australian television information archive

Episode 92

While Hartley High teachers and students are learning to cope with the loss of their computer room in the muck-up day fire, Bolton is feeling betrayed when he finds out that his greatest ally, Hartley's principal, June Dyson has decided to leave Hartley High to join her son Gary interstate. Matt refuses to accept that his relationship with Stassy is finished. In a frustrated attempt to convince him, Stassy begins to flirt with Declan. She asks him to put music to a poem she has written and, when Declan agrees things look like they might hot up. Matt is furious. Katerina has to retrieve Con's mobile phone from the time capsule. However, the time capsule has been opened and the phone stolen! The mystery unfolds when Kat and Charlie decide to dial the number?

Episode 93

Exam time has rolled around, and the pressure is building. Charlie is especially under the hammer: he needs top marks to get into university, but as he is studying his computer breaks down. What can he do? Ronnie is concerned when Declan is unable to finish an HSC practice essay. Although he wouldn't admit it to anyone, Declan's domestic situation looks like it will destroy his chances in the HSC. Bolton is feeling the hot breath of exam panic as well. After a school career consisting of little study and lots of skiving, he is finally facing the HSC firing squad. He joins with Stassy and the class moron, Bazza, to buy a "hot" history paper.

Episode 94

The Bordino's are overjoyed when their son Con turns up. There are huge plans for him to return to the family business, take up his relationship with Katerina again, etc. Then Con introduces his new wife to the family. Ronnie is upset when Declan does not turn up to the first exam of the HSC. When she investigates Declan tells her he was looking after his sick mum. Bolton has had a tough time in the first exam, so desperate for help—he steals Stassy's lucky crystal. But the crystal is not lucky for Bolton.

Episode 95

It is time for the end of year formal. But Hartley can't afford to hold one. Stassy goes to her cousin's formal with Katerina and Charlie. Matt jealous and annoyed gets drunk, turns up at the formal and makes a scene. Declan has been roped into a night at Ronnie's house—the cheap alternative to a formal. It promises to be the most boring evening of his life, and it is made worse when Melanie, the school dag, arrives. Bolton, meanwhile, is hosting the world's biggest party on Coogee beach. After their various misadventures, everyone ends up back at the Shark Pool for an informal formal. Meanwhile, encouraged by his success, Bolton leaves to become a big time event organiser.

Episode 96

The Bordino's are going to see their son Con in the USA and visit the old country. Roberto receives an offer for the Shark Pool and accepts. What he does not know is that the new owner is Leo Fine. Leo has big plans for turning the Shark Pool into a wine bar with pokies, etc. A place where kids are expressly not allowed. He sacks Declan and turfs the gang out. Declan gets a job painting the school. Melanie turns up to keep him company. Declan discovers that her father is Leo's business adviser, he plays up to Melanie to save the Shark Pool. Roberto is in a quandary; he is worried about leaving Katerina behind. Roberto thinks Katerina is not to be trusted around boys.

Episode 97

It's HSC results day and the gang await their arrival with trepidation and excitement. Matt, confident, makes plans for his and Stassy's future together. But Stassy fails and her father turns up to ensure she abide by the family agreement and move back home. For Stassy this is the end of her life as she knows it. Katerina, intent on going to business college suddenly changes course and puts all effort into a dancing career. She becomes annoyed with the depressed Charlie when he decides to go back to school to get a better score. When Declan confronts Eric about ripping off the Education Department he offers him a deal and Declan, attracted by the money, finds he has been bought off. Melanie has a go at Declan about it and Declan finally confronts Eric.

Episode 98

Ryan's sudden appearance surprises sister Anita. Ryan's mother Hilary believes his story of poor treatment by dad but later discovers it to be untrue, and tells Ryan if he wants to stay he must go back to school. Leo sells Charlie a car with dud parts. Ryan comes out on top after getting Leo to cough up more than enough money to cover Charlie's expenses. Leo acknowledges Ryan as a fellow cad. Anita and Melanie find a purse, but when they hand it back to the owner's granddaughter, then soon find the police calling to talk to them about stolen money.

Episode 99

It's the first day back at school and new acting principal, and staunch disciplinarian, Les Bailey, lays down the law. Against Ronnie's warning, he nominates Melanie as prefect-come-spy creating tension and discipline problems amongst the students. Ryan and bad boy Drazic lock horns before the bell has rung for first period. Their antagonism spills out on to the basketball court where tension between them grows when Drazic lets Ryan cop detention for throwing the ball at Les. Anita gets caught with too much make-up on and Melanie is forced to give her detention. Melanie and Anita have a falling out when Melanie defends Les. They recognise the tiff isn't worth their friendship. Leo puts Katerina in charge of Declan and Charlie at the Shark Pool to minimise confusion. Katerina revels in the role as boss and decides to organise the chaotic warehouse too. She goes way overboard.

Episode 100

Les is incensed when he catches Ryan and Declan playing basketball during a study period. Les has had it with their misbehaviour and writes a letter of complaint to both boys' parents. Les then angrily suggests that Declan's parents don't seem to care about their son. This is the final straw for Declan: He tells Les to stick school and runs out. Can Les get Declan back to school? Or has Declan left for good? Hilary confronts Les Bailey in defence of Ryan after Bailey sends a letter home requesting more discipline for the boy. She is shocked and angry when Ryan sneaks out at night and is brought home by the police. It seems to Hilary that Les was right and she needs to set new house rules. Anita storms out of the family home when she is grounded alongside Ryan, leaving Hilary distressed and unsure. A regretful Ryan repairs the damage and brings the family together again. Melanie's father learns what going to Hartley High School means for Melanie.

Episode 101

Ronnie has broadened the Hartley curriculum with an art class. At first, everything goes well, with Charlie, and a few other devotees of art and easy HSC marks, spending their lessons drawing a life model. But when the model's drape hits the floor, Les Bailey's blood pressure hits the roof. The boys of Hartley High love the new direction art class is taking and flock to enrol. There is even more trouble at the warehouse when Charlie forgets that it is the sixth-month anniversary of his first date with Katerina. Things go from bad to totally awful when Katerina also suspects that Charlie is taking more than an artistic interest in the art class model. In stark contrast to the argy bargy of everyday school life, Declan is adjusting to being in the work force. When he takes a job as a nurses' aid at the local hospital, Declan thinks he has finally found his true vocation, but he is in for some very unpleasant surprises. When life doesn't measure up to his expectations, Declan must decide where this future is headed.

Episode 102

There is trouble in the Scheppers' household when Ryan and Anita's estranged dad, Jeff, arrives. He has brought a gift for Anita, and seems to want to patch things up with her. Anita is pleased at her father's renewed attention, but is in for a disappointment when it seems Jeff is more interested in his relationship with his son Rel who feels his father abandoned him. Will the Scheppers family be able to patch up its differences? Drazic borrows Charlie's car and smashes into the back of Les Bailey's car. When Les blows his stack and wants to catch the culprits, Charlie is keen to turn himself and Drazic in. Needless to say, Drazic thinks this is a dud idea and threatens to kill Charlie if he reveals the truth. Will Charlie stand up for himself and risk getting his lights punched? Over at the Shark Pool, Melanie is filling in for Declan . Katerina is taking advantage of Melanie's inexperience by making her do all the horrible jobs in the place. At first Melanie obeys Katerina's every whim, but then she discovers she is being used and decides to exact a terrible revenge.

Episode 103

Katerina talks Melanie into holding a party in order to gain popularity. Melanie who is holding a torch for Ryan, hopes it will bring him closer to her. She spends up big on credit cards and initially the cost seems worth it. However, when Melanie's father's video camera gets broken and she can't afford to get it fixed, Melanie realises that she has spent way beyond her means. Melanie is dismayed when Ryan tries to give back the expensive gold pendant she bought for him. Melanie learns you can't buy friends. Ryan decides to live and work with his father. Jeff says that they will need to mortgage the land Ryan's grandfather left him to expand the business. Ryan is shocked at this revelation concluding that his father came back for the money and not for him. When he accuses his father of this, Jeff is hurt and urges him to forget the business, keep the money, but Ryan realises he values his friends in Hartley and decides to stay. Charlie gets hauled up to play beach volleyball opposite Drazic who humiliates him. Charlie feels hopeless but Les urges him to give the game a go. Charlie's perseverance results in both catching the volleyball bug.

Episode 104

New student, sharp and sassy Mai Hem, baffles everyone when she agrees with Drazic when he makes pointed racist slurs. But co-editing the school newspaper, Mai "fixes" Melanie's copy so it accuses the school of racism. Les comes down hard on Melanie and teacher Ronnie and his job comes under threat after the allegations become public, leading him to want to ban the paper. Ronnie talks him into letting the girls continue but Mai walks away from the paper—she's made her point. Declan is on a high, he's been accepted into a nursing program. He goes about burning bridges, gives notice at the Shark Pool and the warehouse, etc. then walking home witnesses an accident. He responds willingly to calls for help but on seeing the seriously injured child, freezes. He has a crisis of confidence about his chosen career and decides he's not cut out for it until Hilary makes him see it as par for the course. Charlie now keen on beach volleyball, hassles Ryan into being his partner. Ryan only does it to impress Mai, and the pair very nearly beat Drazic and his mate Bazza.

Episode 105

Les had entered Hartley in an inter-school volleyball competition. For Charlie, it is a dream come true: a chance to develop his skills and represent his school. Unfortunately, Les has other plans—he wants to win. So, Les drops Charlie from the team, replacing him with Drazic. Volleyball makes strange bedfellows and now Hartley is represented by the oddest of odd couples: Drazic and Ryan. Can these two overcome their personal differences and play together? Or will they blow the comp? Can Charlie resurrect his abbreviated sporting career? When Mai discovers that Anita has a passion for animal rights, she sees a golden opportunity to indulge in her favourite hobby; stirring. Mai encourages Anita to join her in a picket out front of a local furrier's shop. The protest goes peacefully enough at first, with the girls waving banners and shouting slogans, but when Mai sees a woman in an expensive fur coat, she cannot resist the temptation—she gives the woman another coat... of paint!! What will happen to the girls? Is Anita going to go to gaol? Over at the warehouse, Katerina and Charlie are desperate. They are down to their last tin of baked beans, and will be lucky to afford next week's rent. It becomes obvious that they will have to get a new flatmate. Unfortunatley, the hunt for such a flatmate coincides with Charlie's volleyball commitments. Can Katerina find the ideal flatmate on her own? Or will she choose someone abominable just ao annoy the absent Charlie?

Episode 106

Ryan's keen on Mai and she strings him along. However, when he asks her out she turns him down flat. Hurt and embarrassed, Ryan rationalises that her rebuff must be because she's gay. When Ryan confides this to Charlie the rumour starts and slowly spreads. Mai tolerates the situation for a while but when it threatens to get out of hand she fronts Ryan and exacts her own brand of retribution when the misunderstandings are finally cleared up Ryan has the effrontery to ask Mai out again. Les hands out an environmental project which pairs Melanie with Mai and Anita with Drazic. Anita can't imagine anything worse. She unsuccessfully tries to get out of the arrangement after first insulting Drazic and then having to fend him off when he tries to sleaze onto her. Forced to work with Drazic, Anita starts to see another side of him. She also notices that he always seems to clown around in class to avoid reading out loud. When he does read, it's very badly. Hilary suggests he may have a learning disability. Anita approaches Ronnie who thinks Drazic may have a mild for of dyslexia. However, he's have to take some tests to make sure. Anita finally convinces Drazic to take the tests and offers to do some intensive remedial reading sessions with him. Drazic doesn't want her charity. This isn't charity, she likes him and will go out with him to prove it. Mai and Melanie are paired together for the environmental project. They approach the task from opposite angles. Mai seeking out the easiest solution while Melanie shoots for top marks. Mai fills a bottle with outfall water and gets it analysed for pollutants while Melanie investigates why the local seagulls are dying around the outfall pipe. The water analysis shows up little abnormality while Melanie is shocked to find it's a local lad who's shooting the birds. Mai scores the better mark much to Melanies' chagrin.

Episode 107

Katerina and Charlie are stunned when they find a baby on their doorstep. Now they are faced with a dilemma—they either have to find the mother or call the police and risk having the baby sent to an orphanage. As they become more and more attached to the baby, neither can bear the second option but, with no clues, where should they start looking for the mother? Anita finds herself falling for Drazic but is afraid to reveal her feelings for him to her friends and, most of all, to her over-protective brother. When the situation comes to a head, Anita is left with a difficult choice—give up on Drazic or defy everyone in the pursuit of love. Elsewhere, Les Bailey has made a most gratifying discovery about his least favourite student. In a routine check of the files, he has unearthed evidence that Mai did not complete enough subjects at her past school. Mai will not be allowed to complete the HSC unless she can prove that she knows enough about Geography to continue. Les challenges Mai to a test but Mai refuses. Who will win this battle of wills?

Episode 108

Ryan's best mate from Newcastle comes to stay with the Scheppers but all are suspicious with his strange and aggressive behaviour. Trouble arises when Ryan finds out that Warren is taking steroids. Charlie decides to end his relationship with Katerina when he catches her flirting with Warren but Katerina misreads the seriousness of the situation and moves out of the warehouse to teach Charlie to appreciate her more. Charlie enjoys his freedom and uses the time to assess his feelings for Kat. Anita and Drazic's romance is blooming but Draz is driving a wedge between Anita and Melanie.

Episode 109

Melanie and Mai end up in a terrifying situation when they decide to hitchhike and as Anita and Drazic's relationship is blossoming, Charlie and Katerina's is on the rocks. When Les decides to close the school newspaper, Melanie and Mai settle in for a fight. Mai sets up an interview with a prominent figure and tells Melanie that they have permission to take the day off to do it—they don't! Running late, Mai goads Mel into hitchhiking with her. The girls become worried about their driver when he starts to take them away from where the wish to go and they end up in a deserted industrial site. There seems to be no escape! Anita and Drazic's relationship is going strong, much to Ryan annoyance. Anita persuades Drazic to perform a scene from A Mid Summer Nights Dream for the class but when he isn't doing too well in rehearsal, Anita finds a novel way to turn their scene into a success.

Episode 110

Mai and Melanie teach Ryan a lesson on sexism and Anita, influenced by love and Drazic, finds herself on the wrong side of the law. After visiting a supermarket Drazic reveals he has stolen a carton of cigarettes. When he tricks Anita into doing the same she is caught by an irate store manager. Drazic rushes to her aide but in helping Anita get away he is caught. Anita is faced with the dilemma of turning herself in to save Drazic or saving herself and leaving Drazic to take the wrap. Les thinks it's time to embrace cyberspace and exhorts Ronnie and staff to do likewise. Turning down Charlie's request to buy special equipment for the school, Les purchases a computer that also runs an overhead projector apparatus. When he can't get the computer running, Les enlists Charlie's help. Charlie discovers the problem and Les is left feeling very foolish. During a discussion in class about the "battle of the sexes," Ryan indicates that he likes strong, aggressive, forceful women. Mai and Melanie decide to put him to the test and write him up as a "case study of the sexist male" in the school magazine. When Ryan starts passing the test, Mai finds she is attracted to him. Melanie, feeling jealous, takes action to ruin any chance Mai has with Ryan.

Episode 111

The Scheppers home is fraught with tension as Anita comes to terms with her impending court case, and Katerina suffers a crisis of her own when she is overlooked for an inter-school quiz. Anita shuns the support and care of her family and friends, preferring to turn to Drazic. However, when Drazic spurns her advances and ends their relationship, Anita is forced to face her fear of court and the magistrate alone. In court, the magistrate is tough. Anita has Hilary to hold her hand and speak on her behalf but Drazic may be forced to rely on the help of a surprise ally. Katerina is miffed when she is overlooked for the upcoming inter-school quiz. When Ryan falls ill, Charlie and Melanie have no choice but to ask Katerina to fill in, despite their lack of confidence in her ability as a Quiz Whiz. Do Hartley really have any chance with Katerina on their team? Relations between Mai and Ryan are heating up. However, when Mai cooks a 'get-to-know-each-other' meal for Ryan things don't go quite as planned!

Episode 112

When Blair asks Katerina to partner him in a competition piece she soon finds herself falling for him and the feeling is obviously mutual. When Kat discovers that Blair is married with children, she must decide if she will continue to see him or dissolve the relationship. Having to vacate the warehouse for an evening, Mai asks Ryan if she can stay the night at the Scheppers. Both have different ideas of how the evening should go and neither is right! Hilary is not impressed when she returns from night shift the next morning to find Mai leaving—how will Ryan explain this one? Meanwhile, Drazic has been assigned his community service job and is mortified to find out he is to be the lollipop crossing guard at the local school crossing. Melanie, annoyed that Anita is still in love with him, puts her energy into doubling Drazic's embarrassment.

Episode 113

Ryan finds himself in hot water with overdue essays, Charlie and Kat are stuck when they hire two people for one job at the Shark Pool, and Drazic his not having any luck holding down his community service job. Les is threatening to throw Ryan out of school if he doesn't smarten up his attitude and hand in all his overdue essays by the end of the week. In desperation, Ryan enlists Melanie's help. Their study session begins well but it soon becomes apparent that Ryan expects Melanie to do the work for him. If Melanie helps Ryan out is there a chance that her feelings of love will be reciprocated or is she just allowing herself to be used? The Shark Pool is plunged into turmoil when Charlie hires Anita and Katerina hires Mai but there is only one job on offer. Katerina decrees that the two girls should both do the job for a week and the best worker will keep the job. Who will be left standing at the end? Drazic is also in trouble. After attacking a school kid with his Stop/Go sign, he is banned forever from lollipop duty. But Headmaster, Les saves the day by getting Drazic a job as a lifeguard at the local pool. When there is a tragedy at the pool all turn to Drazic to save the day.

Episode 114

Life at Hartley High is turned upside down by the arrival of new teacher Jay Jackson and his daughter, Aurora, and Melanie goes through a physical and emotional transformation. Jay is no ordinary guy, his teaching methods are unorthodox to say the least, and his choice of house is odder still. Predictably, Les dislikes Jay from the beginning but his dislike intensifies when Jay decides he knows what's best for the Hartley students. When life lets you down, you can either put up with it or change it. Melanie Black is sick of putting up with it—she no longer wants to be the victim. First she has to discard her old way of life, that includes her look and her attitude. However, in doing this, she treads on a lot of toes. Will this be Melanie's route to happiness? At the Scheppers' house, Ryan and Anita are grounded. To make matters worse, tickets are just about to go on sale for a concert by a breakthrough heavy metal band. If Ryan doesn't get the tickets, not only will he miss out on the concert of the year, he will also lose Mai.

Episode 115

Ryan's world is turned on its head when he has a car accident. He and Mai survive the accident intact, but Anita is seriously injured and left in a coma. Ryan is plunged into a world of guilt and recrimination, not only is he facing criminal charges, but he also has to face the fact that Anita may die as a result of his actions. Melanie is also hitting the depths of a personal crisis. She has decided to leave Hartley High to join Jay in the pursuit of happiness and meaning in life. Melanie's dad Tony not only tries to dissuade his daughter from joining Jay, but he is also determined to get Jay drummed out of his job for good! As Charlie grows closer to Aurora he is convinced that he has met his perfect match. However, all may not be as it seems, and Charlie is devastated when he sees Aurora in a passionate clinch with another man. Is this the end for Charlie and Aurora?

Episode 116

When Les decides to hold night classes at Hartley High, he has no idea just how disruptive they will be. First, he bans Ryan and his mates from playing basketball in the yard after school and then he gains Mai's wrath when he cancels the school newspaper because he needs the room. Ryan decides that the only way to oppose Les is by calling a school strike. Mai is not impressed, nor is she sure that Ryan is calling the strike for the right reasons or that it will even work? At the warehouse, things are characteristically fraught. Katerina has invited Drazic to stay over and Charlie is furious. He thinks Drazic is the slobbish embodiment of the flatmate from hell. Mai and Katerina think otherwise; as far as they are concerned, Drazic is charm itself. Anita is now almost fully recovered from the accident, and cannot wait to get home from hospital. But Hilary is reluctant to let her daughter re-assume her independence. This makes Anita all the more determined and there is a clash of wills.

Episode 117

Drazic and Charlie find themselves in a dangerous situation, when they disturb a burglar at the school. Drazic wrestles with a burglar and rips off his balaclava. When the boys' statements to the police vary radically, the detective decides one of them must be involved. Drazic can either continue to protect his friend or clear himself and Charlie. Melanie's father surprises her. She's off to Paris for six months as an exchange student. She leaves at the end of the week! Melanie is initially unsure, but everyone else's enthusiasm convinces her. Is this goodbye for Melanie? The Blood Bank is visiting Hartley High. Anita, having recently been in hospital, and Mai both think it's a great cause and set about rounding up volunteers. Ryan has had a life long phobia about needles but not wishing to have Mai think he's a wimp, is conned into donating. When his phobia catches up with him, Ryan is backed into a corner—either confess his fear to Mai or overcome it.

Episode 118

Charlie is worried when he notices that Anita is eating very little and vomiting after every meal. Reluctantly, he takes the problem to Hilary and the two decide to take action. Hilary admits Antia to hospital in order to shock her into eating properly again but will it work ... and will Anita be able to forgive Charlie for his interferance? Ryan is getting restless, he has been going out with Mai for ages now, but she seems reluctant to commit to the next obvious step in their relationship: she will not go to bed with him. Acting on Charlie's advice, Ryan decides to romance Mai. Sparing no expense, he hires a room in a classy hotel and puts on a special night for his beloved. Ryan is sure this will have the desired effect. Drazic is stunned when Katerina befriends the overweight class clown, Ox. In Drazic's opinion, Ox is the lowest of the low: fat and lousy at sport with a big mouth. But the more Ox takes from Drazic, the more Katerina likes him. Katerina discovers that Ox has a great sense of humour. For every jibe Drazic directs at Ox, Ox has a cleverer riposte right back. As Ox becomes aware of Katerina's growing warmth towards him, he tries to press the relationship further. Will he get what he wants, or will his heart be broken?

Episode 119

Les welcomes Omar, a new student originally from Lebanaon, but makes it clear that trouble makers are not tolerated at the school. Omar assures Les that he just wants to study in peace. However, Omar gets off to a rocky start when he argues angrily with Ronnie in class. Things get even worse in the yard, when friction builds between Omar, Drazic and Charlie. It looks like his time at Hartley will be marred by confrontations. Charlie is becoming very attracted to Anita, but he doesn't know how to tell her. A bad situation gets worse when Charlie is asked to 'buddy' Omar during his first few days at Hartley High. Things are fine until Charlie begins to suspect that Omar is making a play for Anita, and when Anita falls for Omar, Charlie can't contain his jealousy. As difficult as things are at school, they are worse at the Warehouse. Not only is Mai trying to come to terms with her break up with Ryan, but Katerina and Drazic are on a collision course. Drazic has bought an electric guitar, and insists on practising on full volume at the warehouse.

Episode 120

Drawn by the promise of easy money and glamorous lifestyle, Katerina buys into a pyramid scheme, selling health food products. At first, everything goes well for the budding entrepreneur, however, when it comes time to pay up, suddenly her customers realise they have no money. In desperation, Katerina seizes upon her last chance—she will sell the health food products through the Shark Pool. Will it work? What will Leo Fine think about the Shark Pool selling health foods? At the Scheppers' house, things are tense. Charlie is finding it more and more difficult to live with Anita. It's not that he doesn't like her, in fact, just the opposite is true. Charlie is falling in love with his house-mate but doesn't know how to tell her. He finally manages to blurt out his true feelings and things are looking rosy for the lovers, until they realise they will have to tell Hilary about their affair. How will Hilary feel about Charlie living in her house and going out with her daughter. When Les announces that the Science class will be disecting a live rat, Drazic is horrified. He cannot believe that any animal deserves to die in the name of 2 unit Biology. When he receives one of his regular detentions after school, Drazic decides to free the rat from the empty science classroom.

Episode 121

Anita is shocked to discover Hilary dating a man much younger than herself. She lets both Hilary and Tim know in no uncertain terms that she disapproves. Charlie unwittingly finds himself in the firing line when he reveals to Anita that he knew about the relationship much earlier but didn't tell her. Mai and Katerina are chosen to do work experience at a high profile gallery. Mai, with her sights set on a career in the industry, desperately tries to make a good impression but it is Katerina who endears herself to renowned art world figure, Michael McCarthy. Sick of seeing Ryan and Drazic at each other's throats, Les sets them a task designed to get them to co-operate with each other.

Episode 122

It looks as if Drazic will be plucked from obscurity when he is spotted by a talent scout from an international blade skating team. But the path to fame and fortune is fraught with difficulties for Drazic. First, he has to prove he is good enough to be a member of the team - no easy task when he is up against some of the best bladers in the country. And even if Drazic does pass the test, will he be able to submit to the discipline and conformity required to be part of a team? Melanie has a surprise in store for everyone when she unexpectedly returns from France and has to move in with the Scheppers. Ryan is convinced that Melanie has come back to Australia because she is still infatuated and wants to start a relationship with him. As usual, Ryan has got it wrong. When Mai and the others want a common room for the senior students, trouble cannot be far away. At first, Les opposes the idea of such a potentially dangerous and ill- disciplined hang-out for the year 12 Hartley students, but eventually he backs down. Les will let the kids have their room, provided they clean it up, paint it and furnish it themselves. Also, and most importantly, the students are to be responsible for any misbehaviour in the room.

Episode 123

Melanie discovers and takes a liking to a homeless woman which causes problems with her father, and Drazic finds out that being part of the international roller blading team is not as great as he thought it would be. Melanie's parent's wedding anniversary prompts her to reminisce about her mother who died three years ago. Her feelings of loss are exacerbated when she is unable to communicate them to her father. When she discovers Grace, a homeless woman living in the school grounds, Melanie is drawn to her - subconsciously there is a hope that Grace will fill the void left by her mother. Drazic discovers being part of the roller blading promotions team is not all it's cracked up to be, however, quitting the team will cost him. Katerina and Charlie learn a hard lesson when their squabbles over a television set force Mai to take action.

Episode 124

The council issues Charlie with an ultimatum—either he moves his car from the Scheppers footpath or they will tow it away. Charlie's problem is that the car doesn't work and he can't afford to fix it. Salvation comes from an unlikely source when Drazic offers to fix the car free of charge. Of course, Drazic has an ulterior motive—fixing the car gives him the perfect excuse to spend time close to Anita - will this be is way back into her heart? When Ronnie gets violently mugged on her way to school, she decides it's high time the girls of Hartley High were offered self defence training. The girls are excited about the idea ... until they meet their instructor. At Hartley High, Les and Ryan find themselves unlikely allies in the struggle to have a pedestrian crossing put out the front of the school. After trying the legal method to no avail, Les decides to take the law into his own hands. Ryan joins the one man protest and soon student and Principal are languishing in the lock-up of Hartley Police Station. How will they get out of this mess?

Episode 125

When Michelle Williams, an old friend of Hilary's gives Ryan a part time job at the marina he cannot believe his luck—the job consists of sunshine, great views and big tips. However, Ryan is brought back down to size when he realises he is being targeted as Michelle's toyboy. Will Ryan be able to fend Michelle off or will he have to leave the perfect job? Ronnie organises a sleep over at the school for the participants of the 40 Hour Famine. Charlie is enthusiastic until he realises Drazic will be there—he senses that Drazic is trying to get Anita back.

Episode 126

Anita and Drazic are back together but Hilary is adamant the relationship can't happen! When Anita threatens to leave home Hilary decides to confront Drazic, reminding him that their relationship violates his probation. Will Hilary's actions drive a wedge between her and Anita or is a compromise to be found? In the aftermath of the break up Charlie announces that he is moving out of the Scheppers. He seems to be emotionally stable, but Melanie becomes suspicious of his state of mind when he turns up to school tired and unkempt and generally acting strangely. Mai, estranged from her family, is stunned when her father, who lives in Hong Kong, turns up unannounced. Katerina convinces her that family is important and Mai agrees to meet with him. Will she be disappointed once again?

Episode 127

Anita has had it with Drazic. She has long known that he can be a boorish yobbo, but when he insults a blind guest teacher, she has finally had enough. Anita makes it clear that she will have nothing more to with Drazic until he learns to be more sympathetic and empathetic with the people he so happily persecutes in everyday life. Drazic is in quandary—how can he show Anita that he is suddenly a more sensitive and caring guy? The answer is in a pair of blacked-out sunglasses. Drazic decides to "blind" for a day. He thinks it will be easy, but he is in for a shock. Over at the Black household, Melanie and Charlie are about to become more than just good friends and flatmates. After a night on the town celebrating their success in a science test, Hartley High's two biggest nerds find nirvana in one another's arms. In the course of a photographic assignment for art class, Katerina happens to get some candid snaps of Ryan in his swimming costume. At first it looks like she has scored the photographic coup of the century; not only do Katerina's photos go down well in art class, they also sell like hot cakes among the girls of Hartley High.

Episode 128

Les gives an old mate and former colleague a break and appoints him as a specialist maths tutor for some of the HSC class. Tom's never had a student fail, but some of his methods are outdated. He picks on Katerina, trying to urge her to do her best but it has the opposite effect. She's demoralised, contemplates leaving. Ryan eventually realises what's happening and tries to intervene. Tom hits him—that's what they used to do in the old days. Strolling down the beach promenade, Mai is entranced by a good looking roller-blader nicknamed the Wizard who appears to spread a green philosophy via a series of stickers. Desperate to get to know him she's forced to enlist Drazic's help in order to learn to blade. Her initial attempts are dismal, even dangerous. Charlie and Anita broke up some time ago but it becomes increasingly clear that Charlie hasn't completely dealt with it yet. The issue is brought to a head through a series of video role playing exercises between them conducted by Ronnie as preparation for career interviews. They finally work through the residual fallout and part as friends.

Episode 129

Drazic and Anita have decided to take the big step—move in together. They soon find the flat of their dreams, but are faced by one problem—they have no money. To pay for the flat, Drazic takes on extra after hours work with Leo Fine. At first, all seems to be well, the work is easy and the pay is very good, but it soon becomes obvious that Leo is involving Drazic in some very shady deals. Draz is faced with a dilemma—should he get out of the job or continue to enjoy the fruits of crime? Les Bailey is a man with a mission. Every year for the past ten years he has played an annual golf grudge match against his fellow Principal and archenemy, Cliff Tucker. And every year, Les has lost badly. But Les is determined that this year will be different. However, before he can think about winning, Les has to hire a caddy; or, more accurately, he has to 'persuade' Charlie to haul his golf bag around after him. Can Charlie give Les the winning edge? Katerina is puzzled. She is the best looking girl at Hartley High and Ryan Scheppers is the best looking guy, so why haven't they ended up going out together? Katerina decides to solve the problem straight away; she will "get" Scheppers.

Episode 130

Les is appalled at the school's state of disrepair and demands that the Department takes action. He is shocked however, when instead of renovating, they decide to close Hartley High. Les finds himself without a school and without a job. But most distressing for him is the lack of any regret from his students. Ryan and Drazic play a practical joke on Les by staging an accident. Les panics and calls an ambulance, but is furious to find that he has been tricked. He threatens to punish them but they laugh in his face—what can he do… he isn't their Principal anymore. However, Les does have the last laugh. Mai talks the reluctant Anita into delivering gorillagrams—guaranteed easy money. However they are dismayed to find themselves delivering a gorillagram to a bunch of senior boys from their new school, Hartley Heights. The pair realise the potential dangers in a seemingly innocent job when the boys want more for their money. Katerina still loves Charlie but has no idea if he feels the same. Can she swallow her pride and tell him before she leaves Hartley for ever?