australian television information archive

Episode 131

Tensions run high when the Hartley High kids start at their new school, Hartley Heights. None seems to suffer more than Anita and after having a cruel prank played on her, the new principal Di Barnett appoints Anita to the Student Representative Council. But even the council won't accept her. How will Anita cope going from one of the most popular kids in school to being a social outcast? When the Hartley Heights annual Blade Run (a roller blading race around the main quad) is announced, Di Barnett comes down like a ton of bricks. She tells all the students that the race is not to be held under any circumstances. Drazic reads this as a challenge and is instantly determined that the race will happen. Ryan wastes little time in zeroing in on the best looking girl at the Heights, Nikki. However, the path of true love is never a smooth one—the Heights jock, Kurt, also finds Nikki attractive.

Episode 132

Kurt doesn't seem to have too many problems—he is popular, good looking and good at sport. But he has a secret—Kurt is mortally embarrassed by his alcoholic father, Barry. When Di Barnett approaches Kurt's football star dad to coach the school touch football team, Kurt is angry that she didn't consult him first. Les is horrified when Di Barnett suggests Anita as "the face of science" for a Department of Education promotion to encourage girls to take up science. Les feels Di is exploiting Anita and Di sees no problem. Anita is stuck in the middle. In the wake of Leo Fine's imprisonment, Melanie's dad, Tony Black becomes the caretaker manager of the Shark Pool. To Mai and Drazic's delight, Tony seems content be a hands-off manager, but Melanie has other ideas. She thinks the Shark Pool needs to be managed properly for a change, and sets out to protect her father's investment.

Episode 133

The newest addition to the teaching staff at Hartley Heights High School, Gerard Albers, is an eccentric and flamboyant bohemian from Spain, who is as at home on the touch football field as he is in the classroom. Albers makes himself unpopular in his very first class when it looks like he will be favouring students from a non-English speaking background. When he becomes aware of the resentment in the yard, Albers decides to teach the kids a lesson about prejudice. Hilary has finally graduated from her postgraduate Psychology degree. However, the moment is bittersweet when she is faced with a life-altering decision: should she go interstate to pursue further study seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or, should she stay with her children? Ryan encourages Nikki to enter a talent quest at a local pub. Everything goes well and Nikki wins her heat, but the evening is marred when Ryan is arrested by the police for being under-aged in a licensed premises. Ryan is unable to attend the finals the next evening so Kurt steps in to support Nikki. Has Ryan lost his chance?

Episode 134

When Les confiscates a Playboy magazine in class, he has no idea what the consequences will be. Drazic takes revenge by sticking a centrefold on one of Les' Biology teaching aids. However, Drazic's prank gets out of hand when Les is made the subject of a sexual harassment complaint and is subsequently temporarily suspended. Mai and Drazic are served with an eviction notice. Mai finds a new warehouse but they have a week with no home. There is one solution—move in to the Scheppers house. When Drazic and Anita enjoy playing house, they decide to make it permanent. They have two small obstacles—Mai is furious that she is left without a flatmate and Ryan is equally unhappy at the prospect of having Drazic live with them. Much to Ryan's annoyance, Nikki invites Kurt to a party to celebrate her success in the pub talent quest. However, she is made to regret the invitation when Kurt endangers her career by embarrassing her in front of a record company executive.

Episode 135

Jeff arrives to look after Ryan and Anita and goes out of his way to be the dutiful father. Anita doesn't appreciate it when he starts laying down the law to her, especially when Ryan appears to be able to do whatever he wants. New kid, Andrew, arrives. Although he is suffering from Muscular Dystrophy and is wheel-chair bound, he is determined to be treated like a normal teenager. Albers asks Melanie to buddy Andrew—to make him feel welcome, but Andrew resents the buddy idea. Drazic and Mai are struggling with the higher rent at their new warehouse and can't afford to buy much food—they almost resort to eating leftovers at the Shark Pool. Things get really desperate so Mai decides to do a "stock take" but she and Draz are a little over-zealous with their health and safety standards, taking a huge haul of food home.

Episode 136

Melanie and Andrew seem happy together but as opposition to their relationship mounts, Melanie starts having second thoughts. She is amazed by Andrew's fierce reaction when she suggests they cool off until after the HSC until Mr. Albers explains that Andrew doesn't have a lot of time to waste... he is dying. When Barry doesn't turn up for football practice, Kurt and Ryan disagree over coaching methods and Ryan storms off. On his way home he finds Barry slumped in the driver's seat of his car—dead drunk! Ryan helps sober him up and the two bond over common interests. Kurt is appalled when he arrives home and finds Ryan—his family secret has been exposed! Mai, so often the activist, feels humiliated when Di chastises her for wasting paper. In an act of revenge, she and Nikki decide to test the theory that you can learn a lot about someone from what they throw away and use Di as a subject for the science project.

Episode 137

Albers decides to teach a history class with a twist when he asks the class to put Arthur Phillip on trial. Was Arthur Phillip a good man or did he knowingly attempt to carry out genocide on the Aboriginal people? A fight breaks out when Kurt, as Governor Arthur Phillip, takes offence. Mai and Drazic need a flatmate to help pay the rent. Drazic lets his friend D'espo move in but when he arrives in the middle of the night he does not endear himself to Mai. D'espo attempts to drive a wedge between Mai and Drazic and it appears to be working until he resorts to racial slurs to denigrate Mia. Jeff disappears to pick up Sharon, his girlfriend, from the train station. He returns with Sharon and their three month old baby, James—Anita and Ryan's new half brother. Anita is furious that Jeff has neglected to tell them about their brother and offended twice over when Jeff also forgets to mention that he and Sharon are christening James at the end of the week!

Episode 138

Anita and Ryan are not coping well with the 4am wake up calls from baby James. Jeff feels bad—he came here to help the kids through the HSC but he seems to be making things harder for them. He has a decision to make—either stay and jeopardise the kids HSC or take Sharon and the baby back to Newcastle ... what will he decide? Kurt, worried by Barry's drinking habits, drives him to work everyday so he doesn't drive drunk and is furious when he inadvertently discovers Barry lost his job several weeks ago. In an effort to placate Kurt, Barry promises to change his ways but Kurt is disappointed once again when Barry arrives to Parent/Teacher night intoxicated. Mai, desperate for a story for the school paper, gets an idea when she hears Nikki complaining about being short of cash after busking all morning. The paper is released with an article about struggling students. Nikki furiously confronts Mai about invading her privacy. Mai is adamant—kids should not be ashamed of their financial situation.

Episode 139

Anita and Ryan are enjoying life without parental support until Kath Livingstone, the new housekeeper, arrives with her daughter Sarah. Kath makes it clear that she is not impressed—Ryan and Anita need to clean up their act.
Di Barnett is anxious when a Hartley High student is stabbed in a fight at a bus stop. She decides to consult a security firm and introduces bag searches at the school gates. The kids are incensed at this invasion of their privacy and appeal to Ms Barnett to change her mind but she is immovable. It is not until Draz takes matters into his own hands and ends up in serious trouble that Di is forced to rethink. Kurt tells Nikki about his interest in marine biology but when she finds out Kurt is too frightened to apply for a job at the aquarium she loses all respect for him.

Episode 140

Nikki is furious when Kurt continuously puts his love for the environment ahead of her. However, he reveals the cause of his fanaticism: a seal has been brought to the Aquarium on the brink of death because it swallowed a plastic bag, and Nikki and Kurt decide they will have to find a compromise between their private lives and their love for the environment. In the meantime, Ryan tries to impress Nikki with his record company contacts but, when they let him down, he is left to pay. Anita takes Sarah under her wing, including her in all dates with Drazic. Draz, annoyed by their constant threesomes, sabotages Sarah's promise to Kath to be home early and Sarah is grounded for a month. Draz is not in Anita's good books. Mai is being stalked by a new boy at school but all is not what it seems and Mai gets caught up in a potentially dangerous situation.

Episode 141

When Sarah helps Anita and Drazic discover the Internet, she inadvertently gets them both into trouble. Anita is wooed by a man calling himself DJ Byron but when she agrees to meet him she puts herself in a dangerous situation. Drazic has a run in with customs when he tries to order CD's to sell to his school mates. Both learn a tough lesson! While Nikki is filming Mai performing as a human sculpture in the local mall they film a pickpocket working the audience. They take the tape to class and the class debates what action to take. Embarrassed when Barry turns up to footy practice drunk, Kurt sacks his dad as coach and takes over himself. Not everyone is pleased—Ryan quits the team. However it seems that there may be more behind Ryan's departure—Kurt and Nikki are now an item and Ryan refuses to believe that he's lost Nikki just yet.

Episode 142

Ryan, still smarting over Kurt and Nikki's blossoming relationship, is staying away from the football team. However, Barry manages to persuade him to rejoin for an inter-school competition. However, prompted by Kurts constant teasing, Ryan high tackles him and Kurt ends up in hospital with spinal injuries. Will Kurt walk again? Will Ryan ever be forgiven or forgive himself? Mai organises a helpline for students to be run at night from the Shed but Drazic is annoyed by the intrusion. He is scournful of the idea until he is confronted with a suicide caller himself. Anita and Sarah sign Kath up with 'Mate for Life' dating service in the hopes that she might become a happier person with a man in her life. When a strange man turns up on their doorstep, Anita and Sarah realise they may be in for an awkward situation.

Episode 143

Ryan finds he is being ostracised at school. Feeling sorry for himself, he wags school and meets Mario, a shady character, who offers him a way out of his depression... and so, Ryan begins his trip into the drug culture.
Kurt is on the mend but Barry's fussing and pampering is getting on his nerves. In an effort to redirect Barry's attention, Kurt and Nikki talk the local club into making a tribute cabinet with Barry's trophies. At the club, Barry runs into an old friend who offers him a job as a barman. Will Barry be able to keep his alcoholism under control enough to take the job he needs so desperately? When the kids begin to study Jim McNeil's play, How Does Your Garden Grow, Kath is furious—she thinks it is obscene. Kath convinces Di to drop the play from the school syllabus and Sarah feels the wrath of the other kids. Can she find a way to appease everyone?

Episode 144

Now well and truly entrenched in the world of drugs, Ryan is at the point where his speed is costing him more than he can afford. Desperate for more drugs, Ryan begins to steal, first from Anita and then from the school. Anita discovers Ryan with stolen goods—now she is left with the task of making him see sense. When Albers sets a project focusing on personal histories, Sarah sets on a trail to find out about her father. However, she may not be pleased with what she finds out. Kurt's return to school brings back memories of his accident, and he is concerned that nobody knew how to cope. He convinces Di to run a voluntary basic first aid course, but Kurt has trouble convincing the other boys to participate. It is not until he reveals his secret weapon that the boys finally come around.

Episode 145

When Ryan is late for class again and hasn't done his major assignment Barnett hauls him over the coals. Ryan refuses to be helped by her or anyone and walks out before he can be suspended from school. When he complains that he is lacking in funds, Mario offers him a way out—he can deal drugs. Can Ryan possibly stoop so low or will he realise where his life is heading? Kurt and Mai convince Nikki to enter a radio competition singing on Jumpin Jack Jet's amateur hour. Later, Nikki is contacted by an A&R person for an up and coming record company—they want to sign her up. Mai finds out that Nikki is being conned but Nikki, blinded by the stars in her eyes, refuses to believe her. Can Mai convince Nikki before she is hurt? Against Kath's wishes, Sarah agrees to stand in for Mai at the Shark Pool. Draz has a field day—giving her all the menial tasks. In a quiet moment, Draz leaves Sarah to cope on her own. However, the Shark Pool is never quiet for very long and it soon appears that Sarah is in above her head. This could be the straw that breaks the camels back!

Episode 146

Sarah enlists Anita's help to find her father but Kath makes it very clear that they'll receive no assistance from her. After pursuing a series of false clues Sarah finally uncovers his identity and is thrown into the middle of a scandal. Mai is robbed while working at the Shark Pool. She feels even more traumatised when she realises that the robber has taken her house keys. Drazic is unusually protective and sits up all night keeping watch. However, when Mai can't sleep, he suggests she get into bed with him and one thing leads to another ... Drazic is instantly and sincerely regrettable—how can he explain to Anita? Ryan, still coming down from his flirtation with drugs, returns to school to find himself ostracised—it soon appears that his educational return will be short lived. Albers discovers that because the school tennis court is disused and in need of repair, the education department is considering selling the land off. He conceives a plan to both rehabilitate Ryan and restore the court in one hit!

Episode 147

While busking, Nikki meets Luda, a recording artist who wants to record one of her songs. Nikki, overjoyed, joins Luda in her studio to produce the song, but refuses to take any part in the contractual details of their partnership. When the CD is finished, Nikki ends up with no credit and it appears there is nothing she can do now! This is a hard lesson for her to learn. Sarah, devastated at finding out about her father, lets loose her rebellious streak and finds herself suspended for slapping headmaster, Di. When Kath threatens her with abuse charges, Sarah decides to take matters into her own hands and marches down to the police station to give herself up throwing Kath into an embarrassing situation. Mai continues to pursue Drazic who is busy finding various excuses to keep them apart. Kurt is inveigled into helping Drazic set up an aquarium ... which turns into an overnight stay ... which turns into a few more days. Mai gets the message and confronts Drazic—ending with a promise to control her feelings but this could be easier said than done!

Episode 148

Since Mai and Drazic had a close nocturnal encounter, things in the Shed have been somewhat tense. Kurt's crashing there temporarily and feels that maybe he's the problem. Anita assures him he isn't and when he suggests a dinner party to get things back on track Anita agrees to help him. The party isn't a jovial affair and Anita gets an inkling of what's up. Her suspicions are confirmed by Mai who, struggling with her conscience, comes clean. Anita is more upset that Drazic didn't tell her about Mai that she is about what happened. She dumps Drazic and he's devastated. Ryan, who's turned over a new leaf, volunteers to help Kath down at the local retirement home. There he strikes up a friendship with Harold, a feisty retired musician. They bond over their mutual love for music. It comes to Ryan's attention that Harold should get to keep 15% of his pension. When Harold tells Ryan he can't afford his visits any longer Ryan smells a rat. Kath is sceptical when Ryan tells her that the manager, Mrs MacDonald, is ripping off the residents, this is eventually confirmed and Mrs MacDonald is sent packing. Sarah's returns to school on probation after slapping Barnett. Di makes her help out in the office so that she can keep an eye on her but Sarah resents it and plans her revenge. She plants a virus in Di computer causing a disk collapse. It looks like a speech that Di has to give to an area teachers meeting is lost. Sarah makes herself look good by saving the day only to be found out eventually by Barnett.

Episode 149

When JJ, a prisoner on day release, begins working at the school he runs into some prejudice from all the kids. All, that is, except Sarah who, upon talking to JJ, she realises that they have a lot in common and quickly begins to fall in love. Kath is extremely unimpressed with the changes in Sarah and her continual pushing and prodding cause Sarah to run away from home. How will Sarah explain to her mother and her friends that she is in love with a man of whom none of them approve? When Albers introduces practical parenting as a class unit, Kurt and Nikki are roped into taking on the role of parents to a simulated baby. However, they do not become a blissful family unit, and after a couple of nights with no sleep because of a crying baby, Kurt decides to do something about it! Ryan, in desperate need of new basketball shoes, proposes he and Draz make some more money playing two on two together at the local basketball courts. Draz is reluctant until he realises it may be his way back into Anita's life.

Episode 150

Despite her mothers objections and threats, Sarah continues her relationship with JJ. Kath decides her relationship with her daughter is the most important thing and finally, reluctantly, agrees to live with the situation for the time being. However, it appears Kath won't have to live with it for too long, when Sarah catches JJ with another girl. Could this be the blow that sends both mother and daughter back to the country? Kurt takes Nikki to an expensive restaurant for her birthday dinner and is horrified when she orders the lobster. However, Nikki changes her mind when the waiter asks her to come and choose which one she'd like boiled. The next day they pool their money to buy the lobster, planning to keep it in the aquarium until the tide is right to liberate it. Unfortunately for the crustacean, it is Drazic's night to cook and he has decided on pasta marinara! The girls feel they have no space for themselves, wherever they turn they are being barged, bashed or tripped over by boys playing games. A play they are studying gives them the idea to segregate themselves from the male dominated playground. Led by Anita, the girls petition Di for a Girls Only Room and get it but this only serves to divide the sexes further. It is not until Anita realises that her actions have been motivated by her feelings for Drazic that the situation is resolved.

Episode 151

Kurt meets an old friend who is now running a fitness organisation dedicated to cleaning up the environment—but some of his ideas seem a little extreme. Meanwhile, Ryan persuades Nikki to make a music video to market her songs.

Episode 152

Kurt discovers Skye and her friends camping in the park. Things heat up when Lachlan and Anita find that the youth club hall has been vandalised. They recognise Skye's graffiti style and go in search of an explanation.

Episode 153

Lee Delaine is the new kid on the block and, to make matters worse, his dad is the new teacher at Hartley Heights, making the struggle to fit in with Draz and co even trickier than usual.

Episode 154

Sarah is back and has rented a flat, but the landlord keeping trying to chat her up as well as beating his wife. Lee tries to ingratiate himself with Anita and Nikki, and Kurt and Dranzic fall for the same girl.

Episode 155

Draz tries to design a new type of skate and is told by Di to consider a career in industrial design. The class are given confidential IQ tests, but Lee sees the results at home and tells everyone that Draz finished bottom. Kurt becomes Anita's fitness trainer, but he has a rival.

Episode 156

Kurt and Paul are getting on well together until Kurt discovers Paul is gay. Sarah is in love with Ryan but won't tell him, so Lee decides to help things along.

Episode 157

An old friend of Nat Delane takes up a teaching post at Hartley, but soon runs into trouble with Lee. Ryan and Sarah's romance hits a snag when he wants to go dancing, and Hurt takes the rap for Nikki and Anita.

Episode 158

Draz gets jealous when Kurt and Anita start going out. Lee feels that his parents are constantly comparing him to his dead brother, and the pressure prompts him to run away. Di Barnett teaches the class about the stock market.

Episode 159

Nikki turns moral crusader when she learns that Tasha's mother is being exploited by a shrewd businessman. Sarah and Ryan go through radical image changes in an effort to please each other, while Anita gets stage fright about giving a speech.

Episode 160

The school has installed a card-swipe system for students, and, while Draz exploits the potential, Nikki thinks it smacks of Big Brother. Anita persuades Kurt to teach her to drive, but soon regrets it.

Episode 161

Kurt and Sarah find themselves coerced into playing a romantic scene together—but it is Anita and Ryan who get hot under the collar. Draz goes for work experience at the car yard and ends up on TV, Nikki makes a stand against animal cruelty, and Lee nearly gets shot.

Episode 162

Sarah wants to take her relationship with Ryan to a higher plain, but Nat is not amused. Kurt's jealous nature gets the better of him. And now Draz is a TV celebrity he is offered the services of a personal manager—D-Espo.

Episode 163

Draz is becoming increasingly jealous of Kurt and Anita's relationship. Nikki's new-found faith in astrology is a headache for Sarah. The boys learn how to become "real men" by going skirmishing.

Episode 164

The antagonism between Draz and Kurt reaches new heights. Anita volunteers to help out at a halfway house for the mentally disabled and discovers a secret about one of the residents.

Episode 165

Nikki begins acting strangely. Lee is concerned and tries to look after her, but it is obvious that she needs psychiatric help. Meanwhile, Kurt is becoming a control freak because of his jealousy over Draz.

Episode 166

Ryan and Sarah decide to take Harold out of the retirement home to live with them. But do they know what they are taking on?

Episode 167

Draz finds out that Di has a secret love when she gives him two weeks' detention, while Ryan has trouble realising that he has outstayed his welcome at the Delaine household.

Episode 168

Dennis doctors a urine sample to manufacture the symptoms of sugar diabetes. Ryan pawns a clock to buy a bed.

Episode 169

Ryan and Anita battle to save the local park but end up on opposite sides of the argument. Draz and Kurt spend some quality time together. Nikki cheats on an assignment and blames Lee.

Episode 170

Ryan and Draz become dicemen. Lee turns into a fashion victim.