Headmasters Reflections
The willingness of our students and staff to engage in co-curricular pursuits outside of their already incredibly busy schedules continues to both amaze and inspire me as a leader.
Over recent weeks I have written on the topic of what it truly means to be an independent school. The publicly stated fee schedule of a school such as Scotch can often be used to rationalise why there is so much on offer. While to some extent this hypothesis is true, a lot of the fee we charge is to simply bridge the significant shortfall between what we receive in government funding support and what it takes to run a standard school the size of Scotch. Approximately 86% of the College's expenditure is focused on salaries, administration and overheads, facilities, interest and depreciation and debt repayment. As such the true value-add we create at Scotch is delivered through the remaining balance.
Without the high level of commitment and good will of the staff, OSC, parents, and of course our students, the expenditure of the balance would never be enough to deliver the total Scotch experience.
As a person who is well aware of the myriad of events and activities happening each and every week and one who lives and breathes many of the College's activities, even I am amazed and inspired when I read publications such as Reporter and Clan.
This week families should receive a copy of our most recent Clan which is yet another edition showing the amazing array of activities and successes across our three sub-schools.
On 3 and 4 June we hosted the Word Scholars Cup, which included approximately 240 students from across a number of WA schools. While the success of our own students in this event is commendable, the real success is that Scotch played a central role in delivering a significant academic event on behalf of many students from other communities.
Just last Friday one of our Senior School mathematic teachers, Mr Paul Newman and a number of our boys hosted and participated in the Four Schools Chess tournament. This is yet another example of how our boys can pursue a variety of both academic and non-academic interests as a result of the diversity of interests shared by our staff.
I would like to acknowledge the Music Department for their contribution to the co-curricular programmes which were highlighted by the Junior School Middle School Concert and Senior School Vocal Showcase. In closing I would like to draw the community's attention to a very special event that is happening this week. The last time Scotch produced a school musical was in 2005. Under the direction of Mr Bennet Andrews, and with the assistance of Emma Cooper, Kirra Muni, Suzy Wydra, Adrian Khoo, Kale Tatum and Tim Simpson, Scotch is performing 'The Addams Family'. This is going to be a truly spectacular event both from a performance and visual perspective. The Dickinson Centre has already been transformed into the quirky Addams Family environs; it is now sitting in readiness to be brought into life through the performance of our own boys and the two very special lead females from John XXIII College. Opening night is Tuesday and tickets can be purchased from the College web site. In the words of the great Australian philosopher, Molly Meldrum, 'Do Yourself a Favour' and get your tickets now for what will be a somewhat quirky and memorable family night out.
Have a great fortnight.
Dr Alec O'Connell
Headmaster
Traffic Management
We have received complaints from local residents and a call from the local police to remind parents that they must not block intersections and roundabouts around the College, particularly the Shenton Road/Stirling Road roundabout. This includes stopping and waiting to be able to turn left into Stirling Road from Shenton Road to pick up your child. Claremont police have advised that they will be policing the road rules in relation to intersections and roundabouts in the coming days and if you happen to be caught, you will be fined. Please show consideration when you are picking up your child and ensure you do not create traffic jams, block driveways, park in places that are not permitted and block access ways.
Saunders Street east of Wright Avenue is not to be used for dropping off your child.
Traffic congestion around the College is an issue for the College with the Town of Claremont and its residents and we ask that you be considerate and courteous to others.
