As we head towards the holidays, the last two weeks at Glen Innes High School have been filled with outstanding achievements, celebrations, and moments of pride that truly reflect the spirit of our school.

I was fortunate to attend the Dance Spectacular at the Chapel Theatre this week—a vibrant, energetic, and beautifully polished performance. Our talented dancers showcased remarkable athleticism, stamina, and creativity across a range of dance genres. It was an exceptional evening of entertainment and an annual event not to be missed. A huge thank you to Lindy Alt and her dedicated team for delivering such a professional and inspiring show.

This performance followed closely on the heels of our students’ involvement in the NSW School Spectacular, where our dancers once again represented Glen Innes High School with pride, commitment, and excellence. To have two major showcases back-to-back speaks volumes about the calibre of our performers and the strength of our creative arts program.

We also celebrate the remarkable achievements of several students across a range of fields:

· Kayden Elliot has once again made headlines after receiving multiple awards at the North West Sports Association Awards, including being named Joint Overall North West Sportsperson of the Year for 2025. Kayden also competed in the Australian World Trials for Cross Country—a testament to his dedication, talent, and drive. We look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next and wish him every success in his sporting career.

· Alex Horan has been awarded the prestigious Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship. This four-year scholarship provides high-potential girls with resources, mentoring, and support to excel academically and pursue tertiary education. This is an extraordinary achievement, and we are incredibly proud of Alex.

· Congratulations also to Greg Sieber, whose HSC Industrial Technology Major Project has been selected for exhibition in next year’s SHAPE Showcase, which highlights excellence in design and technology across NSW. This is a significant honour and reflects Greg’s outstanding effort, innovation, and skill.

· Lali Alt was awarded Champion at the recent Slow Horse Trials—another terrific achievement demonstrating the diverse talents and passions of our students.

· Our Under 14s Girls League Tag Team had an exceptional day of competition, going undefeated against Holy Trinity Inverell, Tenterfield High School, and

Inverell High School. Their teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship were a credit to Glen Innes High School.

These achievements highlight something very important: despite being a rural school, our students continue to stand proudly on centre stage—matching and exceeding the accomplishments of students from larger centres. At Glen Innes High School, we firmly believe that where you live does not define your success. With determination, opportunities, and support, our students can and do achieve at the highest levels. We could not be prouder of them.

Our Culture Camps and recent visits to The Willows have also been incredibly successful this term. Despite weather conditions requiring a shift to day trips, the experience has remained deeply meaningful for students. Being on Country, connecting with culture, and learning from local knowledge holders has had a powerful impact, and we look forward to continuing these opportunities well into the future.

We are now preparing for our Presentation Day Awards Ceremony, a time when we come together as a community to celebrate the achievements of our students across academics, sport, cultural engagement, leadership, and service. We warmly encourage families and friends to attend and remain afterwards to enjoy lunch with their children and members of our school and wider community.

Finally, a reminder to parents and carers that the National Social Media Ban for children takes effect from 10 December, with some platforms already beginning to close youth accounts. If this change impacts your child or raises any concerns, please reach out to our Wellbeing Team—we are here to support all students through this transition.

Glen Innes High School continues to be a school of choice—a place where students thrive, opportunities are abundant, and every young person is supported to reach their full potential.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.

Natalie Hill

Relieving Principal

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