Headmaster's Reflections
Welcome back to Spring Term. I trust all families took the opportunity to spend invaluable time with each other. In a rapid paced world, quality family time can suffer at the hands of getting tasks done and by adhering to an unrealistic set of commitments. If you were considering getting more balance back into your life then why not start now?
It is hard to comprehend that this week marks the change of school year for our Year 9, 10 and 11 students who all commence their new academic year by moving up a grade. Commencing the new year in October is something that sets us apart from many other schools. While it does present us with some challenges, this strategy is aimed at maximizing teaching and learning opportunities for both students and staff.
Of course the big event last week occurred on Friday when we bid farewell to our Year 12 students at March Out. This event is a highlight on the school calendar. Not because we say farewell to the Year 12s, but because it is one of the few times in a year when our whole School comes together. We do so because we want to say thanks and wish the Year 12s farewell. For our young boys it provides yet another great moment for them to experience aspirational achievement as they watch our Year 12s March Out and commence the first stage of their post school journey.
As we commence another term you may have noticed that there have been changes to some of the surrounding streets, especially Wright Avenue. This work was all driven by the Town of Claremont Council. I would like to take the start of a new term to remind the Scotch community about our role within the wider community with regard to both delivering and collecting the boys from school. Blocking up small surrounding streets such as Saunders, Bellevue and Gardener is not a good example of community mindedness. It is also dangerous in terms of student movement and access. Our neighbours need to be able to get in and out of their properties and streets. If you are coming by car then I ask you to drop your son at the major drop-off zones we have created on Claremont Crescent, Stirling Road, and Gooch Pavilion. Even better, drop the older boys off a bit further away and encourage them to walk as opposed to having to drop them at the door. In general we have been very good trying to make drop-off and pick-up times as smooth as possible. Sometimes I believe we face unrealistic expectations of neighbours as well. However our job is to minimise local concerns and continue to be valued members of our community.
I look forward to all that this term will hold across our three sub schools. Spring term is always busy, culminating in the annual Junior School Presentation Morning and Middle and Senior School Speech Nights. Thanks for the support I know you will give to the boys and their teachers throughout the balance of this year.
Starting last Friday you may have noticed Scotch advertsing in the local press for interest in Pre-Primary students. Our intention is to open one Pre-Primary class commencing in 2016 given we receive enough interest and formal approval from the Department of Educational Services regarding the proposed teaching space. I ask parents to let anyone they know who may be interested in seeking a Pre-Primary place for 2016.
Below is a preview of some of the advertising:
I look forward to catching up with the boys and their families throughout the term.
Have a great fortnight
Dr Alec O'Connell
Headmaster
