With the class dealing with a major loss life seems to be difficult for a new student and a new teacher

The boys basketball team is struggling without a coach so they all turn to Vic who has some reservations about stepping up

After an unpleasant altercation with the police Matt strongly urges the class to a documentary on police and how they work

Both Vic and Matt face ghosts from their past leaving an uncertainty about their future at Hartley

Matt sets up his uncle on a blind date and makes plans to move out. Danielle contemplates dropping out of school when she is asked to audition as a reporter. Yola questions Joe's commitment to their relationship when he starts spending time with an old girlfriend and her son. Con and Rose get closer as they work on a science project together.

As Southgate and Danielle's mother get close Rivers feels a bit lonely with his birthday approaching and no one seems to remember

Southgate's relationship causes big problems within the Miller household While Deloraine tries to lure Matt back home

Yola has some excellent news for Joe Yet Lucy finds herself in a bad situation involving her mothers fiancée

Jack and Rose rekindle their love and make plans for their future while Yola worries about motherhood Joe runs into trouble at work

Jodie and her sister Karen feud over Matt while Jack and Rose go through some bumps toward their big day

Rivers receives a surprise visitor as well as the Bordino's in the form of Jodie's sister Karen

Southgate encourages the students to join the surf club which is met with some resistance by some of them

Southgate has taken up a new job running his own school which leaves Rivers less than happy and Yola with a big decision to make

The class as well as Deloraine are in shock with the return of Sam Robinson but Rivers might be the last to know

Another face from the past Katerina is back in Australia and moves straight toward Rivers

Steve receives a revelation while visiting his biological mother And Katerina has declared war on Sam

Andrew Bell the new Hartley science teacher arrives and aims to push the students to their academic limits some even past that

Shakespeare is in the air as Rivers gets the chance to direct the classic Romeo and Juliet but with a Rivers twist

The school play causes tensions all around while worry and concern over Roberto's health consume the Bordino's household

A simple science project leads an unenthusiastic Matt from simple school work to corporate cover up

Rivers faces making a difficult decision when he learns that his father is back in town. Steve and Danielle get back together while working on his photography exhibit. As Matt and Jodie are breaking up, Con and Katerina begin a relationship.

Jodie's infatuation with singer/songerwriter Tim Beckett is shaken when the self-confessed alcoholic starts drinking again. Katerina convinces Deloraine to let her sell healthier food to the students but her upstart effort is challenged by competition from Con's hot dog stand. Andrew confronts Sam about her past affair with Peter and confesses his own jealousy. Allie feels like she's being shut out by her friends because of her involvement with Matt.

Tim gets Jodie a record deal but Con is left on the outside looking in when the company assigns her a new manager. Katerina pushes herself in preparation for her audition for a national dance company. Steve gets an opportunity to work at a local newspaper but his first assignment goes badly forcing his editor to use his damning pictures of Tim as part of a story on the fallen singer. As his friends fill out their university forms, Matt contemplates what he wants to do with his life. Rivers tries using Katerina to make Sam jealous.

A state-wide teachers strike, Con's parents leaving to attend a wedding, and Katerina's reluctance to be alone with Con all combine to provide the perfect opportunity for a pool party at the Bordino's. Rivers' attempt to liven up the party with a game of Truth or Dare results in hurt feelings, animosity, and conflicts among all those who participate. The gang hurries to clean up before Con's parents make their early return but only so much can be done to cover up the fact that your furniture has been in the pool!

Radio Hartley takes to the airwaves but when Con and Matt broadcast their signal over that of a commercial station to promote Jodie's struggling first single, Deloraine quickly pulls the plug on the fledgling operation. Katerina has difficulty telling Con how she feels about him. Andrew surprises Sam by first purchasing a motorcycle for himself and then proposing to her. Interest in Jodie's song increases as a result of the airplay and plans are made for her to go on a promotional tour. Allie is given the go ahead to move into the warehouse.

A decline in enrolment applications threatens to permanently close the doors of Hartley High unless the additional students can be found. Deloraine suffers has a mild heart attack and is admitted to hospital. Meanwhile, Sam turns down Andrew's proposal and soon finds herself back with Peter and the two run away together. The kids launch a campaign to save school and just when it appears they have failed, Jodie returns and delivers a passionate speech that pushes the campaign over the top.