More than Teaching

As we move into the final phase of the school year, a significant signpost being the fact that with our leaving Year 12s having commenced their final International Baccalaureate and WACE exams, it is timely to reflect on the valuable contribution by our incredible teaching staff that got them there. It is important to remember that the journey to Year 12 includes significant touch points from many teachers across many years.

A few weeks ago, we celebrated opening our Mathematics and Commerce Building in what is already showing signs of becoming one of our iconic buildings. Like all of our facilities at Scotch, the building's status will be forever enhanced due to the high-quality teachers working within the new spaces. At the end of the day, without students and great teachers, Scotch is simply a series of great facilities in Swanbourne. It is the teachers who bring the school to life for each and every student.

World Teachers' Day

We know there are many great things that go together to make Scotch a great school and community, but in the midst of World Teachers' Day, we remember just how important our teachers are to the development of our students from Pre-Kindergarten through to when they graduate in Year 12. Scotch is a school with world-class facilities, the latest technology, strong parent body and a dynamic curriculum, but our real jewels in the crown are our teachers. On balance, their level of personal and professional commitment is as high as I have witnessed throughout my own professional career.

Every day, some 1,400+ students are entrusted into the care and leadership of over 220 teachers here at Scotch College. I am proud to lead some of the finest teachers in the country at our school, whose expertise and dedication to their field is second to none. But it is what our teachers do beyond the classroom that makes them invaluable.

Our teachers don't just teach. They build relationships and trust. They empathise. They show compassion, care and respect for the individuals they teach every day. Most importantly, they shape lives. I'm sure everyone can cast their minds back to school days and recall a favourite teacher and I bet that teacher did more than just teach you the fundamentals of history or maths. That teacher inspired you, cared for you in times of challenge and inspired you to be a better person. That teacher created a safe space for you to learn and explore the world.

On World Teachers' Day on Friday, I heard someone speaking about their memories of great teachers. In essence, it came down to one simple fact: they brought the subject to life and made it fun. The essence of this was captured by the Willetton High School teacher who won Science Teacher of the year last week. He said, "My job is not to simply teach science, but to develop future scientists through a passion for science".

So, what does it mean to be a teacher? The answer goes far beyond any curriculum framework or textbook. Not only are our teachers teaching fundamental skills to our students, but also inadvertently acting as role models, leaders and people to aspire to. That is what makes a great teacher, and in turn, a great school.

Last week Australia celebrated World Teachers' Day, a day established to acknowledge the valuable work of teachers in classrooms and other educational environments. This year, like every year at Scotch, we acknowledge and thank the work of all teachers across the globe for the role they play in shaping the bright future of the next generation.

I mentioned earlier about our Year 12s having commenced their exams. I ask all families to keep our boys in their thoughts and prayers over the coming few weeks. We know they have been well prepared and will perform well.

This time of the year is very busy and packed with commitments. I look forward to catching up with many of you at parent meetings or at one of the many other activities over the coming weeks.

Have a great fortnight,

Dr A J O'Connell
Headmaster

Chaplain's Reflections

It can be tempting to put people in boxes. There's them and us; the people we relate to and the ones we would rather avoid; the privileged and those who are just getting by; the able and the disabled; the people we think of as Australian and the others we label as foreigners; and so on. 

We put people in boxes by using labels and making assumptions, and we keep them in boxes by associating only with people who are familiar and reassuring to ourselves. We make little effort to get to know people in other boxes, telling ourselves that there is no benefit in going out of our way to include them. It's easier to ignore them than to hear of their challenges or acknowledge their accomplishments. As myths and assumptions go unchallenged, we become less empathetic and our prejudices are reinforced.

The problem is by putting people in boxes we fail to see all that we share. Boxes divide us and close down opportunities for dialogue. It takes a major event or a deliberate effort to break through the boxes we have built around ourselves. Only through shared experiences and conversations do we have the chance to truly listen and hear our own hopes and fears, disappointments and successes in someone else's story. 

In St Paul's Letter to the Galatians, he tells a group of new Christians "there is no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3.28). In his lifetime, Jesus broke down boxes and accepted all kinds of people. He broke bread with tax collectors, welcomed children and offered living water to sinners. In following Jesus' example, we become open to a much deeper and more compassionate understanding of others and ourselves.

The PYP Exhibition Sets to Impress

Each year the Year 5 boys mark the end of their journey in Primary Years Programme (PYP) through an exhibition. The purpose of this final chapter is to showcase the independent learning strategies that our boys have acquired whilst learning under the inquiry framework outlined through the International Baccalaureate model of learning. The Exhibition is designed around a central idea which guides the students to investigate and deeply understand an area of interest relating to that theme. Every project is completely different and the work is entirely owned by the student. This year's central idea is "Scientific Understanding Impacts Lives" and what a showcase it promises to be, opening this Wednesday 4 November. For a better understanding of their journey please visit their website or take a moment to visit the Junior Middle School Library lower floor gallery and see it for yourself.

Learn more

What are the stages of the PYP Exhibition?

The First Stage is to develop a curiosity around the theme. For our boys the theme was Science and as such, they had time with our Senior School science teachers and Design and Technology teachers, who ignited their interests. From here, the class came up with the central idea and then each boy designed their own research question in relation to this.

The Second Stage involved four weeks of intensive research about their topic, making notes, reading various sources to gather information and answering burning questions they had developed along the way. This information is then written up into a report that demonstrates their understanding. This report is anywhere between 800 and 2000 words!

The Third Stage of the process is to build a statement piece that represents their project. This can anything from models to posters, movies and art.

The Fourth Stage is the action that every student must take in response to what they have learned throughout the process. This action could involve educating the local community, writing to the local MP or changing the behaviours of people around them.

The Final Stage is the reflection and exhibition. Here students reflect upon their journey across every step and it includes more than just what they have learned about. It is a self-assessment of ATL skill development, peer assessment and group reflection.

Why is this such an important aspect of education?

PYP exhibition incorporates the essential elements of the PYP, including the values of the PYP and gives students the chance to develop and display the attributes of the IB learner profile. It provides the boys with the chance to demonstrate their skills, their knowledge and gives them a voice to make a difference in the community and/or world. Teachers and mentors act as facilitators throughout the journey encouraging the students to take responsibility for their choices.

Manners Makyth Man

A few years ago, I spent some time in the UK, teaching at a school called Winchester College. It is an amazing place; a beautiful campus and the oldest continuously operating school in the world, begun in 1394 by the Bishop of Winchester in order to prepare boys to attend Oxford University. It has its own odd language which sits comfortably alongside a long tradition of academic excellence and a deep appreciation of the significance of an holistic education.   

The school's motto, which has remained unchanged for centuries, is "Manners Makyth Man". When I spoke with the Year 10s about this during the conferences at the start of the term, a number of them recognised it from the movie, The Kingsmen, showing that even pop culture can sometimes contain a reference to things far deeper and more ancient than those watching may realise. And whilst the language of the motto may sound old-fashioned to us, at the time it was radically progressive because it was written not in Latin but in a dynamic, up-and-coming language: English.

I love this motto, for a number of reasons. It has stood the test of time, proving to be as important today as it was when it was first used. I like it because it is basically saying that the true measure of a person's worth is the way they treat others, that someone should be judged not for their wealth or status or the title they may have inherited, but for the way they behave; for their personal qualities and achievements. This is such an important reminder for us in this age when fame without substance appears to be something worth aspiring to achieve. 

You Become What You are Led to Believe You Can Be

One of the things I found strange when I arrived at Win Coll was the fact that they call every student who attends the school a 'man of the college'. Even the smallest of Year 7s, when they first arrive, are addressed in this way. But what I realised while I was there was that this was something the school expected all its students to aspire to being: a good man. It was an acknowledgement that, whilst they would not always live up to that phrase, each student knew what it meant and knew that they should aspire to live by that moniker as often as they possibly could. If we set high standards for our young people, and we communicate those expectations to them clearly and regularly, then there is a far greater chance that they will succeed in meeting that standard and that it will become embedded within their character.  

Becoming a Gentleman

I have written before about the term 'gentleman', and the importance of using aspirational language with our students. It is a term I try to use regularly with students of all ages, partly because it is an incitement to behave in a particular way. It is a term that does not get used so much anymore. It has two connotations – the first is to do with chivalry and knightly behaviour. Resorting to violence was the last thing that a knight would do; having to fight was an admission that he had failed as a gentleman. This, in itself, is worth remembering. The second is its embodiment of being gentle: gentleness is not a term we associate with being a man these days, unfortunately. We are working against the idea that men must be physically strong; emotionally isolated. And yet, men who are gentle are the strongest men of all, to be able to resist the stereotype. To be so comfortable with who you are that you can afford to be kind and gentle, well that is what I wish for all of our students. 

Lasting Impressions

I also spoke to the Year 10s about how last impressions last; how people may forget what you say to them and even what you do for them, but they are most unlikely to forget how you made them feel. This is an exhortation to kindness; to make the most of every opportunity to do good in the world, to assist those around us. I also spoke about the concept of legacy – by the time they leave this school, for what do they want to be known? How will they be remembered? What contribution will they have made? How will people feel about them? These are questions we should all ask ourselves on a regular basis, and there is no harm in reminding the young people around us that they are building their legacy every day.

The Manners Card

From time to time, in my presentations to different year groups, I hand out a Manners Card. This is a simple, yet concrete reminder of how easy it is to display good manners. The hope is that such niceties as 'please' and 'thank you' become habits and, in so doing, we may build a more considerate, compassionate and kind society. Each society, each school, each family will have its own code of honour; behaviours and attitudes which are not negotiable and which apply across the board – in both the real and virtual worlds; with people of different ages and from diverse backgrounds. At the heart of it, lies the concept of respect – one of the pillars of Wellbeing at Scotch. 

The Challenge of Bad Manners

Whilst we may find it easy to display good manners with those we know and like, and with whom we have much in common, the challenge remains as to how we should behave in the face of bad manners. We have a choice – do we stay true to what we believe to be properly respectful behaviour, even when it appears that the other person is not deserving of respect? This is not a full statement of the situation – it is actually more a case of whether or not we let ourselves down. It is easy to be polite and friendly when someone is respectful to us. When we see or hear bad manners, we should call it out for what it is; we should stand up for what we know to be the right way to act, and protect those who are unable to protect themselves. It is our role as teachers and parents to constantly role model the behaviour and language we wish to see and hear from younger people. What we should strive to do is to ensure that young people have a moral compass as well as the courage to use it. In the end, good manners are as much a matter of self-respect as they are about having respect for others.

Uniform Shop

Opening Hours

• Tuesdays: 8am–5pm
• Thursdays: 7.30–11.30am
• Fridays: 7.30–11.30am

New Sports Uniform – Reminder

In 2016, we commenced a systematic review of our Sports apparel. The key drivers were to modernise our apparel using functional, breathable fabrics with the goal of projecting a strong image which is distinctly Scotch College.

Please be aware that the new sports apparel is compulsory from 2021.

Design Museum

Design is everywhere.

The Design and Technology Department aims to raise awareness of the great impact design has on a student's daily life through the curation of a Scotch College Design Museum. We are asking for donations of old technology such as phones, cameras and music players etc. to fill our museum, which will be located in the Science and Technology building. Please get in touch if you have any suitable donations at steven.scotti@scotch.wa.edu.au or 9383 6847.

Mr Steven Scotti
Curriculum Leader – Design & Technology

The Super Power of Reading

Each year Junior School children come together for a special celebration of books, Book Week. Book Week is dedicated to commemorating books, authors and illustrators. Teachers and library staff organise and plan fun activities and events to feature the importance of reading and engaging with books.

This year we celebrated Book Week at Scotch with a wonderful staff pantomime and costume parade for the children. The children dressed as their favourite book characters and confidently told the audience who they came dressed as, some even imitating their character's voice. The students delighted in watching their friends, older and younger, parade and enjoy the celebrations.

Junior School teachers are known for loving to have fun, and though the pantomime may have lacked some quality acting, it certainly was tremendous fun! Based on the book The Wildest Book Week Ever, the staff fumbled their way across the stage and the children laughed at their performances (or lack of).

Assisting your child to develop a love for books and reading is a gift that will last a lifetime. We know that academic performance strongly correlates with children's reading ability more than any other single indicator. Reading can be difficult to master for some children, yet, with good explicit teaching, patience, modelling and practice, the reading code can be cracked and the enjoyment of picking up a book and becoming lost in the pages, experienced.

Reading Tips

So how, as parents, can we assist our children to crack this code and unlock this special power? Here are some ways you can help your child:

• Reading to and with your child, no matter their age or ability, whenever you can and at least once a day. Children love listening to stories and even once children learn to read, continuing to read to them fosters their reading habits, expression and comprehension.
• Model reading as an enjoyable activity. Children are great imitators and learn by watching you. If they see you constantly on technology, that is what they think they should do. If they see you picking up a book, then they will get the message that reading is a good choice for them too.
• Visit the library or bookshop often and together. Allowing your child to choose their own reading material, even if that means you end up doing a lot of the reading for them, encourages ownership and the feeling of empowerment and joy.
• Share stories you loved as a child. Children love to feel a part of your experiences and sharing a book from your own childhood develops a special story between you.
• Share the load. If your child is reluctant to read, try strategies such as alternating pages with them or asking them to guess what happens on the next page.
• Read anything. Comics, joke books, shopping catalogues all make good reading materials. Find out what it is that entices your child to want to read and read that together.
• Praise their reading. Developing their confidence is a big part of reading success. Reading should never be associated with frustration, anger or stress. Praise their efforts, help them when they get tired or stuck and make the experience a happy one.

Reading is a super power that will last a lifetime!

Art News

Cards that Count

During Winter Term, the Year 3 artists have been working on a United Care West charity card initiative. Each artist completed an owl artwork inspired by Western Australian artist Kay Gibson. The owl artwork was available to view and order through Cards that Count. Each pack of 10 cards purchased raised $4 towards securing shelter, safety and connection to community for the children, families and individuals that Uniting WA supports. This initiative has proved extremely popular and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff and parents who have supported this charity fundraiser.

Exhibition Opening

Wednesday 11 November from 6–8pm will see the official opening of the Inspirations Visual Art Exhibition 2020. Held in the Art Gallery, Junior Middle Library, the annual exhibition showcases the original talents of our developing young artists. On display will be a wide variety of exceptional artworks from Junior and Middle school demonstrating a skilful, exciting and diverse range of mediums, including sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, painting and drawing.

The artworks highlight students' ability to think critically, creatively and empathise by demonstrating an understanding of global perspectives. The range of works will enable each boy to question and reflect upon their own approach to each subject matter, valuing the importance of the continuum of the Visual Arts throughout the College.

I hope to see you and your families on the opening night and encourage you to visit the Gallery to celebrate the achievements of all students throughout the College. Art exhibitions allow the boys to develop cultural fluency – understanding how to create art and use it to connect, communicate and function effectively in the globalised 21st century.

The Inspirations Visual Art Exhibition 2020 will be on display during College opening hours until Wednesday 25 November.

 

Mrs Jane Roche
Junior Art Specialist

iPads supporting Student Agency in the Early Years

In Autumn Term, the five-day Kindergarten children were working on their "How The World Works" unit of inquiry and explored the central idea of, "What Lies Beneath?" The children were horrified to discover that sea turtles are classified both as endangered and at risk of extinction. As part of their unit exploration, Kindergarten Teacher Olivia Harnwell carefully guided the children's learning as a co-researcher and co-collaborator whilst they uncovered endangered sea turtle facts that they wanted to share with their parents and the wider community.

Previously, Olivia had added animations and voiceovers to PowerPoint presentations as a way for her students to make their learning visible with their parents. This process of putting together the PowerPoint was collated by Olivia at home. This year, Olivia was keen to animate the sea turtles and add a voice recording of each child's understanding. Olivia was eager to enhance student agency – where the children take control of the whole process, from start to finish. The ELC iPads had all the tools needed to make the turtle animations come to life for the children.

Olivia was able to facilitate the children to manage the entire process themselves by observing each child and judging when to supply the technical information required. Using Keynote on their iPads, the Kindergarten children took photographs of their still life turtle portraits and wax resist coral reef backgrounds before adding an animated path for their turtles to travel. Over the turtle animation, the children recorded their voiceover by sharing the key facts that they had learnt about sea turtles.

This unit of inquiry empowered the children and supported student agency by giving each child the opportunity to lead their own learning and take ownership of how they could showcase their learning. The ELC iPads were the perfect tool to capture this understanding. This link shares three examples demonstrating the rich learning and shows how much kindergarten students can achieve!

Watch Videos

Mrs Amanda Ritchie
ILT Integration Specialist

4C News

Spring Term has been flying past and we can't believe the end of the year is almost here!

In our fourth unit of inquiry, 'Where we are in place and time' we investigated how exploration can lead to discoveries that present challenges and opportunities. We learned about the journey of Captain Cook and selected our own explorer to research. Then we created an incredible treasure chest about the explorer to showcase our findings.

A highlight of the year was our Outdoor Education camp at Scotch. We set up and participated in a wonderful cultural session. The night ended with a delicious barbecue dinner and stargazing. We enjoyed camping out in the Middle School quad, however, many of us were very weary the next day! The camp was a fantastic experience and we can't wait for our Year 5 camp to Moray in 2021.

We are currently undertaking the Year 4 leadership journey. We have nominated for leadership positions and are in the process of our writing speeches. The wonderful Junior School leadership team has guided us through the process and we are grateful for their help. We are very much looking forward to being leaders in the Junior School next year.

Finally, we have been working hard to put together an entertaining assembly item for Grandparent's Day that will take our grandparents down a musical memory lane. We are looking forward to a wonderful end of the year with swimming lessons, a JPSSA carnival, Christmas carols and summer holidays.

 

Ms Olivia Creagh
Year 4 Teacher

2A News

Semester 2, 2020 saw an exciting chapter for the Year 2 boys and Mrs Alexander. This term we initiated a unique learning opportunity in partnership with FORM, through their exciting and innovative Creative Schools programme. Working alongside Daniel Burton from Educated by Nature, Mrs Alexander worked and planned to create a stimulating outdoor learning programme.

Creative Schools is a non-profit organisation that focuses on the partnership between a creative practitioner and teacher to enhance students' academic learning and creative skills in non-traditional learning environments. The partnership between Mrs Alexander and Mr Burton was based on the two teachers' knowledge and understanding of how important the outdoor environment is for children's learning.

Several international studies have demonstrated that learning in a natural environment helps improve recall of information, creative problem solving and creativity. It allows children to have a sense of wonder and develop their imagination and inquisitive nature. Outdoor learning develops the child's social-emotional regulation and enables them to have positive feelings about each other, their learning environment and a sense of ownership and responsibility for nature. Importantly, outdoor space also gives children a real sense of independence, allowing them to develop naturally and safely.

Another focus for the Year 2 boys was the 'Five Habits of the Learning'. The Creative Schools programme also explores the concept that to have a healthy mind, five habits need to be enhanced. These habits are persistence, discipline, inquisitiveness, collaboration and creativity. To succeed and be mentally healthy children need to develop these five areas. Term 3 saw the introduction of the five habits of the mind. After each Creative Schools session, the boys reflected on the habit they had used the most and what habit they need to keeping working on. It has been very exciting watching these habits, and their benefits, grow and develop in boys so young.

Beach School, River School and outdoor areas of Scotch College became the new classroom. The children would investigate the central idea of a Unit of Inquiry whilst working outdoors. Over the term, Mrs Alexander and Mr Burton saw gains in numerous areas: fine motor skills, gross motor skills, creativity in writing, social and emotional awareness, and maturity.

With the success of the Creative Schools programme and a love of learning blossoming within the outdoor classrooms, we look forward to embracing these programs and philosophies in the teaching program in 2021.

Mrs Fiona Alexander
Year 2 Teacher  

Time For Transition

Last Friday week was Founders' Day, a day that recognises the students, staff, elected representatives and benefactors of the College who have gone before us. The first Founders' Day event in 1958 followed the opening of the then-new Memorial Hall. Founders' Day now commences with a gathering of as many former Pipe Band members as possible who play some tunes and remember how to march down in front of the Gooch Pavilion before they put aside their instruments, catch up and retell stories of former glories on Memorial Oval. Founders' Day concludes with an annual dinner with OSCs returning to the College to sit in friendship groups that stretch back over 60 years. At March Out three weeks ago, we talked about being a part of the community for life at Scotch College and whilst we said farewell to our Year 12 boys, they forever remain connected to the College. Founders' Day is one of those occasions that maintains that connection.

Very soon we will be farewelling our Year 8 boys as they head into Senior School and join one of the 10 Senior School Houses for the next phase of their Scotch journey. There they will form some firm friendships with boys not just in their year, but boys above and below them as well. One of the messages we continue to give our Year 8 boys is about the importance of finishing strongly, finishing this term, this year and finishing Middle School in a positive and as engaged fashion as possible and to carry that momentum into Senior School. A reputation as someone who makes maximum effort right to the end is a very worthy character trait to be known for. Transition Day in Senior School for Year 8 is Monday 30 November.

Our culminating events for the year, the Year 8 Breakfast and Speech Night are on Tuesday 8 December.

8.7 Preparing for Transition

The Year 8s are just a few short months away from taking their next big educational step into the Senior School as Year 9s. With that comes a leap in expectations and standards, especially with regards to self-management.

To help with this transition, this term in 8.7 our Individuals and Societies Economics unit has shifted the levers of control. Now, the boys are responsible for planning and managing their own learning. They sit pre-tests to establish a starting point, map out their learning activities based on their results, attend masterclasses where their needs lie and conduct post-tests that check their mastery.

Handing over the reins of power to the boys of 8.7 has been a joy to behold. They are enjoying the chance to be the rulers of their own destiny and have risen to the occasion in an impressive way. They discuss and debate the topics, support each other through the lessons and generally make decisions about where they need to head or where they need to revise. These boys are certainly ready to cross that road!

 

Mrs Robyn Bose
8.7 Homeroom Teacher

7.7 Fun at the Year 7 Quiz Night

The annual Year 7 Quiz night took place in Week 2 this term with PLC joining us for two hours of fun and the opportunity for the two schools to socialise with each other. The event was held in the Dickinson Centre with roughly 250 students in attendance.

The night started with a small chance to get to know each other on the group table. Then the students used their combined brainpower to answer six rounds of questions. The night had some dancing, a famous faces activity and a small half time break with the chance to eat an ice cream and converse with each other.

  

Below are two reflections from boys in 8.7 who attended the Quiz Night:

"In a year that saw many of our traditional Scotch events cancelled due to COVID-19, we were definitely really happy when the Year 7 PLC Scotch Quiz Night could go ahead in Spring Term. Quiz Night is not only a great opportunity for the boys to catch up and socialise with some of the PLC girls they already know, but it also provides a relaxed and fun atmosphere to meet and make new friends. On behalf of all the Year 7 boys, we had an awesome night and many thanks to the staff and parents who took the time to organise this event for us. A special mention to the ultimate Quiz Master Mr T!"

— Caden Hart 7.7

"On Tuesday night of Week 2, we were privileged enough to participate in the annual Year 7 PLC Scotch Quiz Night. The event began with all of us entering the Dickinson Centre. Once we had found our tables and our PLC accompaniment for the night, we introduced ourselves. We talked for 10 minutes while waiting for the teachers to begin. After completing 30 questions, Mr Tresise brought icy-poles for everyone. After the final three rounds of questions, the winners were announced. The Quiz Night was complete. We all parted our ways and said goodbye to the PLC girls."

— Matthew Berglin 7.7

Mr Daniel Turco
7.7 Homeroom Teacher

Important Dates — Middle School Spring Term

view full calendar

Thu 5 Nov	Year 6 Academic Assessment Services Testing, 8.30am–12.30pm, MS Year 7 & 8 Bibbulmun track returns
Fri 6 Nov	MS Assembly (staff & students only), 12pm, MacKellar Hall
Mon 9 Nov	7.4 Sailing programme
Tue 10 Nov	7.4 Sailing programme
Wed 11 Nov	7.5 Sailing programme Remembrance Day Ceremony
	JS/MS Inspirations Exhibition Opening, 6pm, Art Gallery, Junior Middle Library
Thu 12 Nov	7.5 Sailing programme JS/MS Spring Music Soiree, 5.30pm, Memorial Hall
Sun 15 Nov	Year 7 Scotch/PLC Family Picnic, 11.30am, Matilda Bay Foreshore
Mon 16 Nov	MS production All Day Dress Rehearsal, Foundation Theatre
	7.6 Sailing programme
Tue 17 Nov	7.6 Sailing programme
Wed 18 Nov	7.7 Sailing programme Kicker Thompson production opening night, 7pm, Foundation Theatre
Thu 19 Nov	7.7 Sailing programme
	Kicker Thompson production, 7pm Foundation Theatre
Fri 20 Nov	MS Assembly (Staff & Students only), 12.00pm MacKellar Hall Kicker Thompson production, 7pm Foundation Theatre
Sat 21 Nov	Kicker Thompson production matinee, 2pm Foundation Theatre
Mon 23 Nov	8.1 Snorkelling programme
Tue 24 Nov	8.2 Snorkelling programme
Wed 25 Nov	8.3 Snorkelling programme
Thu 26 Nov	8.4 Snorkelling programme
	Year 7 Parents – Community Project 2021 Launch, 6.30pm, Memorial Hall
Fri 27 Nov	Year 6 Parents Christmas Function (details TBC)
Mon 30 Nov	Year 6 & 7 2021 Orientation Day, MS Year 9 2021 Transition Day, SS Year 7 Excursion (details TBA)
Tue 1 Dec	Boardies Day 8.5 Snorkelling programme
Wed 2 Dec	8.6 Snorkelling programme
Thu 3 Dec	8.7 Snorkelling programme
Fri 4 Dec	MS IB Learner Profile Awards Assembly, 9am, Dickinson Centre
Tue 8 Dec	Year 8 Breakfast hosted by Scotch Parents, 7.30am, MS Quad Spring Term concludes at 3.25pm MS Speech Night, 6.30pm, Dickinson Centre Compulsory event for all Year 8 students

Reflecting on Founders' Day

Recently the College celebrated Founders' Day. One of the highlights was the Pipe Band being joined by around 50 Old Scotch Collegians who returned to school to catch up with their peers and other Old Boys who had attended our school in different eras. The annual dinner that evening was a great success with over 140 in attendance and many stories of the past being shared. What was apparent from these conversations was how much the school had changed over the years, but also how many of our traditions have been preserved and enhanced, to underpin who we are as a College.

In a physical sense, our campus is vastly different than it was 100, 50 or even 25 years ago, as can be seen from the various stages of development of our Senior School in the pictures below.

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There have obviously been numerous additions and changes over the decades, with the most recent being the new Mathematics and Commerce Building. While this is obviously a brand new building, over the years we have also embraced restorative projects across the campus.

When considering different projects with the school architects over the years, the need to acknowledge and protect our heritage for future generations has been at the forefront of discussions, while at the same time making the changes necessary to keep improving our school. This can be achieved in a number of ways. In some cases, it is preferable to protect the heritage to the point where a building is retained in its original state while in others a refurbishment or renovation is a more fitting way of acknowledging the past and also moving forward. Recent examples of this approach include the work undertaken on the PC Anderson Chapel and Memorial Hall. These buildings are now a reflection of what has come before and where we are now.

It is important, especially when reflecting on Founders' Day, to respect, acknowledge and celebrate our past but to also celebrate the changes we have made. These adjustments are not limited to the physical changes to our campus and when doing this we need to embrace our culture while acknowledging the importance of change. At times, we need to adjust the manner in which we do things; it might be a minor tweak or a more significant change, to ensure we continue to grow and provide our school community with opportunities to thrive.

Sometimes we may look back on that change and make further modifications to best suit our needs and, at other times, we might remove something completely and start again. It may be due to our role as a school changing or perhaps the changing needs of a local or global community, but we must always be willing to adapt.

Therefore, as we face the new academic year ahead, we remember those who have come before us and understand the way things have been done previously while also looking at the positive changes we can make so we continue to acknowledge our culture whilst improving it further.

Boys' Achievements

Australian Geography Competition 2020

Distinction

Benjamin Edgar (Year 11, 2020 Brisbane)

High Distinction

Harry Frodsham (Year 12, 2020 Alexander)

Elliott Mitchell, (Year 11, 2020 Ferguson)

Matthew Sarich (Year 12, 2020 Brisbane)

Harry Simm (Year 12, 2020 Ferguson)

William Taylor (Year 12, 2020 Ferguson)

Congratulations to Daniel Cooper (Year 12, Keys House) for placing equal first in the state for Year 11, requiring him to place in the top 1% in his year level across the country. Daniel now has the opportunity to make the Australian team of four for the 2021 International Geography Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

WA British Parliamentary Debating League Trophy 

Congratulations to Heath Muller (Year 12, Ross House) and Ben Scott (Year 12 Ross House) on winning the British Parliamentary Debating League Trophy. 

Alliance Francaise Examinations

Top 10% of candidates

Pearson Chambel (Year 11, 2020 St Andrews)

Milan Narula (Year 11, 2020 Stuart)

Hamish Cameron (Year 11, 2020 Shearer)

Top 5% of candidates

Oliver Barrett (Year 11, 2020 Brisbane)

Top 2% of candidates

Heath Muller (Year 11, 2020 Ross)

Xavier Dry (Year 11, 2020 St Andrews)

Summer Sport Leadership Positions 

Basketball

Co-Captain: Thomas (Tom) Lynch (Brisbane)

Co-Captain: Zavier McGillivray (Ross)

Cricket

Captain: Nicholas Paganin (Shearer)

Vice-Captain: Alexander Melville (Ross)

Rowing

Captain of Boats: Ben Scott (Ross)

Co-Vice Captain: Jack Hendricks (Keys)

Co-Vice Captain: Sam Dyball (Ferguson)

Swimming

Co-Captain: Nicolas Le Page (Anderson)

Co-Captain: Ruan van der Riet (Ross)

Vice-Captain: Macsen Friday (Alexander)

Tennis

Captain: Ryan McConkey (Anderson)

Vice-Captain: William Hudson (Alexander)

Volleyball

Co-Captain: Bailey Thomson (Brisbane)

Co-Captain: Cody Price (Ferguson)

Water Polo

Captain: William Marshall (Ross)

Vice-Captain: Sam Lodge (Cameron)

Co-curricular Leadership Positions

Debating

Co-Captain: Heath Muller (Ross)

Co-Captain: Ben Scott (Ross)

Performing Arts Leadership Positions

Drama

Captain: Kieran Doyle (Shearer)

Vice-Captain: Jasper Blunt (Stuart)

Music

Captain: Oscar Clements (Alexander)

Vice-Captain: William Oxlade (Stuart)

Pipe Band

Pipe Major: Max De Nardi (Stuart)

Drum Major: Benjamin Ramsden (Ross)

Year 9, 2020 Semester 2 Certificates of Academic Excellence

PREFERRED	SURNAME	HOUSE
Aidan	Brookes	Ross
Caelan	Browne	Shearer
Harry	Burbury	Shearer
James	Cowan	Stuart
Alexander (Xander)	Dore	Ross
Lochie	Elliott	Anderson
Harry	Ellis	Brisbane
Henry	Feutrill	Stuart
James	Fraser	Anderson
Marco	Ghiselli	Alexander
Thomas (Tom)	Gray	Shearer
Oliver	Hayers	Ross
Patrick	Hayes	Alexander
Thomas	Jackson	Brisbane
Daniel	Kerfoot	Keys
Matthew	Kirk	Brisbane
Nicolas (Nic)	Langsford	Anderson
Alexander	Lee	Anderson
Fletcher	McIntosh	Alexander
Kennan	McNeil	Keys
Samuel (Sam)	Mumme	Shearer
Alasdair	Orr	Ferguson
Jack	Palmer	Cameron
Jason	Pocock	Cameron
Harrison (Harry)	Smith	St Andrews
Oscar	Sumich	Brisbane
Andrew	Walker	Keys
Ross	Whittome	Anderson

Year 10, 2020 Semester 2 Certificates of Academic Excellence

PREFERRED	SURNAME	HOUSE
James	Anderson	Ross
Samuel (Sam)	Beattie	Ross
Henry	Cooper	St Andrews
Charlie	Duplock	St Andrews
Banjo	Harold	Cameron
Nelson	Hegge	Stuart
Mitchell	Hyde	Stuart
Harry	Jenour	Brisbane
Thomas (Tom)	Liston	Ferguson
Jackson	Loader	Ross
Jake	Marshall	Ross
Winton	Messina	Keys
Julien	Montandon	Cameron
Lochlan	O'Brien	Cameron
Fletcher	O'Connell	Cameron
Sean	Palmer	Keys
Emanuel	Radici	Cameron
Kofi	Raffan	Anderson
Alexander (Alex)	Russell-Weisz	Ross
Henry	Vaughan	Alexander
James	Walker	Alexander

Careers Information

Year 12 Leavers Information

WACE results are online Sunday 20 December 2020.

Year 12, 2020 students will be able to access their results online via the student portal on Sunday, 20 December 2020. 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. Students who need their passwords reset need to do so via the forgot your password link on the student portal. The new password will be sent to the email address students have used to register in the student portal. Students who experience technical difficulties in accessing their information need to contact the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) at wacehelp@scsa.wa.edu.au (monitored from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 8.00 am to 4.00 pm).

Year 12 students will be able to download digital copies of their folios of achievement (that is, Western Australian Certificate of Education, the Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement and ATAR course report) in mid-January 2021 from the student portal.

Students who are seeking details relating to university admission (including their ATAR) are advised to contact Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) viainfo@tisc.edu.au or 9318 8000.

University Information

ECU  

Future Student Information Evening  

6–7.30pm, 1 December 2020 
Joondalup Campus

UWA

Future Students Centre will answer questions on your application (direct or through TISC), UWA courses and more to help you figure out which path is right for you. If your results are higher or lower than expected if you're still deciding which course to pick, or just want to discuss your options.

Application Help Day for School Leavers

Registrations open soon for the following dates:

14 December 2020, 10am-3pm

 21 December 2020, 10am-3pm

15 January 2021, 10am-3pm

Apprenticeships

Electrical Group Training

EGT has 2020 Electrical apprenticeship vacancies. Apprentices work with host employers is in locations such as Bibra Lake, Welshpool, Perth, Joondalup, Perth Airport.

Interested candidates can register now.

 MEGT

 Here is the most recent list of vacancies showing the apprenticeships and traineeships MEGT currently have available in WA. 

MEGT Career Hub site is packed full of tools and information for potential apprentices and trainees. Find more information, and register for Career Hub 

Some of the features of Career Hub include:

• Experience in matching apprentices with employers
• Help job seekers to find the appropriate pathway
• Job Seeker tools and information

Casual Employment

Coles is on the lookout for casual team members who are available evenings, weekends and days during the school holidays. Register your interest now.

UK & US University Information

From Australia to Harvard: Insights From A Current Harvard/Oxford Student | Nov 14

Are you an ambitious student looking to tackle the global university landscape? Join Australian Harvard & Oxford student Daniel Blunt, in this webinar to learn about Daniel's journey from a Victorian high school to Harvard and Oxford.

Blog: Four Interesting Facts About The US University Application For Australians 

The US university application process is quite comprehensive in comparison to the UAC process in Australia. Here is a list of four interesting facts about the US university application process, specifically for Australian students.

Career Search Tool for Parents

Help prepare your students for the future with this free resource from Skillsroad.

Mr Peter Frusher 
Careers Advisor 

Important Dates — Senior School Spring Term

VIEW CALENDAR

Proof of Address Documentation  

Are you applying for your Learner's Permit or Driver's Licence?

A proof of identification letter can be provided upon request from the Headmaster's office.

Please send your request  to seniorschoolsecretaries@scotch.wa.edu.au allowing at least two working days for the document to be prepared.  

Christmas Fare and Gifts

Once again this year we are pleased to offer delightful Christmas treats from Coffee Table Delights including their cakes, shortbread, cookies and Christmas bark. We also have a selection of Pipe Band merchandise including the Scotch College apron and our coffee mugs with our Pipe Band caricatures or school crest. Please see the list of goods on offer.

To place your order, please complete the form and email it to PBPSG@scotch.wa.edu.au or to pay by credit card over the phone please call Fiona Allen on 0448 798 689.

Orders will close on Wednesday 25 November 2020.

Collecting your Order

Orders can be collected from the Pipe Band room on:

• Thursday 3 December, 8–8.30am & 2.30–3.30pm
• Friday 4 December, 8–8.30am & 1–2pm

All proceeds raised go towards uniforms and equipment for the Scotch College Pipe Band.

Thank you for your continued support of the Pipe Band. For any queries, please contact PBPSG@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Ashley Dry
Pipe Band Parent Support Group President

Scotch Parents

Thank you to all our parents and families for your generous voluntary contributions which makes it possible to provide extra valuable resources and initiatives for our boys and the greater school community. Even in times of hardship, the generosity from our Scotch parents is overwhelming and we have been so fortunate to have had the opportunity to fund several very worthwhile projects and resources for our School during 2020.

Studio Scotch: The Range Project

One of the outstanding projects which has received funding by Scotch Parents is Studio Scotch – a podcasting/vodcasting studio on campus that provides students, school leaders, OSC and teachers an increasingly popular and powerful medium through which to share and communicate the culture and life at Scotch. The music department has expressed interest in collaborating via the digital music curriculum which will see a dedicated Studio Scotch space in the Music Building, with plans to start towards the end of this term. Currently, there is a studio set up in the OSC reading room which looks fantastic.

Part of the Studio Scotch platform is The Range Project - an educational podcast that draws lessons from those who have made a habit of expanding their range. With GRIT Week coming up, one of their next projects will be to record interviews relating to resilience and persistence. OSC Alex Aberle-Leeming will be discussing how he overcame learning challenges through high school.

If you would like to check out our podcasts so far, please have a look at the following

Google | Apple | Spotify

Join the Committee

Our final Scotch Parents meeting for 2020 will be held on Wednesday 2 December in the Dining Annexe from 7pm.  We would love to see parents from Junior and Middle school come along, have a drink and a bite to eat and celebrate the end of the school year. We will also be holding our AGM and looking for some new and energetic members for the committee. It is a very rewarding and fun group to be part of that makes a significant contribution to the Scotch community. If you are interested in finding out more please contact us at scotchparents@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Upcoming Events

Thank you to all the Year 12 Parents who came along and shared a cuppa and morning tea following our meeting last week. We wish you and your boys the best of luck for their final school exams.

Year 10 End-of-Year Function

7pm, Friday 20 November
The Lounge, Floreat Hotel

Scotch Parents AGM

7pm, Wednesday 2 December
Dining Annexe
All welcome!

Save the Date

Year 11 Parents Evening

Saturday 21 November
Coast

Year 12 Christmas Drinks

6pm, Thursday 26 November
The Beach Club, Cottesloe

Year 12 Coffee Morning

8.30am, Friday 4 December
The Shorehouse, Swanbourne

Kate Reynolds
President Scotch Parents

Telethon Kids Institute

Telethon Kids Institute is currently conducting research with people aged between 10 and 25 years for a potential combination vaccine against meningococcal disease.

View the Quintet Study flyer for more information, or please call 0400 450 240 or email quintet@telethonkids.org.au.

This study has been approved by Monash Human Research Ethics Committee.