As we settle into the school year, it has been fantastic to see our students embracing the many opportunities available at Benowa State High School. A special mention must go to our Year 7 students, who have transitioned into high school with enthusiasm and confidence. They are already demonstrating our school values and making the most of the exciting learning experiences here at Benowa.
Last week, I had the opportunity of welcoming parents and family of prospective Year 7 students for 2026 at our Subject Expo. This was a wonderful opportunity for families to explore the diverse curriculum pathways we offer, meet our passionate teachers, and gain insights into what makes Benowa SHS such a vibrant learning community. We encourage all families to engage with us and discover how we support every student to achieve their personal best.
Our annual Swimming Carnival was another highlight of the term, showcasing outstanding school spirit, friendly competition, and impressive performances in the pool. Congratulations to all students who participated and cheered on their houses—it was a fantastic day of energy, teamwork, and house pride!
We are also excited to introduce a new initiative for parent and family engagement: Redback Roundtables. Each term, parents and interested family members will be invited to participate in a Roundtable discussion about topical issues and potential changes. This is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to have a voice in whole-school strategic decision-making. Our first Redback Roundtable will be held on 25 March, with a focus on School Structure and Excellence Programs. Please register your interest here to be a part of our first Redback Roundtable. We look forward to hearing your insights and working together to continue shaping the future of Benowa SHS.
Looking ahead, we are preparing for the Benowa Beyond 95 celebrations, where we honour our highest-achieving graduates from 2024. This prestigious event recognises the dedication and excellence of students who have attained an ATAR of 95 or above, reflecting their commitment to academic success. It is always inspiring to see our graduates setting such high standards and paving the way for future students.
As we move through the term, I encourage all students to set strong learning goals, get involved in school activities, and make the most of the outstanding opportunities at Benowa SHS.
Alison Fahlbusch
On February 14th we hosted the Annual Homestead Swimming Carnival at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. It was great to see so many students and teachers in their tropical outfits!! Well done to all students who participated on the day.
Congratulation to our Swimming Age Champions
12 Years: Andy Vitale-Cahill ~ Angelina Dhillon
13 Years: Sofia Shine ~ Yahia Abdelmaguid
14 Years: Aaron Bu ~ Summer Bailey
15 Years: Chloe Hauff ~ Jack Johnston
16 Years: Dane Rayward ~ Samara Ramirez
Opens: Remi MacDougal ~ Daniel Czegledi
Congratulations to the overall House Champions!
Welcome to Benowa SHS Year 7
We are thrilled to welcome our newest students to the Benowa State High School community! Starting high school is an exciting milestone, and we are here to support every Year 7 student as they begin their journey with us.
At Benowa SHS, we pride ourselves on providing a nurturing and dynamic learning environment where students can grow, discover new passions, and build lifelong friendships. Our dedicated teachers and support staff are committed to helping every student succeed, both academically and personally.
Our Year 7s have already started to settle in, as we welcomed our first group of Drama Excellence students and our first full cohort of Academic Excellence - Benowa Scholar students across English, Maths, Science and Humanities. I look forward to seeing the work this group of students will accomplish this year in their classes.
Building Friendships and Community
The sense of community at Benowa State High School is one of the most cherished aspects of our school culture. As Year 7 students meet new friends and form connections, they become part of a school that values respect, kindness, and collaboration. Through group activities, team-building exercises, and social events, our students are able to develop friendships that will last throughout their time at Benowa High and beyond.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate the Year 7 cohort, we also look forward to the many achievements and successes that are yet to come. We are excited to witness the growth of our students—academically, socially, and personally—as they embark on this new chapter in their educational journey. At Benowa State High School, we are committed to supporting every student in their pursuit of excellence and ensuring they have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
We are proud of our Year 7 students and excited for all that they will accomplish in the years ahead.
Welcome to Benowa State High School, Year 8 Families!
A warm welcome to all our new Year 8 students and their families! We are delighted to have you join the Benowa State High School community, where your child will embark on an exciting journey of learning, growth, and success.
Starting high school is a significant milestone for both students and parents. We understand that this transition brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty, and we want to assure you that our dedicated teachers and staff are here to support your child every step of the way. From engaging lessons to enriching extracurricular activities, we offer a dynamic learning environment designed to help students thrive both academically and socially.
As we begin the year, students have been reminded of four key expectations to ensure their success:
They turn up (DILIGENCE). Attendance is crucial for academic achievement. Research shows that poor attendance is linked to lower literacy and numeracy outcomes, fewer qualifications, early school leaving, and even increased risks of substance use in adolescence. Regular attendance ensures students can fully access educational resources and build positive learning habits.
They are prepared for school (DILIGENCE). This means arriving with the correct uniform (including appropriate footwear for safety), bringing necessary materials like multiple pens/pencils and a charged laptop, carrying a water bottle, and maintaining a positive attitude ready for learning.
They try their best (DILIGENCE). Students are encouraged to focus on their work, stay organized, meet deadlines, and apply feedback for continuous improvement. Taking responsibility for their learning will help them achieve their full potential.
They treat themselves and others with respect (RESPECT). Respectful behavior includes using positive language in person and online, keeping hands and feet to themselves, minding their own business, and reporting any concerns if someone is in trouble or at risk.
These expectations will be our focus throughout the term as we build a strong and supportive Year 8 cohort.
In Week 4, we celebrated high-performing students who have demonstrated excellence and diligence in their studies. These students were paired with Year 12 student leaders as part of a new mentoring initiative, guiding them on their academic pathways. We are excited to see this program grow and welcome more students to our Year 8 High Flyers table.
We encourage you to stay connected with us and be involved in your child’s high school experience. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, Year 8 coordinators, or our student support services. We are all here to help make this transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible for both you and your child.
Once again, welcome to Benowa State High School! We look forward to partnering with you to support your student's journey and success.
NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. Information for parents and carers regarding NAPLAN assessment can be found here. Specific information regarding NAPLAN 2025 can be here.
In 2025, Benowa SHS Year 7 and 9 students NAPLAN tests will be held from 12 to 17 March. Participating students will complete online tests in the below order:
12 March 2025 -Test 1, Writing (42 minutes)
Year 7 – Period 3
Year 9 – Period 1
13 March 2025 – Test 2, Reading (65 minutes)
Year 7 – Period 3
Year 9 – Period 1
14 March 2025 – Test 3, Conventions of Language (45 minutes)
Year 7 – Period 1
Year 9 – Period 3
17 March 2025 – Test 4, Numeracy (65 minutes)
Year 7 – Period 1
Year 9 – Period 3
18 March 2025 - NAPLAN Catch Up
In preparation for NAPLAN our IT staff will be visiting Year 9 classes on Monday, 24 February in Period 3, and Year 7 classes on Wednesday, 25 February in Period 4 to update the NAPLAN Lockdown Browser. For any students or families wishing to update the lockdown browser prior please download via the Assessform website. Upon installation, the colour of the Windows NAP 2025 icon will now be purple.
To support students in their preparation for NAPLAN the school has produced literacy video tutorials and numeracy resources are available for students to prepare for NAPLAN and feel confident.
The four literacy episodes are ready to watch, including both persuasive and narrative genre tips and tricks, along with numeracy practice questions:
Students can access all of these videos by clicking this link: NAPLAN Tutorials. Students will need to log in using their school username and password to watch the video.
We recommend watching all of these videos prior to NAPLAN, and practising some numeracy questions. They can help students with ideas and strategies to do their best.
The Library started the new year with the annual Great Amazing Library Race, an orientation for all Year 7 students to learn about what happens in the Library. Information to support students utilise our wonderful facility included procedures for borrowing a book, the different genres available, opening hours and where to find everything offered in the Library, along with how to print!
Queensland School Library Week
We launched this annual event with a display of new books available for students to borrow. These are the latest fiction and non-fiction, representing a range of different genres. The display table is updated regularly with more new books so that everyone has a chance to be the first student to open a brand new book! A small Cyber Club commenced also, with boys signing up to play supervised, educational games.
Tuesday featured our Manga display with students actively discussing all things Manga. After the very busy start to the week
Wednesday was an opportunity for mindfulness, with students creating personalised Book Marks.
Thursday saw our school Book Club launch. Over twenty students participated in what is a weekly event run by our wonderful Senior Library Ambassadors, Tanya Vincent and Amelie Rowland. Interested students are welcome to come along and join in every Monday, in the Library, Room L02.
As part of the Library’s cultural connections, another annual event entertained students in a Junior Assembly with the Lion Dance performance. Students were fascinated by the colourful antics of the dancing lions as they presented our school with two oranges, symbolic of bringing prosperity and good health to Benowa High School during this Year of the Snake.
Junior Council
The Junior Council is part of the Library with a focus on research and civic leadership. On Thursday 26 February, four students represented Benowa High School at the Gold Coast City Junior Council for 2025. Baran Jalilian, Jet Jackson from Year 11, Siani Symons and Arthur Blake from Year 10 were amongst the 160 Gold Coast school students who attended HOTA for this first meeting of the year. This was a very special occasion, as Baran was elected onto the Executive Committee, a team of eight students nominated by the entire cohort of participating Gold Coast schools. The meeting consisted of a formal induction within the actual Council Chambers with the acting Mayor, Donna Gates, presiding over the ceremony. An interactive, high powered leadership workshop followed, with students challenged by a wide range of practical, inspirational strategies to develop their skills within the theme of Leadership is Service.
Below are important dates in 2025 for our Round 1 2026 application information. More details will be on our socials so be sure to follow us!
Applications close: Monday 3 March
Art portfolios due: Monday 17 March
Music auditions: Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 March
Drama auditions: Tuesday 19 March
Dance auditions: Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 March
Sport trials: Friday 21 March
Academic exam: Saturday 22 March
After all the auditions, trials and exams are completed offers will be made Friday 02 May.
Volunteer Tutors Needed! Make a Difference in a Student’s Life Today!
Are you passionate about Maths or English? Do you want to help Year 7 to Year 12 students succeed in their studies? Join our team of dedicated volunteers and become a tutor!
What we’re looking for
Subject Knowledge: Strong understanding of Maths or English (or both).
Communication Skills: Ability to explain concepts clearly and adapt to different learning styles.
Commitment to Helping: Patience and enthusiasm for guiding students through their challenges.
You must have
A current blue card
An induction – scheduled by Admin
If you’re interested, please contact Ron Eyre on: 55 827 333.
On Thursday 13 February, our Highflyers were joined by five other Year 12 students and attended Griffith University for the day. Students completed three hands on activities. The first was in the science labs conducting a chemistry experiment, extracting and testing chemicals in toothpaste.
The second was resuscitating a dummy, and the third, they took part in a trial in a law case.
The day was action packed and everyone went home filled to the brim with new knowledge.
A great day was had by nine Benowa High students who in Week 4 competed in the GC Interschool Chess Tournament at Saint Stephen’s College, Coomera. Approximately 18 schools from across the region were represented, with students competing in teams for their school and for individual standings. The Interschool Tournament format involves each student playing 7 matches.
Abigail and Xaviar represented Benowa in Division A, facing some older and more experienced players. Well done to Abigail, placing 14th out of 66 players with 4 wins and a draw, and to Xaviar, playing for the first time in the higher division. Vyan, Charles and Harrison excelled in Division B, placing 3rd out of 48 teams. The boys had fantastic individual results, placing 3rd, 5th, and 10th respectively, out of 48 students. Congratulations boys!
Ryder, Henry, Campbell and Ryelan competed in Division C, finishing 9th from 18 teams. Well done to Ryder, winning 5 of his 7 games, finishing 7th out of 66 players. It was also a great effort from our Year 7 lads Henry, Campbell and Ryelan for winning some of their games in their very first high school competition.
Thank you to each of these students for being fine ambassadors for our school, displaying exemplary behaviour and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
The Term 2 tournament will take place in Week 5, Wednesday 14 May at Saint Stephens College. Any student (with at least a basic level of chess) is welcome to attend and should email Ms Ashley sashl5@eq.edu.au to sign up.
Students interested in playing chess regularly at Benowa High can choose Chess as their Wednesday afternoon Clubs activity (during period 4) and are also encouraged to come along to the library during break times where they can play amongst friends in a relaxed and fun environment.
