JSPA
150 Merchandise
Christmas Service
Wanted
The first Christmas
Dental Service
Educational Support
Mathematical Olympiad
Forthcoming events

8 December 2000 No. 37

From The Head of the Junior School

Last night we celebrated The Eighty-Fifth Junior School Speech Night for boys in Year Three to Six. I extend special congratulations to the boys of Year Six who were each presented with a certificate acknowledging their time in the Junior School and who were then, officially handed over to the Vice Principal as a symbol of their transition into the Senior School. It has been a tremendous year for these boys in every capacity and again, we wish them well as they continue their educational journey in the Senior School.

For the first time, copies of The Annual Report accompany this newsletter for families of Junior Primary boys.

Congratulations are also extended to the 2001 School Captain, Christopher Hey. The Principal presented Christopher with his badge last night and I wish him well for a wonderful year ahead. Other leaders for 2001 will be announced and presented at our final Assembly next Wednesday. Our first Newsletter for 2001 will include a detailed list of our new school leaders.

Last month Stuart Watson and David Derham (Year Five) were selected in the U12 Regional Development Hockey squad. Boys from all around Victoria trialed and it is quite an achievement to finally be selected. Well done boys!

Our Giving Tree has once again been most generously supported and the City of Boroondara is most grateful for our generosity. Many needy families will have their Christmas brightened through food hampers and gifts. This reflects the true spirit of Christmas - giving rather than receiving, just as God gave us His only Son. Sincere thanks to all whom supported this worthy cause.

The boys of the Junior Primary have been working extremely hard preparing for their leadership of the Christmas Service next Tuesday. This is always a special event and this year will be no exception. I thank in anticipation, all of the boys for their hard work and cannot commend highly enough the work of Mrs Robertson and the staff for their inspirational direction and many hours behind the scenes. Mrs Richardson, along with the many parents acknowledged last week, are also to be congratulated on the stunning costuming that has been created for this production. All parents and families are welcome to share in our Service.

Next year seems so far away, but be reassured that it is not! Our 150th celebrations are set to ensure a huge party all year, but alas, I am sure we will still be able to fit in some school work! Parents will have already received a formal program of events for the year and I encourage important dates to be entered into the family diary as soon as possible.

Parents should note that Sunday 18 February has been proclaimed an official school day and, as such, it is a compulsory day for all boys. Our Torch Relay and Heritage Walk will be held that day. Our torch was ignited in Scotland on 6 October this year and will commence its journey to Scotch in Australia from the original site in the city. Junior School boys will participate in events at the school on the 18th and families will be encouraged to attend. Order forms for food orders and 150th merchandise (see display in Junior School foyer) have been distributed previously and will need urgent consideration by families, if this has not already been attended to. Further details will be available in the new school year.

Our underlying theme this week has been being grateful for the things we have, tying in closely with our Giving Tree. This was evident all week .

I leave you with the following as my final thought for the week:

I
think
that we
shall always
see, God's
gifts upon our
Christmas tree.
You cannot touch
them with your hand,
yet they are there at your
command. There's joy and faith
and hope renewed. There's laughter
for a happy mood. There's gratitude for
each new day; a time to think, a time to pray.
The Christ has come with holy light to shine and make
your pathway bright. These things are there if you can see
God's gifts
upon your
Christmas Tree.

As this will be our last Newsletter for the year, I wish all families a very happy, safe and holy Christmas and where ever you travel, may God be with you all.

1851 - 2001 - 'Celebrate the Vision' - let's party

Guy B Mason

JSPA

The JSPA wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday. Please pencil in your 2001 diary:

Term 1 Welcome Morning Teas

All Welcome Morning Teas will be held in the Junior School Staff Room from 8.30 am to 10.00 am.

Committee members and your class reps look forward to welcoming you then.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Alice Chan - President, JSPA

150 MERCHANDISE

This is a reminder for the 150 official Merchandise.

T-SHIRTS

CARDINAL ONLY SIZES: 6-16 (JUNIOR), MEDIUM (ADULT) - COST: $22.50

(PLEASE NOTE AVAILABILITY OF LARGER SIZED T-SHIRTS)

WHITE SIZES XS-XXL - Cost $25.00

It would be much appreciated if orders for this merchandise can be made by Tuesday 12 December.

Sue Beaurepaire - President, Scotch Family Association

Christmas Service

Just a reminder that the Junior School Christmas Service will be held in the Memorial Hall on Tuesday 12 December at 2 pm. All families and friends of the Scotch Community are invited to attend.

A reminder also to all boys in Prep to Year 3 - they are to bring all costume requirements to school on Monday morning, ready for the dress rehearsal on this day.

Thank you

Chris Robertson - Director of Junior Primary

Wanted

Permanent home for Prep budgies with cages included.

Please Prep teachers ASAP.

The first Christmas

Long, long ago
Two thousand years before now,
A star shone bright
Above a stable small.
And in that manger poor
A baby was born
Kings, wisemen
Shepherds and all
Came to worship and adore
That baby who was called Jesus
Our Lord Emmanuel
Jesus was the true son of God
He came to help
And guide us all
In ways that God would like
In this millennium
We still can learn
To love and forgive
Each other
Just as taught
By this baby born
Two thousand years before
He is the true king
Of hearts and minds
And spirit.

GRADE 3N

ATTENTION PARENTS

The School Dental Service is now offering care to all children at

SCOTCH COLLEGE JUNIOR CAMPUS

Dental check-ups and treatment will be provided by appointment at the following location:

SCHOOL DENTAL VAN
KERRIMUIR PRIMARY SCHOOL
MOLBRAY STREET
BOX HILL NORTH

Your child must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all appointments.

The service is FREE if

- You hold a valid health card, or
- The child is a Ward of the State

For non card holders, there is a fee of $25 per child (maximum $100 per family). The fee includes a dental check-up and all general treatment.

DENTAL FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE FOR COLLECTION

Please complete one form per child and return as instructed on the consent form.
We need your consent before seeing your child.
Please do not return the consent form to the school.
Our dental staff will contact you to arrange an appointment once we receive your consent form.

For more information please contact the dental staff on 9890 4013 or the Regional Office on 1300 360 054.

PLEASE DO NOT PHONE THE SCHOOL

From THE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TEAM - an update

Over the past school year the team has been fortunate to work with many boys on a vast range of interesting and exciting supportive programs. Our never ending challenge is to meet the needs of your sons. We seek to find the best ways to motivate, stimulate and to support their learning, whether the need is for consolidation or extension.

We recently had a visit from our Global Project e-pals who attend Methodist Girls' School, Singapore (report below). Also, as a result of my recent visit to several schools in Germany, new links have been established for boys at Scotch College. Already we are emailing students at Kaiserin-Friedrich Gymnsium, in Bad Homburg, near Frankfurt. I anticipate developing this opportunity more in 2001.

During the year we said a short term 'good-bye' to Michelle Harris who is presently awaiting her first child (mid December) and welcomed Jane Beams. Jane capably took on Michelle's role and added her own personal warm touch. Next year I hope to develop more parent participation in our programs, in particular, reading activities. Please let me know if you would be interested. More information will be given in 2001.

As the Year 2000 rapidly draws to an end I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all in the Educational Support Team to thank you for your support and we wish you a very happy, safe and relaxing Christmas and New Year.

Ms Marcia Bacon, Director of the Educational Support Services,
Mr Rodney Carson, Mrs Chris Robertson, Mr Brian Sampson, Mrs. Jane Beams and
Mr Dean Gregory (Year Six extension mathematics)

Australian Primary Schools Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO - 2000)

The Year Five and Year Six boys in the Accelerated Maths Programme participated extremely successfully in five Olympiad competitions during the past year. Each Olympiad consisted of five extremely challenging maths problems.

The Global Project Visitors from Singapore.

On Thursday 23 of November, Scotch College was visited by 40 girls from Methodist Girl's School, Singapore. Most of them were from the Global Project; some came for a visit to Melbourne.

The Singaporeans were welcomed in the morning with a special assembly. During the assembly our visitors explained the multicultural nature of Singapore. A group of students was dressed in a variety of national costumes and, with the help of the teacher, answered a range of questions that I had prepared.

Presentations by the new Global Project team, S.Y.A.T. which, means Scotch Yarra Action Team were also given. Andrew Prowse wrote a brochure about S.Y.A.T and all boys from Year Five and Six were given one. We hope you have browsed and read through the brochure. This marked the grand opening of the S.Y.A.T group. During the rest of the day, the Singaporean guests were accompanied by the S.Y.A.T group on a tour of our school. Each Scotch boy was required to sit next to a girl from Singapore who was in the Global Project. We were assigned to teach the girls about our school and the Yarra River, which is what the S.Y.A.T group is studying.

We then went to Puffing Billy to enjoy the famous train ride. We were allowed to have our legs dangling out of the carriage, which was an enjoyable and exciting experience for the girls. After our ride on Puffing Billy, we visited Grant's Reserve where we fed the rosellas. It was a unique experience for most of the Singaporean girls (and boys) because they hadn't had a bird resting on their head or arm before.

Finally, we ended the day with a lunch at Dragon Boat Restaurant in Knox City. The food was enjoyed by everybody... especially the Scotch boys!

Special thanks to Ms. Bacon for organising this memorable and enjoyable experience.

Benjamin Wong
S -YAT

Forthcoming Events