Nhulunbuy High School eNewsletter

School Motto

From the Principal

Newsletter Term 2 Week 4

Start to the term

We are already four weeks into another busy term and students have generally been settled back into their classes. From the start of this term, we welcomed back Mr Andrew Murton who has been on leave for the past twelve months. We also welcomed Mr Tim Delphine who joins us to work with the Liya Djambatj team and with the senior AIF classes. Ms Britt Nolan is also with us for the first seven weeks of the term covering for teachers who are taking short periods of leave in that time. We are fortunate to be fully staffed and hope to see the benefits of this with stable learning environments and improved student learning.

House Cross Country Carnival

Parents are reminded that students will be involved in the House Cross Country event on Wednesday May 14. This will be a morning of fun with students running around the block adjacent to the school. Permission forms for the three sporting carnivals were completed in Term 1. Due to the recent wet weather, we are monitoring which path will be the most suitable and will decide the final course in the days immediately prior to the event. Students who are in the top 5 finishers in each age group will be invited to participate in the East Arnhem regional cross country event which will now be held in Week 10. Reminders and updates for the day will be sent through Compass as required.

Other events

In addition to the Cross Country event, we have a very busy schedule at the school with the Artist in Residence program continuing this week as well as the second week of the Building & Construction Certificate course. The second 3 week block of the Certificate II in Cookery starts on Monday May 19. The annual Dawurr at Dusk event is coming up on Friday May 23 while the annual House Athletics carnival is on Friday May 30 and will this year include a team competing from the Laynhapuy Homelands School. We also held an SRC lunch and a SWPBS rewards morning tea this week. There is a lot happening in the school so please check Facebook and Compass regularly for updates on events and opportunities.

School upgrades

In the coming weeks, we will have contractors on the school site doing refurbishment works on the toilet block adjacent to the Art and Technology spaces as well as repair works on the toilets in the Gym. These works are much needed and will result in better facilities for students but will involve some interruptions for most of the remainder of this term. All work sites will be clearly marked and students will be required to keep well away from the work in progress. Students will still be able to access toilets throughout the day in the area between Block 21 and Block 22.

E-Scooters and bikes

In the last newsletter, we included mention of the use of e-Scooters and bikes in the school grounds. We have asked all students to ensure that they only use these vehicles on the roads and take them to the bike storage area adjacent to the kitchen and art rooms. Most students have been following these requests resulting in safer conditions for students, staff and visitors in the morning and afternoon. We have also started a discussion with the police regarding a community-wide response to the use of such vehicles so that there is a consistent message regarding their use in and out of the school. Further information will be forthcoming in the future.

Learning habits

We ask parents to support students in their learning in a few specific ways including:

Ensuring students are at school ready to start by 8:10am, giving time to prepare for the day
Providing students with a water bottle so they don’t need to leave class for a drink
Ensuring students have healthy lunch and morning tea each day
Check in on the Compass portal to communicate with teachers when necessary

Students will have assessment tasks due to be submitted at least every six weeks with the most recent having been due at the end of Week 2 this term. By supporting students in the ways listed above, we will be giving them the best chance to work at their most productive level and gain the most from their education.

Enrichment program

On Wednesday afternoons, students are again involved in a series of activities designed to provide high interest learning and enjoyment. Activities are running for the whole of the term this year and have included some interesting new offerings for students. Some students have been involved in music and dance, some have been watching movies, some have chosen sport and recreation activities. If you haven’t heard anything about what your student is doing, it would be a good conversation starter to ask them what they are doing and what they have learned.

Year 10 Work Experience

In previous years at NHS, students in Year 10 have been involved in the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) subject for one semester of the year. Part of this included a week of work experience. This year, students in Year 10 have been involved in the subject known as Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) which has replaced PLP in the subject offerings. All students have done EIF during Semester 1 as it is a new subject and a compulsory 10 credits toward NTCET.

We realise that most students will still wish to be involved in work experience at some stage and arrangements are being put in place for some students to be involved in ADF programs at different times in Semester 2. As there are over 50 students in Year 10 this year, we know that placements may be difficult to come by, so we are currently doing some planning to have the students involved in work experience in different groups coinciding with the dates of the ADF opportunities. Further information will be shared with families of Year 10 students via Compass as soon as we have confirmation of dates from the ADF.

There is also a new Industry Placement Framework for Government Schools which involves slight changes to the required documentation and feedback to students from employers.

A package will be made available to all families to guide the process when details have been confirmed.

Brad Madden
Principal

From the Assistant Principal

Anzac Day Assembly

Nhulunbuy High School commemorated ANZAC Day with a meaningful assembly held on Thursday April 24. The event provided an opportunity for students and staff to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of the Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women.

We were honoured to have John Carter, Head of Gove RSL, assist in the facilitation of the assembly. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our guest speakers: Ros Shaw, whose moving performance of The Last Post and Reveille resonated with all in attendance, and Tom and Naomi Gallagher for their powerful ANZAC address and reading of The Ode. Their contributions added great depth and solemnity to the occasion.

Special thanks to our school captains, Charlie Grantham and Lucy Mander, for confidently leading the assembly as MCs. We also acknowledge Lisa Yunupingu for delivering the Welcome to Country and thank our SRC members — Jade Carr, Deon Mukangaya, and Regan Smith — for their valued participation.

Charlie and Lucy also represented NHS at both the ANZAC Dawn Service at the Gove Boat Club and the Town Hall ANZAC Day service, proudly honouring the school and our broader community.

Lest we forget.

Kate McNeil
Assistant Principal

2025 School Calendar

The school calendar is available on Compass and parents can see what events the school is holding daily. The Big Calendar items are:

Term 2

Week 4 – Monday May 5 – May Day holiday
Week 4 – Thursday May 8 – SWPB morning Tea
Week 5 – Wednesday May 14 – House Cross Country
Week 6 – Friday May 23 – Dawurr @ Dusk
Week 7 - Friday May 30 – House Athletics Carnival
Week 9 – Monday June 9 – Kings Birthday Holiday
Week 9 – Wednesday June 11 - First Responders Day
Week 9 – Friday June 14 - East Arnhem Youth Conference

School Uniforms

Please see the uniform items pictured below. These are now in stock or being ordered through the office. Students are required to be in full school uniform each day at school. While achieving this may take some time for some families, we will continue to give reminders and order items for students as required.

Click here to download the School Uniform Guide

Middle School News

Students in the Middle School have been involved in many interesting topics and activities in their six subjects. It has been impressive to see engagement with the topics and content as well as the effort going into completion of assessment tasks and meeting deadlines. Our six-week assessment cycles allow deep learning to occur as well as ongoing reporting and feedback comments to students, parents and carers at the end of each cycle. Parents and Carers are encouraged to read and discuss Compass results and feedback regularly with their children.

Many Middle School students have been recognised at our fortnightly Middle School assemblies for significant things they have achieved outside of school. We are proud to recognise the efforts of these students. Additionally, students are regularly nominated by teachers for doing things at a level above and beyond their peers in classes. These “shoutouts” recognise characteristics including good manners, persistence, using initiative and working hard. It is always a pleasure to read out the names and reasons for the student shoutouts. These often align closely with our School Values of Creativity, Pride and Respect.

House Cross Country

Our House Cross Country will be held on Wednesday May 14 (Week 5). Students should meet in the Gym for roll marking at 8.10am and are encouraged to wear House colours and dress ups. Students will run in groups according to the age they turn/turned this year, and top placegetters will progress to the Interschool Cross Country event later this term. Breakfast Club - including bacon, eggs and fresh fruit will be provided after the races, and normal classes will run after recess. We look forward to another fantastic House event. The House Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday May 30 (Week 7).

Jane Utting
Senior Teacher, Middle Years

Liya Djambutj News

Liya Djambatj Yuta Dhawu

‘The Water Song’

Students from Liya Djambatj have been working on a creative songwriting and recording project—an exciting collaboration with Vamp TV from Darwin and the Mulka team from Yirrkala Art Centre.

The group have been writing their original song during their Creative Arts class, drawing on their own stories, culture, and connection to Country in relation to the theme of water.

Liya Djambatj worked closely with professional musicians and audio producers to perform and record the song.

Vamp TV have documented part of the journey, capturing behind-the-scenes moments, interviews, and performance highlights. Meanwhile, Mulka’s expert audio production team supported the students through the recording process—turning their classroom creativity into a polished song.

The project wasn’t just about making music; it was about self-expression, teamwork, and pride in identity. Through this experience, Liya Djambatj students were able to show incredible creativity, leadership, and confidence, and we are beyond proud of what they’ve achieved.

Stay tuned for the release of the music and video clip, which will be shared with the wider community soon.

Congratulations to Daydae on producing his first Lino Print through Buku Larrngay. His print is available for purchase at the Art Centre and will also be available at Garma Festival. He has already started work on his second composition which we can’t wait to see.

Triny O’Brien, Ethan Jolley, Ash French, Tim Delphine
Teachers

Art News

Year 7 and 8 students studied the Surrealist Art Movement for their Term 1 project. They were challenged to combine an object and animal in a surrealist art style. Students researched iconic works from the period and reflected on what appealed to them. Each piece was a collection of many drafts, using water colour they created a dream-like background to contrast with their sharp line drawing. All works are currently on display in the art room and are being enjoyed every day.

Nhulunbuy High School recently celebrated the successful completion of its Artist in Residence program, made possible through a grant from the Northern Territory Government. The initiative aimed to highlight the significance of creative arts in shaping future career paths for students.

The school collaborated with Tarzan Jungle Queen a multidisciplinary artist based in Darwin. Tarzan's work encompasses graphic design, collage, screen printing, and text, often exploring themes of queerness, identity, and environmental justice.

During the residency, Tarzan engaged students in two-hour hands-on workshops. Students created collages featuring iconic Northern Territory animals combined with human features, reminiscent of their earlier studies on Surrealism. These collages were then traced using thick black pens, emphasising fine details and refining the figures' shapes.

After the workshops, Tarzan digitized the students' artwork and used software to render a mock-up of the mural. The vibrant colours and designs impressed the students. Using a projector, Tarzan traced the figures onto the library's exterior wall, and students participated in painting the mural, guided by the artist.

Nhulunbuy High School's Art Department expressed immense gratitude for hosting Tarzan Jungle Queen, noting the invaluable skills, expertise, and knowledge shared during the residency. The school invites the community to view the mural and welcomes any support or feedback.

The Year 9 Visual Art Class studies landscape painting as part of their personal project for Term 1. After practising a range of skill from creating tones, mixing primary colours, using texture and our favourite task, painting outside. After understanding the basic principles, students researched inspiring paintings and created their own artwork. Much to their surprise many of the canvases turned out amazingly well, showing a real range of skill and colour choice.

Astrid Joyce
Art Teacher

Year 7 History

Year 7 History students are working hard on their Ancient Egypt unit with a fun cookie excavation activity! Acting as archaeologists, they carefully and patiently "dug" chocolate chips from cookies using toothpicks, learning how real artifacts are uncovered and preserved. A tasty way to explore the past!

Sarah Crosser
Teacher

Phys Ed & Health News

Inter School Swimming Carnival

On Thursday April 24, seventeen NHS students competed in the Inter School Swimming Carnival at the Nhulunbuy Aquatic Centre along with students from NPS, NCC and Dhupuma Barker.

There were some very competitive races and fierce relays on the program with our students placing in many of the races. It was lovely to witness the comradery, competitiveness and enjoyment experienced by all the students in our Nhulunbuy community.

Well done to all students that participated and successfully placed in many of the races.

During Week 3 PE lessons, our students had the exciting opportunity to participate in the Police Fitness Test, led by Constable Kyrra Wilson, our dedicated School Based Police Officer.

The test challenged students to push their physical limits, wearing a 10kg weight vest throughout the timed course. It included a series of demanding activities designed to mirror real-world police fitness standards: sprinting, step-ups, assisting another person (simulated by moving a heavy boxing bag), jumping, and burpees.

Kyrra guided the students through each element of the test, encouraging them to stay focused, resilient, and give their best effort. Not only was this a fantastic physical challenge, but it also offered valuable insight into the fitness levels required for a career in policing.

Our fastest students were:

Male – Kurt Mununggurr (1 min 10 sec)
Female – Lara Cooper (1 min 14 sec)

Our top staff were:

Darren (1 min 4 sec), Ethan (1 min 10 sec), Cam (1 min 11 sec)

The enthusiasm, teamwork and determination displayed by all participants were outstanding. Congratulations to all the students (and staff!) who stepped up to the challenge — we are incredibly proud of your efforts!

Fresh off completing the Police Fitness Test in their PE lessons, students once again put their cardiovascular endurance to the test—this time with a twist of strategy and teamwork in the UNO Challenge. Working in teams, they tackled a fast-paced shuttle run competition, racing to be the first group to shout "UNO!" Energised and focused, students combined physical stamina with clever planning as they navigated their decks and pushed to complete each challenge. The atmosphere was electric, with teamwork and determination on full display.

Senior School News

Senior School Report

Things are moving quickly in senior school as we move into Week 4. Year 12s have two terms of school left and Year 11s are fast approaching the final submission dates for their SACE subjects. Last week students in Year 12 engaged in a university information session, which got them thinking about their post school pathways and the many opportunities that exist for them beyond the school gate. We also had visits from NTSDE teachers who helped our Year 10 students work through their EIF projects. It’s fantastic to receive this extra support when they visit.

A special congratulations to our senior students who participated in a memorable ANZAC Day assembly in Week Two. We’re looking forward to our House Captains leading their Houses over the next few weeks in Cross Country and Athletics.

Oliver Friedmann
Senior Teacher, Senior Years

VET Cooking Class

At the end of Term 1, our students from the VET Cooking Class catered for the parent-teacher/ student-led conference evening. A smorgasboard of goodies was served up in the Clontarf Room which students, staff and parents were able to enjoy. They filled-out reflection sheets which provided a positive response to the efforts made by the students. Well done to all students.

Jodie Nunn
Teacher

Dawurr News

The Dawurr students have settled back well at the boarding house, after an extended break with family and friends. Despite the consistent rain in the East Arnhem region, Dawurr boarders have kept busy at Dawurr and local surrounding areas.

We had a huge turnout for the 3v3 Basketball competition which was held last Friday. There was some real talent displayed on the night. A BIG thanks to all the NHS and Dawurr staff that showed up to cheer the teams on. Your support is greatly appreciated. The Seniors program has continued to be a big success, with our senior boarders getting involved with some very important decision making. We’re looking forward to our new Seniors shirts arriving in the near future.

We have a busy term ahead, with our annual Dawurr@Dusk Volleyball Competition rapidly approaching. If you haven’t already registered a team, please pop in to grab a nomination form.

Once the rain eases off, boarders will be spending more time out on country, learning new life skills and continuing to connect with culture.

Kiri Deegan
Head of Boarding
Brett Osborne
Deputy Head of Boarding

Clontarf News

What's been happening at Clontarf Term 2

The beginning of this term has been quite busy for the Nhulunbuy Academy. Once the Clontarf boys returned to school following the Easter break, we have participated in multiple activities within the Gove community, on the footy field and most importantly in class.

It was great to see 15 young men bravely attack the early morning to attend the ANZAC Day dawn service a fortnight ago, along with welcoming the young homelands crew from Lanhapuy school in Gathalala to our morning trainings and after school activities. Last week, we held an engagement fishing day to ditch the classroom for a few hours and enjoy the outdoors. This year, our senior leaders have been stepping up to provide standards within our academy for all to follow, which has been a pleasure to witness.

For the rest of the term, the academy members are striving to retain great attendance in order to go on a big trip to Darwin during week 9.

Will Robinson
Director
Darren Ewing
Program Coordinator

RTP - Responsible Thinking Process

2025 – East Arnhem Youth Conference Flyers

Cassidy Boja, a Year 12 student at NHS, had the privilege of representing Nhulunbuy as part of the NT Youth Round Table event. She spoke about the challenges that young people in our region face, including the need for more spaces where the youth of Nhulunbuy feel seen, supported and celebrated.

This year, she teamed up with Rebecca Forrest from No One Left Behind, along with an incredible group of young people to bring something special to our community: a youth Festival designed to celebrate and empower young people right here in East Arnhem. It's a free, all-ages event packed with performances, interactive activities and community spirit.

Cassidy designed the East Arnhem Youth Conference flyers for this community event.

Save the date, bring your family and be part of something made by youth, for youth.

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9 May 2025