Snapshots from the week

Soak A Teacher Fundraiser

The Balmoral State High School “Soak a teacher” fundraiser was a standout event, bringing together students and staff for a fun afternoon in support of an important cause.

Students had the opportunity to “soak” their teachers with water sprays, with plenty of laughter (and a few very wet shirts) as staff took it in good spirits. The energy lifted even further as the event built toward the main highlight — the dunking tank.

Four brave teachers stepped up to take the plunge: Mr Barraud, Mr Jesberg, Mr Kane, and Mr Howard. Each one drew a crowd as students lined up for the chance to send them into the dunk tank, with cheers erupting every time the seat dropped.

Beyond the fun, the event had a meaningful impact, raising $876 for the Black Dog Institute, supporting their vital work in mental health research, education, and support services.

A huge thank you goes to the staff who volunteered to be soaked and dunked, and to the students whose enthusiasm and participation made the event such a success. It was a great example of community spirit, humour, and purpose coming together in one memorable afternoon.

Debating

Once again, we find ourselves in the final round of the QDU Debating season!

Our Year 11 team went down in a closely contested debate against Iona, showcasing their knowledge and critical thinking while arguing that dynamic pricing should be used in grocery stores.

Our 9.2 team was victorious against Villanova , while our 9.1 team fell short against Churchie in another competitive debate about the use of Australian authors in the curriculum.

Our two Year 7 teams both debated against St Laurie's on the topic of the cost of space travel. Both teams unfortunately lost very close-fought debates but represented the school admirably and continued to develop their debating skills.

With the regular season now complete, we congratulate all students on their commitment throughout the term and thank our coaches and families for their ongoing support. We look forward to seeing what next season brings!

🎨🏆 House Pride on Display! 🏆🎨

Creativity, teamwork and school spirit have been on full display in our Wednesday Sport House Culture elective this term.

A dedicated group of 10 students from Years 7–9 have spent the term designing and hand-painting impressive banners for each of our sporting houses. These vibrant creations will be proudly waved at Sports Carnivals and school events for years to come, helping build house pride and create an even stronger sense of community.

Today, students had the opportunity to officially present their finished banners to Mr Tuckey. The group should be incredibly proud of their hard work, artistic talent and commitment to bringing these projects to life.

CBSQ

Our year 7/8 Boys Sophomore Basketball team competed over the past two days at the CBSQ Wildcard tournament. The boys played hard and came up against some strong competition. We’re proud of the way our players showed great sportsmanship, supported each other, and represented Balmoral State High School.

Celebrating First Nations Culture and Continuing our Reconciliation Journey

At Balmoral State High School, we are proud to continue building a school community that values, respects and celebrates First Nations culture. Our ongoing reconciliation journey is strengthened through meaningful partnerships, student leadership, cultural learning opportunities and a shared commitment to deepening understanding across our school.

This year, we have continued to support our First Nations students through the QATSIF scholarship program, which provides important opportunities for students to be recognised and supported in their senior schooling pathways. These scholarships celebrate student commitment, achievement and aspiration, and we are proud to see our students engaging with opportunities that support their future success.

Our students and staff also had the privilege of attending the Sorry Day Breakfast at Queensland Parliament House. This was a significant opportunity to reflect on the history and ongoing impact of the Stolen Generations, and to acknowledge the importance of truth-telling, healing and reconciliation.

During Reconciliation Week, Balmoral State High School participated in a joint Reconciliation Assembly at Lourdes Hill College, alongside students from St Laurence’s College. Students were invited to share an artefact and story that represented part of their school’s reconciliation journey. Jackson Dunford spoke exceptionally well at the assembly, sharing with pride and confidence. We are incredibly proud of the way Jackson represents both Balmoral State High School and his First Nations culture.

We were also fortunate to welcome Uncle Boomerang to our school during Reconciliation Week. Uncle Boomerang generously shared cultural knowledge and practical skills with students, including weaving, boomerang throwing, bush medicine, painting and more. These experiences gave students the opportunity to learn through hands-on cultural activities and to deepen their understanding of First Nations knowledge, traditions and connection to Country.

In addition, we are excited to be working with EPIC from The University of Queensland, who are mentoring our First Nations students through university campus visits and weekly onsite mentoring. This partnership provides valuable opportunities for students to build confidence, explore future pathways and connect with positive role models.

We are also looking forward to celebrating NAIDOC Week at the beginning of Term 3, with further opportunities for our students and staff to honour First Nations culture, history, achievements and voices.

We are proud of the ongoing work happening at Balmoral State High School to strengthen cultural awareness, celebrate First Nations excellence and continue our reconciliation journey. These opportunities reflect our commitment to creating a school community where every student feels a strong sense of belonging, agency and pride.