After receiving a suspension for cheating on an exam, Evie's future at the academy is in doubt when she contemplates leaving school entirely. Without her scholarship, Evie gets a job with the local newspaper so she can continue her training. When the school thugs decide to beat up Snowy at the combined school Academy dance, Danny finally realises where his true loyalties lie. He and Snowy clean up, a team again.

Tom performs brilliantly when he stands in for an injured member of the elite Aussie swim team. The Academy kids are thrilled for him — until Tom starts to believe his own publicity and becomes a pain.

Evie's unable to hide the fact that she's been fired from the Advocate. But her failure as a journalist is more than compensated for by a brilliant win at the state swim meet.

Tats is devastated when Leila beats her in the state open-age competition — an event Tats has dominated for years. Tats is forced to face the fact that her career is over.

Sandy is sure she's pregnant and has to decide whether she wants to have the baby and give up her career or have an abortion. Tats is offered a job as Jenny's assistant. But does she really want to stay on at the Academy?

Tom takes the gold and Noodle the silver in the Nationals. Everyone's thrilled until Tom produces a positive drug test result. With her career as a gymnast over, Tats finds a new passion.