Scottsdale High School eNewsletter

We are getting close to the end of the year, and it has been rewarding to see so many of our students getting involved in school activities and giving their best effort. Details concerning end of year events such as our Pool Day on the last day of school and Year 10 celebrations will be sent home over the next couple of weeks.

We were delivered a curve ball on Wednesday 27th November when the school was without power from 9.30am onwards. Many thanks to parents/carers for your swift response to supporting your child and the school when we were faced with this challenge.

Year 12 Students – Best wishes to our graduating Year 12s.

Our Year 11/12 students have completed their final assessments and exams. Well done, to our Year 12 students who have applied themselves to their learning over the last two years and successfully achieved their TCE (Tasmanian Certificate for Education). We wish our Year 12 students all the very best as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. Whether students are heading straight into the workforce, starting an apprenticeship, or pursuing further studies, this is an exciting time filled with new opportunities. Remember, the road ahead may have its difficulties, but each experience will contribute to your growth. We believe in you and cannot wait to see all the amazing things you will accomplish.

Congratulations, Year 12! Here’s to your bright futures!

Athletics Carnival and Interhigh Success

Our carnival allowed us to enjoy two days of laughter and participation, and the weather was amazing! The values of connection and respect were very evident in our students’ behaviour on the day. It was heartwarming to see the support and encouragement the students gave one another. Well done, to our House Captains for fostering House spirit and promoting strong student participation on the day. Thank you to our students for their excellent participation in the 2024 Athletics Carnival and to Miss Juraimi and our HPE staff for their thorough organisation. Thanks to all staff who assisted on the day.

Well done to students who were selected in the 2024 Interhigh Athletics team and who performed exceptionally well winning the Division 2 Shield! Year 7/8 students won the junior shield with Year 9/10 students placing third and Scottsdale High winning overall. All students represented the school with pride and gave their best efforts! As a result, Scottsdale High will complete in Division 1 Interhigh Athletics Carnival in 2025.

Boys Netball Championships

Our Year 9/10 boys are to be congratulated for their participation in the State Netball Championships held in Launceston on 13 November. There were some remarkably close games against tough opposition! Thank you to Miss Walker for coaching the team and to Mrs Howlett for accompanying and transporting the team. Miss Walker and Mrs Howlett both expressed how impressive our boys were in terms of outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork, encouragement and gratitude shown throughout the day.

Northern High Schools Basketball Competition

Students who competed in the Northern High Schools Basketball Competition on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November are to be commended on the excellent sportsmanship, teamwork and camaraderie they demonstrated. We are very grateful to the families who supported their child to be involved especially given the spread of games and venues over the weekend. A warm thank you to our coaches Miss Walker, Miss Juraimi, Mrs Taylor and Mr Wood for giving of their time and for their encouragement and guidance.

Year 6 Orientation Day

We enjoyed welcoming the Year 6 students for Orientation Day on Monday 11th November. The students had a positive and informative day getting to know several teachers, experience some different classes including Foods and becoming more familiar with our school facilities and day’s structure.

Remembrance Day

We are immensely proud of our student leaders who attended Remembrance Day on 11th November at Anzac Park. Our students laid a wreath in memory of all those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Tori gave an exceptional student address about Corporal Cameron Baird, a distinguished soldier in the Australian Army, known for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice during the War in Afghanistan. Baird was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, the highest military honour in the country, for his actions on June 22nd 2013, during a mission in Uruzgan province. Thank you to Miss Rainbow for accompanying our student leaders.

RAISE Mentoring Program

I was very proud to present certificates to Year 8 students who have recently completed the RAISE Mentoring Program. Scottsdale High School is one of two schools in the North chosen to be part of this program which is extended to four schools in 2024. Many thanks to Will, Judy and Dawn who have been supportive, wise and kind mentors for the students. RAISE is looking for more mentors who can give one to two hours of their week, to mentor a Year 8 student.

If you are interested, or know someone who may like to be involved, more information is available at:

Home - Raise experts in youth mentoring across Australia

Student Leadership Camp on the East Coast

Thank you to Mr Le Fevre, Miss Juraimi and Miss Stingel for running a successful leadership camp for our 2025 school leaders on the East Coast on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th November. Part of the camp was a surfing lesson ran by 42 South Surf School where students were required to step out of their comfort zone to try a new skill and practise their values of perseverance, determination and supporting one another. It was great to see the photos of students with big smiles on their faces reflecting the joy and sense of achievement experienced by catching a wave.

A Block Toilet Renovation

Our A Block toilet renovation is well underway with the demolishment of the old toilets and the framework going up for the new eight cubicles. We are watching the renovations with great interest and cannot wait to see the finished renovations.

Arrival at school in the morning – students not to gather at the Recreation Ground

Just a reminder about our school policy regarding student arrivals. Some students have been gathering at the Recreation Ground before school. While we understand the desire to socialize, this practice can lead to misunderstandings and may bring the school into disrepute.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all students, we require students to come directly to school upon arrival. This will help maintain a positive environment and uphold the reputation of our school community.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in this matter.

Upcoming Celebration Assemblies

School assemblies play a crucial role in fostering Scottsdale High School’s positive school culture, climate and community. In Term 4 celebration assemblies including our Year 9/10 Presentation Assembly and 7/8 Celebration Assembly. In school assemblies we recognise student achievements across the whole school, we provide opportunities for students to showcase their talents and recognise those who have displayed our school values of Connection, Courage, Growth, Respect and Responsibility in their ways of working.

Assemblies bring the entire school community together, creating a sense of unity and belonging among students and staff and they provide a platform to communicate and reinforce the school’s core values and learning expectations.

Elizabeth Williams

Principal

Please read below the speech that Tori H delivered on Rememberance Day at ANZAC Park in Scottsdale.

Thank you, Mr Eddie Furnell for inviting me to be the student speaker,
Good morning, everyone.

On this day we remember those Australian Soldiers who served in war and those who lost their lives fighting for our nation. The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance representing both the bloodshed in battle and the hope for a peaceful future.

Remembrance Day marks the end of the fighting on the Western Front in Belgium and France on the 11^th of November 1918 to conclude World War One. When visiting the Western Front in April with the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize I found myself overwhelmed with the emotions of sadness but also pride. The efforts from the Australian military from 1916 to 1918 have not been forgotten.

This year, I’ve been lucky enough to be successful in winning the Cameron Baird VC MG Scholarship.

While writing my essay on Corporal Cameron Baird’s story it is evident that his value of selflessness and morals of bravery, valour and duty clearly align with his actions.

Corporal Braid was awarded with Australia’s 100^th Victoria Cross due to his selfless manner when self-sacrificing for his team.

On the 22nd June 2013 while on a peace keeping mission in Afghanistan Corporal Baird heroically charged through the doorway of a building to draw enemy fire away from his team. This resulted in death for him. Other soldiers present at this event recalled how the enemy's shots were seen and heard striking the walls and ground around him, yet he stayed in a heroic and brave manner in order keep his team safe from harm. An unknown soldier explains how he believes that ‘had Cameron not taken that action that day I’m almost certain that we would have sustained further casualties that could have led to his own death.’

Ten days before his death, history now shows how Cameron Baird wrote a significant and very meaningful letter to a young Australian boy similar in age to myself. Part of this letter reads ’Sometimes my job is difficult, but I have good reasons to do it. Making the world a safer place for others is one reason’. These words of Cameron Baird show how he saw the world, how important he considered his role to be and why Corporal Baird was so passionate about what he did in the military. He believed in being your most authentic and true self. This is evident within his personal motto ‘Aspire to Inspire’. These words reflect how he was the most inspiring leader within 2nd Commando Regiment, where he was chosen to be a leader for representing armed forces values, he was selected because his actions reflected his toughness, leadership, initiative, and compassion.”.

Throughout Corporal Baird’s youth he was just as passionate about his morals and values as he was during his time in the military. Chris Dryer a lifelong friend explains that when he encouraged others ‘you could tell he was like sunshine on their backs, it gave them a bit of a lift.’ Corporal Baird was a natural leader from a young age. He captained his football team in primary school and before a shoulder injury was supposed to be drafted into the AFL. His actions at all points in his life show that he was compassionate, professional, and a resilient person who believed in inspiring those around him.

The ‘Victoria Cross, is the highest decoration for valour in the British armed forces.’ Corporal Baird was awarded with Australians 100th Victoria Cross on the 13^th of February 2014.

He was awarded ‘‘for the most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimately self-sacrifice at Ghawchak village, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, as a commando team commander in Special Operations Task Group on Operation Slipper.’

Corporal Baird was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross due to how heroic and courageous he was, as when was faced with making a conscious decision of protecting himself or protecting others, he chose to put others first. He acted with immense valour, bravery and was gallantry. His selfless actions earned him the Victoria Cross.

Corporal Baird’s manner in which he acted on the 22^nd of June 2013 in Afghanistan exemplifies his devotion to duty, worthiness of winning a Victoria Cross and his passion to keep others safe. His actions reflect the finest traditions of Australia’s military and peacekeeping history.

Today as we stand here for Remembrance Day marking the Armistice of 1918, it is with honour and pride we remember soldiers such as Corporal Baird and their stories which have shaped our nation and enabled us to enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Lest we Forget.

The Simpson Prize is a national competition for Year 9 and 10 students which focuses on the service of Australians in World War One and World War Two.

Well done Rhylan for the immense level of dedication and hard-work you have put into your submission for this prize. Results will be announced in February 2025.

Rhylan wrote an essay as a response to the question below.

WW1-

“Australia’s relationship with Great Britain explains why Australia and individual Australians went to war.”

Australia's unwavering allegiance to Great Britain, forged through shared history and identity, compelled the nation and its people to march into the fires of war, driven by a profound sense of duty and loyalty to the Empire.

Prime Minister Joseph Cook's speech on the eve of World War I encapsulates this deep connection, declaring that Australia's fate had become inextricably linked to the Empire's.

Cook's words resonated with many Australians, reinforcing the idea that when Britain was at war, Australia was too.

This sentiment of intertwined destinies highlights the strong allegiance and unity between the two nations. Additionally, John Maynard's reflections on Indigenous soldiers' motivations reveal the complex layers of identity and loyalty at play. While some Indigenous Australians might have fought for travel, adventure, or camaraderie, others had been motivated by a sense of belonging to the British Empire.

These sources collectively illustrate that Australia's historical ties to Great Britain significantly influenced not only the nation's stance on war but also the personal decisions of individual Australians to enlist and fight.

World War One was one of the first major wars in which it became apparent that Australia was committed and followed the path led by the motherland of Great Britain. Australia, as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, has historically shared a robust bond with Great Britain.

This relationship, rooted in the colonial past and reinforced through shared values and goals within the Commonwealth framework, significantly influenced Australia's decision to join World War I. The sense of duty and loyalty to the British Empire was a driving force behind the national commitment to the war effort and the personal motivations of many Australians who enlisted.

In Source 1C, Prime Minister Joseph Cook's speech stated, "whatever happens Australia is a part of the empire right to the full."

This extract from his speech provoked the feeling of Australia being owned by the Empire and needing to partake in all that the British do. Mr Cook added, "Remember when the Empire is at war so is Australia at War."

This implied that Australians are obligated to join forces and support the British in battle and reminds us that we must fight with them. The sense of commitment and need to fight in the Great War drove Australia and its citizens into enlisting to fight in The Great War.

The propaganda and powerplay of the Australian government and the British Empire are among the significant reasons why our nation participated in the First World War.

Public sentiment plays a crucial role in shaping societal attitudes, and propaganda has historically been a powerful tool in influencing this sentiment. By strategically disseminating information, often biased or misleading, propaganda aims to sway public opinion and manipulate perceptions.

This manipulation can be seen in various contexts, from political campaigns to wartime efforts, where controlling the narrative becomes essential for achieving specific objectives. Various factors, including environmental hardships and a sense of duty, profoundly influenced public sentiment during WW1.

In a letter from Robert Edmund Antill (Source 1 F), Robert describes how the drought conditions back home led him to enlist in the army: "Things are so bad out here for there is a drought on. We haven't had any rain for months so I thought I would join the army."

Antill's letter highlights how dire circumstances pushed individuals toward military service. Similarly, Lance Corporal F.C. Mulvey (Source 1 G) expressed a strong sense of duty and adventure in his decision to join the army. He wrote, "I sincerely trust that you will look at my move in the right light," hoping for his family's understanding. Mulvey believed that"being prompted by a sense of duty and spirit of adventure I can hardly do anything else but volunteer."

His words reflect the powerful influence of patriotism, and the compelling narrative of duty and sacrifice promoted during the war. These personal accounts from Antill and Mulvey illustrate how individual motivations were shaped by broader societal pressures and the prevailing propaganda of the time, resulting in many individual Australians fighting the war.

In 1917, as the British faced mounting losses in the Great War and desperately needed reinforcements, a significant shift occurred: the relaxation of 'racist regulations' opened the doors for Indigenous Australians to serve overseas, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for recognition and equality.

With a ballpark figure of around 1,000 Indigenous Australians serving in The Great War, the Indigenous wanted to take part in the war to gain respect and rights to be equal to the people of European descent. Although they did not gain proper and equal rights until more than 60 years later, taking part in the Great War helped them gain some respect from many at the time.

Fighting for Australia helped drive the Indigenous desire to prove to the 'Motherland' that they were human and capable and therefore deserved more equality of rights. Historian have argued that the Indigenous soldiers viewed their participation in the Great War as a way to challenge racist attitudes that marginalized them in society. In essence, their involvement in the war helped to highlight the complexities of identity, loyalty, and the fight for rights within the broader narrative of Australia's relationship with Britain.

Many Australians enlisted in the Great War driven by a sense of duty and the desire to gain respect from both their government and the Empire, but for a significant number of the 416,000+ personnel who served, personal decisions and economic factors were equally influential in theirenlistment. The opportunity for travel and exploration was a compelling draw, especially for those who had never ventured far from their hometowns.

The war presented a chance to see the world and experience life beyond the familiar confines of daily existence. Coupled with this was the promise of land grants and the potential for a stable income, which became particularly attractive during a time when economic stability was tenuous.

Enlisting in the military was seen as a viable pathway to securing a better future for themselves and family, especially during a time of hardship from the lingering effects of the 1890s depression.

After the war, many returning soldiers benefited from land grants to establish farms and businesses, thus transforming their economic prospects. Moreover, military service was often synonymous with promotions and enhanced job prospects in civilian life, making enlistment appealing for those looking to elevate their social and economic standing. The respect accorded to returning soldiers further amplified this allure, as they were then celebrated as heroes in their communities.

British-born Australian resident- John Simpson Kirkpatrick (Simpson) and his donkey was a celebrated hero in WW1. Simpson enlisted thinking it would be a way to return to England, his home country. Simpson was deployed with the 1st Australian division in Gallipoli and befriended a donkey named Duffy.

Simpson and Duffy showcase the true ANZAC spirit through bravery. Early battles lost by the Allies in WW1 left Australian’s at home wanted to know more or with a moral obligation to help.

Historians recall The Battle of Fromelles (July 19, 1916), as a devastating loss where over 5,500 Australians were injured or killed in the span of 24 hours. At the time, many battleswere planned and led by Great Britain.

The Battle of Fromelles was such a brutal event; possibly compelling Australians into enlisting in honour of those who fought. Britain's poorly planned battles likely motivated Australians to enlist, as a way to honour and demonstrate their loyalty. This combination of adventure, honour the fallen, economic opportunity, and the quest for social status contributed to the diverse motivations behind the numbers of Australians who responded to the call, ultimately shaping not only their lives but also the future of the nation.

The profound connection between Australia and Great Britain, deeply rooted in loyalty, duty, and a shared identity, was the pivotal force that shaped Australia's involvement in WW1 alongside Britain. Uncovering some of these facts and documents on WW1 vividly exposes the driving force behind the enlistment of so many Australian individuals and the nation as a whole.

Economic factors, such as the downturn leading up to the war, created a perfect storm that further boosted enlistments, as many sought stability and opportunity through military service. The allure of travel, adventure, and the promise of land grants also significantly motivated Australians to join the war effort. The sacrifices made by all Australians, whether driven by patriotism, economic necessity, or personal aspirations, will never be forgotten.

Their contributions and the complex reasons behind their enlistment are a testament to the multifaceted nature of Australia's wartime history. The enduring legacy of their bravery and sacrifices underscores Australia's deep-rooted relationship with Great Britain was the defining factor that compelled the nation and it individuals to take up arms in World War I.

In the blood-soaked trenches of WW1, the valour and sacrifices of Australian soldiers etched an indelible mark on our hearts. As we continue grieving for inconceivable loss, we shall remember their courage.

Lest we forget.

Year 8 students had a blast on their excursion to Launceston on Monday 11th November! Students selected either Beta Park Bouldering or Launceston Lanes 10 Pin Bowling, before meeting at the Riverbend Park for a sunny lunch. All students displayed great resilience, stepping outside their comfort zone. Well done!

Friday 15th November was National Ag Day.

Here at Scottsdale High School, we celebrate Ag Day everyday. Our Stronach View Campus hosts one of the most extensive Agricultural Education Programs in the State. Year 7-12 students can participate in Ag based studies on our thriving farm hub.