Stories and highlights

CAPERS 2025

CAPERS is an arena-style arts production involving 2500 students from public schools across the New England area of NSW. The Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC) comes alive with art displays and music, dance and drama performances by students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

This year our students proudly took the stage at CAPERS 2025, presenting an energetic “Mini Eras Tour” inspired by Taylor Swift. More than 40 students participated, celebrating music, movement and creativity in an inclusive, accessible performance designed for all learners.

In the lead-up to the performance, students were involved in daily rehearsals, learning choreography, practising transitions and building their confidence on stage. We also had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with partner schools and were supported by Tamworth City Dance Academy allowing our students to learn alongside others, make new connections and become part of a much larger performance community.

Students took part in full dress rehearsals at TRECC, giving them a real sense of what it feels like to perform under lights, with the music, staging and audience seating all in place. The excitement, teamwork and pride throughout the rehearsals created a truly memorable experience.

CAPERS provides an amazing opportunity for our students to shine, express themselves and be part of a major regional event. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, enthusiasm and courage, and we thank our staff and school partners for supporting such a positive and enriching experience for every student.

NAIDOC WEEK

Each year in July Bullimbal School celebrates NAIDOC week, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC week provides an opportunity to learn and celebrate together, with a focus on our local Gamilaroi/Kamilaroi history and culture. The 2025 NAIDOC Week theme focused on "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy".

During our 2025 celebrations students participated in a range of activities including a visit from Peel High School Dance group, where students listened and danced to music played by local Gamilaroi/Kamilaroi students. Students also worked with Bullimbal family members - The Porters - to create class artworks using symbols to explore traditional art. These are now displayed in our Hall area. Another highlight was our whole school excursion to the Tamworth Marsupial Park with a focus on learning the Gamilaraay/Kamilaroi names for animals at the park. All students enjoyed their visit to the park with a special visit from local Elder, Lenny Waters, as they explored the Marsupial Park and enjoyed the playground before returning to school.

We finished our celebrations with a family Muster and NAIDOC week activities led with smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country by Lenny Waters. Students and families participated in activities explore native plants and foods and their Gamilaraay/Kamilaroi names, Ochre painting,  traditional symbol drawing and painting with local artist Dr Kisani Upward and sensory play activities and Gamilaraay/Kamilaroi language games and activities.

Athletics Carnival

Each year, students look forward to participating in the Bullimbal Athletics Carnival where they show off their skills in track and field events. We have three house teams (red, blue and green) which are named after Paralympians. Every four years, students research current Paralympians and vote for who the houses should be named after. Students, staff and parents love dressing up in their house colours and cheering for their friends as they compete in running races, long jump, javelin, shot put and novelty events. All athletics events are inclusive of all abilities which is achieved with the support of ramps, wheelchair-accessible options for each event and visual aids to support all students to understand and engage in each activity. Staff and parents are always encouraged to join in the fun and everyone loves some friendly banter during the staff vs parent tug-of-war. The day always finishes with slushies, Zooper Doopers and delicious sausage sandwiches!