Blair Clan – Spring Term Update 2021
Spring term and the calendar year has finished with a flurry of events, from Valedictory to Paint Ball and a host of other school and boarding events. Here’s what your sons have been up to in boarding:
New Year 9’s
- We welcomed our new year 9’s for 2022 at our Boarder’s Assdembly on Wednesday 17th November. The boys then came into Keys House on Sunday 28th November for a sleepover. Followed by the Senior School Orientation on Monday 29th November. Our new boys for 2022 are: Jamie Bowie (Manjimup), Jayden Clarke (Goomalling), Jarred Coppen (Corrigin), Timothy Jorda (Broome), Mike Liu (Zhengzhou, China), John McGinniss (Merredin), Mesheech Ozies (Derby), Xavier Risinger (Dongara).
New Year 10’s
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- A visit to PLC and Gym games on Friday 19th November
- Perth Aqua Park with St. Mary’s on Saturday 20th November
- Shearer House Games, BBQ & Visit on Friday 26th November
- Golf at Cottesloe Golf Club on Saturday 27th November
- Paintball on Sunday 28th November
- Visit to City Beach Saturday 4th December
- Congratulations to Noah McCreery, who received his Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – Bronze Award at the Senior School Assembly on Friday 15th October. Noah completed a minimum of 3 months towards each of the four sections: voluntary service; physical recreation; skills and an adventurous journey.
New Year 11’s
- We welcomed Ben Brierley (Esperance) into Year 11 for the last two and a half weeks. Ben is a keen footballer (Subiaco FC development) and surfer.
- As we welcome Ben, we farewell Sacha Faneco, who will become a day boy. Sacha has been an important part of this cohort, he sets high standards for himself in both academics and sport, you will be missed Sacha.
- Boys enjoyed the following Recreation activities:
- Perth Aqua Park with St. Mary’s on Saturday 20th November
- Shearer House Games, BBQ & Visit on Friday 26th November
- Golf at Cottesloe Golf Club on Saturday 27th November
- Paintball on Sunday 28th November
- Visit to City Beach Saturday 4th December
- The boys attended their final “Tomorrow Man” program module for the year, Module 6 (Emotional Muscle). I encourage you to speak to your son about what they have experienced within the program.New Year 12’s
New Year 12’s
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Shearer House Games, BBQ & Visit on Friday 26th November
- Golf at Cottesloe Golf Club on Saturday 27th November
- Paintball on Sunday 28th November
- Visit to City Beach Saturday 4th December
- The boys had their final ever module of their “Tomorrow Man” program, completing module 6 (Write Your Own Code). I encourage you to speak to your son about what they have experienced within the program.
Year 13 (Leavers 2021)
- Valedictory on Saturday 27th November and then the Presentation Ceremony on Friday 3rd December. I was great to see some of the boys for a final time. Well done on finishing school!
Final Week Beach Fish and Chips
On Monday 6th December I took the entire Clan for Fish & Chips at Cottesloe Beach. The weather gods were on our sides, with a sensational 30oC and a soft easterly blowing.
We departed the house at 5.45pm and returned to Keys House at 7.30pm for Prep. Boys were well fed and had a nice refreshing swim! I did manage to take some photos…but getting them all to look at the camera….at the same time…..with the sun and the glare…..
Academic Achievements
Excellence in any area should be celebrated, remembering that each boy is individual. It was pleasing to sit through Friday Assemblies and the Senior School Presentation Ceremony and see boys rewarded for their efforts, Well done guys!
Vocational Education & Training
The following students have achieved qualifications throughout 2021:
The graduating year 12 students were presented with their certificate at Senior School Assembly on Friday 15thOctober.
Certificate II in Construction
- Raquell Bin Rashid
- Jedd Simmons
Certificate II in Hospitality
- Kye McCreery
Certificate IV in Business
- Jake Mackintosh
- Julius Robberechts
The graduating year 11 students were presented with their certificate at Senior School Assembly on Friday 26thNovember:
Certificate II in Business:
- Coen Livingstone
- Samuel McGinniss
International Chemistry Competition
The International Chemistry Competition which was held in September this year. This competition was conducted among almost 700 schools throughout Australia, Asia and Europe and is a renowned international event.
Student result fitted into the following categories: Distinctions (top 25% internationally); High Distinctions (top 10% internationally); and Excellence which is awarded to the top 1% of students in the world.
Congratulations to these boys for achieving a Certificate of Distinction:
- Shunta Numano
- Eason Tian
Certificate of Excellence
Congratulations to the following students on achieving a Certificate of Excellence for Semester Two.
https://home.scotch.wa.edu.au/teaching-and-learning/assessments-and-reporting/senior-school/
Year 9
These students were presented with their award at Senior School Assembly on Friday 29th October.
- Oliver Wandel
Year 10
These students were presented with their award at Senior School Assembly on Friday 29th October.
- Sacha Faneco
Year 11
These students were presented with their award at Senior School Assembly on Friday 26th November.
- Shunta Numano (WACE)
- Eason Tian (WACE)
Prize Winners
Congratulations to the following students who were presented with their prizes at the Senior School Presentation Ceremony on Friday 3rd December.
https://home.scotch.wa.edu.au/senior-school/student-achievement/speech-night-awards/
“An Industry Prize is awarded to a student in Year 9, 10 or 11 who is industrious and who consistently demonstrates that they are striving to work to their full potential. The prize is achieved by nominations from at least six teachers in Years 9 and 10 and at least five teachers in Year 11. An Industry Prize is superseded by a Subject Prize or a Proficiency Prize.”
“A Subject Prize is awarded in each subject that runs for the whole year. A student who attends a cross campus class, is in a class with a small cohort or who studies a Diploma course through Pamajo can still win a Subject Prize if their results are of a prize winning standard (at least an A in WACE or a high Grade 6 or 7 in Diploma). In the Diploma program, Subject Prizes are available for Standard Level and Higher Level.”
“A Proficiency Prize is awarded for a high level of performance across all learning areas. In Year 9 and 10 this is determined by summing the course results achieved by each student and the top 5% receive a Proficiency Prize. In the Diploma program the grades of each student are summed and the students ranked. In the WACE program the school scores for each student’s best five subjects are summed and the students ranked. The top 5% receive a Proficiency prize. The top student in WACE, Diploma and VET programs are awarded Dux.”
Year 9
Industry Prize
- Hudson Hammond
Year 11
Proficiency – Mathematics Methods – ATAR (WACE) & Mathematics Specialist – ATAR (WACE)
- Shunta Numano
Subject – Materials, Design & Technology: Wood – ATAR (WACE)
- Kody Waters
Year 12
FG Medcalf Proficiency – Mathematics Analysis & Approaches HL (IBDP)
- Terry Zhou
Subject – Materials, Design & Technology: Metal – ATAR (WACE)
- James Holtham
Subject – Materials, Design & Technology: Metal – General (WACE), Materials, Design & Technology: Wood – General (WACE) & Physical Education Studies – General (WACE)
- Maxx Della Franca
Subject – Visual Arts – General (WACE)
- Julius Robberechts
St Andrews Cross
The St Andrews Cross is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement in a breadth of areas. There are five areas of possible attainment:
- Academic Achievement
- Arts and Culture
- Community, Service and Citizenship
- Leadership
- Sport
To qualify for the St Andrews Cross a boy must receive one Colours in all five areas.
In recognition that the attainment of Honours takes extra commitment a boy will also qualify if he attains one Honours in one area and one Colours or Honours in three other areas.
Congratulations to Terry Zhou, who was awarded the St Andrews Cross at the Senior School Presentation Ceremony on Friday 3rd December.
Clash of Clans
Paintballing saw Stirling with a convincing win.
https://au.vidigami.com/scotchwa/albums/2717/media
An improved performance in the end of term softball match on Wednesday 1st December. A stirring 2 run win in an extra innings!
Blair v Shearer v Stirling
Friday 26th November, saw two teams of boys from Shearer house play soccer on the pitches outside Keys House. The boarding teams (Blair & Stirling) were quite successful, with Solomon Short, Oscar Rogers and Tyler Messina playing key roles.
The Shearer house boys then joined us for a BBQ dinner. Many thanks to our student leaders, Kalib Dempster-Park, Tyler Messina, Tom Sounness & Kody Waters and Mr. Scott Galipo and the student leaders of Shearer house for organising and running the event.
Blair Clan Teams Meeting
Was held on Friday 3rd December, it was great to see and speak to parents from five families, including one of our new Year 9 boys for 2022. Stay tuned for the Boarding Parent Support Group that should be meeting towards the end of Summer term.
Programs
“Preparing boys for life”, in looking to provide a structured, supportive and caring educational environment in which boys develop skills and attitudes which prepare them to become contributing and caring adults in modern society.
Your sons can look forward to these programs in 2022.
Tomorrow Man
The flagship program, “Breaking the Man Code”, question the rules of masculinity creating space for real and honest conversations, is ten modules spread over Year 10 and year 11.
The year 12 boys have just finished the program with their final module (Write Your Own Code) while the year 11 boys have just completed Module 6 (Emotional Muscle), they will complete the final four modules before the end of the 2022 academic year. While our Year 10 boys will begin their journey next year.
Student Edge
Boys in year 12 will be provided with a subscription to the Student Edge learning platform, to enable them to add micro credentials and some skills to help them in the real world. We expect to be able to unveil this to boys in the first week of Summer Term 2022. It looks very exciting.
Barista Course
Paul at “Stand In Room” will assist our boys (year 12’s) to learn skills on how to make a great coffee. Looks good on your resume!
Workshop Skills
Mr. Brent Van Ingen-Kal (Design & Technology Teacher) will look to provide some hands on skills in and around home maintenance and DIY skills to boys from year 9-12.
Finally, I wish you all a safe break, enjoy time with your sons, have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!
My thoughts are with those of you wo still cannot spend time with your sons.
Andy