Dear families 

Term 2 is well underway and it is great to see many of our students engaging positively in their learning and striving to make strong progress.  We want our students to be learning more every day and we appreciate our families’ support in encouraging students to engage in their learning, apply themselves fully throughout the day and to extend and challenge their thinking. Growth and aspiration are values we uphold and we know education is the key to opportunity in our society. Over this year we are doing work with our students on having a growth mindset and we look forward to sharing more with families about this.

When children have a growth mindset, they can accept and embrace challenges, take feedback, practice and put in more effort when they fail and are open to taking risks and trying new things. Their efforts can influence how their talents and abilities develop.

Key Strategies to Cultivate a Growth Mindset:

1. Embrace Challenges: See them as opportunities to learn and grow.
2. Persist in the Face of Setbacks: Understand that failure is a part of the learning process.
3. Effort is Key: Recognize that effort leads to mastery and improvement.
4. Learn from Criticism: Use feedback as a tool for growth.
5. Celebrate Others' Success: Be inspired by others' achievements and learn from their journeys.

Two good questions to ask your students at the end of the school day that can help to foster a growth mindset are:

1. What made you think hard today or what was something that was challenging?
2. What progress have you made so far?

The Power of "Yet": One of the most powerful tools in developing a growth mindset is the concept of "yet." Instead of saying "I can't do this," say "I can't do this yet." This simple shift in language reinforces the belief that students’ abilities can be developed over time.

We can certainly see many of our students exercising their growth mindset.  It is always so exciting and rewarding to see our young people take on challenges and move out of their comfort zone to build skills, confidence and knowledge.  In the last three weeks we have seen several examples of this:

• Year 10s have Survival Camp and whilst 10Bs Camp had to be postponed due to the inclement weather that presented safety concerns, a number of students in 10A have embraced the challenge this week and had a fabulous time testing themselves and developing deeper bonds with their classmates and teachers. Many thanks to Mr Le Fevre for his outstanding organisation and running of these camps and to Miss Walker, Miss Tuffin, Mr Tyson and Miss Heidi Nailer  who accompanied and supported the students.  10B camp has been rescheduled to Term 3 and further details will be sent closer to the date to families.
• Five students volunteered to assist the Red Dirt team with Mothers’ Day breakfast at Scottsdale Primary School on Thursday 8 May. Maya, Aliqui, Emmy, Shayla and Ethan were excellent assistants who demonstrated great warmth and kindness as they helped prepare and serve breakfast.  They showed that they are terrific student role models who embody the values of respect and responsibility.

• On Saturday 10 May, Rhylan and MJ (Year 10) competed in the Rostum Public Speaking Competition at Scotch Oakburn College. They had to prepare and present a 8 minute speech and also give an impromptu speech for 3 minutes.  MJ spoke about coping with change drawing on her experience moving from the Philippines to Australia and Rhylan spoke about doing things differently using Dylan Alcott as inspiration. Both students put a great deal of thought and effort into their prepared speeches which they delivered with a high degree of confidence.    Well done to Rhylan who won the Encouragement Award in the Senior Competition!  The courage and growth demonstrated by MJ and Rhylan was inspiring to see. Many thanks to Miss Walker for her encouragement and support of Rhylan and MJ.  We have included Rhylan and MJ’s prepared speeches for you to read further on in the newsletter .

• A number of our Year 9/10 students have been assisting with the primary schools’ Cross Country Carnivals this week! Well done to the following students for the leadership they have shown:

Scottsdale Primary School Helpers:

Ella

Molly

Sarsha

Larni

Emahlia

Zoe 

Bridport Primary School Helpers:

Peta

Jade

Sam

Alfie

Ringarooma Primary School Helpers: 

Oaklea

Millie

Eliza M

Aaron

As you would appreciate, the support, effort and guidance from staff and families really does enable our students to shine and strive to be the best versions of themselves. 

Agfest

Many thanks to Mrs Rattray and a number of volunteers including former student Jordan, for making it possible for our cattle handlers to compete at Agfest. Molly, Taylor and Alabama proformed exceptionally well and brought home a number of ribbons and awards.

Uniform reminder

It's remarkable how over a couple of weeks the weather can change from warm school days through to the cooler mornings we are having now.  I have been impressed to see many students making an excellent effort to be in school uniform. However, as the weather gets colder, it is important that students are wearing the correct uniform and enter the school grounds doing so – our new half zip tops are warmer than the school hoodies and we highly recommend students wearing these.  Thank you to the many families supporting our uniform policy endorsed by our School Association. Non- school hoodies are not to be worn to school and students will be asked to lend a uniform item for the day if not in the correct uniform.  Students must also be in the correct footwear; Crocs and Ugg boots are not to be worn at school.  If families need assistance with uniforms, please contact the school.

Scottsdale High School Cross Country Wednesday 21 May (Rain day Friday 23 May)

A reminder that next Wednesday we are holding our Cross Country Carnival at the Bridport Village Green.  Buses will leave school at 11.10am and we will return by 3pm.  Students need to wear school uniform and/or house colours. Please ensure your child is prepared for all weather conditions. Students will need to bring water to drink and are encouraged to bring a hat. There will be a free sausage sizzle for students available on the day but there will be no access to the shops.  Bridport students wanting to be dismissed from the Village Green after the carnival at approximately 2.30pm will need to have written permission from parents as indicated on the permission form that have been sent  to families.  Students who qualify for the Interhigh Cross Country Carnival on Tuesday 27 May at Kings Meadows will bring a letter home with them following our Carnival.  We look forward to a good day of competition.

Students signing out of school:

If your child needs to sign out of school to attend an appointment, they require a signed note written and dated by the parent/carer.  This note needs to be given to the Administration staff in the office before school or during Home Group and signed off by an Assistant Principal.

Alternatively, the parent/carer can come to the school office to collect and sign their child out of school.

Students should have a valid reason for signing out of school such as needing to attend a medical or dentist appointment.  We have a very good canteen and K1 Café so students should not be signing out to go to the local shops during break times.

Students will not be permitted to ask the Office Administration staff to call home for permission to sign out unless a student is unwell and parent/carer needs to be notified.

Out of Bounds/Off Site

Students have been reminded of the need to stay in bounds during recess and lunch times. This is for safety and duty of care reasons.  Students are not to be at the front of the school or up the side of D Block/ Kitchen.  If your child is seen out of bounds, you will receive notification of this through an email.

Elizabeth Williams

Principal

Student Leadership Profiles – Jake and Savannah Community Committee leaders

This newsletter we are pleased to introduce Jake and Savannah:

Jake

Hello, my name is Jake and I’m one of the Community Committee leaders alongside Savannah and lead the  team of grade 7s, 8s, and 9s who are on this Committee. Being on the community committee involves creating community involvement within the school and I hope to do so in a positive way.  So far we have organised the Easter raffle and activities. Next thing we are planning is The Big Freeze.

Something you may not know about me is that I live on a dairy farm outside of Ringarooma and enjoy the tractor work. I like being outdoors and keeping busy all the time. Alongside that my hobbies are motorbikes and freshwater fishing. 

Inside and outside of school I have been known to be very resilient, resourceful and able to solve problems when no one else can.  In the future I would like to go to university after completing Year 11 and 12 and study an agriculture degree.  I hope to work in the agriculture sector after university in the northeast.  I would also like to travel with New Zealand being a destination I am interested in visiting.

 I wish you all a great 2025. 

Savannah

My name is Savannah, although my teachers and peers call me Sav. A lot of the time you will find me enjoying time with my friends and family or playing my sports. I’m very passionate when it comes to my sports. I’ve been boxing for a year and currently box four times a week and have been competitively dancing for around ten years with Dance Pointe Academy. Although my lifestyle may seem busy with school, work and sports I love keeping busy and having stuff to do.

I’m a person who strives to do my best, have fun and make our school a safe and respectful community for everyone. I’m so grateful to be able to take on the role as one of our community Committee members and make a positive and fun impact on our school for the upcoming grades as well as the wider community. I always try to set a good example as a Year 10 leader for the younger students and in the wider community. I am hoping to set our school up for success in the future and leave some fun and positive ideas behind that make an impact.

Some things you probably don’t know about me is that I have a one-year-old Boxer.  His name is Morgan and I also have a Maincoon cat called Dexter who only has one ear, and doesn’t have a nose. I love going to the gym and going to cardio classes as well as going to concerts. I always try to have a growth mindset, have positive relationships and love pushing myself to meet my goals. I hope I can bring these positive attributes into my role as community committee and make everyone feel welcomed.

Many thanks to our Year 10 student leaders who represented Scottsdale High School at the ANZAC Day Services in Dorset. Well done to Beau who gave an excellent student address at the Scottsdale morning service. Our students who are in the Army Cadets demonstrated great respect and reverence as they performed their duties. We are so proud of you all and honouring the legacy of all those who have served in the defence forces.

Lest we forget.

A wonderful week at Agfest for our Cattle Handlers Show Team. It was great to hear so many positive comments about our students and cattle.

Congratulations to all.

Thank you to Mrs Rattray for all her organisation an to our volunteers  who assisted with the team. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Results:

Beef Junior Handlers

1st - Beef Team of Three

1st - 13-14 handlers - Indi

2nd - 13-14 handlers - Alabama

1st - 15-16 handlers - Tayla

1st - 17 and Over handlers - Molly

Champion Beef Handler - Indi

(Representing Agfest at Stanley State finals)

Reserve Champion Beef Handler - Molly

Angus Breed Classes

1st - Stronach View Ultimo

2nd - Three mile Spring Ulanni

3rd - Three Mile Spring Umina

Champion Interbreed Heifer

Stronach View Ultimo

Beef Cattle Junior Judging

Over 15

Champion - Molly

Reserve Champion - Tayla

Under 15

Champion - Indi

Reserve Champ - Alabama

Agfest champion Cup Runner Up

Scottsdale

On Friday, 9th May 2025, Scottsdale High School hosted ‘Do it for Dolly Day.’ The day is centred around raising awareness and changing the culture of bullying amongst young people. The SLB hosted several activities throughout the school including a Dress in Blue competition, a door decorating event, and a trivia competition based around youth mental health.

A week prior to the day our homegroup classes started getting creative and decorated their doors with cutouts, drawings, prints, etc and helping the school turn blue in line with the Foundation’s colours. The day was a success. We commenced the day by handing out blue ribbons and collecting gold coin donations to be donated to Dolly’s Dream Foundation. At Recess 2, we had the Dress in Blue competition with Mayah B being named as best dressed. At lunch we hosted the information session and trivia with Brandon G, Ned D, Tyler W, Phil B, and Warrick C securing the win. As a school, we managed to raise over $215 to be donated and put to great use by the Foundation. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all for your support and donations.

The Big Freeze returns to Scottsdale High School this year on the 13^th June! Pre orders for merchandise can be made through the office or via SchoolStream. There are beanies, crew socks and football socks available. Pre orders close on the 20^th May 2025 so get in quick to support this great cause.  Homegroup representatives and their target donation amounts will be announced soon so stay tuned to see who will face an icy plunge. Here are some photos from our last event 2 years ago to give you a snippet of what the day will look like!

Doing Things Differently

by Rhyland B

“The biggest thing is that for every one thing you can’t do, there are 10,000 others you can.”

Good afternoon chairperson, fellow contestants and special guests, my name is Rhylan Walters, and I am from Scottsdale High School.

• Multiple Grand Slam titles in wheelchair tennis, including the Australian Open, Wimbledon, the U.S Open, and the French Open.
• Gold Medalist at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.

• A prominent advocate for people with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and accesibilty in sports and society.
• Received nurmerous awards for his contributions to sports and advocacy, including being named 2022 Australian of the year in 2022!

I could speak for 8 minutes alone on the achievements of this australian icon, hero and changemaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dylan Alcott.

I opened today with one of his most influential quotes. Why is it important? Because doing things differently is how Dylan changed societies perspectives, it is not abour what you cant do it is about finding different ways to do it.

Dylan was born on December 4, 1990. Within the first few weeks of entering this big scary world, Dylan had surgery to remove an aggressive tumour wrapped around his spinal cord. However, the procedure left him unable to walk and wheelchair-bound for life. Although some may see this as unfortunate, as I’m sure he and his family did at the time, it would later lead to him changing the nation.

The years following weren’t easy for Dylan and his family, having to adapt everything to this new situation and ensuring everything was suitable and supportive for Dylan to grow up safely and in environment that allowed him to live a life that was as close to ‘normal’ as possible.

Starting school is an overwhelming time for anyone, I’m sure you all could recall the strong emotions of starting school and how daunting those days were. During this time, Dylan started realising more and more how unique he was to most people. He always knew he was different, but school made this even more obvious.

As schooling progressed, bullying became more frequent, it drained him and held him back from accepting his difference. This led Dylan down a dark path of depression throughout much of his youth.

Alcott writes in his autobiography Able: “On the whole, I knew my life had value. And yet I couldn’t quite be comfortable with who I was.” Facing a challenging childhood, Dylan eventually overcame the mental health challenges he faced with support from friends, family, and his wider network of people.

These childhood experiences eventually went on to shape who he is as a person. It drove him to become one of the most inspirational people of his time but most of all it motivated him to create a world that was inclusive and able, a society where difference was perceived as appositive not a negative.  

Over the past 34 years of his life, the 2022 Australian of the year morphed Australia to becoming more open-minded, more supportive, and more aware of negative stigmas surrounding people with disabilities. One of his biggest impacts has been through his 2017 establishment of the ‘Dylon Alcott Foundation’.

Through this foundation, Dylan showed the Australian community, that even though you can’t do things a certain way, it doesn’t mean you should miss out or not experience the true beauty of life.

He taught the world to not only see things differently but do things differently. This man created an ‘able’ community, he gave people a voice and he showed Australia how we as a nation can support difference and use it to make the world a better place.

The Dylan Alcott Foundation is an organisation with the primary purpose of assisting young Australians to gain confidence, fulfil their potential, and achieve their dreams.

The foundation aims to enrich the youth of Australia living with a disability and help them become involved with sports and study through mentoring, grants and scholarships. This foundation helps assist people with disabilities to do things differently but still be able to experience what we consider as the ‘norm.’

Dylan's journey is a reminder that our paths may diverge from the expected, but it is within those deviations that we often find our true potential. The challenges he faced did not define him; instead, they provided him with the motivation to become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for countless individuals.

His story resonates deeply with many who may feel marginalised or overlooked, showing them that they too can rise above their circumstances and make a significant impact.

The ripple effects of his work extend well beyond the sports arena. By endorsing the rights, and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, Dylan has sparked conversations about accessibility and equity across various sectors of society.

His advocacy brings awareness to the importance of creating environments where everyone, regardless of their abilities, has the chance to shine. This dedication to advocacy is crucial, as it fosters a culture that not only accepts differences but celebrates them.

Importantly, Dylan's legacy is built on something more profound than mere accolades; it is grounded in community and connection. Through the Dylan Alcott Foundation, he fosters a collaborative spirit that empowers young Australians to support one another.

By providing mentorship and opportunities, he cultivates an environment where young people can share their experiences, learn from each other, and grow together.

Not only does Dylan inspire the disabled community of Australia, but he inspires me too. His story has shown me that setbacks are temporary, and with perseverance, there’s always a way. It may not be the ‘normal’ way, it may be different, but we embrace the change and try it out because it could only be great!

In a world that constantly evolves, it's essential to embrace change and innovation. By challenging the status quo and thinking outside the box, we discover new ways to solve problems and create opportunities. This mindset not only drives progress but also fosters resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty.

Like Dylan, we adapt, we learn, we grow, and we compromise. We go into every situation with an open mind. That’s how we do things differently!

Coping with change

by Mary M

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, chairperson, fellow contestants, and special guests. My name is Mary Julienne Mangulabnan, and I am a Year 10 student from Scottsdale High School.

Today, I stand before you all to speak about something that truly transformed my life: coping with change. Change is and will never be easy. It tests us, pushes us beyond our comfort zones, and forces us to grow.  In 2022, at the age of 12, I faced the biggest change I could imagine. At the time, I was naïve to what was ahead.

Fast forward, I now realise, this experience was one of the greatest changes I, along with my family have experienced.

This was moving from the Philippines to Australia a choice that changed everything I thought I knew about not only the world but also about myself.

Before my arrival here, in Australia, my understanding of this country was limited to what I had seen on the internet: the beaches, the kangaroos, the Sydney Opera House.

I honestly thought I would step off the plane and be greeted by a bunch of Aussies in flannelette shirts, wearing Akubra hats and holding a pet koala. It was a struggle to even imagine what everyday life would be like, how people lived, or what challenges I would experience.

What I did know was that I was about to leave behind everything familiar to me: the streets I grew up on, the culture I loved, school and most importantly, my family.

Life in the Philippines was vibrant, full of laughter, tradition, and close bonding with family and friends. Having to leave all of that behind filled me with a series of mixed emotions like excitement for the new opportunities, fear of the unknown, and a deep, aching homesickness for the people and places that I had grown to love since I was a kid. This life was all I knew!

What I found the most challenging part of all was leaving my family—the people who had always been my greatest source of strength. Even to this day, there are moments when the distance feels a lot stronger.

However, I have also learned that the love and lessons of family are things you carry with you, no matter how far you are. When I first arrived here in Australia, everything was different—the streets, the food, and of course, a different language.

It was overwhelming. I felt lost, like a puzzle piece that couldn’t figure out how to fit in. Starting school here only made those feelings stronger. Walking into a completely new environment, surrounded by people that weren’t familiar to me, in a system I didn’t understand, was terrifying. But slowly, things began to change.

The teachers welcomed me with patience and encouragement. My new classmates showed kindness, making me feel like I had a place here.

The wider community showcased warmth and acceptance, helping me realise that belonging isn’t about where you are, it’s about who you connect with. Through all of this, my family here remained my heroes reminding me to stay strong, to stay proud of where I came from, and to embrace the journey ahead.

One of the turning points for me was joining the Australian Army Cadets. A program that teaches you a variety of valuable skills and gives you the opportunity to make new friends from around Tasmania and the wider Australian community. Through Cadets, and specifically through the wide variety of leadership courses I’ve been fortunate enough to experience.

These achievements have allowed me to learn new skills, I also discovered a new side of myself. I will be honest; the courses were not easy. They demanded discipline, courage, and leadership under pressure. They taught me how to work as part of a team, how to communicate with clarity and respect, and most importantly, how to stay calm and lead even when everything around me felt uncertain.

However, beyond the uniforms, beyond the camps and ranks, what I still find means the most to me was the sense of belonging I discovered and felt. I found what I now consider a second family in Cadets.

At my cadet barracks in Scottsdale, I met people who supported me like family, who stood beside me in the toughest drills and the most rewarding achievements. They encouraged me, challenged me out of my comfort zone, and ensured that I felt like I belonged there.

Through camps and leadership opportunities, I also built friendships with fellow cadets from places all over Tasmania. Despite communication being tough at times due to being in different areas of the state, we connected through our shared goals and experiences.

Whether it was conducting a training in the rain, planning a camp for younger cadets, staying up late after a long day, or laughing through struggles that we share, these people became part of my extended family.

Their presence has taught and reminded me that you can find comfort and connection in places you least expect to and that sometimes, family isn’t just who you’re born to it’s also who you grow with. For me family is not just about blood, it’s more about the people I’ve learned to love because of how we care for each other.

It’s the way they show up, support me, and make me feel safe wherever we are. That is the kind of love and consistency that I feel makes someone family in my eyes.

One quote we often hear in Cadets is: “Make the most of the opportunities that come your way.” That lesson stuck with me. No matter how hard things were, I learned to take every new experience, every challenge, every success, every setback and turn it into something that made me stronger.

Cadets taught me that leadership isn’t about standing above others; it’s about standing with them, guiding them through the good times and the hard ones as well.

One individual who has been constantly reminding me of the importance of growth and pushing boundaries is my drama teacher Miss Walker. She is definitely someone who I’ve looked up too since meeting her in year 7.

She once stated something that has stayed with me ever since: “There’s always room for improvement.” At the time, it sounded simple, but over the past three years, those words became something deeper for me.

Miss Walker always believed in me even during the times that I doubted myself. With her encouragement, her challenges, and her ability to see potential within me when I couldn’t do so myself was what pushed me out of my comfort zone.

If it wasn’t for her guidance, patience, and endless support, I wouldn’t be standing here today, sharing this story before you all. She’s someone whose hard work often goes behind the scenes and is usually unnoticed, however for me, her impact has been immeasurable and outstanding.

Whether it was through her quiet words of encouragement, the way she challenged me in production, or her ability to lift my mood up when things got overwhelming.

Miss Walker has constantly reminded me that improvement is not about being the best at school, it’s all about becoming a better version of yourself every passing day. I am and will be eternally grateful for her presence within my journey.

Looking back now, I realise that change, while difficult, has been the greatest gift in my life. It forced me to grow, to be brave, to adapt, and to find strength I didn’t even know I had. It showed me that you can love where you come from, miss it deeply, and still open your heart to a new home.

Today, I am proud of my roots. I am proud to call Australia my home. And I am proud of the journey - every messy, challenging, beautiful step of it that has made me who I am today. Home is not just a place on a map. Home is the people you love, the lessons you carry, and the person you become along the way.

As I stand here today, I realise that every challenge I’ve faced, every change I’ve encountered, has shaped me into who I am. But I also know that I am not finished growing. The journey of change is ongoing, and with each new opportunity, I hope to continue learning, improving, and inspiring others just as I’ve been inspired. So, to anyone going through change right now, have you ever had to leave everything you know behind? Not knowing if you will ever sincerely feel at home again.

Remember that it’s okay to feel unsure, it’s okay to struggle, but don’t ever prevent yourself from embracing the journey ahead. You never know just how strong and capable you are until you step into the unknown

It’s a great honour to be able to share my journey with you. As you leave today, I hope that you carry this with you:

change might make you feel like losing your way, however sometimes it’s just the beginning of finding a new one. May you always have the courage and patience to step into the unknown.

Last week students participated in an informative session with the Australian Defence Force Careers Team and learnt about the wide range of available career pathways in the Forces. Thank you to the ADF Team on visiting Scottsdale High.