On June 4 and June 20, the school hosted its inaugural Stage 5 Future Focus Learning days.

Students from Tea Gardens, Booral, Bungwahl and Coolongolook joined those from Bulahdelah for a range of activities focussed on the technological disciplines of food technology, wood technology and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

The students rotated around each discipline throughout the day and made small projects such as a CO2-powered race car, a laser cut and engraved name badge and a small woodwork pencil holder.

They also made meat pies, muffins and ice cream in food technology and shared them at lunch time.

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Year 5 and 6 students from Bulahdelah Central were then treated to two days of earth and space activities, which were intended to enhance their understanding of science.

Science teacher Natalie Stanfield led a 'Rockets to Outer Space' lesson, where students observed hydrogen gas exploding and learned how elements were important in making up the universe and allowing space travel.

They also tested their own tea bag rockets by igniting empty tea bags and watching how the rising hot air caused the tea bags to lift off at the last moment.

Ms Stanfield said this was a highlight of the day for the students.

"Every student enjoyed this so much they had to do it multiple times," she said.

"Our lovely cleaner didn't even mind the mess it made, as the students seemed to be having so much fun."

Teacher Pam Gollan then took the students for a 'Back Down to Earth' lesson, where they made clouds in a beaker and learned how heating and cooling cycles made weather patterns.

They also created their own rainbows by splitting white light with a prism.

Students finished the day by looking at the structure of plant cells through a microscope.

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Approximately 75 Year 6 students from Bulahdelah Central, along with those from their feeder schools, took part in transition activities late in the term.

This also included a session on careers.

The day started with a short survey to establish what understanding each student had of adult jobs and careers.

Careers advisor Linda Drenkhahn said the students discussed a number of work-related subjects over the course of the day.

"We discussed why people work, needs versus wants, and what there is to look forward to when they get to high school - electives, work experience, careers excursions, part-time jobs, TAFE, et cetera," she said.

"We spoke about the importance of looking forward to a job in the future that is enjoyable.

"We also discussed the types of training out there, for example TAFE, university, apprenticeships and traineeships."

The students finished by completing a career interest quiz on WIRL Career, which showed them short videos about jobs suggested to them based on their interest areas.

The students were also encouraged to follow up at home by talking with adults about what their days at work involved.

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