Student opportunities and activities
At Lake Illawarra High School, we offer a variety of programs in the classroom and across the school to help students build new skills, make friends and explore new interests.
Our programs may include:
- school sport, athletics and inter-school competitions
- creative and performing arts groups and showcases
- cultural and language activities
- excursions and incursions
- public speaking and debating
- interest-based clubs
- student leadership opportunities
- activities that support high potential and gifted learners.
Ask our school to learn more about what’s available and how your child can get involved.
SRC
At Lake Illawarra High School, the Student Representative Council (SRC) plays a vital role in fostering student leadership and engagement within the school and the wider community. Our SRC members are provided with valuable leadership opportunities where they can develop skills in public speaking, event organisation, and teamwork.
The SRC has its own roll call group, meeting every morning to share information and plan events together, forming a strong student leadership team within the school. They actively contribute to school life by hosting our assemblies, giving students a strong voice on school matters, and working with teachers and the school executive team on issues that are important to our students. They also run fundraisers to raise money for social causes and excursions to promote a culture of community values.
Beyond school grounds, the SRC proudly participates in local events such as the Shellharbour Council’s International Women’s Day Breakfast and the Shellharbour Youth Summit. Our school leaders also represent Lake Illawarra High School at official events, such as ANZAC day ceremonies, and transition events at our primary schools.
Through these experiences, our SRC members grow as confident leaders and community advocates.
Opportunities in PDHPE and Sport
CAPA Club
Our CAPA club provides those with a passion for the creative and performing arts an opportunity to develop and advance their skills as they engage in extra-curricular activities. Students meet daily as a roll call group to enable information sharing, plan projects, and enlist help when various projects arise.
Capa club initiatives are very varied and depend on the interests of students, various activities that occur regularly on the school calendar, and other school and community projects as they arise.
Our Visual Arts students regularly prepare creative signage for school events, create artworks for specific classes, curate exhibitions, and meet socially as a lunchtime group to share ideas and work on individual projects. They also work as ‘official’ school photographers to capture images of special school events.
Music students collaborate with staff to present musical performances at school events. This develops their skills in the technical aspects of musical productions and provides an opportunity to meet socially as like-minded peers who share knowledge and skills as they practise performance pieces.
With the growth of Drama as an elective subject in the school, it is anticipated that our students who are interested in dramatic performance will also have the opportunity to become members of Capa club.
Debating
Lake Illawarra High School has a strong and growing tradition in competitive debating. We enter teams in the Premier’s Debating Challenge across Stage 4, Stage 5, and Stage 6 each year, giving students from Years 7–12 the opportunity to develop confidence, critical thinking, and skills in persuasive speaking.
Our teams consistently perform at a high level, demonstrating skill, collaboration, and a deep understanding of contemporary issues. Through regular training, practice debates, and participation in the statewide competition, students learn to construct effective arguments, think quickly under pressure, and speak with clarity and purpose. Debating continues to be a valued part of our school culture, providing a platform for student voice and academic excellence.
Public Speaking
Lake Illawarra High School has a proud record of achievement in the Plain English Speaking Award, one of NSW’s premier public speaking competitions. Each year, our students engage in this highly challenging event, demonstrating clarity, confidence, and the ability to think critically under pressure.
We have a history of success, with participants from both Stage 4 and Stage 6 progressing to the regional finals on multiple occasions. Our involvement in this competition reflects our commitment to nurturing articulate, thoughtful communicators who can express ideas with precision and purpose.
Connecting to Country
Through our Elders Program our female Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students engage in cultural connection sessions with local Elders and community members. This program is run in collaboration with Aunty Bev and Aunty Denise, where we learn language, song making, story, dance and gardening. Students have begun deepening their knowledge and skill in Aboriginal Dance, engaging with the Brolga Dance Academy. These experiences build on-going connection between students and Elders, strengthening cultural leadership skills and confidence.
Beginning in 2017, our Black Swans program provides an opportunity for our female Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students to participate in the Black Swans choir, celebrating Aboriginal culture through story and song. In its beginnings, Aunty Lorraine Brown and Aunty Narelle Brown shared local dreaming stories with the original group of Black Swans students, who then wrote an original song with the support of Mr Ron Davidson and Aunty Denise. The students have continued to create songs and perform for our local primary schools and wider community regularly, sharing the story and song of the Black Swan and The Flannel Flower. The Black Swan song has become a legacy within our school community, and continues to build sense of belonging, cultural connection, and pride amongst our students and staff.
Our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students have the opportunity to engage in Cultural Connections. Operating out of Kemblawarra, this program unites communities through culture, art, and bush regeneration, bridging gaps, empowering youth, fostering pride and building an inclusive future. This is inclusive of Ngaramura Project, which provides supportive pathways to assist young people to re-engage with education through a cultural learning framework.
Our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students have the opportunity to engage in the Didge & Dance program at Shellharbour Youth and Family Services. Facilitated by Local Elders and community members, this program connects communities and supports students through engagement, positive participation, and cultural knowledge. The program fosters community connection to provide support and assistance for Indigenous children & young people to assist in increasing engagement in education and training
Facilities and resources
Learn how our spaces and tools support every subject and learning style.
Events
Find out about school events, celebrations and what’s coming up.