Noosa District SHS 2025 Ski Trip – Sign Up Now!

ONLY 5 places REMAINING

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! The Noosa District SHS 2025 Ski Trip is heading to Perisher from 19th – 24th September 2025, and you don’t want to miss out!

For $2,420, you’ll experience five action-packed days on the slopes, improving your skiing or snowboarding skills while making unforgettable memories with your friends. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, this trip offers something for everyone!

How to sign up:
Cooroy Campus – See Ms Priestley in the H Block staffroom for more details and a consent form.
Pomona Campus – Visit admin to collect a consent form.

Spots are limited, so act fast! Secure your place and get ready for an epic snow adventure!

During week 5, our Year 12 Marine Science students embarked on an excursion to Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre, immersing themselves in hands-on fieldwork and experiencing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef firsthand. The trip’s primary goal was to collect essential data for their assessment but we also had time for some other activities such as fishing and camp challenges.

One of the highlights of the trip was snorkelling on the reefs around the Keppel Islands. Students had the chance to observe the coral ecosystems, identify a variety of marine species, and gather important data to support their studies. This real-world experience allowed them to apply classroom knowledge in an authentic setting, enhancing their understanding of marine biodiversity and reef health.

Mother Nature did however have a surprise in store for us! The high winds brought by Cyclone Alfred made for some challenging conditions, particularly on the boat rides to and from the reefs. Despite the weather, the students remained enthusiastic and made the most of their time on the island.

The excursion to Konomie Island was an incredible experience, blending scientific research with outdoor adventure. Our students returned with valuable data, unforgettable memories, and a newfound respect for the power of the ocean. A huge thank you to the staff who made this trip possible.

2025 Musical - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Year 10 Immunisation Reminder

A reminder to parents and students that the Year 10 immunisations will take place next Tuesday, 1st April, in the Library. Only students who have already registered will receive their immunisation.

Allocated times will be scheduled during Periods 3 and 4, with details sent to teachers and included in the daily notices. Please ensure students wear appropriate clothing (e.g., a short-sleeved shirt) to allow easy access for vaccination.

If you have any questions, please contact OZCare.

OZCARE

SBVP 

Phone: (07) 5413 8460

Mobile: 0498 671 836

Email: SBVP@Ozcare.org.au

Sahil’s Global Cycling Journey to Save Soil

On Monday, 24th March, Noosa District SHS welcomed 19-year-old environmental activist Sahil Jha, who is preparing for a remarkable 20,000 km cycling journey across four continents to raise awareness about the global soil crisis. Sahil, who began his journey on 21st March 2025 from Bundaberg, will visit 20 countries over 15 months, advocating for sustainable agricultural practices and soil health.

At just 16, Sahil cycled 15,000 km across India, engaging with over 250 institutions to raise awareness about soil degradation. Now, his mission is global—aiming to protect soil and combat its degradation, which threatens food security, biodiversity, and climate stability.

Sahil’s visit to our Year 11 QCIA Agriculture Class inspired students to take action for sustainability. He emphasised how improving soil health is key to mitigating climate change and ensuring a secure food future.

Follow Sahil’s journey on social media @soilsahiljha and join the #SaveSoil movement to support this vital cause. Let’s come together to protect our planet’s soil for future generations.

HQ Plantations - Toolara Nursery

Our Year 12 agriculture students thoroughly enjoyed their recent day trip to HQ Plantations, Toolara nursery. Students learnt about the entire process from seed collection and genetics, grading and planting, right through to harvesting and processing. The class got hands on sorting seeds and explored many of the technologies used in the industry, including the firm favourite, the fire tanker and it’s high-powered hoses. A nursery operation of this scale was a real eye-opener and students were able to recognise the vast opportunities within the forestry sector as part of our diverse Australian agricultural industry.

Equestrian Team Shines at Victory College Showjumping Event

Noosa District SHS’s Equestrian Team continues to impress, with outstanding results at the recent Victory College Showjumping Event. Our talented riders showcased their skill, determination, and teamwork, achieving fantastic placings across multiple classes.

Year 10 student, Cassidy, delivered a strong performance, placing 5th overall in the 70cm class and 9th overall in the 80cm class. Meanwhile, Year 12 student, Billie, excelled in the higher divisions, securing 10th place overall in the 90cm class and 7th overall in the 1m event.

Adding to their success, both Cassidy and Billie placed 4th in the AM5 event, demonstrating their ability to navigate technical courses under pressure.

These results reflect the dedication and hard work of our equestrian athletes, and we congratulate them on their achievements. Well done, Cassidy and Billie!

Find a Frog in February

On the 20th February, Junior Secondary students from Noosa District State High School ventured out to do their annual night survey for ‘Find a Frog in February’, coordinated by the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) and funded by Noosa Shire Council. It was a great time to go spotting while frogs are still out and about before the weather cools.

Ollie Scully from the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) lead the survey and pointed out key identifying features of local species. A creek transect was surveyed on the schools neighbouring property, students analysed recordings from listening posts and observations along permanent survey markers. Both male and female Giant Barred Frogs were an exciting find on the night! One of Australia’s largest vulnerable species, tadpoles can grow up to 11cm long! Adults and juveniles were spotted hiding in leaf litter along the creek banks showing a healthy population. Further to our 2024 survey and on recording the Giant Barred frog, property owners Tim and Kerry fenced the sensitive creek area to prevent cattle from entering to protect the important creek bank habitat!

Teacher, Nikki Olds said that as keen citizen scientists, students do a real survey out in the field and learn valuable monitoring skills. With many students attending surveys over two or three years they build their knowledge of local habitat and ecosystems. The data they record helps guide future conservation efforts by contributing to national records.” I’d encourage all schools to contribute and get involved with their local conservation organisations”.

“We found some amazing threatened species such as the Great Barred frog and Tusk frog. We learned lots about how to identify frogs from our instructor and had heaps of fun” Maya.

“Ollie explained many features of the Giant Barred frog, including their unique back patterns that are being used to identify individuals on surveys. Also, he explained the differences between frogs and toads to identify frogs that look a bit like toads!” Numeirah.

Local populations occur mostly within natural riparian zones on private property and within protected areas so we’re grateful to partner with our neighbours at Pomona campus. A special thank you Kerry, Tim and Ollie and parents for supporting our students on these surveys!

STEM Innovation Projects – Semester 1, 2025

Exciting developments are underway at NDSHS with the introduction of the Flying Plus Program, which now includes a STEM Innovation class. Led by Mrs Erin CLarke, who has over 10 years of experience in STEM implementation and development, this program goes beyond science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It fosters collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking—essential skills for future innovators.

This semester, students have the opportunity to work in groups on projects of their choice across various STEM fields.

STEM Innovation Project Groups

Group 1 – Australian STEM Video Game Challenge

Students are designing a video game as part of the Australian STEM Games Challenge. They will develop a game design document, detailing characters, story, graphics, and mechanics. Their game must align with this year’s theme:

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." – Lao Tzu

For more information, visit: https://www.stemgames.org.au/

Group 2 – 3D Printing & Moving Parts

This group is exploring 3D printing applications in the school environment, focusing on printed moving parts such as bearings. Students will not only design components but also collect and analyse data on different designs, filaments, and print times to determine the most efficient process.

Group 3 – Sustainable Fashion

With the amount of clothing waste rising each year, this group is tackling sustainability by designing their own eco-friendly fashion line. They will combine traditional techniques like iron-on vinyl with modern technology such as 3D printing to create innovative, upcycled clothing.

This group would love donations. They are currently looking for second-hand clothing in good condition that is red, black, white, or gold. Please drop them in at the Pomona office and the drop will collect them daily.

 Group 4 – Robotics

Students in this group are working with EV3 robots, focusing on both the physical design and coding required to compete in the Sunshine Coast Regional RoboCup.

Group 5 – BMX Track Engineering

A major project this semester involves the planning and construction of a BMX track for the school. This is an extremely challenging task that involves complex engineering principles, and we are excited to see how this project develops.

Group 6/7 – Esports & Game Development Blog

Esports has grown rapidly over the past decade, but improving at competitive gaming requires more than just playing. Students in this group will create a blog about their chosen game, featuring:

• Gameplay videos
• Voice-over tutorials
• Screen-in-screen demonstrations
• Research on game strategies

This project will provide a platform for students to teach others how to play and improve their skills.

Get Involved!

The STEM Innovation program is an exciting space with endless possibilities. If you have experience in any of these areas or would like to mentor a group, please contact Erin Clarke at eclar17@eq.edu.au

Three outstanding Noosa District SHS students were recognised for their exceptional achievements in the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) Headstart Program. The awards were presented by Mrs. Wilmore and Mr. Quinn at the whole-school parade, celebrating the students' commitment to university-level learning while still in high school.

The UniSC Headstart program challenges motivated Year 10-12 students with tertiary-level studies, allowing them to develop advanced study skills and gain credit towards a university degree. These students successfully completed their courses at the end of Year 10 and have demonstrated remarkable dedication and academic excellence.

The recipients of the awards were:

• Naomi Slater – High Distinction in Food and Society

• Madeline McQueen – Distinction in Introduction to Criminology

• Lara Aleckson – Pass in Theories of Counselling

Each of these students has shown great initiative in balancing their high school studies with university coursework, paving the way for their future academic and career aspirations. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to fellow students considering the Headstart program.

Congratulations to Naomi, Madeline, and Lara on this incredible accomplishment. Noosa District SHS is proud to support students in their pursuit of higher education and lifelong learning.