Term 3, Week 9 2024
The Torch
Term 3, Week 9 2024
- Whole School Notices
- Junior School Notices
- Senior School Notices
- Sports & Co-Curricular
- Upcoming Events
- Health & Wellbeing
Congratulations to everyone involved in Tuesday night’s Foundation Day Concert. I know I am biased; however, the quality of instrumental performance and boys’ singing was simply world class. What a tremendous job our music staff do under the leadership of our Director of Music, Dr John Ferguson. Well done to our boys – I know this experience will be something you will look back on with great fondness.
This week I spoke to boys about the power of our unconscious mind. According to David Brooks, “we are primarily the products of thinking that happens below the level of awareness” (The Social Animal). We know that the human mind can absorb up to 11 million pieces of information at any given time. If the conscious mind can only deal with about 40 pieces of information, this simple fact reveals the importance of our unconscious thinking.
Brooks’ book discusses the importance of developing positive and morally good habits so that these become second nature. His point being that when our mind is seeking to process so many pieces of information, our ‘unconscious’ mind draws upon these positive and healthy habits so that our actions, in so many cases led by our ‘unconscious mind’, are by second nature, positive and good.
We all know that bad habits develop very easily. We know these habits shape our character. At Scotch we wish to be intentional in building good habits so that each boy’s unconscious mind can innately support them to flourish. Or put differently, boys are more likely to flourish when their natural character is to pursue goodness.
Dr Scott Marsh
Principal
Family Day Information
We look forward to seeing all members of the Scotch community at Family Day this Saturday. Full details on the day, including the official Family Day Program, are available on the school website.
Please note the following important information:
Cakes for Family Day
Cake plate kits for those baking a cake for the Community Connections stall at Family Day are still available from main reception in the Randall Building. Cakes, slices and biscuits are always popular. Please remember no nuts or nut products and no cream.
Baked goods should be dropped to the Boardroom (between Memorial Hall and the Lithgow stairs, same as prior years) tomorrow from 3.15pm – 5pm or Saturday 14 September from 7.30am – 11am.
Funds raised will be donated to Tiwi College.
Please note the following important dates:
Week 9 has been a wonderful week of opportunity. It began with our annual House Public Speaking Competition.
All boys in Years 3 to 6 had the opportunity to present a speech and represent their year level in the competition. The lucky few who were selected competed on Monday. It was wonderful to note the variety (and in one case similarity) of the topics covered. Click here to view the topics covered and the eventual winner in each year level.
On Tuesday we welcomed the Grandparents and Special Friends of our Prep boys. Prep J and Prep H did a wonderful job of hosting their guests and sharing key learning moments with them. It was wonderful to connect with other pivotal adults in our Prep boys’ lives. It was also a joy to witness their connection around various learning tasks.
My thanks to all family members who supported this memorable morning.
Next term we look forward to another round of coffee mornings (dates listed below).
Amongst other bits and pieces, I look forward to the opportunity to share insight regarding our structures and systems for next year, including an adjustment to our staff leadership structure that is being finalised.
Claire Stubbings, Director of Teaching and Learning P-6, will take the opportunity to share an update regarding the Junior Primary Reading Program with the Prep to Year 2 families.
Finally, I share my gratitude with boys in our Year 6 Wellbeing Service Team for their leadership of today’s R U OK?Day celebrations. The Wellbeing Service team organised a day of raising awareness which included the manufacturing and distribution of Yellow Ribbons for every Scotchie. It has been a pleasure to see our boys take action and endeavour to serve others.
I look forward to seeing everyone on the Main Oval this Saturday morning as the boys start Family Day 2024 in style.
Tom Savill
Head of Junior School
2024 Australian Mathematics Competition
The results for the 2024 AMC have recently been received. Students participating in the Australian Maths Competition complete an advanced mathematical paper of 30 questions. Their results are compared to similar aged students across Australia. The results are excellent and can be viewed here.
The heartiest of congratulations to our Prize winners, of whom there are three from this year’s competition. Well done to Sebastian Khaw and Ryan Ye, both from Year 6 and Samuel Hu from Year 5.
In addition, William Chock has also achieved the result of Best in School.
This is an outstanding effort, considering there are about 1,000 students who completed this competition across both Junior and Senior Schools.
Parent Teacher Interviews
A reminder that Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Thursday 12 September and Tuesday 17 September.
Please note if you have booked an online interview, the teacher links will go “live” 15 minutes prior to your interview time. You will need to have downloaded your interview information into your calendar to access the Zoom links – they will not work via a PDF download.
If required, PTO can be accessed here.
Any questions can be directed to the Junior School office.
Junior School Dates
View the key Junior School dates
Family Day – Call for Volunteers
The JSPA Family Day Auxiliary is looking forward to seeing you at Family Day this Saturday.
Your boys should have brought home a cake kit. We encourage everyone to please bake/make something for the Family Day stall. Please remember to drop off your baked goods by 7.30am at the Junior School Cake Stall near the grandstand.
There will be lots of delicious cakes/slices and other savoury foods to choose from at the stalls along with a coffee cart. Cash/Eftpos facilities are available.
We are also very grateful to all the wonderful parents who made generous donations for the lolly bags this year.
There are still a few spots available for volunteering at the stalls and the coffee cart. Click here if you would like to assist:
Looking forward to cheering on the boys and enjoying the Scotch community spirit.
Music Making in Term 3
On Tuesday night three Year 6 boys performed at Hamer Hall in the Foundation Day Concert.
Dylan Pai (violin) and Luke Heng (violin) performed with the Scotch Symphony Orchestra. This is such an incredible achievement for these boys (as it is normally just for very advanced Senior School boys) and we look forward to seeing them at every Foundation Day Concert for the next 6 years!
Xavier Xiang (violin) also performed in the Foundation Day Concert, however his performance was with the Senior School Pipes and Drums. Well done Xavier!
Congratulations to the Prep boys for their wonderful performance of the song ‘Down In The Meadow’ for Grandparents/Special Friends Day on Tuesday. They were fantastic! A big well done to the Prep violin, cello and piano students for their individual performances in the Junior School Assembly Hall during morning tea. Well done boys!
Tuesday was definitely a very big day for music – at lunchtime, Luca Jiang (Year 2) performed on violin in our series of small ten-minute concerts, ‘Music in the Atrium’. Well done Luca on your performance.
Music Concert Recordings
All past Junior School Music concerts can be found on My Scotch portal here. These include:
The Choral Concert (Term 3) and the Percussion Concert (Term 3) will be added at a later date.
Music Resources
Please note some of the music dates have been changed or updated. Please check the updated document to ensure you have the correct dates.
Sporting Update
Well done to all boys for giving their best in preparation for Family Day and athletics in general. The athletic trials were used for assessment in PE classes and to see how the boys have progressed during the term. In Years 3 to 6 the 800m times are used for the cardiovascular endurance component of the reporting process with different time gradings for the different year levels. House Cross Country and House Soccer preparation are also for reporting in the same category. Preparation for House T-ball begins in Term 4, along with all the skills and game requirements that come with it.
Our Prep boys have recently completed their Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) where they have enjoyed rotating through different activities in the gym during class. Thank you to the many Prep parents that helped Dean Gregory in the smooth running of the program. The Prep boys climb, throw, jump, run, hurdles, bounce and catch balls, balance and work on their team skills with their classmates.
Please remember that hats return as mandatory PE uniform next term.
Junior School Family Day
We wait in anticipation as Family Day approaches this Saturday for all boys in Prep to Year 12. For over a century our school has gathered for a day of fun competition, and in recent decades, the boys in the Junior School give their all for Bradshaw, Campbell, Healey and Waller. This Saturday is all about the boys giving their best and earning House points for their team, regardless of what heat or race they participate in. Thank you, parents, for preparing the boys emotionally and for being there for the disappointments and ups and downs the day brings. There are many teachable moments during the day and the only “L” word we should discuss is learning!
All boys in Prep to Year 2 participate in a 50m sprint, 50m low hurdle and 50m shuttle relay race. The Junior Primary program is not graded and is full of fun. The boys in Years 3 to 6 participate in a 100m, 200m and 100m shuttle relay race. The shuttle relay races are timed so the team in front when the whistle blows is the winner. The top six boys in Years 3 to 6 in each House run the 800m and the top three boys in Year 3 also run the 800m for each House. The Junior School Flyer kicks off the day just after 8.00am when the top two boys in each year level run a handicapped race over 100m.
Good luck to all teams and boys this Saturday!
If a boy cannot make Family Day, please email juniorschool@scotch.vic.edu.au
Melbourne Collegians Water Polo Club
Melbourne Collegians Water Polo Club would like to welcome players who are playing Primary APS Water Polo next term to come and give club water polo a try.
All ages and abilities are welcome, and whilst the emphasis for all age groups is on fun and friendship, there is a proud record of training players to be successful athletes at all levels, be it State competitions, National Competitions, World Championships or playing for the Aussie Sharks at the most recent Olympics. There is already a number of Scotch students playing in the junior teams. The Victorian Summer Competition commences in Term 4 until the close of Term 1 2025.
For further details please contact Tamara Heffernan (Junior Coordinator) on 0413 463 241.
Year 5 and 6 APS Sport
Click here for the following Year 5 and 6 Interschool Sport information:
As we marvel at the wonderful Foundation Day Concert and look forward to the Family Day festivities on the weekend, our Year 12 students are heading into a focused period of schoolwork and revision, in preparation for their remaining SACs and final examinations.
We wish them well for the final leg of their Scotch school journey, and look forward to the formal events that mark the conclusion of their time here at Scotch College.
Next Wednesday 18 September to Friday 20 September, our Year 12 boys attend a formal revision program; the timetable for which has been shared with students and parents. It is also included in the Year 12 section of this edition of The Torch. Students are expected to attend all relevant sessions in school uniform.
Practice examinations begin on Sunday 6 October (no school uniform required) and continue Monday 7 October and Tuesday 8 October (school uniform required).
Students should attend well prepared for these important practice assessments. The opportunity to emulate the final examination setting, and then gain individualised and essential feedback from their teachers on their performance, is very valuable.
We encourage all Year 12 students to sign up to attend the Big Day Out, which offers a choice of activities and the opportunity to be together as a year level at our Healesville campus.
At the Year 12 Presentation night on Thursday 17 October, we celebrate the boys’ achievements together with their families.
The Torch Ceremony on the morning of Friday 18 October is for students only. Held in Memorial Hall, it requires the boys to be in full school uniform and involves a rite of passage of some historical significance.
Finally, the Valedictory Dinner on Tuesday 22 October brings our Year 12 families together to celebrate the cohort and their entry in to OSCA.
In addition, the Day and Boarding Houses will hold events to farewell and thank their Year 12 boys, who have been exemplary leaders and participants in 2024.
I am sure parents will join me in reminding our Year 12 students of the importance of completing the year in a focused and considerate way.
Finishing their formal education at Scotch College is rightly a time of nostalgia, camaraderie and gratitude for our Year 12 boys. This is a time for them to reflect positively on the people, programs and places, that have impacted them most.
I feel confident that our Year 12 students will behave respectfully; in homage to the generations before them, remembering the younger students who look up to them and in appreciation of all that their school and teachers have given them.
Katrina Brennan
Head of Senior School
Increased Inspectors on Local Trams
We have been advised that Yarra Trams officials are increasing local tram patrols from next week, following complaints about anti-social behaviour and fare compliance on trams. We understand this is not specific to Scotch. Please ensure your son carries a valid Myki with him on public transport at all times, and taps on/off appropriately.
Fare Rules & Myki Use for Under-18s
Term 3 Activities Camps
A reminder that Senior School Activities camps will take place next week, the final week of Term 3. Please click here for the full list of camps, dates, locations and staff contacts. Please note participation is compulsory for boys enrolled in each activity. Please contact the staff member listed if you have any further questions about your son’s camp. Please ensure your son’s online consent form has been completed.
2025 NASA Tour
We are currently seeking expressions of interest for the 2025 NASA tour. The tour will take place from Thursday 3 July – Wednesday 16 July and is open to boys who will be in Year 8, 9 or 10 in 2025.
View Poster | Register Interest
Please direct any questions to Alex Colussa alex.colussa@scotch.vic.edu.au
Footy Boots Drive
Thank you to all members of the Scotch community who so generously supported the Year 11 First Nations Boys with their Footy Boots Drive for the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program.
Last Friday’s Memorial Hall assembly saw the boys present the boots to ambassadors of the program, including AFL legends Gilbert McAdam and Ken Hunter, as well as Alice Springs senior physician Peter Wirth (’79). Gilbert’s speech was powerful and impactful; one to be remembered by all in attendance.
Year 8 Alcohol Awareness Program
This week the Year 8 students started an alcohol awareness programme, which is run through the Our Futures platform and facilitated by Form teachers. The programme teaches the boys about the legal drinking age in Australia, what the term “standard drink” means, and the sorts of acute harm young people can experience from consuming alcohol.
8PR, 8OM, 8BT Parents & Guardians Drinks
Parents and guardians of boys in 8PR, 8OM and 8BT are invited to an event on Thursday 10 October at Luton Lane Food & Wine Bar, 8 Luton Lane, Hawthorn at 7.00pm. Tickets are $50 per person for food, drinks can be purchased at bar prices.
Any enquires should be directed to May Lim on 0413616360 or via email may.lim@bigpond.com.
Toorak Uniting Dance Classes for 2025
In 2025 Toorak Uniting Church will be conducting dancing classes over both school semesters for students who will be in Year 10 in 2025 (current Year 9).
Classes run from 8.00pm to 9.30pm on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings in the first semester and Tuesday or Thursday evenings in the second semester and are not held during school holidays or school camps. Every endeavour is made to fit around school activities. There are eight lessons per semester for a total cost of $235.00 (inc GST).
Boys wishing to participate can access more information and a registration form here or from the Lithgow Reception.
Year 10 Parents End of Year Function
Please save the date for the Year 10 Parents End of Year function on Friday 15 November at Amazon State Restaurant, 329 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn. Booking details will be provided by the Year 10 Class Reps in early Term 4.
Year 9 and 10 Drug Awareness Program
In tutor time this term, our Year 10s are working through the topic of MDMA and Emerging Drugs. To support conversations at home, we will be sharing a summary of what has been discussed with the boys each week. Please click here for this week’s summary.
Year 11 End of Year Parents Function
The Year 11 parents end of year function will be held on Friday 29 November. Please save the date. Further details will be provided in upcoming editions of The Torch.
Year 12 VTAC Applications
A final reminder that VTAC applications are due on Monday 30 September. Boys are strongly advised to have their application, SEAS and scholarship sections completed by Friday 20 September to ensure support can be provided by the Future Pathways team if required. If SEAS applications are in by Friday 20 September, they will be checked by VTAC and your son will be alerted if any vital information is missing. Please encourage your son to contact the Future Pathways team if they have any questions.
Year 12 Class of 2024 Valedictory Dinner
Year 12 Students, Parents and Guardians, are warmly invited to the Scotch College Class of 2024 Valedictory Dinner hosted by the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association on Tuesday 22 October. The evening will be held at Centrepiece, Melbourne park at 6.30pm. Student tickets are $170, parent/guardian tickets are $190.
The dress code is lounge suit and after five attire. Students wear full winter uniform and a candy coat. Candy coats are available for hire through the swap shop. Please refer to the email sent to parents for more information regarding table bookings. Venue information can be found here.
Year 12 Revision Programme
Next Wednesday 18 September to Friday 20 September, Year 12 students will be participating in a revision programme and usual classes will not run. The programme commences with an external provider running workshops on improving study skills and revision techniques. Subject teachers and external presenters will provide revision activities for the rest of the schedule.
If a student does not have a session scheduled, they may either study from home or remain in school and use one of the study areas available.
For further details regarding the programme please click here.
VCE Practice Exams
Practice exams for VCE students will be held from Sunday 6 October until Tuesday 8 October.
All Year 12 students sitting exams are required to be at school by 11.30am for a 12.00pm start on Sunday 6 October to sit their English / EAL / English Language / Literature exam. Year 11 students studying a Unit 3-4 subject will have their practice exam scheduled on Monday 7 October. There will be no classes for Year 12 students on Tuesday 8 October, Year 11 students will be attending class as per normal.
Neat casual attire is acceptable for Sunday and full school uniform is required on Monday and Tuesday.
Please click here to view the timetable.
Important Dates for Boarders
Please note the below event dates for Year 12 boarding parents and guardians. Further details and invitations will be sent closer to each event.
A Message From the BPA
Following the fun of Family Day and the pancake stall we hope to see as many parents & siblings as possible at the Buffet dinner, in the Boykett Room. Adult tickets are $80 which includes canapes’, a two course meal & beverages. Siblings are welcome to join parents at Boykett Room or join older brothers in Dining Hall for free.
As usual following the dinner, we will move up to the James Forbes Academy to be entertained by our boys at the much-anticipated Boarders Revue commencing at 7.30pm.
Last but not least, we have chapel on Sunday 15 September commencing at 10.00am with Morning Tea in the Errington Retreat to follow.
Looking forward to seeing you all on this great weekend for the Boarding Community!
For further information, please contact Kate Woodward (katewoodward373@gmail.com / 0447 634 293) or Lynn Clark (clarkultrasound@bordernet.com.au / 0427 951 118)
Future Pathways Newsletter
Read the latest issue of the Future Pathways Newsletter
This edition features information on:
All boys are expected to attend the athletics program at Family Day this Saturday 14 September.
View this weekend’s APS Sports fixture
Spring Sport
View the latest copy of the Spring sports programme.
Snowsports Results – Nationals
The Scotch Snowsports enjoyed a successful week of competition at Perisher. The Scotch Senior School squad finished fifth overall and the Junior School finished first overall.
There were several highlights for the week. Tom Luscombe achieved First in Moguls, making him the National Champion. Scotch’s Alpine Division 2 team came third; congratulations to Liam Tong, Eric Wang, Ed Ross and Ollie Creswell.
Athletics Family Day Invitational Events
Our athletes will be on display this week during the Family Day athletics program on the Main Oval. Below is the list of boys involved in the feature handicap events, the Scotch Quarter and Flyer.
Scotch Quarter (1.45pm):
Scotch Flyer (1.55pm):
Speed/Plyometric Training: Monday Lunchtimes
The final session of our speed and plyometric sessions for Year 8-12 boys will take place on Monday.
Firsts Open Tennis Training
The Open Firsts Tennis squad have their final training session for Term 3 on Monday 16 September. Boys will start back on the student free day on Monday, October 7 at 8.30am. Boys are asked to meet on the Montgomery Courts.
Scotch Arts – Wilma and Friends
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
Pipes and Drums Concert
Saturday 21 September
You are invited to an evening of Scottish music featuring the Scotch College Pipes & Drums bands and special guests, including highland dancers. This promises to be an entertaining event and an exciting showcase of talent. The popular concert sold out last year, so be quick and book your tickets today!
The concert will take place on Saturday 21st September at 7.30pm in the Geoffrey McComas Theatre (GMT). Doors open at 7pm.
Tickets are $30 for students/concession and $45 for adults (includes refreshments at the interval)
Jazz Cabaret
Saturday 19 October
The music department warmly invites you to the Jazz Cabaret on Saturday 19 October in the Boykett Room, Cardinal Pavilion with special guest Mat Jodrell Quintet. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start, tickets are $35.
Please direct enquiries to Chris Farrands at Chris.Farrands@scotch.vic.edu.au
Form 8PR, 8OM, 8BT Parents & Guardians Drinks
Parents and guardians of boys in 8PR, 8OM and 8BT are invited to an event on Thursday 3 October at Luton Lane Food & Wine Bar, 8 Luton Lane, Hawthorn at 7.00pm. Tickets are $50 per person for food, drinks can be purchased at bar prices.
Any enquires should be directed to May Lim on 0413616360 or via email may.lim@bigpond.com.
Year 10 Parents End of Year Function
Please save the date for the Year 10 Parents End of Year function on Friday 15 November at Amazon State Restaurant, 329 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn. Booking details will be provided by the Year 10 Class Reps in early Term 4.
Year 12 Class of 2024 Valedictory Dinner
Year 12 Students, Parents and Guardians, are warmly invited to the Scotch College Class of 2024 Valedictory Dinner hosted by the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association on Tuesday 22 October. The evening will be held at Centrepiece, Melbourne park at 6.30pm. Student tickets are $170, parent/guardian tickets are $190.
The dress code is lounge suit and after five attire. Students wear full winter uniform and a candy coat. Candy coats are available for hire through the swap shop. Please refer to the email sent to parents for more information regarding table bookings. Venue information can be found here.
Boarders Family Day Buffet Dinner
Boarding parents are invited to a buffet dinner on Saturday 14 September in the Boykett Room at 5.00pm. The much anticipated, Boarders Review will commence at 7.30pm in the James Forbes Academy shortly after. Siblings are welcome to join parents at the Boykett Room or join older brothers in Dining Hall.
RSVP: Saturday 14 September
Enquires should be directed to Eliza Leake on 0408372720 or via email info@mlconstructions.com.au
Cricket Season Opening Dinner
The McLeod Club warmly invites the Scotch Cricket
Community to celebrate the opening of the
2024/2025 cricket season in the Boykett Room, Cardinal Pavilion, on Wednesday 30th October. There will be an auction on the night with fantastic prizes and special guest speaker Andrew Fekete, Australian Test player, BBL. All year levels are welcome (including new Year 7 families). A booking link will be provided in the coming weeks.
Music Auxiliary Annual Spring Gala Luncheon – Save the Date
Friday 1 November
The Scotch College Music Auxiliary invites you to the Annual Spring Gala Luncheon at Kooyong Tennis Club on Friday 1 November 2024. Enjoy an afternoon of entertainment and community connections with raffle prizes and silent auctions.
A booking link will be provided in the coming weeks.
Each week in The Torch, our Psychology and Health teams explore a topic related to boys’ health and wellbeing. This week we are talking about Mindfulness.
Mindfulness can be described as attention training for your brain, enabling you to focus on something without judgement and to stimulate curiosity. Mindfulness can be practised in a number of ways and is something that can be done by everyone – no matter your age. It has been practised by many cultures around the world, but it is not exclusively affiliated to any particular philosophy or religion.
Mindfulness helps improve memory, engagement and performance. The positive effect on the brain can improve immunity, mental wellbeing, learning ability, emotional health and even, time management. It is especially important in this era of information-overload, as our attention is constantly being pulled in many directions making us more distracted.
Please click here for tips on how to introduce mindfulness to children and teenagers, and to learn more about how it can positively impact family relationships.
As always, if you have any concerns about your son, please contact Nick Clark at psychologist@scotch.vic.edu.au or seek medical or professional help.
