Principal's Report
Energy Breakthrough is more than a pedal car race; it is a test of endurance, mateship and reflective of our school values. It is something that has been part of our school for decades and is a part of who we are.
Each year, our school community has the privilege of witnessing our students step beyond the familiar comfort of classroom experiences to apply their learning in real-world, high-pressure environments.
Classrooms are not the only spaces where true learning occurs at Ballarat High School, nor does any test fully capture the growth of each individual student.
Few experiences embody this better than our participation in the Energy Breakthrough competition in Maryborough. This year’s event once again highlighted what can happen when our students unite behind a common goal, supported by teachers, families and a shared belief in our school values of Pride, Respect and Responsibility.
Energy Breakthrough is much more than a competition; it is a journey. For our students, it began almost twelve months ago with an idea, a plan and a commitment. From that moment, they understood that the long road ahead would require discipline, teamwork and perseverance. What they may not have fully realised then—but certainly do now—is the extraordinary personal growth that would come from working toward something so challenging and so worthwhile. Throughout the year, we saw remarkable growth in leadership, resilience and the ability to overcome setbacks which certainly proved valuable with the challenges experienced on race day. All of this has shaped our participants in ways that will stay with them well beyond their school years.
One of our school’s core values, Respect, was evident at every step of the journey. Students demonstrated Respect not only for one another but also for the process itself. In a competition where collaboration is essential and every role matters—designers, riders, pit crew, researchers, presenters—students learned to value the diverse strengths within their team. Respect was shown in the way they listened to different viewpoints during planning meetings, acknowledged the expertise of teachers and mentors and embraced constructive feedback. Whether adjusting vehicle designs, refining presentations, or encouraging each other during training sessions, our students upheld a culture of mutual respect that strengthened the team and set a standard others admired.
One of our other values, Responsibility, came into sharp focus as the year progressed. Energy Breakthrough requires students to manage deadlines, maintain equipment, train rigorously and balance schoolwork with the demands of the project. This meant countless lunchtimes in the Ballarat wind and rain, weekend speed trials, numerous brainstorming sessions and countless test rides to gel the team. Students took ownership of their roles with maturity and purpose. They learned to see responsibility not as a burden, but as a privilege—a chance to contribute meaningfully to something larger than themselves. In doing so, they discovered the satisfaction that comes from accountability, reliability and following through on commitments.
Perhaps the value most visibly displayed throughout the competition was Pride. Pride does not simply mean a sense of satisfaction in our own endeavours; it means being the best that we can be to bring the best out of others, pushing boundaries and refusing to settle for mediocrity. This was evident in almost every aspect of our students’ work. The presentation teams rehearsed diligently and responded well to feedback bringing their A Game to contribute to the collective, ensuring they could confidently explain the science, engineering and teamwork behind their entry. Our riders trained with determination, building stamina and technique to ensure they were prepared for the gruelling 24-hour race and they did not let themselves or their peers down. Across the board, students demonstrated a level of dedication that made it clear they were aiming not simply to compete, but to represent our school with pride.
While the competition weekend in Maryborough is thrilling, intense and unforgettable, it represents only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface lies a full year’s worth of planning, designing, testing, revising and training. It is this sustained effort—day after day, month after month—that truly shapes the Energy Breakthrough experience.
I also want to recognise the support of the staff members who have run this program this year: Yvonne Benson, Leah-anne Reid and John Francis have been there every step of the way with our students. I know for the team, this year’s event has been especially poignant as so much has been done in the memory of Kym Ranenberg who sadly passed earlier this year. I know that all involved have done his legacy proud.
Leadership and learning come in many guises and last week saw our Year 9 student leaders, along with over 100 of their peers, turn the Robinson Centre into a night in Paris for their French themed Year 9 Social.
The Year 9 program this year has been adapted in response to student feedback around what and how they wanted to learn. The cohort has switched each semester between additional Health lessons that focus on Respectful Relationships and Applied Learning sessions that looked to strengthen student confidence and connection. Each semester had an event that our students worked towards and the second half of the year saw students propose the introduction of a Year 9 Social to celebrate their final year before entering the Senior School. In creating a new celebration out of nothing, our students have left a legacy for others to follow. At BHS, we believe in not only activating our student voice but also providing tangible examples of their contributions. The students behaved impeccably and inclusively and have, hopefully, learned the power of their voices when they speak for positive change.
Our music program never sleeps - in any given week, there are opportunities for students to connect, practise and perform in an environment that nurtures creativity and encourages students to be part of something that is bigger than any individual.
Last week, Morgan Colgrave and Tyler Smith led 27 eager Year 8 students through the challenge of learning six new songs over the course of four short lessons. Being able to rise to the level of performance in such a short period of time relies upon trust and our students were fully committed, showcasing their growth in a performance for families at the end of the day. I am in awe of anyone who can get up on stage to make music and our students were exceptional. This process was repeated this week with Morgan and Tyler working with 29 students Year 7 students towards the same goal. In his report to staff, Morgan noted that a number of students in Year 7 are not part of the Instrumental Program at BHS and have picked up these skills just from lessons. I am so proud of all our students who have performed and practised this year as they have brought so much joy to our community.
And finally, thank you to all of our Year 10 and Year 11 students who have stepped up into VM and VCE programs as part of our Orientation fortnight. I have been really impressed with what I have seen as I pass classrooms as well as the space between lesson - so many students using free time to study and get themselves on the best pathway to success. Thanks also to our staff who have had a quick turnaround from exams to new content. Both sets of students have started their courses in the right way, and I hope that they enjoy a safe and restful break before they return to help BHS absolutely smash 2026!!
Stephan Fields
Principal