Parents' Association
Junior Music School
Physical Education
Maintenance Allowance
Swap Shop

11 February 2000 No. 2

From the Head of Junior School

Thank you to the many parents who attended our Prep to Year Three Parent Information Evening on Monday. A 'full house' provided great encouragement to the staff who were reassured that the home and school are working closely together, with the best interests of every boy being placed as the highest priority.

I was also delighted with the great response our JSPA received to the series of Year Level Morning Teas held last week. If this support is any indication of the sort of year we will have, then hold tight, because it is set to be a beauty!

On Monday I was delighted to present badges to our first Class Captains for 2000.

Congratulations and best wishes are extended to :

Our smooth start has been reflected in many ways, but none more so in the following comment, shared by a parent of a new Year Four boy.

During a recent family dinner, the mother observed a lovely smile on her son's face - the kind she had only seen in photos taken some years earlier. It was the kind of smile you make when you are feeling happy about nothing in particular and about everything that is good in your life. The sort of smile you make when you are totally unaware that someone is looking at you - totally natural and unforced. Whilst looking at this long lost face the mother remarked to her son, "What a beautiful smile you have. I haven't seen that smile for such a long time!"

The reply, "Well, Mum, my smile has been away on a five year vacation, but it's back now!"

The true Scotch spirit is alive and well!!

My theme for this week has been 'Courtesy'.

Boys were reminded that being courteous is an important aspect of every day living and that if you expect others to be courteous to you, you need to do the same!

The Bible reminds us to… "Do for others, what we want them to do for us." (Matthew 7:12)

My thought for the week….

Guy B Mason

From The Parents' Association

I hope that those of you who were able to attend the morning teas enjoyed them, and that your sons are settled in.

You should have all received your invitations to your Year Level Cocktail Party. These were sent out in the school bags last Friday. I would encourage you to always check the bags on a Friday, as this will be our main means of communication with you during the year. Particular thanks to the class reps who gave up a morning to prepare the invitations and who will be involved in the running of the evenings. If you haven't received an invitation, please contact me (9819 1870) or the office. The social evenings are a terrific way to catch up with other parents, particularly for those who have work commitments during the day, and provide an opportunity to chat informally with the teaching staff.

A special occasion for all our mothers/step mothers/special friends is coming up. Plans are well under way for the Mothers' Day Luncheon on May 12, next term - definitely worth marking in your diary (and in your mother's!) for a real treat.

Susan Hughes
President JSPA

From the Junior Music School

The Junior School Choir has begun rehearsing this week in anticipation of another busy and exciting year. All boys from Years four to six are auditioned for this ensemble and approximately 65 boys members are selected on the basis of the tone of their singing voice, their vocal and aural skills and their committed and disciplined attitude. It has been most pleasing to see the enthusiasm amongst the boys for gaining places in the Choir.

In Term Three, any interested Years four to six boys who are not in the Choir will be invited to become members of the Scotch College Junior School Occasional Choir. It is proposed that rehearsals be held on Wednesday afternoons, from 3.30 pm - 4.15 pm, and that boys will perform towards the end of that term. More information will be forthcoming during Term Two.

Many thanks,

Jenni Allen
Head of Junior School Music

Scotch Families….Are you able to help???

Julia Piggin is trying to track down a copy of "Grug" - the first book by Ted Prior in the popular children's series. This precious little book has been out of print for some time. Is anyone willing to sell, donate, or lend a copy, in order to complete the mystery of how Grug came to be? (Grug with his endearing fascination for the world around him, pursues his interests and, of course, … makes his own music and learns to dance. When the dance instruction manual proves too taxing, he creates his own dance … "The Grug"! Who could forget it?) Please leave a message with the office or the Junior School Music Department if you are able to help. Be assured you will be warmly thanked.

Julie Piggin
Junior School Music

From the Physical Education Department

All boys in Years five and six have begun playing Interschool Sport against other APS Schools on Wednesday afternoons. Boys have chosen to play cricket, tennis, softball or swimming. Most activities run from 1.15pm - 3.15pm. (plus travel time to and from the venue). All fixture details are placed on the Sport Noticeboard (near Mrs. Wyatt's room) by the Monday before the game.. Parents are most welcome to attend these competitions to support their son.

The APS Schools have a Hot Weather Policy. If the advertised temperature for the day of competition (Wednesday) is 36 degrees Celsius or more, then all Interschool Sport for the day will be cancelled.

During Term One Summer Sport, there will be no afterschool training. Boys will train during House Sport time.

All Scotch boys must have their wide brim hat, a drink bottle, sunscreen and the correct uniform for their sport. Coaches will reinforce this with their teams.

The Physical Education Department highly recommends that all boys in Years four to six wear a mouthguard during contact type sports - basketball, football, hockey, soccer, etc… On Tuesday, 7 March, boys will have the opportunity to be fitted with a mouthguard and the finished product returned before the end of Term One and Winter Sport. See the attached sheet for further details or contact Mr. Hawkins.

Peter Hawkins
Head of Junior School Sport

Education Maintenance Allowance

Applications forms may be obtained by telephoning Mrs. Rudd, the Principal's Secretary on

Ph: 9810 4321.

To be eligible you must:

(a) be a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary school student up to the age of 16, and

(b) be a current Centrelink Pensioner Concession, Health Care Benefit Card, a Veterans Affairs (TPI) Pensioner Card holder, or a foster parent as at the first day of Term 1 (25 January 2000) for the first instalment, and the first day of Term 3 (10 July 2000) for the second instalment, and,

(c) submit your application to the school by the due date.

From the Junior School Swap Shop

The next open time for the Swap Shop will be Thursday, 17 February from 2.30pm to 3.45pm, Swap Shop dates and opening times can be found on page 13 of the Handbook.

Clothes are needed for sale. Please leave clean clothes at the Junior School Office, individually labelled with name, address and phone number.

Thank you,

Helen Worth
Swap Shop Convenor