Dates for your diary
September
- Fri 27 Sep High Attendance Reward: Movie Day
- Fri 27 Sep Year 11 Rewards Excursion
- Fri 27 Sep Term 3 ends
October
- Mon 14 Oct Term 4 begins
- Tue 15 Oct HSC Exams begin
- Thu 17 Oct Rewards Assembly
- Thu 17 Oct AECG AGM
News
Introducing our 2025 School Captains
A big congratulations to our 2025 School Captains, officially announced during our Week 8 assembly!
Our Captains, Rheggie Jaeger and CJ Lim (pictured centre), along with Vice Captains William Mannion and Heidi White, have already shown tremendous dedication and leadership within our school community, and we are excited to see them take on these important roles. In the photo, they stand proudly alongside our Executive Principal, Mr. Monte, and Year 11 Advisor, Miss Hyde, who have been key supporters in their leadership journey.
As we look ahead to 2025, we are confident that this team will lead with passion, integrity, and enthusiasm, inspiring their peers and leaving a lasting impact on our school. Congratulations once again to our new leaders—we can’t wait to see all that they accomplish in the year to come!
The NSW Department of Education is making an important change to help keep our students safe online, reduce the risk of cyber threats and make sure your student email accounts are used for their intended educational purposes only.
What’s happening?
Starting Day 1 Term 4, you won’t be able to use your student email address to sign up for, or recover access to any social media, gaming, instant messaging or similar accounts.
What you need to do
If you have signed up for a social media, gaming, instant messaging or similar account using your student email address, please change to a personal email address on each platform by Sunday 13 October to make sure you don't lose access to the account. Here’s how:
- Log in to each account.
- Go to the account settings and update your email address to a personal one.
- Add a mobile number too, if you haven’t already.
Why this is happening?
The department is making this change to ensure all student accounts are being used for their educational purposes, and to help protect you from risks online. Using your personal email address for these platforms instead of your student email address reduces the chances of someone gaining access to information in your school account.
Excursions
Conquering the slopes and creating lifelong memories
On August 12, 23 Year 11 students, along with Miss Hyde, Mr Goddard, and Teena, embarked on an 11-and-a-half-hour bus trip to East Jindabyne. After arriving, we quickly received our snowboarding gear and were welcomed with a warm, hearty dinner.
Each morning from Tuesday to Thursday, we had two-hour lessons with our snowboard instructors. Every day, we hit the slopes, learning new skills and pushing ourselves to tackle more challenging runs. In the afternoons, we had free time to take the chairlift up the mountain and snowboard back down. On Thursday afternoon, Mr Goddard and our bus driver, Andy, led a group of students on a special snowboarding run that ended with us ringing a bell at Australia’s highest lifted point. Mr Goddard was incredibly patient as we navigated the T-bars, with some falls and tumbles along the way.
Snowboarding brought out the adventurous side in all of us, and it was amazing to see everyone improve in just a few days. But it wasn’t all about snowboarding. Off the slopes, we had a blast building snowmen, having snowball fights, and simply enjoying the stunning, peaceful surroundings. Thredbo offered the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
This trip was also about bonding as a group, supporting one another, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it was the excitement of carving through fresh snow or the comfort of a hot chocolate and donut, every moment felt special.
A big thank you to our teachers and everyone who made this unforgettable trip possible. We are incredibly grateful for the chance to experience the magic of Thredbo, and we can’t wait for our next adventure!
Year 9 students enjoyed an overnight Rewards excursion at The Retreat, Port Stephens. On the way they had lunch at McDonald’s, and once they arrived enjoyed some fun in the games room and rounds of putt-putt golf. Congratulations to Cobi Jolliffe for winning the putt-putt competition! 🏌️⛳️
On the second day, students were up and ready for a shopping spree at Salamander Bay Centre. After two hours of shopping, they were ready to head home. On the way, they enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by the lovely ladies from The Retreat, Port Stephens.
Congratulations to all the students who attended the excursion for their outstanding efforts during Term 3!
On the first day, Year 7 students enjoyed rounds of putt-putt golf with plenty of laughs and a little friendly competition. After sinking some tricky putts, everyone fuelled up with a delicious dinner. The night was full of fun with exciting table tennis matches and games of pool.
Students started day two with a yummy breakfast, followed by some fun rolling down the dunes at Anna Bay. They then walked along the Nelson Bay marina and enjoyed the beach scenery, lunch, and some ice cream.
– Miss Ewans
In Miss Hyde’s Year 8 History class, students have been learning about ancient Japan. They studied the history of Haiku poetry, analysed Japanese artwork, and were tasked with creating their own poems.
– Miss Hyde
Year 7: Exploring angle relationships
Year 7 students are currently studying angle relationships and geometrical figures in Maths, learning how this knowledge is applied in professions such as architecture, construction, plumbing, and robotics. They explored the school playground, identifying and classifying different types of angles, and then applied their knowledge by using protractors to measure angles taped to their desks.
– Mrs McInerney
Support Unit: Science experiments
Together with Miss Coon from the Science Faculty, our support unit students are studying chemical reactions, and have been able to participate in a range of Science experiments. Students received their Bunsen burner licence and have since used this skill to identify different chemicals that turn different colours when heated.
We cannot thank Miss Coon enough for her support!
– Miss Wicks
Delicious archaeology: A hands-on History lesson
Miss Hyde’s Year 7 History class became archaeologists with the task of excavating choc chips from biscuits. The skill was taught in conjunction with understanding the job and importance of archaeologists.
– Miss Hyde
Year 7 students put their angle knowledge to the test by designing and building delicious structures! As they crafted their creations, they explained the different types of angles they used. The best part? They got to enjoy eating their tasty masterpieces afterwards!
– Mrs McInerney
Barbie, focus of Popular Culture unit
Miss Hyde’s Society and Culture have studied Barbie in their Popular Culture unit. In their last lesson, Miss Hyde made a Barbie Dolly Varden cake to enjoy. (Marisa Wilson is missing from the image.)
Students benefit from HSC revision workshop
Year 12 Maths Advanced students participated in an HSC revision session with Stuart Palmer, alongside seven other schools, including Bathurst, Dubbo, and Port Macquarie. During the sessions, students gained valuable insights into study techniques, key focus areas from the Year 11/12 syllabus, common exam questions, and some handy tips on how to structure answers for more difficult questions.
Students were also provided with resources to refine their skills in the lead-up to their exam, as well as some useful tips and tricks to aid with planning their revision over the coming school holidays. Zoe, Lawson, Kayden, and Ysbelle found the two-day experience incredibly rewarding and appreciated the insights shared.
– Mr Moore
Art
Students and teacher shine at exhibition
At the recent annual Art and Ceramics Exhibition hosted by Arts Gunnedah, a number of our talented students submitted their artworks, with achieving great success.
In the Youth 15-18 Year category, Jada Vellegas took home first place, followed by Emily Davis in second, and Emmy Torrens receiving a highly commended award. In the Youth 10-14 Year category, Tyler Hobden earned an impressive second place.
Steph's carving the Artwork of the month
Year 11 Visual Arts students were tasked with creating a ‘Land Art’ piece, using the natural environment as their medium, as part of their final assessment. Steph Vines chose a tree on the school grounds, carving a pattern into its bark, drawing inspiration from an artist she studied. This artwork is temporary, with the bark expected to regenerate fully within six to seven months.
The students also participated in the junior judging competition. Monica Markey advanced to the oral presentation round due to her strong skills in assessing and judging a class of steers. All students performed commendably and will now focus on preparing the cattle for the Northern Schools Prime Steer competition, which will be held in Tenterfield in November.
Cultural
Fun-filled term of mentoring, music, and dance!
Our cultural dance groups have had a fun term! Every second Tuesday we’ve had the pleasure of visiting Gunnedah South Public School to mentor Year 6 and Year 2 students in culture, dance and language.
On September 3, our cultural dance groups welcomed First Nations, artist Jessie Lloyd to our school for a cultural session of music, dance and history.
Students learnt the cultural meaning behind our First Nations music and were fortunate to collaborate with this amazing artist. Students collaborated and created a dance aligning to one of Jessie Lloyd’s songs that will be taught and performed nationwide on her upcoming tour.
A huge shoutout to our students and our South School buddies who attended Jessie's show and jumped up to perform with her at The Civic.
Thank you to Miss Winsor, Braith, and the Gunnedah South team for providing us with the opportunity to build some deadly connections.
Library News
Book Reading Challenge for Staff
During Term 2, our Library ran a Book Reading Challenge for staff. The English faculty were the overall winners, with 75+ books read collaboratively. They received a fish 'n chip lunch as their prize.
Mrs Dwyer was the #1 reader with 50+ books read, and Mrs Brady was #2 with 30+ books read.
Careers
We’re excited to announce that on Monday, September 9, Year 10 student, Dom Alloway officially began his School-based Traineeship with Reece Gunnedah.
Dom will spend one day a week at Reece, gaining practical experience and industry knowledge while working towards his Certificate II in Supply Chain Operations, supported by Monique from Murray Mallee Training. The traineeship will also contribute toward his Preliminary and HSC studies as a subject.
Congratulations, Dom!
If you are interested in learning more about School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships at Gunnedah High School, please reach out to:
Melissa Abra School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Engagement Officer, Skills Pathway, Educational Pathways Program 📞 0460 031 944 | ✉️ melissa.abra4@det.nsw.edu.au
Well-being
Year 8 girls thrive in Enja's wellbeing program
Over the past 8 weeks, a selection of Year 8 girls have been participating in the Enja Wellbeing Program. Enja focuses on bringing together young women and improving their mental and physical wellbeing. Gunnedah High students have been engaging in a range of activities such as boxing, volleyball, blind food tasting, meditation and journaling. Over the coming weeks, the girls will be cooking some different meals to enjoy and reflecting on the term.
Thank you so much Enja, we are absolutely loving Thursdays!
– Miss Wicks
Believe in yourself first
No one else will see the strength, humour, friendship, purpose or cool stuff in you unless YOU DO!
You are here for a reason.
stymie.com.au #stymie #studentsfirst #kindnessalways #saysomething #iamenough #iamhereforareason #wegotyou #yougotthis
World Mental Health Day
P&C News
P&C President attends NSW P&C Federation Roadshow
Our P&C President, Alana Hunter, represented our school at the NSW P&C Federation Roadshow on August 30, held at Oxley High School. The event brought together P&C associations from across the North West region, offering a valuable opportunity to network, share ideas, and gather insights.
Throughout the evening attendees participated in sessions covering a variety of topics, including fundraising strategies, building stronger connections with school communities, and improving the overall effectiveness of P&C associations. The roadshow provided a platform for exchanging experiences and gaining advice from fellow P&C members, helping to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of all who attended.
Alana appreciated the chance to meet with other dedicated volunteers and learn from the collective wisdom of our region's P&C members. It was a productive day of learning and collaboration that will surely benefit our P&C in the future.
Join us at our monthly P&C meetings – in-person or online!
We're always excited to welcome more parents and community members to our P&C meetings. Held on the last Tuesday of each month during school terms at 6pm in the school library, these meetings are open to everyone.
While you don’t need to be a financial member to join the conversation, a $2 membership is required if you’d like to vote. Membership is open to parents of children at our school as well as members of the local community who reside within our school’s catchment area.
If you can’t make it in person, we also offer a link to join our meetings online. We hope to see you there!
Next P&C meeting: Tuesday 24 September, 6pm in the Library
To add an item to the agenda please email gunnedahhighschool@pandcaffiliate.org.au
Community
Community Scholarship Fund applications now open!
The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund is an initiative of our local community and provides an opportunity for our local youth to succeed in their tertiary education by encouraging students to embark on a journey of lifelong learning by financially supporting those moving on to pursue tertiary studies.
The fund was established in 2003 and has assisted hundreds of local students over the many years. Scholarships have covered many disciplines including accounting, agriculture, allied health, animal science, law, architecture, arts/theatre, civil engineering, education, information technology, medicine, nursing and social work.
The fund is open to all local students under 25 years wanting to further their training and education at university, TAFE, or an accredited training organisation.
A scholarship can help with expenses like:
- Purchasing textbooks,
- Relocation and other travel costs,
- Living expenses, and
- Contribution towards tuition fees.
Applications will close on 8 January 2025. You can find the application form here.
Come and play cricket this season!
Junior Cricket will commence Friday 18 October at Donnelly and Namoi Fields. Our JC1, JC2 and JC3 game format is recommended for players aged 10 to 18 years.
Register now! 🏏 Active Kids Vouchers are accepted!
Registrations close Sunday 13 October
Junior cricket runs from Friday 18 October to Friday 13 December (9 weeks). The season will recommence from Friday 7 February to Friday 7 March (5 weeks).
Join the Fun! Cricket Blast 8-week program
Blasters is an 8-week program that will be run before junior cricket at Donnelly Fields. It is a fun and active program for kids of all abilities. Whether it's your first time with a bat or you're a backyard cricket star. The recommended age for Blasters is 5 to 10 years.
Blasters will run from October 18 to December 6.
Register now! 🏏 Active Kids Vouchers are accepted!
Free internet for eligible families! 💻 🙌 The Australian Government has introduced the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) to provide free internet access to eligible families. Find out more here: https://brnw.ch/21wLxNd
There are two exciting opportunities to contribute to the Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment project. Project 1: Emergency department entry canopy. This opportunity is identified for an Aboriginal artist. Project 2: Wall graphics throughout clinical locations within the emergency department and maternity units.
Artists are encouraged to reach out to Arts North West's Executive Director, Lauren Mackley via email rado@artsnw.com.au or call 0493 316 463 if they require support developing their submission. Emerging artists are warmly encouraged to apply.
We pay our respects to the traditional owners of the Kamilaroi lands where we work and learn. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.