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