As Term 1 comes to a close, I want to thank our students, staff, and families for a fantastic start to the year. There have been many highlights, from academic achievements to sporting and cultural successes, and it’s been wonderful to see our students embracing every opportunity. As we look ahead, I want to take a moment to share some important updates and reminders.

 

Next term, our school will undergo a formal Department of Education School Review, an important process that gathers feedback from students, staff, and parents to help shape the next Benowa State High School Strategic Plan. This review will ensure we continue to grow and improve in ways that best support our students. I encourage families to engage with this process, as your input is invaluable. One great way to stay informed and involved is through our Redback Roundtable sessions in Term 2, where parents and carers can hear about the school’s future direction and share their thoughts.

You can register your interest here: Redback Roundtable

 

At Benowa, we take great pride in how our students represent our school, both in and out of uniform. As we enter the holiday period and a new term, I remind all students of our high expectations regarding behaviour. Whether in class, at school events, or out in the community, we expect our students to uphold the values of Respect, Diligence, Integrity and Compassion. Wearing the Benowa uniform is a privilege, and we ask that students always conduct themselves in a way that reflects positively on our school community.

 

I also want to take this opportunity to remind students about the importance of health, hygiene, and safety particularly in shared spaces like the school toilets. It is essential that students use these facilities correctly and respectfully to ensure a clean and safe environment for everyone. I urge all parents and carers to speak with their children about responsible bathroom use and the importance of maintaining hygiene for their own wellbeing and that of their peers.

 

Additionally, we remain deeply concerned about the health risks associated with vaping. The Queensland Government has introduced strict vaping laws to protect young people from the harmful effects of e-cigarettes. We strongly urge students to avoid vaping and remind families that possessing or using vapes at school is strictly prohibited. If you would like more information on these laws or the dangers of vaping, I encourage you to visit the Queensland Health website. I will be collaborating with the local Queensland Police Service (QPS) to identify and report any illegal suppliers of vapes to our students. Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our school community is a priority, and we remain committed to working closely with authorities to prevent the distribution of harmful, addictive substances to our young people.

 

Finally, I wish all our families a safe and happy Easter break! I hope this holiday brings you time to relax, recharge, and enjoy special moments with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting and productive term. 

We have had a wonderful start to 2025 with the new Year 10 cohort. Despite floods, storms, cyclones, and falling trees we are moving forward in the program and looking forward to SET planning in term 3.

 

Our WEB lessons on Monday in period 3 continue to be an important aspect of planning for the future, augmented by health talks from our wonderful School Based Youth Health Nurse Barb!

 

Please note all the events that we are offering our Year 10 students over the coming terms. The Maritime Industry Evening has set a high bar for us - look out for more industry evenings in future.

 

Report cards will be released in Week 2 of Term 2 - a new effort by Benowa to keep students and their parents informed around academic progress. This report will be helpful in gauging what subjects might be suitable in Year 11 and 12.

 

I hope everyone enjoys a well-earned break, and can return in Term 2 to continue the amazing work we see here at Benowa.

The first of Benowa’s Industry Evenings took place on Wednesday, 19 March, with a focus on the Maritime Industry. This event provided young people with the opportunity to explore the exciting career pathways and opportunities within the sector.

 

For those unfamiliar with the industry, maritime plays a crucial role in both the Gold Coast and Australia as a whole. It serves as the backbone of global trade, facilitating the transportation of the vast majority of goods across international borders. This makes it an essential component of the global economy and supply chains, particularly for large-volume, long-distance cargo movement. Beyond trade, the maritime industry is vital for connecting remote communities and supporting passenger travel.

 

Locally, the industry contributes significantly to tourism, the fishing sector, employment, and recreation. The Gold Coast relies heavily on tour operators, whose services are interconnected with hospitality, the hotel industry, and other supporting sectors. Without the maritime industry, many aspects of our daily lives and economy would be vastly different. It raises an important question: where would we be without it?

 

Many thanks go to our exhibitors: Smit Lamnalco, Maritimo, Go Boat, Sea School, AMSA, Australian Navy, TAFE, Seaworld Cruises, Seatech Marine, Apprenticeship Support Australia, Yachstman International, Boating Industry Association, Airlift Hovercraft, Major Training and DESBT.

As we settle into the school year, our Year 12 students have embarked on their first assessments, marking an important milestone in their final year of schooling. These assessments set the foundation for the year ahead, and we will be closely monitoring their academic progress.

 

We also understand that many parents feel concerned when their child is unsure about their post-school pathway. Please know that this is completely normal. The final years of schooling are a time of exploration, and interests often evolve. There is no need for panic—many students take time to discover their direction, and we are here to support them in making informed decisions. Conversations about careers, university, TAFE, or other opportunities will continue throughout the year to help them navigate their future with confidence.

Meanwhile, our Year 11 students have successfully completed their first official senior exams, marking the end of Unit 1. We are incredibly proud of their resilience and organisation during this important transition. Year 11 is a crucial year, as every point contributes towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). If any student feels they need additional support, we encourage them to reach out to the Senior Schooling team—we are here to help them succeed.

 

Our Year 11 and 12 students have set a fantastic tone for the year, not just in their studies but in the way they conduct themselves each day. They are showing respect in their interactions, diligence in their commitment to learning, compassion in supporting their peers, and integrity in their actions. These behaviours reflect the values we uphold as a school community, and we are incredibly proud of the way they are representing themselves and our school. It’s been a great start, and we look forward to seeing this continue throughout the year! 

 

We appreciate your ongoing support as we guide our senior students through these significant stages of their education. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Mrs Lieve Rimbaut, DP year 11 and 12

Mrs Sarah Price, Head of Senior Schooling

Mrs Kylie Diviak, Year 11 Coordinator

Mrs Dee Thosrborne, Year 12 Coordinator

The House system at Benowa SHS went through a rebranding in 2017, with considerable success in the early years under the guidance of Heads of Houses. As the years have passed and the school continues to change and grow, the 8-house system at Benowa SHS has gradually lost some of its worth and is in need of a bit of a facelift. The students and staff have completed a House Review Survey earlier this term, sharing their opinions of the current house system, along with sharing their thoughts about what the house system could look like in the future. 

 

Now it is time to hear from our Redback parents to understand how you view the house system at Benowa SHS. The survey consists of 6 quick questions with a space at the end to share any further thoughts and opinions that you may have, taking only 2-3 minutes to complete. Please scan the QR code below to complete the quiz, your thoughts and opinions are greatly valued in this discussion. 

Throughout Term 1 we have had a number of students excel in Representative School Sport. We had 91 students make their respective Broadwater Teams! A great result.

Congratulations to the following students for their achievements:

 

Good luck to all students that have upcoming trials and State Championships!

 

There are a number of Broadwater Trials coming up in Term 2. A reminder if students want to nominate for any Broadwater Trials, please check the Broadwater Calendar that is in the Sports Hall and on the school website and follow the process on the school website - https://benowashs.eq.edu.au/co-curricular/sports

We use the Resilience Project with our junior students in particular and it can be very impactful. To help you learn more about this initiative we invite you to the upcoming webinar.

 

Authentic Connection for Parents and Carers Webinar with Hugh on Tuesday 6 May, 6:30-7:30pm (60 minutes) AEST.

 

Parents and carers need to register for the webinar using this link. You will then be sent the Zoom link and a calendar invite.

 

Can't make it on the night? No problem - it be recorded and the link will be sent for those who cannot make it or would like a recap. 

We are excited to announce a new, high-quality tutoring program in 2025 in partnership with A Team Tuition, commencing in Term 2. Designed to boost confidence, motivation, and academic success, this program provides targeted support in English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities in a small-group setting.

 

Sessions will be held on campus after school, while exact session days and times are still being finalised, we are gathering expressions of interest to determine demand. To express your interest, please click the link https://forms.office.com/r/WLxwP6752i

 

Spots are limited, and demand is expected to be high. Register your interest now to secure your student’s place.

 

Thank you to our sponsors Loan Market, Somerville Funerals and A Team Tuition for supporting our students. 

If your student is in Year 7, 8 or 9 - and you haven't yet registered for Clubs@Benowa there isn't much time left! Clubs@Benowa activities run each Wednesday of Terms 2, 3 and 4 during Period 4, except on GCSC cluster sport days.

 

There is a wide range of sporting, cultural and community activities are on offer, most clubs operate on site and only 1 club has a cost associated with it. 

 

If your students play Redback sports (AFL, Touch, Volleyball, NFL flag, or Rugby) or is part of Dance Excellence - you do NOT need to pick a club. 

 

There are limits on clubs and some have already filled - so if you haven't yet registered be sure to take a look before 3 April when registrations close. You can register here: beyondbenowa.com.au.

Why wait to start working towards your university and career goals?

 

Get a head start at Bond University, discover uni life and earn credit towards a university degree while you’re still at high school. Bond’s Student for a Semester program and Learn for Credit courses are designed to give ambitious Year 11 and 12 students an advantage in their studies and an early start on university. Whether it’s for one semester or one day, you can get a head start and enrich your studies under the guidance of experienced university academics. Learn more.

 

We, at Bond University, know your journey and dreams will be different to the student next to you. Our exclusive All About ATAR content will help you understand how you can leverage your ATAR and tailor your university experience to realise your potential. You'll receive expert advice from a range of perspectives, from a data scientist to a regional manager and a student.

 

Register now to unlock exclusive ATAR content.

We are excited to announce our Gold Sponsor Lauren Hall, the managing director of Loan Market is hosting a Home Buyers Evening on Thursday 3 April. She will share her knowledge, insights and strategies to help you in the housing market - all for free! 

 

You can register with the QR code below.

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsor