From the JSPA
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22 October 1999 No. 31

From the Head of Junior School

Many thanks are extended to parents families and friends who shared in our Family Day last Saturday. We were indeed blessed with beautiful weather. This enabled the day to be set, right from the very start.

I congratulate every boy who participated - whether you came last or first is irrelevant. The fact that each of you tried so hard for yourself and your House is to be commended. Special congratulations are extended to the boys of Healey House who narrowly crossed the line as the 1999 Athletic Champions.

The staff did a brilliant job ensuring the smooth running of the day and I congratulate each one of them for their efforts, 'above and beyond the call of duty'.

Our JSPA once again hosted a variety of stalls throughout the morning and I extend sincere thanks to every parent who gave so freely of their time in order to benefit the entire Junior School Community. The JSPA Under the leadership of Mrs Bronwyn Cramond, is to be congratulated on another memorable day. You can see clearly why we refer to this day as our 'Family Day'. It is a day to be enjoyed by all, whilst sharing the traditional Scotch spirit.

Over the past two weeks, all boys have participated in their first Chapel service for the term. P-2 focussed on 'God's Family', whilst Years 3-6 focussed on 'God's Gifts to us'.

Next week as a part of our German Week celebrations, Years 3-6 will welcome Pastor Stern from a local Lutheran church to our weekly Chapel. All of these Chapel services provide a wonderful addition to the platform on which we base our academic curriculum.

At the request of the Principal, I once again attach a letter from the Manager of Local By Laws. I am sorry to harp on this point, but it would seem many parents dropping off or collecting boys, are still prepared to risk the safety of their own and other children for the sake of just a few minutes.

This week I have received a number of phone calls from concerned parents and also a letter of distress, describing how a parent had 'summoned' a boy across Callantina Road, through moving traffic, in order to get into an incorrectly parked waiting car.

I hope other parents are as concerned as I am about these sorts of practices and I seek the support of every member of the school community in order that our boys arrive to and from school safely.

My theme for this week has been Modesty.

We commenced our Assembly on Monday by talking about Family Day and how pleasing it was that boys had shared in others' victories and how sportsmanship and goodwill were easily recognised throughout the day.

The boys were reminded that Modesty involves being comfortable with who you are; that you have respect for yourself and others; that you share victories without boasting or bragging; and that you share credit with others who deserve it.

I left the boys with the following affirmation:

I am modest. I have no need to brag or boast to attract attention.
I am worthy of attention just as I am.

My thought for the week:

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation,
because your character is what you really are,
while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

Guy B Mason

From the JSPA

On behalf of the JSPA I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped make Family Day the success that it was. Without your parental support we could not have provided the facilities that were enjoyed on the day. I would also like to thank all who donated cakes and jams for the Cake Stall. Once again it was a huge success.

Lost - one white apron - if found please hand it to the Junior School Office.
Found - one navy blue men's jumper - please enquire at the Junior School Office.

Please return RSVP's for the Riverboat Luncheon so that we can organize the appropriate number of boats. This function will be a great finale to the JSPA calender for 1999.

Included today with the Newsletter is the Agenda for the Annual General Meeting of the Scotch College Junior School Parent's Association to be held in the Boarder's Annexe on Monday 22 November, 1999 at 10.00 am.

Please be advised that at the AGM of the JSPA the following motion shall be proposed: that wherever the word "Headmaster" appears in the constitution of the JSPA it be replaced with the words "Head of Junior School".

I do hope that many parents are available to attend this meeting. Tea and coffee will be served from 9.30 am.

Bronwyn Cramond
President - JSPA

From The Resource Centre

YABBA voting:

Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 have recently completed their voting for YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Award). Boys chose their favourite Australian fiction book, which has been published in the last 10 years and which has not previously won a YABBA award before.

Some favourites at Scotch were:

(1) Just Stupid (Andy Griffiths)

(2) Just Annoying (Andy Griffiths)

(3) Bumface (Morris Gleitzman)

(4) Just Tricking (Andy Griffiths)

(5) Unseen (Paul Jennings)

(6) Power and Glory (Emily Rodda)

I wonder if Andy Griffith's visit to Scotch during Book Week had anything to do with his popularity? (Plus the fact that many boys purchased a copy of his books).

Our votes will be sent into YABBA headquarters and counted along with those from children from all over Victoria. Winners will be announced in November. We will wait and see!

Ms A Hindson

Arts News

Junior Primary boys recently had an enjoyable time blowing bubbles and looking for rainbows. They then made rainbow bubble paintings and bubble collages.

All Year 6 boys walked down to Senior School to see the student Art Exhibition in the Lithgow Centre. Student artwork from Year 7 - 12 was displayed: paintings; drawings; pottery; and visual communication. Later the boys went to see Ms Kate Howard, a stained glass artist, who was constructing three large windows for the Boycott Centre.

Boys in Years 2 - 5 are participating in the "Share the Spirit" Olympic Art Programme. Student art work is being sent to Sydney to be selected for hanging in the athlete's rooms at the Olympic Village. The boys have produced some exciting artwork in a range of mediums including scratch art, collage and wax crayon with a wash.

I am currently collecting egg cartons, ice-cream containers and small boxes. Any spares of these items would be appreciated.

Susan Ferres
Head of Junior School Art

PARKING OR PICKING UP AND SETTING DOWN CHILDREN IN THE VICINITY OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL CROSSINGS

For the safety of our children residents are reminded to take care and obey parking signs in the vacinity of our schools. Illegally parked cars create traffic congestion which leads to an unsafe environment due to impatient and frustrated drivers carrying out unsafe and often dangerous manoeuvres.

In order to prevent this Council Local Laws Officers carry out regular patrols and motorists detected breaking the parking regulations risk being fined(penalties up to $100.00).

It is an offence to stop your car in driveways, over footpaths, double parked or in a "No Standing" area.

Remember, as soon as you stop to let your children in or out of the car, you are deemed to be "standing" and are committing an offence. You do not have to leave your car or turn the engine off to be booked.

At school crossings, you must remain stationary at the stop line while any person (including and adult or the supervisor) is on the crossing or the stop sign is displayed. Do not let your child alight at this time. Ensure they wait until you are safely and legally parked. All areas in the vacinity of schools are clearly sign posted and it is the driver's responsibly to ensure they are parked in compliance with the relevant signs.

If you do not comply with the parking regulations the Local Laws Officer who is monitoring the crossing will usually record your registration number and details, (usually with the aid of a video camera for evidentiary purposes) and the infringement will be posted to you within the next three days.

So please, lets make sure you and all our school children are safe. If your child needs assistance with a heavy bag or you need to go into the school for any reason please make sure you allow extra time and park in a zone which gives you sufficient time to do this. Parking zones which gives extra time are usually a few minutes walk further away.

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