Scottsdale High School eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Families

This term has flown by and there has certainly been a lot happening at Scottsdale High. Our Year 7 students are currently on Camp and we look forward to sharing information with you about this in our next newsletter.

SLB Induction Assembly

It was very affirming to induct our Year 7-10 student leaders into their roles on Monday 17 March at our first Whole School Assembly for the year. Last Friday our Student Leadership Board attended the GRIPP workshop in Launceston and they all did such an admirable job representing Scottsdale High School! It was so wonderful to hear the enthusiasm, joy, commitment and motivation in their voices when they returned Friday afternoon.

Many thanks to our guest speaker at the Assembly, Ms Lauren Carter for sharing her words of inspiration and wisdom with our students. Beau and Lily did a great job hosting the Assembly and Beau, our 2025 SLB President, gave an impressive address. We are also very grateful to the family members who were able to attend the Assembly and morning tea and celebrate this occasion with us.

MJ, our SLB Secretary and Liam, our SLB Treasurer, are profiled this week further on in the newsletter where they share information about themselves and their motivations for taking on a leadership role in 2025.

Congratulations to the following student leaders for 2025:

Student Leadership Board:

Beau President

Lily Vice President

MJ Secretary

Liam Treasurer

Molly School Committee

Rhylan School Committee

Savannah Community Committee

Jake Community Committee

House Captains

Eli and Jackson Stronach House Captains

Emahlia and Aaron Ellesmere House Captains

Alfie and Ava Minstone House Captains

Year 9 Student Leaders

Tayla, James, Samuel , Beau and Linc

Year 8 Student Leaders

Lotti, Madden, Ned and Tom

Year 7s

Jaizie, Catherine, Meredith and Mac

Reading priority:

Last year we made some significant progress with students’ literacy skills.

Our reading data measured through our Progressive Achievement tests (PAT) indicated notable improvement for students particularly in Years 8 to 10. Our PAT growth for met or above increased from 72.7% in 2023 to 79.8% in 2024. Our PAT achievement data for met or above, trended up from 62.4% in 2023 to 70.9% in 2024. When we compare this data to similar schools, we are performing above the comparable percentages.

A very important part of our lifting literacy work involves community and Family Engagement. The importance of partnerships between educators, families and the community to support literacy development. cannot be emphasized enough.

Our school’s implementation of the structured approach to literacy is making pleasing progress. Consistent reading fluency teaching strategies are being implemented across our Year 7 -10 English classes and across the school, we have been explicitly teaching comprehension strategies to enable our students to access the learning demands of the subjects they are studying. Please ask your child about the fluency strategies they are engaging in at the start of their English lessons.

Emina McLean is an academic and reading expert and she has been working closely with our Department and several of Scottsdale High School leaders over the year. The Examiner recently posted this editorial, which concisely explains the reading revolution underway in all Tasmanian public schools:

1059078978_20260220.pdf

NAPLAN testing is well underway and we are pleased with the positive approach the majority of students have demonstrated towards the testing.

SALT (Supporting and Linking tradeswomen) workshop

We really want to see our students thriving and trying out new skills along with considering the range of pathways open to them In February we were fortunate to host the SALT workshop for approximately 20 students. Students worked in a small group with a tradesperson to create a timber project. The workshop had a strong safety focus with students learning about and using a range of tools and equipment including drop saws, jigsaws and nail punches. It was terrific to see the finished products and see the girls taking great pride in what they had achieved during the day. Well done to all who participated and represented our school in such a positive way.

School Association

Reminder that the next meeting will be on Tuesday 25 March at 6.15pm in the school Library. There will be a short AGM then general meeting. New members are welcome to join. Meetings run for approximately an hour. This is a great opportunity for parents/carers to be kept informed of our improvement journey. The nomination form is attached below.

Breakfast Club

It has been fabulous to see so many students accessing Breakfast Club each morning. We are very grateful to Variety the Children’s Charity Tasmania who sponsor our breakfast and our staff who volunteer to assist. Additional help is welcomed and if parents are able to volunteer to assist with Breakfast Club, please let our Office Staff know. Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast is so important and it enhances students’ wellbeing and learning.

An Australian study has revealed the clear link between eating breakfast and academic success. Students who skip breakfast some or all of the time achieve poorer NAPLAN results than children who always eat breakfast, researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia found after comparing the student-reported breakfast habits of 28,651 school children. You can read the article here:

1064300540_20260307.pdf

International Women’s Day – Breakfast

Many thanks to Fiona Auton from The House Paddock who spoke at this year’s International Women’s Day breakfast on Friday 7 March in K1 Café. Th theme for this year is ‘March Forward; For ALL Women and Girls” which calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation – youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls – as catalysts for lasting change.

Fiona shared the various roles she has had and urged our girls to look for the opportunities that arise especially when we are faced with challenges or difficult times. She also advised our students to be financially independent in the future as with financial security comes freedom and independence. Thank you to Tania Rattray MLC, Mandy McKay, Maria Branch and Jodie Lade who joined us for breakfast. We are very grateful to Rosie Dawson for catering for the breakfast. Our MCs, Savannah and Lily did a great job hosting the event.

Upgrade to Sports Courts

The 2024-25 State Budget includes $10 million over four years to undertake school playground and sports court upgrades, for the shared benefit of schools and their local communities.

Scottsdale High has been successful in its submission for funding to upgrade our sports courts. We will share more information with you as we learn when the work will commence on the upgrade.

Reporting and Communicating Learning Progress with Parent/Carers

Term 1 7-12 Progress Report

Teachers have started to undertake the first reporting phase of the year. Students will receive an Application to Learning report including an assessment for student effort, attitude, behaviour and organisation in each subject. This will be sent home on Friday 4 April along with Evidences of Learning for English and Maths for students in Years 7-10.

Evidences of Learning

Sharing evidence of student learning and progress is an important part of the DECYP’s Communicating with Families policy Teachers will be sharing student work samples and evidence of progress in learning with you throughout the year. Evidence of learning will include examples of student work and/or assessment and may take the form of completed tasks, quizzes or tests, projects, photographs or even recordings. Evidence of learning will be shared with you in a variety of ways, including at parent teacher interviews and face to face conversations; through online platforms or sent home with students or in the post.

A Block Toilets now open!

As part of DECYP’s Safer Student Bathrooms Program, Scottsdale High School A Block Toilets upgraded is completed and toilets are now open for student use. The toilets look fantastic! We have shared the following expectations and information with our students and ask that parents/carers reinforce this with their child so that our toilets are respected and kept in excellent condition for many years to come.

9/10 students are to use the A Block toilets ONLY.
Year 7/8 students can use A Block toilets, before school and at break times.
During class time, Year 7/8 students are to use D Block toilets.
D Block toilets will be closed at break times.

Students must have a note to access the toilets during class time. Year 9/10s can also use B Block toilet during class time.

Please be respectful and safe. This means:

No eating or drinking in the toilets
No bags to be taken into the toilets
Respect the facilities – be clean and tidy, no damage or graffiti
No smoking or vaping is permitted on government sites - this includes the toilets
One person per cubicle

We need to keep the A Block toilets in pristine, excellent condition. As a school we are very fortunate to have received this upgrade and we need to respect and look after this space.

Please be considerate and think about our EFAs who need to clean the toilets so that they are pleasant facilities for you to use each day.

Elizabeth Williams

Principal

SLB LEADERSHIP PROFILES

This newsletter we are delighted to share MJ and Liam’s profile and thoughts on leadership:

Mary Julienne (MJ)

Hello, my name is Mary Julienne, and I am extremely honoured and excited to serve as the SLB Secretary for 2025. I’m looking forward to what this year holds, not just for myself and the SLB but also for our entire school community. The enthusiasm and commitment I’ve already witnessed in our SLB members give me great confidence that together, we will have an outstanding impact within the school and beyond. I am eager to be part of such a dedicated and passionate team, and I can’t wait to see how we all contribute to making this year unforgettable.

A little bit about myself: I grew up in the Philippines and moved to Scottsdale High in Year 7. Coming from a different country, I was initially a little nervous about fitting in, but I quickly realised how welcoming and supportive this school community is. I am incredibly grateful to be part of such a wonderful school where not only are the academic opportunities outstanding, but there are also amazing teachers and friends who are always ready to lend a helping hand. The kindness and encouragement I’ve received here have truly shaped my high school journey, and I am excited to give back to the school and the people who have made such a positive impact on me. In and out of the classroom, I strive to always be kind, approachable, and respectful to everyone I meet. I believe that showing compassion and understanding is just as important as academic success, and I try to carry these values into everything I do. Whether it’s helping a peer with their studies, volunteering at events, or simply being there for a friend, I try to always lead with empathy. I’m passionate about creating a positive environment wherever I go, and as Secretary, I aim to continue fostering that kind and inclusive spirit within our school.

Integrity is one of the values I find most important. I believe in doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult, and holding myself accountable for my actions. I always try to set a good example for others and maintain a strong responsibility in both my personal life and academic pursuits. I know that hard work and dedication lead to growth, and I am always striving to improve myself and overcome any challenges that come my way. Outside of school, I have been actively involved in the army cadets' program here in Scottsdale for nearly four years. Through cadets, I’ve gained valuable leadership skills, learned survival techniques, and developed a deep sense of discipline. But more than that, I’ve made lasting friendships and experienced the firsthand power of teamwork and support. The lessons I’ve learned in cadets have not only shaped me into a stronger leader but have also reinforced my belief in the importance of helping others and contributing to something larger than myself.

Alongside my commitment to cadets, I am constantly setting personal and academic goals for myself. I have always been someone who seeks continuous growth, whether it’s improving my knowledge in my subjects, becoming a more effective communicator, or learning new skills outside of school. This year, I’m focused on pushing myself to achieve both short-term and long-term goals, and I believe my role as Secretary will allow me to grow in many ways. I am committed to using my position to help others reach their potential as well, providing support wherever I can.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be Secretary of the SLB, and I look forward to working with everyone to contribute to the success of our school. Whether I’m in school or out in the community, I always try to make a positive impact and support those around me. This year, I am committed to not only fulfilling my role to the best of my abilities but also to learning and growing with my fellow SLB members and the wider school community. Together, I know we will create a year full of success, kindness, and achievement.

Thank you for the opportunity to be able to perform the duties of SLB Secretary. Let’s make 2025 a memorable year.

Liam

My name is Liam, and I am the Treasurer of the SLB for 2025. I have always felt that I should strive for a leadership role in the leadership board where I can use my skills effectively and now I am finally in a position to do so. I have enjoyed my time at Scottsdale High School and being given the ability to push forward new ideas for the school fills me with pride and excites me for the year ahead. All through my years at school I have been good with maths work so I saw that being the Treasurer was the perfect fit for me. I do my best to provide whatever I can for those around me. I hope that I can give my fellow students more of what they want from their time at school with my new position.

I strive to become a positive role model for others to look up to constantly. I hope that I can encourage others to do the same and become the best version of themselves. I find that it’s best to approach everything new with a positive attitude which is what I and the rest of the SLB are doing this year. I am looking forward to this year and I hope you all have a great 2025.

Year 7/8 students participated in Clean Up Australia Day during Team Time on Friday 28^th February. This was a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community by collecting rubbish in designated areas throughout Scottsdale. Well done to students on their effort!