The Thistle - An E-Newsletter of Scotch College, Perth, Western Australia

COMMUNITY AND SERVICE

Stablemen and the A Team

It is coming to that time of the year when the current Year 10 boys rank their choices of the service activities they will wish to complete in 2014. On offer once more will be a dozen or so different service options, as well as Cadets and Senior First Aid. The programme aims to provide all Year10 boys with a substantial experience of service in four different activities. While providing the service is of course important to the recipients, the boys also learn about diverse groups in society and better understand how care agencies and facilities operate.

One activity that has been very successful is the 'A Team' - where the 'A' stands for Advocacy. The boys in this group attempt to understand the issues behind the problems faced by different groups, including the intellectually and physically disabled. As well as visiting facilities and talking to people in such groups, the boys try to inform the broader Scotch community through assembly presentations and information posters. This past year, boys opting for the 'A Team' have been visited by members of the UnitedCare West - 'Take Time' group and have walked down to 'Romily House' to better understand what it is like to have a mental illness.

Another activity in which Year 10 boys serve is 'Stablemen', working in the Claremont Therapeutic Riding Centre. While the boys mainly work 'mucking out' the stables - performing laboring work that allows the organization the time to get on with the job providing horse riding experiences for disabled participants.

Year 2 Boys To Paint A Good Samaritan Bin

Scotch Junior School took delivery of a Good Samaritan bin last term with the aim of painting three sides with flower motives. The bin will ultimately be placed to allow the Scotch community to deposit clothing and toys. The special bin, without the usual markings, will be unique in the family of Good Sammy bins. The organization has plans to roll out bin painting to other schools and perhaps run a competition to judge the most creative.

Tanzania Expedition Fundraiser

The group of Scotch boys and Presbyterian Ladies' College girls going on the Tanzania Expedition next year are hoping to start the construction of a new Trade Learning Centre for the village of Matipwili, the site of previous service trips. This facility, designed with assistance of architects from Perth and Adelaide, will substantially add to teaching and learning facilities for the village.

A number of fundraising activities have been planned in the remainder of this year:

  • Peel Estate Winery is supporting the project by offering cases of wine for Christmas at very reasonable prices. An order form can be found here
  • The expedition group will be holding a biscuit stall at the Cottesloe Hullabaloo on November 9. This event takes place in the main shopping precinct. The Tanzania 2014 stall selling home-made biscuits will be towards the Stirling Highway end of Napolean Street.
  • On Friday November 22, a Matipwili Rafiki Quiz Night (friend of Matipwili Village) will be held in the Dickinson Centre commencing at 7.30pm. This will be a multi-media event with guest MC. Individual tickets will be $20 with tables of eight. To reserve your tables contact Anne Thomson AMThomson@scotch.wa.edu.au or phone Anne Thomson or Tracey Tyrrell on 93836808
  • The Tanzania Expedition group is also selling Christmas Cards. These are unique, designed by an in-house graphic designer and featuring 'Scotty Dog' and the Scottish tartans used by the College. An order form can be found here

Sweaters for Syria

The relief effort as a result crisis in Syria has reached a critical point with winter about to hit. The Salvation Army is collecting 'Sweaters for Syria' and a shipment will be sent off in the next few weeks. With our summer ahead this may coincide with a clear out of some winter clothing - jumpers, beanies and gloves. Over 2 million refugees, including 740000 children will be exposed to extreme cold this Christmas. Please have a look through cupboards and see what can be donated - particularly suitable for children up to 11 years of age. Please bring items to the Receptions of any of the three sub-schools before Friday 8 in order that they can be included in the shipment to Syria.

Operation Santa and Homeless Connect

At this time of year, there is a demand for good second hand and new clothing for distribution at the Homeless Connect Day, organised by Volunteering WA and the City of Perth. This event takes place in Russell Square in Northbridge and allows homeless members of our community access to government agencies and professional services. Scotch and PLC IB Diploma students will be assisting to set up facilities as part of their service requirement. If you have any good quality items to donate, please contact Bill Cordner wjcordner@scotch.wa.edu.au

Food and toys are required for the Unitedcare West 'Operation Santa' collection that will help make Christmas more festive for many individuals and families in need. In previous years Scotch families throughout the College have contributed generously to the collection. Please look for further information from each of the sub-schools on how to donate this year.

Mr W Cordner