Blair Clan – Mid Term Update – Autumn Term 2022
Six weeks have gone by this term, and the boarding house has been an extremely busy place. The weather has well and truly turned and while COVID-19 has impacted the house (and boys) less it has still been an ever present, I had my turn in week 2 and I am still feeling some of the effects! Here is what the boys have been up to so far this term.
Year 9
- Boys completed NAPLAN testing in Writing, Reading, Language Conventions & Numeracy through in weeks 3 and 4.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Gym Games @ Scotch College Friday 29th April, 6th May, 20th May
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Saturday 30th April, 21st May
- Dockers v Kangaroos @ Perth Stadium Friday 6th May
- Ice Skating @Cockburn Ice Arena Saturday 7th May
- Dr Strange Movie @ Innaloo Cinemas Sunday 8th May
- Rollerskating @ Morley Rollerdrome Saturday 14th May
- Ten Pin Bowling @ Melville Bowling Friday 20th May
- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 21st May, 28th May
- Dockers v Kangaroos @ Perth Stadium Sunday 22nd May
- Firepit with PLC @ Scotch College Friday 27th May
- Eagles v Bulldogs @ Perth Stadium Saturday 28th May
- Escape Room with Santa Maria @ Escape Room Cannington Sunday 29th May
- Year 9 PTSI’s were held on Tuesday 3rd & Wednesday 4th May
- To keep the boys entertained on the Wednesday the boys participated in Gaelic Football, team building, identity building activities with Mr Hales and some of our other boarding mentors. After lunch boys participated in Outdoor Education activities run by the Outdoor Education staff
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- Our year 9 boys have started a new fortnightly activity entitled “Circle Convos”. It is run by Reverend Gary van Heerden and I am in attendance. Boys take it in turn to be interviewed by Rev Gary, about who they are, essentially opening up for a chat, but more importantly allowing each individual to be seen, understood, and accepted, which are vital to individual and community wellbeing. So far, we have heard from Oscar Male (Cowaramup) and Mike Liu (Zhengzhou, China).
- Congratulations to Oscar Male who represented Western Australia Gold in the Hockey Australia Under 15 Boys National Championships held in Newcastle during the April school holidays. The team played off in the final against Queensland Maroon, where they suffered their only loss of the championship. Oscar walked away with a silver medal having also scored 4 goals throughout the championships.
- John McGinniss represented Anderson House in the Junior Bodyboarding on Friday 20th May earning 6th place.
Year 10
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Gym Games @ Scotch College Friday 29th April, 6th May, 20th May
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Saturday 30th April, 21st May
- Dockers v Kangaroos @ Perth Stadium Friday 6th May
- Ice Skating @Cockburn Ice Arena Saturday 7th May
- Dr Strange Movie @ Innaloo Cinemas Sunday 8th May
- Careers Expo @ PCEC Saturday 14th May & Sunday 15th May
- Rollerskating @Morley Rollerdrome Saturday 14th May
- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 21st May, 28th May
- Dockers v Kangaroos @ Perth Stadium Sunday 22nd May
- Lazer Blaze with PLC @ Lazer Blaze Willetton Saturday 28th May
- Eagles v Bulldogs @ Perth Stadium Saturday 28th May
- Escape Room with Santa Maria @ Escape Room Cannington Sunday 29th May
- Year 10 Pathway week was week two, where they head from Curriculum Leaders about the courses available for selection in year 11 @ 12. For more information please click here.
- Year 10 PTSI’s were held on Tuesday 3rd & Wednesday 4th May
- To keep the boys entertained on the Wednesday the boys participated in Gaelic Football, team building, identity building activities with Mr. Hales and some of our other boarding mentors. After lunch boys participated in Outdoor Education activities run by the Outdoor Education staff.
- Boys participated in module 2 (The History of man) as part of the “Tomorrow Man” program. I encourage you to speak to your son about what they are experiencing within the program.
- 7 of the 11 boys completed the Balingup to Boarding House (Palings Rd) leg (98.5km) of the Bibbulmun Track. The boys walked in one big group, under the guidance of Mr. Rhys Edwards & Mr. Johann Schroeder (Outdoor Education). In a significant milestone, the boys hit halfway. It’s all downhill from here!
Year 11
- The Year 11 Dance on Saturday 21st May was a hit, I have seen some photos, but none on Vidigami or any of the Scotch social handles.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Gym Games @ Scotch College Friday 29th April, 6th May, 20th May
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Saturday 30th April, 21st May
- Dockers v Kangaroos @ Perth Stadium Friday 6th May
- Dr Strange Movie @ Innaloo Cinemas Sunday 8th May
- Careers Expo @ PCEC Saturday 14th May & Sunday 15th May
- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 21st May, 28th May
- Dockers v Kangaroos @ Perth Stadium Sunday 22nd May
- Lazer Blaze with PLC @ Lazer Blaze Willetton Saturday 28th May
- Eagles v Bulldogs @ Perth Stadium Saturday 28th May
- After having to postpone their last “Tomorrow Man” module, boys completed Module 8 (Next Base Self) on Wednesday 24th May. I encourage you to speak to your son about what they are experiencing within the program.
- boys completed Module 8 “Next base Self”.2 of the 10 boys completed the Northcliffe to Broke Inlet Rd leg (93.5km) of the Bibbulmun Track. Under the guidance of Mr. Alex Wood (Assistant Head of Blair Clan) & Miss Katelyn Guy (Outdoor Education Teacher).
- The boys also attended theaward winning A.R.T.Y. program on Wednesday 1st June, with the Stirling Year 11’s, Richard Hales and myself. The Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) Program is an injury prevention initiative run at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH). It provides useful, relevant information to young people to help them recognise potential injury-causing situations and make informed prevention-oriented choices about activities. It is also designed to help them adopt behaviours and actions that minimise risk.
- Ben Brierly represented Brisbane House in the Senior Bodyboarding on Friday 27th May earning 2nd
- Solomon Short performed on the keyboard at lunchtime on Monday 30th May as part of a student band for his Certificate II in Music course.
- Well these young men are closing in on the end of school, only 13 weeks to go!
- Exams & EST’s occupied the first 2 weeks of this term, there were some pleasing results, despite the impact of COVID-19. As mentioned in my email to parents, Alex Wood will spend time speaking to boys individually about their results so that together we can try to provide ongoing academic support if necessary.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Gym Games @ Scotch College Friday 29th April, 6th May, 20th May
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Saturday 30th April, 21st May
- Dockers v Kangaroos @ Perth Stadium Friday 6th May
- Dr Strange Movie @ Innaloo Cinemas Sunday 8th May
- Careers Expo @ PCEC Saturday 14th May & Sunday 15th May
- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 21st May, 28th May
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Saturday 21st May
- Dockers v Kangaroos @ Perth Stadium Sunday 22nd May
- Eagles v Bulldogs @ Perth Stadium Saturday 28th May
- The postponed final leg of the Bib Track walk is just over a week away. Whishing Sam, Tyler, Oscar & Kody a safe and enjoyable walk, what an achievement, to become an end to ender! I believe the number of Scotch boys who have completed the Bib track is somewhere around 175 boys, a very select group!
- A group of year 12 boys participated in a Netball match against the PLC Boarder’s as part of National Boarder’s Week on Thursday 19th May.
PSA Sport
- Congratulations to:
- Jaezari Wynne who was awarded Colours for Basketball from Summer Term
- Clement Hardie who was awarded Colours for Rowing from Summer Term
- Coen Livingstone who was awarded Colours for Swimming from Summer Term
- Jensen Westerman who was awarded Colours for Volleyball from Summer Term
- Congratulations to the following boys on earning Winter 1st Team selections so far this year:
- Jayden Clarke in 1st’s Cross Country
- Oscar Male in 1st XI Hockey, Oscar scored six goals in a dominant 19-0 win over Guildford
- Coen Livingstone, Tyler Messina, Tom Councillor-Dann & Jaezari Wynne in 1st XVIII Football
- Shunta Numano in 1st XI Soccer
Duke of Edinburgh
- Congratulations to
- William Fairclough who earnt his Bronze Award
Australian Mathematics Competition
- Congratulations to
- Shunta Numano who earnt a High Distinction
Clash of the Clans
As we continue on the road back from COVID-19, we were able to push ahead with a Clash of Clans on Sunday 28thMay. The clan games are important for creating identity within our boarding community, as well as an extension of the Scotch values of Integrity, Service and Stewardship.
Against Stirling on the hallowed Rugby field. Gaelic Football was the sport, an excellent all round performance I am happy to say we still “Hold” the trophy and lead in the overall race for 2022.
Many thanks to Tyler, Kody and Coen for their organisation.
Other News
National Sorry Day – Thursday 26th May & National Reconciliation Week 27th May to 3rd June
Keion Mongoo, who hails from Carnarvon, is a proud young Indigenous boy who has links to Banjima, Watjarri and Yamatji tribes, read the Uluru Statement from the Heart at our Clan Meeting on Thursday 26th May.
Mr. Micheal Spratt (Indigenous Student Programme Coordinator) spent time in Chapel with some of our year 8 Indigenous Boys, in the week leading up to Reconciliation week, highlighting key dates and events in the process of reconciliation, Paul Keating Redfern Address, Kevin Rudd’s Sorry Speech, and the impact of the Stolen Generation on them and what reconciliation is all about.
I encourage you to ask your sons about what they may have found out that they did not know about!
Ag Day – Friday 10th June
Is fast approaching, a new location (Memorial Oval in front of the Gooch) with Marching (the boarders will march as an 11th house), it should be exciting and I look forward to seeing you at lunch afterwards.
Finally I remain hopeful of getting the Year 11 boys over to our place for dinner on a Friday soon, if your son is in Year 12, look out for a MS Teams meeting in the next week or two, as well as an all parents MS Teams meeting before the end of term.
I hope you enjoyed the weekend and some time spent with your sons, if you were able to spend time with them!
Thanks
Andy