From series 4 onwards in Australia, all episodes were split in half for broadcasting and shown four days a week. In the UK, and probably elsewhere in the world, they were shown in their complete 45 minute format on a weekly basis.
(66 – 91) (26 episodes)
Australian airdates – August 5 1996 – November 11 1996 – Network Ten.
UK airdates – March 26 1996 – June 16 1996 (first 13 episodes) then September 3 1996 – December 3 1996 (final 13 episodes) – BBC2.
1 (66):
First aired on Tuesday March 26, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Monday August 5, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.40pm (first half) then Tuesday August 6, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Peter Neale
Directed by Catherine Millar
The gang are worried when Steve suddenly disappears. Later, they find out that his body has been found on the beach after falling from a cliff. Matt’s father, Paul, arrives to spend time with his son, but their relationship is not exactly harmonious. Matt rebels when Paul constantly criticises him, and his father is outraged when Matt accidentally punches Andrew. Bolton moves into the warehouse.
(Note – Bolton becomes a main character, after appearing in a guest role since series 1 episode 1. Guest stars Bruce Barry as Paul (uncredited))
2 (67):
First aired on Tuesday April 2, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Wednesday August 7, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Thursday August 8, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Vicki Madden-Custo and Pieter Aguilia
Directed by Catherine Millar
Police officers come to the school to question the students about Steve’s death. Con feels guilty for not being able to mourn Steve, and finds himself unable to work on a tribute issue of the school newspaper. Kat helps him deal with his grief. The police believe that Steve may have committed suicide, but the gang later find his camera on the beach and develop the film, revealing a photo of the moment he fell. Allie lets Matt move into the warehouse, which upsets Danielle as it is so soon after Steve’s death. New English teacher Ronnie Brooks arrives at Hartley.
(Note – first appearance of Deni Gordon as Ronnie Brooks)
3 (68):
First aired on Tuesday April 9, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Monday August 12, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Tuesday August 13, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Howard Griffiths
Directed by Geoffrey Nottage
Matt instigates the launch of a petition against maths teacher Athol Pike, who the students believe is incompetent. Katerina borrows Con’s car while he is away in Melbourne, and ends up crashing it. In order to pay for repairs, Kat starts betting on horse races. Danielle’s friends are concerned that she may be taking drugs to cope with her grief.
(Guest stars Arthur Dignam as Athol.)
4 (69):
First aired on Tuesday April 16, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Wednesday August 14, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Thursday August 15, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Geoffrey Nottage
Deloraine has a second heart attack, and decides to take early retirement. After Danielle’s drug problem is discovered by Ronnie, new headteacher June Dyson expels her. Danielle’s friends ask Deloraine for support, and his intervention convinces Dyson to let her stay. Danielle tells her mother she needs some independence, and moves into the warehouse. Katerina experiments with some dodgy hair dye, and is humiliated when Dyson insists she removes her hat.
(Guest stars Belinda Giblin as Suzie. Note – first appearance of Diane Craig as June Dyson)
5 (70):
First aired on Tuesday April 23, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Tuesday August 20, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Wednesday August 21, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Phil McAloon and Kris Wyld
Directed by Chris Langman
Bolton knocks down Dyson when he rollerblades down the school corridors, so Dyson confiscates his blades. He breaks into her office to get them back, so Dyson forbids him from going on a school trip that he helped to organise, and the rest of the students go on strike. Con fires the new manager of the Shark Pool when he tries to turn the business into an amusement arcade. Matt and Allie set up Danielle on a date with Matt’s cousin, but she ends up meeting the wrong guy.
6 (71):
First aired on Tuesday April 30, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.45pm. First Australian showing on Thursday August 22, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Monday August 26, 1996 at 11.20pm (second half)
Written by Kristen Dunphy
Directed by Chris Langman
Con is accepted onto a student exchange programme in the USA. Hurt that he didn’t tell her he was applying, Kat pretends that she may be pregnant to try and get him to stay. Andrew is accused of favouritism when he lends Allie his computer to write an article for the school paper. Ronnie attempts to show Andrew the benefits of power-walking. The gang put on an American-style show at the Shark Pool to say farewell to Con.
(Note – final regular appearance of Salvatore Coco as Con Bordino)
7 (72):
First aired on Tuesday May 7, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Tuesday August 27, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Wednesday August 28, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Charles Strachan
Directed by Karl Zwicky
New student Declan, arrives at Hartley, and gets on the wrong side of Bolton after beating him at a game of pool. When Kat and Dani both seem interested in Declan, Bolton gets jealous and challenges Declan to a fight. Declan however, later comes to Bolton’s rescue by giving him an alibi when he is accused of stealing Ronnie’s stereo. Matt starts a cross country team with Allie and Declan, and recruits Roberto as their coach.
(Note – look out for Fleur Beaupert, who later joins the cast as Nikki in series 6 episode 1 (131), as one of the dancers in Ronnie’s class. First appearance of Rupert Reid as Declan Costello)
8 (73):
First aired on Tuesday May 14, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Thursday August 29, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Tuesday September 3, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Vincent Gil
Directed by Karl Zwicky
New student Stassy receives a frosty welcome by most of the students, but Declan and Matt try to befriend her. Kat steals Declan’s wallet so she can return it to him later with an excuse to talk to him, but later decides to go to his home to return it, where she gets to know his mother. Stassy is given detention by Andrew, and lies to her strict father Boris, about why she was held back, saying that a male teacher wanted some time alone with her.
(Guest stars Elaine Lee as Declan’s mother Maria, and Vincent Gil as Boris. This episode was also written by Vincent Gil. Note – first appearance of Tara Jakszewicz as Stassy Sumich)
9 (74):
First aired on Tuesday May 21, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Thursday September 5, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Tuesday September 10, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Sally Webb
Directed by Catherine Millar
Ronnie assigns the class a horror movie to watch on Friday the 13th . Danielle watches the film alone at the warehouse during a thunderstorm, and starts to receive mysterious phone calls. Matt organises a party at the Shark Pool, and him and Stassy kiss behind Allie’s back. Danielle befriends the school janitor, Damien.
(Guest stars Scott Burgess as Damien.)
10 (75):
First aired on Tuesday May 28, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Wednesday September 11, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Thursday September 12, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Catherine Millar
Bolton befriends Dyson’s disabled son Gary, and Dyson employs him to show the students how to use the new computers. Gary uses the opportunity to humiliate his mother, who he blames for the accident that put him in a wheelchair. Declan and Danielle see Matt and Stassy kissing, but Declan convinces Danielle not to tell Allie. When Stassy tells Matt not to touch her again, Allie throws Matt out of the warehouse.
(Guest stars Marc Gray as Gary.)
11 (76):
First aired on Tuesday June 4, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Monday September 16, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Tuesday September 17, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Chris Roache
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Bolton, Allie and Danielle struggle to pay their bills, and Declan develops a gambling habit when he tries to increase their funds. After losing the money, Declan steals from the Shark Pool. Stassy asks Allie if she can borrow her essay to help with her English homework, and copies it. Kat implies that she has slept with Matt, which upsets Allie. With nowhere to stay having been kicked out of the warehouse, Matt moves in with the Bordinos.
12 (77):
First aired on Tuesday June 11, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Wednesday September 18, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then on Thursday September 19, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Chris Roache
Directed by Chris Langman
The gang undertake work experience. Bolton works for a carpet layer, but gets sacked. Katerina works for an advertising business, and Matt gets to spend time with a professional basketball team. Allie and Danielle work for a TV company, and journalist Trish uses an interview with Danielle to paint her in a bad light in a news report. Declan and Stassy try their hand at teaching.
(Guest stars Tina Bursill as Trish, who will later join the main cast as Hilary in series 5 episode 7 (98).)
13 (78):
First aired on Tuesday June 18, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.45pm. First Australian showing on Monday September 23, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.45pm (first half) then Tuesday September 24, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Chris Langman
Andrew groups Matt, Stassy and Allie together for a science project, which causes tension. Matt gets electrocuted in the process, and Stassy and Dani save his life. Katerina works at the Shark Pool by herself, and some yobs lock her in the cash office and trash the place. Andrew’s ex-girlfriend Dana comes to visit him, and he decides to leave with her.
(Guest stars Anne Looby as Dana. Note – final appearance of Ian Bliss as Andrew Bell)
14 (79):
First aired on Tuesday September 3, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Wednesday September 25, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Thursday September 26, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Elizabeth Coleman
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Bolton joins the school debating team with Allie and Matt, and develops a crush on Linda, a student from the opposing school’s team, whom Allie thinks is a snob. Unperturbed, Bolton asks Linda out on a date, and discovers the snobbery is just a front. Romance blossoms but Linda’s parents disapprove of her dating him because he is white. Bolton gives a moving speech about racism at the next debate. Stassy struggles to find time for homework on top of her chores at home and having to look after her siblings. Katerina starts an internet flirtation.
(Guest stars Amanda Chan as Linda.)
15 (80):
First aired on Tuesday September 10, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Tuesday October 1, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Wednesday October 2, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Tim Gooding
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Handsome new teacher Tom Summers arrives at Hartley, and Kat is disappointed to find out that he has a girlfriend. Tom teaches the boys cookery, while the girls gain skills in auto-mechanics. Tom is impressed with Allie’s novel, and offers to share it with his girlfriend who works for a publishing company. Katerina sends a photo to her internet pal, Charlie, pretending she is a tall, blonde supermodel. Declan gets a gig playing his songs at the Shark Pool.
(Note – first appearance of Simon Baker-Denny as Tom Summers)
16 (81):
First aired on Tuesday September 17, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First Australian showing on Thursday October 3, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Monday October 7, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Sally Webb
Directed by Catherine Millar
Kat’s mystery online suitor, Charlie, starts classes at Hartley, and it seems that both of them stretched the truth about their physical appearances. Charlie attempts to get back in Kat’s good books by promising her tickets to a Take That concert. Danielle is shocked to find out that her neighbour has died of a heart attack, and decides to volunteer to visit old people. When she befriends a lady and a man who both live alone, she decides to play matchmaker. Declan struggles to cope with looking after his mother Maria, who has multiple sclerosis.
(Guest stars Elaine Lee as Maria. Note – first appearance of Sebastian Goldspink as Charlie Byrd)
17 (82):
First aired on Tuesday September 24, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6pm. First Australian showing on Tuesday October 8, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Wednesday October 9, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half).
Written by Suzanne Hawley
Directed by Catherine Millar
Tom assigns the class to work in pairs to recycle old products into new inventions. Stassy has problems staying back after school to work on her fashion project with Allie, due to her strict father demanding her presence at home. When her father discovers that Stassy went behind his back, he kicks her out, and she moves into the warehouse. Dyson warns Tom to stop private tutoring Allie.
18 (83):
First aired on Tuesday October 1, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6pm. First aired in Australia on Thursday October 10, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Monday October 14, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Peter Neale
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Vicki is impressed by Allie’s novel, and offers to put it forward to her bosses. Bolton hands out copies of the novel to the rest of the students, and some are dismayed that they have been portrayed in a negative way. The gang take part in a cross country race, and two talent scouts offer Matt a try-out for a basketball team. Charlie over-exerts himself in an effort to impress Katerina. Bolton cheats to win the race, and Matt and Allie split up.
(Guest stars Vanessa Steel as Vicki.)
19 (84):
First aired on Tuesday October 8, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6pm. First aired in Australia on Tuesday October 15, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Wednesday October 16, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Ian Gilmour
Rocco returns to the Bordinos for a visit. In order to pay off debts to Leo Fine, Rocco steals from the Shark Pool, and tries to frame Declan. Allie and Danielle send some photos of Stassy to a modelling agency. Charlie continues to pursue Kat, and steps in when Leo starts making unwanted advances towards her.
(Guest stars Angelo D’Angelo as Rocco, and Paul Rogers as Leo.)
20 (85):
First aired on Tuesday October 15, 1996 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom at 6.25pm. First aired in Australia on Thursday October 17, 1996 on Network Ten at 11.30pm (first half) then Monday October 21, 1996 at 11.40pm (second half)
Written by Marcia Gardner, Peter Aquilia and Phil McAloon
Directed by Ian Gilmour
Declan’s ex-girlfriend Lara turns up at the Shark Pool to sing with him, and soon causes trouble between him and Danielle. Bolton goes along with Stassy to her first modelling job. Charlie gives himself a makeover in order to impress Katerina, which proves to be a hit with the girls. Allie and Tom get closer working on her novel. Allie’s novel is entered in a contest to win a six month writing workshop in the UK.
(Guest stars Rachael Blake as Lara.)
21 (86):
First aired on Tuesday October 22, 1996 on Network Ten in Australia at 11.30pm (first half) then Wednesday October 23, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half). In the UK, this episode was shown on Tuesday October 22, 1996 at 6.25pm in full, meaning that the first half of the episode was first seen in Australia and the second half was first seen in the UK.
Written by Vince Gil
Directed by Andrew Prowse
Allie gets her book published, and after reading it, Ronnie suspects Tom of getting too close to Allie. Stassy announces that she has superhuman powers, and tries to convince the others she has the questions for an upcoming test. Bolton is angry with Stassy when he finds a stolen question paper in her locker.
22 (87):
First aired on Thursday October 24, 1996 on Network Ten in Australia at 11.30pm (first half) then Monday October 28, 1996 at 11.35pm (second half)
Written by Kristin Dunphey
Directed by Nico Lathouris and Andrew Prowse
Allie wins a creative writing placement in London, but finds out she is pregnant. Matt tells her he’ll be there for her, but later puts two and two together and realises that Tom is the father. Matt assaults Tom, and when Allie tells Dyson the reason why, Tom is suspended. Katerina and Bolton put on a surprise birthday party for Charlie at the Shark Pool. Allie leaves for London.
(Note – final appearances of Inge Hornstra as Allie Matts and Simon Baker-Denny as Tom Summers)
23 (88):
First aired on Tuesday October 29, 1996 on Network Ten in Australia at 11.30pm (first half) then Wednesday October 30, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Phil McAloon
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Arrogant mature student Max starts classes at Hartley, and sets about criticising Ronnie’s teaching methods. Bolton wins a poetry competition but Max rumbles him as a plagiarist. Bolton confesses his love for Stassy. Katerina isn’t happy when Charlie agrees to help Roberto fix a burglar alarm rather than go out with her.
(Guest stars Jerome Ehlers as Max.)
24 (89):
First aired on Thursday October 31, 1996 on Network Ten in Australia at 11.30pm (first half) then Monday November 4, 1996 at 11.40pm (second half)
Written by Greg Millin
Directed by Karl Zwicky
Bolton campaigns to save his uncle’s bowling alley, and tries to make bowling a school sport. Matt and Stassy grow closer, and Matt moves in with her at the warehouse. When Kat sees Stassy wearing an expensive-looking necklace, she accuses Stassy of stealing their group lottery ticket and pocketing the winnings.
25 (90):
First aired on Tuesday November 5, 1996 on Network Ten in Australia at 11.30pm (first half) then Wednesday November 6, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by Howard Griffiths
Directed by Catherine Millar
Charlie starts acting strangely when his parents announce that they are divorcing, and Kat and Stassy discover that he has joined a cult. Danielle suggests moving in with Declan to help him take care of his sick mother. Helen is annoyed with Roberto when he doesn’t seem to place much importance on their upcoming 20th wedding anniversary.
(Guest stars Elaine Lee as Maria.)
26 (91):
First aired on Thursday November 7, 1996 on Network Ten in Australia at 11.30pm (first half) then Monday November 11, 1996 at 11.30pm (second half)
Written by James Lee
Directed by Catherine Millar
The gang are looking forward to their muck-up day, but the fun and frolics are cancelled when Dyson finds out a rep from the Education department is visiting on the same day. Sonny, a kid with a grudge against the school after being kicked out, starts a fire in the computer room, and Dyson suspects Matt. Charlie wants to do a computer course in Canberra, but, scared of losing Katerina, asks her to marry him. Danielle suggests that the gang bury a time capsule containing meaningful items, and Kat puts Con’s mobile phone in it. Danielle leaves to take up a TV reporting job in Wollongong.
(Note – Emma Roche, the last remaining original main cast member, departs as Danielle Miller. Guest stars Josh Picker as Sonny, who previously played Nick’s boxing rival, Tony. Final episode to be shown on Network Ten in Australia)