From the Deputy Head
Sport
YABBA awards
JSPA
Forthcoming events
Information Technology

16 November 2001 No. 33

From Head of the Junior School

Another busy week has passed and boys have participated in a variety of activities in and around the school.

On Tuesday evening, Years Four to Six presented a stunning concert at the Camberwell Civic Centre to a most appreciative and very large audience. A program of great variety was presented and thanks are extended to the music staff who play such an important and effective role in the tuition and encouragement of our young musicians. Miss Jenni Allen and Mrs Julia Piggin deserve high praise for their efforts and organisational abilities, ensuring the concert was so thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance.

Every performer can justifiably be proud of his effort, however three boys are worthy of a special mention. Thomas Gin, Stuart Watson and Andrew Yuen are three exceptionally talented young men who performed solos on the violin, cello and the marimba respectively. I have not heard a higher standard of performance and each boy presented a stunning solo at a level so well in advance of his age. Here are three young men who will, no doubt, be very bright stars in the future.

Music continues at a more personal level when boys will present recitals on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Best wishes for (their performance) are extended to every boy.

A special congratulations goes to Mitchell Wong in 3C. Mitchell competed in The Victorian State Boys Gymnastics Competition on the 10 November. He won a gold medal in High Bar, a silver medal in Pommel Horse and a bronze medal on the Rings. Well done Mitchell.

On Wednesday, we were very proud to host the 2001 YABBA's (Young Australians' Best Book Awards) and approximately 300 visitors to the school enjoyed participating in this exciting activity. Boys had the opportunity to meet some of their favourite authors who were in attendance. Our boys were fine hosts and I extend my thanks and congratulations to them for continuing the high standards of which we are so proud. Thanks are extended to Ms Alison Hindson for her organisation and congratulations go to Mrs Helen Taylor for the wonderful displays that received such wonderful accolades from our visitors.

For the second time this term, the boys of Year Two received high praise from an external organisation for their behaviour, interest and willingness to be involved in new situations. It is so pleasing to note that our younger boys are already such wonderful ambassadors for our school and I congratulate them for setting such high standards for others to attain! Well done, Year Two!!

On Monday, the JSPA will hold their Annual General Meeting in the Cardinal Pavilion. Details can be found elsewhere in this newsletter, however I encourage all families who are able, to attend this very important meeting in the life of this very important parent organisation.

Next Friday will see the annual Scotch Family Prayer breakfast and it would be great to see Junior School families attending what is always a very special morning. Why not come along and join in a non-threatening morning of socialisation, prayer and sharing. A flier with all the details is attached.

On Monday, the school leaders presented an Assembly focussing on Remembrance Day and every boy had the opportunity to reflect and give thanks for the free life we are so fortunate to live today; a freedom we enjoy due to the sacrifice of so many Australian men and women in years gone by. "We will remember them."

On Tuesday, we discussed tolerance and compassion, especially thinking about people living amongst war and oppression and in other tragic circumstances. We also talked about the human 'tongue' and how it is so often used inappropriately with bad language or with words meant to hurt. We reflected on how the tongue can be 'mightier than the sword' and how seemingly harmless words can make others feel so low. I encouraged the boys to think before they speak, in order that anything said will not have a negative effect on others.

This leads me to my thought for the week....

A broken bone can heal, but the wound a word opens can fester forever.

Guy B Mason

From the Deputy Head

A tremendous amount has happened since I last wrote in the Newsletter, most notably being the Year Three camp. A very enjoyable experience indeed! The boys had a wonderful time and the facilities at the Scotch-at-Cowes camp site were second to none! The beach activities, which included games, sand castle competitions and the odd game of beach cricket, kept the boys entertained.

The last two weeks have also included New Boys Orientation Day, Year Four - Six Concert (which, as a first for me, was a very impressive display of the musical talent in Junior School), the YABBA Awards Ceremony, the final Three - Six Chapel, New Parents Cocktail Party, Year three visit to the aquarium, theYear 2C visit to Korowa and of course the Year Five visit to Sovereign Hill. A very busy fortnight indeed.

This week we also say farewell to our visiting student teacher from the United States, Rebecca Phillips, who has been with us for the last 10 weeks. the last six of which have been in Year 5Y. At a most difficult time for her and her family, we thank her for all the work she has done and the contribution she has made to our school. We wish her a safe return to America and all the best for what I know will be a very successful teaching career.

On an entirely different note, a number of 'house keeping' matters are drawn to your attention:

• Could parents please ring through details of when their boy/s are absent from school. It enables us to keep track of attendances at school and it ensures that we know where boys are at all times.
• From this Monday, 19 November parents will need to sign their sons out of After Care. In the interest of your son's safety, it is most important to contact the Junior School Office or the After Care Unit when you require your son to go to After Care or if your son is a regular and will not attend on the specified day. You can contact either the Junior School Office on 9810 4236 or the After Care Unit on 9810 4401.
• A quick walk past lost property will reveal a tremendous amount of clothing in the basket. Some of it is named, which will allow a quick return to the owner. However, I'm somewhat surprised that the owners have not identified that they are missing very expensive items of clothing and made the effort to look in the basket. Mr Mason spoke to the boys at Assembly this morning about the importance of looking after their uniform. We have also been approached by a number of parents who are attempting to track down items of lost clothing which are not in the Lost Property basket. These items are named and so should be readily identified as belonging to someone else other that your son. Could parents please check all items of their son's school clothing to see if they have any items which do not belong to them. The return of the items to the rightful owners would be much appreciated.
• Finally, I remind parents about the importance of adhering to the following points in regards to afternoon pick up. As you know, it is a two-minute pick up zone and boys have been permitted to wait outside the gate keeping an eye out for their parents. I reinforce the importance of not leaving the car during the two-minute pick up time. Adherence to these points will make it easier for all concerned during what is a difficult time of the day.

The City of Boroondara has advised the school that there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of Whooping Cough in the Eastern Region in the last three weeks. There is a fact sheet attached to this newsletter on what it is and how you can prevent it.

Please have a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Rodney McKinlay

Sport

Despite the winter weather last Sunday and Monday we had 10 boys competing at Olympic Park as part of the Victorian Primary Schools Victorian Championships in Track and Field. The competition was exceptional and all boys performed very well. We are all very proud of their achievements in making it to this stage in their athletics.

Peter Hawkins

YABBA Awards

The annual YABBA awards ceremony was held at Scotch College Junior School on Wednesday, 14 November.

YABBA stands for Young Australians' Best Book Awards, and is Victoria's only CHILDREN'S CHOICE award. Children select their own shortlist and vote for the winners in three categories. Hundreds of schools throughout Victoria are involved. About 300 people attended the ceremony at Scotch including authors and illustrators, and students and teachers from State, Catholic and Independents Primary and Secondary schools from all over Melbourne.

The audience was entertained by the Scotch College Junior School drum corps and also Andrew Yuen on the xylophone. Storyteller June Barnes gave an interesting performance highlighting the history of stories in Australia.

The winners this year are:

• Picture Book -'Buffy' By Bob Graham
• Younger Readers - 'Just Crazy' by Andy Griffiths, with illustrations by Terry Denton
• Older Readers - " Deltora Quest" series by Emily Rodda

They all received citations.

Authors and illustrators in attendance were Duncan Bell (the Selby Series,), Andy Griffiths, Elizabeth Honey, John Marsden, Chris Milne, Leone Peguero, Joan Van Loon, Chantal Stewart and Cheryl Threadgold.

Students were able to speak with these visitors and have their books signed in the gymnasium after the ceremony. Enormous queues formed, with Andy Griffiths being a favourite amongst all age groups.

A large number of our own boys were involved in the ceremony and were thrilled to meet their favourite authors. A most successful day!

Alison Hindson - Resource Centre

JSPA

The many parents who attended the 'Farewell Morning Tea' for Anne Kimber and Elizabeth Dawe on Monday morning were moved by the Farewell Song so beautifully sung by the Year Five and Six Choir. Three senior school boys spoke on their recollections of the Prep Year, bringing smiles to everyone. We thank you for having nurtured our young sons in their Prep Year and wish both of you well, Mrs Kimber and Mrs Dawe.

My year term as President of the JSPA has also come to an end. On behalf of the Junior School parents who have had such a fabulous time enjoying the 150th jubilations, I congratulate Scotch College on the stunning success of the 150th anniversary - well done to each and everyone of the Scotch community who has been involved in Celebrating The Vision for the brilliant job you have done!!

The JSPA has had a wonderful year, combining the 150th celebrations along with most of the functions typically held by the JSPA. The many functions and activities held have been well attended, enjoyable and have gone smoothly thanks to the class representatives, the JSPA committee and the many parents who consistently help out in different ways. Your support and participation serve as our motivation and reward. I extend my appreciation to all the individuals who have been so very generous with their time and donations, as well as my appreciation to the businesses who have donated merchandise and services to the JSPA. I thank my very capable committee for their hard work and meticulous attention to detail. A cohesive and supportive team is essential to the success of any committee. My sincere thanks to Guy Mason (who has been, in the very same words as my predecessor, Susan Hughes, 'A tower of strength'), the staff of the Junior School, (especially Lesley Armstrong and Sally Geremia), the Scotch Family Association, Spotless Catering and the Scotch College administration for their guidance and assistance throughout the year.

I announce the appointment of Gabrielle Goldsmith as the JSPA President 2002 with Jan MacLean as Vice-President. I have every confidence in them. Congratulations!

The JSPA AGM is at 9am Monday, 19 November in the Boykett Room of the Cardinal Pavilion. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

It has been my privilege to serve in this outstanding 150th anniversary year.

Alice Chan - President, JSPA

Forthcoming Events

From the Information Technology Department:

Is there any homework today?

The latest issue of the Scotch Family Association newsletter, The Torch, advertised the forthcoming Scotch Intranet Parent Forum. This forum will be held next week, on Thursday 22 November at 7:45pm in the Senior School science lecture theatre, and is open to all parents.

The forum will include demonstrations of how the Intranet may be used throughout the school. It will also provide parents with the opportunity to ask questions relating to access and use of the Intranet.

To assist in the planning of this evening, Dr Syd Boydell has requested that parents complete the form below and return to class teachers by Monday 19 November.

If you have any queries relating to this event, please feel free to contact Mr Andrew Murdoch on 9810 4292 or by email at andrew.murdoch@scotch.vic.edu.au

Mr Andrew Murdoch - Head Of Information Technology