Celebrating Culture, Leadership & Commitment

As Term 3 kicks off, the Beyond the Broncos program at Wilsonton SHS has already had a busy and inspiring start! We’ve celebrated incredible milestones, cultural events, and student achievements over the past two weeks – and we’re excited to share the highlights with our school community.

1-Year Anniversary at WSHS

This term marks one year since Jordie and Amanda joined the Wilsonton SHS community as Student Support Officers. Over the past 12 months, they’ve built strong connections with staff, students, and families while supporting our BTB girls with leadership, cultural pride, and personal growth.

In-Class Support for Years 7–10

After reviewing Semester 1 results, we identified a need for extra support in Maths and English across Years 7–10. Jordie and Amanda are now providing in-class assistance to boost engagement and learning outcomes for our girls.

• Amanda supports Years 7 & 9
• Jordie supports Years 8 & 10

If you have concerns or feedback about a BTB student’s engagement, we’d love to hear from you!

Celebrating Our Students

Kalinda Stewart – Health Traineeship
We are proud to share that Kalinda Stewart has become the first WSHS student to complete a Cert II in General Health Services through the Deadly Start Program (UniSQ). Kalinda is now on a school-based traineeship at Toowoomba Base Hospital every Wednesday, taking her first steps toward a career in health.

100% Attendance – Meleah Hansell
Last term, Meleah Hansell was our only BTB student to achieve 100% attendance. To celebrate her commitment, she was awarded a Brisbane Broncos jersey – a well-deserved reward for her dedication to her education.

NAIDOC Week 2025 – “Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy”

Week 2 was all about celebrating NAIDOC Week – honouring one of the world’s oldest living cultures and empowering the next generation to carry its strength and legacy forward.

Monday:
We kicked off with jewellery-making and arts & crafts, where students created earrings, necklaces, and ornaments featuring their totems. It was fantastic to see both senior and junior girls collaborating and sharing ideas.

Tuesday:
Our whole-school assembly opened with a smoking ceremony and captivating performance by Mura Biri Gururu dance group. Meanwhile, a group of BTB girls proudly represented Wilsonton SHS at Centenary Heights SHS, performing and speaking about the meaning behind their cultural dances.

Wednesday:
We were joined by Aunty Cheryl, who taught weaving techniques and symbolic storytelling through chalk and canvas.
Later, Uncle Dook volunteered his time to prepare a bush tucker feast with Kangaroo Stew, Emu Curry, Chicken Curry, Damper, and Scones – a delicious highlight shared with staff and students.

Thursday:
Uncle Dook returned for a Ngarrumban Arts & Cultural Workshop, guiding students through storytelling and art. The BTB room is now filled with vibrant artwork – it’s practically an art gallery!

Friday:
We wrapped up NAIDOC Week with a fun game of touch football on the oval, celebrating teamwork and connection.

A special mention and heartfelt thank you to Kooliha, our incredible CEC, whose leadership, organisation, and unwavering dedication helped bring NAIDOC Week together so seamlessly. Her ability to unite the Indigenous Unit and foster a strong sense of community, collaboration, and cultural pride was felt by everyone involved. From behind-the-scenes planning to hands-on support, Kooliha ensured that each day flowed with purpose and meaning. We’re so grateful for her contribution in making NAIDOC Week a powerful and unforgettable celebration.

Students of the Week

• Week 1 – Isabella Hintz
  Bella came into Term 3 with determination, attending all classes and receiving praise from Mrs Winter for her excellent engagement in Design Tech. Her resilience and commitment perfectly reflect what it means to be a Bronco.
• Week 2 – Mia Bland (Year 7)
  Mia participated in every NAIDOC activity, creating beautiful art and encouraging others to join in. She displayed Respect, Commitment, and Sportsmanship all week.
• Week 2 – Bella Duncan (Year 11)
  Bella continues to shine as a leader, helping where needed, engaging in all activities, and being a role model for younger students.

Looking Ahead – Term 3

Term 3 is shaping up to be full of opportunities, including:

• ADF (Australian Defence Force) engagement session for First Nations students, with a potential visit to the Oakey Army Aviation Base
• More cultural workshops and student-led volunteering projects
• Career and university pathway sessions
• Continued focus on improving classroom engagement and attendance

We’d like to thank all families, staff, and students for supporting our Beyond the Broncos girls as they continue to grow as leaders, learners, and proud young people.

Jordie McLellan (Proud Bundjalung woman)
Amanda Brady (Proud Mardigan woman)
Beyond the Broncos – Wilsonton SHS