The Weekly Bulli-tin

It was wonderful to talk with so many parents at the Year 7 Meet the Teacher BBQ on Monday. There’s something truly special about coming together as a school community. Whether it’s sharing in our children’s achievements, connecting with teachers, or simply feeling the energy of a place that nurtures learning and growth, these moments remind us of the power of community.

This was followed by our annual Expo Night for Years 5 and 6 students from our Seacliff Community of Schools, with well over 600 people in attendance! This event was more than just a chance to explore classrooms and see student work—it was an opportunity to celebrate the heart of our school: the students, families, and educators who make it all possible.

Yesterday I attended the SMH Schools Summit as I was invited to speak on the panel: Addressing High Potential and Gifted Education, along with Martin Graham (Deputy Secretary Learning and Student Wellbeing, NSW Department of Education), Prof Jae Jung (School of Education, UNSW), Lisa Brown (Principal, Meriden School) and Kevin Carragher (Director of Education and Research, Sydney Catholic Schools). It was a rich discussion around supporting every student to maximise their potential in the academic, arts, sport, and social domains. The Summit itself was an inspiring day with an address from the Hon Prue Car MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, as well as Murat Dizdar PSM, Secretary, NSW Department of Education. Panels throughout the day consisted of:

• Establishing and enhancing students’ sense of belonging
• Alleviating disadvantage in Australian schools
• Harnessing the power of AI in the classroom
• Addressing the Myths and Misconceptions of Explicit Teaching
• Embracing Explicit Teaching and a knowledge-based curriculum
• School Improvement.

We would like to acknowledge country and the traditional custodians of this land who are the Wodi Wodi people of the Five Islands Dreaming, Dharawal Country and the Yuin nation.

We would like to acknowledge the country on which we meet and gather, near Sandon Point, the declared Aboriginal land rich in Aboriginal history and culture.

We thank the ancestors and Elders for passing down their knowledge of country and traditions which is the reason that Aboriginal culture thrives today.

At Bulli High School, it is our responsibility to preserve and respect the integrity of this significant site for future generations.

Friday 7th March

International Women’s Day Breakfast

VET Construction Placement

Thredbo Mountain Biking

Tuesday 11th March

South Coast Swimming Carnival

Open Boys Basketball Northern Illawarra Zone

Wednesday 12th March

NAPLAN

Tuesday 18th March

Open Boys Basketball South Coast Regional Finals

Wednesday 19th March

P & C Meeting @ 6:00pm

Friday 21st March

Whole School Photo Day

Harmony Day

Introduction

Welcome back for season 2025 as the HSIE team once again begins the year with a fairly settled squad. While Ms Reichhart has yet to declare her innings, she is taking somewhat of a sabbatical. That is the only real change to the team sheet which means a good amount of continuity moving forward.

2025 Squad List (In no particular order):

- Mr S Dixon (HT and claimer of everyone else’s glory)

- Mr Ansen (Handy with a compass, deadly with a topographic map)

- Mrs Dal Molin (S&C extraordinaire and very Modern Historian)

- Mr Berwick (Literacy is the game, quality assessment is his lane)

- Mrs Wilkinson (She is the Law, the Extension Historian and the Ancient Historian)

- Mrs McCann (‘Can’ by name and ‘can’ by nature’)

- Mr Tighe (Business by name, business by nature….. does not actually wear a tie)

- Mrs Fraser (The free spirit of the HSIE world)

- Ms Hicks (Paver of ways, blazer of trails)

- Ms Powell (Going strong in her dual roles as HSIE & English extraordinaire)

- Ms Smart (Seriously lucky to have her agree to a loan deal from English this year)

- Mr Tatton (Beginning his BHS journey)

As you can see there is a significant amount of experience, talent and potential in that lineup.

We have started the year strongly with a continued commitment to the provision of ‘deep assessment’. The HSIE faculty has been developing our own ‘Quality Assessment Guide’ since the start of 2024 that supplements the BHS Assessment Policy. Within this guide you will find:

- Commitment to continuity of assessment processes (from assessment task mapping, task creation, all the way through to the reporting process)

- A focus on literacy in assessment tasks from 7-10 in order to better prepare students for senior schooling. Year 8 and 9 will already complete a scaffolded literacy based task in Geography this year. Year 7 and 10 tasks are being developed. These tasks focus on the progression of directive verbs, development of arguments and key features of extended responses.

- Stronger reporting based on better engagement with syllabus outcomes. Assessment Schedules in HSIE now contain what we have termed ‘Priority Outcomes’. These are the reportable outcomes for each task that will appear on a students reports throughout the year.

They have started the year as keen Geographers and embarked on undertaking a plethora of Geography skills. One of my favourite responses so far when asking 7U about different types of maps we use is ‘Google, Miss!’.

They have their first assessment task: Skills Examination in class during Week 7!

We are currently exploring the transformation of the Roman World during the Middle Ages.

The 8V History class capitalising on the BYOD opportunity to take digital notes on the positive and negative impacts of the Crusades.

Students are embarking on a somber part of history by examining the Holocaust. Their first assessments have been distributed and are due Week 10. Last year’s cohort produced some amazing historical dioramas, and we look forward to seeing what the 2025 group will discover and design.

Earth's Natural systems:

Last week, our fearless Year 11 Geography students ventured to the stunning Minnamurra for some hands-on fieldwork. The topic of the day? Earth’s Natural Systems. But let’s be honest, the real learning took place when they tried to stay upright in their kayaks.

Navigating the river, students discovered firsthand the delicate balance of the earth, including the interactions of the four major spheres that influence our world. The weather was perfect for this outdoor adventure and the students learnt the most important lesson, that nature is beautiful.

All in all, a splashin’ success!

Not the best start to the year as the Year 11 Legal Studies class became immediately stranded on a desert island. It was a pleasure watching them decide what laws they needed to survive and the punishments they would dole out for breaking these laws. See below for a closer look at our introduction to the Legal Studies course:

Students are learning about the Fundamental Concepts of the course to support their development of social and cultural literacy.

What makes you unique?

As always thank you for your continued support of HSIE at BHS. We look forward to providing you with some more in depth updates throughout the year as we get underway properly.

Kind regards,

S Dixon

(HT HSIE)

A huge thank you to all who attended our Meet the Teacher and Expo night on Monday evening. It was a fantastic and engaging night enjoyed by all.

Our Year 7 Peer Support program is just one part of a strong induction program that supports our newest students. Sunshine and amazing local facilities provided the perfect backdrop for Staff & Year 10 Student Leaders to help set up and guide students through their high school journey.

BHS Breakfast Club will start up on Monday 10 March 2025

Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday, any student who would like to come in and kick start their day are more than welcome to attend.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Is your child/ren interested in applying for our Brilliance at BHS Program 2026. Please join us for a Parent Information Night - Enrichment by the Seaside explained.

https://bulli-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/learning-at-our-school/year-7-2018.html

We continue to provide additional support for all students with their learning. Students can access The Hub for additional HSC study skills support, through to help with Year 7 homework.

Congratulations to Bulli High School alumni Gus Hoefsloot for being part of the Young Socceroos historic AFC U20 Asian Cup title victory. The Subway Young Socceroos clinched a first-ever AFC U20 Asian Cup after winning a nail-biting penalty shootout against Saudi Arabia in a historic final at Bao’an Sports Centre Stadium, Shenzhen.

A huge shoutout to the 43 eager students who proudly represented Bulli High School at the Northern Illawarra Zone Swimming Carnival!

It was a fantastic day filled with great competition and the chance to connect with peers from local schools. Our students showed incredible sportsmanship, and we couldn’t be prouder!

Best of luck to those moving on to the South Coast Regional Carnival on March 11 at Dapto Swimming Pool.

– Miss Gibbs

Calling all Snowboarders and Skiers. If you are interested in competing for BHS in the Interschools Snowsports Competition this year, come and see Miss Josh in the BDLC ASAP.

If you are a Year 7 student and haven't competed before or used to compete for your primary school, come and put your name down.

Competition days are from 22 -25 July 2025.

Welcome back to bball! Our Term 1 program tips off from Monday of next week. If you have any queries, please contact Mr Delaney steven.delaney1@det.nsw.edu.au

Address: Dharawal Country, 17 Ursula Road, Bulli NSW 2516

Phone: 4284 8266

Email: bulli-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Website: https://bulli-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/