Year 8 and 9 2026 – Subject Selections

The deadline for students in year’s 7 and 8 to choose their elective subjects for 2026 is today Friday 5th December. If your student is yet to complete these selections, please assist them in doing so as soon as possible. Instructions on how to access and make these selections has been emailed to both students and parents.

Week 10 Arrangements

As next week is the last week of the school year, Balmoral SHS will be running an alternate program to celebrate 2025! Normal classes will not be running, and students will have the opportunity to engage in range of different activities throughout the week.

The program is as follows:

Monday 8th December	Junior School Swimming Carnival	Students arrive to school as usual wearing sports uniform and/or house colours All students will walk to the Colmslie Pool under direction of staff after roll marking. Students will return to school by 2.45pm. Please see previous communication regarding the swimming carnival for organisation and permission details. No tuckshop – canteen available at the pool.
Tuesday 9th December	Alternate Activities Program	Students are encouraged to wear sports uniform. All students meet in the sports hall at the start of the day. Students will engage in various activities throughout the day. Limited tuckshop menu.
Wednesday 10th December	Rewards Excursion – Chermside Water Park	Please see previous communication regarding details for the rewards excursion.
Wednesday 10th December	Alternate Activities Program	Students not attending the rewards excursion will engage in various activities throughout the day. Students are encouraged to wear sports uniform. All students meet in the sports hall at the start of the day. Tuckshop closed.
Thursday 11th December	Alternate Activities Program	Students are encouraged to wear sports uniform. All students meet in the sports hall at the start of the day. Students will engage in various activities throughout the day. Limited tuckshop menu.
Friday 12th December	Alternate Activities Program Please Note: School Day Finishes at 12.00pm.	Students are encouraged to wear sports uniform. All students meet in the sports hall at the start of the day. Students will engage in various activities throughout the first half of the day. Tuckshop closed. Any students needing to stay at school will be supervised in the library until 2.45pm.

2026 Student Resource Scheme (SRS) Information & Early Bird Discount

Balmoral State High School will again offer the Student Resource Scheme (SRS) in 2026, providing families with a cost-effective way to ensure students have access to all required learning resources. While the Queensland Government funds school operations such as staffing, facilities, and administration, families are responsible for supplying individual student resources. The SRS offers a convenient alternative, giving parents significant savings through the school’s bulk purchasing and hire arrangements. The scheme operates on a cost-recovery basis only and is not used to raise funds.

Participation in the SRS is optional. Families of new students must return the SRS Participation Agreement Form before 21 January 2026. If a form is not received, families are considered to have opted out and will be required to supply all listed resources independently. Continuing families will automatically remain in their current participation status unless they choose to opt in or out for 2026 by submitting a new form.

The SRS includes a combination of owned, used, and hired resources, detailed in each year level’s SRS Inclusion List available on the school website. Hired items such as textbooks or equipment must be returned in good condition, and families are asked to notify the school if any items listed are not received.

The Department of Education’s Textbook and Resource Allowance (TRA) is applied directly to reduce SRS fees for eligible students in Years 7–12. In 2026, the TRA is $164 for Years 7–10 and $357 for Years 11–12. The 2026 SRS participation fee is $350 for Years 7–12, with the TRA already deducted.

Families experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to contact the school to discuss support options confidentially. Flexible payment arrangements, including instalments, are available, with invoices managed under departmental processes.

Fee Payment Arrangement Forms should be returned to

receivables@balmoralshs.eq.edu.au by 21 January 2026.

Early Bird Bonus for 2026! Additional School Credit in 2026

Families who have finalised all outstanding school fees and have paid their 2026 school fees in advance by 1 February 2026 will receive a $20.00 credit applied to their child’s student account.

This credit can be used throughout the 2026 school year for:

Excursions
School events
Other miscellaneous school-related items

We appreciate the ongoing support of families in helping us plan effectively for the year ahead and ensuring seamless delivery of educational programs for all students.

If you have any questions regarding payments or your account, please contact the school office.

Further information, including detailed SRS inclusions, is available on the school website or in the letter below.

Senior Jerseys Final Orders - NOW OPEN

The second and final orders for 2026 senior jerseys are now open. Information of how to order has already been sent to all students, parents and carers.

Closing date for orders is 10/02/2025, orders cannot be accepted after this date; expected delivery early – mid-term 2.

Please direct any queries to Tim Draper – tcdra0@eq.edu.au.

We’re excited to welcome a group of Japanese students to Balmoral State High School from 2–10 March 2026, and we’re currently looking for warm, supportive host families to be part of this cultural exchange.

Hosting is a wonderful opportunity to share Australian life, build global connections, and create lasting memories for both your family and our visiting students.

We’re interviewing host families now — if you’re interested or would like more information, please contact our International Department.

Please get in touch with Yuki if you are interested!

Email: yukiedventure@gmail.com

Phone: 0432 240 093

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.

Lifeline Bookfest Brisbane is back for 2025!

Get ready to discover stories, tunes, and hidden treasures as one of Queensland’s favourite community events returns to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 13–17 December 2025.

With five full days of books, music, games, and collectibles, Bookfest is the perfect way to embrace the holiday spirit while supporting Lifeline’s vital crisis support services. Whether you're hunting for a new read, a nostalgic favourite, or a unique gift, there’s something for everyone.

Mark your calendar, bring a bag (or three!), and lose yourself at Bookfest Brisbane this December.

Social Media Changes: December 10th 2026

Big changes are coming!! From 10 December 2025, many social media platforms won’t be allowed to let Australians under 16 create or keep an account.

The changes aim to protect young users from cyberbullying, exploitation, and harmful content by requiring platforms to implement stronger age verification processes and parental consent requirements.

Additionally, social media companies will need to step up their efforts to remove inappropriate material faster and ensure greater privacy controls for younger users. Parents, guardians and our young people are encouraged to stay informed to better understand how these changes will impact them.

The best way to do this is to go directly to the link below:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions?utm_campaign=2511_gen_news_smar_platforms_nov&utm_id=95e755cc16bca466e44e418868fc4c31&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eSafety_edm

Subject Selection: Year 10 2026

Year 9 students will be undergoing the Year 10 subject selection process starting week 5 (next week). Students will receive information from Heads of Department and key staff members on Monday as well as the Subject Selection Handbook during the week. Students will then select their subjects online following this.

Request for Old Uniforms to be Upcycled

Students are currently looking at a project that upcycles old unforms that are beyond repair to be repurposed into items like pencil cases, book bags etc.

If you have a shirt, skirt, skort or shorts that you are thinking of binning please help us to rescue from landfill.

If you would send these after laundering to Student Services, please.

Many thanks,

Zena Carusi-Lees

HOD Horizons

Looking to kickstart your fitness journey or get back into routine? Anytime Fitness is offering an incredible community program — just $8 for 8 weeks of membership!

✔️ 24/7 gym access

✔️ Supportive community

✔️ Affordable way to get moving

Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer — join today and invest in your health and wellbeing.

🚀 Are you the next face of STEM education?

This is your chance to take your ideas to the world stage! 🌏✨

The Australian Science and Engineering Fair (AUSSEF) is calling for entries from Year 9–12 students with an outstanding STEM project.

🏆 Our 2025 team came home with 6 Grand Awards, placing us among the top three national teams worldwide.

✈️ The top nine projects in 2025 will win an all-expenses-paid trip (pending funding) to compete at ISEF 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona!

📅 Entries close: November 12, 2025🔗 Find out more: www.aussef.com.au

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 web-chat (parentline.com.au) between 8 am and 9 pm.

https://parentline.com.au/

Brisbane’s New Bus Network Has Launched

From Monday 30 June, Brisbane’s new bus network — including the Brisbane Metro M1 — is now live. Inspired by world-class systems like those in London and Hong Kong, the new network connects more buses to more places, more often.

🚍 Over 70% of routes have changed, so its important students check how their journey to and from school may be affected.

🔎 Plan your journey:

Visit Translink Journey Planner
Enter your start and end location
Find your updated route

📚 For school-specific services, use Translink’s School Service Finder and Journey Planner.

🚧 Please note:

Rail closures are occurring on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines until Friday 18 July
Changes have also been made to Logan and Redlands bus services

🤝 Staff from Translink will be present at key stops to assist students during this transition.

For help, call 13 12 30 or visit translink.com.au.

Behaviour on Buses

🚌 REMINDER: Code of Conduct for Students on Buses

To keep bus travel safe and enjoyable for everyone, all students are expected to:

Act safely + responsibly — pay the fare, follow the driver’s instructions, and follow bus rules.
Respect others — speak politely, respect personal space, and leave the bus tidy and undamaged.
Stay calm + careful — wait patiently at stops, stay seated if possible, store belongings safely, keep noise down, and avoid distracting the driver.
Get on + off safely — wait until the bus fully stops, signal the driver if you need to get off, and only cross the road once the bus has moved away.

⚠ Misconduct has consequences:

Category 1: Irresponsible behaviour → written warnings or short travel bans.
Category 2: Unsafe behaviour → up to 5–10 days refused travel.
Category 3: Dangerous/destructive → up to 10 weeks refused travel + behaviour
agreements.
Category 4: Life-threatening behaviour → long-term or permanent refusal of travel.

Let’s work together to make sure every bus journey is safe, respectful, and smooth!

For full details, see the attached document.

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, updates, and advice, this is your go-to resource for exploring pathways beyond school.

Whether you're planning your next steps or just starting to think about life after graduation, this bulletin is designed to help you take those exciting first leaps into the future with confidence.

Student Laptops

Balmoral SHS is a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) school. All students are expected to have a fully charged laptop at school every day for use in their class lessons and learning activities.

We understand that some families may experience difficulty with purchasing a device for their students. Balmoral SHS is able to offer a temporary laptop hire levy scheme to support families. If you would like more information about this laptop hire program, please contact Mrs Anmaree Hudson - ahuds56@eq.edu.au

Kickstart a career that makes a real difference!

We’re now taking Expressions of Interest for the Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) – specialising in Ageing and Disability – right here at our Milton campus.

✅ Hands-on, industry-relevant training

✅ 120 hours of practical placement

✅ Countless job opportunities in one of Australia’s fastest-growing industries

📞 Contact Chris on 0415 611 339 or Yasmin on 0435 381 799

📍 Scan the QR code on the flyer to learn more!

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