Head of Year 7 & 8 News

Harding Miller 2027 Scholarship Applications Open

Applications are now open for eligible young women currently in Year 8. The Harding Miller Education Foundation (HMEF) offers scholarships to students in Australian public high schools. Applicants must be in Year 8 in 2026 to apply.

The aim of the HMEF is to bridge the long-term societal gap of opportunity for girls within the public-school system. It is for young women who have high academic potential and are experiencing challenging socio-economic circumstances.

The Harding Miller Education Scholarship is dedicated to empowering young women who attend Australian Public Schools and who demonstrate Academic Excellence, face financial barriers, and are highly motivated to succeed at school and pursue tertiary education.

Each scholarship is valued at $20,000 over four years from years 9-12. Scholarship recipients will be provided with resources and support to not only finish high school, but to reach their academic potential and build direct pathways to tertiary education. The scholarships include computers, internet access, money for other equipment and access to tutoring and mentoring.

Students should see Ms Masters if they are interested in applying or need assistance writing a personal statement. For further information, application guidelines and to apply, please visit: 

https://www.hardingmillereducationfoundation.org.au/how-to-apply/#

Year 11 student, Esta Kakakios, and Year 9 students Pippa Cox and Nikita Brown are current recipients of the HMEF Scholarship. Esta has said the support she receives is amazing, especially having access to one-to-one online tutoring.

Feedback Week

What is Feedback Week? Each term students have an opportunity to request individual feedback from teachers about their effort and behaviour in all subjects. Teachers refer to the effort and behaviour matrix, detailed on the back of the sheet, to provide precise and tailored feedback. By specifically detailing what the student may need to work on, they are more likely to achieve a better effort and behaviour result.

Feedback sheets were handed out on year level parades last week. Mid-term is the perfect time and opportunity for students to ensure they are on track to maintain or achieve Level 2.

Level 1 and 2 students are positively recognised throughout the year with rewards trips and attendance barbecues.

Symphony of Stories - Book Week 2026

A small group of high school students are helping out at the Toogoolawah State School (TSS) Book Week celebration on Monday 24th August. Mrs Hargreaves, Ms Cerci and Ms Gardner will accompany our students for the street parade and activities with TSS. The letter and permission forms were handed out to students last week. Symphony of Stories is the theme for this year. Students should have their costumes organised, or in the process of planning costumes. Students should see the Book Week teachers or Ms Masters if they have any questions.

All students are to meet at the high school. Most students will walk to Toogoolawah SS – leaving at 8:40am sharp. Please wear comfortable shoes. The school van is also available for transport.

Storyfest – Their stories start here

Ten Year 7 students from the Extension Writing Program attended Storyfest in Week 2 of this term. “Storyfest celebrates the breadth of contemporary storytelling for young Australians, with some of the finest names in Australian children's literature sharing their stories...”

For the first time the event, which is held annually on the Gold Coast, was brought to the West Moreton area. Our students participated in a writing process workshop with author Peter Carnavas, crafting characters and planning themes and plot, as well as learning how to create simple illustrations to accompany their creative storytelling.

Peter writes and illustrates books for children. His books have been published widely across the world and have won many awards, including a Queensland Literary Award and a NSW Premier's Literary Award. Leo and Ralph – his latest book - is a novel about friendship, change and an imaginary alien from one of Jupiter’s moons.

Students were also entertained by writer Nat Amoore who engaged them with a lively and thoroughly entertaining presentation about how she became an author.

Thank you to Toogoolawah State School for providing us with the tickets for this worthwhile experience.

Bunya to the Bay 2027

River Ambassador applications are now open. See Ms Masters for details or access information on the Stanley River Environmental Education. Links are provided below.

Bunya to the Bay is an award-winning educational experience where students journey more than 340 km (in four separate legs and groups) from the source of the Brisbane River to Moreton Bay by walking, cycling and canoeing. Along the way they connect with Elders on Country, explore environmental sustainability, build leadership skills, form lifelong friendships and become River Ambassadors.

Students from all backgrounds who will be in Years 10, 11 or 12 in 2027 are invited to apply. The adventure program is looking for young people with a passion for the outdoors, connecting to Country, environmental sustainability and making a positive difference.

Applications close on Friday 30 October 2026.

• Application Form https://stanleyrivereec.eq.edu.au/supportandresources/formsanddocuments/documents/bunya%20to%20the%20bay/river%20ambassador%20application%20form.pdf
• 2027 Information Flyer https://stanleyrivereec.eq.edu.au/supportandresources/formsanddocuments/documents/bunya%20to%20the%20bay/b2b%20info%20flyer-2027.pdf

• Watch the 2025 Bunya to the Bay Journey 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW2_GrUTX1k&list=PLm6U-72ok4tB2A7Ml8_uyJsZOqQe5pl-E&index=6