Dear Parents and Carers
Community of Achievers
Our Dripstone Learning and Community Ambassadors have been actively making a difference across our school, working to enhance student engagement, wellbeing, and learning outcomes. This Special Edition Newsletter shines a spotlight on the incredible efforts of our Student Ambassadors and the positive impact they continue to have within our school community.
Celebrating Our 2025 School Ambassadors
On Wednesday, 21 May, we proudly held our annual Dripstone School Ambassadors Badging Ceremony—an evening dedicated to recognising the outstanding students who have committed to representing our school with pride and leadership.
This year saw a record-breaking number of students express interest in the program, with over 180 signing up. Following a probationary period, 130 students were officially welcomed as School Ambassadors after demonstrating their dedication, responsibility, and school spirit.
Each Ambassador was presented with a badge and certificate to acknowledge their role as positive role models and influential voices within our school community.
A heartfelt thank you to our special guests who helped make the evening so memorable:
- Mr John Cleary of the Northern Territory Learning Commission, who presented our Learning Ambassadors with their badges and certificates.
- Mrs Nicky D'Antonie, Dripstone Middle School Council Chairperson, who presented our Community Ambassadors with their badges and certificates.
We also extend our sincere thanks to our School Ambassador Coordinators, Ms Shanae Kuo and Mr George Triantafillos, for their ongoing commitment and leadership in guiding this important program.
Finally, thank you to all the families, friends, school council members, and special guests who joined us to celebrate our students.
Congratulations to all our 2025 School Ambassadors! We look forward to the incredible contributions you’ll make throughout the year!
The full photo album can be found via the Dripstone Middle School Facebook page.
SCHOOL CAPTAINS
At the Badging Ceremony, our 2025 School Captains and Vice-Captains were announced.
We’re proud to introduce our 2025 School Captains! Congratulations to Jack and Claire, who will be leading our student leadership team this year!
This year, we expanded our leadership program to give all students the opportunity to apply for a vice-captain role — encouraging student voice and leadership across every year level. It’s been inspiring to see so many students step up and show their passion for making a difference in our school community.
A big congratulations to all applicants who showed courage, commitment, and a strong sense of school pride. We’re excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to see what this incredible team will achieve!
LEARNING AMBASSADOR NEWS
NTLC Kick-Off 2025
Members from the Dripstone Learning Ambassadors (Learning Commissioners) attended the launch of the 2025 Northern Territory Learning Commission! Students explored last year’s school survey data and began forming ideas to enhance the student learning experience at Dripstone.
This year, Dripstone students will continue their work on strengthening student-teacher relationships, fostering a supportive and connected school community. Through the NTLC, students are leading research and working alongside teachers to drive meaningful change!
NTLC Data Dive Day
Through investigation, the Dripstone Learning Ambassadors, in partnership with the Northern Territory Learning Commission (NTLC), completed a Data Dive Day. The Data Dive Day had Mr Rose working with over 80 students to look at whole school issues and how students can partner with our teachers to make learning engaging for everyone.
Students explored what teachers and students have said in five different primary data sources:
- The Australian School Improvement Framework
- NAPLAN and PAT Data
- Student school survey results
- Attendance records
- PIVOT partnership with the NTLC
These sources highlighted how our learners have developed a strong sense of community. Student perspectives revealed meaningful connections with their teachers and a deep engagement in their learning. Their enthusiasm for what’s happening in the classroom reflects experiences that are shaping their futures.
In Term 3, students at Dripstone Middle School will be meeting with 60 schools from across the Northern Territory. The students will work together with the NTLC to unpack how student voice and choice engages and grows learners across Australia. Our inquiry explores the wellbeing and relationships that will foster the academic and social connections that shape our future as a school.
Learning Ambassadors Round Table
Students came together in a round-table forum, influenced by leaders across the Territory, to discuss how we can make change within our school community. Mr Rose prompted students to discuss issues that concerned them. In these discussions, students focused on the wellbeing, engagement, attendance and future generations to come.
COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR NEWS
PAWS Darwin Fundraiser
Fantastic work by our Year 9 Community Ambassadors who held a successful Bake Sale Fundraiser for PAWS Darwin – marking the third year in a row of this meaningful initiative!
Thank you to all students and families who contributed sweet treats to the bake sale!
Staff vs Students Showdowns Bring the Spirit
A big shoutout to our amazing Community Ambassadors for organising two fantastic Staff vs Students Lunchtime Showdowns this semester!
In Term 1, the Soccer Showdown kicked things off with a lively match full of competitive spirit, great teamwork, and plenty of school pride. Then in Term 2, the action moved to the court for a fast-paced Basketball Showdown, where the students claimed victory with impressive skill and determination.
These fun, friendly competitions have helped strengthen connections between students and staff while building a vibrant school culture. Well done to all involved—we’re already looking forward to the next round!
Staff Shoutout and ‘Who Am I?’
The Community Ambassadors ran two fantastic initiatives to strengthen connections between students and staff.
First up was the Staff Shoutout stall, where students could nominate staff members for a SOAR Award—recognising those who consistently demonstrate our school values of Safety, Ownership, Achievement, and Respect. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the positive impact our staff have every day.
To add some fun, the Ambassadors also launched a ‘Who Am I?’ game. Staff completed a mystery questionnaire, and students had to guess who matched each set of clues. Congratulations to Abbey T and Hudson S (both Year 9) for solving the most mysteries and taking out the win!
Year 7 Community Ambassadors Host Successful Bubble Tea Fundraiser!
For the first time ever, our Year 7 Community Ambassadors hosted a fun and exciting fundraiser for World Boba Day, celebrating their love of bubble tea! With great support from our friends at Chatime Casuarina, the students sold bubble tea and handmade jewellery during lunchtime.
The event was a huge hit, with all Chatime drinks selling out in under ten minutes! What an incredible achievement for our young leaders!
A special thank you to Tam and Thong from Chatime Casuarina for their generous support in making this event such a success. Well done to all the Year 7 Ambassadors for their enthusiasm and hard work!
Biggest Morning Tea Fundraiser
Our Dripstone Community Ambassadors recently hosted a Biggest Morning Tea to raise vital funds for Cancer Council Australia. Thanks to the generosity and support of our school community, the event was a wonderful success as everyone came together to share a cuppa and some sweet treats for an important cause.
Students celebrated with their own Biggest Morning Tea on Friday, 23rd May, enjoying delicious treats ordered online through the fundraiser.
Together, we helped contribute towards the fight against cancer—thank you to everyone who donated and participated! Your support truly makes a difference. The Community Ambassadors raised a total of $555.50 via their online fundraising site. The funds will go towards life-saving cancer research, prevention, advocacy and support services for the Australians who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Celebrating Mother’s Day with Creativity and Care
Well done to the Community Ambassadors for organising a beautiful and thoughtful Mother's Day Gift Stall!
In the lead-up to the event, students worked hard crafting planter pots, hanging planters, handmade jewellery, and curated gift packs—all made with care, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.
A special thank you to Khoda Patel MLA – Member for Casuarina and Oly Carlson MLA - Member for Wanguri, for their generous donation of two Mother's Day Pancake Hampers. Raffle tickets were sold at the stall, and we’re excited to congratulate Clayton and Dala as the lucky winners!
Thank you to everyone who supported this wonderful initiative—it was a lovely way to celebrate the important women in our lives while showcasing the talents and dedication of our student leaders.
Smoothie Fundraiser for New PE Equipment
In the leadup to the Athletics Carnival, our Year 8 Community Ambassadors organised a lunchtime smoothie fundraiser to raise money for new PE equipment. Their efforts helped support the event and promote school spirit. Great job, Ambassadors!
This dedicated group of Ambassadors also work behind the scenes each week to support House Shirt Friday, carefully counting every coloured shirt each Friday morning to tally the points contributing to the Dripstone Spirit Award. They are also working on new house flag designs for each team - watch this space for the final designs!
HOUSE SHIRT FRIDAYS
House Shirt Fridays is an initiative started by the Community Ambassadors to help lift school spirit and create some friendly competition within the school.
Every Friday, all students and staff are invited to wear their House Shirts to represent their House Teams. The Community Ambassadors have a roster of students who take turns each Friday to go around and count up all the House Shirts, then announce the winning team at the end of the day, before students head home for the weekend.
These points are being saved and will go towards the new Dripstone Spirit Award, which will be awarded to the House Team with the most points at the end of the year.
The Semester 1 results are in for the Dripstone Spirit Points tally!
Well done to Carpentaria, who is currently in the lead with 915 points! Following is Phoenix with 793 points, and Alexandra with 751 points.
Additional points were up for grabs at this year’s Term 2 Athletics Carnival, where students could boost their House total by taking part in extra events like the Push-Up Challenge, Basketball, and Volleyball competitions.