Principal's News
Outside of the classroom, there is always something happening involving Ballarat High School students that is worth celebrating. When I look back at the Newsletter articles that I have written so far this year, there has been mention of excellence from every area of our school in each issue.
We are really fortunate to have so many students who want to be involved in the teams, clubs and events that our school offers and it is always with immense pride that I write these pieces - not just because I get to sing the praises of our students and their achievements, but because I am able to reflect on the dedication it takes to even be in the competition. Be it art, performance, sport, applied or academic learning, there are hours and hours that sit hidden behind the final event or piece and it speaks volumes of the culture that has been created by our students that they feel such a deep connection to their passions.
Summer sport has certainly got off to a great start and our stars of track and field at the state championships have produced the best set of results since before COVID. There is further detail provided within this edition, but a medal haul of 11 out of the 17 events that we competed in is something worth shouting about. Amongst all these successes, Jace Murray’s gold medal in the Javelin and Discus, along with a silver in the 110 metres Hurdles and a bronze in the Triple Jump, is an exceptional achievement in his final year at Ballarat High School. Amidst preparing for his final VCE examinations, Jace is currently competing in the Victorian All Schools looking for national qualification. This is a fitting reward to a student who has given so much to our school.
A student who is at the other end of her journey with us at Ballarat High School and who also shows incredible potential, is Year 7’s Lily Austin. It was quite an achievement to bag a gold in the Triple Jump and a Bronze in the Long Jump. Whilst these are individual achievements, the team camaraderie and support are something that can make a difference. I wish Lily and all of our athletes the best of luck in future competitions.
When our students don the BHS colours and represent our school, they do so with pride and with our full support. Medals are great to achieve, but the discipline and excellence it takes to keep improving on personal best times and distances are all that really matters. You can only do your best on the day and I know, backed by our committed Health and PE team, our students always give it their all.
For many schools, ours included, it has been a long road to get back to the participation levels seen pre-pandemic. As we move into the 2025 season the signs are looking good for BHS. In the Rowing Program alone we have 4 boys and 2 girls Year 8 crews; 2 boys and 2 girls Year 9 crews; and 3 boys and 2 girls Senior crews (with the hope that we might pick up an additional Year 8 girls crew). That’s a lot of alarm clocks ringing at daft o’clock in the morning; a lot of parents driving to the boat shed to drop off whilst the early morning joggers are only thinking about limbering up; a lot of hours provided before they go to work and after they come home from our team of coaches who do it all for free; and a lot of pantries stocked with carbs and snacks and fruit and peanut butter and anything else that can be eaten to fuel the rowers who are putting all of the hard yards in!
The Rowing Program, like so much of what we do at Ballarat High School, is designed to provide a context for growth, connection and leadership. We value Rowing as we value our Creative and Performing Arts, Athletic, Sport, Clubs, Leadership, Vocational, Academic & Extra-curricular programs available to BHS students: all very different opportunities for students to be part of something bigger than any one person. If we are to grow these programs and grow the numbers of students wishing to participate, then we have to grow student voice in influencing how we do things. Our Head of Sport and Rowing, Rob Simmonds and I met with a group of our rowers earlier on in the year to hear from them how we can grow a stronger culture that more students want to be part of. Their ideas and suggestions were absolute gold and it is important that we build their recommendations into what we do because they are the people who are most invested, who work the hardest and feel so much pride for their school. This must be the same for every program that we run. It is through student voice and influence that we can promote pride, respect and responsibility at our school. There should never be a stigma in taking part in an activity that you love and we need to create a culture, together, that is inclusive and values above all else, seizing the moment, taking a risk and making the most of the opportunities that are on offer at Ballarat High School.
Stephan Fields
Principal