(1 – 38) (38 episodes)
Australian airdates – February 27 1994 – November 27 1994 – Network Ten.
UK airdates – September 27 1994 – June 20 1995 – BBC2.
1:
First aired on Sunday February 27, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Peter Neale
Directed by Michael Jenkins
The first episode introduces us to Nick and his Greek-Australian family: parents George and Irini, sister Effie, and cousin Con. On their way to Hartley High school Nick and Con come across a lost driver, who turns out to be Hartley’s new English and history teacher, Christina. Christina struggles to control her students at first, but later earns their respect when she is caught in the crossfire of a fight between students. Nick chases after new girl, Jodie, and bad boy Peter Rivers gives Nick, Jack and the other ethnic minority students trouble during a soccer game.
(Note – Original characters introduced, in order of appearance: Nick Poulos (Alex Dimitriades), Nick’s mother, Irini Poulos (Elly Varrenti), Nick’s cousin, Con Bordino (Salvatore Coco), Nick’s sister, Effie Poulos (Despina Caldis), Nick’s father, George Poulos (Nico Lathouris, also drama coach), English teacher Christina Milano (Sarah Lambert), Danielle Miller (Emma Roche), Steve Wiley (Corey Page), Alan Bolton (Jon Pollard) (originally as a background character), Rose Malouf (Katherine Halliday), Chaka Cardenes (Isabella Gutierrez), Peter Rivers (Scott Major), school counsellor Yola Fatoush (Doris Younane), teacher Graham Brown (Hugh Baldwin), principal Jim Deloraine (Stephen O’Rourke), science teacher Bill Southgate (Tony Martin), Jack Tran (Tai Nguyen), Jodie Cooper (Abi Tucker) and cafe owner Ruby St. John (Jan Adele))
2:
First aired on Sunday March 6, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Tim Gooding
Directed by Michael Jenkins
Jodie’s rap song about burning down the school is banned by Deloraine. Nick and editor Rose use the school newspaper to demonstrate their right to free speech, and publish Jodie’s lyrics, but Deloraine closes the paper down. Angry at being unable to express themselves, the students go on strike. Jodie and Nick get together, and Danielle and Steve fall out after he flirts with another girl at a party.
3:
First aired on Sunday March 13, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Graham Thorburn
Southgate tries to get soccer banned in the school as it is too dangerous. Christina puts herself forward as coach of the soccer team, despite not knowing anything about the sport. Danielle tries out as a goalie, which the boys object to. Nick implies that he has slept with Jodie to Con, and soon the news is all over the school. Rivers challenges Chaka to a game of pool, and it seems that an unlikely romance is blooming.
4:
First aired on Sunday March 20, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Craig Wilkins
Directed by Graham Thorburn
Rivers and Chaka are given a lift home by one of Rivers’ mates, unaware that the car is stolen. Nick and Jodie spend the night together at her place, but Nick’s parents are angry when he neglects to tell them where he is staying. Christina complains to Yola that her mother still buys her clothes, so Yola offers her spare room, which Christina gladly accepts.
5:
First aired on Sunday March 27, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Michael Cove
Directed by Ian Gilmour
It’s parent/teacher night, and Nick is told he needs to knuckle down. After arguing with George, Nick moves in with Jodie, and plans to leave school. Jodie sends off her demo tape, and a record company gets in touch to offer her a job touring in Melbourne with a rock band. Christina is irritated with her fiancé Marco’s unexpected visits to the flat she shares with Yola.
(Guest stars Nicholas Garsden as Marco. Jodie will return in episode 10.)
6:
First aired on Sunday April 3, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Greg Millin
Directed by Ian Gilmour
Chaka’s mother leaves her children to go searching for her missing husband in El Salvador, and Chaka struggles to look after her siblings on her own, as well as manage her schoolwork and her mother’s ironing job. Chaka’s friends vow to help her, but when the situation gets too much, Yola and Christina are forced to step in. Marco pressures Christina to set a wedding date.
(Guest stars Nicholas Garsden as Marco.)
7:
First aired on Sunday April 10, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Leon Saunders
Directed by Shirley Barrett
Christina asks former soccer player George to coach the school team. He is reluctant at first, but Irini convinces him, and also puts herself forward to be the team’s manager. Hartley’s debating team, Rose, Con and Chaka go head to head with another school. Con lets Chaka know he likes her, but Chaka is torn between him and Rivers. Deloraine attempts to get Hartley classed as a ‘disadvantaged’ school in order to receive more funding.
(First episode to be aired with the alternative “girl’s theme”)
8:
First aired on Sunday April 17, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Sally Webb
Directed by Shirley Barrett
George, Nick and Effie are devastated when Irini dies suddenly in a car crash. Christina and Irini’s sister Helen, try to help the family with their grief. Steve finds out that the other driver may have been speeding, and tells Nick, despite being advised by Danielle not to. The news causes Nick to go into self-destruct mode, and he ends up attacking a cop.
(Guest stars Barbara Gouskos as Helen, who will later become a main character in episode 29.)
9:
First aired on Sunday April 24, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Tony Morphett
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Con tries to get a new kit for the soccer team, while Nick tries to convince George to continue as coach. Jack has the idea to add a black stripe to the kit design in tribute to Nick’s late mother. George is touched and agrees to continue coaching the team. Steve is forced to miss rugby league training to sit an exam, and Southgate threatens his place on the team. Con’s mother Helen hires Stella as the new Poulos housekeeper.
(Guest stars Patrick Thompson as Sime. Note – first appearance of Peta Toppano as Stella Ioannou)
10:
First aired on Sunday May 1, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Joan Sauers
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Jodie returns from Melbourne, and Nick hits her after she confesses to a fling over there. Marco announces a job promotion in Perth, but Christina is reluctant to leave the students at Hartley she has built a rapport with. New drama teacher Phil North arrives at the school, and instantly becomes popular with the female students.
(Guest stars Nicholas Garsden as Marco, and Peter Phelps as Phil.)
11:
First aired on Sunday May 8, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Margaret Kelly
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Rose develops a crush on Phil and makes her feelings very clear to him. Phil crosses the line by confessing a secret to her, and telling her she is attractive. Steve and Rivers get into a fight, and are put on school-yard clean-up duty as punishment. After George makes a judgement on her reasons for leaving her ex-husband, Stella quits her job as the Poulos housekeeper. Nick and Effie’s outrage makes George realise he has made a mistake.
(Guest stars Peter Phelps as Phil.)
12:
First aired on Sunday May 15, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Yola attempts to counsel Danielle’s fifteen year old sister Nicole, who is pregnant. When her parents find out, they are angry at Yola for not informing them. Rose is jealous when she spots Christina and Phil getting close. Rivers takes Chaka to an expensive restaurant on their first date, but things don’t go to plan.
(Guest stars Jennifer Hardy as Nicole, and Peter Phelps as Phil.)
13:
First aired on Sunday May 22, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 6.30pm
Written by Sally Webb
Directed by Ian Gilmour
After a jealous Rose tells Christina that Phil is only interested in younger girls, Phil admits that he once had an affair with a student. Deloraine informs Graham that, due to budget cuts, the music programme will have to be dropped. Jodie, outraged, tries to save the subject by putting on an elaborate musical parade with the rest of the gang. George invites Jodie to stay at the Poulos home while her party-loving sister is around. Nick wants to get physical while Jodie is staying at his place, but she tells him she needs more romance.
(Guest stars Peter Phelps as Phil.)
14:
First aired on Wednesday June 1, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Tim Gooding
Directed by Ian Gilmour
Graham is accused of sexual harassment after helping out one of the younger students, and finds himself on the receiving end of homophobic abuse. Chaka’s father, after having returned to Australia, comes to give a talk about being imprisoned in El Salvador for speaking out against the government. Chaka decides to move to Darwin with her family.
(Note – Frederick Miragliotta, who plays Chaka’s father Jorge, will return in series 6 as main character Gerrard Albers. Final episode for Isabella Gutierrez as Chaka Cardenes)
15:
First aired on Wednesday June 8, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Craig Wilkins
Directed by Shirley Barrett
The gang tries to get Rose and Jack together before the school dance. When it looks like Jack isn’t going to show up at the dance, Rose gets drunk with Rivers, who is missing Chaka. Con arranges for Jodie to perform at the dance, but there is a condition attached. Tired of Southgate acting like a drill sergeant at the dance, the students lock him and Yola in a storage cupboard. George asks Stella to move in.
(Guest stars Kulcha as themselves, and Joy Smithers as the band manager.)
16:
First aired on Wednesday June 15, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by James Lee
Directed by Shirley Barrett
Stella’s rebellious daughter Katerina turns up at the Poulos home having left her boarding school. Katerina wastes no time in making trouble, and pretends that Nick tried to force himself on her. Rose’s father Frank forbids her from dating Jack due to his Vietnamese heritage, and Rose’s cousins attack him. Later, Rose and Jack decide to take their relationship to the next level.
(Guest stars Sal Sharah as Frank. First episode for Ada Nicodemou as Katerina Ioannou)
17:
First aired on Wednesday June 22, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Greg Millin
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Katerina provokes Southgate by dropping litter in the yard and tipping a full litter bin over his desk. After losing his temper with Katerina and discovering that Con caught it all on tape, Southgate hands in his resignation. Christina is concerned when Yola starts dating a married man. Con and the gang make a music video for Jodie’s latest song. Danielle is unhappy with Steve flirting with the star of the music video, Katerina.
(Replacing the opening theme is Abi Tucker singing ‘Outside these Walls’ making it the only episode where neither the traditional or alternative theme tune is used. Guest stars Ned Manning as Marty.)
18:
First aired on Wednesday June 29, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Helen Steel
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Nick and Danielle get closer doing work experience at a local plant nursery. Nick feels he is coming second best when Jodie gets a job singing jingles at a local recording studio, and Danielle is unhappy with Steve leering at other girls. Katerina’s father Dimitri comes to visit, and offers Kat a job at a resort he has inherited on Corfu.
(Note – Alexandra Brunning, who appears as Elvie, will later become a main cast member as Lucy in episode 30. Guest stars Nic Gazzano as Dimitri.)
19:
First aired on Wednesday July 6, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Peter Neale
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Rivers is tired of empty promises from his mother Bonnie, to seek help for her drinking problem. Things get worse when Bonnie turns up drunk at parent/teacher night. To try and make some extra cash when his mother continues to spend money on alcohol, Rivers unknowingly buys stolen car parts from Con, and lands himself in hot water with the police. Steve and Jodie both suspect their partners of seeing someone else.
(Guest stars Robyn Moase as Bonnie, and Alan Cinis as Wozza.)
20:
First aired on Wednesday July 13, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Leon Saunders
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Southgate becomes acting principal while Deloraine is at a conference and makes some strict rule changes. A fight breaks out in class just as a school inspector turns up to decide whether the school should be shut down. Nick tries to break it off with Jodie, but when she gives him a present, he finds himself unable to tell her. Nick and Danielle book a hotel room to sleep together. Rivers spots them and tells Steve, who confronts Nick and Danielle during a school trip.
21:
First aired on Wednesday July 20, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Tim Gooding
Directed by Ian Gilmour
Rivers, Bolton, Steve and Katerina form a rollerblading team in the hope of entering a contest, but Southgate doesn’t allow them. Later, Southgate is taunted by a masked blader who starts graffitiing the school halls. Nick and Danielle find themselves excluded from their group of friends now that their relationship is common knowledge. Jack is offered a place at a selective high school after achieving high grades.
(Note – Callan Mulvey (Drazic) appears in this episode as Scott Major’s skating double. Jack’s last episode as a main character.)
22:
First aired on Wednesday July 27, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Ian Gilmour
Rose announces she is pregnant with Jack’s baby, and George allows her to stay at the Poulos home when her father flies off the handle. Stella teaches George to dance and they grow closer, and Katerina doesn’t believe Nick when he tells her their parents are getting together. Jodie’s producer has his sights set on her, and gets rid of Con from the recording studio so he can make a move on her. Nick tries to patch things up with Steve.
(Guest stars Sal Sharah as Frank.)
23:
First aired on Wednesday August 3, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Chris Roache
Directed by Shirley Barrett
Con enters Jodie into a televised talent contest, but, unhappy with the song chosen for her, she backs out at the last minute, forcing Con to step in. Rumours are spread that Con and Jodie are together. Danielle feels that she is competing with Jodie for Nick’s affections, and applies for a job as an aerobics instructor to try and keep him interested in her. After betting Steve that he will get a higher grade than him in an upcoming exam, Rivers breaks into the school to steal the question paper.
24:
First aired on Wednesday August 10, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Craig Wilkins
Directed by Shirley Barrett
Nick is elected class captain, and Southgate reckons Nick isn’t right for the job. Con starts dating an older woman, Greta, and they spend the night together. Con gets a surprise the next day when he meets Greta’s daughter Rachel. The idea of putting condom machines in the school toilets is met with fierce opposition by the school committee, so Christina and Yola ask Ruby if she will install some at the cafe instead. Katerina and Rivers start dating.
(Guest stars Andrea Moor as Greta, who later stars as principal Di Barnett, and takes over from Nico Lathouris as drama coach in series 6. Also guest stars Brittany Byrnes as Rachel.)
25:
First aired on Wednesday August 31, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Sally Webb
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Danielle starts modelling and is manipulated into posing nude by a photographer. When she tells Nick how much she regrets it, he, Danielle and Rose break into the photographer’s house to steal the photos. Con finishes with Greta when she seems to be using him as a babysitter. Christina’s friend Mack gives a talk to the students about his medical work in Indonesia, and the pair begin a romance. Con’s parents Helen and Roberto return from holiday, and Deloraine returns to Hartley.
(Guest stars Andrea Moor as Greta, and Peter Kowitz as Mack.)
26:
First aired on Wednesday September 7, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by James Lee
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Steve struggles with his parents’ divorce, and neither parent offers to take him in. Steve leaves home, and Christina discovers that he’s been sleeping in the school. Meanwhile, Rivers is sick of living with his alcoholic mum and having to look after her, and Jodie is also unhappy with her living situation, so Christina and Mack find a warehouse for Steve, Jodie and Rivers to move into. Mack invites Christina to work in Indonesia with him.
(Note – Christina and Ruby make their final appearances in this episode, and Graham appears for the last time as a main character. Guest stars Robyn Moase as Bonnie, and Peter Kowitz as Mack.)
27:
First aired on Wednesday September 14, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Greg Millin
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Steve is unable to afford the rent at the warehouse, so he gets a job in a supermarket as a shelf stacker, and begins stealing food from his employer. Steve’s dad lets slip that Steve was adopted. Danielle and Jodie fight over Nick when he decides he wants to get back together with Jodie. George tells Nick and Effie that he is leaving his factory job, and Stella is angry with Katerina when she spends the night with Rivers.
(First major opening title revamp following the cast cull. Guest stars Alan Lovell as Steve’s Dad, and Kerry Ella as Steve’s Mum.)
28:
First aired on Wednesday September 21, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Steve J. Spears
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Nick tries to get back together with Jodie, but she is still unwilling to forgive him for betraying her. A stray dog befriends Steve and he wants to keep it as a pet, but Deloraine isn’t happy to find the animal in the school. Stella gets Katerina a job at her grandma’s dance academy in Greece, but Kat doesn’t want to leave Hartley and Rivers.
(Note – Katerina will return in series 3 episode 2 (54) but this is the last episode for Peta Toppano as Stella. Guest stars Sweep as Dog.)
29:
First aired on Wednesday September 28, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Suzanne Hawley
Directed by Rob Marchand
George announces he has got a job in Greece, but is disheartened when Nick and Effie say they want to stay in Australia. When George says it is an order, not a request, Nick stays at Jodie’s, and Effie runs away from home and gets into danger on the streets of King’s Cross. New teacher Sam Robinson arrives at Hartley, and Rivers instantly blurs the boundaries by flirting with her.
(Note – Helen and Roberto’s first episode as main characters. Roberto is played by a new actor in Ivar Kants. Guest stars Leah Tansey as Lucky, and Kym Wilson as Sam (she is elevated to the main cast in the following episode.))
30:
First aired on Wednesday October 5, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Rob Marchand
The wealthy Lucy hires Helen to cater a dinner party for her parents, and Steve is smitten. George sells the Poulos house, and after finding out Roberto’s business is struggling, lends him the money he needs to keep it afloat. George leaves for Greece, and Nick and Effie move in with Helen, Roberto and Con. Sam puts Rivers on detention for being rude to her in class, and Deloraine walks in on Rivers stroking Sam’s cheek. Sam insists she had the situation under control, but Deloraine suspends Rivers for sexual harassment.
(Note – Nico Lathouris departs as George but continues as drama coach up until series 6. First episode for Alexandra Brunning as Lucy Weston)
31:
First aired on Wednesday October 12, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Serge Lazareff
Directed by Geoff Bennett
Sam pesters Deloraine to let Rivers return to school. Deloraine reluctantly agrees, provided Rivers makes an apology for his behaviour. Lucy encourages Steve to search for his birth parents. Nick gets into boxing after winning a fight against a guy who was trying to make a move on Jodie, and Southgate agrees to help him with training. Roberto and Helen’s eldest son, Rocco, returns unannounced from the USA with a new business plan, to open a pool hall called the Shark Pool.
(Guest stars Angelo D’Angelo as Rocco.)
32:
First aired on Wednesday October 19, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Geoffrey Bennett
While searching for his birth mother, Steve discovers that a veto has been placed to prevent him from contacting her. Rivers goes to visit his father, Norm, in prison, and he persuades him to return to Hartley High. Nick prepares for a match against his boxing rival, Tony, but Jodie is unhappy with Nick’s new passion. Effie considers dating the class geek, Bart, and Yola starts dating local policeman, Joe.
(Guest stars Russell Kiefel as Norm, Josh Picker as Tony, Ryan Lappin as Bart, and the first episode of a long-running guest appearance for Don Halbert as Joe.)
33:
First aired on Wednesday October 26, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by James Lee
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Deloraine asks Rose not to participate in the school’s hosting of the Education Awards due to her pregnancy, which outrages her friends. Roberto lends Rocco money to open the Shark Pool, which angers Con as he wanted the money for an audio engineering course. Yola is angry at her boyfriend Joe, when he misses their date.
(Guest stars Angelo D’Angelo as Rocco, and Don Halbert as Joe.)
34:
First aired on Wednesday November 2, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Sally Webb
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Steve is shocked to discover that the person who has been following him is his birth mother, Lorraine. Rocco offers Con a job at the Shark Pool, but later offers it to Jodie. Rivers continues to pursue Sam and steals her motorbike in order to fix it. Yola discovers a photo of another woman in Joe’s wallet.
(Guest stars Jan Merriman as Lorraine, Angelo D’Angelo as Rocco, and Don Halbert as Joe.)
35:
First aired on Wednesday November 9, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Chris Roache
Directed by Ian Gilmour
Con’s friends try to prove his innocence when drugs are planted on him at a party at the warehouse. Yola suspects that Rivers and Sam are seeing each other, and Sam tells her she plans to finish with him. With some help from Southgate, Nick wins his boxing match against Tony at the Shark Pool.
(Guest stars Tara Jakszewicz (who later plays Stassy from series 4 episode 8 (73)) as Tanya, Timothy West as Alex, and Josh Picker as Tony.)
36:
First aired on Wednesday November 16, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 7.30pm
Written by Sally Webb
Directed by Ian Gilmour
Sam continues to see Rivers despite warnings from Yola. The other kids are starting to suspect about the affair, and start goading Sam. Nick’s boxing rival Tony, turns up at Hartley to threaten him. This scares Jodie and she tells him it’s her or boxing. Effie’s boyfriend Bart gets stuck in a tree when trying to rescue their kite, and Joe saves him.
(Guest stars Robyn Moase as Bonnie, Josh Picker as Tony, Paul Rogers as Leo and Ryan Lappin as Bart. Note – Sam leaves temporarily after her affair with Rivers is revealed.)
37:
First aired on Sunday November 27, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 8.30pm – shown as part 1 of a 2 hour special
Written by Leon Saunders
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Nick struggles to accept the end of his relationship with Jodie, and tries to win her back, but she tells him it’s too late. Both Southgate and Roberto try to talk Nick out of turning professional as a boxer. Rivers is suspected of trashing Deloraine’s office after Sam’s departure. Jack makes a surprise return, and tells Rose he wants to be there when the baby is born. Rose is on detention when her contractions start, and she gives birth in the science room. Rocco and Jodie get closer, and he gets Jodie a job as a backing singer with a band about to tour the USA.
(Guest stars Tai Nguyen as Jack, Angelo D’Angelo as Rocco, and Emily & Nicola Freedman as baby Tess.)
38:
First aired on Sunday November 27, 1994 on Network Ten in Australia at 9.30pm – shown as part 2 of a 2 hour special
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Nick pulls out all the stops to try and romance Jodie and prevent her from leaving for the US with Rocco. The gang and Southgate try to talk Nick out of another boxing match against a tough opponent, but he is determined to go ahead. Rose’s father Frank forbids Jack from seeing his daughter. Rocco proposes to Jodie, but has Jodie really moved on from Nick?
(Guest stars Tai Nguyen as Jack, Angelo D’Angelo as Rocco, Emily & Nicola Freedman as baby Tess, and Sal Sharah as Frank. Note – final episode for Alex Dimitriades as Nick)