Blair Clan – Mid Term Update – Winter Term 2022
Winter term always seems to start with a flurry, a busy time of year, and so far, a very wet time of year! With the end of winter sport, our attention now will quickly turn to athletics, this year our Interhouse Athletics Carnival will be coupled with Ag Day. It’s been great to see so many parents and families put their hand up to support and showcase boarding, boarding students and the lives of our boarders.
It will be a busy end to Winter Term, with two moray camps still to come for Year 9’s, year 10’s exams, year 10 expeditions, year 11 WACE & IB examinations, & Year 12 WACE & IB Mock Examinations.
Here’s what your sons have been up to in boarding:
Year 9
- We welcomed Jate Vanasin into our clan from Bangkok. Jate has settled in really well with his roommate Oscar being of great assistance.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Gym Games in the Scotch Gym on Friday 29th July
- Freo taking on the reigning Premiers (Melbourne) @ Perth Stadium on Friday 29th July
- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 30th July 6th August
- Dinner & Games @ St. Hilda’s on Saturday 30th July
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 5th & 12th August
- Thor: Love and Thunder @ Innaloo Cinema Sunday 7th August
- Ten Pin Bowling with other Schools @ Melville Super Bowl on Friday 12th August
- Rev Gary van Heerden made a trip to South Africa, which meant that our “Circle Convos” have been put on hold until after the Boarders long weekend.
- Many of the boys experience their Year 9 Moray Camp, while the weather was not great, that didn’t stop them from having some fun!
Year 10
- Boys enjoyed the following Recreation activities:
- Gym Games in the Scotch Gym on Friday 29th July
- Freo taking on the reigning Premiers (Melbourne) @ Perth Stadium on Friday 29th July
- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 30th July 6th August
- Dinner & Games @ St. Hilda’s on Saturday 30th July
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 5th & 12th August
- Thor: Love and Thunder @ Innaloo Cinema Sunday 7th August
- Ten Pin Bowling with other Schools @ Melville Super Bowl on Friday 12th August
- Module 3 (Man and the Mask) as part of the “Tomorrow Man” program was completed on Monday 3rdAugust.
- Year 10 Boys as part of their curriculum at Scotch elect to attend a one week camp, either in the third week of July holidays, or the last week of Winter Term. The following boys enjoyed their July Year 10 Expeditions to Ningaloo:
- Sea Kayaking
- Kai Allen
- Hudson Hammond
- Diving
- Will Fairclough
- Oliver Macnamara
- Oliver Wandel
- Sea Kayaking
Year 11
- We welcomed Keiran Chan, from Singapore into our clan. The boys, in particular Jensen have made Keiran feel very welcome. Despite the wet weather Basketball at the Middle School hoops seems popular after first prep.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Gym Games in the Scotch Gym on Friday 29th July
- Freo taking on the reigning Premiers (Melbourne) @ Perth Stadium on Friday 29th July
- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 30th July 6th August
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 5th & 12th August
- Module 9 (Next Base Others) as part of the “Tomorrow Man” program was completed on Monday 3rdAugust. There is one module left for our Year 11’s, later this term. Please take the time to ask your son what was discussed.
- Next week some of our boys will present themselves to all boarders and staff as they seek leadership roles for 2023. This will happen at our Boarder’s Assembly on Wednesday. I wish them the best of luck in their desire to contribute towards boarding at Scotch College.
- Congratulations to Ben Brierley who was a member of the Scotch Surfing team that competed at the Surfing WA Metro Titles on Wednesday 17th August. Ben and his partner made it to the final of the Senior Surfing where they were unfortunately beaten and had to settle for second place. Overall Scotch placed 3rd. A tremendous effort, well done Ben. Surfing Western Australia have a short video on their Facebook page, click here.
Year 12
- Not long to go, many assessments being finalised for WACE & IB boys, with AAP boys working hard to get the bookwork completed for their Certificate courses.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Gym Games in the Scotch Gym on Friday 29th July
- Freo taking on the reigning Premiers (Melbourne) @ Perth Stadium on Friday 29th July
- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 30th July 6th August
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 5th & 12th August
- The year 12 boys have a final opportunity for a life skills course, with a Barista course scheduled for the last four Thursdays of this term.
NAIDOC Week
Scotch celebrated NAIDOC week from Monday 1st to Friday 5th August. As part of the celebrations led by Indigenous Programme Coordinator, Mr. Micheal Spratt, Indigenous Students’ Mentor, Mr. CJ Jackson, and the Indigenous students.
Our amazing Indigenous students shared their culture, proudly to both Junior, Middle and Senior school staff and students, educating others through “Get up! Stand Up! Show Up!”:
- Dance/Didgeridoo Workshop on Monday
- Rock Painting on Tuesday
- Sand Mural on Wednesday
- Indigenous Students v Staff Basketball Match on Thursday
- Smoking Ceremony, Senior School Marching and NAIDOC Assembly on Friday
Congratulations to Mr. Spratt & Mr. Jackson and well done to all the Indigenous students. Click here to read about some of our students, and also on the Scotch College Facebook page there are some amazing photos!
Keion Mongoo (Yr. 10, Wadjarri, Banjima and Yamatji person)
Peter Taylor (Yr. 10, Nyamal person)
Mesheech Ozies (Year 9, Nyikina person)
Tom Councillor-Dann (Year 11, Yinggarda, Nyul & Yamatji person)
Click here for Scotch College Range Project Episode 17 with Yarlalu Thomas (OSC 2015), a Nyangumarta Pitjikarli man from Warralong and a Young Australian of the Year on a mission to close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia.
SPIRIT Award
Sparkle – Sparkle is about connection. Sparkle is what you exude, your special essence. The glint in your eye.
Passion – Passion is what fuels you, what lights your fire. It helps build your identity and motivates you to succeed.
Imagination – Imagination is the ability to visualise your goals and to be creative in how you express yourself.
Resilience – Resilience is the ability to bounce forward. Learn from the things that you find challenging.
Integrity – Integrity is the ability to live your values through your actions. To be true to yourself, be honest and reliable.
Tenacity – Stick at it! Ride the bumps and persevere. Self-discipline is a fundamental determinate of success in life.
We were blessed to have Chris and Daisy Higham with us. The overall winner was Sam McGinniss (Year 12, Blair. Congratulations to those Blair Clan boys who were recognised with a certificate of nomination for the Award:
Year 9
Sonny Saunders, Jamie Bowie (absent)
Hudson Hammond & Clem Hardie
Lewis Parsons & Jensen Westerman
Year 12
Tyler Messina & Sam McGinniss
Winner
Sam McGinniss
Boarders Ball
Saturday 6th August and PLC played host to approximately 110 teenagers as part of the Scotch/PLC Boarders Ball. The theme was Duos, and the PLC girls did an excellent job of decorating the hall. Special thanks to Mrs. Fran Hannington for the photos, who was very keen to get along and see the boys in their final social outing before finishing school.
More photos available on Vidigami here
PSA Sport
- Congratulations to:
- Shunta Numano was a member of the Lawe Davies Cup winning (shared with Aquinas) 1st XI soccer team, when Scotch 4 defeated Trinity 0. Gyles Davies (OSC ) one of our Blair Clan Boarding Mentors, was also an assistant coach for the 1st XI Soccer team.
Pipe Band
The Pipe Band celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a Sundowner on Saturday 6th August. Oliver Wandel (year 10) & James Bowie (year 9) are a part of the Pipe Band and performed at the Sundowner. Photos can be found here.
Clash of the Clans
We are closing in on the end of our 2022 Clash of the Clans, unfortunately Stirling currently lead 12-10, with only a quiz night (final Boarders Assembly) and golf to go.
Other News
Blair Clan Teams Meeting
I tried a new time slot (7.45pm) on Wednesday the 10th of August for a Year 11 Parent catch up and there is a whole clan parent catch up scheduled for Monday 29th August at 7.45pm. If you need me to resend the invitation, please let me know.
End of Term Holiday Travel Arrangements
Friday 23rd September Last day of Winter Term, except for:
- Friday 16th September (Week 8) – Year 10 boys who have already completed Year 10 Outdoor Education Expeditions
- Friday 16th September (Week 8) – Year 11 & 12 AAP boys with no exams
Year 11 & 12 boys with Mock Exams
- can depart boarding once their exams are completed (or earlier if they choose)
- The boarding house will be closed over the long weekend of Friday 23rd September (6pm) to Monday 26thSeptember (3pm)
- The boarding house will reopen to Year 12 IB Boys with exams between Monday 26th September (3pm) til Wednesday 28th September (5pm)
Start of Spring Term Dates
- Monday 10th October – Incoming Year 12 (Leavers 2023) Student Leaders Return to Boarding
- Tuesday 11th October – Incoming Student Leaders’ Induction
- Tuesday 11th October – Return to Boarding for all other students
- Wednesday 12th & Thursday 13th October Student Conferences and Examination Handback
- Friday 14th October – Final Assembly & March Out
- Sunday 16th October – Year 9 (Year 10 2023) Bib Track Walk Departs
- Monday 17th October – Year 10, Year 11 & Year 12 Classes for 2023 Begin
My thoughts are with those of you who did not have the opportunity to spend time with your sons over this boarder’s long weekend. Stay safe!
Thanks
Andy