Turning of the Sod - Celebrating our New Name, our New Future

Monday 7 March was the day the Minister for Education, The Honourable James Merlino, visited Ashwood High School for the ‘Turning of the Sod’ Ceremony. See what our School Captains had to say...


Ashwood High School Minister Merlino Brett Moore

Turning of the Sod – a reflection by the School Captains – Hannah Sim and Madeliene Ryan

 

Monday 7 March was the day the Minister for Education, The Honourable James Merlino, visited Ashwood High School for the ‘Turning of the Sod’ Ceremony.

Our School Captains, Hannah Sim and Madeliene Ryan presented the following speech for our VIP guests on all things Ashwood: our potential, our successes and most importantly, our students.


Our school is swiftly moving on to bigger and better things, with advancement to all areas of our already great school. Alongside Mr Moore, teachers, students and the wider community are getting on board to encourage the potential that this school has.


The new uniform is a way for students to feel good in what they are wearing, and feel like they can show off their pride for their school. Looking and feeling smart in the new uniform has given students a new wave of confidence that has complemented the state of the art facilities and flooded the grounds.


Ashwood High School is what we now call home. The change of name has allowed us to reach back and acknowledge our roots, while also looking forward to a future of firsts.


Alongside the positive changes we have had an increased emphasis on awards. The students' efforts and achievements have been highlighted in a larger manner than previous years. We are taking a very obvious and celebrated note of those students who are reaching their full potential and promoting their success. These improvements have not only changed the look of our school, but the community inside it. From the uniform and name change to the leadership and Principal’s Awards, the commitment to the school values: CHOIR, Community, High Expectations, Innovation and Respect, and an actual school choir- Ashwood High School has found a balance between academic progress and social progress.



Students from different year levels have blended together in terms of friendships, showing maturity and a willingness to grow an all-encompassing sense of community that surpasses age and year level. Since the introduction of the Principal’s Awards, our students have become more goals focused, gaining encouragement from teachers who tell them to look for long-term goals and find the dedication and motivation to complete them. This type of attitude that is encouraged here at Ashwood High School feeds into increased participation at events, such as our Swimming Sports Day, and allows the students to feel accomplished.


Here at Ashwood High School, you will find proud students. We have come a long way in a short amount of time, using the extraordinary efforts of everyone at this school. We are proud of our name, our uniform, and our achievements- and of ourselves for accepting the changes that have come our way and for approaching each challenge or goal with a mindset that does not understand the words ‘give up’, but only accepts the words ‘keep going’. And that is what we aim to do here at Ashwood High School. Our goal is to keep going through Vision Inspired Actions.


READ MORE ABOUT OUR CEREMONY AND MORE IN OUR NEWSLETTER