As we reflect on the first half of the school year at Benowa State High School, I am filled with pride in the remarkable achievements of our students across academic, cultural, and sporting pursuits. Our theme of Many Pathways, No Limits continues to guide us in fostering an environment where all students can thrive and explore their individual potential.

 

One of the key highlights from Semester 1 has been our academic celebrations. Students across all year levels have demonstrated dedication, resilience, and a strong commitment to their learning. Our Semester 1 academic award recipients are a testament to the high expectations and standards we uphold at Benowa.

 

We were also thrilled with the strong results in this year’s NAPLAN testing. Our students performed above national and state averages across multiple domains, reflecting both the capability of our learners and the hard work of our teaching staff. These results affirm our strategic focus on literacy and numeracy as foundational elements for success across all subject areas.

A special congratulations to the students who participated in the Harvard Young Entrepreneurs Program. This global initiative offered students a rare opportunity to work with mentors from Harvard University on real-world business problems. It was inspiring to see our students take on these challenges with such maturity, collaboration, and creativity, developing skills in leadership, innovation, and critical thinking.

Early this term, several teams of Benowa students and staff took on the gruelling Kokoda Challenge on the Gold Coast. Walking distances of up to 96 kilometres through tough terrain, these young people showed exceptional grit and team spirit. The Kokoda values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Sacrifice were on full display, and we thank all involved for their outstanding representation of our school community. 

In sport, our NFL Flag team has gone from strength to strength, earning a national title and travelling to the United States to represent Australia in an international competition. Their success has put Benowa on the global stage, and we are immensely proud of their efforts both on and off the field. The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and demonstrated the powerful role sport can play in building character, friendships, and international understanding. 

Our annual Athletics Carnival was a vibrant celebration of school spirit, teamwork, and personal bests. Held in perfect weather, students from all year levels participated with enthusiasm whether sprinting down the track, leaping into the long jump pit, or cheering loudly from the sidelines. It was fantastic to see such high levels of House pride and sportsmanship on display. Congratulations to our age champions, record breakers, indeed all competitors for their outstanding performances. A big thank you to the staff and student leaders who made the day run so smoothly!

While we celebrate these many successes, it is also important to acknowledge some of the challenges facing young people today particularly in the online world. Social media is a powerful tool, but it can have significant impacts on adolescent mental health, including increased anxiety, poor self-esteem, and sleep disruption. We continue to work with students and families to promote safe and responsible use of technology and encourage open conversations about digital wellbeing. Parents are encouraged to stay engaged in their child’s online world and reach out if support is needed.

 

Parents can support their child in navigating the challenges of social media by having regular, open conversations about their online experiences, setting healthy boundaries around screen time, and modelling positive digital behaviours.

 

Helpful Resources for Parents:

As we move into Term 3, the pace does not slow down. This is a critical time in the school year, particularly for our senior students. 

 

As our senior students approach important assessment periods and key decision points in their schooling, we encourage them to stay focused, manage their time effectively, and seek support when needed. These moments can shape future pathways, and with the right mindset and effort, every student has the opportunity to succeed. Parents and carers play a vital role during this time by offering encouragement, helping maintain balance, and celebrating progress along the way. Our Year 10 students will engage in their Senior Education and Training (SET) planning this term, an important process that helps guide future subject selections, career aspirations, and pathways beyond school. I encourage all families to be actively involved in these discussions.

 

Term 3 will also include academic reporting, exams for Year 11 and 12, cultural performances, representative sport, and many leadership and enrichment opportunities for students.

 

Thank you to all our students, staff, and families for your ongoing support and partnership. I look forward to another exciting and successful term ahead.

This week, our school community came together to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our Year 8 students at our Semester One Celebration Assembly. With proud families, staff, and peers in attendance, the event shone a spotlight on academic excellence, outstanding attendance, student leadership, and character.

 

I opened the assembly with a reflection on the significance of the middle years of schooling. I reminded students that these years are about defining character, building independence, and choosing who you want to be – not just academically, but in your values and actions.

 

From academic high achievers and 100% attenders, to student leaders and those exemplifying our core school values, every award presented was a recognition of diligence, effort, and growth. Our talented Big Band also brought energy and pride to the stage with their standout performance of 1800 Got Funk, fresh from the International Music Festival.

 

Special congratulations go to:

As we move through Term 3, our school-wide value focus is Diligence. We encourage all students to maintain their momentum, strive for personal bests, and take pride in the consistent effort that leads to success.

 

A reminder that the Year 8 Assessment Calendar has now been released (Friday, 25 July). Please take time to review it with your student to support their organisation and preparation over the coming weeks.

 

Finally, we continue to reinforce the importance of every lesson counting. Attendance matters – not just for academic success, but for building confidence, connection, and continuity in learning.

 

Thank you to our staff, families and carers for the vital role you play in supporting our students. And to all of our Year 8 cohort – we are proud of your achievements so far and excited for all that’s still to come.

Benowa State High School continues to innovate in delivery the school’s vision ‘Many Pathways~No Limits’. Partnering with the Harvard University Project for Asian and International Relations the school provided opportunity for their Year 9 ‘Academic High Flyers’ to participate in the Future Entrepreneurs Program in late Term 2.

 

The Future Entrepreneurs program required students to pitch a start-up business to resolve  a current local, national or international sustainability challenge. Developing knowledge, skills and critical and creative-thinking skills was essential to student success. Visiting staff from Harvard University provided extensive support and wonderful international connections for students.

 

The opportunity to partner with Harvard University has opened the door for students to hear about College admissions processes at Harvard by directly linking with the university's Admissions Team.

 

As a nation first, Benowa State High School has once again delivered a nation leading pathway and removed limits on further their students who may wish to pursue international University study.

For our Year 10 cohort, the most exciting time of year is approaching. It is time to choose their subjects for Years 11 and 12.

 

We are holding a Parent Information Night at 5.30 pm on Tuesday 29 July 29. We will split into two groups - one in the Sports Hall, and the other group in the Barn - K05.

 

Then, on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 August, staff will meet Year 10 students and their parents/carers to discuss their SET Plan. Students work with staff to select their subjects for 2026 and 2027. It is both important, and a little nerve wracking, but our trained SET planners will be with you to support these important decisions.

 

As an overall plan, students are advised to choose subjects which:

On Tuesday we will explain all of the above and more! We hope to see all of our Year 10 parents there! 

Our Redback went to Canton Ohio for the second year in a row, as ‘Team Australia’ for the NFL Flag International Championship Tournament.

 

They had an amazing tournament winning all but two games. They brought home the silver medal after falling to Mexico in the final match. 

 

Thank you to all of our dedicated coaches and to the parents for extra time for practice and keeping school happening at the same time! Thank you for supporting the students and helping the team achieve this amazing result.

 

Well done Redbacks! Bring on the world! 

Over the holidays our Instrumental Music students travelled to Sydney for a week of learning, rehearsing and performing - with a little sight seeing thrown in!

 

Who: 41 students, 4 teachers

What:

2 Darling harbour performances

2 adjudicated performances at Chatswood Concourse (awarded silver in both)

2 workshops with clinicians

1 rehearsal exchange with the Hong Kong Youth Orchestra

1 incredible performance at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall

 

For fun between playing they visited Taronga Zoo, Blue Mountains Scenic World, took a Darling Harbour Cruise, went to the Lego Shop and the Historic Rocks District. What an amazing experience! Everyone was exhausted by the time they headed home, but some amazing core memories were made on this trip!

 

Visitors to the Library will notice a class full of new ‘heads’ have popped up!! Currently on display in the Library are sculptural head pieces by Dr Anderson’s Year 8 Art Excellence students. The theme for this project inspired individual interpretations of the concept : Human Connections to the World Around Us. Many students chose to explore human connections to Nature and the environment. Others chose human connections to Popular Culture, Technology or Cultural Identity. Some works explored emotional and psychological states. The works are varied and range from comic characters, to Nature Spirits to disembodied brains! Dr A is grateful to our Librarian, Ms Stanley, who warmly and unreservedly welcomes students to exhibit in such a vibrant public space.

Our next business breakfast is scheduled for 12 September and we'd love if you came along. We will again be at the Southport Golf club for a fresh start to the morning where you can share ideas, make connections and have a great breakfast! We start at 6.30am and our guest speakers include 

Get in early and when you buy a ticket you can get a second one at half price! Don't forget your business card as the door prizes are always fabulous!  

Summer Sports! It's that time where all of our local clubs begin their summer sport events and sign ons. Additionally the Queensland government has a new sports voucher system available to parents that is really helpful! You can check out Play On here! 

Below are a few options for your to check out! 

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors