• 📌Murwillumbah High School - Monday 24 to Friday 28 August 2026 (Term 3 Week 6)

School Ensemble opportunity

Schools can register to be part of the School Ensemble, learning choreography and music using the provided tutorial videos before joining the full company for a single day of rehearsals and performances. The program is open to both primary and high school students.

Participation fees are $36 per student, which includes a performance t-shirt and access to the digital resources. Applications are now open and places will be filled on a first-in basis.

Lead Cast opportunity

Individual students may also apply to be part of the Lead Cast, engaging in a series of intensive rehearsals at Murwillumbah High School in the lead-up to performances. This provides an engaging opportunities, allowing students to extend their skills in singing, acting and dancing while working and connecting with other like-minded students from across the North Coast. Applications for lead cast close on Friday 28 November 2025.

For more details and to apply, visit The Arts Unit website or click on the links below:

Springboard 2025 this weekend!

Saturday 22 November @ the YAC

Come along to this FREE family event, bring a picnic or enjoy the free BBQ, and support our Byron Bay High School bands. Kicks off from 12 pm on Saturday 22 November, at the Byron Youth Service.

Springboard collaborates with the Byron Youth Service, Byron Music, and Byron Bay High School to provide emerging bands and musicians a platform to showcase their talents, sharing in a secure, supportive space.

Enjoy an amazing lineup of bands, duos, soloists, and DJs from all year groups — showcasing the best of our young musicians.

Bring your family, friends, and good vibes for a free afternoon of live music, sunshine, and community spirit. Let’s make it a day to remember! 🌞🎸🎤

Pulse Alive

Want to be part of Pulse Alive 2026 but not joining with a school group?

No worries, students can still get involved!

Sing your heart out as an individual chorister in the 1,000 voice massed choir (Years 3 to 12) - Register here.

Or hit the stage as an individual dancer in the massed dance cast (Years 3 to 12). No school group needed! Register here.

You can even do both!

No audition video required. All backgrounds and abilities welcome. Nominations close on Friday 5 December. Bring your voice or your moves and step into the stadium spotlight!

Performance days: • Choir, Wednesday 18 March 2026 • Dance, Thursday 19 March 2026