Scotch College

Cross Country

Following the 1998 APS Cross Country premiership, our 1999 team sought to maintain the high competitive standard of the previous year.

In an exciting season of competition in the open age group, Scotch remained undefeated until the second last round, when hopes of overall victory were dashed by the very strong Carey team.

In the last match of the season Scotch competed against the strong Brighton Grammar team to decide second place, winning narrowly in a fine display of team racing.

The performances of our 1999 team have further enhanced the School's reputation as a centre for outstanding distance running.

Not only did the team contain athletes of high standard, but the spirit and enthusiasm of team members in competition and training were exceptional, led by Captain Charles Gallagher and Vice Captains Chris Taylor and James Rice.

The team also competed in a series of State championships during the year - the Under 20 team won bronze medals at the Schools' Cross Country Relays and the Under 14 and 15 teams won bronze at the Schools Cross Country Road Relays.

Scotch Runners prominent at the Victorian Schools cross Country Championships included Andrew Birch (third in Under 15), Nick Miller (ninth in Under 16) and James Rice (twelfth in Under 20).

The fine performance by James Rice in the Schools Championships earned him selection to represent Victoria in the All Schools Championships in Darwin.

Congratulations to James Rice and Nick Miller for their selection in the APS Cross Country team, which convincingly defeated a representative team of AGS athletes in the final race of the winter season.

International music camp

During the last week of Term 2, I attended the International Music Camp in North Dakota, USA. The camp has been running since the 1960s and offers a range of weekly sessions, from cheerleading to the Concert Band program, which I participated in.

At the start of the week, I walked into camp knowing nobody and having no idea what to expect. I soon got to know some of the three hundred 'happy campers', and made some great friends. We slept in dorms, which accommodated approximately fifty musicians. We were woken at 6.30 each day. Rehearsals began at 8.30am and continued until 9pm, with breaks for lunch, dinner and free time.

My activities included two concert bands, a military drumming workshop, sectionals, individual percussion lessons and the Jazz Band. We spent a week rehearsing our pieces, four for each concert band as well as a drum sequence, which were performed at the final concert. Our teachers included Mr Jeff Spanos, lead drummer of the Madison Scouts marching band, Mrs Vicki Jenks, and Dr John Amman. The entire week was an amazing musical experience. I would like to thank Mr Ferguson and Ms Hallum for assisting me in gaining the scholarship and helping me make the most of my time in America.

Stephen Liew Year 10