From the Deputy Head
2001 Primary Research Project
AIM Testing 2001
Educational Support Services
Temporary Teacher Aide Position
Handwriting Workshops
Student Representative Council
Cordner - Eggleston Cup
Junior School Office
Forthcoming events
Dates for 2002

27 July 2001 No. 20

From Head of the Junior School

Welcome back to our 6G campers who have had a wonderful week at Lake Nillahcootie. I extend best wishes to 6D who will attend their camp next week.

Next Friday sees the long awaited Cordner- Eggleston Cup between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar. Parents of boys in Years Four to Six will need to be aware of the travelling arrangements and the possibility of a late arrival back at school. If there are concerns regarding any aspect of this exciting activity, parents should contact the office directly.

Congratulations are in order for Jonathan Chan (4I) who won a trophy in Taekwondo for being the best overall graded student on the day. He now has a blue belt with two stripes. Well done, Jonathan.

The Senior School will be presenting a special production of 'Visions through Time' over three nights next week. This production covers many aspects of the history of our great school and is set to be a most entertaining event. Junior School families are very welcome to attend and should contact the office regarding ticket arrangements.

My theme for this week has been encouraging the boys to focus on doing their best in everything they do. This is a recurring theme, as I view it as being so important in the development of every boy. In doing his best, every boy knows that his best is good enough!

As I encouraged each boy to review his personal goals for this term and the remainder of the year, I left them with the following Chinese proverb as my thought for the week...

"If you don't change direction, you will end up where you are heading."

Along the same theme, the Bible tells us....

"If someone thinks he or she is somebody when really they are nobody,
they are only deceiving themselves. You should judge your own conduct.
If it is good, then you can be proud of what you have done,
without having to compare it with what someone else has done."

(Galatians 6:3- 4)

Guy B Mason

From the Deputy Head

The Year Six camp is not a place for the faint hearted. The look of trepidation on the their faces as they approach the ladder to begin their ascent to the top of the abseiling tower is evident. The noticeable tremble of the hands and the knocking of the knees can be seen from the bottom of the tower as they are asked to turn around and move backwards towards the edge of high platform. The churning of the stomach and the mental battle which is raging inside their heads is evident as they take their first step off the platform. The look of joy, relief and sense of achievement on their faces as they reach the safety of terrafirma is written all over their faces as others rush to relieve them of their harness in preparation for their turn. Yes, the Scotch College staff really did set a fine example to the Year Six boys this week at Lake Nillahcootie! The boys, of course, coped with it with far less stress and anxiety!

This week I had the opportunity to spend a day with the Year Six boys at Lake Nillahcootie. It was quite an experience. The day was spent challenging myself and my fears. The rock climbing wall, abseiling and the terror of the high ropes course were all challenges to overcome. With safety the highest of priorities, I was able to challenge myself and overcome my greatest fear, heights. I left the camp feeling a sense of achievement and I know that each and every boy left the camp feeling the same way. The camp encouraged, supported and taught the boys to face their fears and to challenge themselves to overcome them. What a vital lesson to learn and to take back, not only to the classroom but to incorporate into their every day lives. Suddenly the problem they face with a mathematical process or writing convention can be tackled with renewed confidence because, as we discovered, all it takes is the courage to take the first step, to take a leap of faith. The high ropes taught the boys and staff that once you take that first step, it's not as bad as you first thought and the confidence you can gain from that can permeate throughout all that you do, yes even in mathematics!

Scotch College staff can feel very satisfied with their work throughout the weeks of the camping program. The time they spend away from their families and friends is very much appreciated and the quality of learning that takes place is vital. It was pleasing to hear from the staff at Lake Nillahcootie how much they enjoy hosting Scotch College students. Again, manners, friendliness and excellent behaviour were identified as qualities that all our boys displayed. 6D can look forward with great anticipation to next week when it's their turn to take on the high ropes and I look forward to attending next year to take on the challenge of the orienteering course!

Next week we welcome back a number of Fourth Year student teachers who are returning to Scotch from earlier in the year to further their training. Ms Blake will be in 4I, Ms Abraham 3W, Ms Law 5A, Ms Saunders 5Y,while Ms Jenkins will be working with the boys in Phys Ed. The involvement of preservice teachers complements our already extensive curriculum program by providing our staff with additional access to the latest ideas in curriculum development and teaching practices that are being taught in our universities. We look forward to the contribution these young and enthusiastic teachers will make to our programs.

A reminder that arrangements concerning the Cordner- Eggleston Cup are available from the front office if you are unsure of any details and that AIM Testing commences in Years Three and Five next week.

Rodney McKinlay

2001 Primary Research Project

This year 16 Year Six students participated in the Annual National Primary Research Project. Students are required to answer questions on a range of topics. They are able to use a variety of resources such as dictionary, atlas, encyclopedia and the internet.

One aim of the material is to focus attention on interpretation and analytical skills and the traits of determination and the ability to persist are valuable assets.

The following boys who participated are to be congratulated on their fine efforts:

Jack Railton- Woodcock (Distinction), Thomas Gin (Credit), Nicholas Johns (Credit), John Pang (Credit), James Worth (Credit), Thomas Caldwell (Merit), William Kyrou- Merit, Derrick Tsang (Merit), David Tuckwell (Merit), James Franet, Ned McNeice, Alistair Meallin, Marco Paoletti, Ryan Sutton, Stuart Watson and Davis Yu.

Alison Hindson - Resource Coordinator

AIM Testing 2001

Scotch boys will again be participating in a state wide testing programme, called Achievement Improvement Monitor (AIM). All boys in Year Three and Year Five will be involved english and mathematics tests during the next two weeks. The tests are designed to tell us how your son is progressing and to identify his specific needs. It is important to realise that the results will complement the other school assessment procedures by providing additional information. All activities are undertaken in class time, are supervised by the class teacher and are similar to regular class work. The results of the tests will be forwarded to you during Term Four.

Mr Brian Sampson - Curriculum Coordinator

Educational Support Services

Mathematics Competitions

The following boys are to be congratulated for their excellent Maths Talent Quest Projects which have been chosen to be sent to the State Judging Centre.

Year 2

'The Shape of Scotch' - Matthew Chan, Nicholas Chan, Alexander Durrant, David Newland, Francis Ha, Wilson Lai, Aiton McPhee and Michael Tham

Year 5

'Albert Park - Luke Dawson

'Raft Race' - Simon Black

'Harry Potter' - Thomas, Matthews

'Body Morphs' - Jack Naughton

'Mathematics in Overseas Travel' - William Lester

Year 6

'Imagine the Yarra River as A Graph"'- Thomas Gin

'Casinos' - Jordan Crawford and Joshua Bonney

'The House That Aria Built' - Aria Lokon

'An Intelligent Art Dealer's Basic Guide' - John Pang

' The Real Cost of the Euro'- Timothy Udorovich

There will be a display of all winning entries in the Conference Plaza Centre at the University of Melbourne from 26th - 30th August. I would strongly encourage you and your families to visit this most exciting and stimulating display of mathematical investigations.

For more information regarding the MTQ refer to http://www.mav.vic.edu.au

Temporary Teacher Aide Position

A teacher aide position exists within the Junior School to work with the class teacher in implementing class programmes for one boy. This position is Commonwealth Government Funded and attracts some renumeration. It is anticipated that the support would be required on three days per week for several hours in the morning.

Inquiries and /or expressions of interest should be made by telephoning Ms Marcia Bacon at school on 9810 4236.

Handwriting Workshops

Following the interest expressed by parents, Mrs Fiona Shannon, an Occupational Therapist, will conduct. Handwriting workshops at Scotch College, beginning in the near future. During Term Three, two sessions will run for boys in Years Three and Four, and Years Five and Six. Assessment for the Prep - Year Two boys will be held later in the term, with follow up sessions beginning in Term Four.

Should any parents wish to take advantage of this opportunity later in the term, please collect a Handwriting Workshop form from Mrs Sally Geremia at Reception.

Marcia Bacon - Director of Educational Support Services

Student Representative Council

Congratulations to the following boys on their appointment as SRC officers for Semester Two.

1N Sam Balson 2C Timothy Fairley 3C Damien Qi

1R Kanishka Sudhir 2H Alexander Strathmore 3W Cody Hickman

4I Jonathan O'Brien 5A Jad Hamzi 6D Andrew Mursell

4K Binghong Tan 5W Jack Naughton 6G Toby Walker

4M Max Carter 5Y Luke Dawson 6P Andrew Earle

Andrew Rawlin and Christopher Hey will continue on in their roles as Chairperson and Recorder.

Chris Carney and Gary Irvine

Cordner - Eggleston Cup

Years Four, Five and Six Parents

Could the Cordner- Eggleston Cup permission slip regarding travelling to and from the MCG contained in the letter dated the 20 July please be returned to the Junior School Office ASAP. If you have not received one, please arrange for your son or yourself to collect one from the Junior School Office.

Thank you

Junior School Office

JSPA- Year 4 Luncheon

Many thanks to all who attended the Year Four Chicken and Champagne lunch and Usborne book display, held last term at Jackie Ryan's home, just prior to the Junior School Cross Country afternoon.

As a result of sale of Usborne books on the day, the Year Fours were able to choose almost $200 worth of free books from the Usborne range. Mr Irvine has selected 18 books, mainly relating to space and astronomy, which will be used by all three Year Four classes in Terms Three and Four.

Year 4 Class Reps

Forthcoming Events

Dates for 2002