Blair Clan – Mid Term Update – Week 6, Autumn Term 2023
Six weeks have gone by this term, and the boarding house has been an extremely busy place, getting busier the longer the term has gone.
We are very lucky to have Ms. Theresa Moss join us from the start of this term as our House Mum. Theresa spends a significant amount of time in and around the boarding house and with your sons. She works Monday, Tuesday & Friday mornings (7-9.30am) and Monday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons (2.30-5pm). In addition, Theresa comes in on a Sunday 5-8pm, to assist with seeing boys return from leave and help get them organised for the week. She has made a significant impact already in assisting boys in their general organization, laundry, routines etc…Please do not hesitate to contact her if you have any concerns.
The weather has well and truly turned this week, with some of the mornings as low as 5OC. Here is what your sons have been up to in boarding:
Year 9
- Boys sat their first round of exams (English, Maths, Humanities & Science) in week 5, with their results due for release along with Semester 1 reports very soon. If you have concerns please let myself or Alex Wood (Assistant Head of Residence) know.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Gym Games @ Scotch College Friday 28th April, 12th May, 19th May
- Shopping @ Fremantle Markets Saturday 29th April
- Ice Skating @ Cockburn Ice Arena Saturday 29th April
- Shopping @ Westfield Karrinyup Sunday 30th April, Saturday 13th May
- Quiz Night @ St. Mary’s Friday 5th May
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- 10-Pin Bowling @ Strike Fremantle Sunday 7th May
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- Movie Night (Guardians of the Galaxy 3) @ Event Cinemas Friday 12th May
- Mini-Golf @ Holey Moley Saturday 13th May
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- 10-Pin Bowling @ Melville Superbowl Saturday 20th May
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- Laser Tag with St. Mary’s @ Darklight Joondalup Friday 26th May
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- Movie (Fast & Furious X) @ Event Cinemas Saturday 27th May
- Year 9 PTSI’s were held on Tuesday 2nd & Wednesday 3rd May
- To ensure that our year 11 and 12 boys in house studying for exams were provided with a quiet house, a recreation trip to Fremantle to watch a movie and have lunch was organised with Mr. Stretch.
Our year 9 boys continued their fortnightly activity entitled “Circle Convos”. It is run by Reverend Gary van Heerden and either myself or Mr. Alex Wood, or Mr. Steven Montgomery or Mr. Michael Ninkov are 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.
Year 10
We welcomed Alex Haberl (Colorado Springs) into Boarding, on Round Square Exchange from Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Alex has an interest in the outdoor pursuits and has been a welcome addition and has not been afraid to get involved with all things boarding as well as many co-curricular events. We said goodbye to Alex at our Boarding Assembly on Wednesday 31st May.
- We will welcome another exchange student in Blair Clan (as well as one into Stirling Clan) for 3 weeks post the Mid-Term break, Ahmad Al-Sou’d from King’s Academy, a private boarding school in Madaba, Jordan. Ahmad’s buddy will be Sonny Saunders.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
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- Gym Games @ Scotch College Friday 28th April, 12th May, 19th May
- Ice Skating @ Cockburn Ice Arena Saturday 29th April
- Shopping @ Westfield Karrinyup Sunday 30th April, Saturday 13th May
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 5th, 19th May
- Fire Pit & Marshmallows with PLC Saturday 6th May
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- 10-Pin Bowling @ Strike Fremantle Sunday 7th May
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- Movie Night (Guardians of the Galaxy 3) @ Event Cinemas Friday 12th May
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- 10-Pin Bowling @ Melville Superbowl Saturday 20th May
- Surfing Lessons with Go Surf Sunday 21st, 28th May
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- Laser Tag with St. Mary’s @ Darklight Joondalup Friday 26th May
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- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 27th May
- Movie (Fast & Furious X) @ Event Cinemas Saturday 27th May
- Year 10 Pathway week was week two, where they hear 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 2nd & Wednesday 3rd May
- To ensure that our year 11 and 12 boys in house studying for exams were provided with a quiet house, a recreation trip to Fremantle to watch a movie and have lunch was organised with Mr. Stretch.
- The boys completed lessons 6 to 8 (of 10) as part of their Keys 4 Life program, so far, the topics this term have included: Reducing risks (Alcohol, Fatigue & Distractions); Ways to reduce risk (Speed and stopping distances); Driving is a complex task; Why practice (List and explain preferred driver supervisor characteristics); Straight talking (Define assertive communication and its applicability during the learning to drive process). Before the end of term boys will complete the last two lessons and their Theory test.
- 9 of the 12 boys completed the Balingup to Boarding House (Palings Rd) leg (98.5km) of the Bibbulmun Track. The boys were split into two groups (one walking North and the other South), under the guidance of either Mr. Scott Galipo (House Head – Shearer) & Callum Rigby (Outdoor Education Assistant) or Mr. Peter Tresise (Middle School Teacher) & Ms. Katie Guy (Outdoor Education). Boys were rewarded with a dinner at Grill’d with the staff and Mr. Owenell. In a significant milestone, the boys hit halfway. It’s all downhill from here!
Year 11
- We will welcome another exchange student in Blair Clan (as well as one into Stirling Clan) for 3 weeks post the Mid-Term break, Mohammad Alsaid from King’s Academy, a private boarding school in Madaba, Jordan..
- Exams occupied the first 2 weeks of this term, there were some pleasing results. 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.
- The Year 11 Dance on Saturday 27th May was a hit, I have seen some photos, but none on Vidigami or any of the Scotch social handles.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
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- Gym Games @ Scotch College Friday 28th April, 12th May, 19th May
- Shopping @ Fremantle Markets Saturday 29th April
- Shopping @ Westfield Karrinyup Sunday 30th April, Saturday 13th May
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 5th, 19th May
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- Dockers v Hawks @ Perth Stadium Saturday 6th May
- 10-Pin Bowling @ Strike Fremantle Sunday 7th May
- Dockers v Cats @ Perth Stadium Saturday 20th May
- Year 11 Dance @ Scotch Saturday 20th May
- Surfing Lessons with Go Surf Sunday 21st, 28th May
- Boarders Ball with PLC @ Scotch Saturday 27th May
- 5 of the 13 boys completed the Northcliffe to Broke Inlet Rd leg (93.5km) of the Bibbulmun Track. Under the guidance of Ms. Rochelle Gaudieri (Middle School Teacher) & Mr Johann Schroeder (Outdoor Education). Boys were rewarded with some sunglasses and a Return Dinner at Upperhand Burgers with staff, Mr. Rhys Edwards (Outdoor Education) & myself.
- The boys also attended theaward winning A.R.T.Y. program on Wednesday 31st May, with the Stirling Year 11’s, Steven Montgomery 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.
Year 12
- Well these young men are closing in on the end of school, only 11 weeks to go, less for some!
Exams occupied the first 2 weeks of this term, there were some pleasing results. 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:
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- Gym Games @ Scotch College Friday 28th April, 12th May, 19th May
- Shopping @ Fremantle Markets Saturday 29th April
- Shopping @ Westfield Karrinyup Sunday 30th April, Saturday 13th May
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 5th, 19th May
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- Dockers v Hawks @ Perth Stadium Saturday 6th May
- 10-Pin Bowling @ Strike Fremantle Sunday 7th May
- Dockers v Cats @ Perth Stadium Saturday 20th May
- Boarders Ball with PLC @ Scotch Saturday 27th May
- Harry Hammond was recognised as the 177th Scotch End to Ender for the Bibbulmun Track at our Senior School Assembly on Friday 28th April. Well done Harry!
PSA Sport
- Congratulations to:
- Jayden Clarke who was awarded Colours for Basketball from Summer Term
- Oliver Wandel who was awarded Colours for Tennis 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, Kai Allan, Toby Jones & Jaezari Wynne in 1st’ XVIII Football
- Oscar Male in 1st XI Hockey
- Donnacha Spencer in 1st XV Rugby
- Willem Buckley in 1st XI Soccer
Interhouse Sport
The Senior School Interhouse Cross Country was held on Friday 31st March. I’d like to pass on my congratulations to all boys that competed in the 3km races, in particular those that finished in the top 40:
Year 9
Tom Falconer-Radford 35th
Year 10
Oscar Male 10th
Jayden Clarke 25th
Year 11
Hudson Hammond 4th
Oliver Wandel 22nd
Toby Jones 30th
Kai Allan 34th
Year 12
Jaezari Wynne 29th
Tom Councillor-Dann 39th
Academic Excellence
- The following boys were awarded Academic Excellence at Senior School Assembly on Friday 19th Congratulations:
- Mike Liu
- Oscar Male
Clash of the Clans
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. The Table Tennis tournament organised by Jensen & Jett has been a huge success. Unfortunately our own Mike Liu went down in the final, which sees Stirling take the win.
Wednesday 31st May, the night before the long weekend saw Blair take on Stirling in Volleyball. Stirling proved too strong, winning the Year 9, Year 10 and Year 12 games, while we won convingly in the Year 11 game.
Many thanks to Jensen for his organisation.
Other News
National Sorry Day – Friday 26th May & National Reconciliation Week 27th May to 3rd June
Jaezari Wynne, who hails from Broome, who is a proud young Indigenous man who has links to the Yawaru and Bardi tribes, modelled the Scotch 1st XVIII football jersey for a social media post in the lead up to the PSA Indigenous Round (Round 5). Scotch went by the name Galbamaanup (place of black water, referring to Lake Claremont) for the round.
Ag Day – Friday 9th June
Is fast approaching, Memorial Oval in front of the Gooch with Marching (the boarders will march as an 11th house), it should be exciting!
Congratulations
Jensen Westerman spent two days attending a Volleyball Development camp run by Australian Indoor Men’s Volleyroos Head Coach, Dave Preston and National Performance Director, Craig Marshall. The camp was held during the April School Holidays.
Oscar Male has been selected in the School Sport WA State 16yrs & under Schoolboys hockey team which will compete at the National Championships in Adelaide in August. Oscar has also been selected as a train-on for the Hockey WA under 18 Men’s hockey team.
Jayden Clarke has been selected in the School Sport WA State 15yrs & under Schoolboys football team which will compete at the National Championships in Ballarat in July.
Finally I remain hopeful of getting the Year 11 boys over to our place for dinner on a Friday soon. And look out for the All parents MS Teams meeting on Wednesday 14th June.
I hope you enjoyed the weekend and some time spent with your sons, if you were able to spend time with them!
Thanks
Andy