FROM THE HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Seize Your Opportunities
"Love your time, love your mates and love your jumper" (Scotch team jumper). This was the message given to all boys in the Senior School by Tim O'Donnell, School Vice-Captain, at a recent assembly. In his speech, Tim spoke about his time at Scotch and the opportunities made available to him and all other boys. Tim urged all the boys to live in the moment. Soak up the experiences and not let an opportunity go by. If the last week was anything to go by, it seems the boys understood the message loud and clear.
The past week has seen boys in Years 8, 9 and 10 present a wonderful dramatic production The Adventures of Tom Sawyer over four performances. The Senior School came together for the Inter-House Athletics carnival. After spirited competition over two days, the athletics carnival concluded in a way no other school could have emulated. House marching followed the high precision marching display from the pipes and drums before a large and highly appreciative crowd of parents and local residents. Immediately following the athletics carnival groups of boys rushed off to perform in the drama production, participate in the Tournament of Minds or attend a computer-programming course at UWA.
On Monday we welcomed the Deputy Consul General, China, Dr Liu, to Scotch for a presentation to all of Year 11 and Arts Week commenced at lunchtime with an art battle and boys playing live music at lunchtime. Tuesday saw the first round of the inaugural Inter-House choir competition and Wednesday night the Year 11 drama performances were staged in the Foundation Theatre. On Thursday we watched the film productions of the Media students during a lunchtime showing and attended the Director's Cut Awards Night in the Dickinson Centre that evening. The standard of film was very high and the Year 12 productions left us in awe of the boys' creative and technical skills. The week ended with the Music Department's Spring Concert. This was a fitting end to a busy week that saw every boy in the Senior School sing in a choir. Many others either performed at a lunchtime concert, on stage in a dramatic production, paint in an art battle, show a short film or perform in a music ensemble.
While a wealth of opportunities and experiences surround every boy all the time, for our Year 12s these experiences are quickly coming to an end. With three weeks of term remaining, the Year 12s will march to assembly only one more time, for many this will mark the end of five years of marching up to the assembly. There are no more winter or summer sports to be played and only Athletics remains. Classes are now revising work and boys are studying hard in the lead up to the final exams. It is at this time of the year when we reflect on the Year 12s journey that we realise exactly why Tim O'Donnell urged the boys in all year groups to seize their opportunities and be present in the moment. These moments do not come back. The message is no different for parents. Get along to as many School events as you can. If you saw any of the events I have listed in the past week, you will know what I am referring to.
The last assembly of term, Wednesday 25 September (2.30pm to 3.25pm - no marching), will feature the finalists in the Inter-House Choir competition. See you there!
Dr Rob McEwan
Head of Senior School
