Harristown State High School

⚽🌏🦅 HSHS Mini-World Cup 🦅🌏⚽

Tuesday saw the first round of HSHS Mini-World Cup played out of Hawk Stadium.

Australia, Brazil and Netherlands have it all to play for and if you take away anything from Round 1 games, boy are we in for a treat! Goals, saves, drama, controversy, coaching tactical masterclasses, expert commentary and officiating, the games had everything.

Brazil, not at their best yet, had 2 close losses in games where they created numerous chances. Netherlands showed their ability with a strong victory over Brazil, but it was Australia, who showed that true Aussie spirit with a last minute goal to win the game against Brazil, the story of the tournament so far.

Table after Round 1️⃣ reads: to
1. Australia - 4 points (ahead on goals scored)
2. Netherlands - 4 points
3. Brazil - 0 points

Round 2 next week.

𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟳 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻!

Is your child starting high school in 2027? Harristown State High School is now accepting enrolment applications for our future Year 7 students.

Enrolment packs have been distributed to our feeder primary schools and are also available from the Harristown SHS Administration Office (entry via Gate 1, Hennessy Street).

Once your completed enrolment pack is returned, you will be invited to attend a group enrolment interview commencing from Term 3.

📅 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟳 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟴 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱.

We look forward to welcoming our next generation of Hawks and partnering with families as students begin their secondary schooling journey.

Looking for a warm lunch this week?

Our talented Year 12 Hospitality students have been busy preparing a delicious range of homemade meals, available from the canteen on Thursdays and Fridays!

From Butter Chicken and Coconut Rice to Honey Soy Chicken Noodle Stir-fry, Chilli Con Carne, Mac and Cheese, Cottage Pie and more, there's something for everyone.

Meals are available in limited numbers and sold on a first in, best dressed basis, so be sure to get in early!

A huge thank you to our Year 12 Hospitality students for their hard work and culinary skills. 👏

World Cup Fever has hit us. What started as a Football Academy recovery and stretching session on the blue mats with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the background has turned into something much bigger!

Students have embraced the opportunity to come together at lunchtimes and watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches on the big screen in the gym. The passion, excitement and sense of community around the world's greatest game has been fantastic to see.

Mr Marstella has loved seeing students celebrate football together. So, if there's a World Cup match on during morning tea or lunch and he's available, you'll find him, and the live game being projected on the big screen in the gym.

From arriving at Harristown unable to speak English, to becoming a respected referee and now supporting students as a teacher aide, Sully’s journey is one of resilience, determination and giving back.

His story highlights the power of opportunity, belonging and community. We are incredibly proud of all he has achieved and grateful for the positive impact he continues to make on our school.

Thank you for sharing your story, Sully. ⚽🌏✨

On his first day at Harristown State High School, Sully couldn't speak a word of English.

‘It was the start of my new life,’ he said.

Sulaiman 'Sully' was just 15 when he walked through the school gates in Toowoomba in 2018. A young Yazidi man from Iraq, he and his family were captured by ISIS in 2014 and endured more than 20 months of trauma, displacement and hardship. They escaped in 2016 and were given the opportunity to rebuild their lives in Australia.

‘Australia is an amazing country, where we have freedom and a better life,' Sully said.

'It was very hard at first, but our philosophy was to "get up and do it".’

Learning a whole new language was its own challenge.

‘It was a huge job to learn a whole new language. Day by day I worked harder to learn quicker.'

Sully credits his teachers and friends for getting him through. Like many of our state schools, Harristown plays an important role supporting refugee students and families as they settle into new communities and build brighter futures. 💫

Around 29% of Harristown's students are learning English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D), with students coming from more than 40 different countries.

Head of the EAL/D department Sonya said the school's specialised support helps students develop English language skills while also building confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.

'The wonderful part about being a teacher and leader in the EAL/D program is seeing students succeed and become empowered and self-sufficient,' she said.

For Sully, sport opened doors he never expected. The Harristown Football Academy soon became a central part of his school experience. ⚽

‘The biggest opportunity I took was becoming a referee in 2021,' he said.

Since then, he has travelled interstate, working alongside FIFA and A-League referees, and last month was appointed to referee in Queensland's National Premier Leagues men's competition. 🏆

‘I am so proud of what I’ve accomplished in five years.’

Today, Sully has come full circle. He now works as a teacher aide and translator in the same EAL/D program that supported him when he first arrived in Australia, helping other students learn English and find their place at school.

‘I’m here because I want to give back to the school and teachers that have done so much for me,' he said.

'I feel safe, welcome, comfortable and important. It’s a fantastic place.’

Thanks for sharing your story, Sully! We'll keep an eye out for you on the sidelines.

Time is running out to secure your place at this year's Year 10 Camp!

📅 When: Monday 3 August – Friday 7 August (Term 3, Week 4)
💰 Cost: $285 (includes accommodation, meals, activities and transport)
📥 Forms & payment due: Friday 26 June (Week 10, Term 2)
📦 Return your green form to the marked box in the P&C Shop

🚨 Only 70 places available – first in, best dressed!

Don't miss out on an unforgettable week of adventure, challenges, new experiences and great memories with your peers.

🎥 Want to see what camp is all about? Check out the link below to get a glimpse of the exciting activities on offer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugz47adetPU&t=3s

🎒 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝟏𝟎 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏 – 𝐋𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐒!🏕️

Are you ready for the ultimate adventure at 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 (𝐌𝐎𝐄𝐂)?

This is your chance to build resilience, challenge yourself, and make memories that will last a lifetime!

📅 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: Monday 3rd – Friday 7th August (Term 3, Week 4)
💰 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭: $285 (includes food, accommodation, activities & transport)
📥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 & 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐮𝐞: Friday 26th June (Week 10, Term 2)
📦 Return your 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 to the marked box in the 𝐏&𝐂 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩
🚨 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝟕𝟎 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 – First in, best dressed!

Don’t miss out – this will be a highlight of your school year!

For more insight into the camp experience and some of the awesome activities on offer, check out the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugz47adetPU&t=3s

Well done to Harley, Kiel and Remeeka who last week represented Darling Downs School Sport at the Queensland School Sport 13-15 Years Volleyball State Championships in Brisbane.

Great work, Hawks!

𝐐𝐂𝐀𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 – 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 & 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

Strong thinkers become strong communicators.

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who achieved a perfect score in their English IA1 and Literature IA1 Internal Assessments.

These QCAA-confirmed results reflect not only academic excellence, but also the ability to analyse ideas, engage with complex texts and communicate with clarity and purpose.

Through English and Literature, students learn to question, interpret and express ideas effectively—skills that are essential in every area of learning and life.

A perfect result and a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and dedication.

Today we celebrate the incredible school cleaners who help keep our learning environment clean, safe and welcoming every single day.

Often working behind the scenes, our cleaners play a vital role in ensuring classrooms, offices, facilities and shared spaces are ready for students and staff each day. Their dedication, hard work and attention to detail help our school shine brighter.

Please join us in thanking our cleaning team for everything they do for our school community. A simple smile, hello or thank you can go a long way in showing our appreciation.

Thank you to our amazing school cleaners – your work does not go unnoticed! 💙

𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥

The colder weather is here, so it’s time to layer up the Harristown way!

Students may wear their HSHS Fleecy Sweatshirt or Spray Jacket with either the Formal or Sports Uniform.
Please remember that hoodies are not part of the school uniform and are not permitted.

Now for the important question...

👀 Who wore it better?

❤️ React for our students
😂 React for our Leadership Team

Let the voting begin!