Principal's Report

Although NAIDOC Week falls within the school holidays this year, I want to take the time in this issue of the newsletter to acknowledge its profound importance to our school community and to our First Nations students and families. Under the leadership of Shirlene Laurie, our First Nations programs continue to grow and thrive, with more and more students connecting with their cultural identity with pride and increased self-determination.

You will notice a slight change to the lead image of our school in this issue. This alternative representation is from an original piece commissioned through our Alumni program from former student Jay van Nus (Class of 2018). Jay is a well-respected contemporary artist who has done amazing work on Melbourne's trams, as well as pieces you will see adorning the architecture of Ballarat.

Jay’s modern interpretation of Peacock Hall and the Administration Building—which includes culturally respectful Indigenous elements—reimagines the familiar red brickwork of our school and even offers a subtle nod to Lake Wendouree. The inception of this piece is a testament to the power of our alumni program and the willingness of former students to give back to our community. We hope to inspire current First Nations students through the work and storytelling of those who have gone before them, and this inspiration is vibrantly alive in our current generation of students.

This week, I represented Ballarat High School at the Ballarat City Network launch of our Marrung Plan: Getjawil Wung Gurrwil Marna (All Hands Together). This vital initiative aims to empower all students to embrace their identities with pride, promote respect for cultural diversity, and ensure high expectations and shared responsibility across all network primary and secondary schools.

All of our local schools share a commitment that this strategic plan will act as our collective guide to securing cultural responsiveness and educational equity. We want it to stand as an active commitment to redressing the historical inequalities that First Nations students have faced in the education system. At BHS, we want to ensure that our First Nations students always feel deeply connected to the traditional lands and waterways on which they learn and grow. Together, we commit to ensuring they are never denied the opportunity to realize their full potential, are empowered to be leaders in their communities, and are always supported to celebrate their culture with pride.

As the Principal of Ballarat High School, I am also immensely proud that Year 12 student Princey Laurie’s artwork was chosen to grace the front cover of this important network call to action. This beautiful piece speaks volumes—not only about Princey’s incredible talent as an artist, but about their pride in belonging to the oldest continuing living culture and civilization on our shared planet. Princey beautifully noted that the artwork symbolizes the:

"Strength found in community and how we are strongest when lifting one another up and empowering people within our culture."

As a wider BHS community, Princey’s words certainly resonate with how we see the role our students must play in defining the culture of our school in 2026.

The whole-school assembly that rounds off each term is a constant reminder of why community matters. In our Term 2 assembly, I reminded students of an obvious but powerful truth: Ballarat High School exists solely for them. Every single staff member who chooses to be here does so in the belief that our students will learn and grow, just as generations have done at this school for almost 120 years. But I also reminded them that it is their time now, and what they do matters.

Sometimes, when I speak to other principals about our decision to run an assembly with over 1,550 students and 160 staff, they look at me like I’m crackers. However, the end of this term was a brilliant reminder of what happens when students lead, drive our culture, and celebrate the very best of what we do. I am incredibly proud to hear our students recount the tangible differences they have made over the course of a ten-week term. Our students have massive hearts, and they see school not just as an educational opportunity, but as their place to make an impact.

This heart was on full display through our collective fundraising and leadership efforts. Our Year 12 students organized a spectacular formal to raise money for the James Petrie Foundation, showcasing their maturity and community focus. This spirit of giving back continues this week, as Ballarat High participates in the ‘World’s Greatest Shave’, raising vital funds and awareness for the Leukaemia Foundation. Our student leaders have also been hard at work developing their skills; earlier this term, our Year 11 Leaders spent an enriching few days at Log Cabin Camp, which included a productive session at the Camp Street design space brainstorming creative ways to resolve issues and improve student life around the school. We also celebrate individual excellence in leadership, with Evan Cooper being awarded the prestigious national Acacia Program Scholarship from the Public Education Foundation.

Our Vocational Major (VM) and Victorian Pathway Certificate (VPC) students have had an incredibly productive term, participating in a range of activities that built real-world personal, social, and workplace skills. Students independently navigated public transport through Footscray and Docklands to attend an AFL match between Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs, demonstrating excellent teamwork. They also took on a massive role in running our Mother’s Day Stall—selling handmade goods, serving hot drinks in the café, and cooking up bacon and egg rolls for the school community.

Beyond BHS, VM students visited local primary schools to mentor younger students, engaged in practical industry site visits to Selkirk, Friction Bouldering, and Victoria Park, and put their business acumen to the test in a Mock Business Enterprise Event. Impressively, even during the busy VCE exam period, our VM students stepped directly into the workforce for a two-week placement block, gaining invaluable hands-on industry experience to prepare for their future employment and training.

Our performing arts and music programs have truly set the stage alight over the past ten weeks. Our musicians collaborated and performed alongside Mt Clear College at VETfest, and students across all year levels showcased their incredible improvisation skills at the annual Geoff Herkes Memorial Concert at the Ballarat Golf Club, raising money for both the school and the Ballarat Jazz Club. Students also enjoyed a professional recording day, tracking original pieces composed by guest Horsham College teacher Nick Shirreff.

The absolute pinnacle of the term's creative showcases, however, occurred last Friday in the Robinson Centre. The spectacular, two-and-a-half-hour Disney-themed 'Floor Show' brought together almost every ensemble in our Performing Arts Program, including a standout performance from our Dance Club, leaving the audience spellbound.

Finally, our sporting achievements this term have rewritten the record books. It began with an energetic Cross Country Carnival on May 5th, where our students ran with immense determination. I would like to congratulate all our individual age group champions who earned pennants from the NBEA

This momentum carried over to the SSV Eureka Division Track & Field Carnival at Llanberris Reserve, where BHS took a dominant squad of over 120 students to compete across running and field events. In an absolutely historic day out, Ballarat High School took the overall win with 1,496 points—finishing an astonishing 731 points ahead of the runner-up, Phoenix P-12 Community College. This victory marks the 17th straight year that BHS has claimed this championship!

Whether on the sporting field, on the stage, in the local community, or within the classroom, our students continue to show that when they are empowered to lead, they achieve extraordinary things. 

Thank you to all our staff, families, and students for a phenomenal Term 2. 

Have a safe and wonderful winter break.

Stephan Fields

Principal