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

The Arts – More Than Just Subjects

Welcome to our final Thistle for the Winter Term.

Last week saw the conclusion of a wonderful celebration of the Arts at Scotch College – our annual Arts Week. We have celebrated drama and music via our production of We Will Rock You; music alone through myriad public student performances as they come to the end of Year 12, student rock bands playing at the Rosemount Hotel, and numerous sub-school performances at Assemblies; senior Art represented through the magnificent perceptions on display in the Stairwell Gallery; media and filmmaking through the Director’s Final Cut Media Night; Pipe Band competitions and on it goes. With all of this in mind it begs the question: “Why are the Arts so important to us at Scotch, and just as importantly, how do they add to the wider society?”

In a 2015 blog by the National Endowment for the Arts, based in Washington DC, their staff were asked why the Arts are so important.

“The Arts matter because art is meant to move people either on an intellectual or emotional level. Whether this is a book that stays with you days later, or a performance that moves you spiritually or a song that makes you look at the world around you in a different way. The purpose of art is to cause a reaction and with this purpose it can create a synergy of change; change in attitudes, perceptions, and thoughts.” – Catherine Brookes

“The Arts matter because without them our strong emotions, our vital voices, our move-to-the-groove energy and necessary empathy and life-affirming connectedness and tendency toward complexity might all wither from disuse, maybe even destroy us through misuse. The Arts matter because with them, we matter.” – Amy Stolls

"The Arts matter because we matter, and our stories matter. We are moving miracles, walking creators engaging in a cosmic dance. The art we express is timeless.” – Mohammed Sheriff

“The Arts matter because they help us see the world from different perspectives. They give us empathy and help us understand people, places, periods of history, and issues with which we may otherwise be unfamiliar. They comfort us in grief and energise us in celebration. They are important because they can act as a catalyst for change… they can start a revolution! The Arts ignite something in our brains that I can’t explain, but I know it’s essential for life.” – Jennie Terman

“The Arts matter because they allow us to express ourselves and illustrate the world around us in a different light, helping us to gain understanding, build communities, and give hope.” – Kelli Rogowski

“The Arts matter because they are the record of our civilisation and the arrow pointing forward to our future.” – Greg Reiner

“Art matters because people matter, and Arts events are one of the best ways to gather individuals and build communities around a shared experience.” – Eleanor Billington

“The Arts matter because they allow you to experience different ways of seeing and thinking about life.” – Don Ball

“The Arts matter because life is dull without perspective. All art, good and bad, made by an individual or a team, brings the perspective of an artist to others. It is so important to have art, to teach art, and to allow ourselves and our children to live with a national tradition of art, because the Arts give us the tools and means for communicating about the way we see the world. Without the Arts, we are confined to one world and one worldview; with the Arts, we have the treasure of a million worlds and a million ways to see them.” – Daniel Fishman

“When my children are feeling sad or mad or confused, a song will lift their spirits. Whether we sing or they pick up an instrument and play, all is well again.” – Allison Hill

“The Arts matter because it is our most expressive form of sharing.” – vEnessa Y Acham

“The Arts matter because they help you see what’s in between – they help you think twice. Notes, chords, images, and words float within you and have the power of surfacing at any moment, to soothe, distract, entertain, or give comic relief. That’s a lovely thing and yes, it matters.” – Wendy Clark

“The Arts matter because they allow people to uniquely express themselves… without fear of giving a wrong answer.” – Lauren Tuzzolino

“The Arts matter because they extend our lives. I'm not talking about years added – though certain artists, through their creations, can claim a type of immortality. Rather, the Arts allow us fully to inhabit other personalities, perspectives, and states of perception. The Arts thus elongate human experience. And while it can't be displayed on a standard chronology, who's to say this qualitative increase in life doesn't translate to a quantitative one?” – Sunil Iyengar

I am of the belief that the above comments answer “Why are the Arts so important to us at Scotch, and just as importantly, how do they add to the wider society?”

Our Next School Leaders

It has also been a significant week in terms of student leadership. I had the pleasure of announcing the five school leaders at last Thursday's Senior School assembly. These positions represent the whole school, not just the Senior School. The new leaders for the 2020/21 academic year are:

  • Captain of School Joshua Ledger
  • Vice-Captain of School (Operations) Jarvis Banfield
  • Vice-Captain of School (Service) Simon Arnott
  • Head of Student Council Jim Allan
  • Captain of Boarding Brenton Macauley

Winter JPSSA and PSA Finishes

It has also been a huge week in Sport. Congratulations to every student who represented our College in Winter Sport. It is the total volume of students that participate for Scotch which creates the sense of pride and a desire to succeed at all levels. Thanks to everyone who pulled on the burgundy, blue and gold. All of our teams across all grades did a fantastic job in representing us throughout the reduced season.

Two of my favourite events are the JPSSA and PSA Athletic meets. Why? Because these squads represent teams made up with boys from Years 4–6, in the case of JPSSA and with the PSA, Years 7–12. Congratulations to our Junior boys who came third and were only five points away from securing second. Our PSA squad came first as a result of an outstanding team effort.

In particular I would like to thank all of the Year 12s who have represented our College for all these years, as the end of Winter Sports marks the end of their sporting commitments for the College.

Indigenous Awards

Finally we had some outstanding academic news within our Indigenous programme. The College nominate two Year 12s from different scholarship provider programmes for awards. Last night at the AISWA and Madalah awards night, Sam Wolf and Reuben Westerman, won their respective categories. This is simply outstanding for both boys and indicative of the success they have achieved through commitment and hard work.

Thank You Miss Penny Hooper

Speaking of the importance of contributions, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Miss Penny Hooper, Acting Head of Junior School who finishes in this role at the conclusion of this term. Penny has been an incredible stabilising force since Mr Stewart left us at the end of 2019. Little did we know that COVID-19 was around the corner when Penny accepted this acting role. Penny guided our young boys and girls and their families through this challenging time. She was also an incredible support for our staff, and through her calm approach the Junior School navigated their way with purpose and security. Thanks Penny for everything you did while steering HMAS JS Scotch.

As this is the final Thistle for Winter Term, I trust everyone will enjoy the break when it finally arrives and recharge in preparation for the busy Spring Term to come.

Thanks for your support this term.

Dr Alec O'Connell
Headmaster