Principal's Report
I am about to meet a packed Robinson Centre filled with potential parents who have signed up for a school tour to help make the decision as to whether or not Ballarat High School is the right school for their child.
There’s a lot I can say about our school - the facilities, programs, opportunities, wide ranging excursions and enrichment activities & academic and vocational pathways – but what our students do and how they contribute to who we are, are the main messages I want them to take away. On any given day and on any given week there is something going on and it is usually student led. The fact that we run these tours whilst we are fully operational is a departure from the usual after-hours events schools offer. We have a strong sense of who we are and I take great pride in our 1470+ students so it seems logical to showcase them. There will be students learning, receiving additional support, working through problems with our Wellbeing Team, studying for all important assessments, taking NAPLAN catch-ups at any given hour of the week. As well as all of this, families will see today students committed to raising awareness through fundraising for mental health charities and learning new skills through our Barista training. And that’s not to mention students setting up for the Bollywood Dancing demonstration at lunchtime!
This last example is part of our school’s proud celebration of Harmony Week: a time dedicated to recognizing and embracing the diverse cultures that make up our community. Through a variety of activities, students and staff have come together to appreciate the richness of our backgrounds, traditions and experiences. From vibrant cultural displays to shared storytelling, the week highlights the importance of inclusivity and respect. It is a powerful reminder that our differences make us stronger and that a truly welcoming school is one where everyone feels valued and heard.
Our school identity is the accumulation of all of our families’ stories and it has been amazing to see how much our students have got behind this week. Thank you to Chantal, one of our parents, who sent in delicious Dutch Butter Cake, our very own Dhanu who cooked up some amazing Sri Lankan cuisine; for Ms. Maggi for running origami sessions; and our library staff for the range of activities they have run to connect students with our collective stories. I have just sampled amazing food deeply steeped in tradition and clearly made with love - thank you to one of our parents, Agnes, for showcasing your culture for our students: there will not be a grain of rice left it was that delicious!
As our staff member in charge of Student Leadership, Ms. Mackenzie, summed up, ‘ultimately it’s our aim to celebrate diversity, call out racism and enhance community connectedness here at High School’.
Who we are as a community matters and a key theme of Harmony Week is connection and inclusion: nowhere was this more evident than at our annual School Athletics Day. This event was more than just a competition—it was a celebration of teamwork, resilience and encouragement. Students of all abilities and backgrounds participated with enthusiasm, cheered on by their peers, fostering a true sense of belonging and ‘House Spirit’. The same values that underpin Harmony Week—mutual respect, unity and support—were on full display as students lifted each other up, proving that success is not just about winning but about participation and encouragement.
Massive thanks to our talented musicians who, straight from an intensive songwriting and recording program, performed and entertained athletes and spectators alike. I’d also like to commend them on their quality performance for our school tour families this morning: you can’t beat a run of Beatles, Bowie and Cyndi Lauper to get a Thursday off to a great start!
Along with options for students to get involved in arts to gain valuable House Points, Athletics truly had something for everyone.
And it has been a week of BHS students absolutely smashing it in some tough competitions.
Last weekend, the 2025 Head of the School girls Regatta saw our Year 9 Division 1 crew take home a coveted bronze medal in such a competitive setting. Well done to Mr. Biggin (coach), Dascha, Esther, Amelia, Sophie and Azara who have capped off a season of hard work with a podium finish. We are so proud of you!
And speaking of pride, there is something especially sweet about our students reclaiming a crown not worn for some time. On Wednesday night our Senior boys’ Volleyball team competed in the BAS Grand Final against Ballarat Grammar at Ballarat Grammar. Head of Sport, Mr Simmonds, put this achievement into context by stating that ‘this is the first time Ballarat High School has won the BAS senior boys Volleyball premiership since 2006 and the first senior boys BAS premiership of any sport in over 10 years!’ Thank you to Aiden, Jesse, Jacob, Max, Coda, Charlie, Zander, Hamish, Max and Coach Liam Towell for how you have represented our school community with such distinction.
Let’s hope our recent successes are the start of a trend that sees our students being rewarded for the hours of preparation they put into their chosen field.
Finally, a critical part of who we are as a community is found in the people who commit their time to making a difference in the lives of our students and staff. This afternoon, we bid a fond farewell to Heather George who has given 39 years’ service to Ballarat High School. There will be countless students, parents and even staff members who will have benefitted from Heather’s guidance, tuition and encouragement over the years: an influence that has led to so many people finding their passion as musicians and friendship and connection within ensembles. It doesn’t matter who you speak to about Heather their face lights up and they talk at length about the difference she has made in their lives. Thank you for all you have done for the BHS community and I hope the next chapter in your life is full of excitement, adventure and music. You will be sorely missed and always appreciated.
Stephan Fields
Principal