Week 4, Summer Term 2024
Dear Boarding families
I hope you have enjoyed you last fortnight, by now many families have had the chance to catch up with their sons at least once and we have a long weekend on the horizon.
The boys have settled into boarding, although it is fair to say that boarding has been a busy place this term so far. We have had some homesickness from some of our new boys but they have been well supported by our more established students. The hot weather has been another factor in the past couple of weeks that has been a challenge for our boys, but frequent trips to the beach and pool have helped us all cool down a bit. We have had a few cases of Covid in boarding this fortnight, so we have been reiterating the importance of hygiene and social distancing with the boys. We appreciate parent help in this regard.
Blair Clan
With Mr Mellor finishing up his time at Scotch at the mid-term break, I hope that Blair Clan families get a chance to thank him for his service over the past three years. We were able to give him a round of applause at our most recent boarding assembly.
As Mr Mellor steps away, Mr Montgomery will step in to take charge of the whole senior boarding house. He will be given more time to do this by lightening his teaching and coaching load in the day school. He will also have increased support from myself, and he has amazing deputy heads of clan and House Mothers who will help him. We will look to replace Mr Mellor on a more permanent basis in the near future but in the mean time, Blair families can contact Mr Montgomery as the Head of Residence for their son.
Yr 12 Ball
Last weekend the Year 12s had their Ball which was a great success. The theme was “Vivid” and there were plenty of bright colours and exciting performances for the boys and their partners to enjoy. We also had a magnificent pre-ball function at the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club where the boys and their partners and our parents and the partner’s parents were all invited for a get together, some great photos, and then the students all left together in a party bus to the ball, via Kings Park. A huge thank you to all the Year 12 boarding parents that helped organise that function and then, once the boys went to the ball, parents and myself all gathered back at a restaurant together to share a meal. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Year 12 Bibbulmun Track
This Sunday, the Year 12s hop on a bus down to Peaceful Bay and walk from there, through Denmark, and into Albany to reach the southern terminus of the Bibbulmun Track. It is a fantastic achievement, with 8 of our Year 12s set to become “End to Enders” and a couple more who have only missed one or two legs of the journey over their six years in boarding. In total, we have 14 boys walking. I am looking forward to seeing the boys in Albany and spending the weekend with them and their parents.
Year 9 Rottnest Camp
Next week the Year 9s travel across to Rottnest for their Pastoral Care Camp. They will get to bond really well as a House group with the House Heads and I will be going over there to spend some quality time with the boarding students. It will be an action-packed week, full of fun and adventure. It is always a highlight of a students time in Senior School. I am showing my age here, but I was actually part of the very first Rottnest Camp back in 1996 as a Year 8 student! I still remember my time there as a student and making friends with some of the new boys to the College, who are still some of my dearest friends today.
Middle School Boarders
This past month has been a big one in the middle school. Everything is so different and new. It has been hot and the boys have felt a little cooped up with all the building that is going on at our doorstep. It is also challenging getting to learn to live with 41 other boys under the same roof. The boys have been really good at including each other in games and utilising the grounds after school, playing football on the oval and cricket in the nets. There has also been a couple of table tennis competitions going on in the house. Congratulations to Noah for winning the Year 7 competition and the grand final of the Year 8 competition is being played today between Darcy and Tom! We have been using prep time to try and help the boys focus on organisation skills as homework has been a bit thin, however, after the long weekend, homework will start to ramp up and the boys will be able to utilise their term planners and weekly planners to stay on top of it all. As the building of the playground gets into its final stages, we look forward to the boys having more space to play after school.
I wish all families a wonderful week ahead and a restful long weekend with their sons at home. Please make sure all families have put their plans into REACH so that we know the boys’ movements and can help organise transport if required.
Best Wishes
Jordan
Scotch on the Road – Albany
If you are planning a trip to Albany over the long weekend, join Jordan for a catchup at Due South on Friday 1st March from 6:30pm. Details are at the link:
Scotch on the Road Albany – Due South
We are also welcoming our walkers in after finishing the End to Ender’s walk on Saturday 2nd March at 10:30am at the Southern Terminus on York Street.
All welcome!
Year 12 Pre Ball Function – Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club
Our wonderful Yr 12 boarders looking amazing in their suits at the Boarding Pre-Ball function at Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club. Thank you to the wonderful parent helpers run by Jane Wandel for the stunning decorations.
Around the Houses
Photos from recreation activities, assemblies and at ‘home’ relaxing. Enjoy!
Boarding Parent Sundowner – Wednesday, March 27
At the end of Term 1 we like to celebrate our Boarding community with a Boarding Parent Sundowner to catch up with our wonderful parents and guardians.
If you are able to join us on Wednesday 27 March from 6:30pm at the Gooch Pavilion for a bit of jazz, welcome drink and light dinner, we would love for you to join us.
Register here for the Boarding Parent Sundowner
We provide a Welcome drink, but the event is BYO alcohol.