At this time of the year I am very fortunate to hear from families of Year 12 boys commenting on their son's teachers. Completing the formal years of schooling tends to provide an obvious reflection point for students and parents; reflections of celebration and sadness that the time has come to leave their college.

There is much written about what makes the difference between good and great schools. Some judgments about what constitutes a great school are made through very personal experiences at the time, others write in a more detailed and scientific way about the metrics which may point to a successful school.

However, there is no doubt that the quality of personal experiences for most students and families and the esprit de corps of a school is generated by the quality of the teaching staff. It is very simple, great staff, teaching and non-teaching, make great schools.

On Friday 25 October I released a blog for World Teachers' Day, in which I provided a saying from @Urban_Teacher:

'You don't build a top school; you build top teachers and then top teachers build top schools'

In 1970 I came to Australia from the UK as a 9-year-old and found myself going to a relatively small state school, Como Primary. My positive experience of the three years I attended this school was solely based on my memories about my fellow students and the way staff related to us students.

A couple of years ago I was given a book entitled 'My Favourite Teacher'. In this book famous and not so famous Australians write about the teachers who changed their minds, changed who they could be, and changed their lives. Ticky Fullerton had this to say about one of her teachers:

'She was known to all of us as Eggy, whether you were in her class or not. No other teacher at school or university had any impact on me at all. Eggy changed my life'.

As part of the annual feedback we receive from the MMG surveys, it is no surprise that the most important factor in choosing our school is the quality of the teaching.

While I know there are many things that go together to make Scotch a great school and community, it is timely that as 2019 is rapidly coming to a close, we remember just how important our teachers are to the development of our boys from Pre-K through to when they graduate as young men in Year 12.

Last Friday I held an OSC reunion in Melbourne at Trinity Residential College. Much of the conversation centered around past and current teachers. Positive teacher experiences are so important as they are remembered for a lifetime. Our reunion had forty OSCs from 1948 through to 2016 and they are still able to recall the great teachers and why they had such a major impact on their school and in many cases post school journey. I am sure most of us can recall fond memories of how great teachers influenced our lives.

Have a great fortnight. 

Generosity and Faith

“I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. ” - Philemon 1:6

I heard a lovely story recently about a young boy who was walking home from church across a park. He was reflecting on the sermon message about the importance of being generous to the poor. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus teaches “ whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me.” To keep it simple, the minister explained, when you give something to another person you are really giving it to Jesus.

As the boy walked across the park, he saw an old lady sat on a park bench. She looked lonely and hungry. The boy sat down next to her and took a bar of chocolate he had been saving from his pocket. He offered the old lady a piece. She took it with a smile that lit up her whole face. The boy was so moved by the smile that he gave her another piece. They shared the chocolate bar smiling at each other.

Finally, as the boy got up to leave, he turned to the old woman and gave her a hug. And she gave him her very best smile. When he got home, the boy’s mother saw the smile on his face, and she asked him why he was so happy today. He answered, “I shared my chocolate bar with Jesus, and she has a great smile.”

When the old lady reached her apartment near the park, her daughter commented, “You’re all smiles today. What’s made you so happy?” She replied, “I was eating chocolate with Jesus in the park today. And, you know, he’s younger than I expected.”

Make a list of all the things you can be thankful for and take every opportunity to be generous.

2019 Scotch College CAS Launch Day

New IB Diploma students took a day out of their regular classes to attend the annual combined Scotch College & PLC CAS Launch Day, this year exploring the theme 'Stretching Out'. The Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) programme is a critical part of the boys' IB Diploma Programme, recognising that for all that boys learn in the classroom, there is significant learning that most powerfully takes place outside of the classroom as students engage in creativity, activity and service. Through CAS, students are encouraged to grow both personally and socially, developing skills such as cooperation, problem-solving, conflict resolution and creative and critical thinking, as well as developing their own identity.

The CAS Launch Day offered the boys and girls embarking on the IB Diploma a chance to understand the philosophy behind CAS and to hear from people who are living this philosophy out in their professional lives. Importantly, students also had the opportunity to understand from the boys who have gone before them the real and practical value of CAS in their education, and their growth as individuals. The day combined speakers with hands-on workshops to give boys time to consider their own strengths and weaknesses, reflect on contemporary global issues, and to develop plans for learning experiences they seek to undertake through creativity, activity and service.

The 2019 CAS Launch Day was a huge success, and we were proud to bring the likes of Associate Professor Angus Turner, the founder of Lions Outback Vision, who was recently honoured at the 2019 Western Australian of the Year awards, receiving the Professions Award for his work in delivering eyecare to people living in isolated and disadvantaged locations. Scotch boys heard from Associate Professor Turner about his journey from 15-year old Guildford Grammar boy dissecting an ox eye to embarking on a mission to provide sight-saving treatment to those in remote communities. He provided the boys with a vivid illustration of thinking globally and acting locally to meet genuine needs in the community.

Another major highlight from the Launch Day was hearing from recent IB Diploma graduates about their experiences in the CAS programme. They communicated clearly that the most powerful learning in CAS is often unexpected. Ben Marshall shared his journey through his CAS project coaching a junior water polo team. A state representative, Ben expected that he would be teaching these boys water polo; instead, he found himself occupying a critical role in their development as young men, and he recognised he was a vital mentor in helping them to develop positive masculinity. He went from reluctantly reflecting on what he was learning to passionately reviewing his interactions, the success of his strategies, and unpacking the challenges and successes he was encountering. Josh Law reflected on how his experience of CAS not only helped him grow in the confidence to engage with the community and liaise with different  agencies, but  had also helped him to connect with his indigenous heritage.

The CAS programme is a powerful part of the boys' IB Diploma experience, and it is part of the College's aim to prepare your sons for more than just examinations. It fosters well-rounded young men who stretch themselves into the unfamiliar. At its heart, it is also far more than a community service programme. It engages boys in service, but also in physical activities, even including experiences such as rock-climbing, hiking and scuba diving, and in creativity. Additionally, the CAS programme, with its focus on reflective learning, challenges students to grow through reflecting on  their actions and experiences, setting challenging goals and developing their commitment and perseverance to achieve them.

Adventure

Winnie the Pooh is one of my favourite collection of stories and one I would recommend highly to students and adults alike. In essence, the tales revolve around Christopher Robin and Pooh and Piglet and others learning about the world and about how to get along with others. In one chapter, Christopher decides to go to the North Pole:

"Christopher Robin was sitting outside his door, putting on his Big Boots. As soon as he saw the Big Boots, Pooh knew that an adventure was going to happen, and he brushed the honey off his nose with the back of his paw, and spruced himself up as well as he could, so as to be Ready for Anything.

"We're going to discover the North Pole."

"Oh!" Said Pooh again. "What is the North Pole?" he asked.

"It's just a thing you discover," said Christopher Robin carelessly, not being quite sure himself.

This beginning encapsulates an attitude which we hope all our young men develop – one of being prepared to put aside what they may be doing to pursue something that may be outside of their comfort zone, but which offers far greater rewards than staying put, even if it may be somewhat risker . Of course, being well prepared for such an adventure is very important, especially for a bear like Pooh:

…"And we must all bring Provisions."

"Bring what?"

"Things to eat."

"Oh!" said Pooh happily. "I thought you said Provisions. I'll go and tell them." And he stumped off.

And whilst they never do get to the North Pole, they discover things about themselves and the world around them which they would never have learned if they had simply stayed at home.

Adventures can take many different forms; they can be physical journeys or intellectual discoveries. The word comes from the Latin words, adventurus, which means "about to happen", and advenire, "arrive". It is about discovering the new and exploring the unfamiliar.

The great thing about adventure is that is can be had at any age, and of course, there are different levels of adventurousness. But common to all of them are the following:

• Finding and experiencing a sense of awe, particularly connected to the natural world
• Taking us beyond our comfort zone, even just a little
• Fostering a sense of curiosity about what lies beyond
• A certain level of discomfort and a disruption to the status quo
• A journey (physical or intellectual), from which we grow
• The development of a greater sense of perspective, about our place in the world and what is important

Hopefully, the end result is that each of us becomes a better version of ourselves than we were yesterday. To make this happen, we have to be curious enough to venture beyond and courageous enough to risk failure. This is what I want for all of our boys and I encourage you to consider ways for your son to have an adventure, be it big or small. If he is still young enough, read him some stories from Winnie the Pooh, or get him to read them to you. If he is older, get him to read about some of the great explorers – Australian Antarctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton for example – or the Captain of the Springboks, Siya Kolisi. And encourage him to do something outside of his comfort zone – it could be something as simple as camping out in the back yard, or getting a part-time job. These things encourage us to find out about the world around us.

After all, ignorance is not saying, "I don't know", ignorance is saying, "I don't want to know". The first step in an adventure is wanting to know; curiosity is the bedrock of learning and the driver of making the world a better place.

In line with these comments, I commend the latest edition of SchoolTV, the online wellbeing platform to which we subscribe. This month's topic is Resilience, a skill which forms one of the pillars of our wellbeing programme (along with Respect and Relationships) and which is a vital ingredient in navigating adventures successfully. Here is the link: https://scotch.wa.schooltv.me/newsletter/resilience

Another interesting source of information relating to wellbeing is the Greater Good Science Center, based at UC, Berkeley. They have a terrific website. There, you can find a series of short videos which are built around the idea of raising caring, courageous kids: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/video/item/raising_caring_courageous_kids. These cartoon clips are suitable for all ages and deal with compassion, forgiveness, honesty, humility and something they call "stick-to-it-iveness". They are worth a look when you have a moment.

Love Your Neighbour

The College is incredibly fortunate to have Lake Claremont, a world class wetland and designated Bush Forever site, as one of its primary neighbours. Through its history, the Lake has been an important meeting site and area for hunting and gathering for the Mooro people, a farm and dairy, a market garden, a rubbish tip and a golf course.

In recent years, the Lake has come under the care of the Friends of Lake Claremont leading to its rejuvenation as a thriving ecosystem largely populated by native flora and fauna, with a stable and healthy water table that is the envy of many. For Scotch College this has meant that we have a location for our ELC Thursday Bush School, a site for our cross-country races and buffer of great beauty and value that keeps the urban world at bay from our incredible playing fields.

Friends of Lake Claremont (FOLC) was established in 2003 and works closely with the Town of Claremont to improve the Lake. They receive a significant number of grants, a reflection of their professionalism and passion, and have won many awards, for the quality of their work. Scotch College has a strong history of working with FOLC mainly through our Year 10 Service Programme, having a sitting member on the Town's Lake Claremont Advisory Committee, and through our grounds team assisting FOLC and the Town in monitoring water quality and improving the area on the western side of the Lake. We are also currently looking at a global project whereby our students can monitor the migratory birds at the Lake and report this to a database of schools doing similar work in wetlands in their part of the world. A big thanks to Nick Cook from FOLC who visited the College and spoke to our Service Captains of each House about what they could to assist FOLC in their mission.

If you are keen to assist FOLC, they regularly have talks and session open to the public. They also have a regular Sunday Busy Bee that meet at the Old Tin Shed in the north eastern corner of the Lake at 8am. More details below.

The College is so fortunate to have the Lake as our neighbour and we thank the FOLC for all their work over many years.

 

All Abilities is back

Unfortunately, the opening session for the Claremont Nedlands Cricket Club All Abilities Team was rained out on Friday. A big thanks to Ralph Goodman and the Club for inviting our boys to be involved and we look forward to starting next week. It is great that we can assist in an area where we have real skills and passion.

The first half of the All Abilities season runs on Friday evenings from 5.30pm at Cresswell Park from now until 13 December.

CNCC is another example of a neighbour we are fortunate to have. The Club is having great successes both on and off the field and we wish them well in season 2019/20.

Uniform Shop Opening Hours

Tuesdays: 8.00am - 5.00pm
Thursdays: 7.30am - 11.30am
Fridays: 7.30am - 11.30am

Scribblers Festival 2020

Scotch College is proud to host the 2020 Scribblers Festival! 

For the third year in a row, we are happy to host thousands of Primary Students from schools around Perth to our campus on 6-8 May 2020, during which Scribblers will be featuring superstar creatives like Andy Griffiths, Macca the Alpaca creator Matt Cosgrove, Australian treasure Ursula Dubosarsky, iconic designer Beci Orpin, international fantasy star Leigh Bardugo, American graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier, and many, many more!

Their popular FREE Family Weekend will take place 9-10 May 2020 at new venue, Subiaco Arts Centre.

There are numerous ways for young creatives to get involved with Scribblers Festival as a Podcaster, Youth Curator, or by entering their Golden Pen Writing Award. Download the full Schools Program and learn how you and your family can celebrate the magic of storytelling by visiting scribblersfestival.com.au.

Performing Arts 

Friends of Scotch Music (FOSM)

On behalf of the entire Music Faculty at Scotch, I wish to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the parents who have dutifully served on the Friends of Scotch Music committee for several years. To Mrs Ally Matthews (President), Mrs Marianna Winton (Secretary) and Mrs Maria Radici (Committee Member), the staff of Scotch Music thank you for what you've done to champion the cause of Music at Scotch. 

The time committed with meetings, planning and event logistics for some of the bigger calendar events such as Jazz Night and Spring Concert has been truly wonderful.   

Although your season of service has come to an end, the impact you've had will be lasting.

We Will Rock You – Musical 2020

Auditions have now been held, with the call backs scheduled this week. We've had a very impressive turnout for auditions this year and lead roles will be hotly contested at the callbacks this week. Parents of cast members will be invited to attend a meeting on Monday 11 November at 5.00pm. Keep your eye out for an email to follow later this week.

Scotch Music 2020 launch

All parents are invited and encouraged to attend the launch of Scotch Music for 2020. 

Save the date: Tuesday 26th  November, at 6:30pm in the Memorial Hall. 

The launch will detail the new structure for Scotch Music, following phase two of the extensive review of Performing Arts. Future plans for the three arms of our Music curricula: Music Courses, Music Tuition and Music Ensemble will be presented, and the 2020 performance calendar will be launched.  

Music Ensemble Auditions

Music Ensemble auditions for 2020 will be held during week five, commencing Monday 11   November. 

All boys from Year 6 – Year 12 (2020) who play a musical instrument (including voice) should register for an audition slot.  Details regarding the auditions are available by navigating to the  Auditions  section of the performing arts website on home.scotch

Mr Scott Loveday
Head of Performing Arts

A Grandparent's Love

"Love is the greatest gift one generation can give to another" Richard Garnett

When I was a boy, I was not fortunate to live near my grandparents. Both my mother's and father's parents lived in the Canadian Maritime provinces on the east coast, 3000kms away. Our only contact with them was a brief hello on the telephone during the occasional call from my parents to them.

Every two years, we would load up the family station wagon and drive across Canada to visit our grandparents. The drive was long and there was plenty to see in the ten-hour days on the Trans-Canada Highway but once we got there, it was more than worth it.

The time I spent with the grandparents has always been very special to me. With my mum's dad, who was a carpenter by trade, he taught me how to cut, saw and drive a nail. We built benches and carved wooden sailing boats. He took us fishing and digging for clams (mussels in Australian speak) which were always cooked up and eaten as the central part of the evening parties of guitar music and ruckus games of "Trump".

My father's parents were more reserved and the times with them were much quieter. Grandpa would usually sit in his chair, read the newspaper and look out the veranda window at the neighbourhood. My most quality time was spent with my grandmother. She baked scones for me, taught me how to knit and how to play "Crib". We would spend hours together each day talking, and she would tell me about my dad and his sister and brothers and what they got up to as children. It was wonderful to hear her stories and on reflection, those times have and do mean a great deal to me.

I look at my own children and I am grateful that they have had my wife's parent close by. Their presence in my children's life has been so very important to them as people and it has fostered the important grandparent grandchild relationship that does so much for a child.

A child's relationship with their grandparents is very special. It is a relationship of comfort and security. A child's interaction with their grandparent can provide insight into the childhood of their parents.  The child will feel a great deal of love from their grandparent, but it is a different kind of love. A love that at times is more indulgent but one that children respond to. It is a love that is second in importance only to that of a parent.

Grandparents may turn a blind eye to the more minor misbehaviour that a parent may not, but this is done from a lifetime of experience and the clear knowledge of what really matters. They do set boundaries, but they want their grandchildren to have the freedom to be themselves. Grandchildren may stretch the boundaries knowing the love of a grandparents will not waiver. They are champions for their grandchildren, mentors for their problems and will stand by them through thick and thin.

On Friday 25 October, the Junior School welcomed the grandparents of our boys. The day features two assemblies and a shared picnic, where the boys had the opportunity to show off their grandparents and in their own way thank them for the love they show them. It was a very special day.

I would like to suggest to our parent that they may like to share with their sons some questions they might like to ask their grandparents.  These questions may help the boys to learn more about their grandparents.

1. Were you named after a family member or does your name have a special meaning?
2. Do you have a nickname that your siblings or friends call you? How did you get the nickname?
3. Where were you born? What was your house like as a child?
4. How did your family spend time together when you were young?
5. What was your favourite subject or teacher in school?
6. What is the most important lesson that your parents taught you?
7. What did your friends do for fun when you were young? Did you have a best friend?
8. Did you have a favourite toy as a child?
9. Did you get an allowance? How much was it and what did you spend your money on?
10. Did you ever get in trouble as a child or teenager?
11. How did you meet grandma/grandpa? What was your marriage proposal like?
12. Where was your wedding?
13. What did you want to be when you grew up?
14. Where have you lived? Tell me about your first house.
15. Where have you travelled? What is your favourite city to visit? Do you have a favourite family holiday memory?
16. What is your favourite memory with your children?
17. What could you tell me that I would be surprised to learn about you?
18. What is your dream for your children and grandchildren?
19. What were your grandparents like?
20. What is the earliest memory that you have?
21. Tell me about the day when my mum/dad was born?
22. What makes you happy?
23. Have you owned any pets? What was your first pet?
24. What is different about growing up today than when you were a child?
25. What is your favourite thing about being a grandparent?

A child's relationship with their grandparents is a special one. The memories created from the quality moments spent together last a lifetime. On behalf of the College I would like to thank the grandparents of our boys for the support they give their own children, their grandchildren and the College.

Information Learning Technology

Film Festival

Each year in the Junior School we hold an annual film festival where boys from Kindy to Year 5 can submit a film of any genre. The film festivals give a creative outlet for our Junior School boys and is a great way to use the mobile functionality of their iPads.

Many hours were spent on preparing these films, boys spent their holidays filming, and many gave up their lunchtimes to learn how to use advanced features of iMovie and stop motion animation to create their masterpieces.  Any stop motion animation means the boys have spent hours moving clay, Lego or 2D animations to make a 2 or 3 minute stop motion film.

Over the years, entries have included stop motion, claymation, live documentaries on cooking and gardening, silent movies, and even a zombie movie.  This year, we have had 25 movies entered into the competition and the scope of films was amazing. Entries include trailers, fishing documentary, BMX bike riding,  2D stop motion animation, music videos and live action films. 

The judges were impressed with the quality of the movies and the competition for the gold statue was a close one.  The Scotch Oscar was a tie for the first time ever.  The Oscars went to William Macknay for his 70's cop show intro 'Steele and Tango' and to Callum Kennedy for his stop motion extravaganza, 'Stop Nonsense'.  All movies will be shown in the JML over the next few weeks before and after school.

I am sure that we will see a few names in lights as the credits roll in the future for our budding directors and producers. I hope the film festival starts a love of storytelling and movie making that continues for a lifetime. 

Mrs Amanda Ritchie
ILT Integration Specialist

1G News

We have hit the ground running this term with a spring in our step. The boys have been inquiring into 'Our role and responsibility to look after the natural world.' They have shown this through the silkworms we have been looking after in the classroom. We have had many boys demonstrate their action by cycling or walking to their local mulberry tree to get leaves for our special silkworms.

We are well versed as to where these mulberry trees are in our local area. We are looking forward to going through the process of how to obtain the silk when they have spun their cocoons. Tobias asked Mrs Gray "What would you like to make out of the silk Mrs Gray?" Mrs Gray replied with "A lovely new silk dress would be wonderful."

We have enjoyed walking to Lake Claremont to find out what exciting creatures live there. We have seen many tadpoles, ducks, ducklings, swans, cygnets and a large variety of bird life. We soon realised what an amazing habitat Lake Claremont is. We have really enjoyed learning about a variety of animals, how they move, their external features and what they eat in preparation for the creation of our very own animal.

1G is full of marvellous mathematicians. Our current mathematical inquiry is 'Attributes of time can be measured using devices.' We have been investigating how to tell the time which has definitely challenged our brains. The boys have been asking amazing questions and investigating the answers to these questions. One example is: If it is 11.00pm in Australia. What time is it in America? We are wonderful timekeepers in 1G.

We have begun our second round of swimming lessons for the year and cannot believe how much we have improved. We are like little fish in the water and are looking forward to showing off our amazing technique at the Aqua Fun day in a few weeks' time.

 

Mrs Kristen Gray
Year 1 Teacher

Physical Education News 

It has been a busy start to Spring Term in Physical Education, especially in JPSSA Sport for our Year 5 students. The young men who have represented Scotch College in the JPSSA programme thus far have shown outstanding sportsmanship, displaying respect for not only themselves but also their opponents. In tennis, Oban Hopkins from Year 5 has been commended for his exceptional display of treatment of others whether it be a Scotch student or an opposing student. A number of students have also been praised for their efforts playing cricket, with Sonny Mutter, Edward Meadows and Fletcher Hector all applauded for their efforts with the bat and ball.

Swimming lessons have also begun for Year 1 to 5 students and are in full swing with a large majority of boys showing vast improvements particularly in freestyle and backstroke. Samuel Cimbaro, Year 3 and Dominic Van Niekerk, Year 4 have both displayed leadership within their respective year groups, displaying a willingness to listen, learn and progress through the swimming levels by applying feedback given to them by the swim coaches. In the coming weeks, we look to progress the boys’ ability in the three main swimming strokes and introduce diving off the blocks for our older year groups to improve confidence entering the water.

The Year 4 boys are also eager for their upcoming Basketball Carnival on the Thursday 7 November held at the Bendat Basketball Stadium. They will get a taste of what JPSSA is like as they compete in a round-robin tournament against Hale and Christ Church.

Mr Nathan Eaton
Head of Junior School Physical Education

From the Head of Middle School

First of all, congratulations to the Year 6 boys who completed their Surf Camp at Lancelin over the last 2 weeks, particularly to the boys of 6.4 who toughed out the rain, hail, wind and huge surf at the end of last week.  Each year Surf Camp throws up stories that will get retold at reunions for years to come.  This year's Surf Camp was no exception.

The Year 7 Sailing programme is getting close to finishing and this has run in a range of conditions as well.  When Sailing finishes the Year 8 Snorkelling Programme commences. It is a big Outdoor Education finish to the term.

With 5 weeks of school left for the year the following quote, often attributed to Michael Phelps underscores my message to the students this week: 'it's not how you start, but how your finish that counts'.  The point being, it is often the last part of a race, an event, a meeting, a lesson that is remembered.  I am asking the boys that regardless of how the year has gone, to make the last 5 weeks the ones they want to be remembered by.

As we push into the final phase of the year the following is background and some details for two significant Middle School events; IB Learner Profile Awards Assembly in Week 8 and Middle School Speech Night in Week 9.

IB Learner Profile Awards Assembly Week 8

In Week 8, Friday 6 December we celebrate another completed academic year with our Awards Assembly.  This final Assembly for the year is different from our Speech Night and very different from the Academic Excellence awards presented at Senior School Speech Night.

This event recognises a number of students in each grade against the IB Learner Profile attributes.  We see these Learner Profile attributes as the vital, transferable skills or attitudes that underpin a strong foundation for personal success in Senior School.  These are the attributes that lie at the heart of what we do in Middle School.  At the Awards Assembly we also recognise a boy in each year for his citizenship qualities with the Mo Maslin Citizenship Award.  Mo Maslin was a former Middle School student who typified the welcoming, collaborating, encouraging, compassionate and caring approach to life we would hope a Scotch College education develops.

Middle School Speech Night Week 9

Middle School Speech Night is a Year 8 event.  It is the culmination of the transition process that lies at the heart of Middle School.  The sending off of the boys into their Senior School Houses is a fitting finale to the evening.  Families of boys in Year 8 are our special guests for the evening.  Brother, sisters, grandparents and other family members are all welcome.  Middle School Speech Night is Tuesday 10 December commencing at 6:30pm in the Dickinson Centre.

8.7 On the Road to Reflection

To quote Alfred Mercier, "What we learn with pleasure we never forget".  Over the past few weeks the boys in 8.7 have been reflecting on their Middle School journey at Scotch College.  Whether they've been a part of the Middle School community for one year or three, the boys were asked to think about some of the highlights of their journey and the things they like most about being a part of the Scotch community.

So, before the 8.7 boys walk across the stage at this year's end of year Speech Night together with the remainder of the Year 8 cohort, they took some time to talk about the important friendships they've established during their time in Middle School.

During Moray camp, our boys experienced sleeping under the stars, hiking, cooking home-made pizza dough and the sharing of ghost stories. Usually things go to plan; however, this term in English, 8.7 has been studying the play Compass by Jessica Bellamy and exploring what happens when school camp goes wrong. Great characterisation, expressive use of language and real camping props have enabled our play to come to life.

Mrs Genine Unsworth and Ms Gabrielle Kotai
8.7 Homeroom Teachers

7.7 Poetry Slam

'All things poetry' was the focus for 7.7's studies in English during Winter Term.  In class we learned about a variety of sound and visual poetic techniques as well as different poetic structures.

Our students were then challenged to plan, write and perform their own slam poem around a topic that was important to them.  The students focused on integrating a variety of poetic and performance techniques to create a memorable and impactful slam poem.  The top performances were then entered into the Poetry Slam Grand Final competition and were performed to the rest of the cohort.

The Poetry Slam competition was a wonderful display of boys taking risks, going beyond their comfort zone and showing vulnerability.  Each and every boy in our class should be proud of what they achieved – not just with the English skills they developed, but also in the personal strength they displayed.

Enjoy reading some extracts below from a few of the brilliant slam poets in 7.7.

 

Mrs Terri Spartalis
7.7 Homeroom Teacher

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Mandeep Singh (6.3) who has won multiple Monthly Cup golf tournaments this year and has qualified to play in the Monthly Cup Final at Royal Fremantle Golf Club later this month.

Important Dates in Middle School Spring Term

Tuesday 5 November	Year 7.4 Sailing Programme
Wednesday 6 November	Year 7.5 Sailing Programme
Thursday 7 November	Year 7.5 Sailing Programme Year 6 Academic Assessment Testing JPSSA SC v HS
Friday 8 November	MS Assembly (internal), 12.00pm MacKellar Hall PSA SC v HS
Monday 11 November	Remembrance Day, 11.00am – 11.45am Year 7.6 Sailing Programme
Tuesday 12 November	Ride 2 School Year 7.6 Sailing Programme
Wednesday 13 November	Year 7.7 Sailing Programme Year 8 Vaccinations Round #2
Thursday 14 November	Year 7.7 Sailing Programme Talented Young Writers (select students) JPSSA TC v SC JS/MS Music Spring Soiree, 5.30pm – 7.30pm Memorial Hall
Friday 15 November	PSA TC v SC Year 6 Parents’ Christmas Party, 6.00pm Marine Pde, Cottesloe
Saturday 16 November	Year 8 Bibbulmun Track Departs (Boarders only)
Thursday 21 November	Year 8 Bibbulmun Track Returns JPSSA SC v GG
Friday 22 November	MS Assembly (internal), 12.00pm MacKellar Hall Year 6 Concert Band Showcase, 1.30pm – 3.15pm PSA SC v GG
Monday 25 November	Year 7 Bibbulmun Track Departs (Boarders only) Year 8.1 Snorkelling Programme
Tuesday 26 November	Year 8.2 Snorkelling Programme
Wednesday 27 November	Year 8.3 Snorkelling Programme Year 7 Bibbulmun Track Returns
Thursday 28 November	Year 8.4 Snorkelling Programme JPSSA Bye Year 8 2020 Community Project Launch, 6.30pm – 8.00pm Memorial Hall
Friday 29 November	PSA Bye (Sport Training)
Monday 2 December	Year 6 & 7 2020 MS Orientation Day Year 7 Adventure World Excursion Year 8 Transition Day in Senior School
Tuesday 3 December	Boardies Day Year 8.5 Snorkelling Programme
Wednesday 4 December	Year 8.6 Snorkelling Programme
Thursday 5 December	Year 8.7 Snorkelling Programme
Friday 6 December	IB Learner Profile Awards Final Assembly, 11.30am DC Year 7 Parent Function, 7.00pm Claremont Football Club
Tuesday 10 December	Year 8 Scotch Parents’ Breakfast MS Speech Night, 6.30pm DC (all Year 8 students required to attend) Spring Term Concludes

Old Scotch Collegians and New Beginnings

On Friday of Week 2, the College celebrated Founders’ Day. It is a day where we acknowledge the contributions of those who came before us, particularly the foresight shown by Jane Alexander back in 1896, who saw the need for our School and had the courage to follow up on her convictions, donating five hundred pounds to found the School in 1897. In the Senior School, we mark this day with Marching, where past Pipe Band members return to play or march with the current Band, before celebrating with fellow Old Scotch Collegians (OSC) at the Founders’ Day Dinner in the evening. Our heritage is one of the things that makes Scotch College unique and we celebrate our traditions with great pride. Founders’ Day also coincides with the first time our ‘new’ Year 12 boys lead the marching, another symbolic handover of leadership following the March Out Assembly and wonderful March Out ceremony on the Memorial Oval a week prior.

While our leaving 12 cohort are preparing for examinations, following up on further education and training opportunities, commencing employment or just enjoying the break from 12 years of schooling, our current students are stepping up into new roles and studying new courses. They have made a great start and the opportunity now exists for them to set the tone for the school, to lead their Houses and mentor and support the younger students. This is not a responsibility that is left to chance. The Year 12 students have been working through the leadership course for the past 12 months and have been developing their skills in this area, both individually and as a cohort, in preparation for the responsibility of leading the College. We look forward to hearing the theme they have set for 2020 and to working with the cohort to achieve their goal.

The Spring Concert, held earlier this term, was a great success. The event show-cased a variety of pieces and the talent, dedication and teamwork required of the boys in their musical endeavours. For some students, the courage demonstrated in performing for a large audience was palpable and I commend all of those involved in the evening. Speaking of new beginnings, it was also great to see our new Captain of Music compering the night while his predecessor and other leaving Year 12 boys performed. The transition in leadership was seamless and a credit to our Music department and the students involved. As one group steps away and works towards new challenges and experiences, the next group steps up to embrace the opportunities that lie before them, ready to make their own mark on the School.

It is an exciting time for the Senior School and the incoming Year 12 group as they lead us into a new year. We look forward to supporting them in their endeavours knowing that, as with any challenge, there will be ups and down and opportunities to develop their own style and learn from their experiences. As the leaving Year 12 boys will attest to, the year will fly by and it is important to embrace and enjoy the moment in the days and weeks ahead along their journey.

Brains over brawn: Crocodile attack survivor enlightens Year 10s

On 1 January 2018 Peter Knottenbelt retired. He’d had a long career as an educator and mining engineer, working in some of the deepest mines in Africa. He was an adventurous type who enjoyed sky diving, white water canoeing, hiking and camping. On retirement however, he looked forward to a slower pace and time to relax. It wasn’t to be.

Six days later while holidaying with family at Kruger National Park in South Africa, he was fighting for his life in the jaws of a crocodile. Wading through a shallow river Mr Knottenbelt had stepped on the submerged three-metre beast. Resistance seemed futile as it threw him about, breaking bones in his leg and torso. Using some quick thinking and his remaining strength, Mr Knottenbelt gouged beyond the leathery cover of the crocodile’s eyes. The crocodile finally hesitated in its descent to deeper waters and released him. Mr Knottenbelt spent the next 14 days in a coma and 44 days in intensive care. He’d endured 13 separate surgeries, had one leg amputated and was lucky to be alive.

It was this formidable experience which Mr Knottenbelt recounted to Year 10 students last week as part of an English curriculum focus on ‘Life Stories’. Delivered with humour and positivity, his story of survival had boys captivated. He spoke of strength in the face of adversity, courage to face the unfamiliar and perseverance in attaining one’s goals. Sage advice from an inspiring man.

Ms Amanda Beckett
English Teacher

Kapture Photography

We have been advised by Kapture Photography that all portrait photos taken at the Senior School this year will be removed from their website at the end of this term in readiness for next year's photography.

Parents who wish to place an order are asked to visit www.kapture.com.au using our school code: HR8A9R

Careers Information

Notre Dame University 1-on-1 Advice Sessions

18 Nov 2019 – 29 Nov 2019, 9.00am - 6.30pm

Considering your university options but unsure of the right degree for you? Notre Dame advisors can introduce you to a range of programs that align with your strengths and interests to help you find the right degree for you.

Book a 1-on-1 Course Advice session at:  https://www.notredame.edu.au/events-items/1-on-1-advice-sessions-fremantle .

WACE Results

Year 12 students will be able to access their results online at  https://www.wace.wa.edu.au  on  Thursday 19 December 2019.

To log on, students will need their student number and other personal identification information. It is advisable that students provide an alternate email address via the student portal. This is to avoid issues where school email accounts close prior to the release of results.

TAFE Applications are open!

Applications are open for Semester 1, 2020 so here is some useful information to help in guiding students on where to go and what to do, to get enrolled for next year.

How to apply

For full-time study , students need to visit  TAFE Admissions and complete an online application. Students will then be required to send in their relevant documentation. They will then receive a Letter of Offer which will invite them to come on campus and enrol (in January 2020). 

WA Police | Recruit Information Session

14 November 2019, 4:30 pm

Western Australia Police Academy, Lakeside Drive, Joondalup WA, Australia

People who have an interest in a career as a Police Officer and are 18 years of age or older are encouraged to attend a Recruit Information Session. Please be advised the Recruit Information Session provides information on the Police Officer role and recruitment process.

Recruit Information Sessions include presentations by WA Police Force Recruiting Personnel, Police Recruits and other members of the Western Australia Police Force and provide an overview of the recruitment and selection process, training requirements and job specific information relevant to a career as a police officer.

Find out more:  https://www.stepforward.wa.gov.au/information-sessions

MedView | Uncovering the UCAT

24 November 2019, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

The University of Western Australia, Crawley

This event is an introduction to studying for the UCAT and offers insights from a UCAT expert and a detailed exploration of each section of the UCAT. If you have questions about the sitting the UCAT, or you are interested in learning about how MedView can help you prepare, be sure to attend this event.

MedView offers bespoke packages to help students prepare for the UCAT, which are tailored to your individual needs. Join us at this event to benefit from our industry-leading expertise in medical admissions in Australia and New Zealand.

MedView's 'Uncovering the UCAT' event will include:

• An introduction by our UCAT expert on UCAT Basics, including a detailed evaluation of each section of the exam
• Guidance on which medical schools are part of the UCAT Consortium
• Tips of preparing and studying for the UCAT
• Sample questions from our expert UCAT Tutors
• Q&A to conclude the session

Find out more:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uncovering-the-ucat-perth-tickets-69986642933

2020 Scholarships Guide

This Scholarships Guide is packed with tips and links to scholarships at universities, TAFEs and private providers all around the country.

You can check it out  here .

SAE Creative Media Institute

Students are invited to visit the SAE Institute Perth campus and get a feel for the courses offered. See demonstrations of current and past student projects from all study areas, including recently published student games, screenings of short films from the animation and film departments, diverse graphic design portfolios, and audio production projects.

Thursday 28 November, 5.00pm - 7.00pm. SAE Institute Perth is located at 116 - 120 Roe St, Northbridge.

Master Mind

January 2020 Jump Start Programs

NAPLAN -- Study Skills – Essay Writing – Subject Revision & Preparation

For all students entering Year 7 – 12 in 2020

The January Preparation Program aims to prepare students for Term 1 (2020) before the academic year begins. The classes will revise those important components from the 2019 syllabus that are vital for success in the  new-year . The program will also preview what students can expect in their courses in 2020.

Courses will be conducted at:

Hale School                                                   

Thursday 16 - Tuesday 21January 2020

Christ Church Grammar School          

Sunday 19 - Friday 24 January 2020                        

Dr. Robert Hallam at Master Mind Australia on 9486 1377

www.mastermindaustralia.com.au

Mr Peter Frusher 
Careers Advisor 

Senior School Important Dates  - Spring Term 2019

Date	Event	Location	Time
Week 4B
Monday 4 November	Year 12 IB Diploma Examinations commence		Final day 21 November
	Year 12 Diploma Geography Internal Assessment Day
Tuesday 5 November	Year 11 Biology (ATAR) Whale Watching Excursion	Waters off Rottnest	8.15am – 12.45pm
Wednesday 6 November	Year 12 House Heads Meetings	Bunning Resource Centre (Library)	3.30pm – 7.30pm
Thursday 7 November	Year 11 Marine and Maritime (General) Sailing Course	Boat Shed	8.30am – 3.25pm
	Year 12 Marine and Maritime (ATAR) Whale Watching Excursion (catch up)	Waters off Rottnest	9.00am – 1.15pm
Friday 8 November	Poppies for Remembrance Day (selected boys)	Various	6.00am – 12noon
	Marching only (No Assembly)	Dickinson Centre	8.30am – 8.50am
	PSA Sport – Scotch College v Hale School (please visit sport.scotch.wa.edu.au)	Home	1.30pm onwards
Saturday 9 November	PSA Sport – Scotch College v Hale School (please visit sport.scotch.wa.edu.au)	Home	8.30am onwards
	PSA Rowing – Guildford Regatta	Guildford Grammar School	8.30am – 11.30am
Sunday 10 November	Year 11 and 12 Bibbulmun Track Expedition departs		Final day 15 November
	Rowing Sundowner	Boat Shed	4.00pm – 6.00pm
Week 5A
Monday 11 November	Remembrance Day
Tuesday 12 November	Solar Car Challenge (catch up)	UWA	8.00am – 3.15pm
	Year 11 CAS Homeless Connect Day	Off campus	8.30am – 3.30pm
	Year 12 Parent Information Evening	Memorial Hall	6.30pm – 7.30pm
Friday 15 November	Marching only (No Assembly)
	PSA Sport – Trinity College v Scotch College (please visit sport.scotch.wa.edu.au)	Away	1.30pm onwards
Saturday 16 November	PSA Sport – Scotch College v Trinity College (please visit sport.scotch.wa.edu.au)	Away	8.30am onwards
	Year 10 Bibbulmun Track Expedition departs		Final day 22 November

Scotch Parents

The Year 12 Parents get-together after March Out was by all accounts a lovely (and a little emotional) celebration of the friendships that have been made during their time at Scotch College.  A big thank you to Mel Gilchrist and her team of helpers who organised a great afternoon at The Quarry Amphitheatre.

The AGM for Scotch Parents will be held on Tuesday, 19 November in the Dining Hall Annexe at 7.00pm.

We are still looking for some new and energetic parents to join the committee in 2020 – it's always a lot of fun and a great opportunity to be involved with the Scotch parent community.  If you're interested in finding out more please contact us at scotchparents@scotch.wa.edu.au

We are also looking for new Year Group Reps for Senior school (Years 10 - 12) and a Middle School Co-ordinator.  Again this is something that can be done by a group of friends and is a good way to get to know other parents in your son's year.

Upcoming Events organised and supported by Scotch Parents:

• Tuesday 5 November: Year 8 Parents Melbourne Cup Lunch at The Shorehouse
• Friday 8 November: Year 8 Parents End of Year Drinks at the the Floreat Hotel from 7pm
• Friday 6 December: Year 7 Parents End of Year Drinks at the Tiger Bar, Claremont Football Club from 7pm – bookings can be made here.

Sara Hector
President
Scotch Parents

Old Scotch Collegians

Remembrance Day  

On Monday 11 November, all Old Scotch Collegians are invited to return to Scotch College to attend the Senior School Remembrance Day Service. The Service will be held adjacent to Collegians House from 10.45am. 

Beers and Bites

Our last social event for 2019 will be a relaxed sundowner at The Sandbar in Scarborough. Old Scotch Collegians from all years are invited to head down to enjoy a few beers and bites with their fellow alumni, before the craziness of the silly season descends.

Register here before Wednesday 13 November. 

St Andrew’s Day Vale Service  

Our final event for 2019 is one of the more important ones on the OSC Calendar. Each year we hold a St. Andrew’s Day Vale Service to remember those loved ones who we have lost, whether it be during the year or longer ago. All members of the wider Scotch College community, including students, staff and parents, are invited to attend the service in the Scotch College Chapel on Friday 29 November at 11am.

For more details about any of our upcoming events, please contact the OSC office at cass.macgowan@scotch.wa.edu.au or (08) 9383 6849.