Principal's News

As a school community, we are all aware of the wide range of opportunities that are available to our students and their many achievements taking part in events and programs. It is important to celebrate and value these things because they are integral to who we are as a school. They reflect the commitment that we have, to extend the learning that occurs in the classroom. Skills and attributes for life are developed when our students are part of teams, performances and the many enrichment activities that fill the pages of our newsletters and mark the key dates within our yearly calendar.

Last Friday, I was fortunate to see our students extend and challenge themselves within the Energy Breakthrough competition at Maryborough. For those of you unfamiliar with this program, Energy Breakthrough has been running since 1991 and requires students, staff, parents and local industry to work together to design and construct a vehicle, a machine or innovation in technology that will represent an 'energy breakthrough'. 

Because the vehicles are powered by our students, there is a clear focus on technologies, processes, or materials that have the potential, at scale, to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 500 million tons per year. The insights our students shared with me relating to the production of cutlery for fast food was frightening. On top of this learning, students work around the clock using pedal power to race against rival schools in a 24 hour challenge.

What makes Energy Breakthrough so important to the students who take part, is the fact that it isn’t just a once-a-year event. School groups work throughout the year to design, build and test machines within detailed specifications. But more than that… it is about teamwork, mateship, digging in, pride, respect and responsibility and all of the things that we value at Ballarat High School.

As you will all be able to recall, last weekend was a warm one and the Maryborough track sweltered under heat in excess of 35 degrees with little respite from a breeze that seemed to be powered by a massive hairdryer.  Liquids were at a premium; watermelons were not safe and the emergency delivery of 'icy poles' seemed to evaporate before they left the wrappers, but still our students practised and prepared for the big race. 

All the students involved put their hearts and souls into this program, preparation and race and, supported by teachers Yvonne Benson, Leigh-Anne Reid and John Francis, spent hours training to put everything into representing our school. They are to be commended for their attitude, their fight and the exemplary way they conducted themselves in conditions that would make the best of us irritable! But the best thing about it, after they had caught up on some well-deserved sleep, is that they are ready to go again bigger and better.

To push yourself to the limit and comeback for more is something to be admired. Over the course of the weekend, our students learned a lot about themselves, strengthened connections and friendships for life and had a great deal of fun along the way… what more could you ask for?

This is something that staff and students feel passionate about and would welcome any, and all, support to keep it going. If you’re interested in contributing in any way, please email the school account with the title EB.

Well-done to all the students who took part!

Antonia Daineesh, Brady Davidge, Cecilia Evans, Max Fletcher, Zeke Fullerton, Harrison Mason, Zakk McDonald, Hunter Nichols, Lincoln Petrie, Annabell Verheij, Cooper Wallis

Another type of endurance race is VCE/VM! Today sees the culmination of the academic year for 2025’s Year 11s & 12s after a successful two weeks of orientation. They have settled into life as our most senior students extremely well and, apart from the holiday homework (that should keep them occupied), we hope that they enjoy a restful and safe break so that they return, ready and recharged for the challenges ahead.

As well as meeting new teachers and getting to grips with their chosen subjects and pathways, there was time to pause and reflect on bigger things. For our ‘new’ Year 12s, there was a day-long Orientation Retreat led by Debra Hutchinson and ran by staff to cover study skills, managing the challenges of the next year, team building games and bonding exercises. As expected, our students’ behaviour was exemplary and the day was a real success due to their willingness to get involved and be a team- something that is so important to build as they will rely upon each other so much over the course of the next twelve months.

For next year’s Year 11, the Carmen Road Safety presentation was a powerful reminder to our students of the fragility of life, the importance of safety and the love that they have for and from those that matter. John Maher is an extraordinary human being who has taken the unimaginable grief of losing a child, to inform young people so that they stay safe behind the wheel and as passengers when travelling in a car. The respect and compassion our students showed as John shared his story was incredibly moving and I know his message deeply affected our students. His plea to them to realise that they are the most important person on the planet and that they matter to those around them hit hard. I know it will inspire them to look after themselves and those around them so that they can live a life in which they get to be all that they can.

Stephan Fields

Principal