Excitement and vibrant energy - Scotch College

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Excitement and vibrant energy

A hectic, enjoyable Term 1 set the scene for Scotch’s Years 7 and 8 boys.

MR PINO CUTINELLI – HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

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Scotch’s Year 7 and 8 boys experience many diverse activities in a day, and are always encouraged to try something they otherwise would not. First term was very hectic and a little tiring at times for the Year 7 boys, who are progressing from being the new boys on the block to becoming well established in the school.

The focus in Years 7 and 8 is on the Teams Programme, where boys work closely with their teachers on a regular basis, concentrating on their school work as well as the many extracurricular activities in which they are all involved.

The Year 7 boys spent a week at the Scotch property at Cowes on Phillip Island during Term 1. At the camp, the boys discussed a wide range of issues with their teachers, and also enjoyed surfing, sailing and playing mini-golf, among many other activities. Being away with the class allowed team members the opportunity to get to know the boys in their form, and also to develop relationships which naturally continued once they returned to the classroom.

Learning is a lifelong process, as we are reminded each year when the new Year 7 boys arrive. To them everything is new and exciting, and they learn so much each day and each term.

Every year 78 boys come across from the Scotch Junior School, and they assimilate beautifully with the rest of the new boys. I am always most impressed at the way these boys go out of their way to make the new boys to Scotch feel welcome, in a school with which they themselves are very familiar. It is amazing to see the way the boys all meet and quickly become a single group at the start of each year.

This year we initiated a new addition to our pastoral care program, called ‘Middle Time’, under which boys from Years 7 and 8 spend time together to chat and get to know one another. It was really enjoyable to see the connections previously established rekindled, as they chatted together. The conversations among the boys were genuine and occurred naturally, and we look forward to seeing how this unfolds as the year proceeds.

Teachers and boys spend a great deal of time together in sport, camps, debating, student forums and many other extracurricular activities; however, the one thing that they share in common is that they enjoy chatting with one another.

On 13 and 15 March we held the annual Year 7 Grandparents’ Morning. The day began with boys meeting their grandparents in Old Scotch Square near the flagpole, then the grandparents were escorted to the Ian Roach Hall in the James Forbes Academy for a performance by the Years 7 and 8 bands and a senior boys’ quartet. After this, the boys took their guests on a tour of the school, and then everyone went to the Cardinal Pavilion for a most enjoyable lunch.

As Term 2 unfolds, the Years 8 boys continue to immerse themselves in the full academic program at Scotch, along with many extracurricular activities. The boys are gaining in confidence, as they have had a full year in 2011 to familiarise themselves with the busy and fast pace of Scotch College.

The Years 7 and 8 boys continue to be excited and full of energy among the throng in the Quadrangle, adding richly to the vibrant nature of the school.

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  1. Elizabeth Anderson, Alistair Gray (Year 7), and Graham Anderson
  2. Margaret Tingate, Matthew Tingate (Year 7) and Bill Tingate
  3. Liza Sutherland, Will Sutherland (Year 7), Ivan Sutherland and Jane Asimus
  4. James McLeish, Margie McLeish, Oliver McLeish (Year 7), Ian Nicholson and Kathleen Duncan
  5. Peter Carter, Maccie Carter (Year 7) and Jean Carter
  6. Prue Wood, Will Nicholls (Year 7) and John Wood
  7. Peter Glover, Andrew Glover (Year 7), Richard Glover and Tony Glover (staff)
  8. Kevin Schilling, Marlene Schilling, Charlie Schilling (Year 7), Pam Bayes and Fred Bayes
  9. Ken Doidge, Marge Doidge, Brendon Doidge (Year 7), Henry Sedelies and Anna Sedelies
  10. Heather Sharp and Sam Woolley (Year 7)