From the Deputy Head
Year 4 Bike Education
Book Fair
Literature Festival
Year 6 Business Education
JSPA
Forthcoming events

24 August 2001 No. 24

From Head of the Junior School

What do Harry Potter, Biggles, Wally, Max, the Queen of Hearts, Bob the Builder and the Demon Headmaster all have in common? If you were able to share in our Book Character Parade on Monday morning, then you will have answered, "Some of the characters that visited Scotch this week!"

I am referring of course, to the creativity of boys and families in selecting costumes for our character parade and I was so impressed with the way in which every boy entered into the spirit of the occasion. Congratulations are extended to the boys (and their professional support teams at home!) for a wonderfully colourful morning and such a great start to the official Book Week. For parents that were able to join us, I hope you took plenty of notes in preparation for next year!

It is so exciting to see our boys being so fully immersed in literature and taking such an active role in extending the boundaries of that which they know and enjoy - boys, books and the love of reading have been the big winners over the past two weeks and I trust each boy has made the most of every opportunity presented.

Congratulations are extended to Mr David Walker and the boys of Campbell House for a wonderful Chapel service yesterday. Using the theme 'Caring for Others' the boys were encouraged to think and do things for others without being asked. Rev Bradbeer's talk focussed on the fact that the more we do for others without expecting anything in return, the more God will do for us. Well done, Campbell House!

Best wishes are extended to Ms Pride, Ms Carney and all boys attending the Interschool Skiing Competition next week - stay warm and look forward to hearing about your time on the slopes.

It is with sadness that I inform parents that I have regretfully accepted the resignations of Mrs Anne Kimber and Mrs Elizabeth Dawe, who have both decided to retire from teaching at the end of this school year. These two fine teachers have provided an outstanding education for many Prep boys and they will be extremely difficult to replace. Whilst there will be opportunities for appropriate acclamation later, I do wish to thank and congratulate Anne and Liz for their total commitment to the education of our sons over the years.

The focus for next week will be clearly on the most spectacular Foundation Day Concert ever held. Whilst boys from Year Four to Year Six will be actively involved, the invitation is still extended to all members of the school community to join in what will be a most memorable occasion at the Rod Laver Arena. Tickets are still available for purchase through Ticketek.

I remind parents that the school will close for all boys at 12.30pm on Friday, 31^st August, due to the commitment required for the preparation for the evening's concert. Supervision of boys will operate until 1.00pm and 'After School Care' will be available in the normal way. Parents should contact the Office if there are any concerns.

Our focus this week has continued to be based around books and, more particularly, the official 'Book Week' celebrations. The Children's Book Council of Australia's theme has been, '2001: A Book Odyssey' and boys have enjoyed a variety of activities during their class and library sessions.

Whilst it has been good to have this focus around books, it is important that we all appreciate and value the role books have, and will continue to have, in every aspect of our lives - none more so than in the continuing education of us all.

My thought for the week….

A good test of the worth of a book is the number of times you can read it with profit.

Guy B Mason

From the Deputy Head

Pouring rain, a chilling wind and last minute adjustments to costumes could not dampen the excitement and enthusiasm displayed by our boys during the Book Parade on Monday morning. With a quick change of venue and a well rehearsed method of displaying the boys costumes (thanks to Mrs Robertson!) our Parade went ahead. The effort the boys, and parents, went to was terrific and all the boys thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to show off their creations. Events such as these are a wonderful way of bringing the whole school together to celebrate, and the Parade was a wonderful way to celebrate books, and in particular, the fun we can all have with reading.

The Year Six Health and Human Development Information Evening was extremely well attended and raised many issues that are so apparent in today's society. I know parents and staff alike took with them from the evening many new insights and ideas that they can use with their boys at home when dealing with some of the issues raised.

The Campbell Chapel on Thursday was again very enlightening and thought provoking and congratulations must go to Mr Walker and Campbell House on their preparation and presentation of the Service. Their message of 'Caring For Others' was indeed very appropriate.

You will receive a letter today outlining arrangements for rehearsals for the Foundation Day Concert on Friday, 31 August. It will also contain details of times and 'drop off' and 'pick up' locations for your boys on the evening of the concert. Please take a few moments to familiarise yourself with all the details to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible during what is a very busy time for both the school and your family.

As well as Concert rehearsals, Week seven includes a visist from a Year Six class from Ruyton on Monday who will continue to work with 6D on their company products. Our boys will visit Ruyton on Tuesday to further develop their businesses.

I'm looking forward to attending the Fathers' Day Breakfasts on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and Ms Pride and Ms Carney are preparing to brave the chilly conditions at Mt Buller with the Ski Team later in the week. The Prep-2 Chapel I'm sure will be a highlight and I'm well aware of the danger of being around Mr Bradbeer when the roving microphone comes out! The week will conclude, of course, with our Foundation Day Concert on Friday evening. I look forward to seeing you all there for what will be a wonderful evening.

Please have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Rodney McKinlay

Year 4 Bike Education - Parental Help

During Week Two, Three and Four of Term Four, the Year Four Classes will be completing a Bike Education Unit.

Year 4M Week 2 15-18 October

Year 4K Week 3 22-25 October

Year 4I Week 4 29 October - 1 November

If there are any parents who are either trained or untrained in Bike Education and would be available to assist at sometime during this period (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (11.00 am until 12.30 pm each day), could you please contact Gary Irvine.

Parents who would like to be trained in Bike Education for the future when their son is in Year Four can also contact myself so that the appropriate training can be organised.

Gary Irvine - Year Four Co-ordinator

Book Fair Success

The Book Fair was a most busy and exciting place to be during the Literature Festival. Crowds thronged in to make their purchases, with the amazing result of over $15,000 of books being sold. This will enable us to obtain many new free books for the library through Scholastic, while adding to the home libraries of the boys. A special thank you to the mothers who assisted during the Fair. Their help was invaluable.

The Children's Book Of The Year Awards 2001

These may prove to be interesting home reading for your boy.

Book of the Year: Younger Readers

Book of the Year: Early Childhood

Picture Book of the Year

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

Ms Alison Hindson -Resource Centre Co-ordinator

Literature Festival

The Scotch College Literature Festival, held last week, was a wonderful celebration of literature. Here in the Junior School we were able to enjoy many visiting authors and illustrators who shared their thoughts on developing ideas for writing and using the text to create stimulating illustrations to compliment the text. The Books' Illustrated Gallery, set up in the Literature loft provided the boys with an opportunity to view the original artwork of well known illustrators and to compare them to the printed illustrations in actual books. A highlight for the boys was the 'Old Tom' model created by Leigh Hobbs and the draft material for the book 'The Butterfly'.

The boys also had the opportunity to 'have a go', with a display of their writing and illustrating skills. Their own published stories and art work related to literature was something that they took great pleasure in producing and that they could be truly proud of. Literature also came alive in the two drama performances during the week. The festivities continued with a parade on Monday were the boys dressed up as their favourite book characters. This was an exciting way for the Literature Festival to conclude.

Brian Sampson - Director of Studies.

Year 6D Business Studies

To coincide with the Business Studies program between Year 6D and Year 6 Ruyton Students, we are having 14 stalls set up in the Junior School Quadrangle. All boys in the Junior School will have the opportunity to purchase yummy treats, drinks, crafts and nic nacs. There will also be guessing games and other 'Side Show Alley' activities to take part in. Could all boys please bring some money on Monday to support the Year 6 students. Items start at around 50c, up to a couple of dollars.

The two schools have combined to create these small business groups with the aim to foster communication in our local school community. The boys from 6D and the Year 6 girls from Ruyton have met on two previous occasions to develop their business ideas. They have had to submit business plans to gain a 'loan approval' to finance each small venture. Each business group has made and marketed their products personally. The money they make from the stalls held on Monday at Scotch, and at Ruyton on Tuesday, will repay the loan. All profits will be donated to charity.

The 56 students involved have a wonderful time, emailing each other, planning together and making new friends, as well as the valuable lessons learnt in setting up a small business.

Please encourage them by supporting the stalls on Monday.

Matthew Dickinson - Year 6 Teacher

JSPA

The JSPA will be holding a Spring luncheon on 19 October 2001. Our special guest will be leading fashion designer Jenny Ho, who has won Fashions on the Field for the previous two years. Jenny will be able to give us all great tips on the latest styles, colours and secret ingredients that go together to make a winning outfit for the upcoming Spring Carnival.

The lunch will be held at Match (560 Church Street Richmond) and will commence at 12 noon.

A booking form will be distributed shortly .

Alice Chan - President, JSPA

Forthcoming Events