What a hectic end to the academic year that was! Here’s what your sons have been up to in boarding:

Year 9

• Hard to believe these boys will be Year 10’s in a few weeks. Bib Track Week 2 of Spring Term!
• We farewell Jamie Bowie from boarding, Jamie will continue as a day boy at Scotch. Jamie, as someone who has embraced all facets of life at Scotch, will be missed.

• We welcome one new boy into Blair Clan next term, thanks to Mike for taking on the role of “buddy” for our new boy as he transitions to Scotch Boarding:

• • Jordy Bowden from Kalgoorlie
• Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
  • Roller-skating @ Morley Rollerdrome on Friday 26^th August
  • Shopping @ Karrinyup Carousel on Sunday 28^th August
  • Games Evening with PLC on Friday 2^nd September
  • Mixed Netball Night with PLC, Hale & St. Mary’s @ St. Mary’s on Friday 9^th September
  • Bullet Train @ Event Cinemas Innaloo on Sunday 11^th September
  • Claremont Farmers Market @ Mt. Claremont PS on Saturday 17^th September
  • Neon Glow Beach Volleyball on Saturday 17^th September
  • Cottesloe beach Run on Sunday 18^th September
• The year 9 boys continued with their fortnightly activity entitled “Circle Convos”. Run by Reverend Gary van Heerden, although we only had one after the mid-term break. This time we heard from Jarrad Coppen.

Year 10

• Year 11 and new pathways are just weeks away. If you have any queries regarding your sons course selection, please speak firstly with your sons House Head and Mr. Brad Watson (Pathways & Careers Advisor).
• We welcome three new boys into Blair Clan next term, thanks to Hudson, Noah & Oli Wandel for taking on the role of “buddy” for these new boys as they transition to Scotch Boarding:
  • Rylan Firth from Dubai
  • David Shen from China
  • Donnacha Spencer from Singapore
• Boys enjoyed the following Recreation activities:
  • Roller-skating @ Morley Rollerdrome on Friday 26^th August
  • Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course on Saturday 27^th August, 3^rd & 10^th September
  • Shopping @ Karrinyup Carousel on Sunday 28^th August
  • River Cruise with St. Hilda’s on Saturday 3^rd September
  • Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 9^th September
  • Bullet Train @ Event Cinemas Innaloo on Sunday 11^th September
  • Claremont Farmers Market @ Mt. Claremont PS on Saturday 17^th September
  • Neon Glow Beach Volleyball on Saturday 17^th September
  • Cottesloe beach Run on Sunday 18^th September
• Module 4 (Men Choose) & 5 (Showing Up) as part of the “Tomorrow Man” program was completed on Monday 29^th August & Monday 13^th September.

 

• Year 10 Boys as part of their curriculum at Scotch elect to attend a one week camp, with the final group of students enjoying one of the following camps in the final week of term:
  • Cape to Cape (one section of the Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste trail)
    • Peter Taylor
  • Caving & Climbing (Margaret River Region)
    • Clem Hardie
  • Mountain Biking @ Moray
    • Jasper Good
    • Toby Jones
    • Noah McCreery
• The following students attended their camp in the third week of July:
  • Sea Kayaking
    • Kai Allan
    • Hudson Hammond
  • Whale Shark Diving
    • Will Fairclough
    • Oliver Macnamara
    • Oliver Wandel

Year 11

• Year 12 officially starts Spring Term, Monday of Week 2. During Week 1, boys will take part in a seminar around the importance of sleep, managing their time and devices, as well as in induction on the Scotch College Boarding House Gymnasium. Once parental approval is received, boys will enjoy further privileges. I stress the word “privilege” as they must fulfill their responsibilities to keep their privileges.
• Boys enjoyed the following Recreation activities:
  • Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course on Saturday 27^th August, 3^rd & 10^th September
  • Shopping @ Karrinyup Carousel on Sunday 28^th August
  • Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 9^th September
  • Bullet Train @ Event Cinemas Innaloo on Sunday 11^th September
  • Claremont Farmers Market @ Mt. Claremont PS on Saturday 17^th September
  • Cottesloe beach Run on Sunday 18^th September
• Boys completed the final module (10 – Write Your Own Code) as part of the “Tomorrow Man” program on Wednesday 31^st August. Now that this program is completed, please take the time to ask your son some questions, in particular what we refer to as second and third questions (hopefully they can explain what second & third questions are!).
• Having had COVID-19, illness, restrictions & precautions disrupt our ability to spend time as groups, it was pleasing to be able to take the Year 11’s out to breakfast late this term. We had breakfast at C Blu Restaurant. My apologies to Lewis Parsons who missed out as he needed to get to work experience.

• Congratulations to the following boys on their appointment to leadership positions for 2023:
  • Boarding
    • Jensen Westerman – Vice Captain of Boarding – Senior Residence (Blair Clan Leader)

• • • Kaymus Brierly – Vice Captain of Boarding – Middle School Residence

Year 12

• AAP Students only March Out & Valedictory to go……
• WACE & IB Students only March Out, WACE/IB Exams & Valedictory to go…..
• Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
  • Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course on Saturday 27^th August, 3^rd & 10^th September
  • Shopping @ Karrinyup Carousel on Sunday 28^th August
  • Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 9^th September
  • Bullet Train @ Event Cinemas Innaloo on Sunday 11^th September
  • Claremont Farmers Market @ Mt. Claremont PS on Saturday 17^th September
  • Cottesloe beach Run on Sunday 18^th September
• Having had COVID-19, illness, restrictions & precautions disrupt our ability to spend time as groups, it was pleasing to be able to take the Year 12’s out to breakfast late this term. We had breakfast at C Blu Restaurant. My apologies as I forgot to take a photo…..
• I’d like to extend my thanks to Tyler Messina and Kody Waters for their leadership and organization of Boarding Events, and to Coen Livingstone and Sam McGinniss who at times put chipped in to help with Boarder’s Council activities and events.

Co-Curricular

PSA Sport

Congratulations to:

• Xavier Risinger who was awarded the Coaches Award for the 9A Soccer team.
• Oscar Male who won the Coaches Award for the Middle School A Hockey team. Oscar was also awarded Colours for Hockey as a member of the 1^st XI Hockey team.
• Coen Livingstone, Tyler Messina & Jaezari Wynne who were awarded Colours for Football as members of the 1^st XVIII Football team.
• Shunta Numano who was awarded Colours for Soccer as a member of the 1^st XI Soccer team.

Congratulations to:

• Jayden Clarke, Jarred Coppen, Hudson Hammond, Oscar Male, Tyler Messina & Jensen Westerman who were all members of the Winning Alcock Shield Interschool Athletics team.

 

 

The Arts: Media

Congratulations to:

• Clem Hardie for his involvement in the Director’s Cut Media Night on Thursday 8^th

Community Service

Congratulations to:

• Rio Bowling who was awarded Colours for Community Service from Winter Term.

Art

Tuesday 6^th September saw the annual Senior School Art and Design Exhibition Opening Night, where the Stairwell Gallery is utilised to display the 2022 exhibition, combining both traditional and innovative mediums and technology as it reflects our diverse range of students’ identities.

I particularly enjoyed seeing the excellent work from the Blair Clan boys:

 

Music

Solomon Short, as part of his Certificate II in Music performed with his band created within his class at “Scotch Rocks” on Thursday 1^st September at the Rosemount Hotel. Solomon and his band put on a good show.

Ag Day

What a huge build up, after initially being cancelled. The event ran concurrently with the Interhouse Athletics Carnival, a necessity after inclement weather forced the change of date from June. Thank you so much to all parents who donated time and produce, it just added to a great day. There are plenty of photos available on vidigami here.

Interhouse Sport

The weather held off long enough for the boys to enjoy the athletics carnival on Friday 27^th August. Keys house was successful with many of the Blair Clan boys involved across multiple disciplines.

Photos on vidigami are available here.

Clash of the Clans

After entering the final two competitions trailing Stirling Clan 10-12, I am pleased to confirm that wins in Clan Golf, Hudson Hammond, Toby Jones, Oliver Wandel, Tyler Messina & Sam McGinniss, and the Boarding Quiz night, means we are successful in Winning the Clash of Clans for 2022.

 

 

 Other News

 Madalah Leadership Camp

TJ & Kaymus attended the Madalah Leadership camp from Thursday 11^th to Sunday 14^th of August at Yamaji Burna, with the aim to connect young aspirant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, so they can continue to grow into leaders for the next generation.

Click for a YouTube video.

Blair Clan Teams Meeting

The 7.45pm Monday 29^th August whole clan parent catch up had several parents attend, including Ann Vanasin, mother of Jate, who started in Winter Term in Year 9. It was great to have experienced parents speak with Ann regarding some of her queries. The plan for Spring term will be to try again for the evening timeslot, firstly for our Academic Year 11 parents (2024 Leavers) before the end of week 4 and for a whole clan parent meeting before week 7. Look out for the invites in your email inbox.

As always please feel free to flick myself an email, text, or give me a buzz, if I don’t answer it’s likely I am teaching. I will get back to you when I can.

Academic Assistance

A reminder, if you identify or believe your son may need specific academic assistance, please speak directly with Mr. Alex Wood (Assistant Head of Residence – Blair Clan) and CC me in. Alex oversees our academic tutors. While we do our best to monitor their academic achievements, sometimes boys will divulge information to you their parents, and as much as I preach strength in adversity, asking for help is a sign of strength, we know men in particular like to think they can solve their own problems themselves.

We have available Monday to Thursday up to four academic tutors as well as three boarding mentors to assist during Prep time.

Alex’s email is alex.wood@scotch.wa.edu.au

Year 11 & 12 Mock Examinations

We enter the first week of the October Holidays with most boys having completed their examinations. However, the house is still open and staffed (until Friday 1^st October) as the last few year 12’s complete their WACE & IB mock examinations, and their WACE Practical Examinations.

Start of Spring Term Dates

• Monday 10^th October – Incoming Year 12 (Leavers 2023) Student Leaders Return to Boarding
• Tuesday 11^th October – Incoming Student Leaders’ Induction
• Tuesday 11^th October – Return to Boarding for all other Senior School students
• Wednesday 12^th & Thursday 13^th October Student Conferences and Examination Hand back
• Wednesday 12^th October – Year 12 House Dinners
• Thursday 13^th October – Year 12 Boarder’s Farewell Dinner
• Friday 14^th October – Final Assembly & March Out
• Sunday 16^th October – Year 9 (Year 10 2023) Bib Track Walk Departs
• Monday 17^th October – Year 10, Year 11 & Year 12 Classes for 2023 Begin

My thoughts are with those of you who did not have the opportunity to spend time with your sons over this October Holiday period. Stay safe!

Thanks

Andy