As we reach the halfway point of Term 2, it’s a great moment to reflect on the many achievements already behind us and look ahead to the opportunities still to come. The energy across Benowa State High School remains strong, with students and staff engaged in a wide range of academic, cultural, and sporting pursuits. Whether it’s preparing for assessments, performing on stage, competing on the field, or contributing to the wider school community, our students continue to demonstrate the values and spirit that make Benowa exceptional.
Thank you to our dedicated staff and supportive families for your ongoing partnership. The second half of the term promises to be just as vibrant, and we look forward to celebrating continued growth and success together.
Celebrating Success and Staying Connected
Term 1 was filled with fantastic achievements right across our Junior Secondary, and we are incredibly proud of how our students have begun the year. This term marked the introduction of our new Term 1 Report Card, an initiative designed to provide timely, meaningful feedback early in the year. It was wonderful to see so many families attend our recent Parent-Teacher Interviews, demonstrating our community’s shared commitment to student growth and success.
Teacher feedback is one of the most powerful tools we have to support learning. We encourage parents and carers to talk with their children about the feedback received in both the report card and from teachers directly. Identifying strengths, setting goals, and making small adjustments based on teacher guidance helps students take ownership of their learning and develop as independent, capable learners.
For parents or carers who may have missed out on booking a time with your child’s teachers please reach out to the school or the teacher directly if you are seeking feedback.
Every school day counts – and every minute matters
Regular attendance supports not only learning, but connection, wellbeing, and long-term success
At Benowa State High School, we believe that every school day matters. Consistent attendance is more than just being present—it’s about setting up students for success. When students attend school regularly, they not only keep up with the curriculum but also form strong relationships, develop routines, and build the resilience needed to thrive in all areas of life.
This aligns closely with our school value of Diligence. Diligence means putting in sustained effort and showing commitment—even when it’s challenging. Regular attendance is a daily practice of this value. Whether it’s turning up for a key assessment, a group project, or a normal day of learning, each moment contributes to the bigger picture of student achievement and personal growth. We encourage all families to reinforce with their children that turning up, on time and ready to learn, is a powerful habit that supports success at school and beyond.
Arriving on time and attending every day builds routines, resilience, and readiness for life beyond school:
Students who attend school 95% of the time or more are significantly more likely to achieve higher academic outcomes. (Source: Australian Department of Education)
Missing just one day of school per fortnight adds up to four full weeks of missed learning each year.
That’s the equivalent of more than a full year of school missed over the course of a student’s education from Prep to Year 12.
Students with an attendance rate below 90% are considered "at risk" by educational standards and may experience difficulties keeping up with their peers both academically and socially.
Research shows that Year 9 students with high attendance are 5 times more likely to complete Year 12 than those with poor attendance. (Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
80% of students who miss more than 10% of school per term show a drop in reading and numeracy results over time.
Good attendance habits established in early years (Years 7–9) are strong predictors of senior school success, including QCE attainment and post-school pathways.
Working Together: Communication with the School
Clear and respectful communication between families and the school plays an important role in ensuring every student is supported. The Queensland Department of Education has published the Communicating with your child’s school guidelines, designed to help parents and carers work effectively with school staff. These guidelines promote mutual respect, open communication, and timely resolution of any concerns. We encourage all parents to familiarise themselves with these expectations and contact us if they need clarification or support.
Our staff are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure the best outcomes for students. Whether it's discussing attendance concerns, curriculum pathways, or social and emotional wellbeing, we’re here to help and we value your engagement in the learning journey.
Guidelines are now available to help parents/carers understand the types of information they can expect to receive from state schools and appropriate contact channels. Find out more about these guidelines in Queensland state schools: https://education.qld.gov.au/parents-and-carers/positive-school-culture
By working together, we can support our students to reach their full potential.
Alison Fahlbusch
Year 8 Students Shine Bright!
We are thrilled to share some fantastic news about our Year 8 students and their achievements so far this year! Right from the start of 2025, we’ve spoken with our students about four key expectations – and two in particular have really stood out:
1. Being at school, every day. Attendance is the foundation of student success, and we’re incredibly proud to share that our Year 8 cohort currently leads the region with an outstanding 91% attendance rate. This is a significant improvement from last year and a real credit to our students and families. Thank you for your support in making school attendance a priority – it truly makes a difference.
2. Giving their best effort in learning. This term, for the first time, students received a Term 1 report card, and the results have been truly impressive. We’ve seen some of the strongest academic outcomes in more than a decade! As a cohort, students achieved:
English (A–C): 98%
Mathematics (A–C): 81.5%
These results reflect the hard work, focus, and commitment our students are putting into their learning. I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved so far and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.
Have Your Say – House Structures & Wellbeing Across the school, we are currently reviewing our approach to student wellbeing. As part of this process, we're taking a close look at our House structures and The Resilience Project, and exploring ways we can strengthen the connections and support we offer our students.
If you'd like to let us know your thoughts on our House structure you can complete the survey via the QR code below or this link.
NFL 15U State Champions!
On Tuesday 27 May we participated in the 15U NFL Flag South QLD Championships on the Sunshine Coast. The team had a great day on the field where they won their pool with no points scored against them! In the semi-final round we defeated Mable Park by a narrow margin of 6-0. On to the finals where we faced Varsity Lakes, in the end defeating them 20-12. What an amazing day!!
We are now off to the National competition on June 20 at the Royal Pines Resort. If we are successful at the Nationals we will be once again off to the USA for the International NFL Flag Championships.
Huge congrats to Zavier Ngauamo — Player of the Final!
Athletics Carnival Information
Date: Monday, 15 July Location: Runaway Bay Sports Centre Theme: To be announced in Week 7
Get ready for a fun and energetic day at our annual Athletics Carnival! Students are encouraged to participate enthusiastically and show their House spirit. Don’t forget to wear appropriate clothing and bring essentials like a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
Transport Information
An information letter with full details will be sent home later this term. Students have the option to catch the bus ($12) or make their own way to the sports centre.
We look forward to a fantastic day of friendly competition and school spirit! If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
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Over the weekend of 24 May 14 enthusiastic Redback students (and a some equally excited teachers) headed to North Currigee for the Duke of Ed overnight camp!
From kayaking and canoeing to beach walks, team-building challenges, and grilling marshmallows under the stars — the weekend was filled with sunshine , laughter, and unforgettable memories. This was more than just a camp — it was a chance to grow, connect, and step outside the classroom into a world of adventure.
Duke of Edinburgh program provides young Australians aged 14-24 with the opportunity to uncover their purpose, passion and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance. The organisation believes in young people and their drive to learn and develop with the right support and opportunities.
A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated staff who volunteered their weekend to support our students: Mr Ryan, Mrs George, and Dr Copeland. We are also very grateful to Mr Heilbronn, Dr Grignon, and Miss Olivier from Pimpama SHS for joining us and lending a hand.
We’re delighted to announce the results of our inaugural interhouse photo competition which was held in Term 1. Plenty of students and staff got involved and submitted their best nature-themed photographs, and a finalist was chosen from each of the eight houses in junior, senior, and staff categories. All submissions earned house points and further house points were awarded based on the results of voting.
Congratulations to Hollows House for winning the most points overall! But Wake and Bandler were close behind. The winning images are below!
17 June - Redback Roundtable - Senior Transition and Career Readiness
25 June - STEM Cup
15 July - Athletics Carnival
27 July - Last day of Term 3
14 July - Term 4 starts
15 July - Athletics Carnival
Job Opportunities
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