Scotch College

Busy Year 9 agenda

Year 9 at Scotch has always provided boys with an opportunity to broaden their personal experiences and this year has been no exception.

Within days of the start of second term, two hundred boys had participated in outdoor activities at the Cadet Unit Bivouac in Wombat State Forest and the Annual Scout Hike near Yea.

The cadet bivouac is a learning experience which equips boys to live in the field in preparation for the main camp in September. 'We were delighted with the enthusiasm shown by the recruit cadets', Officer Commanding Scotch College Cadet Unit, Lieutenant Tony Glover, commented. 'The cold first night tested their resourcefulness, but we were fortunate with the daytime weather', he added.

This year the scouts hiked twenty-five kilometres in the Murrindindi River area, under the watchful eye of Scout Leader, Mr Nick Browne. Within the structure of the scout troop, Year 9 boys have leadership roles as patrol leaders and play an important part in helping younger scouts cope with the adventure as well as planning troop activities.

Later in the term, as part of the important Edutech 99 Exhibition, Scotch participated in a video conference with Koori students from Kurnai College at Morwell. Cameron Algie, Duncan de Crespigny, David Hudson and Sam Shields had their turn at the cutting edge of new technology, as they chatted with their Koori colleagues in a video linkup, before an interested audience.

The conversation served a dual purpose. As part of the Year 9 History programme it enabled Scotch boys to participate in National Reconciliation Week as well as showcasing the latest educational technology. We all felt that Scotch was part of the 21st century. Thanks goes to Mr Lachie Fairbairn who co-ordinated the venture.

Mr Bruce Brown, Head of Year 9