Scotch College

Setting the pace

Ken Wheat

2004 began with the usual flurry for Upper School students and staff at Scotch College.

Even before the rest of the School returned from vacation, Mrs Michele Linnossier, Extension Studies Coordinator, conducted Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs) for the first time as a trial of this American-based, alternative, university entrance qualification. Scotch College will be a test centre on several other occasions this year.

Prefect Portfolios, which began in 2002, have become embedded in the Upper School's operation of the student leadership program. At present there are two initiatives, one in the area of the School's environment vis-a-vis litter, and the other the 'Shave for Cure' program which encourages participants to shave their hair to raise funds for leukaemia victims and to heighten community awareness of this illness.

As a continuation of the review of curriculum in Years 9 and 10, a committee of staff are receiving submissions from Heads of Department regarding Year 10 electives to be offered in 2005. This year, the review brought about the increase in elective subjects offered in Year 9. Year 9 students are already benefiting from the creation of a more vibrant and accessible curriculum in a number of subjects, and they will be the first to benefit from the same process next year as well.

Before...	during...	...after!

There were some hair-raising, or rather hair-diminishing, scenes when students and staff joined in the 'Shave for a CureÕ program in March. In return for a donation, hair was clipped or coloured to raise money for leukaemia victims.

Art teacher Mark Mason drew great attention and applause from the Memorial Hall crowd when he volunteered to have his moustache shaved off in return for pledges totalling more than $1000 (see pictures above).

Mark has never shaved off his moustache since first using a razor as a teenager, so it was a magnanimous gesture! 'Oh my God,' he exclaimed when he was handed a mirror. 'IÕll be growing it back again.'

Hairdresser Gwen Crimmins, widow of Hawthorn football legend the late Peter Crimmins, generously gave up her time to expertly lop off the locks of many students and staff members.

Ken Wheat
Head of Upper School