Scotch College

A full programme at Cowes

Scotch-at-Cowes has been operating since 1955. Each summer a dedicated team of staff give time to supervise camps at the school's property at Cowes on Phillip Island.

Two holiday camps are conducted during the summer vacation. The Senior camp for boys in Years 9 - 11 is held before Christmas and the Junior camp for boys in Years 7 and 8 is held during January.

The summer camps are conducted by a team of staff and a group of senior students called 'the Committee'.

The Committee is selected from Year 11 students during term one and they attend a training camp and meetings during the year, in preparation for their role at the camps. The Committee members take on very real leadership roles and team up with staff to cover the various responsibilities at camp. The students who take on these leadership roles learn a great deal and derive enormous satisfaction from their experience.

On the most recent summer camps the Committee comprised Robert Westwood (Chief), Dario Mujkic (2-I-C), George Tsindos (Admiral), Samuel Kastelan (Hygiene), Peter Marshall (Utility), Richard Robson (Sport), Adam Routledge (Entertainment and Wash Up), Nicholas Thorn (Mess), Nicholas Wallace-Smith (Junior Cook), Andrew Wilkinson (Safety) and Timothy Wilson (Entertainment and Wash Up).

The Senior camp was held during December 18 - 22, 2000 and had thirty-nine Year 9 and 10 students, eleven Committee and six staff in attendance. The Junior camp was held during January 8 - 12, 2001 and had thirty-one Year 7 and 8 students, eleven Committee and six staff in attendance.

The time at both camps was spent surfing or body boarding, sailing, swimming, paddling wave skis, playing cricket, playing Golf (Senior camp only) and participating in various team activities. Both camps were successful with most participants having an enjoyable and positive experience.

For many years Scotch at Cowes operated only for the summer camps. This is no longer the case with many other Scotch activities happening at the camp.

Early in the year all Year 7 classes go to camp for five days, with three of their teachers. The programme includes sailing, surf survival, excursions to places of interest, and provides an opportunity for the staff and students to get to know each other in a less formal setting. These camps provide an unforgettable introduction to Scotch for the boys of Year 7.

New Boarders spend a weekend at Cowes within the first couple of weeks at school. The aim is to give the boys a fun weekend, with a break from school and the Boarding House.

The two Adventure Programme Sailing camps are held at Cowes, as is the Cross Country Running camp. The Pipe Band also holds an annual camp at Cowes during January. The Junior School holds its Grade three camp at Cowes in November.

The camp is well equipped for boating activities, with six 420 sailing dinghies, a Hobie 16, a Dolphin Savage sailing boat, two zodiacs, fifteen wave skis, twelve surfboards and an aluminium power boat.

Many parents and staff have contributed a lot of time and effort since 1955 to ensure that Scotch boys have the opportunity to have a Scotch-at-Cowes experience. The work has paid off with Scotch having an excellent facility available for its student programmes.

Mr Brian J Woolacott, T.I.C. Scotch-at-Cowes