Headmasters' Reflections

Welcome to our final Thistle for 2015.

This time of year always seems to come around far too quickly and for some reason 2015 feels to have disappeared in a blink of an eye. I am sure this is a by-product of how much happens throughout the year and the pace at which things occur.

There is much to admire and celebrate throughout the course of a school year and last Friday was no exception with our Year 12 Valedictory Chapel and Dinner. This was the largest held in the history of our College with some 630 people attending. Our Year 12 group, numbering 209, is the biggest single group of graduands to which we have bid farewell. I would like to acknowledge and thank all of the people involved in making the evening such a great success. Congratulations to all of our Year 12s, their families and our staff for ensuring that this group of boys finished their schooling in such a positive manner. I look forward to hearing about the boys' successes as they enter a new phase of their lives.

In the course of a school year our boys learn many things, not just in the classroom, but through their co-curricular programmes and their interactions with each other. Learning doesn't always mean experiencing success. Many of the great lessons in life result from making mistakes, experiencing disappointment and facing unexpected challenges. Richard Rohr in his book Falling Upward (2012, p28, p31) addresses how important it is that we are allowed to make mistakes and in fact it is a crucial part of our development. He makes an important point for all of us in addressing why 'falling' as he refers to is so important.

'We are parts of social and family ecosystems that are rightly structured to keep us from falling but also, more Important, to show us how to fall and how to learn from that very falling. We are not helping our children by always preventing them from what might be necessary falling, because you learn how to recover from falling by falling. It is precisely by falling off the bike many times that you eventually learn what balance feels like. People who have never allowed themselves to fall are actually off balance, while not realising it at all.

If you want a job done well, on time, with accountability and no excuses, you had best hire someone who has faced a few limit situations. He or she alone has the discipline, the punctuality, the positive self-image, and the persistence to do a good job. If you want the opposite, hire someone who has been coddled and been given 'I Am Special' buttons for doing nothing special.'

What does this mean for building resilience in our boys? The answer is simple. We all have to ensure that our boys learn to deal with success and failure. Rescuing them from challenging situations is not always the best answer. Allowing boys to seek their own solutions to problems is healthy. As I said to our graduating Year 12s in my Chapel address on Friday, they must have the courage to lead from where they are now. They should not look to blame others for things that may not work out as planned; they need to take control of their own destiny. As the Year 12s leave the confines and safety that a college such as Scotch provides, they must not define themselves via a lifetime of excuses, they must become the architects of their own destiny.

I sincerely hope that 2015 has provided an array of experiences for every one of our boys to grow and flourish whether they are in Year 1 or in Year 12. We have had much to celebrate in 2015 and there is much to look forward to in 2106, which like all new years will bring unexpected challenges and rewards. Thank you for all the support you have given to the College and me throughout this year. I look forward to continuing our journey in 2016.

On behalf of my own family, Janny, Abbey and Grady, I would like to take this opportunity to wish our whole community a safe and joyous Christmas and New Year.

Regards and God Bless

Dr A J O'Connell

Headmaster

From the Director of Teaching and Learning

An open letter to the teachers at Scotch

Dear Teachers

As you move towards the Christmas holidays, I would like to take this opportunity in the last Thistle of the Year to say some simple words; thank you.

Thank you for teaching the boys, for without your guidance, your care your advice, the year will not have been what it was.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know those boys in your care, the quick hello at the door, the interest in how their weekend was, the hard word when it was needed.

Thank you for taking interest in the boys learning, for asking the right question, for giving constant feedback, for spending hours to plan an activity that would take only minutes.

Thank you for marking the boys assessments, the same one, over and over and over again…

Thank you for staying behind for 5 minutes at the end of the lesson to answer the boy's questions, to allow them to consolidate their learning, to find out the answer.

Thank you for worrying about the boys, for lying awake and wondering how to make them sit up and take notice, to engage, to learn.

Thank you for getting involved in the boys co-curricular, for camping, for debating, for travelling, for standing on the oval in the sun, the wind, the rain, on Saturday.

Thank you for your energy, for committing to your boys like an extension of your own family.

Thank you for making the boy's learning, just for them, whatever the need.

Thank you for taking the time, to call a parent, to write a report, to flick an email.

Thank you to the parents who thank the teachers for all that they do.

Thank you to the boys who recognise what their teachers do every day.

Thank you to the support staff that make it possible for the teachers to do what they do.

Thank you.

Mr Peter Allen

Director of Teaching and Learning

Community and Service

Uniting Care West Christmas Appeal

On 7 November a UnitingCare West truck will be collecting boxes of donated goods for the annual Christmas Appeal. There is one more week to get non-perishable food items and new toys to the boxes provided for that purpose in the House Head offices in the Senior School.

Boys in the Middle and Junior Schools are encouraged to put together shoe boxes for refugees containing: something to wear, something to play with: something for school and something for hygiene. These should be brought in to school before 7 November.

First Disabled Surfing Event for the Summer

On Saturday 5 December the first Disabled Surfing event for the year will be held at Leighton Beach. As there is a sport bye on that day, it is a good opportunity for senior boys (Year 10-12) to participate in this wonderful service activity. Scotch volunteers will join with volunteers from other schools and adult volunteers to enable disabled participants to enjoy the beach environment.

More information on the DSA event can be found here.

Round Square Conference @ Scotch

During the April holidays next year, Scotch College will be hosting a conference for students aged 12-14 years from Round Square schools in the Australasian and East Asia Region. It is anticipated that approximately 150 delegates will participate in the conference. Students will be coming from as far away as China. All delegates will be accommodated on campus in the Residential facilities. More information can be found at the conference web site: https://my.scotch.wa.edu.au/events/roundsquareconference2016

Mr Bill Cordner

Director of Community and Service

Music Department

Instrumental Music 2016:

Over the last few weeks, emails were sent to a variety of family groups advising of the enrolment procedure for learning a musical instrument in 2016. Please note that the enrolment process is an online system that utilises Parent Connect logins. For new Scotch families without a Parent Connect login, an alternative weblink has been provided.

All 2016 Music Department information and enrolment links are available via Home.Scotch > Student > Music or directly at https://my.scotch.wa.edu.au/music.

I encourage everyone to take a moment to peruse the Music Department website as it has been recently updated, and contains a wide variety of information about Music at Scotch College in addition to enrolment processes. https://my.scotch.wa.edu.au/music

As this is the final edition of the Thistle for 2015, I would like to thank all the boys who have participated in the Music Programme this year. There have been many performances in a variety of settings and these concerts have been enthusiastically supported by parents and friends. The classroom programme has been steadily expanding and more and more boys are improving their analysis, aural and theory skills, along with composition and solo performance proficiencies. As we enjoy the final week of 2015, we look forward to the musical performances scheduled as part of the three Presentation Assemblies and Speech Night and know as classes conclude for the Christmas holidays, that everyone has performed to their very best.

Finally, my thanks to all the instrumental tutors and music staff who have worked with the boys this year. Everyone has worked tirelessly to create the best performances possible and I know that the music programme at Scotch College will continue to grow and develop in the years ahead. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented musicians during my seven years as Head of Music and I wish everyone the very best for the future.

Many of the events listed above are supported by FOSM. If you would like to join the Friends of Scotch Music (FOSM) - a group of parents who enthusiastically support the work of boys and staff in the Music Department, the process is very straight forward via the FOSM email below. FOSM meets once or twice each term with all meetings beginning at 7.00pm. Meetings go for approximately one hour, and are held in the Senior School Music Room with everyone welcome. Please consider becoming involved in the FOSM Parent Support group as an excellent way to support your son and the Music Programme at Scotch College. The next FOSM Meeting is to be held Monday, 8 February 2016.

Contact Details

The Instrumental Programme is administered by the Senior School Music Department and all queries should be directed to the Music Administrator, Julia Robinson (9383 6841) music@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Alternately, please contact Mr David Coughlan, Head of Music, via email DGCoughlan@scotch.wa.edu.au or phone 9383 6842.

If you wish to become more involved in supporting the Music Department by receiving information about the work of FOSM, please contact FOSM@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Mr David Coughlan

Head of Music

Uniform Shop

New Address

The uniform shop is moving to 43 Shenton Road, Swanbourne.

This is where you will find us in 2016.

Holiday Opening Times

There will be appointment-only opening days for new boys during the holidays. Please contact the uniform shop for details (uniform@scotch.wa.edu.au).

The Uniform Shop opening hours for the general school community during the holidays are as follows:

Summer Holiday Opening Hours (9.00am - 12.00pm and 1.00pm - 4.00pm)

• Wednesday 27 January
• Thursday 28 January
• Friday 29 January
• Saturday 30 January
• Monday 1 February

Normal trading hours resume on Tuesday, 2 February 2016:

• Tuesdays 8.00am - 5.00pm
• Thursdays 7.30 am - 11.30 am
• Fridays 7.30 am - 11.30 am

Secondhand Exchange

The Uniform Shop accepts all current items of uniform for resale. All items should be clean. Blazers must be dry cleaned and in good condition. A frayed cuff, worn elbows, very old crests, rips & tears on blazers make them unacceptable for resale. Items will be purchased from you outright as long as they are in good condition and the shop is not overstocked. Bathers, hats, socks & restricted sportswear are not accepted for resale, but will be donated to charity if handed in.

Year 12 Blazers

Year 12 blazers are available for sale. Because of the unknown nature of the overall size of Year 12 boys and to avoid disappointment, it is recommended that you come in for sizing ASAP.

Basketball shorts on sale

The basketball first team has a great new kit and so the firsts' basketball shorts from last season are on sale for $20 (GST inc). They are available in a variety of men's sizes.

Staff Movement

Head of Junior School

As we approach the end of another successful year, I reflect on the many events that have brought us together as a community, as well as the many new families and teachers who have joined the Scotch family. I am very proud of the boys and their many achievements.

Farewells

We say farewell to members of the Junior School staff. Mrs Deb Kerfoot and Mrs Mel Zeipe have been working as Education Assistants in the Junior School. They have been excellent in their roles and in how they have supported the boys in their learning. I want to thank Mrs Kerfoot and Mrs Zeipe for their service to the Junior School and I wish them the very best in their future endeavours. Mrs Merrie Cockerill will be finishing her role as a teacher in the Academic Support department at the end of the term. Mrs Cockerill will, however, be continuing her role as the manager of the Multi-Lit reading programme in the Junior and Middle School. I am pleased that Mrs Cockerill will be continuing her long association with the College. We are currently in the process of recruiting her replacement.

Class Teachers for 2016

I am pleased to confirm that all of our current teachers will be returning for the 2016 school year.

Below are the teacher assignments for 2016.

Semester 2 Reports

Semester 2 reports will be sent home during the final week of term and teachers will be available to answer any queries parents may have regarding the reports. Please email your son's teacher/s if you should like to request an interview.

Junior School Film Festival

On Monday 16 November, the Junior School held its first Film Festival. Twenty-six boys from Years 1-5 entered their films. The categories were diverse, including nature documentaries, film trailers, DIY, short films and animations. The creativity of the boys was outstanding, which made it difficult for the judges to pick an overall winner.

Well done to Billy and James Mahaffy, whose short film "Mr Dunderhead" was declared the overall winner.

Other films entered in the festival are currently showing on a loop in the library.

2016 Meet the Teacher Evening

I invite all parents to attend a session with myself to hear about our goals and programmes for the 2016 school year. Mr Norman will talk about our developments and initiatives in our teaching and learning programme and Miss Hopper will talk about pastoral care. This session will be followed by time in your son's class to hear about the expectations, procedures and programmes for the school year from his new class teacher. Meet the Teacher Evening will take place on Wednesday 3 February beginning at 6:00pm in the MacKellar Hall.

I wish to thank the teachers for their outstanding work this year. Their commitment, professionalism and determination to provide the very best education for the boys was inspirational to see. I thank the boys for their positive approach to learning, their respect for one another and their unique personalities. Finally, I wish to thank our fantastic parent community. Your support and engagement with us this year was greatly welcomed and appreciated.

I wish all families, boys and staff a wonderful Christmas and summer holiday. I look forward to the 2016 academic year and seeing the many refreshed faces as we begin what will be an exciting school year.

Mr John Stewart

Head of Junior School

Important Dates to Remember

Primary Years Programme (PYP)

Newsletter articles: Reflection

In the last three terms, we have looked at the various components of the Primary Years Programme.

Term 2:

The transdisciplinary nature of the programme

How can I make a difference in the world? Action in the PYP

Transdisciplinary Learning in the PYP: Part 1

Transdisciplinary Learning in the PYP: Part 2

The PYP Exhibition: In preparation

Term 3:

The PYP Exhibition: In reflection

Looking at Central Ideas

A concept-driven curriculum

Key Concepts and Lines of Inquiry

Program of Inquiry Time Line

Term 4:

The PYP Mission Statement

The PYP Learner Profile

Teaching and learning goals for 2015

Reflection

It is now time to celebrate our Year 5 boys as they transition to the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Although they will face many new challenges there will be three fundamental elements that continue on in their learning journey.

The first of these is the Approaches to Learning. These are 5 essential skills explicitly taught and assessed: Thinking, Research, Communication, Social and Self-Management. The second is the Learner Profile and the third is guided inquiry as an approach to learning.

All three areas are crucial for the development of your boys as life-long learners in a global community.

Mr Warwick Norman

Junior School Dean of Teaching & Learning

Art News

I Wish We Had More Time!

As we work through our final art activities for 2015, Year 5 are completing their self portraits in preparation for a Collaborative Installation and ….I Wish We Had More Time!

The choir will be singing a special song and Miss Samson (PA Teacher) forwarded me the YouTube links, to get a feel for the song and see if we could make a meaningful link through art.

I saw an image of a boy looking straight out in a reflective manner, from a moody, melancholy, cloudy sky. The image stayed with me until I created a project to combine these elements, so that each of the Year 5 boys could represent this moment for himself - the right of passage between leaving Junior School and moving onto Middle School. Lyrics in the song include, "I'm never changing who I am."

Boys learnt how to render clouds from an online tutorial and exploring using paint. Mrs Coutts and Mrs Weber took photos of the boys, who practised their "Blue Steel" look! Mrs Lorimer applied her knowledge of Photoshop effects to produce a photo which actually looks like a David Bromley painting. Mrs Farrell shared her painting expertise with the boys whilst they were rendering the cloudy skies. Opportunities to collaboratively share ideas and skills with projects like this make the learning richer.

I wish we had more time because the boys could have explored their own effects and moods, with endless possibilities using this creative software and newly acquired skills. Now they can go ahead and explore other options themselves.

Here are a couple of the results in progress. I can't wait to see the end result on display as an installation for Presentation Day, Tuesday 8 December at 11.00am.

Ms Karen Sabitay

PYP Visual Arts

Performing Arts News

The end of Spring Term is one of my favourite times of the year, not just because the gloriously long summer holidays are in sight, but because the boys (and their teachers) get to see their many hours of hard work and practice come to fruition via an array of special events and performance opportunities. It's a special time that involves many rehearsals, feelings of nervousness and excitement, and lots of joy and passion for Performing Arts. Throughout the last weeks of the year, we have celebrated the festive season with Christmas Carols sung by the JS Vocal Ensemble at the Year 3 - 5 Christmas Lunch, been entertained by the Year 4 boys who performed their hip-hop dances in the Scotch Amphitheatre, watched the Year 2W comedic rendition of The Nativity, and commenced HUGE rehearsals in preparation for the final Presentation Morning. I think our boys have earned their break! My heartfelt thanks to you for your support throughout the year, and best wishes for the festive season.

Miss Phebe Samson

Performing Arts Teacher

Friendly Schools and Families

It has been an extremely eventful year in our pastoral care programme. The whole school has worked its way through a 12-month review process in order to capture and align various programmes running throughout the College.

Friendly Schools Plus has now grown to be explicitly taught in both the Junior School and now the Middle School. The two campuses have also been involved in the second year of a three-year survey looking into anxiety and bullying prevention.

2015 also saw the five social and emotional learning areas become part of the Physical Education reporting process and the pastoral care team of Miss Penny Hooper, Reverend Anne Wright and Mrs Daniela Jasper continue to ensure the boys at Scotch College enjoy a safe and socially inclusive experience.

The new playground and many new clubs have helped to reduce bullying incidents, as the boys are busy burning off excess energy and sharing in new and exciting opportunities.

Circle Time with Mr Stewart and Miss Hooper has also offered a new layer of communication and reflection amongst both the students and the staff.

I look forward to working with you and your son in 2016 and wish you a safe and enjoyable Christmas break.

Mr Warwick Norman

Friendly Schools and Families Coordinator

Information Learning Technology

Year 4 iPad to Year 5 Laptops

This week is a very exciting week for the Year 4 boys. The boys will hand in their beloved iPad's and move to Macbook Airs. The laptops are perfect for the added demands of Year 5 and the PYP Exhibition. Miss Cirillo and Mr Wells have some very exciting laptop driven learning for the boys in Year 5 in 2016.

The Year 4 boys will begin the transfer process with a 1:1 Laptop information session presented by Dr Nick Spadaccini. The boys and their parents will hear all the important information about using and looking after their new machines before moving off to receive the new MacBook Air notebooks.

The boys will upload any important work via Showbie and transfer their iPad camera rolls to their laptops to be able to refer to their work completed on the iPad in the future.

All Junior School boys get to take home their iPads and laptops over the summer holidays to continue their learning at home. The Junior School Weekly Notices has helpful tips for parents regarding managing 1:1 devices at home.

Mrs Amanda Ritchie

ILT Coach

French

Bonjour everyone! Well, it has been a busy semester in French - the boys have achieved so much. The Year 5's have been working on adapting a French poem to create a new animal poem of their own. 5W and 5C were examining biomes in their UOI, so we looked at them in our French lessons too. They learnt about 5 different biomes and the animals found there and then they chose an animal to discuss in their poem. The boys looked up vocabulary in bilingual dictionaries, substituted words, practiced pronunciation and then recorded themselves reciting their brand new poem. The poems were very enjoyable to listen to: discussing where each animal lives, what foods they eat and something that they don't eat. Quite a lot of boys completed their poem with "le chocolat, il ne mange pas" (he doesn't eat chocolate!) Evidently they were not discussing a lesser-spotted Madame Vinton! Merci to everyone for your hard work this semester, and for making me feel so welcome. I look forward to more fun next year. Bonnes vacances!

Madame Vinton

French Specialist

Physical Education News

The Year 1 and 2 boys have been hard at work in the pool over the past couple of weeks as they prepare for their Aqua Fun Day on Tuesday 1 December at the Senior School Pool. There is plenty of anticipation and excitement surrounding the occasion and the question on everyone's lips is who is going to be the noodle race champion of the Junior School? As we come to the end of the Year, it has been pleasing to see the progress and improvement the boys have made in their fundamental movement skills. In particular, our Year 1 and 2 boys who, under the tutelage of Ms Anna Clancy, have shown huge improvement in their skills over the year.

Mr Scott Whiston

Head of Junior School Physical Education

Junior School Resource Centre

Happy Reading

Continuing on from my theme in last fortnight's Thistle about the overarching benefits of recreational reading, for the first time the Scotch Library Service will be opening up holiday borrowing for the Summer holiday period. The proviso is that all overdue items are returned (yes bribery is alive and well!) Boys will be given opportunity for holiday borrowing in their last library session this term or alternatively the library is open from 7.45 am- 4.00pm each day. Parents can bring their boys in at any time to select resources together.

For parents, the Senior School library (best access point Australind Street) has a fabulous selection of adult reads. As part of the Scotch Community, parents are able to borrow from this collection. The Senior School library is open from 7.30am - 7.00pm Monday-Thursday and 7.30am - 4.00pm Friday.

For those who are travelling or like to read books in ebook format or listen to audiobooks (great to keep the boys entertained on long car or airplane trips), the College has a fabulous collection of ebooks from the service provider Overdrive. These can be accessed 24/7 from any of the library home pages available at home.scotch.wa.edu.au and downloaded onto a variety of devices. Once downloaded, you do not need an internet collection. The full list of compatible devices is available on the Overdrive site under Help/Getting Started with Overdrive. There are also short video tutorials to help you get started. Parents, please just be mindful that you will need to select the books with your son, as you will be required to login with your Scotch User ID and as such the entire Collection will be shown not just the those available for your sons age range. If they are using their login they will only be able to access the K-5 (Junior School) collection. As this is a shared resource with PLC the collection also includes numerous great adult reads for Mums and Dads! If you would like further help with ebooks please email library@scotch.wa.edu.au or come in for a visit and we can assist in getting you started.

From all of members of the Scotch Library Service we wish your family Christmas blessings, a relaxing summer break and we look forward to servicing your son's informational and recreational reading needs in 2016.

Mrs Kathryn Salt

Junior School Teacher-Librarian

3T News

The end of year is always busy, but we in 3T have found it vibrant and exciting! At every turn there has been a new learning experience just waiting for us to enjoy.

Our Who We Are unit saw us delve into culture and identity. We've explored the traditions, celebrations, values and beliefs of various factions. In order to connect with the culture of our community, we invited parents to join us in the classroom and share the wonders of their own heritage. We enjoyed a traditional Greek feast, and an accordion playing grandfather taught us the Zorba. We then heard tales of Maori traditions and danced the Haka, which the boys did like natives! Little did we know that Scotch College has a long-standing connection to this warrior's dance and even has their own version, currently performed by students everywhere. There was also a Maltese display and in true spirit, a Scottish family gave us an even greater insight into the foundations upon that which our college is built.

The input from families throughout this unit, and the entire year, highlighted the fact that we are incredibly privileged to be part of such a generous and invested community, all keen on creating the most wonderful and supportive learning environment for our boys.

Each and every boy in 3T is to be congratulated for the effort and energy they have brought to our classroom and our school. It has been amazing to watch the growth of the boys across a whole year and an absolute delight to be part of their journey.

Mrs Rebecca Turkich

Year 3 Teacher

Week 7 - Excellence Awards

Dear Parents,

This is our last Thistle newsletter for the year. After 37 weeks we have this week and the two days of next week before the end of the academic year when, at Speech Night, we march out and farewell the Year 8 boys out under their new Senor School House banners

This Friday we have the last Middle School Assembly known as our Book Awards Assembly. Here we acknowledge a number of boys in each year group for their sustained enthusiasm, effort, commitment to learning and appreciation for the opportunities, support and nurturing they have enjoyed and reciprocated with over the year. This Assembly will be held in the Dickinson Centre and commence at 11am.

As we finish this year we are also looking ahead at next year. Orientation Day for our 2016 Year 6 & 7 students occurred today, Monday 30^th, whilst our current Year 8's, (2016 Year 9's) completed their orientation day in Senior School. For both groups it was a reminder just how useful the Student Parent Handbook is. The Middle School Parent Handbooks for 2016 are now available on Parent Connect within the Middle School portal.

Second semester academic reports are in the final stages of completion and will be mailed out to parents on Tuesday 8^th December. For students in Year 6, 7 & 8 next year, 2016 class lists will also be included in this mail out.

Our final photos feature two off campus events from last week. The Year 8 Boarders, pictured here at Canning Bridge in the Helena Valley, completed another 85km of their Bib Track walk. Unfortunately bushfires prevented them from finishing as planned this time so there is some catch up to be done next year.

Middle School triathlon boys competed in the Sunsmart Narrogin Triathlon organised by the Narrogin Primary School P&C over the weekend. The boys also enjoyed some fantastic farm hospitality courtesy of Daniel Weise's family.

Middle School Staff Movement.

At the end of the term we farewell Ms Schorer 7S and Ms Kotai 8K, both off on 12 months Maternity Leave. We wish them the very best as they step into the wonderful world of parenthood for the first time. I will keep you posted if their announcements in early February are tinged with pink or blue. Also leaving will be our Education Assistants Mr Seth Green and Ms Victoria Watson who have both concluded their studies and graduated with teaching degrees this semester. We wish them all the best as they start their exciting and very rewarding teaching career. Mrs Lucinda Hill our Art Technician will also be leaving at the end of the year, albeit temporarily. Mrs Hill will return in Autumn Term for 6 months when Ms Walden goes on her Maternity Leave. Commencing in Summer Term 2016, Mr Rowan Knight moves from Middle School Academic Support to Senior School Academic Support.

Next term we welcome Mr Justin Shaw to Middle School as a Year 6 teacher, Mr Shaw is currently a teacher and Year Coordinator at John Septimus Roe College in Mirrabooka. Mr Bycroft joins us as a Year 8 English and Humanities teacher. Mr Bycroft currently teaches in Senior School. Mrs Vicki Enfield-Kirk joins Middle School as an Academic Support teacher. Mrs Enfield-Kirk currently teaches in Senor School.

Finally, to the parents I will not get to see at Speech Night; thank you. Thank you for your support, advice, encouragement, patience and presence this year. Teaching a student or a class is not a singular activity; it requires the choreographed efforts of dozens of people. The parent body works behind the scenes in a myriad of roles: as motivators, cajolers, explainers and organisers, drivers, teacher assistants, uniform, lunchbox, musical instrument and sporting gear coordinators. You pick boys up when they are down and you rein them in when they aren't where they need to be. You do all of the above, sometimes every day. Thank you. We are nowhere without you.

Enjoy a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

Mr Richard Ledger

Head of Middle School

MYP Reporting in the Middle School

In a couple of weeks you will receive your son's report. This will be sent to you as a paper copy and it will also be available for you to view, and print if needed, on Connect.

This report will be a summation of your son's academic achievements during Semester 2. There is a lot of information in the report and I recommend that you take the time to go through the report with your son, congratulating him on the things that he did well and discussing the recommendations given on how he could improve his levels next year.

You will see that in Year 6 and 7 there is a page each for Science and Humanities showing the levels, grade and Approaches to Learning (work habits) but only one comment. These subjects are taught in an interdisciplinary programme and so the comment reflects how they have performed in both areas. There will be a full-page report for the Design unit your son completed in Rotation 2 and a comment only for the unit they completed in Rotation 3. The last rotation's results are reflected in the overall grade they received for Design for Semester 2.

This report, along with the results and comments that have been placed on Connect and on assessment pieces over the semester, as well as the conversations and correspondence that you many have had with teachers, should provide you with an accurate account of how your son has performed in Semester 2.

Ms Anna Eriksson

Middle School Dean of Teaching and Learning

Ancient Greece is the Boss in 7A

In recent weeks, the 7A boys have been immersing themselves in their final iLearn unit for 2015, Ancient Greece.

Currently, they are delving into the topic of warfare in Ancient Greece, specifically focusing on the use of the trireme (a state of the art military machine), the Peloponnesian War and the Battle of Thermopylae. To demonstrate their knowledge and conceptual understanding, the boys worked in small groups to create a podcast. Following this, they will participate in a quiz. Rather than competing against each other, the class works in small teams to survive several 'boss level' challenges. These challenges are similar in design to the boss levels that appear in computer games such as Mario Brothers. Questions answered correctly result in 'hits' to the boss, whereas incorrect answers result in the team taking a 'hit'. The boys must defeat the boss, before the boss defeats the class.

The boys are certainly enjoying their study of Ancient Greece. They are making great connections between the past and present, they are engaged and cannot wait to take on the 'boss level' challenge.

Mr Andrew Arbuckle

Teacher 7A

Excellence Awards

Headmaster's Commendations

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Alex Chew (7.2H) and Saami Welsh (6.3T) who have been selected to represent Western Australia in the School Sport Australia U12s Cricket Championships which will be held in Brisbane in January.

Congratulations to Blake Costello (8.4C) and Nathan Thomas (8.7A) who have been selected to represent Western Australia in the U15 State Basketball Team at the Southern Cross Tournament in Knox, Victoria in January.

Congratulations to Will Gordon (7.5S) who competed at the WA All School Athletics event last weekend. Will came 3^rd in the 400m and achieved a massive PB of 54.85, and came 2^nd in the 800m with another terrific PB of 2.13.41. He has now qualified to compete at the Australian All Schools event to be held in early December in Melbourne.

Important Dates in Middle School Spring Term

From the Head of Senior School

Last Friday night we said thank you and farewell to our leaving Year 12 boys at the Valedictory Dinner. It was a wonderful night that began with a chapel service before entering the Dickinson Centre for dinner. The venue had been transformed by the parents of the Scotch Auxiliary into a spectacular dining room featuring large floral displays throughout. The meal was prepared by our own Scotch catering staff and served by 70 boys in the current Year 12 cohort. The highlight of the night was an inspiring speech from Mr Owenell. He shared with us some of his own life experiences and offered sage advice to the 2015 Leavers. As a past Scotch boy himself, Mr Owenell told stories of his time at the College and one of his schoolboy ambitions to perform a rap song to packed Dickinson Centre audience. An ambition he fulfilled on the night. The Valedictory Dinner was a night enjoyed by well over 600 guests and made possible through the efforts and planning of the Scotch Auxiliary who continue to give tirelessly to school events throughout the year.

As this is the last newsletter for the year, I look back at the year passed with much pride and admiration of the efforts of the large majority of boys in the Senior School. Boys have forged new ground in academic competitions, embraced the new opportunities that have become available through the Round Square and most importantly, acted thoughtfully and considerately for the benefit of others. 2015 has been a year filled with highlights and will remain one many will remember fondly.

I wish all families a joyous Christmas and a safe and restful holiday period.

Dr Rob McEwan

Head of Senior School

Boys' Achievements

Joshua Hook (Year 10, Brisbane) is travelling to Melbourne to compete in the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships next week.

Rory O'Sullivan (Year 12, Ferguson) has been selected in the U20s Rugby Union squad to play in the Super 20s Tournament played 26 February - 2 April 2016.

Cameron Green (Year 12, Anderson) has been selected in the U19 WA State Cricket Team to play championships in Adelaide 28 November - 11 December 2015.

Jack Henharen (Year 12, Leaver, Anderson) has been selected for the WA U18 Indoor hockey team as well as the WA U21 Indoor hockey team. Both National Tournaments are played in Wollongong in January on consecutive weeks.

Leadership Positions:

Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians Award

Lewis Martin - Year 10, Anderson

The Enrichment Stage of the Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians consists of 12 problems completed over 16 weeks by the best Mathematics students across the country. High distinctions are awarded to students that finish in the top 10%. Congratulations to Lewis Martin (Year 10, Anderson) for achieving a high distinction in the Gauss series.

The Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad Award

Yuelin Shen - Year 11, Brisbane

The Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad consists of 10 challenging questions to be completed over four hours. Prizes are awarded to students that are outstanding on an international basis. Congratulations to Yuelin Shen (Year 11, Brisbane) who achieved a perfect score earning him a prize.

Yuelin Shen will be attending the AMOC School of Excellence in Melbourne.

Miss Joanne Fletcher

Mathematics Enrichment Coordinator

Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Article: 'Award holders at work' campaign

Rowing Camp 2016

For details of the Rowing Camp being held Thursday 21 January - Thursday 28 January 2016 see the attached documents.

Notice for Year 9 2016

Notice for Year 10 2016

Year 11 & Year 12 Residential details

Inaugural Trip for Scotch Scuba Club

Sunday 15 November saw the Scotch College SCUBA Club make its inaugural expedition. The club was formed after the successes and great feedback received after the Year 10 Exmouth Diving Expedition and Year 11 Marine Studies Abroholis programme. Boys met earlier in the term to discuss the format of the day and seven boys participated at Rottnest Island. It was an early meet at Dolphin Dive Fremantle where the boys were able to organise their equipment before heading down to the docks near Cicerellos. A 45 min boat ride later which involved a few green sea sick faces, we arrived at our first dive site, Roe Reef in perfect conditions. Here we were under water for 40min and had a fantastic first dive. The visibility was incredible, easily being able to see up to 20m. The boys were able to swim through rock ledges, overhangs, passed brilliantly coloured corals, many different fish, in particular a 1m samson fish, and the occasional cray.

It was then time for a BBQ lunch which was highly welcomed after our first dive. As always the boys showed great manners in eating after all other customers and were able to get their fill, except for poor Andrew who was still a little green faced hanging over the side of the boat!

The second dive was a short boat trip away at Drive-in Reef, known for the higher amount of boat traffic travelling through the area. Our skipper was very adamant on safety and made sure there were plenty of obvious 'Diver Down' flags visible. No issues though, the drive-in theater was obviously closed for the day… Drive-In Reef had cray everywhere with Lochie managing to find a decent sized critter that was on closer inspection, 'having a long sleep…' Bad luck Lochie! Again, some incredible rock formations to dive around and through and brightly coloured starfish hanging out amongst the coral.

Overall, a fantastic day out, the boys were a pleasure and it is always an easy job when the boys help the crew right till the very end. It was definitely an enjoyable and positive experience, and I look forward to getting more boys involved in 2016.

Boys involved:

Andrew Orvis (Year 11, Shearer), Saxon Read (Year 12, Alexander), Thomas Reymert (Year 11, Brisbane), Thomas Keamy (Year 12, Stuart), Nicholas Klug (Year 11, Keys), Lachlan Morrell (Year 11, Keys) and Ethan Cassidy (Year 11, Alexander).

Mr Alistair Steele

Outdoor Education

End of Year Information

A final Senior School marching and assembly will be held at 8.30am on Friday 4 December.

Senior School will finish for the term at 12.35pm on Wednesday 9 December. Boys must clear their locker by this time.

Senior School Speech Night will be held on Wednesday 9 December in the Dickinson Centre, followed by Lights Out on the lawn in front of Collegians House. Please be seated by 6.15pm in preparation for a 6.30pm start.

Parking will be available on the oval with access via Stirling Rd and on the streets surrounding the College. Please note parking restrictions on the west-side of Australind Street, Central Avenue and other streets surrounding the College.

Uniform requirements:

Winter uniform for Prize winners

Winter uniform for Leaving Year 12 boys

Summer uniform for all other boys

Please note that only the graduating Year 12 boys wear their striped blazer. All other boys wear the maroon blazer.

While this event is not compulsory, all boys are welcome to attend.

Senior School will resume for all boys in Years 9 to 12 on Monday 1 February with Week 1A.

Senior School Important Dates

Careers Information

The Conoco Phillips Science Experience

Universities around Australia are presenting a Science Experience for students in Year 9, 10 and 11 during the summer holidays. Western Australian universities will the following offering interactive hands-on workshops led by scientists and engineers who have a passion for what they do.

Curtin University 10-15 December 2015

The Science Experience with Engineering at Curtin is four days of hands-on science lab sessions (food science, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, maths, biology, computing and engineering lab sessions expert speaker presentations, information on studying at university, careers in science and engineering competitions.

Murdoch University 14-16 December 2015

Murdoch will offer exciting and interactive labs and demonstrations in the areas of animal science, environmental science, chemical and metallurgical engineering, biological science and forensic biology and toxicology.

Edith Cowan University 19-22 January 2016

The ECU programme will expose students to the fascinating world of marine biology and environmental science, engineering with motor sports, sport analysis, medical science, nursing, astronomy, physics, chemistry and psychology.

The University of Western Australia 19-21 January 2016

At UWA you will experience hands-on science in a variety of areas including genetics, sports science, physics, maths, chemistry, the environmental sciences and engineering.

These programmes may be very beneficial to students when deciding on their subject selections into senior school and also when considering further education and career options. Registration fees are $120 for the three day programmes and $160 for the four day programmes.

Further information and applications can be found at www.scienceexperience.com.au

Academic Task Force

January ATAR Head Start programmes will be offered at Churchlands SHS and Rossmoyne SHS from 14 - 28 January 2016. Essay writing and study skills sessions will also be available along with specific subjects. See Mr Frusher for application forms or contact Academic Task Force on 9314 9500 or via email learn@academictaskforce.com.au. (10% discount if enrolling prior to 21 December 2015.)

Year 11 Students - World Conference Opportunity

Nominations for IE University's Junior Advisory Board are now open.

Students need to be motivated, open-minded students in their junior year of high school and are opinionated, want their voices heard, and are socially aware and comfortable around those from different cultural backgrounds. Successful applicants will be invited to spend four days in Spain on the IE University campus, from April 11 to 15, to discover the country, take part in workshops, share their experiences in education, compare with those from different curriculums and put forward their ideas in an official presentation for the future of education to the Executive Board at IE University. Flights, travel, food and accommodation will be covered by IE University. Students will need to fill out the application form via the website: jab.ie.edu, include a CV, a transcript, a letter of recommendation and answer a few short questions.

The deadline to submit applications will be 17 January, 2016 shortly after which the successful applicants. Students will be able to include this experience on their CVs when applying to universities and if students choose to apply to IE University in the future, they will qualify to be awarded an 80% tuition scholarship. Contact jab@ie.edu with any questions you might have.

Students may also like to contact Daniel Bloch who represented Scotch College in 2014 at this conference - blocky50@hotmail.com to discuss the benefits of attending this conference.

Curtin University Medical School 2017

In May this year, the Federal Government announced approval for the Curtin Medical School. This is a very exciting development for the WA community. The five-year Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery degree to be offered by the University will be the only opportunity to study medicine straight from high school in the State, and will help Western Australia meet an urgent doctor shortage. The degree will commence in 2017 with 60 domestic students per annum, increasing to 120 (110 domestic and 10 international students) by 2022.

Year 12 Leavers - Start your summer break with UWA

Between 10.30am and 3.30pm on Thursday 10 December you can take part in fun activities and competitions at UWA's Beach Zone at Scarborough Beach. Find your flexibility during a yoga class, feel the sand between your toes in a game of volleyball or just relax in our chill out zone. There will be a DJ spinning all the latest summer hits as well heaps of prizes, giveaways and refreshments. Plus you can chat to student ambassadors to find out what it's like to be a UWA student and learn more about the great student experience from the UWA Student Guild.

Mr Peter Frusher

Careers Adviser

Remarkable Lives - Launching the IB Diploma Creativity, Activity and Service Programme 2015

In 1992, as a fifteen year-old dissecting an ox eye in a science class, Dr Angus Turner was awestruck by the brilliance and complexity of the eye. In a moment of serendipity and boldness, he stumbled across an email address for the professor of opthamology at Oxford University, and he sent a request halfway across the world seeking work in the department. He was told that he ought to seek a medical degree first, but that there would then be a job for him at Oxford University at the end of it all, and there was. Attending the university as a Rhodes Scholar, and then returning to Australia in 2010 to establish the Lion Outback Vision programme with its mission to "prevent blindness and vision loss among regional, remote and Indigenous Western Australian's by improving access to quality eye health care services", Dr Turner has emerged as one of the great young minds of Australian medicine, and Year 11 and 12 IB Diploma boys were lucky enough to hear him speak as the very first speaker at the inaugural Scotch College CAS Launch Day.

Dr Turner offered an engaging account of his own journey, speaking to the theme, "A Life Lived in Service of Your Community". Speaking of his initial spark of curiosity, he described how his vision for the Lions Outback Vision programme was the fruit of many years spent feeding his curiosity, and taking the opportunities that permitted him to shape his mission. He spoke with humour and deep experience of the challenges of pursuing such a vision, particularly with regards to Aboriginal health in remote communities. As he talked about current plans to disseminate this model more broadly, he reflected on his own strengths and weaknesses, and how these projects are so often a communal effort. His talk obviously engaged the boys, as they peppered him with questions afterwards, curious as to how to maintain a focus over such a long period of time, how to turn a passion into a life-long vocation, and what to do when faced with adversity or setbacks.

The day involved the boys hearing from a range of speakers on themes related to the CAS programme, as well as completing sessions planning their CAS activities for the year ahead. Their time together culminated with a dinner, hearing from Griffin Longley from Nature Play WA not only about how important physical activity is in building resilience and confidence, but also how central it is to community relationships. He spoke powerfully of running night basketball tournaments in Perth's eastern suburbs, and how they had a dramatic effect on the lives of adolescents. It was a challenging insight into how something so central to the lives of many of the boys could be so decisive in the lives of others.

Punctuating the day were talks from Nick Northcott, the Chief Operating Officer from Telethon Kids Institute, who spoke of corporate life with a sense of social responsibility, Cassandra Lake from the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, who helped the boys to understand the powerful role of creativity in offering healing and support to the vulnerable and marginalized. Finally, the boys gained insight from John Webb, a long-serving former staff member, as to the centrality of these healthy habits in sustaining men through life's challenges.

It was a powerful day for the boys, and established a philosophical backdrop to the programme they undertake throughout their IB Diploma.

Mr Brendan Zani

CAS Co-ordinator

Parents' Association

Save this date - Family Welcome BBQ Sunday 31 January to celebrate the commencement of 2016

The Parents Association is pleased to invite the Scotch College Community to welcome all new families in celebrating the commencement of the 2016 school year:

Family Welcome BBQ

When: Sunday 31 January - 4.00pm - 7.00pm

Where: Playing field adjacent to Keys House (under the trees)

Parking: Available on the playing fields - within 100m

What to bring : a picnic rug or foldup chair

The event is fully catered including sausage sizzle, salads, soft drinks and a variety of beverages for parents.

We will have a new attraction this year..!! An Inflatable Obstacle Course for the boys and their siblings….plenty of challenges!

Please come along and welcome our new parents to the School and celebrate a new year with your year group.

Mr Ian Knobel

President

Scotch Auxiliary

Valedictory Dinner 2015

A very special evening was held last Friday, the Valedictory Dinner 2015, for our Year 12 Leavers and their parents. A big team effort from the School and parents helped transform the Dickinson Centre into a magnificent long tabled dining room for 620 people. Thank you to all who contributed to make this evening a memorable finale for our Year 12 Leavers' journey through the College.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Middle School:

Year 8 Graduation Breakfast - Tuesday 8 December, 7.30-8.30am, Middle School Quadrangle.

For more details on this event and to purchase tickets please visit the Scotch College website www.scotch.wa.edu.au and click on the "Book a Scotch Event" icon.

Coffee Mornings and Get-togethers:

New Year 10 - Wednesday 2 December, 9am, 136 Forrest St, Peppermint Grove.

Our Year 10 Representatives look forward to seeing you.

As this is the last edition of the Thistle for the year, we thank everyone for all their help and support throughout the year. To the 2015 Year 12 families who are leaving our parent community, we say goodbye. You will be missed, but we take comfort knowing that you will remain life long friends of the Scotch College community.

Wishing everyone safe and happy holidays.

Merry Christmas!

Mrs Carissa Paganin

President

Pipe Band Parent Support Group

As we draw to the end of a very busy year for the Scotch College Pipe Band I would like to thank the outgoing committee, Stephen White, Kayla Sheridan, Cindy McLean, Maureen White, Claire Howie, Charmaine Regan, for their time, commitment and support for the Pipe Band. We acknowledge the sudden passing of Charmaine Regan, a member of this year's committee and sadly missed.

The committee thanks Pipe Band Master, Craig Bailey, Drum Instructor, Roy Hamilton and Norm de Grussa, Middle School Pipe Band Programme for their dedication to the Scotch College Pipe Band.

Thank you to parents who attended the PBPSG meetings and those that volunteered at the many occasions where help is needed. Thank you to the Scotch College community for its ongoing support of the Pipe Band.

At our final meeting last week the 2016 PBPSG Committee was announced:

President - Yvette Henderson

Secretary - Allyson Schaff

Treasurer - Raymond Weeda

Fundraising Committee - Fleur Cassidy, Tania Dillon-Ingrilli, Linley Watts

Middle School Representative - Claire Howie

The outgoing committee wishes the incoming committee all the best.

Mrs Mandy Perrignon

President

Mike Hirsch Cricket Skills Clinic

Summer holiday cricket coaching clinics to be held at Scotch College, both indoors and on the field. See here for more details.

Youth Busking in the City of Subiaco

Did you know that busking in the city is free? The City of Subiaco is proud to support the artistic growth and skills development of young people. Busking is a great way to develop your confidence, gain performance skills, earn money and maybe even become the next super star! If you are aged fourteen to twenty-five and have skills in singing, dance, miming, puppetry, playing an instrument or any other type of performing we would love to hear from you!

To find out more about busking in the city visit www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/youth or contact the city's youth officer on culture@subiaco.wa.gov.au or 9237 9222.

Wembley Bright Blue Disco

The next event is being held of Friday 4 December. See here for more details.

Christmas in the Quad Concert

St George's College (UWA) will be holding their second annual Christmas in the Quad concert on 21 December. Bring a picnic, a rug, family and friends for symphonic favourites and carols under the stars.

More information can also be found at http://www.stgeorgescollege.uwa.edu.au/our-community/events/christmas-in-the-quad/.

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation

The Leeuwin's Youth Explorer Voyage programme is both exciting and rewarding, teaching participants all aspects of living and working aboard a traditional tall ship from steering, navigating and setting the sails to standing watch through the night and climbing to the top of the 33m main mast. The programme aims to increase self-confidence and self-awareness as well as developing communication, teamwork and leadership skills, which future employers and tertiary education providers will be looking for in their applicants.

JACART

Old Scotch Collegian, Jac Fear, would like to invite the Scotch community to his Art Exhibit in Claremont from 4 December through 27 December.

Please come along to support Jac.

http://www.jacfear.com

https://www.instagram.com/jacart_/

https://www.facebook.com/jacartjacfear/