Community and Service
Life On The Edge: Round Square Conference
During the first week of the April holidays, Scotch hosted a conference for 12-14 year old students from Round Square schools within the Australasia and East Asia region. The five-day programme involved 186 delegates from schools in China, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore as well as Australia. Based on the theme 'Life On The Edge', delegates followed a programme of activities, shaped by the IDEALS: Internationalism; Democracy; Environmental Awareness; Adventure; Leadership and Service. All delegates stayed on campus in our student residential accommodation.
Senior Scotch boys led groups of around 15 student and adult delegates (Baraza Groups). Each Baraza Group rotated through four days of activities beginning each morning at 6.00am with 'Greet The Day' - an opportunity to try surfing at Leighton Beach or group fitness games with a difference on the Gamble Field.
As part of the programme delegates worked with young professional street artist Hayley Welsh to create a large format painting entitled 'When We Dare to Dream' based on the theme and incorporating symbols representing the IDEALS. (This painting can be seen on the front wall of Mackellar Hall). Delegates also rolled and distributed over 200 'Street Swags' to the homeless at St Patrick's Community Centre in Fremantle and Tranby Day Centre in East Perth. They worked with 'Friends of Lake Claremont' on habitat rehabilitation and learnt to play wheelchair basketball with the Wheelchair Sports Association at Rocky Bay. Internationally renowned kite maker Michael Alveres led Baraza groups through a process of making, illustrating and flying box kites while local drummer Jackson Vickery had groups synchronised playing the djembe.
The Adventure activities took place at 'Moray' where delegates had the opportunity to tackle the High Ropes Course, try orienteering and also plant trees around a shelter on the Bibbulmun Track. An Environment Awareness theme continued in 'Race Through Kings Park' a challenge to find checkpoints within the park.
Guest speakers each evening included: Astronomer, Professor Peter Quinn, Executive Director of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, who presented on 'Finding the Edge' (of space); Akram Azami, refugee, academic and former Young Australian of the Year (2013) together with local refugee students from Balga Senior High School presented - 'Coming in from the Edge'; and Sean Pollard, Esperance surfer who was attacked by two white pointer sharks and subsequently lost both arms presented - 'Surviving the Edge'.
The Scotch College Pipe Band in full regalia entertained delegates, while a Jazz Ensemble, Scotch Youth Voices choir and a dramatic monologue were included the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
The Conference Photograph took place on the beach on the final morning in beautiful weather when all delegates had an opportunity for a swim around the Cottesloe Pylon. It was a wonderful five days of fun and friendship… 'on the edge'!
The conference Facebook page can be found here
Donations of Personal Care Items
Thanks must go to the many families in the Scotch College community who donated personal care items for the homeless. There was a large amount of items donated - all of which was donated to the homeless in Fremantle and central Perth. The people who received these gifts were hugely appreciative and the agency staff that helped distribute the items was impressed by the generosity shown. The personal care items and the Street Swags together made a substantial difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in our city.
Mr Bill Cordner
Director of Community and Service
