It is hard to believe we are already celebrating our final days with the Class of 2024. Yesterday marked the end of formal Year 12 classes and there was certainly a palpable feeling of nostalgia in the air.
Though this is an intense time for the boys, their families and teachers, the next few days will provide the opportunity to stop and reflect on each boy’s journey through Scotch. Presentation Night, Valedictory Dinner and the Torch Ceremony are a time to take a break from the books, and celebrate the unique qualities and contributions of each boy.
Importantly, the Torch Ceremony sees our Year 12 boys symbolically pass the torch on to the next generation of boys. This is a significant moment for not only our older students, but also for the younger boys to reflect on how they will make their own mark at this great school. A poignant moment indeed for all in attendance, and no doubt there will be few dry eyes at Scotch over the coming few days.
Good luck to all boys competing in the APS athletics finals this Saturday. There have been some excellent results in the lead up meets and we look forward to seeing you represent Scotch with pride.
Dr Scott Marsh
Principal
Important Dates:
Upcoming Events:
Music Auxiliary Spring Gala Luncheon
Tickets are still available for the 2024 Music Auxiliary Spring Gala Luncheon on Friday 1 November at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. All members of the Scotch community are welcome.
Enjoy an afternoon of live music, delicious food, spectacular raffles and silent auctions, thanks to the generous donations from parents and businesses in the local community. Guest speakers include current parents Ron Murray and Sarah James, a unique musical duo that blends Indigenous Australian and Celtic sounds.
The boys have already set an admirable pace to this term. They have really hit the ground running and launched straight into a plethora of opportunity.
This week boys in Year 1 and 6 have been involved in Camp/Outdoor Education opportunities. Year 1 boys enjoyed their annual ‘Year 1 Dinner’ yesterday with a variety of activities and challenges, all of which are aimed to build their skills as they move through our Camp scope and sequence.
Boys in Year 6 have benefitted from their previous years of activity and challenge and are currently applying their skills and attitudes in Anglesea. Whether it be surfing, mountain biking, erecting a tent or simply being away from home, each boy will tackle moments of discomfort. We look forward to welcoming them back tomorrow and learning of their experience.
Yesterday boys in Year 3 and 4 delighted all who attended their Year 3 & 4 Concert. At this time of year, we enjoy snapshots of the boys’ learning and celebrate the hard work they have put into aspects of their development. Music concerts such as these showcase individual and teamwork development. Congratulations to all who performed.
Earlier in the week we were joined by our new Year 3 2025 boys who spent the day making new friends with our current Year 2 cohort and familiarising themselves with their new surrounds.
Tomorrow, we look forward to welcoming boys who will be new to Year 4 in 2025. Our current Year 3 boys are excited to meet friends of the future and help them feel welcome within the Scotch family.
One small but tangible mechanism of support is that all Year 2 and 3 boys wear casual clothes in order that the new boys can blend in and not feel isolated. We also look forward to welcoming the new parents into the family.
As the weeks come and go, there is a great deal to look forward to. Please click on the link below regarding the opportunity to join the Racquet Club this term. It has been a great source of excitement for the boys who have engaged.
Term 4 Racquet Club Information
Finally, thank you to the Prep and Year 2 parents who made it to coffee mornings this week. I look forward to seeing Year 3 and 4 parents next week.
Tom Savill
Head of Junior School
A reminder of the upcoming Parent Information Coffee Mornings to be held in the Junior School Library from 8.00am to 8.40am:
Junior School Dates
View the key Junior School dates
Year 3 and 4 Concert
Well done to all boys who took part in the Year 3 and 4 Concert on Wednesday. The boys had a lovely big audience of parents/special friends which made the concert even more special. Congratulations boys! Vihan Dalal (flute), Ed Pitt (trumpet), Cameron Hu (violin) and Dylan Wang (harp) all performed with confidence and should be very proud. Well done also to Jeremy Tey, Thomas Grasso, Angus Skilton and Ethan Goh for their entertaining performance of ‘The Entertainer’ on the two grand pianos!
Year 5 and 6 Concert
Thursday 14 November will showcase the bi-annual Year 5 & 6 Concert. All Year 5 and 6 ensembles are focused and working on polishing their repertoire. It is now even more important that all boys attend each rehearsal on time. It is expected that all boys attend rehearsals (unless they are on camp) if they are to perform with an ensemble at the concert.
Year 5 and 6 Percussion Recital
The Year 5 and 6 Percussion Recital night will be held next Wednesday 23 October in Ian Roach Hall starting at 6.30pm. It will be a short concert with all students learning percussion having the opportunity to perform a solo or within an ensemble. All parents are welcome to attend.
Brass and Woodwind Recitals
Please note the date has been changed for the Term 4 Brass and Woodwind Recitals. The new date is Thursday 21 November which is the same day as the Years 3 to 6 Piano Recitals. Some boys will do both a piano and a brass or woodwind performance on the same afternoon/evening. Help will be provided to these boys to sort out their busy schedule!
The combined Year 3 and 4 Brass/Woodwind Recital will begin at 3.45pm in James Campbell Room, followed by the Year 5 and 6 Brass Recital in Ian Roach Hall at 6.30pm, and the Year 5 and 6 Woodwind Recital in Keith Humble Auditorium.
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.
Term 4 APS Sport Years 5 and 6
Please note the following for Term 4 APS sport:
Years 5 and 6 APS Sport
Click here for the following Year 5 and 6 Interschool Sport information:
APS Sport 2025
In the coming weeks, current Year 4 and 5 boys will need to choose their Term 1 APS Sport for 2025. Boys will need to complete the Google Form on the PE Canvas page. The choices are cricket, tennis, table tennis, swimming, and softball. One sport is chosen every term.
2025 APS Sport training times:
Interschool competition is held during school on Wednesdays from 1.30pm. The fixtures are available on the intranet and spectators are warmly invited.
General questions can be directed to juniorschoolsport@scotch.vic.edu.au
Last week, we had the first Diversity and Inclusion at Scotch Committee (DISC) meeting, led and run by Year 12 students. A diverse group of students from Year 9-12 attended and discussed Scotch’s student culture. This week, we are articulating the goals of the group and from there, we will look at projects for late 2024 and 2025, that can be managed by smaller groups.
My intention is also to discuss the planned programs, policies and procedures with this group, to gain a student perspective. We encourage any interested students to come along on Fridays to the CFL reading and discussion room if they would like to be involved.
Sunsmart Guidelines
Please be reminded of our SunSmart guidelines as we move into the warmer weather of Term 4. Students should use sunscreen, which is available in our school offices, and wear their Scotch cap when playing outside.
Student Behaviour
Dr Marsh recently spoke to the boys about their behaviour on public transport; not to sit in preferential seating and to be respectful to other passengers. This was in response to the school receiving an email from a member of the public, who was critical of the behaviour of some of our boys. As Dr Marsh reflected, students must take responsibility for their own behaviour; respecting others, showing consideration and being willing to intervene if a fellow ‘Scotchie’ is not doing the right thing.
Our boys are polite and respectful young men, but reminders are needed at times regarding language, appearance and respecting others and school property. Importantly, our boys should always show respect to fellow students, staff and members of the public. Not because of our reputation in the community, but because this is the right thing to do. I know that parents support these behavioural expectations and I appreciate working together to instill these important messages.
APS Athletics
I look forward to watching the Scotch Athletics team compete in the APS finals on Saturday, knowing how hard they have been working in preparation for this event. As always, the Senior School is a busy place, and it is wonderful to see our boys engaged in their learning and enjoying the various activities on offer.
Staff Update
Kerrie Ardley is taking Long Service Leave from Tuesday 22 October to Sunday 17 November and her classes will be covered as follows:
Katrina Brennan
Head of Senior School
Year 7-10 Progress Reports
Progress Reports for students in Year 7 – 10 will be published on the Scotch website tomorrow. Please direct any queries to your son’s Form Teacher or Head of House.
Should you have difficulty accessing the parent page of the Scotch College website please contact ICT Support on 9810 4411.
Wednesday Services Program 2025
This week all current Year 8-11 boys attended sessions on the Wednesday Services and Activities Program offerings for 2025. Please click here for further details on the programs available. The online portal for boys to submit their preferences will open on Friday 18 October, and close on Friday 1 November. Boys may submit their preferences at any point within this period, as allocations are not made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Year 7 Respectful Relationships Programme
As part of the Respectful Relationship programme, Year 7 students will be involved in a two-lesson workshop delivered by Elephant Ed on Monday 21 October, supervised by form teachers. Elephant Ed is a leading consent and respectful relationships education provider to more than 300 schools across Australia. Their workshops are evidence-based, age-appropriate and mapped to State and National curriculum guidelines. Elephant Ed is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider.
The key learning outcomes of the workshop have been outlined below for your reference.
Year 8 Camp
Year 8 students will be taking part in their selected camps next week. Below are the departure times and estimated arrival back at Scotch on Friday, as well as a link to the original letter including the packing list for each camp.
Year 8 Alcohol Awareness Program
Year 8 students continued the alcohol awareness programme this week via the Our Futures platform and facilitated by Form teachers. This week’s programme focused on identifying sources of pressure to drink alcohol, the reasons why teenagers choose to or not to drink and dispelling some myths about alcohol.
Year 7 Parent/Carer End of Year Celebration
Year 7 parents and carers are warmly invited to the End of Year Celebration at 7.00pm on Thursday 24 October at 302 Burwood Rd Hawthorn. Tickets are $60 per person which includes canapes and a drink on arrival.
RSVP: Today, Thursday 17 October.
Please direct any enquiries to Lisa Kelly at lisa_kelly@live.com.au or 0433 809 212.
Year 10 Work Experience 2025
Boys who will be in Year 10 in 2025 will have the opportunity to participate in a voluntary week of work experience next year. The work experience program is optional and offers a wonderful opportunity for boys to explore career options and the world of full-time work.
Placement dates fall in the Term 3 holidays, 22 – 26 September. Please click here for an overview, including some of the key legal requirements for the program.
This parent guide also provides additional information about the program. Please consider possible networks your son may be able to access to make the most of this opportunity. Please note the school does not provide a placement service, and boys must find their own placements.
Students are encouraged to research relevant organisations before preparing an application. The work experience guide will give boys a good place to start their research and process in attaining a placement, should they wish to participate.
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 the coming weeks.
Year 9 and 10 Drug and Alcohol Awareness Program
The complete set of parental summaries for the Year 9 Alcohol and Cannabis and Year 10 MDMA and Emerging Drugs are available on our school website here.
Year 12 English, EAL, Language, and Literature Trial Exams 2: Monday 21 October
A second trial exam for the following Year 12 English subjects will take place on Monday 21 October in the Upper Gym:
Boys should arrive at 8.15am to ensure a prompt start at 8.30am. Casual clothes are permitted however Scotch tops are preferred. If a student has Special Provisions, he will be emailed by Charlene Pereira separately with his arrangements.
If students undertake two English subjects, it is recommend that they complete the English exam during this time. The paper for the other subject can be collected from their teacher to be completed at school or at home in their own time.
Boys should contact their English teacher if they have any questions.
Year 11 Students Undertaking VCE Examinations
With many Year 11 students enrolled to sit VCE Units 3 and 4 examinations in the coming weeks, please note the expectations regarding time off school for revision prior to the examination.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your son’s Head of House.
Year 11 End of Year Parents Function
The Year 11 parents end of year function will be held on Friday 29 November at Amazon State, Martelle Lounge, 329 Burwood Road, Hawthorn from 7.00pm. Tickets are $55 per person, including canapes and a welcome drink on arrival. Additional drinks can be purchased at bar prices.
Year 12 Parents and Guardians Final Exams Celebration
The Year 12 parent reps warmly invite parents and guardians to a final exams celebration on Tuesday 29 October at 8.45am. The event will take place at the Parsons family home. There is no cost involved for this event.
RSVP: Friday 25 October
Term 4 Activities for Boarders
The below activities have been planned for boarders for Term 4. Please note that activities are dependent on student numbers.
For further information, contact Daniel Brosche, Activities Co-ordinator via email at Daniel.brosche@scotch.vic.edu.au
Important Dates for Year 12 Boarders
Please note the below event dates for Year 12 boarding parents and guardians.
International Chemistry Quiz
The International Chemistry Quiz stands out as a unique chemistry education initiative, providing a dynamic and focused exploration of chemistry for school students. It aims to kindle interest in chemistry and underscore the crucial role of chemists in society. Students from 21 countries go beyond standard syllabus content, to complete this engaging and thought-provoking Quiz.
Entry in this Quiz was voluntary and was undertaken after school on Thursday 22 August.
This year, Scotch students have done exceedingly well, with 2 perfect scores (excellence) and 18 high distinctions.
Results for our highest achievers are as follows:
Year 12
High Distinction: Mitchell Ting, Matthew Wan, Keith Woo, Arjun Yellap
Year 11
Excellence: Gevin Kankanamalage, Witter Onggara
High Distinction: Yup Meng Quek, Austen Wayne
Year 10
High Distinction: Joshua Deng, Julian Fitzgerald, Jeremy Li, Michael Shen, Chenul Tissera
Distinction: Albert Gao, Christian Heng, Elliott Mark, Maximilian Zhou
Year 9
High Distinction: Ethan Bates, Philip Liu, Atikish Mehta, Matthew Wang, Cameron Wong, Aiden Wu, Ray Zhuang
Distinction:
Jamin Ho, Evan Tan, Jayee Zhang
Chess State Finals
The Chess State Finals took place on Monday 14. Out of 21 participating schools, the Scotch team won fourth place overall. Additionally, Christopher Lim 12 EN (Chess Captain) won the individual trophy for placing third overall out of a field of 250 chess players.
Future Pathways Newsletter
Read the latest issue of the Future Pathways Newsletter
This edition features information on:
View this weekend’s APS Sports fixture
Summer Sport
View the latest copy of the Summer Sports Program
Athletics – APS Final Day
The Athletics season will conclude this Saturday with the APS Senior Finals day. The squad finished with 14A finals from 21 events and is in a highly competitive position with only St. Kevin’s and Melbourne Grammar securing more A finals. We wish all athletes the best of luck and are sure they would welcome any support as we look to build on recent successes. Please see the attached programme for timings.
Boys in school uniform and children under 12 are free. Cost is $20 per adult. Pensioner $10 (card presented on entry)
Athletics Dinner
A reminder that the APS Athletics Dinner will take place on Sunday 20 October from 5.30pm for a 6.00pm start in the Keon Cohen Dining hall. Dress is casual. Bookings are now closed.
Summer Sport
The broader summer sports programme starts next week. A reminder that the year level groups indicated refer to the upcoming season competition. For example, current Year 10 and 11 classes are now in the Open age groups, current Year 9s are in Year 10 Term 4 sport etc.
Current Year 8s will begin their summer sport commitments in Week 4, due to school camp.
A reminder that several indoor sports are Firsts teams only, due to facilities being used for examinations and no APS competition provided. These sport programmes include Badminton, Futsal, Table Tennis and Volleyball. Non-firsts teams and Lawn Bowls is Term 1 only.
Montgomery Club Notice of AGM
The Montgomery Club (the Scotch Hockey Auxiliary) welcomes all Scotch Hockey parents to the Montgomery Club 2024 Annual General Meeting to be held on Sunday 20 October at 4pm.
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
Year 7 Parent/Carer End of Year Celebration
Year 7 parents are warmly invited to the Year 7 Parent/Carer End of Year Celebration at 7.00pm on Thursday 24 October at 302 Burwood Rd Hawthorn. Tickets are $60 per person which includes canapes and a drink on arrival.
RSVP: Today, Thursday 17 October.
Please direct any enquiries to Lisa Kelly at lisa_kelly@live.com.au or 0433 809 212.
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 11 End of Year Parents Function
The Year 11 parents end of year function will be held on Friday 29 November at Amazon State, Martelle Lounge, 329 Burwood Road, Hawthorn from 7.00pm. Tickets are $55 per person, including canapes and a welcome drink on arrival. Additional drinks can be purchased at bar prices.
Year 12 Parents and Guardians Final Exams Celebration
Tuesday 29 October
The Year 12 parent reps warmly invite Year 12 parents and guardians to the final exams celebration on Tuesday 29 October at 8.45am. The event will take place at the Parsons family home, 17 Flowerdale Rd, Glen Iris. There is no cost involved for this event.
View Invitation | Book Tickets
RSVP: Friday 25 October
Book Chat with the Library Auxiliary
The Library Auxiliary warmly invites all parents and guardians to the final Book Chat of the year, on Friday 25 October in the Donaldson Room of the Tolson Building. The event will kick off at 8.45am with morning tea, followed by the book chat.
Come along and share an interesting book you have read or discover book recommendations from others in a welcoming and friendly environment. Michelle Sweeney, our librarian, will share her own recommendations for parents and boys. A lovely morning tea will is provided and it is a great way to connect with other parents.For catering purposes, please RSVP to scotchlibraryauxiliary@gmail.com if you would like to attend the Book Chat.
Please note the Annual General Meeting will be held at 10:00am, following the book chat, and everyone is welcome to attend. If you’re interested in joining the committee or have any questions, please email scotchlibraryauxiliary@gmail.com.
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).
View Invitation | Book Tickets
Contributions are needed for the Raffle and Auction. The funds raised by the McLeod Club, run by passionate volunteers, support the Scotch cricket program. If you have something to contribute, please get in touch with Mili Berera on 0431536423 or miliberera2706@gmail.com
We hope to see you there for a fantastic night!
Red Army Artist Collective Art exhibition
Friday 4 October – Saturday 26 October
RAAC is a grass-roots collective of young artists doing their thing in the creative world after graduating from Art and Design courses at Scotch College Melbourne over recent years. This exhibition is a celebration of the different directions that each of these talented artists has travelled since completing their studies at the college. It is guaranteed to be young, fresh and full of life.
At the same time At the Forest by the Sea an exhibition of recent paintings by Yudha Scholes, Head of Art, will be running in the same gallery.
The exhibition will be held at the Ladder Art Space, 81 Denmark Street Kew from Friday 4 October – Saturday 26 October.
2024 Annual Spring Gala Luncheon
Friday 1 November – all members of the Scotch community are welcome.
Bookings are now open for the 2024 Spring Gala Lunch hosted by the Scotch College Music Auxiliary on Friday 1 November 2024 at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. Enjoy an afternoon of live music, delicious food, spectacular raffles and silent auctions, thanks to the generous donations from parents and businesses in the local community. Guest speakers include current parents Ron Murray and Sarah James, a unique musical duo that blends Indigenous Australian and Celtic sounds.
More information | Book tickets
Scotch Tennis Season Launch Breakfast
The Scotch Tennis Serve & Volley Auxiliary invite you to the Annual Season Launch Breakfast on Friday 8 November at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.
The event will feature Ian Goolagong as a special guest speaker. Uncle Ian Goolagong is a Wiradjuri Elder and a strong cultural man. It will be a special experience for the Scotch boys to meet Uncle Ian and to hear about his life and perspectives as an Aboriginal tennis player navigating 1970’s and 80’s Australian society, as well as his professional tennis highlights including being the only Aboriginal man to have played at Wimbledon.
Tickets are limited, so get in early, please note that all boys attending will require a ticket.
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 exam jitters, as VCE exams approach.
This week, we’re talking about exam jitters.
Every year, more and more emphasis is placed on achieving good results in exams causing many students to feel extraordinary pressure and having unrealistic expectations. Follow the link below for suggestions on how to help young people cope with pressure and how they can work smarter to achieve their best results.
Exams are like a game. Once you know how to play the game, your chances of achieving great results rapidly increase. Parents can learn how to assist their children to maintain perspective and keep their sanity intact during exam time.
Diet, exercise and sleep all play an important part in helping a student balance a busy schedule and to study more efficiently. Keeping stress levels to a minimum and reducing anxiety can be achieved through careful planning and a supportive environment.
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.