Blair Clan – Winter Term Mid Term Update 2023
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 quickly turns to athletics.
It will be a busy end to Winter Term, with two moray camps still to come for year 9’s, year 10 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
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 28th July & 11th August
- Firepit with PLC on Saturday 29th July
- Barbie Movie with All Schools @ Innaloo Cinema Friday 4th August
- Fremantle v Brisbane @ Perth Stadium on Sunday 6th August
- Ikea Trip with Theresa on Friday 11th August
- Beach Run at Cottesloe Beach on Sunday 13th August
- Fremantle Markets on Sunday 13th August
- “Circle Convos” with Rev Gary van Heerden have been put on hold for now.
- I was fortunate enough to spend the last week of the July Holidays on one part of the Year 9 Scotch/PLC Melbourne Tour with Cooper, Hugh & Tom. We had a great time with Theatre, MCG Tour, Rope Courses, Phillip Island, Movie Night, Skiing/Snowboarding and of course a trip to Melbourne is not complete without a game of Aussie Rules!
- Declan and Harry have had the experience of their Year 9 Moray Camp, while the weather was not great, that didn’t stop them from having some fun, there are two more camps to come in Week 6 & 7!
Year 10
- Boys enjoyed the following Recreation activities:
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 28th July & 11th August
- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 29th July & 5th August
- Outdoor Social with All Schools @ St. Mary’s on Saturday 29th July
- Barbie Movie with All Schools @ Innaloo Cinema Friday 4th August
- Surfing Lessons with Go Surf on Sunday 30th July & 6th August
- Fremantle v Brisbane @ Perth Stadium on Sunday 6th August
- Gym Games in the Scotch Gym on Friday 11th August
- Beach Run at Cottesloe Beach on Sunday 13th August
- Fremantle Markets on Sunday 13th August
- Meg Baker (VET Coordinator) has been in during some Prep sessions the last few weeks to discuss alternative options for boys looking at the Alternative Academic Pathway. This includes Vocational (Certificate) Courses, Work Placements, Instep and TAFE).
- Jayden Clarke spent the week of 22nd to 29th July representing Western Australia at the School Sport Australia Boys and Girls 15 Years & Under Australian Football Championships. WA finished as runners-up, going down to Victoria Navy by 5pts in the final. Jayden came home with a silver medal, was runner-up in WA’s best & fairest and was selected as an All-Australian. Well done Jayden we are all proud of your efforts!
- 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, this year sees the return of the New Zealand Ski Trip for the first time since COVID-19. The following boys enjoyed their July Year 10 Expeditions to Ningaloo:
- Sea Kayaking
- Mike Liu
- Oscar Male
- Diving
- John McGinniss
- Sonny Saunders
- Sea Kayaking
Year 11
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 28th July & 11th August
- Golf @ Cottesloe Golf Course Saturday 29th July & 5th August
- Outdoor Social with All Schools @ St. Mary’s on Saturday 29th July
- Surfing Lessons with Go Surf on Sunday 30th July & 6th August
- Fremantle v Brisbane @ Perth Stadium on Sunday 6th August
- Gym Games in the Scotch Gym on Friday 11th August
- Beach Run at Cottesloe Beach on Sunday 13th August
- Wednesday 16th August saw some of our aspiring Year 11 Leaders speak to the Boarding Community at the Dining Hall as part of the 2024 leadership process. Well done guys, your speeches were excellent and well thought out!
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 and final assessments done for General courses.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course Friday 28th July & 11th August
- Gym Games in the Scotch Gym on Friday 11th August
- Fremantle v Brisbane @ Perth Stadium on Sunday 6th August
- Beach Run at Cottesloe Beach on Sunday 13th August
- Congratulations to Ben Brierley who was a member of the Scotch Surfing team that competed at the Surfing WA Metro Titles on Wednesday 16th 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 won the 3rd day of the metropolitan compettion. A tremendous effort, well done Ben. Surfing Western Australia have a short video on their Facebook page, click here.
NAIDOC Week
Scotch celebrated NAIDOC week from Monday 31st July to Friday 4th 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 “For Our Elders”!
- Indigenous Students v Staff Basketball Match on Monday
- Sausage Sizzle of Yongka (Kangaroo) for Middle School on Wednesday
- Dance Performance for Junior School on Wednesday
- Sausage Sizzle of Yongka (Kangaroo) for Senior School on Thursday
- Flag Raising, Smoking Ceremony, Senior School Marching and NAIDOC Assembly & Morning Tea on Friday
Congratulations to Mr. Spratt & Mr. Jackson and well done to all the Indigenous students.
Madalah Ball
On Saturday 5th August, the Crown Ballroom played host to the Madalah 2023 Ball. Madalah is a scholarship provider that Scotch College partners with to provide opportunities for young Indigenous people to attend school and university.
I was lucky enough to attend, where Scotch College OSC (2015) and Young Australian of the Year (2020) Yarlalu Thomas was a special guest. But the highlight of the night for me was the performance of our own Ben Stack on guitar, with fellow Scotch students Dallmyn Kelly and Nick Chi. These proud young Indigenous men showed poise, composure and performed to a standing ovation. Well done gents!
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 Higham with us. The overall winner was Lochie Elliott (Year 12, Stirling). Congratulations to those Blair Clan boys who were recognised with a certificate of nomination for the Award:
PSA Sport
- Congratulations to:
- Donnacha Spencer who was a member of the Brother Redmond Cup winning (outright) 1st XV rugby team, when Scotch 51 defeated Aquinas 5. It meant the team finished the season undefeated with 11 wins and one draw record from 12 games.
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- Jayden Clarke, Toby Jones & Jaezari Wynne who were all members of the Alcock Cup winning (outright) 1st XVIII footy team when Scotch 8.18.66 def Aquinas 7.3.45, meaning that the team also went through the season undefeated, 12 wins from 12 games. Completing a historic four-peat (2020-23) in the process.
Clash of the Clans
In the final Clash of Clans for 2023, we were victorious Gaelic football. Some inspired performances from our year Jaezari, Tom Councillor-Dann, Hudson, Oli Wandel, TJ, Xavier, and Lynton saw us claim a 2-0 victory.
Other News
Blair Clan Teams Meeting
I hosted a Teams meeting for parents of Year 11 boys 7.15pm on Thurday the 10th of August. There is a whole clan parent catch up scheduled for Wednesday 30th August at 7.15pm. If you need me to resend the invitation, please let me know.
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