Term 1 Progress Reports - Year 11 and 12

Year 11 Unit 1 progress reports and Year 12 Unit 3 progress reports have been emailed to families today. These reports are an indication of student progress throughout these units of work, including grades for effort and behaviour.

Winter Uniform Reminder ❄️

As we move into the cooler months, we’d like to remind families that students are expected to wear Balmoral State High School winter uniform items to school.

We’ve noticed an increase in non-school jumpers being worn. While we understand the chilly mornings, we ask for your support in ensuring students are in the correct uniform.

Uniform Shop Update:

We have plenty of Balmoral track pants and scarves available.
Some jumper sizes are currently low in stock due to high demand.
New stock is expected to arrive in June.
Pre-orders are welcome, and families will be contacted as soon as stock arrives.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we work through these supply delays. Keeping warm while maintaining school pride is a shared effort.

Thank you and wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday break!

Digital Wellbeing for Workshop

Join us for an engaging and practical parent workshop designed to support student wellbeing beyond the classroom. Delivered by Ben, this session will explore how a whole-school approach can be strengthened at home through simple, effective strategies.

Parents and carers will gain valuable insights into practising Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM) in everyday family life, helping to build resilience, strengthen relationships, and support young people to thrive.

📅 Wednesday 13 May

🕡 6:30pm – 7:30pm

📍 In person at Balmoral State High School

We encourage all parents and carers to attend and be part of this important conversation around wellbeing.

Certificate III in School-Based Education Support Opportunity

SCIPS, in partnership with Strategix Training, is offering a funded Certificate III in School-Based Education Support for current teacher aides, school support staff, and community members looking to enter the education sector.

This flexible program includes 10–12 weeks of theory (Brisbane CBD) and 100 hours of supported practical placement, which may align with existing school roles.

Open to eligible Queensland residents (aged 15+, not in full-time study or working over 25 hours/week), the program is ideal for those upskilling, changing careers, or re-entering the workforce.

With strong employment outcomes from previous cohorts, this is a valuable pathway into education support roles.

Please see the attached brochure for more information or share within your networks.

University of Queensland – Opportunities and Events for Students and Staff

The University of Queensland (UQ) has shared several upcoming opportunities, events and resources for senior students and staff.

New Medical Pathway (from 2027) UQ Medical School will introduce a new 6-year

Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine pathway, allowing students to enter the medical workforce at least one year earlier than other UQ medical study pathways.

Upcoming Student Opportunities

Medicine Information Evening and Webinar – Learn about UQ’s Doctor of Medicine program, explore medical pathways and hear from UQ Medical School representatives.
Voyages to the Underworld – Western Civilisation Winter School – A 2.5-day residential program for Year 11 and 12 students exploring classical texts including The Odyssey, Aeneid, Georgics and Dante’s Inferno. Applications close 19 April.
World Religions Experience Day – A July event at the St Lucia campus giving Year 11 students insight into religion in contemporary society.
Ancient History Experience Day – Senior students can explore themes of crisis and reform in Ancient Rome at UQ’s St Lucia campus in July.
2026 Online Bridging Courses – Flexible, self-paced courses through UQ College to help students meet UQ entry requirements in Mathematical Methods or General Mathematics. Courses typically take 6–9 months, with new intakes every two weeks.

Professional Learning for Staff

Making Maths Matter – Interactive workshops focused on building conceptual understanding and connecting mathematics to real-world contexts.
AI in Action Webinar – Explore the impact of artificial intelligence in education and practical strategies for responsible AI use in schools.

Additional Resources

Go Borderless: Languages at UQ – A video showcasing language study options for undergraduate students.• Agricultural Science Job Kit – An 8-page mini-magazine highlighting careers in agricultural science and environmental protection.

For more information or to register for any of the above opportunities, visit uq.edu.au.

VPNs and Online Safety

You may hear students mention VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). A VPN is a tool that sends internet traffic through another server, often in another country. This can hide where a device is connecting from and is sometimes used to bypass school internet filters.

School filtering systems are in place to help provide a safe online learning environment and prevent access to harmful or inappropriate content. Recently, the Australian Government has introduced stronger online safety laws and age-verification requirements for some websites and services to better protect young people online.

Because of these protections, some sites may now be blocked or require proof of age.

It is also important to be aware that many free VPN services can pose privacy and security risks. Some collect browsing data, display advertisements, or sell user information to third parties. Others may expose devices to malware, unsafe downloads, or unregulated websites.

The school actively monitors network activity and investigates attempts to bypass security protections, including the use of VPNs. Any incidents are reviewed and managed in line with the school’s technology and behaviour policies.

We encourage families to continue supporting safe and responsible internet use both at school and at home.

School Bus and Travel Safety Reminder

Families are reminded that Balmoral State High School students can access school bus services 807, 808 and 811. Students are expected to travel safely and responsibly, including using their go card on every trip. Accurate go card use helps reflect student numbers on each service and supports safer transport by reducing overcrowding.

Please note that the 235 is not a school bus and is scheduled to leave before the end of the school day. Students should not leave class early to catch this service. Students using the stop near the horse paddock on Thynne Road will need to wait for the 3:15pm bus. We thank parents for their support in ensuring students remain in class for the full lesson and do not lose valuable learning time.

Students are also reminded to act safely when crossing roads before and after school.

For students travelling by bike, scooter, e-bike or e-scooter, all road rules and legal requirements must be followed. This includes wearing a helmet, ensuring devices are not illegally modified, obeying age restrictions, and riding safely and responsibly at all times.

Thank you to families for your continued support in helping keep our students safe and ready to learn.

🦷 Free Dental Care for Eligible Children

Eligible children can receive up to $1,158 in dental benefits over two years through the Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

Your child may be eligible if they:

Are 0–17 years old
Have Medicare
You receive an eligible payment such as Family Tax Benefit Part A or Parenting Payment

The scheme covers check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, fillings and more at public and private dental clinics (orthodontics not included).

To check eligibility:

📞 Call Medicare on 132 011

💻 Log in to myGov

🦷 Ask your dentist

Learn more: servicesaustralia.gov.au/child-dental-benefits-schedule

Spark Engineering Camp 2026 – Opportunity for Year 10–12 Students

Students in Years 10–12 with an interest in STEM are invited to apply for the Spark Engineering Camp 2026, a week-long residential program held during the winter holidays at the University of Queensland.

Selected students receive an all-inclusive scholarship covering travel, accommodation and meals while participating in hands-on workshops, university tours and mentoring from current university students and industry professionals.

Since 2011, the program has supported over 1,400 students across Australia and aims to inspire young people to explore future pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Students interested in learning more about this unique opportunity are encouraged to speak with the school or visit: ywb.com.au/spark-engineering-camp

Ready to dive into your future? 🌊

Our School-Based Traineeships with the CVM Traineeship Program offer students the opportunity to gain real-world experience while still at school.

From Swim Teaching and Pool Lifeguarding to Sport & Recreation, First Aid and CPR, students can build practical skills, earn QCE points, and open doors to exciting career pathways — all while developing confidence and leadership in the workplace.

If you’re looking to turn your interests into experience, this could be the perfect next step.

Please see Ms Sof in the library for more details!

Year 7 Parent Webinar Opportunity – Supporting Your Young Person

We are pleased to share a free online webinar delivered by Headspace that may be of interest to our Year 7 families.

This informative session will explore:

Understanding mental health and adolescent development
Understanding young people’s emotions
Supporting young people to manage emotions during the transition to secondary school
Where to seek support for both parents/carers and young people

The transition to high school is an important milestone, and this webinar offers practical strategies and guidance to help families navigate this stage with confidence.

Please refer to the attached flyer for full details and registration information.

New Parents – Download the Compass App

New parents and carers are encouraged to download the Compass App to their mobile device and access the Compass parent portal viahttps://balmoralshs-qld.compass.education/

Through the Compass portal, parents can view important information relating to their child/children, complete required actions, and access communications shared by school staff.

Key features of the Compass parent portal include the ability to:

Monitor student attendance and submit explanations for late arrivals or absences
Communicate directly with classroom teachers
Monitor homework and assessment tasks, including outstanding learning tasks
View My News, a feed of school announcements, alerts and updates
Access student timetables
Book parent–teacher conferences

Login details:

Login emails have been sent to all families who have not previously accessed Compass. These emails include your initial username and password.

Compass is an essential tool for staying informed and engaged with your child’s learning journey at Balmoral State High School.

2026 Cruise Craft Work Experience Program

We are excited to highlight an outstanding opportunity for students interested in manufacturing, engineering, design, and marine technology. Cruise Craft Boats—an Australian, family-owned leader in premium boat building—is offering a dynamic Work Experience Program in 2026.

Across two immersive weeks, students gain hands-on experience in real marine manufacturing environments, working alongside skilled tradespeople in areas such as composites, CNC machining, 3D CAD design, assembly, upholstery, and marine mechanical rigging. The program provides meaningful, structured learning rather than observation-only participation, with each student paired with a dedicated mentor.

Program Overview:

Days: Monday–Thursday
Hours: 6:30am–4:30pm
Week 1: Industry immersion – safety induction, factory tours, composites, boat assembly, logistics, and more
Week 2: A tailored experience based on the student’s interests identified in Week 1

Students will gain real-world skills, explore trade pathways, and experience a major marine manufacturing operation firsthand. Cruise Craft offers clear career pathways through Certificate III qualifications in Marine Craft Construction, Polymer Processing, Marine Mechanical Technology, and Upholstery.

Requirements:

Enclosed steel-cap footwear
Completion of all safety induction and consent documentation
A short student interest profile (e.g., composites, mechanical, machining)
Confirmed transport arrangements

This program is an excellent opportunity for students looking to fast-track their skills, build confidence, and explore future apprenticeship options in a thriving Australian industry.

For more details or application support, please contact the school’s Work Experience Coordinator.

Same Day Student Absence Notifications

Keeping your contact details up to date

There are times when we may need to contact parents and carers. Do we have your most up-to-date details? If not, please contact the school on (07) 3823 8588 so we can update our records. These details include:

Parent/carer’s name
Address
Phone numbers
Email address
Emergency contact details

Please remember to notify the school if any of these details change.

Absence notification process

If your child is going to be away or late to school, please notify us early in the morning by calling (07) 3823 8555 or via the Compass app so the absence can be recorded correctly.

Same day notification

If a student is absent and we have not received a reason, the school will contact parents and carers as soon as practicable on the day.

If you are advised that your child is away without explanation, please respond as soon as possible to let us know where your child is. If no response is received, the school will follow up with parents/carers directly.

Become A Homestay Host!

Turn your spare room into a world of opportunity! Balmoral State High School is seeking welcoming families to host international students and share the very best of Australian life.

Provide a safe, supportive home where students can thrive, experience our culture of excellence, and become part of your family. Celebrate diversity, create lifelong connections, and make a difference — all from your own home.

Please contact us on social media, marketing@balmoralshs.eq.edu.au or (07) 3823 8588 to learn more!

Have you heard about Parentline?

Parentline is a free, confidential counselling service for all Queensland parents. Get help supporting your child with:

bullying
relationships
peer pressure
anxiety
depression
and more.

Problems can come up at any time, so you access Parentline’s qualified counsellors any day of the week from 8 am until late.

Call the phoneline (1300 30 1300) between 8 am and 10 pm or jump on the live webchat (parentline.com.au) between 8 am and 9 pm.

https://parentline.com.au/

Away for the Day Policy

Our Away for the Day policy requires that all mobile phones are kept away during school hours to support a focused, distraction-free learning environment.

Students who are seen using their devices or anything that needs to be linked to a device to work (e.g. headphones/ear pods) will be asked to hand the item in for the rest of the day.

If you are finding it difficult to manage your phone use, remember that you can use your phone pouch at any time to help keep your device secure and out of sight. If you do not have a pouch, please visit the office to purchase one.

Let’s work together to make sure all students are following this important policy every day. Thank you for supporting a positive learning space for everyone every day.

Options Career Information Bulletin

Packed with opportunities, timely updates, and practical advice, this bulletin is your go-to resource for exploring the many pathways available beyond school. From university and TAFE options to apprenticeships, traineeships, employment, and gap year opportunities, it’s designed to support students at every stage of their journey.

Whether you’re actively planning your next steps or just beginning to think about life after graduation, this bulletin offers guidance, inspiration, and real-world insights to help you make informed decisions. Inside, you’ll find key dates, upcoming events, pathway highlights, and tips to build confidence, explore interests, and set meaningful goals.

Think of this as your launchpad — a place to ask questions, discover possibilities, and take those exciting first steps toward your future with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Cleaners Wanted

Casual Cleaners are needed. If you are interested in casual cleaning work at Balmoral, please email facilities@balmoralshs.eq.edu.au

Key Dates

Term 1 2026

April