From the Deputy Head
Art News
MS Read-a-thon
Prep-Year 2
JSPA
Year 6 Morning Coffee
Forthcoming events

12 October 2001 No. 28

From Head of the Junior School

Welcome back to everyone to our final term in our 150th school year. I trust all families enjoyed a restful break and that boys are ready for all that will be presented in this very busy term.

Our week started with a Prep to Year Six Assembly, at which we celebrated the school's foundation. The school was founded on 6 October 1851 and last Monday was the closest school day to our birthday. We celebrated with a large cake, a stirring rendition of 'Happy Birthday' and a rousing 'Three cheers!' to the school. The cake was cut by the School Captain, Christopher Hey and myself, and was shared with every boy at the morning tea break.

Christopher also unveiled a plaque recognising the 2001st tree planted by the boys of the Junior School during the year. Transplanted from outside of Mackie Hall, the weeping elm now overlooking the basketball courts has become a welcomed quiet area for the use of boys at break times. Some beautiful landscaping around the tree has now been completed and I thank the JSPA for their financial contribution towards the completion of the paving. The plaque will be installed beneath the tree in the near future.

Special congratulations are extended to Stuart Watson (6G) who recently achieved (with distinction) his practical section for his 'A Mus A' in the Cello. This is the first time a Junior School boy has achieved these results. A remarkable achievement for such a young musician. Well done Stuart, I know the whole community joins me in congratulating you!

Today I was pleased to present badges to our Year Six School Officers for this term. Congratulations

This Saturday is a very important day in our Calendar and I know every boy is looking forward to doing his best for his House at Family Day. For the first time, Prep to Year 12 will be involved on the same day in what is set to be another memorable event in our 150th year. Every boy has received a special note regarding the finer details of the day and any queries should be directed through the Junior School Office. I remind parents that this is considered a compulsory day for the boys of the Junior School and I look forward to seeing everyone there on Saturday.

A reminder to the boys - we want you to do your best. Your best may not be the best, but your best is good enough! I hope everyone enjoys the day.

Running along side Family Day is the annual 'Ken Field Memorial Art Exhibition'. This exhibition runs across the weekend and is not to be missed. Pop into the Memorial Hall at some stage and enjoy the works of art on display by prominent artists who, I am told, all have international recognition. I am sure the Foundation would encourage me to remind you that all items are available for purchase and a percentage of the purchase price is returned to the College.

With the uncertainty, tragedy and conflict that is so prevalent around our world at the moment, I leave you with my thought for the week which is in the form of a 'blessing' that came through my email during the week....

May the feet of God walk with you and his hand hold you tight.
May the eye of God rest on you and his ear hear you cry.
May the smile of God be for you and his breath give you life.
May the child of God grow in you and his love bring you home.

Guy B Mason

From the Deputy Head

I am currently in the process of finalising the term calendar and it certainly is a busy one ahead of us. There are not too many spare days when there is not something going on in the Junior School. Concerts, camps, excursions, sporting events, chapel services and, of course, Speech Night! (yes, it is not that far away), are all included.

However, prior to these events, we have Bike Education commencing next week in Year Four and running over the next three weeks. It will culminate with a much anticipated bike ride along the Yarra River on Monday, 19 November. We have a small drama group attending Ruyton Girls School on Monday for a drama workshop involving many Independent Schools and the AMEB String Recitals will be held on Tuesday commencing at 6:45pm in the Junior School Hall and the Shergold building. On Thursday, Year Five will visit the Zoo and the String Group will depart for their camp, returning on Saturday. The Prep - Two will hold their Chapel Service on Thursday afternoon. A very busy week indeed!

A note to members of the String Group. Due to the Year Five Excursion, the bus for camp will leave at 3:45pm, not 2.30 pm, as previously advised.

A reminder that hats are part of our summer uniform and must be worn each day. Only Scotch school hats are appropriate.

I wish everyone a very enjoyable term and I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday for our combined Family and Athletics Day. In closing, I thought I would share with you a piece of writing by Diane and Julia Loomans, which I came across in an article I was reading over the holidays. At a time when we are all very busy and the world is unsettled, it helped me to put events into perspective and to focus on what really is important in our lives. Please have a enjoyable term!

Thought

If I had my child to raise all over again
I'd built self-esteem first, and the house later
I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less
I would do less correcting and more connecting
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes
I would care to know less and know to care more
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites
I'd stop playing serious and seriously play
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars
I'd do more hugging and less tugging
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often
I would be firm less often and affirm much more
I'd model less about the love of power
And more about the power of love.

Rodney McKinlay

Art News

The City of Boroondara is presenting 'Peoplescape in Boroondara' Art Exhibition. Peoplescape is the largest community art installation undertaken in Australia and Scotch College Junior School is a part of this exciting event. It is a celebration of community contributions to Australia and will be exhibited in the Hawthorn Town Hall before leaving for Parliament House, Canberra. The exhibition will be on this Saturday, 13 October from 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm at the Chandelier Room of the Hawthorn Town Hall, 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Our Peoplescape person is ex- Junior school boy, Dr Hugh Taylor, an eye doctor of significant reputation both in Australia and overseas. He is known for his work with Aboriginal communities and eye research. There is an article about Dr Taylor in the September edition of Great Scot, as he has just been awarded an AC in the Queen's Birthday Honour list. Year Five boys have painted our interpretation of Dr Taylor and this will be part of the Boroondara Exhibition and the major Canberra installation in November this year.

For the new term, I am collecting ice cream, margarine or any plastic containers, small boxes and shells. Thankyou to all parents who send most useful supplies to the Art room with their sons.

Susan Ferres - Head of Art and Craft

M.S. Readathon

Scotch College received a special thank you from the M.S. Society for our fantastic effort in raising $3, 544.60. A number of boys will receive a variety of prizes for their fund raising effort.

One boy in particular needs to be mentioned for his remarkable effort in raising over $1000 Tom Johnson read 68 books in achieving the great total of $1002.60. Well done, Tom.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Annmarie Cowley - Social Service Coordinator

Prep- Year Two Parents - Important Reminders

Family Day

Parents are reminded of the special arrangements for Prep-Year Two boys this Saturday. Boys are required to meet their teachers at the Senior School cricket nets, near the freeway, at 10.25 am. Boys are to be collected from the track area at approximately 11.45 am, immediately after the conclusion of their events. Please be prompt in collecting the boys as staff have other duties to perform after the Junior boys events.

Boys will be required to wear their sports uniform (red shirt and white shorts, socks and shoes, and their school hat (150th hats and shirts may be worn this year).

Chapel

The final Prep-Two Chapel Service for the year will be on Thursday, 18 October at 2.15 pm. We would like to invite all families and friends to join us on this occasion.

Chris Robertson - Director of Junior Primary

JSPA

Welcome back to Term Four of 2001 at Scotch College. I hope everyone had a good and restful three weeks.

Tomorrow is our combined Junior and Senior schools Family Day - as part of our 150 celebrations. It should be a great day as boys participate in the various competitive events and do their best for each of their houses. There will be plenty of displays and stalls run by the various auxiliaries of Scotch College, our JSPA being one of the auxiliaries. So please do come along with friends and family to enjoy the day of festivity.

The Spring Fashion Luncheon is rapidly gaining momentum as the ladies gear up for an afternoon of fashion, flair and fun and look forward to ideas for the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

See you at Family Day

Alice Chan - President, JSPA

Year Six Morning Coffee

The Year Six Morning Coffee scheduled for Friday, 19 October will not be held. Instead, there is the Spring Fashion Luncheon for all parents being held at the MATCH, 560 Church Street, Richmond commencing at 12.00 pm. We look forward to catching up with you then.

Year Six Reps

Forthcoming Events