Term 2, Week 2 2024
The Torch
Term 2, Week 2 2024
- Whole School Notices
- Junior School Notices
- Senior School Notices
- Sports & Co-Curricular
- Upcoming Events
- Health & Wellbeing
I am delighted to introduce this new, weekly e-newsletter for Prep to Year 12 parents and carers. Going forward, The Torch will be sent every Thursday afternoon, and contains important announcements, events and opportunities to get involved.
Consolidating all communications from the school into one newsletter will hopefully not only declutter your inbox, but keep you better informed and connected with your son’s activities and the vast array of opportunities available to him.
The Torch is structured as a mobile-friendly microsite. Simply click through via any of the links in the email, then use the main menu (located top right of screen on mobile devices and left of screen on PCs) to read Junior and Senior School notices, sports and co-curricular announcements, and health and wellbeing articles. Upcoming parent, clubs and auxiliary events, and music and drama performances, are also listed in the Upcoming Events section.
As we endeavour to operate more cohesively as ‘one school’, this new version of The Torch brings together Primary Matters in the Junior School and the old Senior School publication of the same name. Over the coming year, we will continue to bring further enhancements to the way we communicate at Scotch, with key platforms such as our parent portal and website also being redeveloped.
I hope you will find The Torch useful and informative. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Dr Scott Marsh
Principal
Please note the following Term 2 dates:
Welcome to the Junior School section of The Torch. It is great to connect with you on this new platform. We look forward to exploring how this new approach can further enrich our communication and connection with the community.
As mentioned last week, there may be a few bumps in the road, but we will keep moving forwards. If you do have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school for support.
As Socrates is believed to have suggested, ‘the secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new’.
Thank you for your support as we build something new.
On Tuesday the boys gathered to recognise ANZAC Day through a Junior School ANZAC service. A number of boys from our Year 6 cohort put together the service and led the school in acts of remembrance. As has been the case for the past two years, the service culminated in the entire Junior School gathering on the oval to observe the last post and a minute’s silence.
Reverence is one of the school’s values and our Junior School boys represented this value with great aplomb. I thank the Year 6 boys and Mr Daffy for their hard work.
Lastly, congratulations to 3S for their work this week connecting with a group of Year 12 boys. A request came from the English department to support a group of Year 12 boys working on a specific SAC for their VCE this year. The SAC was aimed at exploring the idea of play and childhood and the request was for the Year 12s to come and work with Junior School boys to connect to childhood in 2024. 3S welcomed the Year 12 boys into their classroom to connect and engaged in interesting and insightful conversations.
The visit has inspired a new piece of work for 3S. It is wonderful to see these relationships develop as we seek to reinforce our ‘one school’ model.
Tom Savill
Head of Junior School
View the key dates on the Junior School calendar this term.
Junior School Science Talent Search 2024
The Junior School is excited to be taking part in the annual Science Talent Search, a science-based competition open to all primary and secondary students in Victoria, Australia.
For further information on this fantastic opportunity for all Junior School boys, view the 2024 Science Talent Search flyer.
Please note participation is optional and there is no expectation all boys participate.
For further information, please email Steven Paneras at steven.paneras@scotch.vic.edu.au, Science Talent Search Coordinator and Year 5 Classroom Teacher (Room 18).
Strings Information Session (Prep & Year 1)
Next Tuesday 30 April, our Strings Department will host an information session for Prep and Year 1 parents and boys in the Junior School Assembly Hall from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
In this session, we will share more about the wonderful world of Scotch String instruments, and demonstrate the violin, viola, cello and double bass, highlighting all the opportunities available to boys once they begin learning.
Parents can also learn about the two learning pathways Scotch now offers (Traditional and Suzuki) and explain the pros and cons of each method and how it may suit your family.
For further information, please email Amberley Bremner at amberley.bremner@scotch.vic.edu.au, Head of Junior School Strings or call 9810 4487.
Instrumental Lessons
It is not too late to submit tuition forms for your son to begin learning an instrument at Scotch. Please complete the Music Tuition Form here.
Please note, if your son is in Lower Primary and you wish to accompany him to his Suzuki lessons, you must submit a current Working with Children Card to your son’s music teacher or Emma Macrae, Head of Junior School Music. A green lanyard must also be collected from the Junior School Office on arrival and worn while on campus.
Music Events Calendar 2024
There are many wonderful performance opportunities throughout the year for all boys in the Junior School with numerous concerts, instrumental recitals and performances coming up.
View the Junior School Music Events Calendar
House Cross Country
It has been a wonderful week for the boys to be outside on the beautiful ovals of the Scotch campus. They are working hard to run their personal best times with the goal to compete only against themselves and beat their best time.
Any boy who beats his best time receives House points that count towards the weekly House winner and the overall Cock House Cup Champion presented at Speech Night.
Prep to Year 2 boys run approximately 1.1 km around the looped course at the Senior School Ovals. Years 3 and 4 run 2 km and Years 5 and 6 run 3km at the House Cross Country event.
PE homework for all boys over the coming weeks is to prepare for the event. Prep to Year 2 boys should be able to run 6 to 8 minutes without stopping, Years 3 and 4 should be able to run 12 to 15 minutes without stopping, and Years 5 and 6 should be able to run at least 15 to 20 minutes.
A timetable and further information about the House Cross Country event on Monday 13 May will be shared shortly.
House Football
With Winter sports upon us, Years 3 to 6 boys are preparing for House Footy this term. Boys in Prep to Year 2 are also beginning their footy skills development.
Term 2 APS Sport (Years 5 & 6)
The first APS competition starts next week on Wednesday 1 May. Thank you to parents for supporting the boys in their preparation. Early mornings, after school hours and games on Wednesdays contribute to a full week for the boys.
If your son is disappointed in his team selection for footy or volleyball, please encourage him to talk with his coach and teachers to explain why this may be the case. Good questions to ask include, “What can I do to improve my game?” or “What are my strengths and what are my weaknesses?”
Athletes with a growth mindset are open to feedback and change. As we remind the boys, it’s not where you start that matters, it’s where you finish that counts!
Term 2 APS Sports Uniforms
The uniform for Term 2 APS sport is as follows:
Parents and families are welcome to come and watch the Wednesday APS Sport competition. Please enter the grounds via the Monash Gates (Gate 8) on Glenferrie Road.
Follow the links below for:
Term 3 APS Sport (Years 5 & 6)
Year 5 and 6 boys need to choose their Term 3 APS Sport by Wednesday 1 May. Choices include Hockey, Soccer, European Handball and Basketball. All boys must complete the Google form on their year level Canvas page.
Training times are as follows:
Cordner-Eggleston Cup
The Cordner-Eggleston Cup is a traditional football game played between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School (MGS). It began on 7 August 1858 and is thought to be a pivotal influence on the beginnings of the AFL as we now know it. The first match is commemorated by a bronze statue depicting the game outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
This year it will be held on Friday 24 May and will see the commencement of a new tradition involving the respective Junior Schools of both Scotch and MGS play a curtain raiser prior to the main game between the first XVIII’s.
A combined team of Year 5 and 6 boys will be selected in the coming weeks to compete on the Scotch College Main Oval before the game. Game time and logistics will be shared shortly. Year 5 and 6 APS Football coaches will observe the boys and select the strongest team to play MGS. Boys will be notified of selection and Mr Daffy will coach the team.
Sports Schedules
Please keep an eye on your sons’ schedule and loading. For example, boys in Year 5 and 6 attending morning Running Club when they have PE or other sports later in the day. Scotch has a wide variety of opportunities for the boys, and they do tire considerably if they have before, during and after school physical commitments.
Sports Queries
Sporting queries should be directed to our new Junior School Sport email address juniorschoolsport@scotch.vic.edu.au These will be responded to by Ms Lucia Thompson, our Junior School Sports Administration Assistant.
Snowsports
View important dates for Snowsports events this year.
If your son is interested in getting involved or you have any further queries, please email juniorschoolsnowsport@scotch.vic.edu.au. We will add you to the mailing list to receive all further Snowsports content for 2024.
The Junior School Parents’ Association (JSPA) and its Auxiliaries are very excited about this fabulous initiative of one newsletter for the whole school. It’s a great way of connecting the wider Scotch community.
The JSPA organises a variety of events for the Junior School boys and their families throughout the year, many of which are featured on the Junior School list of events at the top of this page. In particular, please note the following upcoming dates in your diaries:
Yogita Gupta
JSPA President 2024
It is wonderful to welcome you to our first edition of the revised Torch newsletter. I am excited to have the opportunity to communicate with parents regarding key events in the Senior School and issues of relevance to you and your boys.
Over the break, our students were skiing in Canada, enjoying wonderful conditions and great skiing opportunities. Thank you to the teachers who facilitated this experience for our avid skiers. Our Pipes and Drums participants enjoyed success at the National Championships in Maryborough, which augurs well for the international competition later in the year.
We have welcomed students back to a busy Term 2 in the senior school.
I have spent some time with our Year 9 students and teachers on the retreat in Healesville. Witnessing the sessions enabled me to understand the importance of these days away in nature, welcoming the Year 9 students to the House, cementing strong relationships between the boys and key staff members, and supporting students in their growth from child to man.
I was impressed by the engagement of the students in the range of activities and their capacity to be open in discussions about their identity, values, and actions. I look forward to witnessing their continued development as they move through the senior school.
In looking ahead, we have much to look forward to in the senior school in the coming weeks; several excursions and incursions, including the Year 10 Respectful Relationships Program and the House Public Speaking competition.
I am enjoying getting to know the students, staff and families of Scotch College and look forward to seeing you at sport, performances, or other activities throughout the term. My door is always open to boys and parents alike.
Katrina Brennan
Head of Senior School
New York Art and Drama Tour 2025
We are delighted to announce the Art and Drama Tour to New York will take place in 2025. This trip will occur over the Term 1 Easter holidays with exact dates to be confirmed shortly.
This trip will be open to current Year 9-11 students, and will include Broadways shows, a Brooklyn Street Art Tour, various performance workshops, tours of The Met, Whitney, Guggenheim and other major galleries, a Harlem street tour and more.
Complete the expression of interest form | Read more information
Forms are due early May.
Year 7 Geography Field Trip
All Year 7 students will be undertaking Geography Field Work during Periods 1 to 4 on the following dates:
– Thursday 2 May: 7EE, 7EG, 7LC and 7DR
– Friday 3 May: 7SL, 7HC, 7MP, 7JP and 7SM
Please ensure that your son has a valid Myki card with credit, as well as a clipboard to bring to the field trip.
‘Best Books for Boys’ Information Evening
All Year 7 and 8 Parents and Guardians are invited to our annual Best Books for Boys evening on Monday, 29 April at 7pm, in the Geoffrey McComas Theatre. This is always a fun and stimulating evening where teachers, librarians and students share their reading recommendations. This is an opportunity to delve into new worlds, be inspired by amazing characters and get lost in a good story.
There will be prizes on offer and afterwards a light supper in the Lithgow Building. You will also have the opportunity to check out what’s new and borrow ‘hot off the press’ books.
Registrations close today, Friday 26 April.
Register for the ‘Best Books for Boys’ Information Evening
Year 8 Mother and Son Breakfast 2024
Our annual Year 8 Mother and Son Breakfast will be held at the Cardinal Pavilion in the Boykett Room at Scotch College on Thursday, 9 May. Doors will open at 7.00am for a 7.15am start. This is event is full but you may add your name to the waiting list. Tickets are $35 per boy/adult.
Please email Sara Cuming at middleschoolreception@scotch.vic.edu.au or call 9810 4485 if you require any further information.
Year 9 & 10 Victoria Police Assemblies
We are pleased to welcome members of the Victoria Police to Scotch in Week 4. The police will be speaking to Year 9 and 10 boys about strategies to keeping safe, both physically and online. The Year 9 session will be held on Tuesday 7 May and Year 10 session on Thursday 9 May.
Year 9 Mother’s Day Lunch
The Year 9 Parent Representatives are delighted to invite Year 9 Mothers and Carers to the 2024 Mother’s Day Lunch. It will be held at the Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club on Friday, 24 May. Tickets are $100 per person, including a two-course menu and welcome drink. For any queries, please contact Alexa Jones by email alexa.jones@mirvac.com.
RSVP Friday 10 May
View the Mother’s Day Lunch invitation| Book Tickets
Year 10 Parent Webinar: Respectful Relationships
In the lead up to the Scotch/MLC Respectful Relationships Day next week, all Year 10 parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend a Parent Webinar on the subject of consent on Tuesday 30 April at 7.30pm. This event will be hosted by Brent Sanders, who will also be running a session with the boys on the laws of consent on Monday 29 April. The Scotch/MLC Year 10 Respectful Relationships Day will be held on Thursday 2 May – please refer to information emailed directly to all Year 10 parents earlier this week.
Register for the Parent Webinar
Year 10 Toorak Uniting Church Dancing Classes
Bookings are open for the Toorak Uniting Church Year 10 Dancing Classes in Semester 2.
Classes run from 8.00pm to 9.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and are not held during school holidays or school camps. Every endeavour is made to fit around school activities. There are 8 lessons per semester for a total cost of $230.00 (inc GST).
Boys wishing to participate should collect a registration form from the Lithgow Reception.
Year 11 Career Conversations: ‘Arrive and Thrive’
This week, Year 11 boys spent a morning learning about Personal Branding with Tyson Day from ‘Arrive and Thrive’. We hope you have had the opportunity to speak to your son about what they took away from the session, which included discussions around how our actions and the way we present ourselves develops our own personal brand.
During the session, the boys learned about the basic ‘Pitch’ framework, which allows us to communicate who we are, our skills, and how we developed these skills.
For further information, please watch the Elevator Pitch Module, which helps the boys further develop their pitch skills. We recommend all boys complete this before leadership interviews next semester.
Boys who completed the Morrisby in 2023 can still access their Morrisby Profile from last year and explore a range of great online job profiles and personal branding templates for job applications.
Year 11 Subject Changes for 2025
Current Year 11 boys considering a change of subject for 2025 should make a time to see his Future Pathways Coordinator this term.
Year 11 Mothers & Carers Cocktail Party 2024
Our annual Year 11 Mothers & Carers Cocktail Party will be held at Sidedoor Wine Bar, 72 Willsmere Road, Kew on Friday, 17 May. The event will start at 6.30pm, and tickets are $40.00 per person.
RSVP by Monday, 13 May.
Year 12 Important Dates
View the list of key dates for Year 12.
Class of 2024 Mother’s Day Breakfast
The Old Scotch Collegians’ Association warmly welcomes all Year 12 students, their mothers, grandmothers and guardians to the Class of 2024 Mothers’ Day Breakfast. This year, we are delighted to extend the invitation for this very special event to the grandmothers of year 12 students, as we acknowledge the invaluable role of mothers, grandmothers and guardians in the lives of the boys.
All year 12 students are welcome and encouraged to attend this popular event with friends or family. Boarders will be seated with family (if attending) or friends.
RSVP by Monday, 29 April
Book Tickets Here
Year 12 ‘Final Fees’ Party
After a great turn out to the Welcome drinks in Term 1, the next event for parents and carers of Year 12 students is the Final Fees Party!
Venue: The Conservatory, Studley Park Boathouse
Date: Saturday, 25 May
Time: 7pm – late
Price: $63 includes welcome cocktail, canapes, DJ and dancing!
Class of 2024 Cardinal Dinner Dance
Mark your diaries for the Class of 2024 Cardinal Dinner Dance.
Venue: CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park (next to Rod Laver Arena)
Date: Saturday, 15 June
Time: 6.45pm – 10.45pm
Dress: Black Tie/Dinner Suit
Price: $180 single / $360 couple
View the invitation
A link to ticket bookings will be provided closer to the date.
Future Pathways Newsletter
Read the latest issue of the Future Pathways Newsletter.
Interested in the Creative Industries?
We are delighted to announce an information session for all parents and boys interested in a career in the Creative Industries on Tuesday, 7 May. This event will be hosted by Sally Brownbill, a creatives recruiter for the past 20 years, who will discuss work opportunities in areas such as design, multimedia, photography, advertising, media and art making. This session is recommended for boys and parents in Years 9-12.
Venue: Fraser Smith Theatre
Date: Tuesday, 7 May
Time: 5.30pm – 6.30pm
University Pathways Night
A reminder that representatives from Monash and Melbourne University will present at our University Pathways Night on Tuesday May 14 at 6.30pm. These sessions will explain how broad Bachelor Degrees are structured and the graduate outcomes available for students in degrees which offer a wide selection of majors for study. This event is recommended for boys and parents in Years 10, 11 and 12.
View this weekend’s APS Sports fixture
Please note this is a live link, and changes are occasionally made on a Friday. You may check back at this link any time for the most up to date schedule.
Parent Webinar: New Concussion Policy
Thank you to all parents and guardians who attended the Concussion Webinar hosted by Scotch College and Dr David Munro earlier this week. Scotch is extremely fortunate to have Dr David Munro guiding us in updating our existing concussion policy in line with changes to the AIS concussion guidelines.
View a recording of the webinar
Scotch Basketball Backpacks
The Slam Dunk Club is delighted to launch their very own Scotch Basketball Backpacks. The new backpack is manufactured by XBlades, the company that provides the sports uniforms at Scotch.
Pre-Order your bag | More information on backpack features
Please note there is a waiting period for these bags, as it is dependent on reaching a minimum order number to proceed. If the minimum order number is not reached, all purchases will be refunded. The cost of the bag is $95.
SCRUM Club
Read this week’s SCRUM Club newsletter.
How to Submit Your Sports Newsletter
All sports are invited to share their newsletters via The Torch. Submit your sports newsletter by emailing a copy to communications@scotch.vic.edu.au by 10am each Wednesday.
Year 8 Mother and Son Breakfast 2024
Our annual Year 8 Mother and Son Breakfast will be held at the Cardinal Pavilion in the Boykett Room at Scotch College on Thursday, 9 May. Doors will open at 7.00am for a 7.15am start. Tickets are $35 per boy/adult.
Please note this event is currently full but you may add your name to the waiting list. Please email Sara Cuming at middleschoolreception@scotch.vic.edu.au or call 9810 4485 if you require any further information.
RSVP Thursday, 2 May 2024
Year 9 Mother’s Day Lunch
The Year 9 Parent Representatives are delighted to invite Year 9 Mothers and Carers to the 2024 Mother’s Day Lunch. It will be held at the Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club on Friday, 24 May. Tickets are $100 per person, including a two-course menu and welcome drink. For any queries, please contact Alexa Jones by email alexa.jones@mirvac.com.
RSVP Friday 10 May
View the Mother’s Day Lunch invitation| Book Tickets
Year 11 Mothers & Carers Cocktail Party 2024
Our annual Year 11 Mothers & Carers Cocktail Party will be held at Sidedoor Wine Bar, 72 Willsmere Road, Kew on Friday, 17 May. The event will start at 6.30pm, and tickets are $40.00 per person.
RSVP by Monday, 13 May.
Year 12 Class of 2024 Mother’s Day Breakfast
The Old Scotch Collegians’ Association warmly welcomes all Year 12 students, their mothers, grandmothers and guardians to the Class of 2024 Mothers’ Day Breakfast. This year, we are delighted to extend the invitation for this very special event to the grandmothers of year 12 students, as we acknowledge the invaluable role of mothers, grandmothers and guardians in the lives of the boys.
All year 12 students are welcome and encouraged to attend this popular event with friends or family. Boarders will be seated with family (if attending) or friends.
RSVP by Monday, 29 April
Book Tickets Here
Year 12 ‘Final Fees’ Party
After a great turn out to the Welcome drinks in Term 1, the next event for parents and carers of Year 12 students is the Final Fees Party!
Venue: The Conservatory, Studley Park Boathouse
Date: Saturday, 25 May
Time: 7pm – late
Price: $63 includes welcome cocktail, canapes, DJ and dancing
Snowsports Cocktail Party
Venue: Private Home
Date: Thursday, 23 May 2024
Time: 6.30pm – 9.00pm
Price: $90.00 per person (includes canapes and drinks)
RSVP Monday, 20 May
Montgomery Club Parent Season Opening Event 2024
Venue: Private Home
Date: Sunday, 5 May 2024
Time: 5.00 – 6.00pm
Price: Please BYO drinks. Light food is provided by the Committee
RSVP Sunday, 4 May
Scotch Arts – Wilma and Friends
Tuesday, 30 April, Wednesday 29 May, Tuesday 17 September
Wilma Smith (Concertmaster MSO 2003 – 2014) brings a delicious, predominantly French piano trio program, followed by groups featuring wind instruments, including a Wilma & Friends first, the bassoon!
Book Wilma and Friends Tickets Here
Piano Festival
Thursday, 9 May – Sunday, 12 May
The biennial Piano Festival returns this year with the addition of harp, harpsichord and organ sessions. Guest artists, Timothy Young, Yasmin Rowe and Ian Munro (SC 1975 – 1980) will conduct masterclasses, present lectures and perform in concerts. Our dedicated Keyboard Department staff and students will also feature in some inspiring presentations and exhilarating recitals and concerts. Do join us if you can for this exciting four day event.
Autumn Concert Festival
Wednesday 15 May, Thursday 16 May, Wednesday 22 May
The Scotch College Music Auxiliary invites all members of the Scotch Family to our annual Autumn Concert Festival.
Book Autumn Concert tickets here | More Information
Dracula: The Vampire Play
Thursday 23rd May, Friday 24th May, Saturday 25th May
Don’t miss the Year 9 & 10 performance of Dracula, a joint Scotch College and Strathcona Girls Grammar production. Get ready for a thrilling performance, held in the Geoffrey McComas Theatre in the James Forbes Academy at 7.30pm.
Winter Concert
Tuesday, 11 June
The Winter Concert is the Symphony Orchestra’s main performance of the year. It typically includes an overture and concerto, followed by a symphony or a large scale orchestral work. In recent years these have included complete performances Beethoven’s 7th symphony, Tchaikovsky’s 5th symphony, Elgar’s Enigma variations and Holst’s Planets.
This Concert is open to the general public as well as the school community.
For more information view the Winter Concert flyer.
Each week in The Torch, our Psychology and Health teams will explore a topic related to boys’ health and wellbeing.
This week, we’re talking about ‘school refusal’ – an issue that sometimes arises during times of change, or at the beginning of a new school term.
School Refusal
School refusal, sometimes called school avoidance or school phobia, is not uncommon. It is different to ‘wagging’ or truancy and is often related to worry or anxiety-related issues about going to school.
School refusal may start gradually or happen suddenly. Although it is normal for a child to occasionally miss a day of school, parents should only be concerned if a child regularly complains about feeling sick or often asks to stay home due to minor physical complaints.
School refusal is a complex issue as there is rarely a single cause. It can affect young people of all ages, during both their Junior and Senior years. Dealing with a child refusing school can affect the whole family, adding pressure to an already challenging stage of life. School refusal is not considered a formal psychiatric diagnosis. It’s a name given to an emotional and/or behavioural problem.
For further information on ways to approach this issue and work towards a solution, further reading and video resources are available here.
As always, if you have any concerns about your son specifically, please contact the Psychology team for further information or seek medical or professional help.
