Tuffnutterz at Scots • Saturday 27 to Tuesday 30 September
Principal • Mark Hemphill
Junior School update
The new Junior School Building is progressing really well and on schedule. No doubt the fine weather over the past month has helped to maintain deadlines.
In the old Library building, the tiled roof has been repaired, the frames for the classrooms have been constructed and all the new window frames have been installed. In the new building, the frame of the building and the very impressive lantern have been completed. We have also had one half of the roof installed with the second half being completed in the next two weeks.
Most excitingly, we have chosen our new playground design which the students will absolutely love. I can’t wait to see the Junior School students’ reaction when they see it. We might have some trouble keeping the adults off it!
By the end of the term, we will have placed our furniture order and the audiovisual order also will be finalised. Each week we are astonished by the progress being made as we get closer to the completion date.
In preparation for the start of the 2026 school year, we are repurposing the existing boy’s toilet in the A block and renovating this area to be our new Wellbeing/Nurses Centre. This location is ideal, as it is located centrally to our Senior School and new Junior School. We also are relocating our Inclusive Education Team to rooms in the A block, which is, again, ideally located between the Junior and Senior Schools.
We also are working with our architects and a builder on the new modular boarding house design with the ambitious hope of being able to start the initial refurbishment in December this year. We also have the architects working on a window strategy. The windows in the clocktower will progressively replaced over the next few years.
As you can see, there are many plans in place to bring our Masterplan to life in the coming years. It is an exciting time to be at Scots.
Book Week
Last Friday, the whole school was a buzz of colour, as many of our students came to school dressed as their favourite book characters. Thank you to all the parents who displayed incredible creativity, preparing very imaginative costumes for their children. There is no doubt that days like this can increase stress at home, so we truly appreciate all the efforts you make. Thank you to all the staff who also made such a huge effort to dress up. The Junior School staff deserve a particular mention; they all dressed up as the different characters from ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
I’ve never seen such wonderful costumes before, and I loved the energy and excitement of the day.
160th anniversary
Next year is going to be a huge year for Scots. We will commence 2026 with the opening of the new Junior School and an official opening announcement will be communicated later in the year.
After the excitement of the opening of the new Junior School has subsided a little, we will be launching our new Strategic Plan. Over the past 12 months, the School Executive and the School Board have been working collaboratively to design a new Strategic Plan, which will provide the vision and direction of Scots over the next five years. The Strategic Plan is a blueprint of who we are, who we want to be and clearly identifies the Scots difference.
Preschool fundraiser
An enormous thank you to the Preschool parents who attended the recent Preschool social event at Din Dins on Saturday 16 August. A very special thank you to Monique Acton-Adams and Emily Staughton for organising the event and for their coordination of a very successful fundraising auction which raised over $8000 for Preschool resources.
Scots Legacy Series
I encourage all young men and their fathers to attend our inaugural legacy series breakfast on Friday 19 September. This event has been organised to balance our International Women’s Day Breakfast. We are fortunate this year to have Will Setterfield, a Scots alumni and Essendon football player, to be our guest. I will have the pleasure of conducting a Question and Answer session with Will and we look forward to you joining us for this event.
Year 12 final weeks
Our Year 12 students are entering their last month as Scots students. We will have the pleasure of celebrating the completion of their formal schooling with a number of very special events in the coming weeks. I wish all the Year 12s the very best and hope they enjoy their last few weeks at Scots.
Snowsports
It has been an incredibly busy term for our Snowsports students, who have achieved remarkable results. We had a strong team of about 70 students compete at the Regional Championships at Falls Creek in the last week of July. There is no doubt we were the leading school at the Championships with many students dominating each of the events, achieving many podium placements.
As a school, we were awarded:
Overall Champion School Overall Co-Ed Champion School Overall Male Champion School Alpine Champion School
We also held a very successful social event at Falls Creek for our friends of Snowsports which was well attended and enjoyed by all.
After this event we had 25 students qualify for the NSW Snowsports Championships in Perisher from Monday 18 to Friday 22 August. Ethan White (Year 12) placed first in Snowboard Slopestyle and James Sheldrick (Year 12) was third. Together the boys won this event, making Scots the No.1 school team in NSW. Claire Shannon (Year 9) placed second in the Ski Slopestyle and, together with Camila Crapp (Year 9), the girls were the third-placed school team in this event. We had 10 students qualify for the Australian National Championships next week.
Thank you to our Snowsports Coordinators Brennan McCann and Nathan Tainton for all their hard work and commitment to offering an excellent Snowsports program.
Biathlon
On Friday 8 August, we had 44 students compete at Falls Creek in the Regional Biathlon. Again, we won many of the events at this competition including the Girls relay (where we also finished second) and finished second and third in the Boys relay.
Chapel Services
We have been able to resume our fortnightly Chapel Services. We have been very fortunate to have Rev Beth Bear and Rev Hui Young Han, alternately conduct our services. The services have been of an excellent quality and a very grounding way to start the day. We are very appreciative to Rev Bear and Rev Hui Young Han for supporting us for the remainder of the year. We have commenced recruitment for a new chaplain for 2026.
I hope you all enjoy the last month of Term 3, as we move out of the cold and dark of Winter into our glorious Spring weather. This is always one of my favourite times of the year with the smells of Spring emerging, as the days get longer and the days start to warm up.
Head of Senior School • Janine Haymes
Term 3 is well and truly underway and with it comes the buzz of exams. A huge congratulations to our Year 12 students who’ve wrapped up their Trial HSC exams this week — what a milestone. Year 11s, you're up next with End of Course exams kicking off in just over a week! We’re proud of the effort and focus everyone has shown and we’re incredibly grateful to our staff members for their tireless support, marking and encouragement throughout this busy period.
As Year 12 students move into the final four weeks of their secondary schooling, it’s a time filled with celebration and reflection. There’s a real sense of joy in the air, and rightly so — these amazing students have come so far. But it’s also a crucial time to consolidate learning and prepare for the HSC exams ahead. I have no doubt that our Year 12s will make the most of every moment, leaning into the support around them and finishing strongly.
We also were really excited to launch the Red Earth Immersion service trip to First Nations lands and communities in Cape York next year. The response from students in Years 9 to 12 (2026) has been amazing and it’s clear this opportunity has struck a chord. It’s a powerful chance to connect with Country, culture and community and we’re thrilled to see our community so engaged. This is a space we’re committed to growing — there’s so much potential here.
Looking ahead, we’re putting a strong focus on Year 9 in 2026 with the goal of supporting every student through the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. It’s all about helping our young people find purpose; encouraging them to step outside themselves and see the impact they can have on their community and culture. It’s a big vision and we’re excited to bring it to life. Keep an eye out for more updates.
A gentle reminder to all students about the importance of wearing our uniform with pride, especially during the winter months. When in winter uniform outside of the School, students should ensure their blazer is on, shirts are neatly tucked in and socks are pulled up. These small details reflect the respect we show for ourselves, our school and the wider community. We’re grateful to families for their continued support in helping our young people uphold these standards. On that note, a quick reminder about the compulsory sports socks as part of the PE uniform. All students are expected to have a pair for PE classes and when representing the school in sport. Many students have shared how comfortable they find them, so if you haven’t yet picked up a pair, now’s the time! The uniform shop has them in stock and ready to go.
And finally, take a moment to enjoy this early taste of spring. The days are getting longer, the air’s a little softer and there’s a sense of renewal all around. Let’s carry that energy with us as we head into the final stretch of the term.
Head of Junior School • Chris Todd
The weeks are flying by in Term 3 and it's hard to believe we are already into the second half! The Junior School has been buzzing with activity and it’s been wonderful to see so many students embracing the opportunities that have come their way.
We started the term with Parent–Teacher Interviews, which are a valuable time for students, parents and teachers to come together. It was lovely to see our students setting new goals for themselves and celebrating their Semester One achievements.
Since then, there has been so much happening! Our Junior School Snowsports team had a great week on the slopes, our Year 6 students amazed us with their Exhibition projects and Year 4 students brought so much enthusiasm to Science Week with their interactive Science Fair. Book Week also was a highlight, with the theme “Book an Adventure” bringing some brilliant costumes and a lot of fun across the school. We looked fantastic when featured on 7 News.
This week has been particularly exciting with camp week. Our Year 5 students enjoyed stepping back in time at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat and staying at Kryal Castle, while our Year 6 students have been making memories in Canberra as they explored our nation’s capital.
It’s also been exciting to see our Junior School building project taking shape. The roof is going on and we’ve recently finalised a fantastic new playground design which we look forward to sharing with the community in the near future. Each time I complete site visits, I can picture the joy and learning that will happen there in the not-too-distant future.
There have been plenty of achievements to celebrate as well. Our Year 6 Chess team had a fantastic result, defeating Temora and moving on to the next round of the NSW Interschool Competition. Our Infant Choir, music groups and dance team all performed beautifully at the Albury Wodonga Eisteddfod, with some excellent results across the competitions. Their commitment and teamwork were wonderful to see.
Looking ahead, we have even more to look forward to in the second half of term. Our Father’s Day breakfast is always a special event, Footy Colours Day will bring plenty of energy and colour and Grandparents Day will be a chance to welcome family members into our school community. In the classroom, our students have many great learning experiences planned with some exciting excursions as well.
Finally, thank you for your continued support in navigating the school drop off and pick up each day. A reminder to our families to please follow the expectations and rules we have in place for dropping off and and collecting your children. There have been some close calls recently and if everyone is doing the right thing it makes it much easier and safer for all.
I look forward to seeing all the families and dads at next week's Father's Day breakfast.
Director of Boarding • Elsa Kilgour
The past few weeks have been full of activity and participation for our boarders.
One of the highlights was the much-anticipated Boarders Ski Trip. Twenty-six of our boarders hit the slopes and had an incredible time enjoying the snow and making memories. They also were lucky with the weather - it was perfect! A huge thank you to the staff and parents who accompanied the students and made the trip possible.
Our weekend activities program also has been buzzing with energy. Students have recently enjoyed tenpin bowling and mini golf as well as testing their problem-solving skills at The Escape Room.
Our Year 12 students are well into their trial exams. We are so proud of the calm and positive way they have handled them and we wish them all the best.
We have been celebrating some outstanding achievements from our boarders in school and sporting events. Many students participated in the recent biathlon and Interschools Snowsports competitions, with several of our boarders achieving exceptional results and even qualifying for the state finals.
It was lovely to see our wonderful Year 10 boarders at the formal recently, they mingled, danced the night away and loved the Photo Booth.
Last week our boarders dressed up and had fun for book week. I think this one was the best one yet with some fabulous costumes coming out of the boarding houses. Please check out the gallery on Scotty for more photos.
SCOTS LEGACY SERIES - WILL SETTERFIELD (Class of 2016)
Friday 19 September 2025 7.00am-8.30am Join us for our inaugural Legacy Series breakfast featuring guest speaker, Essendon star footballer Will Setterfield
About Will Setterfield
We are thrilled to welcome back Will Setterfield from the Scots Class of 2016. Will’s journey from playing football with Scots Juniors and Albury Tigers to being drafted fifth overall in the 2016 national draft by Greater Western Sydney is a testament to his dedication and talent.
Known as one of the most complete midfielders in his draft year, Will has showcased his skills across 85 elite games with GWS, Carlton and now Essendon, where he proudly wears the number 12 jumper. Despite recent setbacks due to injury, Will’s resilience and passion for the game remain unwavering.
Join us as he shares his remarkable story of perseverance, leadership and the drive to overcome challenges on and off the field - truly embodying the spirit of Scots men making their mark on the world.
About The Scots Legacy Series
The Legacy Series is a powerful celebration honouring the remarkable achievements of our alumni men – trailblazers who have not only excelled in their fields but have also left an enduring impact on our school community. This event is a great opportunity for our alumni men to inspire and lead the next generation by sharing their experiences and achievements. Together with our International Women's Day event, the Scots Legacy Series ensures we recognise the breadth of talent and leadership that Scots has nurtured.
BREAKFAST
Delicious breakfast and coffee to enjoy while hearing about Will's inspirational AFL journey.
Catering provided by Clancy's Food Store • granola cups • mini egg & bacon tarts • mini pumpkin & feta tarts • ham & cheese croissants • almond croissants • fresh fruit • apple or orange juice
Cloud 9 Coffee Bar • Barista coffee and hot chocolate
Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian $50 per person (includes parents and students. Students must purchase a ticket to attend.)
Get in quick, tickets will sell out.
Ticket sales close 10am Thursday 11 September unless sold out prior. Book via QR code
From Scots schoolboy to AFL star
For Essendon footballer Will Setterfield, the euphoria of an AFL victory eclipses every party he’s missed, every injury he’s battled and every moment he’s had to dig deeper than he thought possible.
What once lived only in the dreams of a determined Scots schoolboy has become his reality. And in Will’s case, that reality doesn’t just live up to the hype, it surpasses it.
“Those two hours on the footy field are the best hours of the week,” Will said. “And the 20 mins after a win - in the clubrooms with the playing group - are what make all the sacrifices worthwhile. It IS absolutely worth it. It’s everything I dreamed of as a young player with the Scots Junior Football Team.”
Will grew up in Albury and attended Scots from Year 5 to Year 9, before heading to boarding school in Melbourne. But he credits his early school years with setting him up for success, on the football field and in life.
He played for Scots’ teams from the under 12s to Under 15s; playing alongside Melbourne AFL footballer Charlie Spargo, who was in the year below Will at Scots, and being coached by Charlie’s dad, Paul Spargo.
It actually was the dream preparation for a young, ambitious player.
“Paul was really influential on my career,” Will reports. “He was my coach throughout my junior years and while we might not have had the best team, Paul got the most out of everyone in the team. He had AFL experience and coached at the Tigers, so he had a lot of good advice.”
Will also was attracting attention from AFL scouts. He was picked up by the GWS Academy and, to make things even more convenient, many of their training sessions were on the Scots oval. When he graduated from Year 12, he had become one of the most sought-after draftees in the 2016 AFL draft and aficionados rated him the best midfielder of his draft year.
There is always a lot of chatter leading up to a draft as teams negotiate deals to acquire the best players to fill their list - draft picks and established players can be used as bargaining chips as teams jockey for the most satisfactory outcome.
Carlton was one of many teams who showed interest in Will, but GWS had a priority pick and used that to veto Will debuting with the Blues. Will’s entry into top level football was virtually overnight. He left the draft negotiations on Friday, returned home to Albury for the weekend and started his new “job” at GWS headquarters on Monday morning.
Now that he’s had a couple of moves in the AFL, he likens it to the first day at a new school.
“It can be very intimidating and as an 18-year-old I was very starstruck, but if you are well prepared and have confidence in yourself the experience is a lot easier,” Will said.
Ironically, after a couple of injury-riddled seasons and in keeping with the ruthless nature of the sport, Will was drafted to Carlton in 2019.
It turned out to be a good fit; an opportunity for Will to have a fresh start and get his body right. He played 55 games from 2019-2022, and wasn’t looking to move anywhere else. But when Carlton listed him for trade in the 2022 season, Will got on board straight away - demonstrating the ability to pivot that has kept him at the forefront of team decision makers.
Will could see there was an opportunity for him to play a bigger role in the red and black outfit - if only his body would back him up.
The Essendon club website describes Will as offering “a nice point of difference in Essendon’s midfield with his inside presence and contested ball work … it’s now just a matter of staying on the park for longer …”
In the brutal world of football, injuries can break not just bodies, but spirits. For Will, he has faced the heartbreak of watching from the sidelines as teammates took the field, grappling with the frustration of stalled dreams and physical limits far too often. Even worse, many have come about from freak accidents on field - possibly a result of his ferocious style of play and total commitment to putting his body on the line.
He’s broken a leg, had stress fractures, a right posterior cruciate ligament tear, a left Anterior cruciate ligament injury, broken his left hand and had a serious concussion. Right now, he’s dealing with a Lisfranc injury - a fracture in his foot that split the metatarsals from the tarsal bones. Like a few of his other injuries, it appeared innocuous during the game against Richmond in mid July: His foot was stomped on during a physical contest - and there his 2025 season ended.
But giving up has never been an option. He’s had surgery and is deep in rehabilitation. Each injury has been met with fierce determination and an unshakeable will to return stronger. He has fought through grueling rehab sessions and pushed past pain and doubt - all for the love of the game.
And an unwavering belief in himself.
“That’s the thing in sport and life - it’s 80% upstairs. You can do everything right but you do have setbacks,” Will said.
“You don’t wake up one day being this person who can’t be beaten. You have to stay level in your emotions, focus on the little things and just keep turning up. I focus on what I can get better one week and then work to improve on that the next week.
“It’s the same in school. It doesn't mean that next week will be the same as this week but if you do the work, that’s what gives you your confidence.”
Every comeback isn’t just a return to play for Will, it’s a declaration that he refuses to be defined or defeated by adversity.
“There are times I have doubted myself, but it comes down to your goal setting and returning to those aspects that you can control. There is always pressure, but I still think I deserve a spot in the team and I will focus on what I can do rather than worry about what I can’t control."
With those words, Will has a message for everyone - in sport and in life!
Preschool fundraiser
Our parent-led Preschool Fundraiser raised more than $8000 for our Preschool, making it an outstanding success and a wonderful celebration of community spirit in action! The Trivia Night was a huge hit, filled with laughter and generosity. Thank you to everyone who supported us by attending, donating prizes, buying raffle tickets or bidding in the auction.
A special thanks to Monique Acton-Adams and Emily Staughton whose hard work and dedication brought the event to life. Yesterday, they proudly handed over a cheque to our Director of Preschool, Adele Withers. We will keep the community updated as our Preschool begins to put these funds to use.
Raffle winners:
$500 off school fees donated by Geoff Wright and the Scots Foundation - won by Astra and Ben Coffey
PlayStation 5 donated by the Heineke family - won by Libby Robinson.
Student Achievements
Tennis
Madison Kelly, Year 7, competed at the Australian Blind and Low Vision Tennis Championships at Melbourne Park during the July school holidays. She came away with some amazing results.
She was Girls Singles Champion, combined with Grace Hobbs to be named the Women’s Doubles Champion and was runner-up to the World Number 1 player in Women’s Singles.
Madison also will be involved in Tennis Australia’s upcoming Blind and Low Vision Come and Try Day on the Border in October.
Music
Billy Stewart, Year 11, was awarded the Junior Brass State Champion “Champion of Champions” award, and was the State Champion in the Junior Bb Cornet, Soprano Cornet and Baritone sections at the Victorian Bands' League’s State Solo and Ensemble Championships in July.
Billy, who is also a member of Wodonga Brass and the Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra, had the ideal lead-up to the Victorian competition by making music at the Border Music Camp.
Economics
Our School Captain Oliver Baitch has been shortlisted for the Economics Category of the John Locke Institute 2025 Global Essay Prize. Ollie was invited to attend the black-tie awards ceremony in Mayfair, London, in October, but sadly, it clashes with his HSC committments.
His 2000-word essay explored Profit and the Public Good - balancing private enterprise with Government and charitable intervention. Despite being unable to attend the awards ceremony in person, Ollie is still eligible to win his category. Organisers welcomed essays from 63,328 candidates from around the world, so being shortlisted is an amazing achievement.
Polocrosse
Georgie and Ollie Cardile attended a four-day High Performance Training Camp in July after being selected on the Australian Junior Polocrosse Squad. Georgie went on to play and win her first Senior A Grade tournament and was part of the Winning Senior Mixed team at the NSW Club Championships where she was awarded Best Lady Senior Mixed No 2.
It capped a very successful polocrosse season for the siblings. Along with success at Club and Zone level throughout the year, both Georgie and Ollie have represented NSW on two occasions. The first was in April at the Albury Junior Classic where Georgie and Ollie played together in the NSW U16 Mixed team. Georgie and her horse Toy were awarded Champion Junior Girl Australian Stock Horse of the Tournament.
Following that, they travelled to Warwick, Qld, to play in a state of Origin Battle against Queensland. Ollie's U16 NSW Boys were undefeated. Georgie and the NSW U16 Girls had a tougher battle however Georgie and Toy were again awarded Champion Junior Girl Australian Stock Horse of the Tournament.
Equestrian
Izzy Ingle, Year 6, picked up a third place in the Primary Preliminary 1.3 dressage at the NSW State Interschool Equestrian Championships during the School Holidays.
Izzy and her pony Tanlee Raphael scored 72.083% for the test, then combined that outstanding result with a 13th in the Primary Preliminary 1.2 to finish fifth overall in the Primary Preliminary Championship.
She missed selection in the State Team to compete at the National Championships by just one place!
Netball
James Bohun was the second youngest player on the New South Wales All Schools team which finished fourth in the School Sport Australia 15 Years and Under Netball Championship in Moreton Bay, Queensland, recently. It was an experience to remember for the Year 7 student who only knew one other player before the team was selected. James, who played a combination of Wing Attack and Wing Defence across the week, was also the second shortest player on the team, with the tallest NSW player standing at 193cm or 6'4"!
He participated in the opening ceremony at Dolphins Stadium on Sunday 26 July - involving more than 1200 athletes from across Australia. From the competition, a national side was selected to play New Zealand and Fiji later in the year. Only one of the NSW players was selected into the national side.
Netball
Ella Maguire completed her year as a representative in the 2025 Netball Victoria North East Academy recently with a full day tournament at Netball Central in Melbourne as part of the pathway for 17 and under Victorian state squad selections.
The Academy program has been a great a development opportunity for Ella and other talented athletes to develop in three key components; technical and tactical development, athlete well being and physical preparation. The program aims to assist players throughout Victoria to reach their potential, provide an avenue towards state and national representation and provide essential education that is relevant to netball.
Basketball
James Grylewicz, Year 6, was selected into the NSW under-14 boys squad for the Australian Junior Basketball Country Cup in January, 2026, following trials last weekend in Wollongong.
The competition, in Albury from 13-17 January, will involve more than 60 teams, including some from New Zealand, in under-14, under-16 and under-18 age groups.
The selection follows his participation in a three-day camp in Penrith earlier this month, where he one of only 25 Country NSW boys born in 2013 to be part of the Basketball NSW Talented Athlete Program.
Basketball
Beau Sawyer, Year 5, attended Basketball NSW Southern Under 12s John Davidson Country Jamboree in Griffith during the school holidays.
It was three days jam packed with fun skills development, training and games.
Eisteddfod
Annika Malodiya, Year 2, won her age aggregate winner in two divisions -Dance and Speech & Drama at the Albury Wodonga Eisteddfod. and was awarded her age aggregate winner in 2 divisions - Dance and Speech and Drama.
Her achievements: Dance: 8 and under aggregate Dance-Solo Champion, first place in Musical Theatre and Novice National; second place in Own Choreography and thirds in Musical Theatre and Novice Jazz. Speech and Drama: 8 and under aggregate winner Champion after four first places (Costume Recital, Own Choice Recital, Australian Recital and Impromptu Story Telling) and four second placings: Prepared Mime, Humorous Recital, Prepared Reading and Impromptu Reading. She also won the Junior Scholarship 2025 and Junior Australian Recital 2025.
Dance
Calli Foulston, Year 3, recently had a succesful dance outing - winning her lyrical solo with a high score of 89 out of 100.
She was in the Top 5 highest-scoring soloists in her age group which ensured she qualified for Nationals in South Australia in January 2026.
HSC group performance
A few weeks ago, our HSC drama class collaborated with Albury High, Murray High, Trinity Anglican College, and Xavier students in an evening of supportive performance and peer feedback, focusing on The Group Performance. All the HSC drama students from all schools were provided with an invaluable experience to share their work, receive constructive feedback to help them develop their skills, and network with peers also studying HSC Drama.
Group Performance is one third of the final HSC examination for senior drama and is assessed by visiting markers before the end of Term 3. Students are also required to complete an individual project that is marked externally, also due before the end of Term 3. They will then sit an exam during the exam period in Term 4.
The experience of having a live audience greatly enhances the learning experience for students when developing a self-devised group work in preparation for these practical exams.
We want to thank Trinity for hosting the evening, our peers from the local high schools for their willingness to develop collaborative community relationships and we wish the Year 12 cohort all the best in their practical exams. - Stacey Hartwich
Eisteddfod
Scots students raided the trophies across dance, music and debating at the Albury Wodonga Eisteddfod, with outstanding performances from both Junior and Senior students.
Debating
The Debating teams once again demonstrated exceptional talent, sweeping both the Year 7/8 and Year 9/10 divisions.
Year 7/8 division results: The first of two all-Scots finals led to Scots Team B of Annabel Moar, Jude Finlayson and Abbey Kennedy claiming a close victory over the Scots Team C of Sophia Martin, Paris Nazari-Rad and Affan Syed. Individual honours went to Jude Finlayson, who was awarded Best Speaker, while Oscar Kennedy received a Highly Commended recognition.
Year 9/10 division results: There was an exciting all-Scots final between Teams A and B. Team A, comprised of Xavier Clancy, Alex Fraser, and Lucy Barry, delivered outstanding arguments to secure the championship. Team B, featuring Alannah Bohun, Maneli Hashemi, Kendra Rahaley, and Isabelle Martin, claimed a well-deserved runner-up position. Scots Team C - Amy Hayes, Ember Blackstock, and Isaac Rutherford - achieved the highest score in the unseen debates, showcasing exceptional quick thinking skills. Amy Hayes was also recognised as Best Speaker for the Year 9/10 division.
In a remarkable achievement, Jude Finlayson (Year 8) was named Best Speaker of the Series across all divisions, highlighting the exceptional depth of talent in our debating program. Congratulations to all participants for their dedication, critical thinking, and eloquent presentations.
Scots Dance Kindergarten-Year 1: Highly commended. Scots Dance Years 2-3: 3rd prize. Scots Dance Years 4-6: Highly commended.
Quantum Tech Camp
Scots students have been invited to apply for the Quantum Tech Camp 2025, a camp designed for high school students from Years 9 to 12 and offering an engaging introduction to quantum technology through hands-on activities, expert talks and interactive demos. The Quantum Tech Camp is delivered by Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA) and Quokka Quantum and will be held at Xavier Catholic College.
Students will explore the fascinating world of quantum computing through hands-on challenges, creative quantum coding and real quantum experiments, led by Dr Chris Ferrie and a team of quantum mentors.
Date: 1-3 October 2025, 9am-3pm at Xavier or online via Zoom.
Cost: $300 (Scholarships are available, and in-person attendees will be given preference for the sponsored spots.) Register at https://sydney.au1.qualtrics.c...
Our Year 6 students proudly presented their PYP Exhibition, the culminating project of their Primary Years Programme journey, to their peers and parents recently. It was an inspiring day where their hard work, creativity and deep inquiry truly shone.
From sustainable skin care and animal testing to the importance of giving blood and the challenges of sustainable mining, the variety of topics reflected both the students’ diverse interests and their commitment to tackling real-world issues. Each project was a testament to the students’ ability to research deeply, think critically and present their knowledge in thoughtful and engaging ways.
As part of their journey, each group also created a unique design that reflected the essence of their inquiry. With the guidance of Ms Stephenson, these designs were screen-printed on to tote bags - a creative and lasting reminder of their learning. The finished tote bags were a wonderful highlight of the Exhibition, showcasing both artistry and meaning behind each group’s work. The students raised more than $400 in the sale of the tote bags. The money will be donated to their chosen charity, Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare.
Throughout the process, students demonstrated maturity and perseverance, working collaboratively to bring their inquiries to life. Their presentations and creative projects highlighted not only their knowledge but also their developing skills in communication, problem-solving and reflection skills that will serve them well as lifelong learners.
Tuffnutterz - Australia’s biggest inflatable obstacle course - will be at Scots during the next round of school holidays (Saturday 27 September to Tuesday 30 September).
The first half of Term 3 has been an exceptionally busy and exciting time for sporting activities at Scots. Our students have embraced every opportunity, competing with school spirit across a wide range of events. Highlights have included the BISSA and RAS Regional Athletics Carnivals, Regional and State Snowsports events, the Todd Woodbridge Cup Tennis, Year 7 AFL Gala Day, NSW Netball Finals in Wagga and the U/16 NSW Schools Basketball Cup. With many more opportunities still to come, it has been a term full of outstanding student achievement.
Junior RAS Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to our strong squad of 35 Junior School athletes who represented Scots at the RAS Athletics Carnival on Wednesday, 30 July, at the Les O’Brien Precinct. There were many standout performances, none better than Ardan Magaharan, who broke records and claimed the 11 Years Boys Age Champion title. Congratulations, Ardan!
Our relay teams and individual competitors performed strongly, with 11 students earning invitations to compete at the CIS Carnival in Sydney on 5 September.
A special thank you must go to our Year 10 PASS students and Year 11 House Leaders who supported the day as assistants. Your efforts were greatly appreciated by both staff and students.
Senior BISSA Athletics Carnival
The following day, 67 Senior students represented Scots at the BISSA Athletics Carnival. Despite a cold start, the day quickly warmed up with some outstanding results. Lucy Bolton and Hayden Ellis were both crowned Age Champions, while Ollie Mathews also impressed, finishing as runner up Age Champion.
Our relay teams were outstanding and our individual athletes shone across multiple events, earning an incredible 37 invitations to the Senior CIS Athletics Championships in Sydney. It was a day filled with pride, effort and exceptional performance. Well done to all involved.
Todd Woodbridge Cup Tennis (Years 3-6)
The Todd Woodbridge Cup was contested over two days. The first group to compete was our enthusiastic Year 3 and 4 students. With 83 participants, Scots set a record for the most teams entered in the competition. Excitingly, we emerged as overall winners, with Team 1 (Oscar Crapp, Matiss Jurevics, Moss Jones, Jordy Burgess, Maggie Klingner, Alice Kilgour, Evelyn Weisman and Frankie Wolstenholme) taking out the top honours. This team will now progress to the next stage in Wagga on 17 October. We wish them the very best.
The Year 5 and 6 competition followed a week later, with three strong teams representing Scots. Our players competed brilliantly, finishing second, third and fourth overall. The grand final against Trinity was particularly exciting, going down to the wire in a thrilling contest. Although we narrowly missed the win, the effort, teamwork and spirit on display were outstanding.
Year 7 AFL Girls Gala Day
It was a very exciting day for our Year 7 girls at the AFL Gala Day. With limited prior football experience, the team had worked hard at training to learn the basics and on game day, they took those skills to another level. They attacked the ball with courage, tackled strongly and moved it confidently by hand and foot. Playing great team football, the girls went through the day undefeated.
Results Game 1: Scots 18 def. Xavier B 7. Goal Kickers: Isabelle Boyd, Indi Raper. Best Players: Ciara Delany, Sophie Clifton, Isabelle Boyd, Indi Raper, Harriet Bolton. Game 2: Scots 36 def. Murray 0. Goal Kickers: Bridie Bowran (3), Phoebe Bolton, Indi Raper. Best Players: Sophie Clifton, Ciara Delany, Bridie Bowran, Indi Raper, Phoebe Bolton. Game 3: Scots 30 def. James Fallon 13. Goal Kickers: Bridie Bowran (3), Ciara Delany. Best Players: Ciara Delany, Isabelle Boyd, Bridie Bowran, Sophie Clifton, Indi Raper. Game 4: Scots 30 def. Xavier A 23. Goal Kickers: Molly Ginnivan, Indi Raper, Bridie Bowran. Best Players: Sophie Clifton, Isabelle Boyd, Bella Howard, Bridie Bowran, Amelia Armytage.
The girls should be incredibly proud of their effort and teamwork.
Year 7 AFL Boys Gala Day
Our Year 7 boys competed in the AFL Gala Day, a round-robin modified-rules competition iIn perfect conditions at Jelbart Park. The Scots team won this event last year, but could not repeat their win this year.
Boys who currently play for their respective clubs performed well. Digby Nugent, Charlie Brown and James Bohun dominated. Flynn Klippel was strong down back and Jimmy Boers was accurate in front of goal. There were some players new to AFL, and two in particular dominated the matches: Daniel Burn and Angelo Hassapithis. If they choose to continue with AFL, they will have a bright future.
Results: Game 1: Scots defeated St Paul's College (46 to 37). Goal kickers: Jimmy Boers 2, Digby Nugent 2, Angelo Hassapithis, Daniel Burn and Charlie Brown. Game 2: Scots defeated St Francis College (30 to 14). Goal kickers: Jimmy Boers (2), Digby Nugent and Sam Mack. Game 3: Scots lost to Xavier A (15 to 32). Goal kickers: Jimmy Boers and Albey Brooks (what a tackle machine he is!) Game 4: Scots lost to Trinity College (13 to 20). Goal kickers: Jimmy Boers and Daniel Burn.
Thank you to the Year 8 boys who helped on the day, particularly Reggie, who did a great job goal umpiring, scoring and recording goal kickers. Thank you to the parents and grandparents who supported the team on the day.
- Peter Schneider
NSW Basketball Schools Cup Wagga U/16
Four Scots teams, two girls teams and two boys teams, travelled to Wagga to compete in the U/16 NSW Basketball Schools Championships on Tuesday 26 August.
Our Division 3 Boys were the standout performers, making it all the way to the grand final. The Division 1 Boys also played strongly but were narrowly knocked out in a thrilling match against Trinity, going down by just one point.
The Division 1 Girls worked tirelessly throughout the day to implement set plays and refine their teamwork. Many of these players will be travelling to the ASC Tournament on the Gold Coast later this year, and the experience gained in Wagga was invaluable preparation for that challenge.
Our Division 3 Girls also showed outstanding improvement across the day. Their gameplay, teamwork and overall skill development were clear to see.
A huge thank you to our dedicated coaches: Tony Hill, Ben Coffey, Aliera Tucker and Mel Davies for their support, guidance and encouragement throughout the day.
Snowsports
The 2025 Scots Snowsports season has been filled with outstanding performances and wonderful opportunities for our students to experience the snow. From strong results at the Regional and State Championships, to the success of our Recreational Snow Days, it has been a season of growth, camaraderie, and achievement.
Regional Championships Scots athletes excelled at the Regional Championships, with many students achieving podium finishes across skiing and snowboarding disciplines. Standout results (top 3) included: Moguls Claire Shannon – 1st (Div 2 Female) Camilla Crapp – 2nd (Div 2 Female) Isabelle Martin – 3rd (Div 2 Female) Sophia Martin – 1st (Div 3 Female) Gracie Ross – 1st (Div 4 Female) Edwina Dunn – 2nd (Div 4 Female) Archie Showers – 1st (Div 1 Male) Eddie Butko – 1st (Div 2 Male) Frederick Crapp – 1st (Div 3 Male) Hunter Williams – 2nd (Div 3 Male) Percy Ross – 3rd (Div 5 Male)
At the NSW State Championships in Perisher, Scots once again achieved impressive results including eighth out of 34 schools in the overall Primary Co-Ed School Championships.
Other Top 5 results were: Snowboard Slopestyle – Ethan White 1st (Div 1 Male), James Sheldrick 3rd (Div 1 Male) – 1st overall in the team section Ski Slopestyle – Claire Shannon 2nd (Div 2 Female) – 3rd overall in the team section Ski Cross – Gracie Ross 7th, Edwina Dunn 23rd (Div 4 Female) – 5th overall in the team section
These results reflect the strength and depth of talent within Scots Snowsports and we are proud of all students who represented the school.
Eight of our athletes will represent Scots at the Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships at Mt Buller from the 2-7 September: Isabelle Ingram, Edwina Dunn, Sophia Martin, Claire Shannon, Gracie Ross, Percy Ross, Ardan Magaharan and Lochan Magaharan.
Recreational Snow Days
Beyond competition, the Recreational Snow Days have given students the opportunity to experience the snow in a fun, supportive and non-competitive environment. On Saturday 23 August, Senior School students enjoyed a perfect day at Falls Creek with sunshine, great snow and plenty of progress in both skiing and boarding skills. The atmosphere was fantastic, with students encouraging one another and embracing the chance to learn. We now look forward to the Junior School Recreational Snow Day tomorrow, when our younger students will have the chance to build their skills and share in the fun on the mountain.
- Brennan McCann and Nathan Tainton, Snowsports Coordinators
Forty-four students from Scots, Trinity Anglican College, Albury High School and Catholic College Wodonga competed in the North-East Victoria Laser Biathlon Relays in the Nordic Bowl at Falls Creek on Friday 8 August.
Seven Laser Biathlon relays were organised by Telemark Nordic Ski Club and Sporting Shooters Association Australia (SSAA) Biathlon Wodonga following an introduction to crosscountry skiing by club members.
A bluebird day made for an enjoyable competition which was enthusiastically embraced by beginner and more experienced crosscountry skiers. A huge thank you to Falls Creek and the groomers for the additional Classic tracks and competitions loop around the perimeter of the Nordic Bowl.
The Inland Rail project is progressing through the Albury to Illabo section, with important works scheduled throughout September 2025. We will share regular updates with families as we receive them.
A summary of the works and what you can expect over the next few months ahead is below.
What’s Happening? These upgrades are essential to support the safe operation of double-stacked freight trains along the 185km corridor.
Key works include:
Enhancements to rail tracks, footbridges, road bridges, overhead and signal structures, and level crossings.
Geotechnical and environmental investigations across key Albury sites: Murray River Bridge, Albury Station, Riverina Highway Bridge, Billy Hughes, and Table Top.
Minor signalling work and non-destructive digging (NDD).
Construction Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7am – 6pm
Temporary Site Compound
A temporary site compound will be established adjacent to the Hume Highway and within the rail corridor at Albury. This will serve as a base for construction activities and equipment storage.
Track Possession – Major Works
From 6am Saturday 13 September to 6pm Monday 15 September, an extended track possession will take place at the Riverina Highway Bridge. This means:
No trains will run during this period.
Continuous work, including night shifts, will be carried out to fast-track progress and reduce long-term disruption.
Impact on Shared Spaces
Community members and nearby institutions, including Scots, may notice:
Increased heavy vehicle movement and earthworks.
Temporary speed reductions (40km/h) near work zones.
Noise and vibration during construction.
Traffic management measures to ensure safety for pedestrians and drivers.
Equipment in Use
Expect to see a range of machinery including excavators, rollers, water carts, survey tools, and lighting towers.
Managing Impacts
Heritage consultants are overseeing works near Albury Station to protect cultural assets.
Dust suppression, noise minimisation, and respectful conduct are being prioritised.
All works are monitored for compliance with approval conditions.
