Principal Address

As we reach the halfway point of the school year, I find myself reflecting on what has been an incredibly busy, productive and rewarding term at Thomas Reddall High School. It has been a term filled with achievement, growth, connection and plenty of opportunities for our students to shine.

For our Year 12 students, the end of Term 2 marks a significant milestone. With only one term remaining before they commence their HSC examinations, this cohort is entering the final stage of their secondary schooling journey. I continue to be impressed by their maturity, commitment and support of one another, and I look forward to seeing all they achieve over the coming months.

This term also saw the completion of our school sporting carnival season, with both the Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals providing wonderful opportunities for students to connect, participate and represent their house with pride. While competition is certainly part of these events, what stands out most is the spirit in which students participate. Whether competing for a place at higher levels, cheering on friends, volunteering or simply having fun, these days are about belonging, teamwork and school spirit.

A special congratulations must go to Mrs Adamson for her outstanding organisation of both carnivals. These events require an enormous amount of planning and coordination, and we are grateful for her dedication and commitment.

It is also pleasing to see our representation and results at Zone and Regional level continuing to improve. I would particularly like to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of students competing in the Multi-Class category. Congratulations to Taitum and Aisha, who represented Thomas Reddall High School with determination, resilience and pride. We are incredibly proud of your achievements and the example you set for others.

Many families will be aware that Mrs Bullock has been on leave throughout this term and will continue her leave into Term 3. During this time, we have been fortunate to have a number of talented and dedicated staff members step into leadership roles to ensure continuity and support across the school. I would like to sincerely thank Mr Humphry, Mrs Skeggs, Mrs Jones and Mr Lugg, who have all relieved in the Deputy Principal role throughout the term. I would also like to acknowledge Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Walsh and Mrs McCarthy, who have each stepped into relieving Head Teacher positions. Their willingness to support the school community demonstrates the strength and depth of leadership within our staff.

I am pleased to announce that Mr Lugg has been successful in the recent Expression of Interest process for the relieving Deputy Principal position and will commence in the role from the beginning of Term 3. Congratulations, Mr Lugg. I am equally pleased that Mrs McCarthy will continue in her role as Head Teacher PDHPE.

A significant focus for staff this term has been preparation for our upcoming External Validation. External Validation is a rigorous process conducted by the NSW Department of Education that provides schools with independent feedback on their self-assessment against the School Excellence Framework. The process requires schools to gather and analyse evidence demonstrating the impact of their work on student learning, wellbeing and school improvement. While it has been a substantial undertaking, it has also provided an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding work happening every day across our school. I have been incredibly impressed by the professionalism, collaboration and commitment shown by our staff throughout this process. As we prepare to enter a new school planning cycle, I am excited about the opportunities ahead and the strong foundation we have built together.

Another exciting development this term has been the completion of our school uniform tender process. Throughout Term 3, we will begin working closely with students, staff and families to design our new school uniform and undertake community consultation. The new uniform will be introduced from Day 1, Term 1, 2027. To support families during this transition, every student will receive two new school polo shirts at no cost. We look forward to sharing design concepts and gathering community feedback in the months ahead.

One of the highlights of every term continues to be the visit of our much-loved THERAPuppy. This term, we were also excited to introduce Gus the TheraPony to our students. The positive impact these programs have on student wellbeing, engagement and connection is remarkable. It is wonderful to see the smiles, conversations and calm moments that these visits create across the school.

We have also continued the implementation of our RIOT (Resilience in Our Teens) program. In a world where young people face increasing challenges, helping students develop resilience, confidence and healthy coping strategies has never been more important. Through RIOT, students are learning about managing anxiety, building positive relationships, embracing challenges and understanding that growth often comes through perseverance. Importantly, this work is supported by consistent whole-school practices and common language that help students develop the skills needed to navigate life’s ups and downs successfully.

This term’s formal assemblies have once again provided a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate student success. It is always a privilege to address our students and present awards acknowledging achievement, improvement, leadership, citizenship and effort. These occasions remind us that success takes many forms and that every student has something valuable to contribute to our school community.

I would also like to thank the many parents and carers who attended Parent Teacher Night this term. Your partnership in your child’s education is invaluable. The strong attendance on the evening demonstrated the shared commitment between home and school to supporting student learning, wellbeing and future success. Thank you for taking the time to engage with our staff and discuss your child’s progress.

As we head into the holiday break, I encourage all members of our school community to take some time to rest, recharge and enjoy time with family and friends. The second half of the year promises to be just as busy and exciting as the first.

On a personal note, I am looking forward to spending some time with my family exploring the beautiful islands of Samoa during the holidays.

Thank you to our students, staff, parents and carers for another wonderful term. Together, we continue to build a school community where students can truly Thrive, Represent, Excel and Deliver.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and relaxing holiday break.

Mrs Carla Scott

Principal