Mean Girls - The Arts Drama Production 2025

It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of Term 3 – and what a busy, exciting term it’s been!

This term saw our Arts department shine, with a trio of incredible events: the Drama Production, Music Showcase, and the fantastic Dance Showcase. Each performance was a testament to the talent, dedication, and creativity of our students and staff. Thank you to all involved for bringing ‘The Arts’ to life at the College.

We also had a fantastic time during Book Week, with students and staff dressing up as Where’s Wally characters and enjoying our very own photo booth experience. It was a fun and creative way to celebrate reading and storytelling across the College. A big thank you to Mrs Baker and the English team for their efforts.

In addition, we celebrated Science Week, Numeracy Week, and Wear It Purple Day – all of which provided engaging activities for our students while promoting learning, inclusion, and school spirit.  Thank you to Mrs Bilbie, Mr Singh, and Mrs Hastings for their leadership and enthusiasm.

Our Workplace Learning students completed their placements this term, gaining valuable insights and experience across a range of industries. These opportunities are vital in helping students explore career pathways, and we thank Mr Smith and our partner organisations for their ongoing support.

A huge congratulations to our H2GP team, who represented Belridge Secondary College at this year’s World Grand Finals in Germany. Finishing 4th in the Girls STEM race was a fantastic achievement. Their commitment and performance were truly inspiring, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts. Thank you to Mr Chen and Ms Endersbee for their leadership of the event.

We wrapped up the term with our Athletics Carnival, a wonderful celebration of school spirit, sportsmanship, and fun. There were some fantastic displays of athleticism and skill, with records being broken in many events. A standout moment was the largest Macarena line in Belridge Secondary College history – a joyful sight that captured the energy and unity of our students and staff. Congratulations to team Marlins, who took out the Champion House on the day. A huge thank you to Mr Bennett, Mr Spinks, and the HPE team for making the day such a success.

I’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Health & Wellbeing team for their work around R U OK? Day and the week’s activities. These events continue to foster a culture of care and connection within our school.

Planning is now underway for our upcoming Open Board Meeting on Monday, 3 November 2025, and I encourage families to attend. Your input helps shape the direction of our College, and your voice is a valued part of our improvement journey. See website for full details and to register your place.  

Looking ahead, our Year 12 students are preparing for their final chapter at Belridge Secondary College. General Year 12's will finish at the end of this term, while ATAR students commence exams on Thursday, 16 October 2025. We will be celebrating their journey with a Graduation Breakfast and Farewell Assembly on Friday, 17 October 2025. Parents and carers are warmly invited to join us in marking this important milestone.

Wishing everyone a safe, restful holiday break. We look forward to welcoming you back on Monday, 13 October 2025 for another action-packed term.

Warm regards

Mrs Sharon Lyon
Principal - Belridge Secondary College

One of the great things about being part of the Belridge School Board is hearing first-hand about the wonderful things our staff and students are involved in. One of these is the Fallen Soldier Project. This program was to advocate for nine WA born Aboriginal soldiers who enlisted, trained, fought and died in the defence of Australia during WWI but were never recognised or commemorated alongside their fellow fallen soldiers on the Avenues of Honour in King. Fellow Board member, Ben Dawkins - one of the three staff representatives on the board - led the initiative. Not wishing to steal his or the students involved the accolades due their work, come along to the Open Board meeting in November, where Ben and the students will showcase their work on this project. 

The Open Board Meeting is a great opportunity for parents and community members to come and see what the Board has been up to over the past year, as well as a way to come and have a chat with the Board members, hear about the College's exciting developments and future plans. The event is catered by the students, with  complimentary coffee, snacks and some great food on offer – see flyer below and REGISTER your place.

Finally, if you are a regular visitor to the school yards, you'll see a number of areas getting a needed refresh, including student amenities, both indoor and outdoor as part of our Student Led Projects. Being able to use well budgeted funds to enable these upgrades is a testament to the great work by our Principal, Mrs Sharon Lyon, and our Manager Corporate Services, Ms Kerrie Ward. Having a clear picture of our financial position allows the Board to be able to endorse the recommendations of Sharon and the team. 

Mr Steve Hall
Chairperson – Belridge College Board

Email: belridge.sc.schooboard@education.wa.edu.au

OPEN BOARD MEETING - REGISTER HERE

As our third term draws to a close, Middle School students have been working on their various courses and enjoying a range on excursions and in-school activities.  Since our last newsletter, we have enjoyed outstanding performances from the Dance and Music students, Middle School students who have also participated in the Australian Maths Competition, the School-to-Stage Competition, the Guitar Ensemble Festival, the Secondary Schools Golf Championships and the SSWA State Finals for Netball.  More details of these events are included within articles in this newsletter.  All students should have now completed their course selections (electives) for 2026, as next year’s timetable is currently being finalised.

Our  Year 9 AEP (Academic Extension Program) students participated in an excursion to Edith Cowan University, ‘ECU Create’ designed to introduce engineering and technology products and processes to young secondary school students to promote STEM learning and senior school course selection, while our Year 7 and 8 AEP classes entered the Australian Spelling Bee, an online competition open to all Australian students - details further on in this newsletter.

We have seen positive engagement from our younger students, with many participating in after school activities such as Maths Homework Club (every Tuesday afternoon), Art Club (Thursday afternoons), Band and Choir Practice.  Not to be outdone, Ms. Linto, Head of Humanities, recently organised an incursion with an Egyptologist, aiming to provide real life accounts of the study of Ancient History - more specifically the study of Egyptology.

We were pleased to announce we have been successful in our submission to join other selected schools to take part in an exciting initiative from the Education Department; ‘ACTION Respect Secondary: Strengthening respectful relationships education in schools with secondary aged students,’.  The ACTION Respect Secondary initiative (delivered through the Respectful Relationships Teaching Support Program (RRTSP) in Western Australia) has several key goals aimed at fostering safer, more respectful school communities and preventing family and domestic violence.  While this is yet to kick off, the College will receive funding of $20,000 over two years for staff training and teaching materials, strategies and support to implement the program.

Finally, I must congratulate our Health and Physical Education staff for their impeccable organisation of our annual Athletics Carnival, despite the weather forcing  us to change days, congratulations to our students for their wholehearted participation in events and carnival activities, it was a great day and display of school spirit.  The Marlins once again accumulated the most points on the day

Mr Carlos Notarpietro
Deputy Principal - Middle School 

Year 12 Exams 

As we approach both the Mock and WACE exams, it is important for you and your child to be fully informed of the requirements and expectations for the coming weeks. 

There are 2 sets of exams. The first are the Mock exams and are run by the school during the second week of the Term 3 school holidays. These contribute to their school mark. The timetable for these exams are below. 

Students have now been given both their Mock Exam timetable and WACE Exam timetables. They can also access their WACE Timetable via their SCSA Student Portal. 

End of School Year for Year 12 students 

General/VET/WPL students will finish their programs on Friday, 16 October 2025. However, if they still have work outstanding, they will be required to attend school each day for the first week of Term 4 or until the work is completed. Students will only be able to get their Clearance forms signed-off during the last three days of Term 3. 

ATAR students are required to attend school for the first week of Term 4. This is to receive their exam results and to receive feedback ready for the WACE exams. 

All Year 12 students are required to attend the Final Assembly and Year 12 Breakfast on Friday, 17 October 2025.  Students will be able to leave school once the assembly has finished.  

Year 11 Exams 

This year the Year 11 exams will run from Monday, 17 November to Friday, 28 November 2025.  Students will receive their individual timetable at the beginning of Term 4. Teachers are preparing their students for these exams as the lead in time must be extensive. Students can access the SCSA website to obtain practice exams or click the link below. 

https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/further-resources/past-atar-course-exams 

ASPIRE Breakfast 

In Week 7 we held our first Year 11 ASPIRE Breakfast. This event is by invite only to students who will generate an ATAR score. These are held 5 times throughout Year 11 and 12 and aim to motivate students to achieve their best as well as offering strategies and suggestions for future study. Each breakfast, we have a guest speaker to impart their wisdom on our students. This term we welcomed Tristan Forbes, a graduating student from 2024. Tristan was fantastic in his presentation to our students and is now studying Engineering at Curtin University. We are very appreciative of Tristan (and all other guest speakers) for coming in to speak with our students. 

Year 10 Subjects 

Students have now selected their pathway and courses for 2026. The expectation is that students continue to work diligently to maintain or enhance their work ethic to maximise their chance of success in Year 11. Good habits need to be established early, and we know Year 11 Semester One is a big challenge. Any student wishing to change their subjects for next year must book an appointment with Mr Cheeseman. Students must be aware, the grid has been finalised, therefore not all changes can be approved. 

Hot Laps!

Last week, we were lucky enough to have the Cove family offer an amazing experience to some students from Belridge Secondary College and Belridge Education Support Centre. Two race cars, which are driven by Belridge Secondary College students (Charlotte Cove and Ashleigh Cove), were on display at the College. Students were able to sit in and even start the cars under strict supervision. The Cove family have offered to give 6 lucky students a chance to experience Hot Laps at Wanneroo Race Track with both Charlotte and Ashleigh driving. Students who demonstrate our College values will go into the draw to win a voucher for this exhilarating experience. We are very grateful to the Cove family for their ongoing support of positive initiatives at Belridge Secondary College. 

Mr Louis Cheeseman
Deputy Principal - Senior School 

PISA 2025

On Tuesday, 26 August 2025, a group of randomly selected Year 10 and 11 students sat for the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which involved two one-hour tests and a questionnaire assessing how well students can apply their knowledge and skills to real-world situations. The assessments evaluate students’ ability to analyse, reason and communicate as they examine, interpret and solve practical problems.

Despite some initial nerves about being selected, students found the tests to be interactive and engaging, being rewarded with a pizza and a juice box at the conclusion of the testing session.

Australia’s participation in PISA provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of our education system and to evaluate the effectiveness of current systems and learn from the policies and practices of other countries. More information on PISA is available at https://acer.au/pisa25introvid

Mr Carlos Notarpietro 
Deputy Principal - Middle School 

PISA Testing Group 2025 

H2GP – World Finals

After placing as the top Girls team at the Regional Finals in June 2025, Team Speedy Gonzales was invited to compete in the World Finals for the H2GP in Chemnitz, Germany.

With only 10 weeks between these two events, there was a lot to discuss and arrange. With support and funding from Chevron, this dream became a reality and the planning began. Passports at the ready, flights and accommodation booked, ticking off the checklists and paperwork in such a short time, this overseas trip was a challenge, but one that we took on, knowing the opportunity that awaited us at the end. During this time, Mr Chen worked with the team closely, and receiving support from so many along the way. This included extra practice sessions, adjustments to the cars, networking, and more practice sessions both in and out of school hours.

Before we knew it, the 21^st of August was upon us. All packed and ready, we set off on our adventure. After 30 hours of travelling, and we had arrived in Chemnitz. Tired but excited, we settled in and prepared for the events. We spent the next day going through technical checks, presenting to judges and meeting many other students from around the world. The girls spent the day conversing with others and even getting them to try Vegemite – a bit much for most! We exchanged gifts with a team from California and learnt more about their experience with this program.

In between this and the first race day, we had the opportunity to explore the city. As a predominantly industrial city, Chemnitz is full of fascinating history. The main attraction in town, a statue head of Karl Marx represents part of this, as the town was known as Karl-Marx-Stadt between 1953 and 1990.  Ms Edmonds was in full History-teacher mode by this point, and shared knowledge with the team along the way. This was followed by making sure we got the full international experience with a stop at McDonald’s for lunch - because, why not?!

And then finally came the long awaited first race day for us – Stock Race 2. We were up against 15 other teams that day and then combining this with the results from Race 1 to get overall places. We started well, Emily, the main driver was off to a solid start. Unfortunately, the team ran into some car troubles early on and had to work hard to get it back up and running. This challenge saw other teams helping with ideas and sharing tools, which was so amazing to see. After getting the car back on track, the team continued to work hard to make up the lost time and fix the car when other issues arose. After a gruelling six hours, Team Speedy Gonzales was still going at the end, being able to fix and keep the car on track, with enough energy to keep going. With 31 teams competing over these 2 days, Speedy Gonzales placed 27^th overall.

The next day was a day of rest, and time to prepare the other car for the Girls in STEM race, the team bonded over shopping adventures and coming up with race strategy for this different, 2-hour sprint race. With the benefit of knowing the track well, our drivers got into the rhythm of the race quickly and were away. Yet again, we ran into the same problem as experienced in the previous race, but the mechanics had learnt from that and were able to get the car back on track much quicker this time. As the race was entering the final stages, we were getting so close to overtaking yet another team but found the 2 hours race time flew by just too quickly. As the checkered flag was waved, we celebrated placing 4^th in this race, keeping the car on track for the majority of the race and still getting in our speedy 20-second laps as much as possible.

The journey home then began.  After packing up and leaving Chemnitz we arrived in Berlin to a rainy day, but that didn’t dampen our afternoon. We jumped onto a hop-on-hop-off bus tour and spent the afternoon learning about the history of the city. Again, Ms Edmonds was in her element, sharing histories of the buildings and locations that we stopped at and saw along the way.

Leaving early Friday morning, we checked into the airport and by the time we had taken off, we were ready for some sleep, which we all managed to get intermittently over the course of the next 27 hours of travel. Our families were ready to welcome us home, and we all slept very well that night!

A massive thank you to Mr Chen first and foremost, without his dedication, this program would not have run, and we would not have had this opportunity. Thank you to everyone else involved along the way, Ms Lyon and the Executive team for supporting this and helping to get all the paperwork ready. Thank you to the families for supporting this and letting us take the girls halfway around the world. A thank you to Ms Edmonds’ school for being supportive and allowing her to be able to join us to continue this journey. Thank you to all other staff, families, friends and supporters along the way. We would also like to acknowledge Chevron, Horizon Energy, Aus Earth Ed, West Coast Model RC, and countless friends and colleagues for helping to make this opportunity a reality for us.

We are already discussing more options to modify the car, practice driving more and prepare for next year!

Mr Lucius Chen
HOLA - Technology & Enterprise

See Department of Education ARTICLE 

Win a Hot Lap!

What a day! On Friday, 12 September 2025 we were thrilled to welcome the Cove Family and their race cars to the College. A huge thank you for giving up your time to inspire our students and staff.

Shoutout to students, Ashleigh Cove (Year 10) and Charlotte Cove (Year 12), who tear up the track in the WA Excel Cup Series. As a prize, they're giving away six amazing opportunities for students 16 years and older to win hot laps with them at the Wanneroo Racetrack.

The draw takes place in Week 10. Any students who didn't get a chance to enter, please go and see Mr. Cheeseman right away!

Book Week 2025: A Celebration of Stories!

• Book Swap: Students brought in their favourite reads and exchanged them for new literary adventures. The swap encouraged reading for pleasure and gave books a second life in new hands.
• Book Spine Poetry: Creativity flourished as students crafted poems using the titles on book spines. .
• Form Kahoot: Friendly competition lit up classrooms as forms battled it out in a literature-themed Kahoot quiz. It was a fun and interactive way to test book knowledge and celebrate reading.
• Dress as a Character Day: One of the most memorable moments of the week saw over 40 staff members from across both schools transform the school into a real-life Where’s Wally? Students joined in with fantastic costumes, bringing characters from across genres to life in the hallways.
• Photo Booth Fun: The Book Week photo booth was a hit with students, capturing the joy and creativity of the week. From wizards to fairies, and everything in between, the booth was filled with smiles and snapshots of literary flair.

Year 7 AEP Science
WA Space Science Education Centre excursion

• Is there life on Mars?
• Could Mars be an option for human habitation?

Teacher - Humanities and Social Sciences & AEP Coordinator

Year 11 Human Biology 

The Year 11 General Human Biology classes have had the unique opportunity to dissect a sheep kidney to deepen their understanding of the excretory system. Students are studying the structures and functions of this body system in the removal of metabolic wastes. They explored the filtration units of the human body: the kidneys! The classes found this experience to be very interesting and allowed them to discover exactly what these structures look like in our bodies and were very respectful with all materials. Well done future scientists for having a go and challenging themselves to learn about the human body in an interactive way.

Miss Liberty Warren and Mrs Joan Orr
Teachers – Science

What's going on in the Science Club? 

Year 10 Camp Cooking

Year 10 Outdoor Education students have spent Term 3 learning about camping skills. As part of this unit we cook on small hiking stoves called a Trangia. Students spend class time planning a meal that they can cook on the Trangia and then show off their culinary skills the following lesson.

Ms Tiffany Collins 
Teacher - Health & Physical Education 

Year 12 Outdoor Education Camps

Two great camps in two weeks, and a great way to cap off the camps for the Year 12 Outdoor Education students.

Stepping away from the coast and into the forest of Dwellingup both camps hiked in the sunshine 16km from Dwellingup to the campground at Nanga Mill on the first day, with some students setting a lightning pace and reaching their destination in just four hours.

We set up camp and Group 1 were quick to fill their bellies, while Group 2 had to shelter from a storm that turned the ground into muddy puddles. But thankfully the fire was warm, and we kept dry.

After s’mores and some stargazing Group 1 were quick to retire, after their speedy hike to camp, they were ready for sleep! Group 2 could not be silenced and sat around the fire until the teachers were ready for bed.

On Day 2 for the first camp the heavens opened and we got the wettest downpour that we’ve ever had on a Dwellingup camp. The tents were wet. The ground was wet. Everyone was wet!  As the rain subsided, we gathered all the students together and decided to get the canoeing done in the morning. It was a beautiful paddle, though probably the coldest we’ve all ever felt. The rapids were challenging but only one group capsized. When we were done, we headed into Dwellingup to dry off and warm up, at this point we decided to pull the pin, go back to camp and pack up and head home early for the first time ever in the history of our camps – all thanks to the wettest winter since 1996. Some students were excited to get home to their creature comforts, others were trying to convince Mr Hollows to stay!

Day 2 for the second camp was quite different. The sun was shining, but it was extremely cold with temperatures dropping down to 4° overnight.

We split into our two groups, one group canoeing, the other group doing a navigation activity. The canoeing provided a challenge.  All of the rain from the previous week had made the water rise over a metre from where it was the week before, and moving extremely fast. This provided some entertainment with many of the canoes getting stuck in the tea trees and other obstacles, but it also made the rapids a breeze. A few canoes capsized trying to navigate the obstacles along the way - everyone quickly blaming the other person for making them capsize!

Well done to Jesse Griffiths (Year 12) for being the fastest at the navigation activity, with Manea Sheehan-Browne (Year 12) being close behind.

On the last night we sat by the fire again, playing campfire games, laughing at those who just could not get it, ate more s'mores that the kangaroos hadn’t managed to get a hold of and watched the stars.

On the final day we packed up to head to the Dwellingup Trees Adventure Park. Well done to everyone for tackling as many courses as they could. It is always fun to see the smiles on students' faces when they face fears of height and do things that they don’t normally do.

Well done Year 12's for succeeding on the camp and to the first group who sadly had their camp cut short. You were still extremely positive about the experience that you had and for that we are very grateful.

Ms Tiffany Collins 
Teacher - Health & Physical Education 

Illuminate Dance Showcase 2025
A Night to Remember 

On Thursday, 28 August 2025, Belridge Secondary College proudly presented its annual Illuminate Dance Showcase, and what an incredible success it was! Our talented Dance students lit up the stage with passion and precision, performing to a sold-out evening audience and delighting local primary schools with a special matinee performance earlier in the day.

The choreography was spectacular, and every student brought their best to the stage, creating a truly memorable experience for all who attended.

Award Highlights:

• Junior Performer of the Year: Elara Beltran (Year 7)
• Senior Dancer of the Year: Hailey Hann (Year 10)
• Miss Congeniality: Indi Marach (Year 8) 
• Senior Dancer of the Year & Leadership Award: Alivia Wilkie (Year 11), our incoming 2026 Dance Captain

We also celebrated our graduating dancers—Marissa Abate, Molly McLeod, and Rhaeja Pratt (Year 12's) - for their outstanding contributions and dedication to the program over the years. Their legacy will continue to inspire future performers.

A heartfelt thank you to Jessica Pesti, our passionate Dance teacher, whose guidance and vision made this showcase possible. She was incredibly proud of every student and is already looking forward to the exciting events ahead.

Mrs Annemarie Verschoor
HOLA – The Arts

Dance Auditions!

Limited spaces are available to join our Elite Dance Program in Year 7, 2026  Register your place by email to: jessica.pesti@education.wa.edu.au

Music Showcase 2025

Buzzing with Brilliance at Belridge!

Our talented Year 7 and 8 Academic Extension Program students recently took part in the National Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee - and they absolutely nailed it! With dictionaries closed and minds wide open, these word wizards tackled challenging vocabulary with confidence.

A huge congratulations to Alice Wardlaw (Year 7) and Bodhi Mack (Year 8), who each emerged victorious in their class competitions! Their spelling savvy earned them not only bragging rights, but also a well-deserved $10 canteen voucher; a sweet reward for some seriously sharp spelling.

Five Year 8 students have qualified for the State finals, where they’ll go head-to-head with top spellers from across Western Australia. Their success is a testament to the hard work, curiosity, and academic excellence that thrives within our Academic Extension Program.

We’re incredibly proud of all our participants for stepping up to the challenge and showing what Belridge Brains are made of! Best of luck to our finalists - we’ll be cheering you on every letter of the way!

Ms Georgia Radinger 
Teacher - English 

Belridge Secondary College Students Shine at WAIS during Minister for Education’s Running Challenge

On Tuesday, 27 August 2025, eight Senior School students from Belridge Secondary College had the exciting opportunity to attend the prestigious Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), as part of the Minister for Education’s Running Challenge.

The day was packed with engaging activities designed to inspire and challenge the students. They participated in a series of fitness testing exercises, pushing themselves to improve their results and demonstrating impressive determination and teamwork throughout. The students also received a guided tour of WAIS’s world-class facilities, gaining insight into the elite training environments used by Australia’s top athletes.

A highlight of the visit was a presentation by Australian Kayaker, Luke Egger, who shared his journey as an elite athlete. Luke spoke candidly about the highs and lows of competitive sport, offering valuable lessons in resilience, goal-setting, and mental toughness. The students were captivated by his story and asked many thoughtful and insightful questions, showing genuine interest and curiosity.

Congratulations to all students involved for their enthusiasm, effort, and exemplary representation of Belridge Secondary College. Experiences like these not only build physical fitness but also foster a deeper appreciation for the dedication required to succeed in sport and life.

Mr Adam Smith
Program Coordinator - Senior School Pathways

Celebrating Numeracy Week 2025

During Term 3 – Week 7, Belridge Secondary College was buzzing as students and staff embraced the fun and challenge of Numeracy Week.

Across the week, students took part in a wide range of activities that highlighted the power of problem-solving. Each day began with a numeracy challenge starter in maths classes. The ever-popular Lolly Jar Challenge drew plenty of clever guesses, while Shoot the Sheriff brought friendly competition to recess and lunch as students raced teachers to answer quick-fire questions of varying difficulty.

Our Follow the Dream program ran practical money activities using coins and notes - perfect for mastering efficient ways to pay, especially handy if you’re responsible for operating a till at work. Keen students also tackled the “Can you solve my puzzle?” challenge, where every member of the Maths Department (including our wonderful Education Assistants) created 11 brain-teasing puzzles for students to crack. Meanwhile, Form classes went head-to-head in a lively Numeracy Kahoot, with the winning group sharing a box of lollies - congratulations Form 8.05!

Prizes were awarded daily for the class starters, lollies were won in Shoot the Sheriff, and there were plenty of “aha!” moments along the way.

All in all, Numeracy Week created a real buzz around the school and reminded us that Maths is engaging, practical and fun. We can’t wait to make Numeracy Week 2026 even bigger and better!

Mr Mankirat Singh
HOLA - Mathematics 

R U OK? Day 2025

R  U OK? Day was celebrated at Belridge Secondary College on Wednesday, 10 September 2025 - a day dedicated to the importance of connection and conversation within our community. Staff and students had the opportunity to pause, check in and support one another in meaningful ways. 

Students were invited to enjoy pancakes for breakfast, start a conversation with a Duty staff member or win a treat, take part in lawn games or spend some-tech free time in the library, checking-in with each other. 

Staff were treated to a delicious breakfast, a coffee to kick start the day, and opportunities to connect as a team through various challenges. 

As a school we encourage everyone to remember that a simple conversation with a friend, colleague or staff member, could make a real difference. Let’s continue to check in with each other, not just today, but every day!

Ms Heather Currie
Head of Student Services - Manta Rays 

AEP English

On Saturday, 6 September 2025, Belridge Secondary College competed in the National Tournament of Minds at ECU Joondalup for the second year in a row. Seven students were selected to represent the College in this year’s long-term and spontaneous challenge in the Language and Literature category.

The squad, ‘Bertoli’s Crew’, worked hard throughout Term 3 to independently develop a unique re-interpretation of John Marsden and Shaun Tan’s iconic picture book - The Rabbits. The team particularly impressed the judges with their unexpected and inventive use of humour, structure, multimedia and creativity.

BERTOLI'S CREW

Nimini Paisley – Year 7
Bodhi Mack – Year 8
Martina Kriho – Year 8
Jack Atchinson – Year 8
Madi Izard – Year 8
Alysha Brimfield – Year 8
Connor Spence – Year 9

To see this year’s finalists and for more information visit: https://tom.edu.au/branch/wa/

Mr Daniel Bertoli
Teacher – Year 9 AEP English

Unearthing History

On Monday, 1 September 2025, the Year 7 AEP and Year 11 and 12 Ancient History students had the absolute pleasure of meeting Julien Cooper, an Egyptologist, Nubiologist and Archaeologist, with a focus on the archaeology of the Eastern Desert (Atbai) and the history of its nomadic peoples. He is the Director of the 'Atbai Survey Project', a fieldwork program surveying the vast deserts between the Nile and the Red Sea. 

Mr Cooper explained to us in vivid details his adventures and expeditions from his time in various areas of Egypt. Most recently, he was in Eastern Sudan following an Archaeological conservation of the Pharoah’s Gold Mines. Julien has been to various areas of Egypt and Nubia, including lands across Northeast Africa.

His primary research includes Nomads in Northeast Africa, the survey archaeology and rock art studies, history of Nubia, and the Middle Egyptian language.

On the day, Mr. Cooper spoke to students about his career in learning about the southern area of Ancient Egypt (Modern Sudan), specialising in mines, pottery and architecture. He also gave us an insight into the daily life of a practising archaeologist working in the field.  Mr Cooper also gave the students information about careers, study options and potential pathways to becoming an archaeologist. 

Nearing the end of his visit, he answered many questions from enthusiastic students who were engaged in what his career and experiences were. Although straying from the topic of Ancient Egypt, we found out many interesting things about Julien, including his own time in school and his other travels not associated with his career.

Miss Tiffany Villarino
Student - Year 12 

On Thursday, 11 September 2025, Belridge Secondary College held its annual Athletics Carnival – and what a day it was!

Student participation was fantastic across all year groups, with hundreds of athletes taking to the track and field in events that showcased determination, talent, and House pride. The atmosphere was electric as students pushed one another to their limits, celebrated each other’s successes, and demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship. The House spirit was well and truly alive, creating an amazing sense of positivity and community.

The staff were also incredible, supporting one another and the students to ensure the day ran smoothly. A huge thank you goes out to all staff for their efforts in making the event such a success.

Two standout moments captured the spirit of the day:

• A spontaneous macarena, led by Mr Notarpietro and quickly joined by hundreds of students and staff, creating a carnival memory that will be remembered for years to come.
• The hotly contested Staff vs. Year 12 Tug of War, which saw the students narrowly claim victory over their teachers – much to the delight of the crowd!

The highlight track event, the Belridge Bolt, lived up to its billing as the blue-ribbon race of the day. In the Boys’ final, Lachlan Pugh (Year 12) stormed to his third straight victory, cementing his status as a dominant sprinter. Meanwhile, in the Girls’ final, Sophie Williams (Year 11) produced a remarkable performance to claim her FIFTH consecutive Bolt win – an extraordinary achievement! Congratulations to both students on their outstanding efforts.

We also celebrate our Champion and Runner-Up Boys and Girls across the year groups, whose dedication and performances stood out among strong competition.

Final House Standings 

Congratulations to the Marlins for taking out the 2025 Athletics Carnival trophy, and to every student who contributed to their House’s score through participation, effort, and spirit.  The day was a true reflection of the Belridge  Secondary College community – supportive, competitive, spirited, and full of pride. Well done to everyone involved in making the 2025 Athletics Carnival such a memorable success.

Mr Brent Jarvis-Spinks
Acting HOLA - Health & Physical Education

Golf, Golf, Golf!

Congratulations to Will O’Hare (Year 7), Josh O’Hare (Year 9), Mya Denver (Year 10) and Cameron Houghton (Year 10) for proudly representing Belridge Secondary College at the School Sport WA Secondary School Golf Championships last week.

All four students, who are members of Sun City Golf Club, navigated their way round Collier Park Golf Course, competed alongside more than 90 players from across WA – including several State and National representatives.

While they didn’t bring home any silverware, the real highlight was the way they carried themselves throughout the day. As the first ever Belridge SC team to take part in this event, they’ve set the standard and paved the way for many more students to follow in their footsteps in the years ahead. Well done to all.

Mr Adam Smith 
Program Coordinator - Senior School Pathways

Specialist Netball Program - SSWA State Finals

With 148 teams entered in the division, our girls had a huge challenge ahead of them... and they rose to the occasion. At the Zones Carnival, they dominated their games, going through undefeated and holding most opponents to just one or two goals. Their outstanding effort secured them a place in the next round.

Despite losing two key players to injury before Elimination Day, the team showed resilience and determination. They won all three games in their Zone to progress to the cross-over Finals, where they claimed back-to-back victories. A nail-biting quarter-final against Rockingham followed, with our girls holding strong to secure an 18–17 win. That result pushed them to an incredible 11 consecutive wins and a well-deserved spot in the State Finals.

Held at the Gold Netball Centre, the finals brought together the top four teams Duncraig, St Brigid’s, Living Waters, and our girls. Our semi-final clash against Living Waters was a thrilling contest, goal-for-goal and fiercely physical. The score remained tight until the third quarter, before Living Waters managed to pull away in the final part, defeating us 33–27.

With defender Camdyn Jenner away on holiday and injuries sidelining Indy Belsham and Karis Udy, two talented Year 9s, Holly Atkinson and Ryleigh Richardson, stepped up to help the team. Ryleigh brought energy to the midcourt, giving our players valuable rotation options, while Holly’s composure in defence provided crucial, remaining composed, giving the team stability after pulling in key intercepts and pickups. Their efforts were instrumental in keeping the team strong.

In the playoffs, we faced Duncraig in the battle for third. After a determined performance, the girls came away with a 30–25 victory, proudly finishing third in the State.

The whole team played with commitment and determination, and it was great to see players stepping up when needed. Tara, Miley, and Sam consistently made their presence felt in their area of the court, leading by example and setting the tone for their teammates.

TEAM LIST

Year 9 - Holly Atkinson
Year 9 - Ryleigh Richardson
Year 10 - Tara Diersen
Year 10 - Isabelle Dillon
Year 10 - Olivia Godecke
Year 10 - Miley Hynes
Year 10 - Camdyn Jenner (*away this round)
Year 10 - Samantha Martland
Year 10 - Hollie North
Year 10 - Charlotte Sheahan
Year 10 - Ocean Streat
Year 10 - Indy Belsham (*injured – knee)
Year 10 - Karis Udy (*injured – broken finger)

We are incredibly proud of the way this team played, not only with skill but also with resilience and unity. They showcased outstanding netball and did our school proud at every stage of the competition.

Ms Janneke Markovic
Teacher - Health & Physical Education 
Specialist Netball Program Coordinator 

Principal’s Cup – Netball Dominance Puts Staff in the Lead!

The third chapter of the hotly contested Principal’s Cup challenge unfolded on Tuesday, 26 August 2025 as the staff faced off against the Year 12 students on the netball court. With the series tied at 1–1, both teams were fired up to gain the upper hand—though it was the staff who brought the heat early and never looked back.

Mr Moldrich set the tone with some slick movement and sharp shooting, helping the staff build an early lead. While the students fought hard and created a few scoring opportunities, they struggled to convert, thanks in no small part to the impenetrable defence from Mr Hollows—who delivered a performance that could only be described as career-best in netball.

Despite a valiant effort from the Year 12's, the staff’s polish, structure and teamwork proved too much to handle. The final scoreline reflected a comprehensive win to the staff, who now lead the series 2–1 heading into the next instalment.

A huge thanks goes to all the players, umpires and supporters who continue to make the Principal’s Cup a highlight of the school calendar. With momentum now on the staff’s side, the students will be hungry to level the ledger in the next event - stay tuned!

Next round - Badminton.

Mr Brent Jarvis-Spinks
Teacher - Health & Physical Education
2IC Student Services - Manta Rays 

Year 7 Indoor Cricket Camp:
A Grand Slam of Fun and Friendship

Belridge Secondary College’s Year 7 students recently took part in an action-packed three-day Indoor Cricket tournament at Seamers Sports Centre, competing against four other cricket schools, each fielding 2–3 teams. The event was more than just a competition - it was a celebration of teamwork, resilience, and unforgettable memories.

Our two Belridge Secondary College teams gave it their all in the pool rounds, finishing 5th and 2nd respectively. The second-placed team powered through their semi-final with a thrilling win, earning a spot in the Grand Final. In a dramatic twist, they faced the same team they had previously defeated—only to be narrowly edged out in a nail-biting finish. Meanwhile, our other team showed great determination, climbing the ranks to finish 4th overall after a strong playoff performance.

Beyond the cricket pitch, students enjoyed a well-rounded camp experience, staying overnight at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp. Evenings were filled with team dinners, laughter, and bonding activities, including a fun outing to iPlay at Whitfords Shopping Centre. The camp wasn’t just about sport - it was about building friendships and creating lasting memories.

Players’ Player Awards

• Team 1: Kingston Moor (Winner), Will O’Hare (Runner-up)
• Team 2: Ben Pretorius (Winner), Madison Haefele (Runner-up) 

Congratulations to all our players for their sportsmanship, effort, and enthusiasm. Whether on the court or off, they represented Belridge Secondary College with pride and spirit. We can’t wait to see what they achieve next!

Mr Scott Ogilvie
Specialist Cricket Program Coordinator

A group of Year 12 students enthusiastically participated in an additional work placement during Weeks 7 and 8. Our AMA Certificate III Allied Health students successfully completed the final hours of their mandatory placement in aged care and physiotherapy facilities across the northern suburbs. Meanwhile, other students gained valuable experience in diverse industries such as education support and construction.

Employer feedback regarding Belridge Secondary College students remains overwhelmingly positive, with many learners engaging in conversations about potential future employment opportunities.

We commend all students who embraced the Workplace Learning Program with dedication and maturity, especially as they prepare to transition into life beyond school. Their conduct and commitment were exemplary, reflecting great credit on themselves and the College community.

We now look ahead to Term 4, when our Year 11 students will undertake their second work placement.

Mr Adam Smith
Program Co-ordinator – Senior School Pathways

Try-A-Trade

Belridge Secondary College had a further six students complete the Bricklaying and Carpentry Try-A-Trade Program at Skill Hire in Week 8. Funded by the Construction Training Fund (CTF), our students applied their skills in constructing an outdoor area, which included a pergola and decking. Students developed practical and technical skills and completed the project, which is normally over three days, in the space of two days. This is testament to their teamwork, focus and attention to detail.  We congratulate them all, which is certificated, and thank the CTF and Skill Hire for continuing to provide such wonderful initiatives for our learners. Please continue to check Connect and with the Career Hub at school for future opportunities.

Mr Adam Smith
Program Co-ordinator – Senior School Pathways

Year 9 ‘That’s Getting Technical’ IT Career Taster for Neurodiverse Students 

On Tuesday, 26 August 2025, a group of Year 9 students who had signed up for the Information Technology (IT) ‘That’s Getting Technical’ Career Taster visited North Metropolitan TAFE’s Joondalup campus.

The event was organised to support Neurodiverse students interested in IT based activities, to explore potential career pathways in the industry. The excursion was part of the Year 9 Career Taster Program, designed to provide students with opportunities to explore careers and pathways of interest. All attendees were excited to attend TAFE for the day and experience what life as a TAFE student, studying an IT course, would be like. All students in attendance are currently studying Integrated Technologies and they enjoyed the opportunity to explore courses and careers relating to the IT field. During the event students got the chance to program a robotic device, with the use of a Micro bit program. Students printed a 3D image on a 3D printer that they had designed on Computer Assisted Drawing (CAD) software. It was great to see students identify the types of IT activities they enjoy the most, so that they could begin to put plans in place for their future careers.

Thank you to Mr Walker, Ms Dawkins and the Student Services Team for supporting this worthwhile event.

Mr Ashley Mouritz
Career Practitioner

Excursion to Macquarie – ABCN ‘Emerging Leaders’ Event: 29 August 2025

Career Practitioner, Ashley Mouritz and Program Coordinator: Senior School Pathways, Adam Smith, had the pleasure of recently supervising a group of Year 8 and 9 students during an Australian Business Community Networking (ABCN) coordinated excursion to Macquarie, located in the CBD, for the Emerging Leaders event. The Emerging Leaders event aims to equip students with leadership skills and prepare them to take on future leadership roles. Students reflect on individuals they admire and explore different ways to be a leader. With their mentors, students explore aspects of leadership, including making good decisions, engaging in positive interactions and asking for help when needed.

The day involved students working in small groups, supported by Macquarie staff, who acted as Mentors. Students benefited from working with Macquarie mentors, as they were keen to share details of their own career journeys and instances of how they demonstrate leadership in their roles. The event was a great success, with excellent feedback received from both students and mentors, as highlighted below.

Student and Mentor Evaluation

As part of the Emerging Leaders program, students completed an evaluation. A summary of these results and some of their comments are included below:

Student Evaluation Summary – Emerging Leaders Program 

The following are summarised student response results demonstrating the percentage improvement from the program's start to the end.  (Note: the rating scale is a 1 to 7 measure with 1 being the lowest and 7 being the highest. i.e. 5 to 7 is agreed to agree strongly.)  These results demonstrate that the students gained much from the program.

Student Comments:

What was the most useful thing you learnt in this program and/or from your Mentor?

• That asking question is nothing to be ashamed of.
• That is okay to ask for help.
• It's okay to ask questions and being out of your comfort zone can be fun.
• That it’s ok to ask for help and why it’s important.
• That there is no such thing a stupid question and everyone can be a leader.
• I learnt that small things that you may not notice can go a long way for other people.
• That it's okay to ask for answer and help.

Is there anything you'd like to say to your mentor/s?

• Thank you for showing us how to be a leader in the future.        
• Thank you for everything!           
• I feel stronger about leadership roles now.               
• Thank you for helping me and teaching me valuable lessons.         
• Thanks a lot for your time and efforts for helping us out.        
• They have had a very big impact on me.          
• Please tell us why you rated the program as worthwhile or not:
• Because it was fun and I learnt new things.
• I rated it high I think it was very helpful and useful for me in the future.
• It gave me a clear and good understanding of leadership which I find worthwhile.
• Being in the student council I need these skills and this helped a lot.
• It was fun, exciting and it helped with confidence.
• I found the experience constructive and helpful.
• I enjoyed it a lot and I learnt a lot of new things. I also got to connect with new people.
• I loved today because it allowed me to further develop my leadership skills.

Mentor Comments:

What was the biggest change you observed in your student(s)?

• Fun and achieved goals at the same time.
• More confidence, engagement in the content, lighter moods.
• More confident to express themselves as the session proceeded.
• Became more confident as the day continued.

How has participating in this program been beneficial for you?

• Self development in inspiring others to be successful.
• Gives me an opportunity to share my learnings/experiences with the younger generation.
• Helped develop communication and leadership skills.
• Great to connect with students from all backgrounds, reminds me of my own skills and strengths.
• I think it’s a great program and opportunity for students to connect with people outside their usual circles and learn new perspectives on things.

Mr Ashley Mouritz - Career Practitioner; and 
Mr Adam Smith - Program Coordinator: Senior School Pathways

Asthma season is here:

• Tree pollen and grass pollens increases as plants come into bloom.
• The Djilba (part of the Noongar calendar) is noted as when hay fever and asthma triggers   become more significant.

Follow link for Asthma First Aid Instructions by Asthma Australia

The best therapist has fur and four legs!

International Dog Day was celebrated on Tuesday, 26 August 2025 - so we couldn't let this day pass without shining the spotlight on one very special member of our College community – Peanut – our much loved companion dog.

Peanut isn’t just a friendly face in Student Services, he is an integral part of the team, bringing calm, comfort and connection to both students and staff. Whether it’s a wagging ail greeting you in the morning, a quiet moment of support on a tough day or a playful nudge to spark a smile., Peanut has a way to remind us all of the importance of wellbeing, kindness and taking a moment to reset. 

Research shows that interactions with therapy animals can reduce stress, improve mood and help students feel more engaged at school. At Belridge Secondary College, we see this every day, Peanut breaking down barriers, fostering conversation and giving students and staff a reason to pause, breathe and smile.

Thank you Peanut for the countless ways you make our College brighter!

Raising funds for mental health 

Time to get organised! 

During Term 4, students who are commencing at Belridge Secondary College in 2026 are encouraged to make an appointment with the uniform shop for fitting, thus avoiding the long queues in January. The uniform shop also offers a $20 layby service to secure your order.  See price list/order form and flyer below. 

School Fees and Payments

Payments for student charges and contributions are welcome at any time. Please note that Upper School subject charges ARE COMPULSORY.

To set up a payment plan please download and complete the form and email to us or contact our Administration Team on (08) 9408 8000 - we are here to help.  

Payments can be made by cash or EFTPOS at the front office or Direct Deposit to our bank, details as follows:

Please ensure you quote as your reference STUDENT NAME and YEAR GROUP and PAYMENT DETAILS i.e. JAMES JONES Y7 CRICKET CAMP

Our annual Christmas Hamper Appeal will be launching in Term 4. In the meantime, we are seeking monetary donations by way of grocery gift cards, cash or by direct deposit. Your donation will help us purchase essential items and fill every hamper with care.  More details to follow early next term. 

Holiday camps Looking for something fun for the kids to do these school holidays? https://www.cits.wa.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/recreation-camps/holiday-programs

Hillarys Yacht Club Holiday Programs