Stirling Clan Update Week 4, Winter Term 2021
After a long 11 weeks last term, we are already 4 weeks down and at the mid-term break. For the moment we seem to have dodged Covid, and we are finally getting a break from the rain. In the holidays parts of the boarding house were flooded. My perception from talking to the boys is that some farmers are thrilled with the rain whilst others are trying to extract various pieces of machinery that have been bogged.
Two Saturdays ago, we hosted the Boarders Ball for the Year 11s and 12s from Scotch and PLC. It was a fun night, finishing with a stirring rendition of “Sweet Caroline”. We were grateful for the help of a group of Year 12 PLC boarders who came across on Saturday morning to decorate the Mackellar Hall while the boys were at sport.
The 1st teams play their final rounds tomorrow and having not coached this season I have had time to get out and see most boys play sport for the school. (I apologise to the Hockey players who always play away). Ed Graham and Jett Sibosado have been regulars for the successful 1stXVIII Football team, with Kalib Dempster-Park pushing for a more permanent spot. The 1st XVIII will either win the Alcock cup outright or share it, based on the final game against Hale. Charlie Yin has played in the 1st Badminton team which will finish the season second.
Finn Beard
While it’s good to celebrate the 1st teams, I also like to recognise teams and individuals who have performed well or improved. The 9A team is well represented by boys from Stirling Clan including Loch Mactaggart, Rory Purser, Rohan Bignell and George Stoney. I was critical of their performance against Trinity when they fell away in the second half. They responded to my criticism in the best possible way when a week later when they accounted for Aquinas for the first time. Last week Lachie Willmott stepped up to play 9A’s, which was a great reward for his consistent performances in the 9B’s.
Jeremy Tremlett and the 10 A Football team has had an undefeated season, but I have been particularly impressed with the improvement in the 10 Bs. After being well beaten twice before by Aquinas earlier in the season, they came within two goals of beating them in their penultimate game. The 10 B’s are coached by new resident mentor Mr Travis Roost, and Nick Howson, Azhar Sgro and Lochie Elliot have come a long way this season, with Lochie getting some time in the 10 A’s.
After half of the 3rd vs 4th XVIII Football game last Friday, I want to commend Boarding Captain Brenton Macauley, who after he’d scored a few goals, then looked to set up his teammates so they could score. Muddy Sgro did the same when acting as the distributor for his teammates playing for the seconds the next day. Good team men. Both games were played in a festival like atmosphere as for most Year 12s it was there last time to represent Scotch.
Both Tom Anderson and Darcy O’Halloran kicked goals for the 2nds with Tom, an unlikely looking ruck man, winning two hit outs.
Other notable performances this week included Justin Sweet, playing for the Rugby 2nd XV, who scored a try after an impressive 60-meter run, and George Yuan who kept a clean sheet in his role as the 3rd XI Soccer team.
Regularly on a Tuesday evening at clan meetings I have a “shout out” to those who have performed well or have accomplished significant achievements, not just in sport.
For instance, I set “Mars Bar Challenges” to boys who want to target an improvement in an academic subject. For instance, Tim Hardcastle had done poorly in a Physics test. I negotiated with Tim what a realistic challenge was and we agreed on 60% in his next test. He got 67%, and one of the top marks in the class, and so I paid up at the Stirling Clan meeting where he was warmly applauded.
Also, this week Sean Bonney was acknowledged for performing his first “Welcome to Country” speech, while Lochie Elliot spoke about the upcoming Year 9 and 10 play “The Outsider” which also features Rohan Bignell and Lachie Gooding. The play is on in two weeks, and we have bought tickets for a group of Year 9s and 10s to attend on the Thursday night in Week 6. Where appropriate we are using the Clan meeting time as an opportunity for boys to develop confidence speaking in front of a group, and the boys have been very supportive of each other.
On the school front, this is a busy term as it is the end of the academic year. The Year 9s are currently going to Moray for their outdoor education camps, while the Year 10s have their exams in Week 7, and expeditions Week 9, if they haven’t already completed them. The Year 11s have their exams in Week 8 while the Year 12 mock exams start in Week 8. The Year 12 General boys will need to complete all their units and have their teachers sign them off before they can depart.
Finally, please enjoy the mid-term break.
Regards
Richard
PS I have included some key dates below.
Key dates
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- Week 8/ 9 + first week of holidays 16 September (Thursday) -1st October Year 12 WACE and IB Mock Examinations
- 24 September (Friday) Final day of Winter Term for Senior School
- 12 October (Tuesday) Incoming House and Boarding Student Leaders’ Planning Day
– Boarders return
- 13 October (Wednesday) Commencement of Spring Term 9 weeks (no mid term break)
- Middle school start school a day earlier Tuesday 12th October
– Year 12 House Dinners
- 14 October (Thursday) Year 12 Boarders’ Farewell Dinner
- 15 October (Friday) March out
Awards Assembly (Colours/Honours)/Leadership Handover
Time: 8.30am – 10.30am in Dickinson Centre
Following Assembly, parents to Gooch Pavilion for light refreshments
Following Recess, boys to Memorial Ground (Year 12s in Winter uniform)
- IB Diploma Examinations 22 October (Friday) to 12 November (Friday)
- WACE Examinations 1 November (Monday) to 19 November (Friday)
- 27 November (Saturday) Valedictory Chapel and Dinner
Chapel: Please be seated at 5.20pm for a 5.30pm start,
Dinner: 6.00pm, Dickinson Centre Winter uniform and House tie
- 3rd December (Friday) Senior School Presentation Afternoon 1.20pm for a 1.30pm start
- 8th December (Wednesday) Last day of term
- 12thFebruary (Saturday) 2022. Year 12 ball. There will be a Boarders pre ball function.